Happy New Year and Welcome to another decade!

That sounds like we've gotten so much older in the last day...another decade...Geez, somehow I don't feel that much older do you? Anyway, I trust all of you had a safe and happy New Year. I spent mine as I love to...sitting on my sofa watching T.V. and dozing off and on. This is the first year in a while where I actually woke back up in time to see the ball drop. That was a big whop! I guess it doesn't have as much umph if you are sitting on your sofa, as opposed to standing with thousands of others in the freezing cold in New York times square. But anyway, here I sit today, at home, off the sofa for once, my internet back working and I thought..."let's begin the next decade correctly and get to updating the blog and get the web site back into action. So here I am stitchers coming to you from my stitching room. I had a wonderful Christmas which started with Vernon and John removing all the excess furniture out of my guest room and my Stitching room so now I am able to once again, for the second year in a row, get my house straightened up once and for all. It was my Christmas present to me. So that began holiday season. The real kick off however, was our Stitch 'n Bitch Christmas party. We have a dinner at Fager's Island and exchanged our secret santa gifts there. I have to tell you this dinner is getting bigger and bigger and bigger and more and more fun. I am gifted so much I need a trailer to get it all home. Anyway, another exciting thing that is happening is the joy and friendship all the stitchers have...Debbie Liming and Phyllis Yurack traveled down from Pennsylvania just for this evening. They brought with them "goodie tins" for everyone which contained a Morovian candle and a cute sugar lollipop. Jackie Janovsky brought a tea light in a ceramic shell for everyone. Kay Fletcher gave a goodie bag containing a doorknob message pad (which I have needed for some time), a package of tissues, and Merry Englebreit soap. Pat Weker gave each of us our own bag of cookies (mine were gone in one night...big surprise!). And of course, Salty Yarns gave each person a goodie bag filled with a box of my peanut butter cookies, a ceramic loaf dish filled with Christmas candies, a journal, Christmas pencil and best of all...a gift certificate. While all these goodies bags were wonderful, Jennifer Humphries upped the ante by stitching each person, yes each one of us got a personalized ornament made by Jennifer. Candi Whitehead stitched several tea cups made into pin cushions with our initials stitched on linen. (Shown here...isn't it cute and she used the Eileen Bennett alphabet which is fabulous). I was bowled over by the amount of goodie bags and gifts and that 2 people actually stitched something. As if all that wasn't enough, Jennifer gave me a beautiful gift pad with my initial and beautiful pages inside, along with a Merry Englebreit address book (just wonderful). Hedy gave me a Polishware covered dish (which I'm using for double sticks of butter) which I dearly love as I have been collecting it for several years. If you haven't seen Polishware..look it up on the internet...it's beautiful and each piece is different. Love it! Kay Fletcher also gave me a Polishware serving bowl and 2 coffee mugs....love them as well.. and Kay was unable to attend due to a family illness. We missed you Kay and are praying that everyone is feeling better and you will be back in the fold soon. Kay also gave me size 15 double points as I had talked about not being able to find them while I was working on my Christmas Stocking, which I'll take a picture of as it was my first stocking (oversized by stocking none the less) and I'm really proud of it. So now I can make more Christmas stockings...it was fun. Beth Jernigan gave me a gorgeous bargello ball ornament. I have always loved bargello so this is hanging proudly on my tree. I now have enough ornaments to do an ornament tree so that is very special to me and I can't thank everyone who has contributed. Joyce Carter was my Secret Santa and gave me 2 Homespun Elegance ornaments which I dearly love as well. Joyce has given me so many stitched ornaments I could fill a small tree with just her presents. Thanks Joyce. Pat Weker stitched a box lid for me (one of the Salem boxes which I love) and the verse was .."With my two hands I stitch each day, unto the Lord I softly pray, guide my needle fast and strong, that I may stitch the whole day long. May every X be wrought with love with peace and patience from above." I will treasure it always. Can't think whether to fill it with smalls or use it for scissors...well, I can come up with a use later. Linda Wimbrow stitched a Quaker pin keep and scissor fob which is fabulous. The pinkeep has a mattress pin cushion which I find to be so cute and the workmanship was excellent on it. She actually stitched part of this during our Stitch 'n Bitch and I commented on it several times never realizing she was stitching it for me. I actually had the chart in my totes "todo" so this is a double whoppee because now I can take it out of the tote and consider it job done...whoppee! Candi Whitehead stitched the Shepherd's Bush Quaker Heart for me(shown at right), got the Jill Rensel Mat and then had it framed. It is unbelievable as well, and we all know Shepherd's Bush is my all time favorite company, so I was more than thrilled. And I've already hung it at home so I can look at it every day and marvel at what wonderful stitching friends I have. It also makes my sister very envious as she said, "I don't know anyone who would do this for me." So much work from the stitchers and the added expense of boxes, framing, finishing...well I don't know what I did to deserve all this but I couldn't be more thrilled. Jackie gave me a Friendship pewter angel and ...... I've got the angel hanging already and she is beautiful. Well, you know I'm already working on next year...well, not working on but certainly thinking about it. Everyone also went all out of their secret santa gifts. I think everyone was pleased with their gifts this year so stitchers job well done. I'm going to slowly try to get the pictures up so you can see what fabulous gifts I got. Tomorrow I'll post Linda Wimbrow's Needlebook and fobs...see you then.

