Best Week Ever......

We are still here....without a boardwalk to get into the shop, but we've managed for the past 6 weeks to get people in here without the front door. And I have to say our stitchers have found us regardless of the torn up mess out front. When Debbie and Phyllis were here over Superbowl weekend, Debbie commented that she'll be surprised if they have the boardwalk done by Spring Retreat...however, Deb they are working everyday again (for a while we didn't see anyone for a couple of days) and they have the cement columns done that will be running underneath the boardwalk and the gravel laid down that runs under the boardwalk up to 8th street. We of course are not there yet as we are between 8th-9th street, but at least we see it coming. The boardwalk is completed up to 7th street. We have found they have done damage to our property....for some reason tore up a cemented column under the porch (which helps holds up the porch) of the Ayresbilt on our property...don't know why, and they have taken out several pickets of our metal fencing...that's because they don't do anything by hand just use the big pieces of machinery and you best stay out of their way. But anyway, they are simply making more work for us and costing me money to boot. Honestly, I can't catch a break here. Vernon went down to city hall to ask what they are going to do about it and was told they would revisit it after the boardwalk was completed...which is the same as saying "screw you and your property". So nice to deal with governments large or small. Anyway, aside from that, we're fine. I had a lovely 5 days on the best vacation....sitting on my couch, sipping diet pepsi, stitching and knitting and watching T.V....best vacation ever!!!!! I never got dressed (was in sweats...I'm not a pig) never brushed my hair, never changed my sweats.. perhaps I am a pig...Best Vacation Ever). But now I'm back to reality. I've showered, brushed my hair and changed my clothes and I'm back at work....and looking back fondly of the Best Week Ever!!! I pulled my Quaker Christmas Noel back out of the bag...you remember my talking about how much I loved it a few years ago and how I pressed it and the colors ran...oops, perhaps I did steam it by mistake. Well, I didn't throw it out even though I was tempted to because it was so much work and I loved it. I decided to use "Distress It" on it and so this weekend Sara got hers out and sprayed the hell out of the piece and I think it's worked well. While I can still see a little of the brown that bled out of the green silk, it really isn't as noticable so I'm taking it to the framer and hanging it for all to see this summer. I would show you here, but I can't figure out how to get pictures on the blog since they changed the set up. Damn, they are always changing things up so I can't figure things out. I'm getting way too old for all this techno stuff, but I'll keep at it and try to figure it out. I've finished Sherri Jones first class kit, Hare Pyns, right after Superbowl Weekend and started on the 2nd class kit, Blue Ribbon Box. I love this kit, the colors are so me...blues, greens with a hint of pink. I truly have enjoyed every minute of this stitch....plus it works up rather quickly. I finished it this week whoppee!!!! I even took a couple of days off to knit as Sara and I have joined forces (well perhaps I was drafted) to finish a gift for a family who is having to deal with their 3 year old's cancer. Colby is a little girl in Izzy's class and a good friend of Mary's, my daughter. Their son Cooper is Solomon's good friend, so when Colby was diagnosed last month it really took the wind out of our sails. We have been scrambling to get things for Colby to enjoy as she treks to Baltimore for treatment every week. When I came into the shop on Monday I noticed yarns and books on the cutting table. That is not unusual here as Sara, when left alone, finds projects she thinks she's going to do. When she got here she was explaining what she had pulled the yarn for...a prayer bag for Colby and a prayer shawl for Colby's mother. I thought it was a wonderful gift and said, "Wow, do you think you will be able to get it all done?" And she said," well Mom, that's why I wanted to talk to you....I thought we could knit it together." Now, no two knitters should work on one project as the tensions, etc., will probably be different and show so I said, you do the pocket and I'll do the shawl. So in addition to my class kits, the prayer shawl is now part of my life. I only took one ball of yarn home as my initial idea was...work on the prayer shawl in the mornings and the Blue Ribbon box at night. However, I always set goals (and sometimes reach them) for how much I have to do in a day. I started the prayer shawl and just kept going that first day and since I was on the best vacation ever...I finished the first ball of yarn in that first day. So when I came back to work I took another ball of yarn home and started knitting when I got home thinking I'd do a couple of inches and then switch over to stitching. I finished ball 2 with no stitching getting done. Thankfully I didn't pick up the next ball for a couple of days so I was able to do several parts of the Blue Ribbon box. Today I've picked up 2 balls of yarn which should just about finish the shawl so I'm assuming that this week I can get it done, which puts me ahead of schedule on the prayer shawl. And with Blue Ribbon done that means I can stitch whatever I want. Of course we have Nashville Market coming up....so that will take a week out of my life...a fun week, but not as much stitching as I like to do. But exciting because we see all the new stuff up close...and see our designer friends as well. Always fun! Anyway, I've started packing and of course first to go in the car....my stitching. It's exciting for me because I can take anything now that my priorities are done...oh, my what to take, what to take. Anyway, I wanted to get my blog up to date...so now I have and I'm signing off to help get the shop straightened up before Renee and Pat come in to work while we're away. Have a great day...keep on stitching.

