Another Sweetheart Tree RR

This is Autumn's RR. I'm a sucker for pink and rose colors, so I'm absolutely in love with how this one is looking - so pretty! I think I only have 2 more to do for this RR, it is going by fast!

Afghans

3 more squares done! Now I'm stitching on Autumn's RR that came in the mail on Friday. We have had a ton of snow and there is more to come, so shoveling has really eaten up a lot of my stitching time this weekend. Still hope to have a pic of Autumn's RR complete sometime early in the week. :)

6th Grade Basketball!

Since this is what has been eating a lot of my stitching time lately, I thought I'd post a pic. :) I was never much into sports, and hate sitting through Seans sports. For the most part, it makes no difference to me whether it is on TV, or watching in the stands. I just have no interest.

Until now! Alex - the kid on the far left in the photo - is on a YMCA league 6th grade basketball team. He has practice every Wed. and a game every Thurs. They only have two more practices and one more game, so it'll be over soon. BUT I have enjoyed it so much. And so has Alex. Oh yeah, it was for him, right!

It is just so much more fun to watch a game when you are invested in one of the players. As the season has gone on I've gotten to know all the kids on his team too - and I cheer for them all! Ha!! Don't worry, I'm not one of those parents that yells at the kids from the stands. I get into the game, but only yell positive comments of encouragement. Heck, I even clap when the other team makes a basket. I really like that it is such a positive team, learning type atmosphere for all the kids. Now, it is competitive too - but everyone is really encouraging. I've watched all the kids really develop some skills too. While I don't think there are any Michael Jordan's on the team, it has been really neat to watch the coach take these kids from a group that had never played a 'real' game before to some pick setting, zone defensive, stay-on-your-man, spin into the lay-up, basketball savy kids. Alex has even made a few baskets in a two games - and watching his confidence build after that was so great.

I'm so glad we convinced him to start getting involved in some extra-curriculars. He is a bit shy and has a few close friends, but with him starting middle school next year I'm glad he is branching out a bit. :)

Just Nan RR finish

This is Michelle's RR. I stitched Primrose Path in the bottom right corner. It was a fun stitch but took a bit longer than I had wanted. I spent the first half hour or so cursing cause Michelle wanted us to stitch in the same direction she does, and I stitch the opposite direction. I kept forgetting and having to frog. Then it dawned on me to simply turn the pattern and fabric both 90 degrees and I was able to stitch in my normal way and still keep the stitches going in the correct direction. Whew! :) I think this one is shaping up to be quite pretty.

Hardanger Exchange

Melanie sent me this great ornament for the Hardanger Exchange on the Rotation Stitchers Board. :) I hung it up in Katie's room as the colors match the decor in her room perfectly.

She was also kind enough to send some yummy chocolates and some lovely varigated threads. Thanks Melanie! :)

Weekend Stitching

Okay, I know it is Wednesday, but I just didn't get around to taking the pic and uploading it to the computer til this afternoon. Here are the blanket squares I completed over the weekend. So far I'm managing to stick to the rotation and keep working on these. Just 5 more blocks to complete on the pink (Katie's) blanket and then it will be done - I cannot wait!

I also started the layout for my Mira RR, but right now it is just one and a half outlined sections, so I'll spare you the boredom of that pic til I have a bit more to show! I also just received another Just Nan RR in the mail today, so I'll be stitching on that for the next few nights - hopefully I'll finish before the weekend so that I can knock out another block on the pink blanket over the weekend.

In other news, I also finished doing our tax returns last night - and we are actually getting a refund! A nice sized one too - we were worried since we made much more money this year than any other year that we would have to pay in, but apparently we overcompensated for that when we filled out our deduction forms when we started our new jobs early last year. Sooo now I should probably make an adjustment so we don't overpay so much again this year. Don't want to be giving the govt. an interest free loan - although I have to admit the windfall is quite nice. I think we will use it to get a new front door and put a down payment on some new windows - the ones in Alex's room especially are really in need of being replaced. With this recent cold snap I've seen just how bad they are - they are all iced up and his room is so cold. Both our front door and the door that leads to the garage also leak a lot of warm/cold air - so they should also be replaced. Might just do the whole house if we can afford it cause all the windows are about 25 yrs old and could stand to be replaced.

Oh - and speaking of extra money - I just got a BIG raise! I am so happy about it cause I really felt I was underpaid in comparison to some of my coworkers who just had the nerve to ask for a higher number when they were hired. My naivete about what people were making worked against me when I was hired, and even though I negotiated a higher salary than what was offered, I was still earning less than my peers. BUT I did bring it to the attention of my manager when they had to bump my salary mid-year to meet the minimum for the new salary range for my position. I was not happy that I have 7 yrs experience and they were giving me what someone would make fresh out of school. My boss had lots of nice things to say about my work at my review and even outlined steps he wants me to take so that I can be promoted to the next level by my review next year which is a whole other (higher) salary range. DH is happy for me, but admitted to a bit of jealousy because I am again making more than he is - and he is now doing better than he ever used to as well. Life is good - I cannot complain!