Help...I'm falling asleep and I can't wake up!

OH, My God....I spent the day in the shop playing with Greg, Connie and Pat and now I'm suppose to be on the 4-10 shift and I'm so tired my eyes keep closing and I keep nodding off. But before I get started let me say, "Happy 4th of July!" O.K. now I can complain. I got to work today with the news that someone broke a pane in the front door at 4:00 a.m. and Vernon and Sara had them escorted off the property by the police. It was exactly this weekend last year when we had to deal with the crack whore...so Sara and Vernon were not about to put up with any crap from this couple...lessons learned! The town is a mad house from everyone coming in for the 4th...I'm telling you it's nuts down here. And we all know tonight is going to be awful...crowds of people and firecrackers going off day and night...oh, no I wish I was at your house! The weather has taken a turn...it's forecasted to be in the mid 90's. Oh my God, I almost choked saying that. I did turn on the a/c before I left home today, but to tell you the truth there's a breeze and it just didn't feel like it was in the 90's today. (now it's Monday...apparently I didn't post yesterday as was planned). Things are really quiet in here, you wouldn't know the season had finally started...I'm just sitting here putting up with the occasional, "Oh, it's a craft store!" And you know how livid that makes me! But I'm working on my attitude this year so I'm smiling and thanking everyone for coming in and waiting until they get on the other side of the door to say what I'm really thinking. You want to come in and look, I'm cool with that but when you have to make remarks...well I'm not cool with that. So if you are in my neighborhood, please feel free to walk in and look around, or just walk through, but please wait until you are on the other side of the door to make any remark about craft stores...because that is not what we are. We are a needleart shop and there's a difference....at least to us! Oh, my God, I just had someone ask for "string" meaning DMC and at the same time bought Belle Soie for a project? I don't understand that...surely she knows it's floss...oh, my..this is perplexing. Don't know what to think about that one. This past week was a tough one for us. We had to go to the attorney's office for depositions on the freight lift accident that took place last year. While I have tried to put this on the back burner, it was impossible since I had to be there. I was in the hot seat for 3 hours....and sitting in the office for 4 hours. Poor Sara and Vernon were there from 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Vernon was on the hot seat for an hour and Sara never got there. She has to go back to give her deposition. Considering the fact that I knew nothing...3 hours seems a little excessive don't you think? His attorney grilled me for 10 minutes on my name alone. Now that is excessive. Never wanting to make anything easy, I have gone through 62 years apparently signing anyway I wanted...using my given name, my nickname, leaving off my middle name once married and using my maiden name as my middle name and his attorney couldn't understand any of it. He treated it like it was a conspiracy to fool everyone, instead of me just expressing myself at the moment. Now I realize that legally I had to use my given name and usually do, however, when MOSHA took my statement I used my nickname, and you would have thought I committed a crime. Add to that Sara Rutka is my daughter's name, well his head was about to explode...I'm just sorry it didn't. That might have kept us all awake. And of course since he thought I was an idiot he just kept asking the same questions in different ways. Unfortunately for him, I have watched enough legal shows on T.V. to be able to see through what he was doing. With each new question however, I was getting madder and madder at the waste of everyone's time. Then my attorney objected to a question he asked, and said not to answer, so he asked me the same question in a different way....sixteen times. O.K., I digress but some idiot is in here talking to me about stabbing needles in fabric to get out aggression. She always brings her friend in to show her the embroidery (which we don't sell by the way...another none needleworker). O.K., so after that attorney gets done with me...I get the attorney for the freight lift who has taken a picture of a wooden box in our attic which has a return address of Tehran on it. He gives me the picture and asks me to explain what the writing means. I think at that point I should have said this was a conspiracy by the terrorist to kill us one by one...but I was so shocked I just looked at the picture and said, "my brother served in the peace corps during the Vietnam War and he sent items home from Tehran so since his name is on the return on the box I'm assuming (genius that I am) that the box belonged to him and my father put it in the attic...but that's just a guess (something I said often during that deposition). I though heresay was no good, but apparently my guesses were.I spent an awful lot of time saying, I don't know, I don't remember and No. Maybe that's why it took 3 hours. O.K., once again someone asked me what the "string" costs...and when I said 54 they then asked, 54 cents. Just once I'd like to say no, 54 dollars. What the hell would be it other than cents for God's sake, it's 5 yds of floss, not even silk costs $54.00. Oh, mercy it must be time to close...oops..it's 8:30...it's going to be another long night..at least I had the foresight to turn on the a/c before I left home...thank God! But if I think I have it bad, Nelsa Knight called today about her order and informed me she's going back to work tomorrow in a place without a/c. How is it possible that with 94 degrees you have no a/c? There was a time when we didn't have it here in Ocean City, but those days are long gone. There are days when a breeze is non-existent....you could die without a/c. I'm too old for this...I have to have it. I have been walking to work though, part of my new regimen to get somewhat healthy. Start walking and by fall I'll start walking further. In this heat walking to work is all I can manage. Debbie Brotzman is down this week with her family so sanity has returned to the shop. Love it when stitchers are in house, and know the difference between string and floss. Anyway, now I'm just babbling and bitching so I'll end here. Have a great week, in spite of the heat...stay cool and dry. Hope to see you down here during the summer.

