Set Backs and Progress

Unfortunately last week was a very trying one for my family.  If follow my Facebook page, then you already know about my dad being admitted into ICU a week ago today (last Monday).  Thankfully, he's no longer in ICU, but is still in the hospital and anxious to get home and get on with life, but at a slower pace for awhile.

Since I've been at the hospital every day since then, most days for hours at a time, and even overnight with no sleep when he was at his worst, I haven't had much time for stitching or healthy cooking.   There were days I basically wasn't eating anything other than bananas, yogurt and apples.  Thanks to those days I was able to take off some weight last week.  I do have to give some big thanks to friends of mine that provided home cooked meals so Zach and I had something decent to eat, as he was spending as many hours at the hospital as I was, in addition to both of us still trying to maintain our work schedules.  I must say between the two of us and my oldest sister, we basically covered the hours from mid-afternoon until the following morning so my mom didn't have to be there constantly.

Once they were able to move him from ICU, I was able to spend a little more time doing what I like to be doing...stitching and designing my next pattern.  I even took some pics for you.  :)

Over the last couple weeks, I've been working on stitching a new model for my "Laughter Is" pattern in between other things, to send off to Rita at SnowBerry NeedleArts for a nice professional finish.  I realized after I took the pic and was editing it that I didn't put the noses on the masks.  Looks like I need to do that before I send it off.

I also finished stitching this heart keyring that was a cover kit with a recent issue of CrossStitcher Magazine.  I'll list it in the newly created "charity section" in my Etsy shop sometime in the next few days.

This picture is of my 40 minutes stitching progress on the model for my next pattern.  I absolutely dislike trying to get decent pics of green or blue fabric, as they seem to give me the most difficulty.  This piece is actually a "very light jade green" fabric, and not grey like it looks in the photo.

I'm looking forward to being able to do more stitching during my "free time" along with healthy cooking & exercise and the dreaded cleaning and starting of packing the house for our move the end of next month.  

And since I have committed myself to making at least one new healthy recipe per week, I made one tonight to make up for missing last week.   Here's a pic of the "veggie slaw" I made tonight.  I tried a couple of bites of it (it was after dinner) and really liked it.  It has a very "fresh" taste to it.  I'll definitely be making it again.  I followed the recipe pretty close, but as it's basically a salad, there's flexibility with it.  If you're interested in the recipe, just click the photo. 

Oh yeah, and I even went walking tonight after work & a hospital visit before I started doing laundry, cooking, etc.  I'm looking forward to nicer weather this week that will hopefully will allow me at least a few days of outdoor time.

Until the next time, Happy Stitching and Mangia!

The Giveaway Gets Bigger!

On Sunday I did a post about how you could win one of my hand-stitched pieces.  Well today, I have even more good news....we have a 2nd item that will be included in the giveaway!

This gorgeous Reflexology Glass Pendant Necklace, made by my good friend Emma over at Sovereign Sea Designs, will also be included in the giveaway.  I think it's rather fitting for the event as with all the walking and biking we'll be doing we could certainly use anything to help our bodies relax and recover.

If you're not sure what you have to do to enter, it's pretty simple.  Make a donation in any amount to the fundraiser my son and I are doing, with the proceeds benefiting ActiveHeroes.org and the National Fallen Firefighters Fund, and you will be entered into the drawing for these 2 items.  And you never know, there may just be more items that get included in the giveaway before I do the drawing on September 12th.


Thank you for your continued support! *smooch*

Do You Want to Win?

If you follow my page on Facebook, by now you have probably seen that my son and I are walking & biking to raise funds for a charity.  The charity is something that is near & dear to our hearts...ActiveHeroes.org.

For this particular event, they have teamed up to not only raise funds for their own organization, but also for the National Fallen Firefighters Fund. The purpose of the event is to preferably run, but in our case walk & bike, as much as you can before 9/11 and raise as much money by that date also.  The funds will then be split 50/50 between the two charities.

I think most of you know that last year my son went into the U.S. Army and was injured in a training accident.  What I haven't posted about is the fact the injury was bad enough that he was given an Honorable Medical Discharge with a 20% permanent disability.  Due to the injury, he can't run, but walking short distances (by short I mean like a mile at a time, not the 4 & 5 mile walks I do) and biking was & still is part of his physical therapy for it.  By helping with this charity he feels like he's still there doing something to help his brothers & sisters in arms.

 Zach & Kelly at Zach's Swearing In Ceremony for the U.S. Army

So you're probably asking yourself right about now, "where does the winning come in?".  Well, let me tell you.
 
For every person that makes a donation to our page, by either clicking on the photo of me & Zach above or using the link on the right side of this page, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a FREE finished cross stitch from me!!

The piece you will receive will be an Americana Heart Flag, similar to the photo shown below, only your piece will be stitched on a light tan fabric and will be nicely "framed" in a hoop and ready to hang on your wall.  I thought it would be a very symbolic piece that shows your heart is with those that protect your country, whether it be from acts of terrorism, or the men & women that battle every day tragedy of a house fire that can take our loved ones from us so unexpectedly. 

I have already started stitching the piece the winner will receive and will post a picture as soon as it's done.  The drawing for the winner will be done & announced on September 12, 2012.  All names will be taken from the list provided by my charity page of the donors and I will use a random number generator to determine the winner.  All will be done in a "fair & square" manner with pics posted of the list, number generator, etc.

Remember, every single dollar that people donate add up to something large.  So if you can find it in your hearts to give something, we would truly appreciate it.  (Why am I starting to feel like Jerry Lewis doing the MDA Telethon?  LOL!)


Thank you and HOOAH!  (It's an Army thing, lol!)