Frost on the Pumpkin HD

This Just Nan piece was a really fast stitch. And it's so cute! I'll have to order the frame to go with it at some point.

I also started the Victorian Sampler gingerbread house. I finished stitching the tiny scissor fob. I'll probably put that together before moving to the rest of the pieces. Of course, my name was too long to fit, so I used my initials.

I also managed to take Spellcasters downstairs with me when I was watching Logan yesterday, so I got a little stitching done on that one. I'll try to take a photo tonight.

Matt's been incredibly busy with school this semester. Logan's been sick yet again, and I think I've caught it. There goes my 1.5-month record of not getting sick.

Reading: I've been tracking down the last few Mercedes Lackey books I need. I'm on the last long series I haven't reread (actually, some of them I haven't read at all), the Elves on the Road series. It's not one of my favorites, but I'm a completist.

Egyptian Sampler framed

I asked for Egyptian Sampler to be framed as my Christmas present last year (though Matt surprised me with a car stereo too to replace the broken one I've had for years). I just love this piece. I consider it our wedding piece because we got married at the Luxor in Las Vegas. How's that for unconventional? And to answer your next questions, the chapel looked just like an ordinary chapel, nothing Egyptian about it. (No spinning Stargates either, darnit.)

Pics of Legends of the Spellcasters soon. I promise!

Quilted Bear HD

I finished this little Just Nan piece last night. I've been wanting to stitch this one for a while. I have another bear charm somewhere, but of course I can't find it to put it with the chart. I guess that means I need to go stash diving!

I'm just going to keep plowing through the Just Nans. They're usually small and easy, and that's what I need when I'm trying to keep up with a two-year-old.

Logan found his little trike in the garage, the one we were supposed to give him for Christmas but the weather's been so bad. He played with it inside for most of the weekend, saying, "It's my bi-siscal, Mommie!" He can't quite reach the pedals yet, even though the package said it was for two-year-olds (and he's pretty tall). It won't be long til he can, though!

Barnabee's Bride

Here's the piece I finished the other day, Barnabee's Bride by Just Nan. I have more pictures on my website. I've been having this one for a while. I stitched it to have a small piece I could work on while spending time with Logan. It's often too difficult to take out a large piece. I'm frankly glad to get this one out of my kitted pile. The box for the bee was a great lump in my project bag.

My current small project is Quilted Bear by Just Nan. It took me forever to find a bit of fabric for it. I can't believe I don't have any 28-count natural linen in my stash! Still, the sand linen I found looks pretty darn good. Now if I can find that extra bear charm I had....

Oh, and I finally got Egyptian Sampler back from the framer! She had to do a few adjustments--the inner mat didn't have enough showing, and the piece was far from centered. It looks good now, and I just love it. Pics soon.

In other news... Matt's been having tons of homework this semester. The poor husband has two labs, and he's just working himself to the bone. He's got really dark circles under his eyes and isn't getting much sleep. Logan and I are missing him.

HOE red exchange

Kathy received the piece I stitched for her, so I can show some pics. I stitched Austrian I from the February issue of Just Cross Stitch. Yes, that's over one. It's not quite my style, but after looking at Kathy's blog, I thought she might like it. I did enjoy stitching it. I used some floss I had gotten in a past exchange--I always like putting my stash to use. I had fits with the finishing. I wanted to do something different, but it wound up being a pillow.

I haven't been blogging much lately. I haven't felt like stitching, which I know is a huge shocker. Things are starting to pick up, so I'll have more pics soon. I finished Barnabee's Bride by Just Nan , and it's about time for another showing of Legends of the Spellcasters. Stay tuned!

TMI alert!

Sinus surgery: I'm mostly recovered from my surgery. I haven't had a sinus infection since, and that is such a wonderful feeling! I also don't have the chronic halitosis which I've been plagued with my entire adult life. I suppose all those nooks and crannies in my sinuses harbored nasty stuff. It was so embarrassing--brushing your teeth, gargling, and still having bad breath! And now I'm cured, for the most part (still need to remember to gargle!). The only downside is that my voice has a more nasal tone to it (wow, I bet my French pronunciation has improved now!). It's not bad, but I do notice it. I'm learning to adjust how I talk.

Bariatric surgery: Yes, another surgery. I have surgery scheduled for March to get the LapBand. I'm hovering around 300 pounds, and I want this extra person I've been carrying around gone! I have a bad back, bad knees, bad hips. I need to get the weight off before I can add to that diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. The only thing I'm waiting for is the insurance to finish the paperwork. It's agony waiting. I just hope they get their act together before my surgery date. My eating habits will drastically change after this surgery. Some foods will be right out, like soft bread, pasta, and rice--my favorites, of course. I'll only eat tiny portions, will have to chew everything ad infinitum, and I'll be sipping water constantly. But it will be worth the sacrifice to have my life back.