It's been a while...but life hasn't changed too much!

Yes, folks, I'm still the same idiot I was 3 months ago. My two daughter, Mary & Sara, and I decided to take a trip to the Christiana Mall in Delaware to do a little Christmas shopping. I should have known better as Renee told me what a fabulous mall this was. So we arrive to find that major parts of the mall are being renovated and therefore only part of the mall was shopable. But not one to be discouraged I said, "O.K., the good news is that next year at this time the Cheesecake Factory will be open here, now lets see what else is here today." So we managed to find some stores that filled our shopping needs and then I took a bathroom break. (this is when things start to go south). When I went into the section where the restrooms are, the doors were open to the restrooms, so without thinking, isn't that new for me, I walked into the first door without even looking. (I think you can see where this is going) Now my first clue should have been when I saw a urinal. But no, I'm thinking..."isn't that odd that they'd put a urinal in the women's bathroom, but on the other hand, isn't that nice that they put it here for little boys that couldn't go to the men's room because they are so young. I get in the stall, hang my purse on the hook provided, and proceed to do the job I was there to do. I heard someone come in go to the sinks and I could see out the crack in the door and it was a man. I thought "what the hell is he doing in a ladies bathroom and how embarrassed is he going to be when he realizes it." Then the door opens again and another set of footsteps heading to the urinal. I'm wondering what kind of woman uses a urinal when it finally dawns on me. (I think the doctor needs to prescribe something for idiot). Now I'm in a panic on how to get out of the men's room without being noticed. So the urinal man leaves and now I'm waiting for the man who's taking his time washing his hands. He must have been a doctor in a previous life because he washed those damn hands for at least 5 minutes as I sat there stewing. He finally stops and no one else came in so I grabbed my purse to make a run for it and ran into the hand washer who is now planted in the middle of the doorway stopped watching people. I decided I just had to leave so I said, excuse me to the gentlemen and just kept walking. I'm hoping he thinks he was in the ladies room. There's been a end to our "crack whore" drama. Vernon and Sara went to court on the 11th for the jury trial. According to their attorney, they were sure it was going to be thrown out of court as they didn't think she would show up. (haven't we been here before?)...and as it turned out...she didn't. There was a rumor that the DA didn't bother to notify her of a date...which begs the question, if you weren't going to go forward with this case why didn't you just cancel it altogether. What was the point of Sara and Vernon having to drive to Snow Hill, pay the attorney just to be told it was over. Honestly, it's no damn wonder the court system is such a screwed up mess.

We alive and well, and almost dry....

