Farewell my Sweet Callie Bug

It was a coolish drizzly October day in 1998 when a strange looking cat appeared at the door of my patio. She was wet, scrawny, and screaming her head off for food. Since I was not a cat person, I was content to leave her there, hoping she would go back to wherever she'd come from. My roommate, however, was a cat person, though she was allergic to cats and she proceeded to feed the starving waif. She started off with frozen shrimp, then hopped in the car and went to the store returning with Purina Cat Chow, in the BIG bag. At that point, I knew we had a cat.

Because she wandered the apartment complex, we took her (& her friend) to the vet to have her spayed and vaccinated. Unbeknown to us, she'd already been spayed! She was also declawed, which was so surprising for a stray. We never knew anything of her past, but loved her anyway. Since she looked like a calico cat, we christened her Callie. She responded to the name, which was an added bonus.

I spent hours laying at the door, looking at this cat. I loved her face, half black and almost half orange. I was fascinated by the orange splotches on the back of her ears. I was intrigued by the color pattern of her coat. I spent countless hours petting her outside and watching her play in the bushes outside our patio fence. When the weather turned bitterly cold, we set up a nice warm place for Callie and Fraidy, the little long haired stray that hung out with Callie. We let them sleep in the laundry room that was outside, but they preferred to be in one of the boxes on the patio. We did put a covered heating pad out for them, so they did have some warmth. They also had towels to snuggle in and were well protected from the elements.

At some point in time during that year, I started allowing Callie and Fraidy to come into my bedroom (I had doors that opened onto the patio) at night. I would call for them and they'd come running. Callie loved being on the boxes in my huge walk-in closet and would spend the night there. She would hop up on the bathroom counter and sit there like she owned the place. She would knock my contact container into the sink every single morning. It was a game we played.

At the end of our lease, our rent was being raised and we couldn't afford to stay at that apartment complex. My roommate decided to move to another city in the Metroplex to be closer to her sister. I decided to stay in the area. The roommate was going to abandon the kitties, but I couldn't do it. I'd been taught that once you take on the care of an animal, you continue caring for that animal until you either can't afford to or the animal dies. I was in it for life. So, I found an apartment that had a 2-pet limit, paid my pet deposit, paid the security deposit for my apartment, signed the lease and started packing. Unfortunately, I could only round up Callie when it came time to move. Fraidy was a true feral and I never could find her. I went back every single day for 2 weeks looking for her and never saw her again.

In our new apartment, Callie became an indoor-only cat. It was too dangerous for her to be outside with no claws. Besides that, it's just too dangerous for cats outside period. She was extremely skittish and hid constantly under the bed or in the closet at the slightest noise. She did, however, bond with me and we became a pair. I'd pack her up and take her with me to my dad's house when I visited. I didn't know kitties didn't like to travel. I'd play fetch with her (inside the apt) and she'd chase the string under the bath mat for hours on end.

Callie was a very well-mannered cat. She never jumped up on the kitchen counters and she never eliminated outside the box, except for when she was sick. She would spend hours in the closet on the old bedspread I made into a pallet for her. She also liked to sleep under my bed. At night, she'd sleep to the left of my pillow and purr herself to sleep as I was petting her. To the end, she loved to sleep on the bed with me. She loved to be brushed and petted. She'd purr just when I'd start talking to her. She'd follow me around the apartment and always accompanied me to the bathroom. In the mornings, she'd sit on the side of the bathtub between the shower curtain and the liner while I took my shower. If I was singing, she'd join in. I'm sure it wasn't because I have a great voice, either! She would spend hours sleeping in the window perch in the sun. Even yesterday, she got up in the windowsill on the towel and slept in the sun. She loved playing with "the string". I had to put it away after playtime or she'd hunt for it! She loved playing with the laser toy, too. Mostly, though, she enjoyed hanging out with me.