Is it the heat that is making people dumber?

Or could it be that once again I've got the stinking rotten summer cold and I feel like crap, but today has been the worst day for stupid that I've seen in a long time...and naturally I'm the one they come to. Before my rant begins, let me say I started a blog regarding the last month, Lauren Sauer, my birthday etc., and it's still coming but today has been too much for me. The 90 degree heat isn't helping, but since I'm in and out of it I've got the friggin cold...damn it! So I'm not feeling tip top today and that isn't helping my mood....but dumb has nothing to do with my cold. It really started with the 10-4 shift...Renee has been out for 2 weeks on vacation (yes, she had the nerve to take her vacation during the summer) so I'm doing her 4 day shift and my 5 day shift so I'm working the shop double shifts Tuesday and Wednesday...crap!! Anyway, during the morning shift a woman came in, looked around, kept asking me questions, which I really didn't mind and challenging me to find things, which I also didn't mind, since that's my job. She picked out 2 of the designs on 10 ct. Betsy Ross and when I asked if she would like me to cut her fabric for it she handed me one of the designs. I chose the fabric, held it up to the picture, she said yes it's fine and I went and cut it. She actually went through Sea Trader to pay as I was already moving on to help someone else. After she left, Pat brought over one of the charts and asked where it went as the woman didn't want it after all. So Pat hands me the chart and it's the chart I cut the fabric for. So now she has the fabric for the wrong chart. I even had the name of the chart on the paper I put on the fabric so she would know what it was cut for. And naturally the fabric is much too small for the other chart pattern. You just know she's going to be calling and bitching about that. Then I go to dinner, come back and here is perhaps the 2nd dumbest woman, or could be the first..it's going to go down to the wire. Anyway she is in here with her daughter who is probably 20. Her daughter who apparently is crafty feels she wants to do counted cross stitch. So they picked out a bit picture, 18" x 7" design are and it's filled with houses. So the mother says, "This will be easy for her don't you think?" So in my best saleswoman voice I said, "No I don't think." There is too much detail and she may get discouraged. I would suggest she start smaller with less detail. I'll never understand why people ask for my opinion when they clearly don't give a damn. I show her what are nice beginner kits and I'm not talking for children, I'm talking 5" x 7" that are doable. But she ends back up at the counter with the same kit, where the idiot mother then says, "This will be easy for her she's crafty, she knits, don't you think? After all it's all half a stitch whatever that is so it's not even as hard as counted cross stitch." Sara happened to be in the shop so we just looked at each other and Sara said, "It's both half cross and cross stitch." Idiot mother asked was half cross was. I wish you could have seen her trying to grasp that answer. I of course shut down...decided it was best if I just didn't speak. Now the mother is talking about how much she stitches, does counted cross stitch and needlepoint, in fact she's done several needlepoint rugs. Then she asks for a hoop for her daughter's kit, which we got for her and then...wait for it...she asks for a hoop for her needlepoint. Now, for those who don't know...you use roller bars, you use stretcher bars, but you don't put a hoop on your needlepoint canvas. So I said to her, "you don't use a hoop on needlepoint, just stitch it in hand." I just wasn't up for the whole stretcher bar, roller bar debate. She decides she needs more needlepoint needles because she only has one at home. So I get her the correct needle to which she says, "Gee my needles are longer." So then we had to have the discussion that needlepoint needles are what she has in hand and I don't know what she's using at home, but if they are indeed needlepoint needles, then they have to be that size. But this woman wasn't done with me yet. She then wanted scissors for her daughter, and I suggested a $10 pair which would be fine for her. But she says nothing so I thought maybe she didn't want to spend $10, so I showed her an $8.00 pair of scissors and she still hesitated so I broke down and showed her the folding scissors for $5.00. Then she announces she doesn't want some cheap scissors so I said, O.K, then Dovo or Gingher are the best. She looks at the price of the Gingher and decides the $10 pair of scissors were cute and they'd take those. Then she says, "I think I'll get a pack of needlepoint needles for this new project." I said, "you already picked out needlepoint needles" to which she inparts, "Oh, I thought they were for the project at home." "The I had to say, needlepoint is needlepoint, your project at home is not going to take a different needle than your project here if the canvas is the same count. Well, I shouldn't have mentioned count, could have cut out my tongue, but it went right over her head anyway. By then she was moving on to a tote for her daughter to carry her stuff in. But after showing her what I had starting at $19.50, she decided the plastic bag I put the stuff in was just fine. Well out they went and and another happy customer was born. I was exhausted!! The nights here are still pretty quiet so I've been closing early...around 8:30 or 9:00. I still haven't taken the "open 10-4" off the door so people are constantly coming in to tell me my door says we're only open to 4 p.m, and that's getting on my nerves so I suppose by next week, with Renee here I'll go to 10-10 (Good Golly, that's 12 hours of my day.) Anyway, things have slowed down now so I might just get out of here at 9:00 p.m. I just wish I still liked to drink because right about now I could use a cold glass of something. Anyway, I'll try to get the other blog up tomorrow, but in the meantime have a cool, night and a cool day tomorrow.

