When Plans Change....

2009 and 2010 ended and started in a way I did not want or expect. I had the best job that I loved and worked with a team that I will never have the wonderful experience of working with again. It was like waking up every morning and going to work with your friends.

In October, a new company took over management where I work, an Independent, Assisted and Alzheimer's facility. I lead the activities for the Independent Living and loved my job 97% of the time. Pretty good odds, huh? The staff was really excited and happy to see some fresh air come in. Little did we know, it was all about to change.

To keep a REALLY long story - short - here is the recap. Right before Christmas, the company fired the executive director and another team mate. They were not allowed to say goodbye, but ushered out the doors. Soon, little by little, the staff began to resign. I was considering holding on when the company asked me to do some unethical things and did some unethical things. I knew I had to get out while my name was innocent and not mixed in with anything!!

Luckily, the plans I had made for 2010 had some promise in them, when I thought they had failed me. I was able to put my resignation in and I start working next week for Cancer Care Services here in Fort Worth. I am so excited. They have contracted me long enough to hold me until my internship starts in the summer.

I will have my degree by August and able to start Social Work. So, in the long run, it may be what all of us needed, persuing jobs and dreams, but it sure hurts. I realize the business world does not always run by heart, but it sure hurt to see friends I cherished so dearly lose their jobs, especially right before Christmas. It hurts to walk into a building that feels like all it's life and spirit are slowly dwindling. It really stinks I have to say goodbye to my residents I have come to cherish.

However, I am grateful for the transition because people from work are able to be friends now, outside of work! I am going to finish my degree this year and I can start the dream job I have always wanted.

When I told a friend recently that I was going to stop making plans for life because it all changes she said the quote

"Life is what happens when plans are made". Very true! As always, I know I will look back on this as what was supposed to happen. It seems the friends I am meant to make along the journey will continue the journey with me, but just in a different fashion. I may not get to see them everyday, but email and texts sure do help!

The best thing to happen: I have my creative mojo back. I hadn't realized it, but my sewing and crocheting came to almost of a stand still. I just couldn't do it. Since handing in my resignation and reacquainting myself with life again, I have found the part of me that loved to create to begin with. So - I have started a couple things. If you can give me just a little time to get back into the swing of things, this will actually turn back into a creative project blog!!

Oh, 2010 - you are starting out a lot different than I expected, but maybe you aren't so bad. We'll see!

Catch Up

There has been a lot of stuff going on here. Lots of turmoil and sadness. I will update you all soon. I have a couple projects going and hope to share soon. I have missed you!!!

Put Out An All Points Bulletin.....

I am still alive!!!! Here are two projects I have been able to squeeze out during a busy semester!

Blogger finally let me download my photos. Here is my tree skirt. I need to put a hole in the middle and then it will be ready!!! Blogger won't let me move my one pictures, so we will roll with it!!!

Here are my writst warmers. I still need to clean up all of the strings on them. I love them!! I got the idea from Lucy's website. I crocheted them and they are a CINCH. Consider trying them!

Coming Soon To A Blog Near You........

I have a bunch of projects in the works.

• Baby Doll Clothes for my niece
• Christmas Tree Skirt
• Two Stockings for the fireplace
• Baby items for a friend
• Altering of some tops
• AND maybe some clothes on winter break between the semesters

Wish me luck. I should have some photos in the next few weeks!!

I HAVE to have this!!!!!

This is a belt out of Anthropolgie's catalog for November 2009. I LOVE bears - black bears and grizzly bears especially. I have asked my husband for a grizzly bear (a real one - for some reason he says no!!). The model is wearing another animal belt around a dress and sweater. I am obsessing over this look. I let a little scream out when I saw it. Let's cross our fingers and hope that maybe Mr. Bear Belt will show up under my Christmas tree this year!!

Halloween Shirt

I made a Halloween Shirt for work. My husband isn't here to take pics, he is working late. Hope to have a pic up by tomorrow evening. If all else fails, I will lay the shirt on the table and take a picture!

Hurry and Sign Up Today!!!

Remember that Felt Online Workshop I signed up for? It is now being offered one more time. You have to hurry and sign up however, because there will be limited space again. If you want more details, go here! The projects have been adorable and really pretty simple. Sign up today!

I have never FELT this way before

Hee Hee. What a fun title. I signed up for the Felt and Stitch Holiday Workshop taught by Betz White. I am so excited and can barely contain myself. I won't be able to post the projects until after November 6th, so make sure to come back and see everything I have learned.