She was the best napping buddy. If she didn't follow me down the hallway for a nap, she'd find me and I'd wake up to her snuggled up next to me. She'd get up at about 5 in the morning, go potty, then come and get in bed with me. I pretty much woke up to her snuggled up against me every morning. If breakfast was late because I'd slept in, she'd let me know. I hardly heard a peep out of her except when I had to put her in her carrier. Then she'd let me know exactly what she was thinking!

Callie turned me into a cat person and taught me what it meant to love and be loved. She was always there for me and trusted me beyond measure. She taught me so much about commitment and being thankful for the simple things, a roof over your head, a warm bed, a faithful companion, a good buddy through thick and thin, and a steady supply of food. She didn't ask for much either. She was content with a bed made from old towels and blankets, little wads of paper to play with, a good box to play in, a plastic bag from Wal-Mart (with the handles cut) to attack and play with, and lots of sunshine.

In the end, it was her kidneys that failed. She was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) in 2005 after being given a shot of Metacam for her arthritis. Watching her slow down was hard, but watching her go downhill this past week, I knew it was time to let my girl go. Mark & I had made the decision months ago that when/if she ever got to this point, we'd not do anything heroic, but let her go with dignity. I spent all of yesterday loving on her. We had one last nap and she had one last afternoon in the sun. She's ready to go. I'm not so sure I'm ready to let her go, but I know it's the right thing to do. Callie is my heart kitty and I know there will not be another like her. No other kitty can take her place.

Farewell, sweet girl. Know that you brought me many years of laughter, happiness, and joy. Thank you for choosing me to be your human and your Meowmy. I love you so very much. Play and run freely in kitty heaven and don't cop that tortitude!

Merry Christmas!

Today is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. I pray God's richest blessings on you and your loved ones on this day.

Mark and I are spending a nice quiet day at home today. I slept in a bit today after I got up at 6:30 to feed the kitties. We've got a ham baking in the oven and I'll make something to go with it. I'm telling you, it's a very laid-back day around here, and I love it! It's cold outside, but we don't have snow this year like we had last year, so I'm a happy camper.


My Callie-bug girl had to be taken to the vet yesterday. She has CRF (chronic renal failure), but hasn't had a severe bout with it since she was diagnosed 5 years ago. Over the past week, her disposition had changed and she'd become hissy with Tumbles. On Friday, she didn't eat much and I didn't see her drinking much. Yesterday morning when I woke up and she hadn't used the litter box overnight, I knew something was going on. Mark took her to the vet in the pouring down cold rain. Dr. Cass gave her a shot to settle her tummy and some IV fluids to keep her hydrated. Callie also got a very thorough exam and her heart sounded strong, no fluid in her lungs, no temp, all her organs were nice and soft, so no bladder infection or anything like that. She ate a bit last night and used the box, so I was happy. She's a bit better today. She's been eating some today (nothing like normal) and she's had a couple of drinks of water. She came down to snuggle on the bed with me this morning and she's been up in my lap for a snuggle. Her eyes are brighter, but I miss my perky little girl. I hope she bounces back pretty soon. We're supposed to go visit my dad next week. I'd hate to cancel because she's not doing well. However, I know a very good vet in San Antonio that I wouldn't hesitate to take her to if needed.

Mark and I didn't exchange gifts this year due to our financial situation and the fact that we'll be getting a new to us truck sometime in the next month, but my non-blogging yet friend Robin sent me a very nice Christmas package. It's always wonderful to get a box in the mail from Robin! She stitched the Peace ornament you see at the top of this post, but there were also these items in the box.

Do you see my little helper?? He had been on the coffee table and almost absconded with one of the packages! LOL Also, that cup full of water is on the coffee table for the cats. They love to drink out of it! I refill it twice a day. There's also a water bowl under the table for them, but they like the one on top best.

Back to the packages! When I opened the packages, this is what was inside!
Such fun goodies! There's the ornament, the annual Longaberger breast cancer basket, some Hand Dyed Fibers silks, a piece of fabric from Sassy's Fabric, and a hand-made project bag in purple (my favorite color) from Susan at Afford Your Passions. I have been using the mesh bags that are approximately this size, so this project bag is just perfect!

