Actually stitched!

Graduation weekend was a whirlwind!  It was great having all the "kids" under one roof, even if it was for such a short time.  Sunday started what felt like Grand Central Station around here.  T left for orientation, DH left for a business trip, and 2 of our kids flew back to their homes.  I spent a few days in Austin (drove that college student back) while  youngest DS was at his college orientation.  (He's "pumped" after attending this and looking forward to starting in the fall.  His older sibs told him to always take advantage of free food and t-shirts whenever the opportunity arose and he managed to take advantage of both this trip.)

Almost every time I drove somewhere in Austin, I took the "scenic route" (got lost.)  I hate Austin traffic, especially 35!

Gingers has been closed for a while now but I visited a needlepoint shop:

Needleworks

While I don't do needlepoint (other than trying out simple pieces years ago), they have loads of beautiful canvases and models.  Since they also carry some of the same specialty flosses we cross stitchers use, I bought a few while I was there.

I started a new sampler called "True Virtue".  I bought it off ebay;  it is from an unknown magazine but appears to be from one of the JCS publications.  Since I have all the JCS magazines and don't remember seeing it, I'm thinking it may be from one of the SANQ issues that I don't have.

Don't faint but I also worked a bit on my LK "Guys and Gals" snow people sal.  My intention is to put it back in rotation and I'm hoping that stitching on it during the summer might trick me into thinking I'm cool.  Yeah, right!

I also signed up for a block exchange in one of my groups, chose something to stitch, and started it yesterday.  Since it's due soon, I think that will take priority until it's finished but it won't take long.  No picture for this one yet.

So far the "lazy days of summer" haven't happened...I wonder if they ever will be.  The house has been neglected so I decided I should start decluttering/reorganizing.  I also have 4 years of band pictures to look at online and pick out the ones I want to buy.  (Since I worked so much with the kids, I didn't take many pictures.  The band photographer takes better pictures anyway.)  We're also planning a trip "home" to visit our parents/family up there.  I'd love to take a "just because" trip somewhere fun but haven't had time to think about it yet....something relaxing.  We'll see.

Happy stitching!

Graduation

All that anticipation and it's already over!

Our older "kids" spent the weekend here to help us celebrate our "baby's" HS graduation.  Pardon the brag but he graduated 8th our of the 522 students in his class.  He's a hard worker and it shows and we're very proud of him.

Our former band director and friend retired a few years ago and he was recently elected school board president.  What a treat that he was the one who awarded DS his diploma!

Not one to let grass grow under his feet, DS is already at his college orientation.  lol!

My needles have been neglected but I'm looking forward to some quality stitching time and hope to have some progress to post next time.

Happy stitching!

Long Time, No See

It's been so busy around here with DS's approaching HS graduation that I've been neglecting my poor blog.

There's not been to much stitching going on around here either although I did finish another model for LHN  (top secret) and also a little fruit themed exchange block for one of my groups.  This came from the LHN design fruit bowls:

Some of the recent activities were 2 piano recitals (one was DS's senior recital):

His last Band-o-Rama followed by his last drum line performance:

(That's him on timpani.)

(After this night, it started to "hit him" that, despite being so excited to move on to college, that he'll really miss many of his friends as they scatter off in different directions.  His group of percussion was like a little close-knit family.)

His last band banquet:

Senior Honors Night where he was awarded with a couple of scholarships and picked up his honor cords (from the local college for excelling in dual credit courses and his summa cum laude cord from the HS):

Yesterday was graduating seniors' day at our church and he played Claire de Lune (Debussy) during the service.  Many people graciously complimented him afterwards.  The pastor was blown away by the fact that he plays it from memory instead of having the music in front of him.

His graduation is this coming Friday.  Our older "kids" start arriving tomorrow night and it will be nice having everyone together to celebrate.

We are blessed!

Happy stitching!

Rita

HS Graduation Quickly Approaching

Our "baby" graduates from HS this spring.  I knew this year would go by quickly but things seem to have gone into hyper speed.  Some "last times" this week...his last band concert, last drum line gig, last prom tomorrow night. He turned 18 last Friday and his graduation announcements have arrived.

The picture above is from a photo shoot for his senior piano recital coming up next month.

Most of the drum line seniors at last Sat's gig.  They're missing one who was at a jazz band competition. These kids have been drumming together since 6th grade and are like brothers and sisters to one another.

He's SO excited to be moving on to college next fall and we're excited for him, but all you parents know this time is bittersweet.  Our oldest child is in her early 30's so we've had children in the house for a long time.  Empty nest will be an adjustment to say the least...but a natural and desired outcome.  While I'll miss having kids at home, I have some things to look forward to doing too.

On the stitching front, I finished a model and started another so no pictures.  I have another model coming after the one I'm working on now.  I have so much fun model stitching--it's fun to be "in on" a secret and so fun to see the models I've stitched being released by the designers.

Happy stitching!

Rita

Final Countdown to the end of the school year

Like it matters!  lol!  Two of our kids are taking summer classes.

Monday I had jury duty.  I brought along my Kindle and finished The Girl Who Played with Fire while sitting there and downloaded The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. ( I love instant gratification!)  I came close but didn't get picked for the jury.

Thursday was another big day at our house because DS got his braces off.  (I read more sitting in the waiting room.  It was a good week for reading.)

There was another band concert last night.  This one called Band-o-Rama where every school band that "feeds" into our high school bands and our high school bands played fun music.  Some bands had costumed characters that went along with the theme of the music and cavorted around.  It's always a fun concert.

This am I spent 5 hours helping measure the kids for next year's badly needed new marching uniforms and loading coolers with pop and bottled water to prepare for the concession stand for next week's graduation.

We're also plodding along preparing for DS's Eagle ceremony.  Next week-end will be fun but very busy.  I'm sure it will fly by.

On the stitching front, I made a bit more progress on LHN's Family Sampler:

I also picked up another little wip, LK's Ride a Bike.  This one will be for my DD who enjoys long distance bicycling.  I hope to finish it as a little doorknob hanger. 

I hope everyone has a great week!