Pictures!!!

I have been working like crazy on Spirit of the Wild since I have returned home. I have actually finished the two pages that were in progress this past week. (I have no life, lol)

Here's the latest on the top right corner:

The bottom left corner:

AND all 10pgs I have completed thus far:

So far, the total stitches on this project = 99,578. Crazy, right!?
I guess that's all I have for now. I can't even think of anything random and awesome to share.
I hope everyone is doing absolutely amazing today!
Hugs to all!

Home, Sweet Home

I made it back! FINALLY.
The extra $$ just wasn't worth the exhaustion towards the end of my contract. I mean, driving almost 700 miles plus working 60-70 hrs a week is enough to run anyone into the ground.

I've managed to stitch a bit this past weekend, but I forgot to snap a pic. I'll make sure to make that happen shortly. Let's blame it on the exhaustion... mental and physical.

In the mean time, meet one of my chicken nieces... I'm pretty sure this one is Penny. (Joe will correct me if I am wrong, lol)

Joe's chickens were raised by hand and like to be loved on and sit in your lap. Pretty fabulous.

AND...

Here is your PSA for the day:

The North American Hemisphere has entered it's warmer months. Things that crawl, slither and go bump in the night have started moving about. Watch the roads for those kamikaze squirrels and moving deer. ABOVE ALL ELSE... STOP FOR TURTLES!!! They are a vital part of our ecosystem.
Besides, how would you like to be ran over on your way home from work?? Just saying. 

Isn't the little snapper cute?

Enjoy your afternoon, lovelies!!

Gut Punched

Hello, world.

I know it's been a while. I've been on contract for the last month at another school - fixing a train wreck. I very rarely post without photos of my stitching, but I just haven't had the time while working between 60 & 70 hours a week. It's been both exhausting and frustrating to say the least but I will not complain about that.

I am, however, in much need of a mini-vent of the personal kind.

I am at a loss. Last Thursday I saw the Stud Muffin. First time I had seen him in a few weeks due to my contract. He said something to me when he left - "Thank you for my smile." Simple enough, but it nagged at me all weekend... in a serious way... as in I couldn't think of anything else. I checked into my hotel last night and logged on to the net. Yea. My intuition was right - something was seriously off kilter.

Enter the gut punch...

HE GOT MARRIED SATURDAY... just two days after seeing me!!!!!!

My first thought was how did I miss the signs? We all know that there is no such thing as "out of the blue". He had told me he wanted me in his life and nothing worked without me there. And I specifically asked if he was seeing any one else and he said no... and I believed him.

I sent him a message asking if he had lied to me the whole time. I asked why he didn't tell me when we spent time together Thursday. Told him it would have been the honorable and respectful thing to do. (Do honor and respect even exist in the dating world anymore?)

He said he didn't lie the whole time. He made a mistake in which he had to take responsibility. That he could never tell me enough how sorry he was. That this was in no way how he wanted his life to be, but that it is what it is now. That he never expects me to forgive him but that he is sorry with everything he has in him. (Did you catch a hint of poor pitiful me in that? Like he wanted me to feel sorry for him? Jerk.)

~ Insert my thought here... he may not have been seeing someone from the start of us, but it sure does sound to me like he knocked someone up. Wouldn't you agree?

So, I told him that people come into and leave your life for a reason. That he reminded me of a lesson I had previously learned but had forgotten. I thanked him for that. I told him I couldn't believe he was sincere and that everything made sense now... I finally see him for who he really is. Then I gave him a giant F U. (Un-lady like I know, but I thought the situation would give me a pass... please say you are in agreement.)

He responded by saying his apology was completely sincere. Life was better with me in it. He was sorry.

I told him I obviously didn't make his life better enough to have an impact to be genuine and honest. I deserved the truth and he didn't give it. He turned me into little more than a disposable side piece. I told him that he was right, his life was better with me in it because I genuinely cared about him. (Obviously, I am better off without him.) That I didn't do anything to deserve this. He gut punched me and knocked me to the floor.

His response - silence. No shocker there.

~ I thought I handled myself pretty well all things considered. AND... I actually voiced myself to him which was a relief... I never could voice myself to my ex-husband.  Unfortunately, my first instinct was to question what I had done wrong and how I fell short. Even now I am struggling but I know it'll pass. My second instinct was to cut off his manhood, stuff it, and mount it on the wall like a trophy. AND.. My third instinct was to call his new wife and make sure she knew what kind of man she just married. I won't do either of the last two though because that would mean I had stooped to a low I don't need to go to. Instead, I'll drink my glass of wine to ease the tension and do some work.