SUPERBOWL SALE....starts Friday

We are gearing up for our annual Superbowl Sale and we're so excited with our first event in 2013 getting underway.  Debbie Liming and Phyllis Yurack, part of the Pennsylvania crew and retreating here this weekend, arrived this afternoon with lists, and projects galore to work on.   We're all working on Sherri Jones two class pre-stitch pieces but Debbie and Phyllis brought many more projects to work on and finish as well.  Phyllis has many of her 2012 Jackie DuPlessis pieces finished, but Debbie isn't as far ahead and poor Sara, well she hasn't completed one piece yet.  But I have high hopes for her and Debbie and Sara are suppose to work on Jackie's pieces this weekend so I'm praying she gets at least one piece finished, just to kick start her stitching again.  She did finish a Sweetheart Tree piece, I must admit,  this week....beautiful and will be on display in the shop.  Unfortunately for me, Sara's falling in love with knitting so it's hard for her to get back to counted cross stitch.  Her finished piece is not framed yet, but at least you can see her beautiful work.   I'm on the downhill side of Hare Pyns, and would have been finished if I didn't have to tear out the entire back panel...darn it all.  Lesson learned! But the most important thing I have to say now is....get out your lists, e-mail us, call us, we don't care how you do it, but let us know your needs by Sunday 4:00 p.m. and you will see a savings.  Anywhere from 10% to 30% off you entire purchase.  30% applies to all purchases $50 and over. 

Snow Day....Perhaps!

While our winter has been very mild...it snowed tonight and we will probably be closed tomorrow, Saturday...January 26th.  It's been an unbelievable two weeks for me...as you read in my last entry I fell last Friday and was laid up at home last Saturday and Sunday.  I hobbled into work on Monday and Tuesday but Wednesday stayed home just to get some stitching done.  I got nothing done as I felt a cold coming on so I was a lump on the sofa and Thursday I woke up and felt terrible so I again didn't go into work, and also didn't pick up a needle.  It drove me crazy that I sat here for 2 days doing nothing.  I mean I could have gotten so much done on Hare Pyns.  Since the temps are down...around 11 degrees here in Ocean City with the wind chill figured in...brrrrr...it was decided I should stay home again Friday since I still was hacking and feeling just not right.  I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going back to work.  But since it was so darn cold I didn't want to go out anyway.  But I was going to brave it Saturday when low and behold the snow fell tonight.  So Sara called me and said, "Snow day tomorrow"...so I'm passing that along to you.  Call first...but I really think Saturday will be our first official snow day of the year.  Update on my Hare Pyns...I finally made the decision and have torn out the middle panel (which is the bargello back of the piece) and will start it over.  I'm tearing out a line of bargello then doing a background stitch on the back panel because both things are really boring to me.  But I know I'd never be able to live with this if I didn't do it over.  This sucks !  I can't wait to get this finished, at this point...nothing worse than thinking you were done with a piece and then finding a mistake and having to redo.  And I've got so many more projects to get to.   Well, I'm going to go back to stitching...hopefully I'll have this done in a few days.