Oops...I forgot to tell you...

Barbara Cohen was in yesterday and asked about my issue with the "man" who tried to come through my window and door at home. I've been to court on this issue and want to report what happened. First I got a letter from his attorney telling me he was sorry and would it be alright if we agreed to his doing community service. I never bothered to answer that letter and chose to confront him in court. I arrived at the courthouse and found myself walking off the parking lot with who I felt must be "the guy" although if I had to swear it was him I couldn't have done it. After all, this guy came in a suit and a tie and I couldn't see his arms to see "tats"and since he didn't have on his black t-shirt with a white skull...well, who knows who it was. But since he, his attorney and I were the only ones in the foyer waiting for the court to open, he attorney asked if I was Mrs. Rutka so then I knew. His client then said how sorry he was and how he was drunk at the time and was confused (you think?)...yadda yadda yadda and then showed me his deployment papers for Iraq. Actually though he did seem remorseful and well, haven't we all had a little too much to drink. So I informed him that what I really wanted was an apology, to which the attorney said, "Well I thought I said that in my letter to you." I looked at this jackass and said, "I didn't want an apology from you, I wanted it from the person trying to break into my house at 2:00 in the morning." I also wanted reimbursement for the damages. "The guy" brought money with him in anticipation I guess, so after some discussion with him grovelling at my feet for a while I decided to let him off with community service. After all, Iraq was calling. So the end result was...he got community service and paid for damages. I went home a better person. On a different note, my Michael spent the night with me last night (always exhausting with a 9 year old directing activities) and we decided to walk to work this morning and stop by the Alaska Stand for a breakfast sandwich. Since they weren't open yet, we sat on the benches to wait and heard a mother screaming for Stephen. Come to find out...this idiot left her 4 year old son outside the comfort station on 9th street...but she said "I told him not to move"...and of course he did. So she comes out of the bathrooms to find Stephen missing. Honestly some people need mothering lessons. Anyway, the people on the boardwalk were unbelievably helpful with bikers and just walkers fanning out to search. A few minutes later a gentlemen came by on his bike, heard what had happened and said to the woman, "a couple of women are holding him about 3 blocks from here until you are found." Good ending where it could have been disasterous. I guess what I wanted to say was God does look after children and idiots. Everyone should know without being told that a 4 year old cannot be left on the boardwalk by themselves. Having said that, when Mary was 2-3 she use to walk around in the area without us with her. This is her home, and although she couldn't talk, I felt she knew where she was. However, the police picked her up on 9th street twice and took her to the police headquarters and we got a call (not sure how they knew the first time who we were) and we had to go pick her up. I couldn't get the police to understand that she was in her home territory, they were getting madder by the minute. We finally had t-shirts printed with "I belong to the Lankford Hotel" on them and we put her in one every day before she took her little "walk". I'm thrilled to say she was never picked up by the police again....plus, I have to admit we kept a better eye on her. Like I said, God looks after children and idiots (and we fell into both categories there so we were doubly protected.) Have a great day...I couldn't get a picture of my Just Nan project because Michael and I were having a DS duel.

