Oh, My Aching Back!

I injured my back when I was in my mid-20's.  As a result, I periodically suffer from muscle spasms and back pain.  Since I started exercising regularly, these times don't happen as often, but I'm just "lucky" this week, I guess.  It started last Friday and by Tuesday I was feeling a little better so stubborn me decided to get back to my normal activities and exercising.  Not a good idea bc I've been paying for it ever since then.  I'm starting to improve by being more careful now and I know I'll be back to (my) normal before long.  It's definitely not "my first rodeo".

About the only good thing about these "bouts" is that it gives me lots of stitching time on the couch with the heating pad.  I'm making good progress on a model and was able to take some time out from it to stitch this little guy by Redbird Designs:

...and this little gem by Homespun Elegance that appears in the 2013 JCS Ornament issue:

This one will be mailed away for a block exchange but I like it so much, I might stitch it again to keep.

...and speaking of model stitching, I think one that I stitched is about to be revealed.  I'll post about it when it happens.

Our daughter and son-in-law found a house, bid on it, and their bid was accepted.  They've already had the inspection and will close later this month.  I saw pictures of it on the realtor's website except for the "Grandma Room" but I hear "my" room is very nice and has its own full bathroom...sans heater.  lol!  DD assures me they'll have a space heater in there for us when we visit...but I don't really care as long as it has hot water.  I'm so pleased that everything seems to be going so smoothly for them and they'll be moved in and settled before the baby arrives next spring.

I haven't done much at all of cooking this week because of my back pain.  We've been raiding the freezer of meals and have been eating pretty well.  I think we both like this new system where we prepare a full recipe of a dish and then freeze enough for a later meal.  It's come in quite handy many times already.

Happy stitching!

Stitching progress

It's pretty much too hot to do anything else but stitch lately...although I have done a few other things.

Here's my progress on Hinzeit's Sweet Land of Liberty.  I think I just might finish this one soon.

I took a short break from this to stitch what I thought was July's Halloween ornie theme.  I just noticed that I transposed themes...this one (black cat) is actually the theme for Aug.  DUH....  Oh well, it's early enough in the month that it's possible I'll stitch July's theme too (Haunted House). 

Majestic Cat by Homespun Elegance (I love Sandra's designs!)

Keep cool and....

Happy stitching!

Storms, Stitching, and Wedding Prep

We've been experiencing some strong thunderstorms lately in our area.  A week ago Friday, a really violent thunderstorm with torrential rain, hail, and strong winds (up to 72 MPH) came through.  We had a lot of branches and trees down in our yard, the lake behind our house is up into our yard, and our poor PC was fried.  Luckily a friends' DH who, I discovered, is an IT guy was successfully able to diagnose and treat it.  He refused to take any money for helping us so we had him and my friend over for dinner last night.

Wouldn't you know it, another strong storm went through this am too.  This storm wasn't as bad (although I found out after the fact that we were under a tornado warning) and aside from the lake level rising even further, the PC is OK.

Nikki from Country Cottage Needleworks released one of the designs for which I stitched the model...Seasonal Celebrations-Summer.  I really enjoyed stitching this one.

I'm stitching another model now but took a little time out to stitch this cutie from Homespun Elegance...Patriotic Home.  It's a gift to the Star Spangled Stitchers group on Facebook.

Our daughter's wedding is quickly approaching.  I'd been shopping unsuccessfully for a dress and starting to get a little nervous about finding something until Tuesday night when I finally found the dress.  The next day I found shoes and now just looking for accessories.  I'm not much of a shopper so this has been an annoyance for me.  lol!  We're all getting excited for the wedding and looking forward to seeing family we haven't seen for a while.  The groom is from Scotland and will be wearing his kilt.  We "met" his parents (in Scotland) via Skype and are looking forward to meeting them in person.  The week before the wedding, they've invited us for dinner at their airbnb apt and we will be hosting them and their family and ours another night.  DH is "famous" for his pizza so it will be a pizza party.  I'll be making pies....our future son-in-law strongly hinted that they should be lemon meringue so lemon meringue they shall be.  :-)  There will also be a picnic on the beach the day before the wedding, dinner out the night before the wedding with the happy couple, the groom's parents, and DH and me, and a BBQ the day after the wedding.  DD's idea was that the picnic and BBQ will give everyone a relaxed time to spend some time together.  I think it's a great idea!

Happy stitching!