After dinner, I think I'm going to make some more chocolate chip cookies. Not like I *need* more chocolate chippers, but I want some! Hope you have had a restful, refreshing, retrospective Christmas.

Quaker Acorn Update & Christmas Exchange Received

This time of the year is always exhausting for me. Working retail, it's just busier and more stressful. Yesterday I came home and told my husband that even my ears were tired!! All the noise, the people, the phone ringing, the questions, and the kids screaming just wore my ears out. I love it, though, as work goes by quicker and people are generally expecting to wait and in fairly good spirits. However, coming home exhausted means less "oomph" to stitch. I'm also spending more time in the kitchen baking goodies for co-workers to help them get through the busyness of the season.

Here's the latest progress scan on Quaker Acorns. I'm now hoping to have it finished by fall, 2011! LOL



I belong to a group of politically conservative stitchers and we recently had a Christmas exchange. Here are all the goodies my partner sent to me.


I'm in love with all those little pieces of fabric! I must find something to stitch on them quickly!!

I'm going to start a new project today, Lizzie*Kate's little pocketbook kit, "Do Not Open 'til Christmas". I'm hoping this helps me get in the spirit of things. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

And yes, I do spend half of my evening chasing Mr. T out of the Christmas tree! He thinks it makes the perfect perch for watching the world outside the front window.

Chilly Winter Exchange Sent & Received

Waiting in my mailbox for me when I got home from San Antonio was this adorable little piece from Lani. It was perfect timing, too, since winter has blown in over the past couple of days.

She also sent me these goodies:



This is the piece I sent to Sally. It's the Winter Boxer Jr. chart from Lizzie Kate and I stitched it on 32 ct. Winter Sky linen using GAST and CC.


Mark was so excited I was back from my mini trip that this is how he spent Saturday evening.

I just love this man!!

Good-bye Grandma (1912-2010)

My grandmother (my mom's mom) passed away last Sunday at the age of 98. She was born in 1912 in San Antonio at the old (as in the first) hospital at Fort Sam Houston. She was the oldest of 7 children and the last one to die. Pretty amazing, huh? Her father died fairly early in life, so her mother raised my grandmother and siblings on her own, with assistance from the older kids. One of her siblings died very young. She married an Army guy, had 4 children, then he died in 1957, 8 years before I was born. Grandma was left to raise 2 teenagers on her own, living on her benefits from the Army.

To help make ends meet, she took in sewing as well as making clothes for her own children. Later on, she worked at the corner drug store in the make-up department as well as the main cashier. Grandma always hemmed and mended my clothes when I was younger. I also remember visiting her at work at the drug store as well as "helping" her when I was off during the summer. The pharmacist who owned the drug store was wonderful to her and to me. I would stock gum, candy, and cigarettes. (My how times have changed!) I'd even get to operate the BIG, OLD cash register. It had a handle that you pulled down to make the drawer open. So much fun!!

When I was sick and had to miss school, I often spent the day with Grandma. During summer break, while my parents worked, we stayed with Grandma. We helped her cook, played for hours on end in her big backyard, and generally brought chaos to her normally quiet life. I can remember laying on her kitchen cabinet while she washed my hair in the big, deep kitchen sink. I remember spending the night with Grandma and hearing the train whistle blow. (Grandma lived about 4 blocks from the railroad tracks.) I remember spending Saturday mornings with Grandma while my mom got her hair 'done' at the beauty shop next door to the drug store. She would make me canned biscuits, a treat for me, since that was the only time I got to eat canned biscuits. She taught me to warm up flour tortillas and dip them in syrup. We'd go to the local Mexican bakery and buy bolillos and then come home and have sandwiches or toast them and then slather butter on them. On special days, she'd load me up and we'd go to the base PX (Post Exchange aka grocery store on post) and do the weekly grocery shopping. As a military dependent, she had access to every military base in town. Even though my grandfather was in the Army, she would go to the Air Force PX that was close to her house. This was way before 9-11 when security wasn't so tight.