Things can always get worse

As some of you are already aware, the city is tearing out all the old boardwalk and replacing it with new reinforced boardwalk...a good thing, unless your business is on the boardwalk.  Back in August we were informed this was being done, and forms were sent out to all businesses for us to fill out, letting the city know if we were going to be open as they were going to see that we had ramps build to our business during the weekends...Saturday and Sunday.  They fell behind and got to our street two weeks ago.  They were suppose to be ripping out one week, two weeks to put  the new boardwalk down.  When we saw them coming up towards our street, 3 weeks ago, Vernon went out and spoke with them to remind them (as we were told we better do) we needed a ramp..."no problem" was their reply.  2 Fridays ago Greg Osche came in and said, "Sally you should have told them to put a ramp up for you (as they finally got to our street and ripped up the boards).  I said "They already know about the ramp here and are set to do put it down."  Then he said, "Well they've already put in one for Malibu's...a business beside us...in place."  So I went out and yes, they  had put one for them...and they weren't even open.  So as I'm standing there looking grumpier and grumpier one of the workman came by and asked if there was a problem.  You can imagine what I said to him and he said, "No problem...no one told us you needed a ramp."  O.K., how many people do we need to tell?  Anyway, he put the ramp in and we were good to go.  Because I've dealt with this city before we were proactive, had signs made for back doors here and a sign put up on the on the street...that everyone would have to gain entrance through the back of the shops or hotel and I have to say  our stitchers have been wonderful.  Sara put the information on Facebook and I added it to our website.   Everyone has found their way to our shop...all doors have been used so you never know where they are going to be coming from, so it's make it a little more exciting.  The city was suppose to put the ramps which are taken away during the week, back in place Friday  before they leave.  While Malibu's was definitely in place for the weekend, ours, big surprise, was not.  And this weekend was the Camp Wannastitch weekend.  While this is not one of our sponsored events, it is a wonderful event for our shop.  We are in touch with the group and the organizer let the stitchers know as well how to get in our shop so we were thrilled they found us and it was fun to have so many stitchers, many old friends by now, and meet new friends.  Friday was busy and we were tired at day's end.  We were closing and I wanted to make sure the office was closed up so I said good bye to Sara and went into the office.  This is where  things went wrong.  I decided to use the restroom, didn't turn on the lights as I went through the bedroom to the bathroom, ran into a trunk which threw off my balance and sent me crashing to the floor on my knees.  The screaming all the way down was enough to scare me to death, but when I realized my situation I began to panic.  I was alone, it was freezing in the room because there is no heat...Sara and Mary were both gone, so no one was around, and I didn't have my phone with  me.  After the screaming stopped, after a few minutes, and I evaluated my condition for anything broken...blessfully nothing was...I  realized I had better try to figure out what to do.  Because of my size I have difficulty getting off the floor normally, having fallen on my knees made it impossible for me to get on my knees as the pain was too great.  I really thought I would be there all night so began to evaluate what was within arms reach for warmth, etc.  I was able reach a pillow and there was a blanket so I felt a little better...oh yeah, my need for the bathroom was over as the fall made me pee all over myself...which wasn't helping my situation.  Anyway, I tried to scoot on my butt to the door where there are steps thinking perhaps I could get up there, but I simply didn't have the strength to get there.  Then I knew I would have to get  on my knees to get up or I would be there all night.  So I put the pillow down, just grit my teeth and did it.  I was never to glad to be on my feet in my life.  I knew I  would be able to get home... my knees were hurting, especially my left  knee which was really in pain, but able to hold my weight.  I keep a change of cloths for emergencies such as this in the office so I was able to change my clothes and get the hell out.  Unfortunately when I hit the back door the walkway was icy because of the rain, snow and freezing temps so walking was a challenge but I made it home safely.  I collapsed on the sofa and thanked God for the warmth.  I thought I was home free until I tried to get up to go to the bathroom later in the evening.   I need to find an alternative to going to the bathroom I think.  Anyway, I couldn't get up which paniced me....how the hell was I going to get to the bathroom?  After probably 1 1/2 hrs...I finally rocked myself  off the sofa with the help of one of my canes which I had grabbed on the way into the house.  Because I sometimes have balance issues in the morning I keep canes all over the house.  Debbie Liming gave me a wonderful traveling cane which has become invaluable during the time.  Anyway, once I saw I had a problem getting up  I began to worry about getting to work on Saturday with the major event in town.  At 5:30 a.m. I knew I was in trouble and to add to my problem I had left my phone at work.  So I e-mailed Sara and Mary and explained I had a problem.   Sara finally saw the e-mail around 9:00 a.m.  Meanwhile I spent at least 2 hrs trying to get up so I was really panicing over the bathroom issue as well as getting to work.  Sara called Mary and asked her to  come downstairs to check on me.  I was never so relieved to see someone.  I explained that I was late for work and had to get off the sofa.  She just laughed and said, "Mom, get serious...how are you going to work?"  But I had figured that out....if I could just get  there (and I hadn't really  thought this through) I could sit on the high   stool and be behind the counter ringing up the sales, and answering questions.  Mary asked how I intended to get up the stairs...which made me see I had a bigger problem than I originally thought.  Needless to say I didn't go....but Mary and Brian got me ice  packs and a knee brace and I found that by the end of the day I was able to get off   the sofa in 1/2 hour...Whoppee!!!  Sara sent Michael over with my  phone and I asked him to stay with his mother and help her until Mary could get there.   I felt guilty but relieved that the shop was being taken care of.  Sara did a wonderful job, with Mary's  help and we had a great day thanks to Camp Wannastitch.  Today it's still taking me 1/2 to get off the sofa and Sara is alone today, but I know she can handle it.  As for my Michael, he drove Sara crazy after 1/2 hr. so she sent him home yesterday so thank God Mary was  able get there for backup.  And that's how our weekend is going, how's yours.  And the final insult....I have been trying to get the pre-stitch for the Sherri Jones Hare Pyns class done...and realized as I went to do the final panel I had a misstep on the second panel and while I thought I would be done today...I have to tear out the second panel and start it over....and I ran out of silk to do it.  Yes, just when I think it couldn't get worse....it always can.  Hope your day is going better than mine.  Talk to you later

