Category Archives: Stitching

What is your joy?

Posted on September 15, 2008 by Terri | Comments Off

I have been going through a lot of personal stuff lately and really didn’t want to blog about it in case doing so became influential over what decisions needed to be made. Very little of it has been *bad* so to speak, just *stuff* that needed dealing with and decisions needing to be made. Most of it has been drudge, like cleaning out closets and dressers and giving stuff away, decluttering (still) my office and other areas of my house, financial decisions, etc.

My *litmus test* was whether or not the thing I needed to make a decision over gave me joy. It made some of the decisions very easy to make when I allowed only that aspect of it to rule. So, what is my joy?

First and foremost Kahuna. I don’t think I would be able to breathe if something were to happen to him.

The puppies. They always know when I need a snuggle – and even when I don’t need one they are still always there to love on.

Son. Not so much joy in that department lately. He’s trying to put a lot of guilt on his parents right now and we’re not buying it, but it’s still been difficult for me to deal with.

Reading. I’ve been doing so much reading since I bought my Kindle. I absolutely love it and wag it with me everywhere! Usually the most reading I do though is during my lunch break at work and then 10-15 minutes here and there.

Riding my bike. New joy! I don’t get to ride it as often and I’d like but I can see me continuing to do so for a very long time.

Swimming. A born-again-joy. I loved swimming in high school and am so glad that I’m back to it. Again, I don’t do it as often as I’d like and am trying to change that.

Stitching. Not any joy here at all. And herein lies my major problem.

I cannot live my life without the joy that stitching brings. It is the most calming factor in my life and I have solved many a problem while stitching. I have sacrificed this major joy for the running-biking-swimming thing and now the joy of those things is slipping away. So finally this weekend I decided that after October’s race, I probably won’t do another triathlon (I cannot say ‘never’).

The running is okay by myself because I don’t have to focus on anything around me…just run. Biking I have to pay attention or get run over by someone who either doesn’t know, or refuses to believe, that cyclists have the same road laws as motorists. Swimming I have to pay attention or I breathe at the wrong time and then there’s that whole drowning thing. Biking and Swimming are not something I enjoy doing by myself because of the social and safety aspects of both. There’s no one for me to train with here and I find that I don’t enjoy it. No joy.

So I’m going back to being a volunteer at Kahuna’s races and will become a dedicated triathlete widow (I’m even going to buy the T-shirt that proclaims this!) and all-around jockstrapper. I’ll ride and swim as often as I’m able and I’ll get back to stitching! It was amazing how relieved I felt when I finally made *that* particular decision.

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Posted in Life, Races, Stitching, Training

Decorating dreams

Posted on July 27, 2008 by Terri | Comments Off

I love reading decorating magazines. I have such varying tastes and find myself falling in love with an elegant dining room on one page, and a country eat-in kitchen on the next. I have a stack of magazines that I need to go through to tear out the inspiration pages for a folder I have.

Recently I’ve found myself reading more and more decorating blogs and saving certain pictures from them. That’s so much easier and takes up less space than the magazines and saves the trees 🙂 The last few pictures I saved were from desire to inspire. The entries on this blog are usually very long so I only look at them when I have time to sit a spell, like on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

I absolutely l.o.v.e. this kitchen.

And would have no problems whatsoever eating off this table.

And could easily entertain people in this dining area.

And imagine the sweet dreams sleeping under this chandelier!

But enough of that.

I stitched on French Alphabet Sampler last night while watching some of my DVR’s stuff. I’ve got my stitching groove back!!!

Kahuna didn’t get into today’s race. Long story….the Marine Corps dropped the ball, yadda, yadda, yadda. I think I’m more disappointed than he is 😆

I’m headed out dress shopping with a friend today. I haven’t worn a dress in almost 10 years and I have an opera and wedding coming up. I’m also looking for some work clothes (denim trousers, etc.). She has a great eye for design and has been ‘shopping’ for me all week. I can’t wait to see what she picked out…and I’m going shoe shopping too! Woohoo! If it works out I may just ‘hire’ her to shop for me for the rest of my life! 😆

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Posted in FAS, Life, Stitching

Ketchup!