Oh my God...Summer has definitely started....

O.K., just in case you didn't notice, this is the second post today. But I just couldn't resist telling you this. When I arrived today Vernon said, "Make sure you ask Sara about the excitement this morning." So of course I couldn't wait. When she finally got back from taking Michael to school I got the scoop. She was opening up the hotel and heard someone screaming for help. She thought it was from the "animal house" at the end of the alley and didn't react at first. But then as the screaming continued she knew it was something different so she went out back and saw a man pulling a woman across the alley from the hotel next door...the woman had no top on....so Sara went over to the Paradise Hotel where she saw 2 women standing there watching the show. She said, "Are you the managers?" And they said, "yes, and we've already called the police." So the three of them stood there and watched the show. Of course my instint told me one of them should have done a little more than stand there, but he was apparently a big guy and they were afraid. He managed to get her in the car, but as he went to get in she took off and just as he was trying to flee in his car the police arrived and blocked him in. Apparently he didn't want to go (duh!) so guns were drawn. Meanwhile Sara figured at that point, with bullets about to show up perhaps standing there watching wasn't the best idea. So she came in and Vernon went out. He reported that they put the guy in the paddy wagon and the woman in an ambulance. And folks...that was before 9:00 a.m. I hope your day is going better! I'll keep you posted. Oh, yea, Sara has signed Salty Yarns up on Facebook and she is writing on that....she seems to be enjoying herself for now...not sure how long that will last since she gets very distracted playing Bejeweled with Staci Buhrman. Thankfully, I'm unable to do it fast enough so I'm not playing. Anyway, she's there is you are looking for her. I put the Jamboree info on the web so you can pull it off of that....and I'm working on the brochures. I'm also working on confirmations for those of you already signed up. ... hopefully I'll get it all done by next weekend.
Thanks for your patience.

I'm back....