When I was in high school, she basically moved in with her brother and his wife and nursed him after he had a stroke. She took care of him until he passed away. A few years later, she took care of her sister-in-law until she passed away from cancer. Then, in 1996, she moved in with my parents and cared for my mother until she passed away from cancer. All this time, she still had her own home, but would pack up and stay for a week or so then go home for a few days and come back. Finally, in 2000, after a fall where she broke her hip, my grandmother moved in with my aunt and uncle and sold her house. When they were divvying up the household belongings, she knew I wanted her table, hutch, and bedroom furniture, so those became mine.

My grandmother was a strong woman; she had to be. She was extremely outgoing and never met a stranger. Once when she was in the hospital (back when they had wards), she knew every person and why they were there by the end of her time in the hospital. If you were in need, and she could help you, she did. She was an avid garage sale goer and constantly picked up things she really didn't need at garage sales. When she'd come to visit, before she left, she'd drag us out to her car, pop open the trunk and say, "Do you see anything you need?" When you went to her house to visit, you never left empty handed. We were often told, "Here, you need this." even if we didn't! When we'd go out to dinner, she'd never eat all her food before offering it to someone else at the table. She'd also manage to snatch something off your plate if you weren't careful.

You always knew what Grandma was thinking. She wasn't afraid to tell you how the cow ate the cabbage, or tell you off if you needed it. She encouraged us to have an opinion and to not be afraid to voice it, even if no one agreed. She wasn't afraid to discipline us grandkids either. On more than one occasion, she'd tanned my hide or washed my mouth with soap. Many a time, I've gotten a pinch under the table or a yank of the hair as a reprimand. Because she wasn't afraid to speak her mind, you'd never really know what she'd say. Sometimes the most embarrassing things came out of her mouth!

Most of all, though, she loved. She loved us all, warts and all. She never stopped believing in us or encouraging us to do our best. I'll miss my grandmother, but when I stop to think of the long life she lived and all the things she's seen in her life, I'm thankful to have had her in my life for so many years. I have so many wonderful memories of my grandmother, and even a few not-so-wonderful memories of her.

Farewell, Grandma. I love you!

More Progress on Quaker Acorn & Other News

Last night, the husband and I watched the movie "Fireproof". It was a good movie, a bit on the hokey side, but overall a good movie. It really makes you take a look at your marriage and how it could be better. If you're marriage is struggling, then it can help make it stronger. It was also Saturday Night Stitchalong, so I pulled out Quaker Acorn to work on.

Here's where I started:


And here's where I had to stop because I was crying too much to see the holes in my fabric!


Yesterday morning, I went into the front bedroom to open the windows and discovered that one of the chysalides had eclosed! Meaning, the caterpillar that had been hanging out in its cocoon for the past 5 months decided it was spring and time to wake up.


The husband released it on the cosmos out in the front yard. It definitely won't have time to mate, but at least it will be able to fly some. If it doesn't head south, it will die because it's been so cold here lately and there's another cold front heading our way next week.



Today is Hannah's 5th Gotcha Day. It was 5 years ago today that the husband and I visited the local animal control shelter (AKA "The Pound") and came home with a little waif of a kitty. She's grown into such a beautiful girl that brings much delight and laughter to our home.

Randomness

The view behind/over the house across the street from me. I think the trees are especially vibrant this year.

The trees are in the full fall glory right now. This is the view from my front door looking across the street.

Blanketflower seedling amongst the fallen leaves of the neighbor's crape myrtle tree. I can't stand crape myrtles, but they do look pretty in the fall.

My coralberry plant finally put on all its leaves after we transplanted it. It has even produced some pretty hot pink berries that the birds seem to enjoy.

The oak tree in my backyard. I like watching the sun rise through the leaves in the mornings.

The final haul from our spring & summer garden. I sent most of the jalapenos to my brother in San Antonio via UPS. It took them less than 24 hours to get there and I sent it regular ground!

Hannah enjoys hanging out in the sunroom. I think the warmth of the sun is making her eyes sleepy. This is one of the few pics I have of her that accurately reflects her coloring.