Wow, this past week has been different, to say the least. We had 2 days of driving rain and 3 days of gale force winds. The town flooded, Baltimore Avenue became a 2 way street as Philadelphia Ave. was flooded in spots and could not be used. St. Louis Ave. was flooded and couldn't be used, and they had to close off the streets from the bridge south due to flooding. Schools were cancelled so the children were at home and you couldn't go out. Added to the confusion I have been fighting the flu...so I was thrilled to have to stay home on the sofa. But thankfully, Saturday the sun came out and today peace and calm have been restored...at least to the weather situation. I have never seen a Northeaster' last so damn long. I thought we got off lightly though what with the gale force winds. As I was driving up to the house today I thought, "oh, my someone lost part of their gutter," which was about the only damage I saw and then realized I was the someone who lost part of the gutter. This was so banged up it wasn't even worth salvaging. Now I've got paint chipping and one gutter off...I have become "that" house on the street. But, folks will just have to wait until spring before I can afford to paint and repair, and I'm holding my breath on that now. Anyway, in my never ending medical catch up...the doctor's office called again the other night (we should just put in a direct line) to say I have a Vitamin D deficiency that is so bad they must prescribe a pill for it (I seem to be deficient in everything but fat...why don't they have a pill for that). So one more medication I have to get through and then today was my digital mammogram. That was a real treat. While the digital isn't quite as bad as the regular, you still have some tech whose moving your boob around a platform, and asking you to move a little this way and that, stand this way, raise your arm, keep the other arm under the machine, now let me clamp your breast in here and now breath naturally. Hell people you have my boob smashed under the plexiglass tray, it's awkward, I stripped from the waist up so natural is just not going to happen for me. But after putting up with that indignity for 20 minutes I was out of there , clothes on and running for the car. Tonight I get my next B12 shot and then I'm free until next Monday when I have to go in for the glorious, "pap smear." Holy crap...that's high anxiety for me. I was amuzed today to open e-mail from Jane Blocher keeping in mind I have my pap smear coming up. This is so me I can't believe it happened to anyone else, although it's given me a few ideas, perhaps if I fancy mine up the dazzle will throw Wendy off and she will see that I'm not depressed. This is what Jane sent....

'The Washcloth'
I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. Early one morning, I received a call from the doctor's office to tell me that I had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 am. I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45am. The trip to his office took about 35 minutes, so I didn't have any time to spare. As most women do, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, but this time I wasn't going to be able to make the full effort. So, I rushed upstairs, threw off my pajamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in that area to make sure I was at least presentable. I threw the washcloth in the clothes basket, donned some clothes, hopped in the car and raced to my appointment. I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in. Knowing the procedure, as I'm sure you do, I undressed, hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room and pretended that I was in Paris or some other place a million miles away. I was a little surprised when the doctor said, 'My, we have made an extra effort this morning, haven't we?' I didn't respond. After the appointment I heaved a sigh of relief and went home. The rest of the day was normal ... Some shopping, cleaning, cooking. After school when my 6 year old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, 'Mommy, where's my washcloth?' I told her to get another one from the cupboard. She replied, 'No, I need the one that was here by the sink, it had all my glitter and sparkles saved inside it.'

So ladies, I'm off to buy my glitter and sparkles and get my game plan for next Monday's pap smear...yes Wendy will be telling me to dump the antidepressents by this time next week. Alleluia.
Have a great day folks....I have to get back to reading e-mails, sending out orders...thanks to all those still ordering despite the shipping calculations...you know I only add actual shipping so bless you. So stitchers get busy we only have 38 more stitching days left before Christmas.

Oh Crap....Huston we have a problem!