I have been interested in awhile with cutting up sweaters and working with felt. There seems to be so many little techniques you need to know, that I decided to stay away. All that changes today!!! I believe Betz will do future workshops (I am not sure if it will be holiday oriented), but if you are interested, you might follow her blog. That way if she hosts another one, you can get signed up before it fills up. There is a charge you pay for the workshop, but you would do that in town at a store. So - watch for future classes! Check out her cute pumpkin project!

I am still working on my knitting and hope to start my stockings and tree skirt for this Christmas soon. Off to get busy on school work - BOOOO!

Roll Out the Barrels!

Friday night was date night. We decided to try some place new and found a little German restaurant. It was delicious. I have German heritage and my husband has a tiny splash, but he doesn't mind the food!!!! Since Oktoberfest is being celebrated, a German meal seemed appropriate. We had some potato pancakes with applesauce (YUM!) and some soft pretzels as our appetizer. Here is what we had for our meals:

I think the next photo tells you what a great night we had and what tasty food we ate:

Look Mom, No Hands.......

Remember saying that when you learned to ride a bike? At least I did!!! Here is a quick snapshot of my FIRST ever knitting projects. Now, granted I am only practicing the knit stitch and I am just making a scarf! However, I have attempted to start knitting on 3 separate occassions and now I am doing it. I finally decided it wouldn't get the best of me. In a couple of weeks, I go back for lessons on the purl stitch and then I will be released to the world of knitting!

On a side note, my husband is unfortunately the better knitter. Our teacher told us men are usually superior knitters. Grrrr! My husband smiled across the table at me when she said that. What a brat!!!

Taking A Break From Insanity

Between working full time, school full time, trips home to visit family and for a funeral, and the husband working 3 jobs, there hasn't been much time to breathe lately. The hubby and I were passing in the night and things were getting sad - from not spending time together.

SO - I got to do something fun and then he got to do something fun. My husband took knitting lessons with me and then I went with him to a Texas Rangers game. They ended up losing, like the usually do when I go to a game. Evidently - I may not be invited back next season - could be a curse!!! I ended up getting a serious sunburn (I couldn't tan this summer - now we are almost into October and I tan - I can't win!!).

We had a great time just being together and spending some time away from the insanity and busy pace of the American life. Here is wishing you a break from the normal craziness in your lives to be with your loved ones!

I do have some projects to post. I hope to get to them soon!!

Congrats Chickenfoot!!

Your tablerunner was the winner! Sorry for the delay. We had a family funeral to attend this weekend, so I am catching up. I will contact you soon with details about your prize!!!! If you don't mind giving me until the weekend to catch up with everything, Chickenfoot!!!!

Thanks for all your voting. I have some updates to post myself. Those will appear this weekend too!

Because I Matter Challenge Final Voting

** NEW POSTS WILL BE LISTED BELOW UNTIL SEPT 22 **

The final voting is underway. I have posted the pictures below with numbers. Please use the poll located on the right of the page to vote for your favorites. The winner will win money to be used on Etsy! Voting will start Monday, September 14 and will end at midnight September 21. Good luck and get voting!!!


Entry #1 - Table Runner

Entry #2 - Quilt

Entry #3 - Dress

Entry #4 - Bag

Entry #5 - Sewing Organizer

Entry #6 - Hutch Redo

Entry #7 - Skirt and Top

Entry #8 - Dress

Entry #9 - Dress

Entry #10 - Quilt

Because I Matter Challenge

We just had two people submit projects for August, so I declared them the automatic winner. Give me a day or two to get the pics and the voting up for the final vote. What's the prize for the winner? $ to spend at Etsy. Who wouldn't want that??? See you in a day or two to start the voting.

I also was able to do some sewing this weekend while nursing my sinus infection. I will try to post a picture of my first set of quilt blocks I have ever made too. A LOT of cutting, but a lot of fun! See you soon!

Life's "SNOT" fair!

I am behind on posting my voting for Because I Matter due to a sinus infection that has decided to rule my life. Besides my nose dripping and only being able to breathe out of one nostril only, I still plan to get sewing done this weekend. I was really disappointed this weekend as we were headed to a big reunion at the camp my husband I worked and met at. Unfortunately, I kept getting worse and started with a fever. So, we had to turn around and come back home. BOOO! Why do you always seem to get sick around the time you want to do something!!! Oh well, back to stuff I need to get done! I should have the voting up by tomorrow so check back. Now I am off to blow my nose again - ouch - it is raw!!!!