Historical Fashions and busted pipes

There is nothing like the dog barking at 4:30 am on a Saturday morning to let you know that something strange is going downstairs in the MIL apartment. DH got out of bed, went outside, down the stairs into the MIL apartment to find one of the pipes gushing water!! Then came the fun part...we couldn't find the main water valve to turn OFF the water. We checked in the front yard by the water meter...no valvue, handle etc. After searching for an hour...we gave up and called our friends who also live in BV who in turn called his parents who live 5 houses down. They had a special key to turn off the water...seems the previous owners forgot to tell us we needed a special key for the water valve. They came down and went to the very first place we looked..used the special key and turned off the water!! We were very lucky, we don't think there was much damage. We are going to be calling a contractor friend of ours to check out the damage. Will keep you updated on our progress!!

Interesting tibit you might want to check out in your city: It is illegal in most cities to turn off your water even if you have a water break. According to our plumber, you can be arrested for turning off your water. You are supposed to call the city and have THEM come turn it off. You are to let the water run until they get there. I checked out city policy and it is true!!! However, most cities do not enforce the law. I think this is just crazy but it is the law. So check out your cities water policies..you might find some interesting things.

I pulled out Historical Fashions and worked on it this weekend. I didn't get much stitching done yesterday but today I was a different story. I decided to do them out of order so I am working on the years 1860-1867...this is couple #9. I have also made a baby blanket and burb rag for a couple at school. She doesn't know what she is having so I made it neutral.

Summer Ball

Today is snow day #4!!! UGH!!! I am actually looking forward to when I can go back to work!! We are out tomorrow also...it is either too cold or the roads..who knows. I was so bored today I organized my mystery bookshelf. Yes, I have 3 bookshelves in my bedroom....one for my romance, one for mysteries and one for the other books that do not fall in those categories. I also finished my Titanic Hidden Mysteries game on my Wii. I have been playing off and on for a few weeks now...Let me give you a spoiler ..the boat sinks. Shocking that I would give the ending but there it is!!! If you like puzzle games, this is one for you.

I started working on Summer Ball last night and then worked on it this afternoon. I started in the upper left corner and am currently stitching the wall paper and paneling. I am telling you it is very exciting stuff. I plan on pulling out my Historical Fashions tomorrow. I picked out all my stitching mistakes last week so I am ready to start another couple. Hopefully, I can get it right this time.

10 book challenge Winner!!!

I had 9 people email/post they finished the challenge. I put their names in an excel sheet and had the Random number generator pick a number... #7 which is SUSAN from sew and so blog! Susan if you email me your address I will get your GC in the mail. Thanks for all those who participated!!

Patchwork Sampler

I am so mad at myself tonight. I pulled out my patwork sampler that I have been stitching using Ozark Sampler floss. I figured that while I was on a snow day I could stitch the 3rd square. I made great progress until I realized I couldn't find my DMC pearle #12 in black for backstitching. I have a WHOLE ball of this thread that I bought just for this project. I have looked everywhere and it is no where to be found. I guess Jag thought it would be a great play toy. Sigh, I put up the design until I can purchase more threads.

I got out of the house tonight and I was amazed at some of the streets. I couldn't even get up the small incline at my moms. It was a covered sheet of ice. My car started sliding sideways and my tires spun out. I have to say it was very scary. I decided to go to the high school to get some copies ready for classes on Wednesday if we have school (WE DON"T) and the street in front of hte school was a solid sheet of ice. It was like skating. I couldn't believe how bad it was since this is one of the major streets...talk about crazy. I managed to stop by the local grocery store and bought milk, butter, and cokes!!! I was going through coke withdrawals. There is nothing better than the first drink of a cold coke!! We are looking for more snow tomorrow. I don't like this weather..I have to say I prefer hot summer weather.

Since I can't work on my patchwork sampler...I am going to bite the bullet and start my Summer Ball design!!!

Faery Tales, Cabin Fever, and Reading Contest

I pulled out my HAED Faery Tales on Saturday and started working on the clock portion of page 2. Since I have been on Christmas Break and now Snow Days I was able to finish the clock. You would think this would be a big accomplishment, however this is only page 2 of 49 so I still have tons more to stitch. I know I am not supposed to be getting track of how much I stitch but I am doing it on my HAED so I have finished 4% of this project. Tomorrow, I plan on working on my patchwork sampler.

I have to tell you...I have Cabin Fever. Since it snowed on Saturday I haven't left my house since then. I can't get down and/or up my hill!! It is just crazy. I really am craving a Sonic Coke or just any coke but Mark drank the last one. I am having caffine withdrawals. I did mix up a pitcher of sweet tea and I mean I like a little tea with my sugar type tea. My entire house is clean. I even cleaned out my laundry room, spare room etc. Tomorrow is another snow day which means I think I will clean out my bookcases and start putting my books in order so I can get ready to read!! I am actually bored. I can't go anywhere...my mom is in India so I can't talk with her (she is having a blast), my other friends are at work (they don't get snow days) and Kim has been out of town so I can't IM her. I am actually considering talking with Mark..HEE HEE.. Jag has sat at my sliding door meowing because we have several feathered friends and furry squrriels that love our birdfeeder.

The reading challenge...Yes audio books counts. I hope so because I LOVE to listen to a book while I stitch or while Mark watches a sporting event on TV. I can't list which one because he watches so many sporting events it isn't easy to pick one. This reading challenge is to be fun and to encourage people to read more. You are on the honor system and I just ask that you email me when you reach your goal. I will be posting my list of books read at the end of each month. I will also be posting reviews of books I have read so you may get some ideas there.

Snow Day from Mill Hill

I put the final stitches in my first project for 2010. I stitched Snow Day by Mill Hill Designs. I do not like stitching on perforated paper so I switched to 28 count Jazlyn with sparkles. I LOVE how it turned out!! The design just pops on this fabric.

Mark and I spent the day watching TV. He controlled the remote while we switched back and forth from Arkansas Basketball to any bowl game on TV. Then we watched the Razorbacks play in the Liberty bowl. Basketball lost and Football won!!! I did take another nap in my chair today. I love this relaxing lifestyle I have...but it all ends on Monday morning. I have to report back to work! UGH!!!

Now...what do I pull out to stitch???

10 Book Challenge and the Olympic Reading Challenge

Out ten book challenge ended last night. I was excited to see so many people who participated in sitting a goal to read 10 books. I have heard from: Karin, Carol, Susan, CJ, and Betty. Did anyone else finish??? Let me know so I can draw and send you the prize!!

I am setting up another challege for the 2010 year. Since this is the year of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver BC, we will have a Bronze, Silver and Gold Level. There will be no prize for this challenge. You keep a record of your books in your notebook. blog, etc.Since this is a year long challenge...you do not have to preselect your books!! Email me when you have FINISHED your Challenge. To win a reading medal just pick a level:

Bronze: 25 Books in 2010

Silver: 50 Books in 2010

Gold: 100 Books in 2010

I can't wait to see who participates!!!