On a final note... The world needs to practice the Golden Rule a little bit more. Really, a lot more. People need to be lifted up instead of broken down. Remember this, all of you lovely people - and for some, I know it's a challenge...  myself included - DO NOT allow yourself to determine your own worth based upon the actions of another.

Thanks for listening peeps. It's much appreciated.
I hope your Monday has been better than mine.

XO

Who's Yo Mama?!

Yup... it's me. Kicking butt and taking names.

I hope everyone had a most lovely Easter weekend. I made the trek to Elvistown. Cooked Easter dinner for 15 people... it was definitely yum. Did a little shopping. Went to church.

On a side note - We are THAT family... twisted and warped... our own personal brand of crazy. You're not loved unless you are picked on. Those not present are even fair game. We discuss everything from family and food to religion and politics. Sometimes staying up until all hours of the night. I would imagine that anyone looking through the windows at us may think we need group therapy. Truth be known, we are our therapy. I love my family and wouldn't know what to do without them.

I've accomplished quite a bit on my big project:

It's been irritating at times, but I love the progress made. I had to start on two different pages in order to keep from going blind when stitching just one color.

Last night I made a strawberry rhubarb pie. The first one I've made in a few years. And oh my goodness was it tasty! Practically a foodgasm - it was that good.

I really didn't want to share, but I did. When I get to Heaven and I'm asked why I deserve to pass through the Pearly Gates I can say I shared my pie. (I guess that sounds really horrible.)


Other than that... I say welcome to spring! The true south has a fifth season - Pollen. Thankful for the rain today. EVERYTHING had turned green from so much pollen. You have to clean your windshield just to drive. So horrible.

Hate the pollen. Love the blooms.

Well.... I guess that's all for now.
I wish you a most fabulous day, wherever you may be.

XOXO

A Few More

Stitches that is. Slow and steady wins the race right?

I made the trip to Elvis Town to see my parental unit. Never a vacation. PATME (Parental Adult Teller-Machine Extractor - the half that gives us grown children $$) is still fighting the battle against stage 4. PATME's numbers are so low lately that they don't leave the house. My Granny Ho is also battling cancer... she's a walking miracle as she has already outlived her time frame for what she has. I mention this because when I go, being the most awesome daughter/granddaughter that I am, my trips are always working trips. I did some things for both my parents and grandparents that they can't do for various reasons. AND... I made PATME's favorite pound cake with the recipe their grandmother used when they were a small child. It's amazing to say the least. Thankfully, I am inheriting that particular cook book.

I fixed Precious again. Wire issues this time. LOL.

All I can say is thank goodness for iphones with cameras and flashlights. Oh. And, youtube videos. LOL. I'm telling you... you need to stick with me come the zombie apocalypse! This girl has skills.

Ok... enough about nothing. It's a lovely day in my neck of the woods... I hope it is wherever you may be as well. Go get some fresh air!

XOXO, Peeps!

Page 6

Here you go Ladies and Gents... the up to date photo of my H&E design...

So far it is 59,808 stitches. I've broken 1 needle - massive amazon man hands - and I'm on my 3rd highlighter. This will be the biggest project I have stitched yet. Move over Van Gogh... Spirit of the Wild is the new kid in town. Did you hear The Good, the Bad and the Ugly playing just now? Or was it just me? (Ear worms, man.)

Speaking of music... If you haven't heard the Simon and Garfunkel Sounds of Silence cover by Disturbed... YOU NEED TO!!! Just GOOGLE it. You're welcome.

Ok, kids. Love you. Bye.

Time to play Catch Up

The Queen of Random Posts has returned. Maybe for just the day or maybe for a while. Who knows.

Finishing Van Gogh gave me a moment of "What now?" My inspiration went down the drain for a bit. I did start reading Wuthering Heights. I have to say, it's been one of the most excruciating books I have ever read. I mean physically painful. The story line is decent, but it's definitely not one of those suck you in and read until 3am situations. I will finish it. Even if I just read a paragraph a day.

I started stitching on my new big project last October. I have almost 6 pages of the 54 complete.
It's a Heaven and Earth Design, Spirit of the Wild, by Laura Prindle.
Here's what I had finished a few weeks ago. I'll take a new photo this evening... if I remember.

 Here's what it will look like when finished...

The kinder vermin are already fighting over whom gets to inherit this one. I think the Girl won b/c the Boy had already put his hooks into Van Gogh.

I randomly decided to get fresh ink last night. In randomly decided I mean just the act of heading out last night. Not in random choosing of symbol, place and size. And it's strategically placed so that it'll be hidden from the general population.

Just a subtle reminder to myself that my story is still being told. My struggles are my struggles and I just have to remember to "be still".

Welllll... that's probably enough for the moment. I don't want to overwhelm anyone.

A most fabulous day to you!!!
Smooches!