I had a couple of calls from customers to place orders over the phone because they couldn't do it on line. So I went on line last week to investigate and sure enough we had a problem. Realizing that the last time I had an issue with the cart was when the price of postage changed I called my web person and asked her to check it out. As would only happen to me, the person who changed the code on my postage was no longer with her and she couldn't figure out how he did it so suggested I use a monthly service which would alleviate the problems I've gone through when postage changed. That sounded like a sane idea so I contacted Doug and agreed to a monthly fee to plug in his services, which he assured me I could do myself. Of course I couldn't do it so I called my web person and told her to do it. Then when I saw she had done it on Saturday, I went in and ordered a $4 chart to test it and found a slight error since it was charging me $42.84 for shipping on $4. So I called Doug and said, I don't know what's wrong but clearly something is wrong. We realized it was the figure that in the past I put in to calculate shipping is wrong and I know have to go back through 189 pages, with 6 items per page and change all of those figures to get the correct shipping. So folks, as you know, this will take me a lot of time. But as you also know that shipping charge means nothing to me as I charge actual shipping, but in the meantime...my cart is now a work in progress so I ask for your patience as I work my way through this quagmire. Life sure is fun isn't it? To add to my stress, I got a call my from doctor's office to see if I wanted to come in for the flu shot. I said, "no thanks, but thanks for calling." And then she says, "Sally, you haven't been in here for 2 years and we need you to come in." I belong to what I call a boutique group as I pay yearly to belong to their practice as my doctor opted out of the HMO thing. So I said to her, "Look I pay you yearly so I don't have to come in." But apparently that is not what I'm paying for so after insisting I come whether I want to or not I went. Of course the first thing they do is insist I get on the damn scale. Crap I can tell you I've gained...hell I gain when I breathe. But she just looked at me, sympathic but unrelenting and I climbed on board and prayed for the best. I then went to wait for Wendy, my physician's assistant who likes to tell me about gastric bypass no matter how many times I tell her "No, and stop suggesting it." So she comes in, asked how I'm doing, I'm such a wreck over the anticipation of "our talk" that I have a mental breakdown. I'm telling you, I was a red hot mess and embarrassed and unable to figure out what to do with myself. Her determination..."Sally, I think you are suffering from depression." Hell yes, thinking about our talk about gastric bypass. I kept saying, "No I'm just having a moment, but I'm fine." Of course I was just thinking, "For God's sake move this weight train along and let me out so I can get some lunch." She was so taken back by my "depression" she never mentioned the weight...hey maybe I'm onto something here. Of course she then prescribed an antidepressent which has about Sara over the edge. While I know for certain that I'm not a depressed person...my cup is always half full trust me...I decided to go along with the program and take the meds for a month to see. Then I had to go to the hospital to have blood work. Since I hadn't eaten since the night before (who eats before they are getting on a scale, because let's face it...that little bit a weight makes up for 2 years of eating), anyway, I went right over where they did a chest x-ray (I had a cold which they probably thought was something else), and took 5 vials of blood. I usually only give 2 so I thought it was odd. Wendy called me that night to say my sugar levels were off the chart (I guess my C.A. Wells weekend eating cake and cookies wasn't out of my system yet) so I was put on medication for diabetes...I can handle that, plus I've gone back on the program so that will help. Then a couple a days ago they called again to say they got more of the tests back and my B12 was so low (I finally get a low figure and it's on something that needed to be high...damn the luck) I needed to start a series of B12 shots. Honestly, this is what I get for skipping 2 years. So now I'm running over there weekly for a B12 shot and while I'm not sure I notice any difference, perhaps I do have more pep in my step, but in any case I'm sure it can't hurt. Of course I still have to do the mammogram and the pap smear (I just love that test...I have no dignity left at all anyway). So folks, for the time I'm here, eating healthier and hoping to lose weight and get off the meds. By the way, after stewing about the weight...I'd lost 4 pounds in the last 2 years instead of gaining. So run a flag up the ole flag pole....let's hope I keep the trend going. At that rate I'll have a normal weight when I'm 200. Got to run...Mary and Brian have begun bringing my stash downstairs...haven't seen it in 5 years, I've uncovered some real treasures....and a whole lot of trash. It's funny how our tastes change.

C.A. Wells Weekend was a blast....

Just a glimpse of our beverage table complete with

eyeball goblets and skelton glasses..we had so much fun and even had a little trick or treater, my little Solomon who came as a golfer and brought his caddie, his mother Mary. At first he was so scared of the welcome man he could barely come in the door but eventually he tried to make friends with him too.