Posted on April 14, 2008 by Terri | Comments Off

So it’s been so long since I blogged – 12 days – that the “new post” section looks completely new! 😆

Since my last post the information overload continues, but it is slacking off. A couple of new cases have come in and starting from the beginning is a heck of a lot easier to understand than jumping into the middle and not knowing much of the history behind the case. This is my last week of training, though, since A will be going out for surgery and not returning until sometime in the beginning part of June. I’ve been out walking a couple of times during lunch, and am getting to know what’s in the area. I’ve got to stay away from the food places though, since there’s a little bit of everything tempting available.

I participated in the 5K a week ago (that I mentioned in my last post), and it kicked my butt. The temperature was 15 degrees warmer than what I was used to, I had not been on anything but a treadmill (just following Dr.’s orders), and I probably really had no business out there in the first place, but I’m stubborn. I did finish. It wasn’t pretty – I walked the whole thing. I was in pain for 3 days afterward, but not my heel! Since my heel didn’t bother me, I’m back out to training on the road this week. I’m thinking of signing up for a duathlon that is (I think) in mid-June. Gotta run, twice…gotta bike!

Speaking of ‘gotta bike.’ Kahuna finally got all the parts in for my bike. It needs the peddles attached, and handlebar tape and air in the tires, and I’m set to go.

Still no stitching to report. I was planning on doing some tonight, but Kahuna waited until this past weekend to finish our taxes (since we have to pay Federal) and procrastination of something this big freaks me out and I can’t sit and stitch when my mindset is like it is tonight. The frogs would have a field day.

Thank you for your condolences to Kahuna about his Marine friend – I shared them with him. The memorial service was this past week and it was sort of an eye opener for him. It was almost like he just realized how bad things are for those of us who stay behind while they’re over there. The Marine was actually buried Saturday, week ago, but his wife came back here for the memorial service. Kahuna made mention of the other wives who were there, and how stoic their faces were. I reminded him that they were trying to be brave for her and were trying not to show how thankful they were that the memorial service wasn’t for their husbands. He did have a moment that pissed him off, and that was when someone was extolling the virtues of this fine Marine…he said he could imagine her wanting to scream how unimportant all the words were, and I told him he had no idea.

One thing this has allowed between the two of us is to talk to him how I feel about his wanting to return. I reminded him that this Marine was moved to a unit that he wanted to be a part of. He was given a job he didn’t particularly want, and then was told he was to remain behind to be in charge while everyone else went off to “war.” He wasn’t happy about that so volunteered to go and train the border guards of Afghanistan/Iraq, and was killed 3 days before his unit (who was in the Horn of Africa) returned to the US. So now Kahuna’s at a new unit that he wanted to be part of and they deployed to Iraq almost immediately after he attached himself. He was told he was remaining behind and is currently the acting Sergeant Major of his unit. He’s not completely happy about this and had mentioned not too long after the deployment took place that he could always volunteer to go and train the border guards if they didn’t let him deploy with the second waive. Did he see where I was headed with this? I told him I would be very angry with him for a very long time if he went off like that and got himself killed. I also asked him if he thought that was fair to me, considering he was supposed to have retired this year, on 9/11

So here I am blogging again after almost 2 weeks and leaving this post on a downer too. Sorry 🙁

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Posted in Life, Racing, Stitching, Work

Mental overload

Posted on April 2, 2008 by Terri | Comments Off

Started the new job yesterday. So far the pros are J.E.A.N.S.!, great free parking, 10 minute drive, like everyone (including boss’ wife), staying busy, jumped straight into the fray by firing off some letters re evidence. Cons, no direct deposit of pay, staying busy, feel so lost, information overload! 😀

I registered for my first tri – a Subaru race in October. Bike still not built since Kahuna can’t find some of the parts he put aside, so new ones are being ordered. I haven’t had the energy to take a picture of what has been put together, but I will remedy that shortly. I promise. Heel doing so-so and am hopeful of participating in 5K this coming weekend, even if I have to walk the whole thing.