Tumbles is maturing and learning to enjoy nice long naps. Don't you wish you could be comfortable while napping?

He's also getting jowls and chubby cheeks! He's just delightful and full of purrs and love for us, especially at feeding time.

Me and my best girl, Callie. She doesn't have alien eyes in real life!

Our First Thanksgiving Turkey

When we stay home for Thanksgiving, which is most years, I usually make a chicken in the crock pot. This year, however, we decided that we're going to cook a turkey. It helped that we got a coupon for a free Butterball turkey from the electric company. It will be the first time I've cooked a turkey on my own. Never fear, I have the turkey hotline (AKA "DAD") on speed dial! LOL You see, my dad cooks a mean turkey. I've already called and gotten the instructions on making the stuffing, which Mark loves. I knew that basics of it, but not the specifics. I have a feeling I'll be making more than a few calls to dad for help.

The good news is that I'm off on Wednesday, so I'll have a day to prepare and get some of the baking out of the way. My plan for Wednesday is to bake the cake (buttermilk pound cake) and make the fruit salad. I might also need to defrost the turkey in the bathtub or sink if it's not defrosted. If I feel up to it, I might make a cherry pie for Mark. He loves cherry pie.

In addition to turkey and dressing (or stuffing, depending on where you're from), we'll be having mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, and maybe homemade baked mac & cheese. The mac & cheese is a tradition in my family. I thought Mark would make gravy, but he told me the other day he could live without that. I haven't decided on if I'm going to try to make some homemade rolls or use the frozen variety, OR Mark can make them!!

Of course, in between everything else, I'll be stitching!

Saying Good-by to an Old Faithful Friend

This past Friday morning, we woke up to find my beloved Trusty Steed gone from our driveway. Yes, my wonderful 1991 GMC Sierra truck had been stolen in the wee hours of the morning. I loved that truck! It represented so many things and held so many wonderful memories. It was a workhorse of a vehicle. It had a V-8 engine and a 28 gallon gas tank. Mark had just put $60 worth of gas in it the day before. Before you have a stroke at that gas amount, we only had to fill it up about every 3-4 weeks. This is the last picture I took of TS and it was really a shot of the trees changing colors.

What's funny is that the truck actually belongs to my dad, but I'd been driving it since 1994. Shortly before I moved to Fort Worth, I was driving his truck because I was hauling stuff from my apartment in Kerrville back home to San Antonio. He was driving my car, a 1985 Oldsmobile Firenza. He was working the night shift at work when it got stolen. My car was eventually recovered and repaired. For about the first 2 months I was in Fort Worth, I drove a rental car. When my car was ready at the body shop, I drove back to San Antonio to pick it up. However, my dad deemed it not road worthy to make the road trips from Fort Worth to San Antonio, so he gave me his truck to drive. While I was in Seminary, he paid for half the gas, repairs and maintenance, and insurance. When I graduated, the deal was I paid for the gas and upkeep and he paid for the insurance. Over the years, I've talked to him about selling me the truck or transferring the title, but he wouldn't hear of it. He finally put me on his insurance policy several years ago.

Mark LOVED working on that truck! He's poured countless hours into its maintenance and upkeep, tweaking this and that, being sure the oil was changed regularly, and doing much of the repair work on it himself. He's replaced brakes, several alternators, batteries, starters, windshield wipers, fuses, thermostats, and all that stuff. In 2004, the transmission went out on it, so we had the transmission rebuilt. Later that year, we invested in a brand-spankin' new engine for it and had that installed. Shortly after that, we had the AC converted to the newer type of AC system since freon was no longer being manufactured. It ran like a dream and kept us cool in the hot Texas summers.

Trusty Steed has seen over 216,000 miles and hauled countless loads of stuff. It moved me from Kerrville to Fort Worth. It moved stuff to storage when I graduated and then when I moved into my own apartment. It's moved friends. It moved us from our apartment to our home when we moved in 2005. It's hauled loads of brush and limbs to the bulk trash place. It's hauled dirt and stuff for our garden. It survived the hail storm of 1995 with little damage. It survived last year's 17" of snowfall. It was only in one minor fender bender in its entire life. It really had a lot of life left in it.