It's over and we are exhausted.....

We are always excited to see our annual October Stitching event come and since we know that this is really the end of the season for us we are a little sad to see it end.  However, the older I get the more exhausted I have become by Sunday that it takes me a week to unwind and get rested.  So I've had a few days to get sleep and worked less so I'm almost feeling human again, but I have to say, it was a great event, the teachers were fabulous and the stitchers appeared to have a great time...so it was a win win for everyone.  Theresa (Shakespeare's Peddler) taught the stitchers to do a "passport pincushion" which the stitchers loved because it brought out their creative side.  A few finished theirs over the weekend and no two are ever alike, so it was interesting to see what everyone did... using "bits and bobs" of linen, lace, rick rack, buttons, charms etc.  Very cute!  Then Belinda (Blue Ribbon) taught one of her fabulous samplers, titled "Feathers, Flowers & Fruit" which included a framed sampler, a scissor fob and an ort recepticle.  Her class was wonderful and the stitchers learned some of her best tips and secrets.   Donna (By the Bay) taught the stitchers to do stumpwork and wool work in creating an eyeglass case.  Several stitchers also finished this over the weekend and took home a finished piece...Kudo's !

So a good time was had by all.  We had 54 stitchers, which included our very own token male...imagine 1 man and 53 women...he's a great sport and even stitched his own name tag this year (I told him he really needed one last year).  It was so cute because it had his name on he front and when he flipped it up it said Token Male.  Anyway, the weather was wonderful...cool nights but sun shining during the day so everyone could sit outside if they wanted to.  Sunday was the first exodus of stitchers with the remaining leaving on Monday except for Syd and Debbie and they pulled out on Tuesday.  But we closed the hotel part of the operation on Monday.  So now just the Salty Yarns and Sea Trader will be open everyday.  Also on Sunday our Connie worked her last day before retiring.  So I'm back on the schedule for 5 days a week.  But at least I will be taking off at least one day...I need one day in the office until Thanksgiving at which time we go to 4 days a week open.  Oh, I almost forgot, one of my favorite parts of Jamboree is seeing finished pieces that stitchers bring for show and tell, and this year was no different.  Seeing all the different projects just makes me want to go home and stitch 24/7, don't you feel the same way?  It is so inspiring, and really gets my creative juices flowing.  Oh, I had a not so creative moment today, in fact it  made me feel really stupid, I was taking my shower for work and while standing there washing my hair THE light went out.  I knew that couldn't be a good sign and mentally thought about the bill but knew I had paid it so figured they were working on it somewhere.  Fortunately I was able to finish the shower and when I looked outside saw no trucks which wasn't a good sign.  Then Brian called me to see if it was out downstairs and I said yes and told him to call DP & L.  I then walked into my bathroom, sat down and tried to blow dry my hair.  Took me a few minutes to realize I Had No Electric.  Mary called and said it was out in the south end of town (which is where I live and work)...and like an idiot I thought, no problem, I'll just take my hair dryer to work and blow dry it there....in the south end of town.  I really felt my age when I arrived at the shop which had to electricity and realized I couldn't dry it there either.  Long story short...it's amazing how much I depend on electricity.  I could have sat outside in the sun and it would have dried my hair...but you just know I'm not doing that.  Thank God he electric returned at 10:15 a.m.  And my hair was still wet, so I didn't drag my hair dryer here for nothing...horray!  Anyway, I have to start working now...Sara and I are alone in the shop today so it will be a miracle if we both live through the day.  So have a great day yourself...here it is sunny and bright with the ocean a little darker as there must be a storm somewhere, but it's so warm I think I'm going to have to turn on the a/c.  I hope you have a great day yourselves....talk to you later.