No stitching to report. I was supposed to work on Hannah Beeby and Ann Holewll, but no energy left to spare during March. I’m getting my act together this week with the new work routine and will deal with stitching best I can when I can think in the evenings. I have an hour and 15 minutes for lunch everyday where the office is completely locked up and phones turned down. I read and caught up on my email today. I’m trying to figure out a routine. I want to walk 3x a week, plus there’s a Farmer’s Market 2 blocks away that I’d like to browse. I also have several books that have been waiting so I may just read at lunch and stitch in the evenings. I know the mental overload I’m feeling right now will dissipate as time goes on; however, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed since I have until the 17th to find my niche since Paralegal is going out on extended leave of absence for surgery.

And while I hate to end this post on a downer, Kahuna lost a friend in Iraq on Sunday. Please keep that Marine’s wife and 3 young children in your prayers, and Kahuna in your thoughts as he deals with this.

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Posted in Races, Stitching, Work

Budgeting

Posted on March 23, 2008 by Terri | Comments Off

Budgeting – we all do it, in all aspects of our lives. Some of us are better than others, some succeed in one area of their life and fail miserably in the others, some of us have it down to a science. I don’t know that I’ll ever get to the “science” part, but I am trying! 😆

Money – I thought since I’m starting a new job on April 1, I would use that as a jumping off point to faithfully budget in one area of my life. I have mentioned (over and over) how ready I am for Kahuna to retire. While I want to get myself out of college debt, I want to have a life too, so I’m looking into budget programs. My goal is to be personally debt free by 10/10/10. 😀

I would greatly appreciate comments from you if you budget. What do you use to budget your finances (pencil or computer)? What do you like about it? What don’t you like about it? Where can more information be found about it?

Work – I’ve been very busy at work this past week while we’ve been getting ready for a federal trial, plus I’ve been trying to wrap up some loose ends so New Girl can start fresh in those areas. Naturally, on Friday, the Judge continued the case until mid-April. 🙄

I expect to be super busy at the new job for at least the next two months. The paralegal in the office is going out on a leave of absence in May to have surgery and recuperate, so I feel a bit under the gun to get everything down in April. Nervous, you betcha. This is where the “I’m not good enough” demons come out to play havoc with my self-esteem psychy.

Fitness – I’m focusing on fitness, just not my own. I’m to the point where I just mentally roll my eyes while he tells me something that’s going on with his training. The same something he told me about yesterday morning, last night, and will talk to me about this afternoon. I do care about his fitness, it’s the repeating that’s getting to me but I know he needs to get it out and we’ve always been sounding boards for each other. He hasn’t even started this race and he’s already told me he’s taking his checkbook hoping to get a roll-down slot at the AZ IM in November.

Weight – Goes hand in hand with Fitness, but I’m doing okay in this area. I have continued to go to WW (not today because they’re closed for Easter). I love the support of my group. I’m even in contact with several members outside of the meetings.

Stitching – Haven’t touched a needle in 2 weeks. I’m going to try to sit down with it today though. I need it.

Downtime has been at a premium for me this past week. Kahuna and I have been on the go a lot. It’s mostly focused on his getting ready for next weekend’s race and I am really looking forward to it. I know this coming week I’ll be super busy again getting everything turned over to New Girl at work, I’m working race registration Thursday and Friday evening and Saturday morning will find Melissa and I standing on a street corner at 4 a.m. waiting on the first cyclists to exit T1. I.am.so.excited. for Kahuna it brings tears to my eyes. I have my fingers crossed that I’ll be able to find him out of T1, in and out of T2 and be there as he crosses the finish line.

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Posted in Finances, Fitness, Life, Stitching, Weight

Plans for March

Posted on March 1, 2008 by Terri | Comments Off

I will be glad when March is over. I admit to getting a little tired of Kahuna’s training taking priority over everything, even though I understand why it is so.