I decided it was time to get back to the blog...not really feeling up to snuff so I'm not changing references made here. The heat has gotten to me and is dragging me down. However, I do have a new attitude thanks to Merry Cole who attended Spring Retreat and brought me this picture....looks just like me don't you think? And since I don't seem to have the willpower to lose it....I am going to decorate it. Thanks Merry...it gives me a smile everytime I look at it. Today I went home early (unheard of once summer is here), I simply couldn't make the day. So I apologize for not blogging and thank you for all your concern. You will see that this was written after the retreats so the info is dated, but I'm posting it anyway. Our first retreat, Spring Retreat went off without too many problems. The sun shone, it was a little humid, hot and we were fortunate that at times there was a slight breeze....until Sunday when I finally decided I was tired of being so hot and humid so I dressed for summer, only to find once I stepped out my door that it was winter. But I figured it would get warmer as the day went on so I went with the summer clothes. Hence...I had a horrible cold by the next day so I spent 2 days laying and sleeping on the sofa...I never picked up a needle so you know I wasn't well. Anyway, I rallied for the Delaware Guild Retreat and although I'm hacking up hair balls, I was in the mix all weekend and had a ball. O.K., back to Spring Retreat.....the numbers were large..we had around 65 stitchers in attendance. And regardless of the packed lobby, everyone was wonderful, got along and things went well. The stitchers started arriving on Wednesday when Sherry Prutzman and Debbie Liming appeared. Once the first stitcher arrives we are in retreat mode. I just love to see what everyone is working on, etc., Thursday brought several more stitchers and led to our annual Survivor Night in the lobby. Nothing is more fun than sitting with other Survivor fanatics like Pat Standish and Judy Welch and Joan Florance who I'm not too sure was into Survivor but came along for the ride, and commenting on what we're seeing. Everyone knows the lobby revolves around the Survivor show so everyone who isn't watching knows they can't talk during the show....at least no one but those of us commenting on the show. Somehow the rules never apply to me...my house...my rules. It's was a great night as things went our way and the right person got voted off. And since last night (wow..how long ago was that written) was the finale....at least Russell didn't win. I was astounded he won the $100,000 from the fans of the show though...what the heck was that about? Anyway, Survivor is over for another season....now what am I going to do with Thursday night? Oh, yeah, I'll be working in the shop at nights soon....guess I don't need Survivor I'll be trying to survive the summer. Sara was busy through it all cooking and preparing for the reception on Friday. Friday brought the rest of the stitchers and I can't thank everyone for showing up. And the patience of everyone. We started the Lasagne dinner on Friday night to ease the appetite of the early arrivals so they could survive until the reception Friday night. In the beginning we had many stitchers who couldn't come until they were done working on Friday and arrived just in time for the reception, however I think we now have everyone here in time for the dinner so I'm not sure we really need the dinner anymore, but it's part of the tradition now...so party on! But as anyone who has attended the dinner and reception know...there certainly aren't enough places to sit, but the stitchers remain orderly and friendly...no cranks on our list and I thank everyone for that. They either find a seat wherever, porch, their own apartment, etc., and you don't hear any complaints...for which we are grateful. It just shows what wonderful stitchers we have. I really miss the activities because I stay in the shop the entire time....holding court, discussing new charts, kits, etc., and looking at show and tell. Shiela and Trudy brought several pieces for me to look at. Shiela's biscornu collection is spectacular. The queen of the collection was Just Nan's 15 sided biscornu....it's inspired me to tackle that one. Hopefully I can get it together as easily as Shiela tells me she stitched it together. Shiela and Trudy brought us all kinds of goodies. The black and white cookies...well really they are little cakes with lots of frosting (yummo), I don't care what anyone says. Anyway, they are delicious. We were all eating them in private, but you knew someone was getting into them because there was always one with bites out of it sitting in the container. (of course many came from me...) Thankfully Sara and Vernon went on Weight Watchers so Mary, Brian and I got the majority of them. But food wasn't the only gift, on Saturday Shiela brought each of us a Clip It bag from Springfest. These are the hottest things going as several of the stitchers went down to Springfest and came back wearing these. They are little "pouches" which you can slip on your belt, or on your pocket and they can hold your money, cell phone, etc. so your hands are free. It's small so it's not like the "fanny packs" so cell phone, credit card and money are about all it will hold, but when you are walking the boardwalk how much do you really need. Stacy Stinson loved hers and still was wearing it when the Delaware Guild had their retreat. Sara thought they were such a good idea she's got them coming into the Bikini Shop to sell them. And if that wasn't enough, Shiela and Trudy also gave me a gift card to one of my all time favorite restaurants..."Sunset Grille". And not only did they bring us snappy grillers they also brought us the buns. Obviously Shiela and Trudy feel I need to pack on some pounds...so ladies I think of you with each pound I add. Needless to say I was having a great weekend. Dot and Mary came over to sit with me in the shop Saturday night with what I thought was show and tell. It was a scissor block with banding around it and something else. When I put the scissor block on the counter to look at the other item I noticed the banding had my name stitched on it. I couldn't believe my luck. Dot Freitag had stitched the banding on the scissor block and made me the Cat's Whisker's "Scissor by Any Other Name," in my favorite color, blue. Oh, my I couldn't believe my luck. Now I do have to add, that Dot was making it for Mary Porter who told her how it was my favorite color and she wouldn't mind if Dot gave it to me, so I not only have to thank Dot but Mary. I love it. I also have now loaded it with scissors. The weekend was filled with friends, stitching and a lot of that got done, plus food. As usual Kay Owens brought her famous sourdough bread which we are still enjoying, and Kay Fletcher brought her cookies filled with I think 10 different kinds of chocolate. Ummmm goood! Sara and I want to thank all the stitchers for their participation...you make it a fun weekend. Also to my Candi-girl who came in and cut fabric for 2 days with a smile on her face. I couldn't have lasted the weekend without her so Candi...thanks a million. She really was a God send to me....I don't think I cut one piece. Good times! And then we didn't get to take a breath when we had to gear up for the Delware Sampler Guild which was arriving the next weekend. While the group isn't as large as the the group that attends the Spring Retreat, these 17 or 18 ladies plus Kathy's husband (along for support) filled the lobby with laughter and beautiful stitching the entire weekend. They graciously allow Sara and I to join them (this isn't our event, we just host the group) each night so we can stitch with them, but more importantly see what they are stitching. I love stitching, no matter what it is...but I have to say their pieces are extraordinary. Especially Theresa Baird's original pieces. It is worth the money to join this guild just to get Theresa's original designs. But you won't have to join soon, because we've about convinced her to publish them....oh, wait until you see. They are spectacular. And they brought both Sara and myself gifts...one of which you see here. I love these rolls. I call them lipstick cases, although this is so large that the name doesn't fit this, but it's shaped like a lipstick case. And they used the Blackbird fabric...oh, my what a joy to get one of these. I can't believe they included us...and as you can see...it's my favorite color. Sara also got her favorite color...red. Sara and I have already filled ours with stitching tools, scissors, needles, etc. I love this guild. So another big Thanks to the Delaware Valley Sampler Guild. Now, I have started stitching again, and it's on the Siren's of the Sea. I'm actually almost finished but this is where I was when I wrote the original post. Now that I'm feeling a bit better, I'm going to try to get back up to date. Anyway, I'm still loving this piece...almost hate to see it end, but already have my sights on another piece, and of course, my Shores of Hawk Run is still sitting there staring at me. In any event....thanks for stopping by, I'll keep you posted more frequently and you know once I'm in the shop I'll be posting daily as I bitch and complain about things. Have a great day.