Just a few scenes from the hotel lobby where we held our annual C.A. Wells memorial weekend. The Noel Stocking if from Blackbird's Joyeux Book and done by Phyllis Yurack. The next picture shows Kathie Renard, Kay Fletcher and Stacy Stinson stitching away. Then you see Stacy again along with Jennifer Humphries. Everyone was busy stitching, eating, comparing notes and having just the best time as we spend 2 days just having fun being around people who enjoyed the same things. Does it get any better than this...I don't think so. Sara and I want to thank everyone who participated, especially Kay Fletcher who spent days cooking to keep us fed, Sara who also spent time fixing food and Stacy Stinson who brought one of her specialities to the table...yes we were certain not to starve, that's for sure. Here we see Linda and Candi hard at work. Poor
Linda is exhausted after helping Candi finish a
a project for Christmas (and I'm using the help word loosely). Candi was working on her Shepherd's Bush project (I've turned her into a Shepherd's Bush fanatic....it's good to have company. Thank God Candi is a fast stitcher because she finds something new for her stash every time she comes in.
The weekend got underway early as Debbie Liming and Phyllis Yurack arrived on Wednesday. They always bring us show and tell and Debbie, especially, had been working day and night finishing up many projects she had started. Remember the Casket Etui from Blue Ribbon designs, well, Debbie is the only person I know who ever finished it and it's absolutely adorable. But on black over one...oh, my what a project...but so worth it if you have the patience and the eyes. While that was the most impressive to me she brought several other projects, a Liberty Hill project from years ago...a round box in which you find a pin cushion you made...it's so cute... finished which ranged from adorable to fabulous. Good job Debbie! Phyllis had brought her big pile in during Jamboree so while she had several projects with her, her one exciting finish was the Halloween Box given out at Jamboree from Prairie Moon Designs...with a pumpkin that is stitched on black on the top. She did a wonderful job, and it's so cute. Best of all she finished off the inside using scrapbooking paper and it's as cute as the outside. What a wonderful idea. In the picture at left she had not finished putting the cording around the inside bottom obviously, but you get the picture. Isn't it cute? And imagine it with a set of smalls and needlework supplies inside. A wonderful sewing box for Halloween. Then she also brought in, completely finished her Catherine Jordan class piece and it is wonderful. She painted the box a dark blue which I feel really sets this piece off beautifully. The rest of the stitchers arrived early on Saturday with Linda Wimbrow, Candi Whitehead and Jennifer Humphries getting here to open the doors at 10:00 a.m. Kathie Renard and Kay Fletcher arrived with tons of food which lasted us for 2 days (you have never seen such an array). Stacy Stinson also arrived with a crock pot of beef for sandwiches and of course our Sara brought some of her specialities...so we weren't going to starve..that's for sure. Greg McCord also showed up to help us celebrate the memorial to C.A. Wells. Sara had also done up the lobby in rare form. Greeting the stitchers was a special character with a special greeting and our purpose for the weekend. We have turned this memorial into quite an event. Kay Fletcher made goodie bags ....or tins I should say as each of us got a small tin holding candy and a pair of Halloween socks. Sara, Debbie, Phyllis and I made goodie bags with fun stuff inside to give to everyone, so we ended up with each of us getting 2 goodie bags...and who doesn't love a goodie bag.
Sara had so fully decorated the lobby that we had people stopping in all weekend to ask if this was a haunted house. Going up the stairs to the first floor was our "I'd turn back if I was you" along with the pumpkin man, all of which lit up. Hanging off pictures and mirrors were huge black and red spiders. We had legs hanging out of drawers and arms hanging out of things. And we had Matilda the witch sitting in the T.V. cabinet with a bowl of beads to hand out. It was a wonderful weekend and we all had a great time. But the Halloween decorations are now a thing of the past and C.A. Wells Memorial weekend has ended. Can't wait to see what next year brings. But everyone has inspired me to get busy stitching so I thank everyone for participating. Also in the mood were Pat and Renee who worked the shop. They both sported the cutest little witch hats, handed out candy goodie bags to customers and Renee particularly who covered herself with everything Halloween, from head to toe. Yes, Halloween is one occasion we all can get into to. Have a great week...

We're Back!!!!!