I’m trying to get my act back together this month by making me the primary focus. I know it’s probably going to take some juggling to keep doing everything I want to do, but I’m going to give it my all. I’ve slacked off in a lot of areas lately, and I’ll be taking steps to get it all back under control.

I will actively look for another job.
I will get back to WW meetings, faithfully.
I will get back to eating better, faithfully.
- 1 free day a week. Period.
- 1 fully vegetarian day a week.
I will get back to the gym, faithfully, and build up to:
- Walk 3x a week
- Swim 3x a week.
- Bike 2x a week.
I will continue plugging away at my finances. I’ve divided everything out and know that if I continue on the path I’m on now I can easily be ready to retire on Kahuna’s retirement date, if I decide to go that route at that time.
I will continue to stitch in my stash as much as possible.
- I will get The Token framed. The fairgrounds has already notified me about this year’s entries.
- I will get my TSL patterns up for sale.
- This month’s stitching goals include:
  - Start stitchalong for Hannah Beeby
  - Next lesson on Ann Holewll
  - Page 5 & 6 on French Alphabet Sampler
  - if any time left over, start Flying Monkies

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Posted in Fitness, Goals, Stitching

Brain dump

Posted on February 25, 2008 by Terri | Comments Off

Didn’t really know what to title this. It’s more of a “get it out of my brain” kind of post.

Friday’s car disaster is over. The rain didn’t let up much so I went out in the rain to cover it. Looked like a wet rat when I got back in the house and kept hot water going all day for Japanese milk tea. I didn’t watch the DVDs I have, but I did just about clear out the DVR and I got quite a bit of stitching done.

Saturday the sun came out enough that I could uncover the car, roll down the windows and remind myself over and over not to let it happen again. Of course, I also spent a lot of time looking out the window wondering if it was raining again. Kahuna had a 56 mile bike ride and we ended up going swimming later that afternoon, after he recouperated some.

Sunday it was raining, again. I was heading out the door to WW and discovered I hadn’t received my monthly pass, so I didn’t go. I found out after I called them that I could print one off. I could probably have figured that out earlier, but honestly I didn’t want to go out in the rain. When it slacked up I headed to the grocery store, but it was raining again when I got there and all the carts were soaked. It was an interesting experience seeing all the wet people and water on the floor everywhere while we shopped.

Kahuna had a 2 hour run and wanted to re-carb so we went out to pizza. We wanted to watch the NASCAR race, but it was raining north of us as well and the race was stopped. I turned the Oscars on and sort of listened while stitching and finishing laundry. I’ve seen so few of the movies, though, so it wasn’t all that great to me.

I finished up a RR I was working on plus I finished the 1st 3 bands of Ann Holewll.

I’m back on FAS and enjoying every stitch. I reworked one of the parts to include Bandit’s name and will do the same elsewhere for Harley. I’m working kind of weird on this page because of the rework and am keeping my fingers figuratively crossed that it works out.

I have errands to take care of after work today so am skipping the gym. Tomorrow I start back running, but since it’s for such a short period (15 minutes) while I get used to my new orthotics, I’m swimming too.

Making Filipino Adobo Chicken for dinner tonight. Haven’t had it in forever and I can practically smell it now. I made brownies yesterday. I’m getting back into my “homemaker” mode where I’m wanting to cook all the time again. One more reason I need to be a kept woman….can cook more!

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Posted in Ann Holewll, FAS, NASCAR, Stitching

Woohoo it's Monday!

Posted on February 18, 2008 by Terri | Comments Off

and I don’t have to be to work today 😆

I managed to make a dent in the “to-do” list I posted on Friday.

The swim went great for me. I managed to push myself 100 yards further than the last trip, plus for the 1st time I managed to swim 100 yards twice without stopping. The second time I had to roll over and backstroke a couple of times, but I did NOT stop. This is a great breakthrough for me as it shows me that I have not been pushing myself hard enough. Kahuna is convinced I need to be swimming everyday, and I’m going to ramp it up a little this week. I don’t know if that means going more yards per trip, or more trips. I’ll be playing it by ear.

