Seeking Peaceful Things...........

When did this happen to me?  When did I become that compulsive computer person who checks my e-mail, my Etsy shop stats, Facebook and Pinterest and then ignores my blog and those of my friends?  When did I become that 500 characters or less blurp writer?  When could all that goes on in my head be summed up in a one sentence status update?  When did my annual vacation become an obligation!?
I need to find a peaceful place.  Once again it's that time of year where looming before me is that trip to New Jersey to visit my parents.  It always brings on the flood of anxiety about "abandoning" my cats for a week.  Left to their own devices all day while Joe is at work.  Left to the hazzards of this street.  My compulsion has gotten to the frantic point of even trying to ignore them as much as possible all day to train them to be on their own.  Are there no boundries to my manic behavior?  When did the thought of going to my beloved childhood home to see my family become an event that brings me to tears every time  I think of leaving here?  Tell me it's the Change of Life"  Tell me it's something that has a diagnosis, a pill to take,  a magic button to press to cure it!
During more lucid moments my head is filled with ideas and inspiration to stitch and craft.  But nothing actually gets done.  Hours pass; days pass and I'm in the same state of "nothingness".
I need to find a peaceful place.  I need to find the energy to exercise again; to swim, to ride my bicycle.  I need to pick up a needle and thread or needles and yarn and create something.  I need to enjoy the Olympics.  I wait those four years for those all-consuming two weeks and this year I just can't muster the excitement of years past.
Even after much thought and planning on what to write I find my own words disjointed and rambling.  I sit and stare at the screen for long moments.  What is my next move, my next word.

Let's Take A Walk

It started out with threatening skies early this afternoon.  But nothing came of it.  Lots of sun and a bit of a breeze.  I don't think it even reached 70 degrees F today.  Plenty of stitchiness going on, but it was just too nice to sit still.  So my walking companions and I set out into the fields behind the house

Back past the big barn and the little sheds.

Carmella is always the most adventurous

Roy and Coal survive their vast "hunting ground".

For Carmella it's a bit of "Where's Waldo" in the dry grass.

My little entourage sticks with me all the way to the far corner of our property.  It's hard to even see the house through all the lovely greenery.

Some interesting wildflowers.  Didn't want to get too close because of the poison ivy surrounding them.

On the way back everyone needs a little rest at the half-way point.  Mel catching some shade in the tall grass.

Roy and Coal under my chair.

Old Mr. Twinsy, our resident neighbor-cat, decided to sit this one out on the comfort of the patio chair.

I certainly can't forget my sweet friend Blacky.  He's two years old today.  Well, it's one of those kitty guess-timate birthdays.  He loves living at Roy and Sharee's house.  I remember when he first showed up on their deck in mid July 2010.  Such a tiny, scared little guy.  Now he is so friendly and bold....and yes, a bit mischievous!

Happy Birthday Blacky!

Needles and Pins

Well, it should actually be "needles and needles"....cross-stitch and knitting that is.  My first cross-stitch finish in a while.  A lovely Threadwork Primitives design called "Pride & Glory".  Check out her stuff on Esty (shop of the same name).  She really has some beautiful Prim stuff there.

The next finish was sort on an emergency job.  I gave a pair of hand-knit socks to my friend's step-son for Christmas.  Last Sunday I got the call that those socks had been worn on nearly a daily basis, only torn from his feet over much protest to be washed and then immediate worn again.  So a second pair was in order.  These are Hobby Lobby brand yarn, Yarn Bee "Walkaway Sock"  Color #3. These went out in the mail yesterday.  I have a pair of Kroy stripes on the needles now since TWO additional pairs were requested.

Under the category "Pins & Needles" :  That is what these ladies are on!  Waiting for the end-of-season picnic to see who's moved up to the next competition level.  I already know who's going, but I wish I could keep them all with me.  Thank you for a fun and very successful season!

Now for some pet snaps.  I got everyone to pose for me this week.

Twinsy, the neighbor cat who is now a permanent resident.

Mel, enjoying a roll on the warm sidewalk.

Coal, who just needs to learn how to turn the key and take this thing for a few laps around the yard.