Yes we returned from our Moss Creek Retreat rested and ready for our C.A. Wells Memorial Weekend Retreat. I'm telling you though, 3 retreats in one month is about to do me in. Anyway, I have to tell you about our week away. We left early Wednesday morning (Oct. 21) and got through Virginia without a cap coming off (last year I was testing the sugar free caramels and my cap came off), or Sara being pulled over (she was speeding through and of course, got caught)...so we thought we were sailing under a bright sky. However, after talking to Vernon to make sure he met Michael at the bus, Sara was informed that Michael was a bit upset so Vernon thought he'd take him to the new boat (Vernon purchased a new boat with more speed a few weeks ago) and let him play around. Before leaving he tossed Michael's school bookbag on the ground in front of the elevator to their apartment (it's an outside elevator)...what an idiot! Anyway, when they returned from the boat, the bookbag was missing....Gee what a surprise. So of course, Michael was hysterical since it contained his special lunch box, his homework, 3 library books, and the list goes on. Sara, of course, was cursing like a sailor and calling Vernon various names we don't need to repeat here and I was the calm in the storm..."Sara, everything can be replaced...let it go..and please don't let it ruin our week in Hilton Head." While she agreed to it, all this did was make her determined not to return home until Wednesday instead of Monday like last year. Of course, I'm all for that (forgetting I was suppose to work on Wednesday...but that was a small technicality). Anyway, we arrived at the Marriott and settled in. It's just gorgeous on Hilton Head...they really planned their communities and the spread of malls etc. well, covering everything in trees and plants. You see little of the commercial aspect of a resort town because it is behind the greenery and that makes it all the more beautiful. Anyway, arriving a day early gave us shopping opportunities...which we all know we took advantage of, saving our big money for the trunk shows at the retreat however. Now, on Thursday when Sara called to make sure Vernon met Michael he told her that Michael's bookbag had been returned to the school, along with everything that was inside. No one knows where it came from, just that it appeared in the office. So we have no idea what went on, just that we had an angel on our shoulder and he looked after our Michael for us. So no harm no foul. We stayed on anyway after the retreat just to have a day to relax from the hubbub of the retreat, which was wonderful yet again this year. We had Jackie Duplessis first and her project was a darling sailboat etui. Since the teachers asked that we not put the items on the web I won't show it but when I get it completed I'll have it in the shop...hell, if I ever get it done I'll encase it in glass and put spotlights surrounding it so you won't be able to miss it. Anyway, it was really a lecture class as she was teaching how to put this together using a sewing machine. However, this could just as easily be done by hand...I probably should not have said easily, just that this could be done by hand. In fact when she is here with us next Jamboree her project will be finished by hand. I also requested that the project not be sea related since it's been asked that not everything revolve around the sea and beach here. (I listen...I sometimes ignore, but I listen and try to bend to your will stitchers). Next we had Marcy Pumphret and the scrimshaw class. I didn't look forward to this class because I just knew I'd have to be able to draw. And while that might be correct, the piece you do is so small and it really doesn't require much drawing, so once again I was amazed to find that I was able to do it. Jackie's sailboat had a little scrim with an anchor on it hanging off the back, so of course I felt I needed that on mine and drew it. Sara did a little sailboat and used a lot more imagination that I did. But hey, it's not important who did what, just the fact that we did it. The girl sitting next to Sara did a basket of fruit and did a beautiful job, I might add, obviously an artist. It was really intimidating to Sara, I on the other hand didn't give a crap. I love my little anchor and will be trying this again, in my own house taking the time I think it requires, also where I can copy someone elses ideas (naturally we purchased the ivory keys so we could do it at home). And the third class was Rae Iverson's and it was fabulous. A fish etui...unbelievable...simply unbelievable. I can't wait to stitch it (I plan to start right after Christmas). Anyway, we had a marvelous time and Rae and Ron are wonderful hosts. And this year, you could hear a pin drop in our classrooms. I spoke about a group last year who talked during many of the classes so I wanted everyone to know that isn't the norm. And of course we had a ball at the trunk shows. Money just flew out of our wallets...and we didn't even care. This year we had a couple of our stitchers at this retreat...Bernadette Mathews and Beverly Ludy attended and I believe I saw Bernadette carrying the goodie bag from Jamboree into the Halloween banquette. Glad it got some use. Bernadette is use to stitching pictures so I'm sure a weekend of "smalls" was an interesting turn of events for her. Sara noticed her Jane Timmer piece during the Sunday brunch on display with the other items people brought in for show and tell. Good for you Bernadette. I hope they loved the weekend as much as Sara and I did. I had a couple of stitchers remind me to ask questions first regarding lobster for dinner, but I have to tell you...I ordered the lobster dinner from a restaurant with the "market price" where price usually is and after ordering it the waiter bent down and sort of whispered in my ear, "the price of the lobster will be $62.00 tonight" and stitchers, that's the way the waiter in Nashville should have informed me of the $272 price last year. While I will pay $62.00 I swear I will never pay $272 again. I might be over the Nashville fiasco by now except Peggy and Pat from Fern Ridge brought me a precious lobster pin at Jamboree with a little price sticker hanging from it that said, $272, so I can now never forget what I paid for that dinner. Anyway, lovely time was had by all and we almost got home without incident. As we were driving home, Sara used my credit card for gas and handed the card back to me. Of course by the time we hit Ocean City, and Sara was filling up for the final time, I couldn't find the credit card. I really was certain that she had returned it, but I just couldn't come up with the card so thought perhaps it had dropped outside. I was in quite a state and swearing I was canceling the card the minute I got in the house. So, when I arrived home I first went to the bathroom and while in there moved in a way that allowed me to feel something hard in my bra and low and behold there was the missing credit card. Of course, then I remembered I put it in there because bending over to get my wallet while in the car was just too difficult and I needed to know it was safe....once in my bra vault believe me it's safe. Anyway, credit card mystery solved...trip completed...time to get back on track.