Saturday I got my hair cut….short. She even shaved my neck, which I’ve never had done in my life!! I’m not sure I like the cut. It’s really the same as I’ve had, just shorter in the back. My hair grows in a circle around my head and with it being this short, it kind of wants to do the fuzzy chicken thing unless I mess with it a lot. I’m not the sort of person who wants to mess with her hair much. I got it cut short for less messing with. I’ll see if it “grows” on me. I love the way it looks, it’s just a little more work than what I’m wanting. I also went to a new stylist, who was 50% cheaper, fast, great – and pregnant. Why is it I feel like I find someone I like, they’re never around for long? I didn’t ask her if she was going to return after having the baby (her first). I’ll go to her again in about 6 weeks and I’ll talk to her then. I’ve also found myself a new manicurist, who’s also 50% cheaper than my last one. I wasn’t going to continue having my nails done but the swimming just destroys them, and while I don’t keep them very long, I would like for them to look nice. Both ladies work at the salon on the base which is 5 minutes from where I live. Amazing the great resources you can find when you take the time to look. But you realize that I’m moving right? 😆

During all this beautifying Kahuna was surfing, and then he had a cycle/run brick which left me at the house working in my office. I think it was 3 before we left the house to do our errands. I went to Joann’s and got the fibers picked out for Hannah Beeby. I am really happy with my choice and am looking forward to the stitchalong starting the end of March. I’ve decided on DMC 839, 3863, and 224 on Lambswool Linen.

I haven’t decided on 28 or 32 count, but am leaning toward the 28. I just need to see if what I have is large enough. I also picked up a pair of embroidery scissors, a thread holder for my sewing machine and a couple of other little things bringing my total to less than what I would have paid for the scissors full price. Yay for sales and coupons. I neglected to get a new bulb for my OTT though and I have a 40% coupon for that, that I really need to take advantage of, since the lighting by my sewing machine is next to none.

I went through my pantry Saturday and made a menu and grocery list around what was in there. I’m determined to get us back to eating better and not break the bank doing it. I spent less than my budgeted $75 on groceries Sunday, and only forgot 1 thing. Woohoo!

The rest of the day was spent doing a whole lot of not much. We really enjoyed Daytona 500. I would have been happier if Dale Earnhart or Casey Kahne won, but it was great that Tony Stewart or Jeff Gordan did not! 🙂 The rest of my time on Sunday was spent on and off in my office. I made great headway with my desk and got my keyboard and printer moved and almost everything put where I want it OFF the desk. I have some photos to be framed and moved around and I’ll be tickled with my desk setup.

Stitching? Well except for playing floss toss for Hannah, I didn’t have anything to do with stitching on Saturday or Sunday. That will be different today though. I am running out to town to see about the above mentioned picture frames, and to hit up Costco for some bread (but will still be way under budget). The rest of my day will be spent doing laundry, stitching, and catching up with the stuff I have recorded on the DVR. I only have 1 small thing to stitch on the RR that I want to mail out tomorrow and then I’ll be working on Ann Holewll. I’m going to have to piece together some qsnap components for it, but am planning on using some of the money I get from selling my stash to buy another set of rods for my Handi Clamps.

I would like to get the fabric cut for Houses of Hawk Run Hollow today, but if it doesn’t happen I’m not going to worry about it and just put it on next week’s “to-do” list. My poor French Alphabet Sampler is probably going to be ignored today as well since I really need to get caught up with Ann Holewll.

I wanted to stay off the computer over the weekend and except for cleaning out some old emails and emptying my camera chip, I did pretty good! I managed to sell several of the Shepherd’s Bush items I posted so was on the computer getting that squared away. I didn’t do any posting of The Silver Lining stuff, but that’s because the box they’re in is sort of out of reach right now as I work my way across my office cleaning and sorting and selling. I do need to get them up though.