I'm not holding out much hope that the vehicle will be found, and if it is, I'm not sure I'll want it back. So, farewell my friend. Thank you for your years of faithful service. You'll never be replaced and I'll miss you.

Some Progress Pics

I can't show you a picture just yet of my current stitching project because it's an exchange piece, but I can tell you it's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute (!!!) and I'm loving it! I might just have to stitch this one again for myself. LOL

Things have started picking up at work ('tis the season!), so my body is in the adjustment stage of Christmas. LOL Last week, I came home so exhausted everyday that it was all I could do to keep my eyelids open long enough to eat dinner. This week has been a little bit better. Next week, I should be good to go! Needless to say, not much stitching has gone on at my house, but I'm getting my groove back. :o)

I had to put Quaker Acorn down to work on my exchange piece and get it ready by mailing date, but here's my latest pic. I really do enjoy working on it, so maybe it'll be finished by 2011.



I'm working on the boring border on Evergreen. I say it's boring, but it's not all that boring, just repetitious. Looking at the pic, I realize that the border really does add to the piece.


As you can see from the first pic on my post, fall has arrived in North Texas. The nights (& some of the days) have turned cooler. I had to put the blanket on the bed for the season and the heater has come on a time or two. A couple of mornings, I've awakened to find kitties snuggling in the bed with us. I had to plug in the pet bed warmers and the kitties have enjoyed snuggling in their beds with them. We originally got the heating pads for pets several years ago for Callie when she was diagnosed with arthritis. It really does help her move better during the winter. When Hannah came along and was so sick, it helped keep her body temperature regulated. Little Tumbles just likes snuggling in the heated beds.

I've pulled out my pumpkin recipes and I've been baking up a storm. We've had pumpkin bars (above), pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin bundt cake. Makes the house smell heavenly. Yummy, yummy!!

This little guy is progressing nicely as well. He's getting so big and is so funny. I re-use drinking straws and wash them in the dishwasher in the utensil holder. Tumbles' latest "trick" is pulling them out of the holder and running away with them. I was wondering why my supply was getting skimpy!

Until next time, happy stitching!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Coming from a military family, I am proud of the men and women who've fought for our country in times of war and in times of peace. Their commitment and sacrifice have protected our freedoms and made our country great. To those who serve today, especially in harm's way, I offer my deepest thanks. Deployment is difficult on family and friends. Even for those who's assignment is state-side or not in a war area, life is still not without peril. To all our military men and women, active duty and reservists alike, I'm grateful for your service and your sacrifice.






Flanders Field American Cemetary and Memorial

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915
Poppies (©greatwar.co.uk)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Inspiration for the poem — In Flanders Fields


Inspiration behind the poem, "Flanders Field"
During the Second Battle of Ypres a Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on 2 May, 1915 by an exploding shell. He was a friend of the Canadian military doctor Major John McCrae.

John was asked to conduct the burial service owing to the chaplain being called away on duty elsewhere. It is believed that later that evening John began the draft for his famous poem 'In Flanders Fields'.

The Birthday Box Contents

I opened the box from Robin after my lovely dinner out with the husband. As you can see, I hit the jackpot! Robin had stitched 2 wonderful pieces for me. The little pillow is a complimentary design, "Give Thanks" by The Stitcherhood and the framed piece is "Live Simply", another complimentary design from Hands To Work. I'm fairly certain that she stitched this with Crescent Colours rather than the called-for fibers. If you'd like the conversions, I have them and would be happy to post them for you. I also got 2 more skeins of HDF silks, both in the purple color scheme. Purple is one of my favorite colors!! The little spiral notebook is just adorable! Not sure what I'll write in it, but I'm sure I'll find something! Robin is such an awesome friend! Thank you, Robin for my goodies!!

I also got this for my birthday...

Mail Call!

The mailman brought this box to my house today!! It's from my non-blogging friend, Robin, in Virginia. Tomorrow, I'll open it and see what kind of birthday goodies she sent me. Woohoo!