I'm rested and ready....

That's right folks, I've rested up after back to back retreats, and boy did we need a rest. But what fun we had. I've already talked about the Delaware Valley retreat so today it's about the Jamboree, where 55 stitchers converged for a weekend of classes, fellowship, food and laughs. The stitchers began arriving on Wednesday prior to the event with teachers arriving on Thursday to give us time to get the trunk shows in place. Roger and Ann barely got through the door when I sprang into action. I called the stitchers and told them Roger was about to unveil his hand carved pinkeeps, rulers, etc., and we needed to grab what we wanted. I was thrilled to have grabbed his mermaid ruler, mermaid pinkeep, the cutest little squirrel pinkeep, oh, my it just goes on. The stitchers, Sara and I managed to put a dent in his inventory before he had time to get a display of them up, and he had plenty. And Catherine Jordan's trunk show was extraordinary. She had her hand dyed fabrics, her mini cards, journals, paints, it was fabulous I tell you. And then we also had the Olde Colonial trunk show. It was a wonderful display of new and old. And then there was Fern Ridge. I was so use to seeing their peyote stitch needle fobs, I forgot they also did needlebooks which were done in cross stitch. I'm going to stitch the needlebooks and Sara's doing the fobs. Here again the stitchers went nuts for Fern Ridge. Pat and Peggy were so much fun you were carried away with their enthusiam. They also refused to leave anyone behind so during class they were very hands on to each and every stitcher. The same was true of Cathern Jordan who make sure each stitcher was given help. Several of the stitchers completed their peyote fob while here and Phyllis Y. finished her fob and the Catherine Jordan painting on linen project before she left (she was here until Wednesday after the retreat). This was a first for most of the stitchers. Usually stitching is done but nothing complete to take home. Perhaps that is why I was told by several stitchers that this was the best Jamboree ever! New techniques are always enjoyed whether you intend to use them again or not. Of course, Sara spent days cooking for the event, and I got my Lasagna here on time and Mary made the potato salad and pasta salad so we were right on track. As always, the stitchers surprised us with their own homemade goodies as well as wonderful items they purchased. Nelsa K. brought 5 bottles of wine which was so wonderful as we have wine at the event each night as the stitchers work on their projects (could explain why some of the stitchers spend the next morning tearing out stitches put in the night before). Pat E. brought her rice crispy cake and pumpkin bread, which was enjoyed by the other stitchers as well as by me (I am the official taster here at the hotel...explains so much doesn't it.) Cynthia Radley brought her cranberry & pumpkin breads. I just love these breads in the morning with butter on them (of course I'd want butter on them...couldn't eat them plain...oh, no, I never met a stick of butter I didn't love). Barbara C. left us a bottle of wine as she was leaving and Jodi K. brought her honeybun cake and sour cream walnut coffee cake (yummo). Kay O. brought us 3 loaves of sourdough bread. There again, I haven't met a bread I didn't enjoy and this bread was enjoyed by the family. So I thank all the stitchers who attended the event...we couldn't do it without you...thank you, thank you, thank you. I also thank those who brought the food and wine for others to enjoy, Nelsa, Pat, Cynthia, Jodi, Barbara, and Kay. Also a thank you to Cynthia R. And Crystal S. for my gift certificate to Sunset Grille, one of my favorite places to eat in Ocean City...delicious...and Ellen S. for the Jon Vodoo Doll she made me. I'm going to get a picture up as soon as Sara loans me her camera. It was too funny. She'll be taking orders I'm sure. It was gratefully accepted by us and enjoyed by all. You help make this event so successful. I did fail to hand out the evaluation sheets...sorry about that. I realize now that was a mistake as I got an e-mail from Catherine Jordan who ran into some of the stitchers at Jubilee and was told by someone that some of the stitchers didn't like her class. She was understandibly disturbed by this news and wrote me to apologize. I was floored that anyone said such a thing to her