3 days and counting.....................

Actually 2 days since our first stitcher arrives on Wednesday, but Thursday is the date we have several stitchers arriving with the remainder on Friday. I, of course, am almost nuts trying to get "Goodie Bag" supplies in...in fact just getting the goodie bag in is a nightmare...not here yet...is it on the horizon? It better be since I put that stipulation on it, however it might get here on Thursday which means the early stitchers will be helping me get it together. I'm as nervous as a cat around a rocker. Anyway, as Mother's Day is coming up...shouldn't everyday be mother's day....I wanted to pass something along to all the mothers out there. Some of you have already seen it I'm sure, but I'm telling you, I'm bawling like a baby and it's not over goodie bags. These things just tear me up! In case I forget, have a wonderful Mother's Day Sunday...I hope your family knows how special mothers are.

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;

They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils

are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,

filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough

Doesn't come out of carpets..

Real Mothers don't want to know what

The vacuum just sucked up...

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'

And get their answer when a little

Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth

Is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother.....

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't know everything!

14 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother? She wouldn't have a clue.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's so five minutes ago.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,

the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,

Because that is the doorway to her heart,

The place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,

But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she

Shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Don't forget to hug your mom.

Whewww...had a glitch in our system....

I cannot describe what a gorgeous day it is down here and it's so sunny and hot there are quite a few people on the beach sunning themselves. So if you aren't here...you are missing a great beach day. I of course, haven't gone on the beach to sun since I was 16....I'm as pale as a ghost. Anyway, we finally heard from Jackie who will be teaching here, thank God, in October. I've had several people ask about brochures, etc., but we found a glitch on Jackie's web site and have been trying to get in touch with her since. Well, she finally called us back today. And thankfully, she is still able to come. Apparently there was a miss communication somewhere and while we thought she was coming on the second weekend in October we found on her web site she had us listed for the 1st weekend in October. Thank God Sara looked at her sight. I seldom check those things. But anyway, we're on the same page and so now I will be getting the brochures done and in the mail and will update the web site. Thanks to all for their patience. Couldn't resist stitching the 2nd band on my Just Nan Sirens of the Sea last night and it was a joy. I simply can't wait to get home to start on it again. My policy was shot too hell as I stitched on it first, however, by 10:00 I felt guilty, put it away and took out the Shore of Hawk Run Hollow. I stitched on it for a couple of hours and got up at 5:30 a.m. and stitched until 8:00 a.m. Since I haven't decided about the Moon yet, I decided to start the 4th block and get this show on the road. While it isn't quite the fun of Sirens of the Sea, it's my fault since I'm making so many changes, but I have to say I still enjoy the stitch. I'll keep you posted with pictures as soon as I return home from the office. Sara just stopped by to let me know she heard from Jackie so I wanted to put it on the blog before I forgot. So I'll go now...have a great evening...hope you fill it with stitching.