The elusive Mocha.  After nine years with us she is finally overcoming some of her shyness and venturing out during the day.

Roy, looking rather long and lean in this photo.

Even Bud made it into the photos.  A thunderstorm last week drove both Bud and Joe on to the porch.

Tonight is the last night of regular practice sessions at the gym for two weeks.  Although I love gymnastics, I welcome the break so I can be outside from dawn 'til dusk.  Managed to get the San Marzano tomatoes out into the garden today.  Not sure what the weekend holds for me but it's bound to be busy.  Hope everyone enjoys their weekend plans.

Do You See What I See?

While wandering aimlessly through my local Walmart in a valiant search for the correct hepa-filter for my vacuum, I became overwhelmed by the numerous sizes, shapes, aromas and prices so I went to check out the craft department.  About 2 years ago all the area WalMarts began "phasing-out" their fabric and craft departments and revamped them into a single isle that sold popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners.  Over the past year the WalMart 15 miles north of me ( yes, that is considered "local" around here) brought back it's fabric by-the-bolt and tonight, yes tonight I saw THEM again for the first time.  By them I mean DMC floss!  I also saw a few off-brand packages of aida and some prefinished aida items.  OK, it's not the return of the local needlework shop that disappeared 8 years ago, but it's a step in the right direction.  At every WalMart in the area (there are 4 within decent driving range) I always make a stop at the customer service desk and mention how much I miss the fabric and craft department, the bolts of fabric and the DMC floss.  Well, someone was listening in Wilmington Ohio!
Craft on my friends......................................

The Vivian Apron

A beautiful Friday and time to tear myself away form Facebook and YouTube and the ongoing flow of information from the European gymnastics scene.  Time for that later after I'm done with my own gymnasts and the sun has set. 

A stitchy finish of sorts for today:  The Vivian Apron by Rebecca Ruth Designs.  My neighbor bought this kit at the Chatfield College Quilt Show two weeks ago as a birthday gift for her daughter.  A nice chance for me to brush-up on my rick-rack attaching skills.  Now I have a pattern that I can use over and over again.

A really cute cookie/baking themed print

Everything is the garden is blooming!  It's just amazing what a mild Winter can do.  I didn't lose a single perennial this year.  I'm even seeing things bloom that I didn't know I had.  When did I plant this color iris?  It probably didn't make it through Winter 2010 and got through Winter 2011 to grace us with it's presence this Spring.  My Baptista and Red Hot Poker have also "resurfaced".

Kitty Roy enjoys the abundant crop of cat nip.  A few more bites and he'll be groovin' with the Party Frogs!

Happy Friday everyone.

Totally Obsessed!

Please excuse the lack of stitching, knitting, crafting or even blog-updating lately.  I am totally obsessed with the 2012 European Gymnastics Championships taking place in Brussels, Belgium this week.  The fact that I finally have a hi-speed Internet connection has made the obsession even worse.  Hours of downloading not only gorgeous photos (these by the artist Grace Chiu ) but the multitude of VIDEOS out there has consumed hours of my time.  Well, not the numerous hours it took before on dial-up.  I never thought I could be so enamoured of a piece of modern technology.  As a coach and judge this is just priceless for me.  To be able to see these routines moments after they occur.....OK, maybe you have to be a total gymnastics geek to appreciate this.  Anyway, enjoy these lovely photos while I go back to watch some more of the competition.

In The Bag

Up a the crack of dawn with the kitties and off we go for our usual stroll.  Not so much for exercise, but to direct them to the proper play area and away from the street.  Back behind that green shed is a favorite spot.

The iris are in full bloom and all the other flowers are soon to follow.

 Now on to the bags.  The "Origami Bag" pattern is certainly getting a work-out.  Six more were finished this morning.

All were made from this gorgeous fabric collection called "Letter From Abroad".  All vintage images of stamps, letters, feathers ink wells and fountain pens.

On the project wish list is this felt creation, Strawberry Charlotte.  I don't have a pattern, but from my recent ventures into felt cookies I have most of the techniques down.  Now to get the courage to cut out the pieces...................