I got a few more stitches in on my Quaker Acorn piece last week before my vacation ended. I'm working on the acorn's "hat" which has a leaf motif on it. Maybe I'll have it finished by Thanksgiving! LOL

Some Progress During the World Series

I pulled out my LHN Seasonal Saltbox piece to work on during Saturday's World Series game (GO RANGERS!) and Saturday Night Stitch. I discovered that watching baseball is extremely distracting! I didn't get nearly as much accomplished as I'd hoped to, considering that I sat for almost 3 hours and stitched. Mark kept looking at me and saying, "You're not stitching!" Of course not; I had to watch the game! LOL

Thank goodness the Rangers are doing well and have made it to the World Series because the Cowboys are doing horribly. If the Cowboys finish last this season, they'll at least get a first round draft pick out of it! LOL It's the first time in Rangers history that they've played in the Series, so we're all baseball crazy here. How sad is it that during the Cowboys games both this past Monday night and today against the Jaguars that fans started chanting "Let's go Rangers, let's go!" during the 3rd quarter of the game? Join me in "doing the claw" for the Rangers! This song was written by Randy Phillips of the Christian group, Phillips, Craig, & Dean.



You'll once again find me on the couch cheering on the Rangers tonight!

Colors of Autumn Exchange

One of the things I've been negligent in posting is my Colors of Autumn exchange pieces. I stitched Lizzie*Kate's "Hello Fall" for Chris. I'm still not too sure about that border, but that's what the pattern called for, so that's what I stitched. I tried a couple of other colors for the border and I didn't like any of them, so I went with the called-for color. I also left off the little charm because I thought it looked kinda dorky.

I snapped this picture of my finish using my camera, which is why it's so dark. I was being lazy and didn't want to fire up the computer and the scanner. I'll do better next time. LOL I also noticed that it looks like the colors ran. Hmmm.... I didn't notice it when I looked at it. Bummer!

My non-blogging friend, Robin, had my name. She stitched this lovely piece for me and included a couple of other goodies as well, like some hand dyed silks! Please note that the buttons are actually sewn on! LOL

I adore this little piece and have stitched others like it in this series as exchange pieces. I think it's the tall houses that I like so much.

Totally switching gears now. Here's the latest on our little Tumbleweed. He's now 6 months old, has been neutered, and weighs 8.2 pounds. He's gonna be a big boy!! He's gotten his permanent canine teeth in, which means he's really growing up. He's still just as delightful and entertaining as ever and has mastered jumping on the...STOVE! (Ack!!!!!!!!!!!) He jumped up on the stove as I was preparing the alfredo sauce for last night's dinner. Scared the bejeebers out of me. He was exiled from the kitchen for the rest of the evening. Here he is playing in his toy box.

It's Fall and the Acorns are Falling!

I've had limited time to stitch lately due to fall arriving and needing to get the gardens in order, but I have been stitching off and on (more off than on) on this lovely monochromatic complimentary design from The Workbasket. I'm stitching it on a luscious piece of 32 ct. Toasted Pumpkin linen from R&R and using Crescent Colours' Belle Soie silk, Mudpie.


You can be assured that if there's no activity on my blog, I'm out in the garden. It's fall planting time in Texas, so I've been planting! In the full sun flower bed, I've pulled out plants that were overgrown and invasive, moved plants that weren't in the best places and not getting the sun they needed, and I've planted some new plants I got at the plant swap a few weeks ago. I moved almost all of my daylilies to one corner of the bed and made room for some native plants that will attract bees and butterflies.

In the veggie garden bed, I've pulled out all the cucumber vines and most of the watermelon vines. Okay, really the husband did that, but I asked him to! LOL I've planted my garlic and need to plant my chives. This week, we'll be starting some lettuces so we can have fresh lettuce through the winter and early spring months. In August sometime, I whacked back the okra. It's all growing back and producing pods. Gahhhhh! I think I'm just going to yank it all out, except for the ones we're saving for seeds.