Day Two!

 On our second day in NYC baby boy had to work so his friend, Austin, was our tour guide.

We took a ferry ride

Interesting building

Brooklyn Bridge

We had planned to walk across but we ran out of time (and it rained the last two days we were there)

We had lunch at a very old tavern

After lunch, Austin had to go to work so we were on our own for a few hours. We took a boat ride past the Statue of Liberty. 

Then we made our way to the Empire State Building

                                                

 The views were amazing

But hold on to your hat! It was windy!

On the list of places to visit!

Would love to go back and see the views at night. Maybe next trip!

More to come!

New York

More photos from day one.

We spent the afternoon walking around

seeing what we could see

Who knew there were so many parks in the middle of NYC?

Tall buildings

Little surprises

Beautiful architecture

Familiar sights (as in I watch every morning)

Time to call it a night!

Catching Up

Well, it will take more than one post to catch up. 

The last six weeks have been busy to say the least. I think I have finally hit that wall and I am exhausted.

Way back in October, hubby and I planned a trip to NYC to see baby boy. 
My dad, my sister and myself made it back from Charleston (see previous post) on Friday night and our flight to NYC was the following Tuesday. 

This was our first trip to NYC so we tried to see as much as possible. I have no idea how many photos we took. Hubby took most of them then sent them to my phone. I finally attempted to download them to my computer yesterday. I'm extremely tech challenged and usually just email myself any photos I want to share here but thought it would be easier to download them. Pfft. They didn't seem to download in any kind of order so I'm going back to my own way of doing things and I'll just share a few photos over several posts. Not enough stitching was done on this trip to share so there won't be any shown here until I finish with the trip photos (in case you want to skip the next several posts) 

I've talked enough already, so for the most part, I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Ready?

We flew into NYC on May 7. Hubby took this photo out of the window as we were coming in.

First subway ride. I managed but my anxiety was on high alert. I can't say that I will miss the subway but I did kind of get used to the voice that said 'stand clear of the closing doors, please'.

Baby boy and dad. Jason took us to see Bryant Park - he said this is his favorite park in the city.

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum was very moving. 

 This was the only window that survived the collapse of both towers. 

 

Just the first part of day one - more in the next post!

Loss

It's been a month and I'm still not ready to make this post. 

Mother fought a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. The doctors told her 30+ years ago she had maybe 5 years, but they didn't know mom. She fought it with everything she had.  The last few years it slowly took it's toll as she gradually lost the ability to do those things we all take for granted every day. The past year or so it seemed like every day there was a little something she could no longer do for herself - but she would try it until she exhausted herself before she would ask for help. 

On Monday, April 15, she lost her battle. She passed away, peacefully, in her sleep. 

Less than two weeks after mom passed, we learned that my oldest niece, Heather, was loosing her year long battle with cancer. My sister and I drove (I'll give her the credit she deserves - she did most of the driving) my dad to Charleston to see her. We arrived on Monday and spent a few hours with her. On Tuesday, April 30, she too lost her battle. She was only 32 years old and leaves behind a husband and two young children. 

Two moms gone too soon. Two moms who loved their families with everything they had. Two moms that are no longer in pain. Two moms who are missed every day.

An anniversary and Fun With Flags

Hello!  There is sunshine out there but there are also some black clouds looming.

Hubby and I celebrated 40 years this past weekend. Our actual 'celebration' will take place in a few weeks when we make a trip to NYC. Baby boy has lived there 9 years and this will be our first trip - should be fun!

The annual 3 Stitches get-away was this past weekend and our theme this year was Fun With Flags.

Really cute projects! That odd looking piece is actually a needlebook. It has an American flag on one side and a Texas flag on the other. 

All the goodies with which to make the projects - including finishing fabrics.

As you can see, the room isn't that large so this fun weekend is limited to 40. Those attending have first shot at next years get-away. I've already signed up! (there is a waiting list for any spots that open up)

That's Pam - our hostess. I hope no one is in witness protection! LOL 

One lady made these cute cookies - one for everyone. Almost too cute to eat - almost.

Some goodies - the needle minders on the top left were made for everyone attending by a very nice person attending. I bought the bunny and the other things were handed out during the weekend. I might make that flag into a needle minder.

I was a good girl at shop night. Besides the bunny, I only bought the stitching bird chart. The other chart I got in the mail the day before I left so I thought I would throw it in the picture. I might have ordered a chart or three during show and tell after shopping.

Door prizes! The piece on the left is a scarf. 

I can't wait to use the little chest in my 4th of July decor.

We have a gift exchange - this is what was in mine. The pincushion (on top of the tumbler) has scissor pocket on back. Yes, the candy got opened before the picture.

These things got left out of the other pictures. The zipper pouch was also in my gift bag and the other two things were more handouts. 

I know some people get a lot of stitching done at retreats - not me. First, I'm a slow stitcher. Second, I'm easily distracted and there is lots going on in that room! 

That's it for the get-away wrap up.

Monday I spent most of the day helping dad (he jacked up his arm) so I didn't get much done here, then something caught me Tuesday - started with a sore throat and by the end of the day I had fever and started coughing. Felt like I was coughing up a lung. Finally went to the doctor yesterday. One of the meds he gave me I couldn't get until today since the pharmacy didn't have it in stock - and they could have told me it tastes like crap! YUCK   

So far I'm fever free today but if I get hot I start coughing so I'm not getting a lot done. I'm trying to clean out my side of the closet but it's going slow. One thing is for sure - it ain't going anywhere so I'll get to it eventually!

Hopefully by next time, I'll have my Easter decor out.

That's it. Hope you weren't too bored!

Ready for St. Paddy's Day

I've got all my 'greens' out on display. 

 I got my rooster all decked out. I couldn't find any green lights. I guess I should have thought ahead and picked up some at Christmas.

I finished my Lizzie Kate monthly for the white frame (this is also in my kitchen) I started with August and so far I've managed to finish each month. I'm working on April.

Here is my favorite white cabinet.

I picked up the little shamrock at Joann's on sale and with a coupon so it was only a couple of bucks. 

This little stitched piece was from the 2011 get-away. It was supposed to be finished into a needlebook. I never got that far so I pulled it out of the bag and made it into a little pillow. This years getaway is next weekend! Can't wait to see what our theme will be!!!

Another Lizzie Kate monthly. I have all of these stitched except December and January. I started December but ran out of one of the flosses and when I got a new skein it wasn't the same color so I have to take out what I already have stitched. It's not much but I just wasn't in the mood at the time.

And last but not least - the little paper shamrocks, gifted from a friend. They are just so cute!

That's it.

Have a great weekend and don't drink too much green beer!