and astounded since Sara and I were told by many of the stitchers that this was the best one ever, because of the new techniques they learned. So for those who didn't enjoy the classes, we are sorry you didn't like them and I'm sorry I didn't give you evaluation forms to express yourself. I'll do better next time. I was thrilled to get the shop closed by 9:30 each night so I thought things were going smoothly. That and the weather that cooperated. While storms, rain and snow, were pounding the surrounding states, we sat dry and the sun was out for the weekend for us. We were surprised and thrilled that we missed that, although last week we made up for it with back to back Northeasters'. I'm telling you I've never seen Ocean City so bleak for so many days in a row (I'm sure that is an exaggeration, but I'm making a point). But this morning the sun came out again, the streets are dried up...I swear to God yesterday traffic was backed up so badly that Pat W. ran home to get me something and it took her 20 minutes to go to 6th street (2 blocks people) and back. And I know she didn't go anywhere else because when I went out it was still backed up from the bridge to 24th street. Apparently the bay backed up to Philadelphia Ave. in many spots and it was so bad around the bridge they had only one lane open...and the Route 90 bridge is closed so there was only one bridge open for everyone in town, and it was downtown. I felt like I was on the beltway going to D.C. But today the water has receded and the streets are dry and we are once again in control...although it is a chilly 44 degrees..at least when I left home. But the weather man promises we are going back to 70 soon. About the time I leave for the Moss Creek Retreat, Wednesday or Thursday, depending on Sara. I've spent the last week getting ready to leave...paying bills, getting things straight in the office and the shops, and cleaning my house. All I can say about that is after back to back storms my front windows don't look like they've been touched by water...crap...I didn't like doing them the first time and now I have to do them again? Double Crap! But my dining room is completely done, from ceiling to floor, cleaned, dusted, mopped and every piece of polish pottery washed. I even had the fruit bowl filled, except Solomon grabs a piece each night before he goes home so now I'm down to 3 apples...but that's O.K. This morning before leaving for work I started tackling the living room. Oh, My, I'm embarrassed to say it was dusty and messy. I have put many of the stitching totes away this summer, but once again I find numerous tote bags stuffed to the gills with projects...when the hell am I ever going to have the time to finish this stuff? So tonight I move them all back to my stitching room. Although I've been working diligently on the Christmas Quaker piece, I did something I never thought I'd do. Yes, folks, I finally knit a stocking. I started a stocking to wear 2 summers ago...it's not finished and I believe I finally undid what I had stitched and wound it back into the ball again. We've been getting more and more yarns in and I saw a pattern for a Christmas stocking (sample for the store since every member in the family has a Shepherd's Bush stocking)..done in Magnum yarn which is a bulky bulky yarn. It's big and done in Green and Maroon it is perfect for Christmas. I stitched the main part with no problem sitting in the shop one day last week, however, I couldn't find Size 15 double point needles and that created a whole other boondoggle for me. But last night I knit my last stitch ( no easy chore since I didn't have #15 double points and had to use single needles and keep transferring stitches) and today it's hanging in the shop. I'm proud to have finally done a stocking and now I must rest. Of course now I feel ready to tackle even the most difficult project (isn't this where I went wrong before?) So it's hunt, hunt, hunt for a pattern I'm sure I'll regret picking. Tonight I shall start my Christmas stitching. I'd love to stitch everyone on my list a gift, but we know that is not going to happen, but I figure if I get started now perhaps I can get a few done in time. Well, I've got work to get done...bills to pay....banks to avoid...taxes to be mailed...in other words I've got about 6 more hours before I can go home so I'll sign off for now and will talk to you later. Have a great day.