I didn’t get anything done on ebookdrop.com either. I could probably do that from work, since I’ll have to haul them in for mailing anyway. I know the prices won’t be much, but they’ll be more than just sitting in my office taking up space and collecting dust. I’m almost to the point of throwing things away so I don’t have to move it or clean around it so if I can get some money for it, that’s better. I also want to look into cashduck.com for a bit more income. I think I’d rather go this route for now and not increase my hours at work until we decide where we’re going to live. I may increase them by 15 minutes a day though in a week or so. We’ll see.

I’ve decided to split whatever extra I have coming in equally 3 ways:

Training – Kahuna is building me a bike from components he’s selling on one of his bikes, and I want to contribute. This money will stay in paypal, since he buys a lot of components from places that accept paypal.

Stitching – I love my hobby. I have tons of money invested in it. I have lots of beautiful things to work with without buying more so I’m trying to buy only what I need to stitch from my stash. The first item will be the 14” bars for the Handi Clamps I mentioned above. I’ll probably also use this $ for finishing. I have a savings account I don’t use that I’ll keep these funds in.

Debt – While it won’t be much, the last 1/3 of my extra income will go toward getting my debt paid off.

I thought I would feel deprived while I worked on getting myself out of my debt fix; however, I have taken the advice of several blogs I read and made sure to have some “wants” budgeted for (like my manicures). It’s working and I almost feel like I’m playing a game seeing what I can accomplish with what I have. I’m also trying to get out of the impulse spending that I practiced in the past. I’m doing pretty good! I also have my wonderful hobby that entertains me which helps a lot.

I didn’t mean for this to get so long, but I guess I had a lot to get down after all my thinking this weekend. I guess I’d better say “The End” to this novel and get on with my day.

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Posted in 4Sale, Ann Holewll, FAS, Finances, Hannah Beeby, HOHRH, NASCAR, Training

Gearing up for a long weekend

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Terri | Comments Off

Friday sure got here fast and I’m ready to go home and start my long weekend. Kahuna just left from bringing me Taco Bell. Not exactly waistline friendly, but I have $1 and no time to go to the bank. There’s a Taco Bell on the base by where he works so since he got off early today he was kind enough to drive by and drop off some food. Actually, he hung around long enough to eat with me before he left.

And just to backtrack to yesterday for a minute, my Kahuna Marine surprised me! He brought me the most beautiful bouquet of creamy orange roses for Valentine’s Day. I have to stick my nose in them everytime I walk by. They are so gorgeous.

We had unexpected storms yesterday that left roads closed due to snow and mudslides. Today’s temperatures are low but the sky is a clear blue. I hope it stays that way all weekend because Kahuna has a lot of cycling and running to do. It’s just 6 weeks to his half-ironman. I think he’s getting excited. I know I am, and I’m just volunteering!

So what’s up with me for the weekend?

I’m going to do my best to stay off the computer this weekend, except to post more stuff 4Sale. I was rather surprised how fast I got the SB stuff together last night, but that’s the way it should be when you’re organized. I think my The Silver Lining items are organized already, so hopefully that’ll be painfree.
I’m going to try to get rid of some books on ebookdrop.com this weekend. If you have experience with it, leave a comment, please.
I want to get a lot of stitching done this weekend.
- Get RR piece in the mail.
- Get my lessons done on Ann Holewll.
- Get the fibers needed for Hannah Beeby.
I’ve decided to quit putting of starting HOHRH and will pull my fabric and get it measured out to start the first block. Who knows, it may even get some stitches.
French Alphabet Sampler desperately needs attention!

We’re headed to the pool tonight after supper and then maybe settle in with the puppies and watch a movie. Have a great weekend all. Oh, and don’t forget…..Gentlemen, start your engines! Woohoo!

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Posted in 4Sale, Ann Holewll, Hannah Beeby, NASCAR, Reading, Training

Shepherd's Bush 4Sale

Posted on February 14, 2008 by Terri | Comments Off

I’ve finally started listing my stash for sale. Shepherd’s Bush is the first to be listed. I’ll probably be going through my The Silver Lining designs next. All items can be found under the “4Sale” tab at the top of my blog. Thank you in advance for looking.