Whew...I'm exhausted!!!!

I'm back!!!!!!!

Yes, I've poking my head back up again...it's the end of the season, we're geared up and ready for the event this weekend, and Theresa from Shakespeare's Peddler, just arrived.  Stitchers  started arriving yesterday, with more coming tomorrow and the majority arriving on Friday.  The piece you see here, "A Maryland Inspiration", was delivered in time for the event, along with charts.  It's a fabulous original design by Theresa Baird and  received the Frank Lloyd Wright Award for Outstanding Original Design at the 49th Annual Woodlawn Plantation Needlework Exhibit. Fabulous!!!  We're so excited that we finally got the finished piece on display...please come in and see it.  Well, I don't know how you did over this summer, but I'm much to fat and old to put up with the heat and humidity we had down here.  I thought I'd die from it.  Believe me when I tell you I thanked God every day and night for my air conditioning.  We managed to get through the summer without killing each other or any tenants, again I thanked God for that.  We are blessed to have great tenants in the hotel, for the most part, and we are also blessed to have great stitchers in Salty Yarns.  Now that doesn't mean there aren't a few stinkers in the group, but they are far out numbered by the great ones so we don't like to complain too much.  I do have to say one thing though....and get ready because it's a rant.  I'm a person who believes in tipping for good service and great service I really acknowledge, however I also believe tipping is for service above and beyond, not for those who are simply doing their job.  For instance, I was at the Alaska Stand (a hamburger stand here) a couple of weeks ago and a gentlemen handed the owner change for the tip jar, and then he began to go on and on about people who didn't put money in the tip jar (of which I am one).  Now, when you are at a fast food place, which is what a hamburger stand is here, you can't go behind the counter and get your food off the griddle, so how are you suppose to get your food if they don't give it to you.  Therefore, that isn't anything but their job.  Now, if you kept asking for special things, changes in what ordinarily they do, or extra of anything that isn't normally given, well then maybe throw a few coins in the jar, but that's iffy to me.  Anyway, my stand on hotel tipping is...if you stay one night there is no need to tip as they didn't do anything for you.  They had to make up the room between tenants yes, but that wasn't specifically for you it's their job.  However, once  you spend two nights there is a need to say thank you for cleaning up after me.  I always police my room before room service comes in, make sure all clothes are put away, trash in trash can, etc., so they can come in and do their job, so there is no extra effort needed on their part, but they are cleaning my room for me.  Now, in Nashville there are times when I'm too pooped and they haven't gotten to my room yet I just tell them to forget it for the day (there's nothing housekeepers hate more than tenants sitting there watching them work).  When I don't have room service I don't leave anything for those days as I don't have them do anything...take out trash, replace towels, nothing.  But there are only a couple of days I don't have them come in the room so I'm still tipping for all the days they do come in.  I started this rant because someone who is a regular stayed for 3 nights and tipped with "coupons  for something off a dinner at Outback" and a couple of stamps.  First our housekeeping staff does such a wonderful job and frankly that just isn't good enough.  It borders on rude frankly.  The last time this couple was here they left her a few chocolates in a bag...again, hardly good enough for someone who has cleaned your toilet for the weekend, made your bed, cleaned up your room...etc.  Mary who runs the front desk came to me and said she was embarrassed to even give the housekeeper the coupons, etc., but was afraid not to so she did.  Needless to say the housekeeper just threw it in the trash, which is the same thing she did with the candy.  As for the candy, she wasn't asked what kind she liked...it wasn't presented in a nice box, it was a few pieces thrown in a bag.  If you don't want to tip housekeepers....stay at a camp ground and clean up after yourself,  stay home, or just ask that no housekeeping be given, which you can do.  I appreciate someone making my bed, exchanging my dirty towels for clean ones, etc...I tip for that service.  But will I leave a tip at a carryout counter...no sir...if you don't want to put my food on the counter, then open it up and I'll come and get it myself.  I think I've said enough on that subject...let's move on.    Sara and Pat worked on getting the trunk shows up and they are beautiful...wish I could keep them.  And the girls are shopping, shopping and shopping so I have to end here.  But I'll try to keep in touch since I'll be working more.  Our Connie is retiring and Sunday will be here last day.  Guess who will be picking up her shift....you guessed it...yours truly.  So I'll be in here more and I'll try to let you know what's happening.  Have a great day and a great weekend.  It is gorgeous here...sunny and cool, and we've still had to put the a/c on in Salty Yarns