Thursday, November 3, 2011

Nor'easter -- power, check. Internet, nope! Agh!

I should say right up front -- thank God we kept our power.  All around us, including people in our neighborhood, power was out.  Probably until today.  (And it was COLD!)  We lost our phones, internet and cable (all through the cable system), but we were with power, which I was sooooo grateful for!

No school for two days.  The middle school was being used as a shelter for those without power or heat.  And the schools have been on a one hour delay since school started again -- so the bus drivers can see any problems like downed power lines and trees.  Downed tree at the top of the street finally got removed last night.  Still downed stuff down the street.  And our internet is back.  Yay!!

Anyway, pictures.


It's amazing what you can accomplish with no internet.  lol!  You've seen the couple.


But don't you love these trees?



It was such a shock to go back to over two.  And a pleasure!  So much so that I'm not going to stitch the over one words or the two creatures on the bottom corners till the last.


Back to the nor'easter.  We were lucky.  We kept our power despite tons and tons of branches down in the yard -- and one leaning on the wires to our house too!  A ginormous branch landed on top of my car, but amazingly, there are only two small dents in the roof of the car.  I tell you though, it was very scary that day and night!  Constant cracks, and thumps and thuds.  Argh!

It's going to be a busy weekend here.  Step-MIL and the girl child are both arriving tomorrow for the weekend.  The boy child is in the midst of "h***" week for his high school play, Noises Off.  (The boy child is playing Timothy Allgood.)  Performances are tomorrow night and Saturday afternoon and night.  StepMIL, the girl child, the father type and I are all set to see the show opening night tomorrow!  Sunday is the memorial service for FIL.  So it's been crazy with rehearsals, drop off and pick up, cleaning, and more cleaning.  lol!  

I am still working my way through 691 blog posts in my blog reader.  AGH!  Amazing what accumulates when you can't get to the internet.  So my apologies for not commenting on your blogs this week.  I'll be back to normal soon and back to commenting.  (I didn't even count the number of emails in my inbox.  Cringe....)

Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  Thanks also for emails I received asking how we fared through the storm.  I hope the rest of the week and the weekend are good for everyone!


51 comments:

Cari said...

Oh I have been thinking about you...and I'm so glad you had power. We need food and light for stitching!! And what a beautiful sampler Margaret. I have to agree with you that the trees are simply OVER THE TOP too much fun. Hugs to you and your family, and sweet Mia of course.

merumo said...

How gorgeous your A&E sampler is! I'm sooooo jealous as I haven't have time to do any stitching for the longest time since I started my new job last month. And glad to hear you've survived from the storm. I was wondering about you over the past weekend. And Mia is looking cute as usual!

Anne said...

Glad to hear you are okay and that your family is safe and sound. Don't worry about all those emails, family comes first! Love the sampler!! I often have a shock when I switch from my 1 over 1HAED to anything else!!

Annie said...

Glad to hear you are safe and were lucky enough to keep the power going. Your sampler looks gorgeous and you are right.. that internet can really cut into your stitching time!

Marjorie said...

Crazy weather in your part (which is still best part in my opinion) of the country! I just about fell over when my folks told me they got snow in October. My kids were soo jealous!

Laurie in Iowa said...

I'm happy to have you back Margaret...you were missed. Ann looks fabulous... and yes, I love those trees.
You've got a busy weekend ahead of you. Best of luck to Eli and the play.
I'm so glad you made it through the storm without too much damage. That was one scarey storm.

BrendaS said...

I'm so glad you fared well! I thought about you and was wondering if you lost power.

Love your sampler. You sure did get a lot accomplished:))

Have a good weekend. Good luck to your son:)

Siobhán said...

Yeay!! I'm so glad that you're back. :) Your Ann is STUNNING.

Michelle said...

So glad you are back!!!! And you did get a ton done on Ann!!! She is just gorgeous. I'm glad you all fared (for the most part) ok through the storm and are getting back to normal.

BeckySC said...

So happy you are safe my friend :)
OOOH, I'm drooling again!! WOW!!

Anonymous said...

Ann is gorgeous and I do love those trees!!! I'm sure getting back to over 2 after all of the over 1 is a real treat. Glad you had power after the storm. Hope life gets back to normal quickly for you and the folks in your area. Hugs to you - kelley

Sweet Sue said...

Welcome back, after previous calamities plagued your house, you deserved to bask in THE POWER:)

Bertie said...

You have been through such turmoil with this unexpected snow Margaret! Am glad you are ok and was able to finish the couple LOL. The BBC kept us updated and it was horrendous, all those trees with their leaves on, top heavy. Mia must have slept through it all:)
Keep well, warm and safe:)

Joy said...

Yes, I do love the trees! Oh this computer has taken me over...and now Pinterest...bad, bad! But oh so fun!

Glad you were able to stay warm.

Zlata said...

I'm glad you're with us again!
The sampler is growing and growing! Very nice! Such colorful threads! I can imagine how hard it was to work one over one!!! This is killing our eyes, but the result is stunning! You're a courageous woman! Keep it up! )))

Merry Wind Farm said...

Dear Margaret, I just love your Ann Smith. I can't believe how much you accomplished in a week. I think I have that chart, and I was thinking I should maybe start it, that is, until I read that the entire A&E panel is over one! I am a sampler stitcher also, and would like to invite you to visit my blog merrywindfarm.blogspot,com I recognize quite a few of your beautiful samplers, but I am not nearly as prolific as you! Beautiful work!!!

Melinda

Paulette said...

WOW!!!! Absolutely gorgeous, Margaret! Makes me want to go unplug all my pc's. LOL

Glad you all are okay!

Paulette

Liz said...

Oh my Margaret, glad that you are all okay and getting back to the norm..! Must have been a big one. As usual, your stitching is beautiful and that Mia just gets better looking I think...
Stay away from those trees and falling branches and have a good (albiet busy) weekend..
Lizzie
xxx

doris said...

Truly fabulous over-one panel. This is such a great sampler.

Glad you're getting back to normal out there. We're sending you another storm, I'm afraid. Hopefully, the 10-plus inches it dropped in Colorado will be all used up by the time it gets to you.

MoonBeam said...

Wow, a lot of things I never thought of connected to your snow storm...and it's still more than six weeks until the official start of winter.

Hope everyone's problems are rectified soon and that the blessed state of back to normal can begin.

Bobbi

Mouse said...

ooo glad you are ok ... didn't realise you were having such fun !!! lovely progress you have managed to do with out the internet ... mmm may have to stay off a bit too hahahah .. good luck with the shows :) love mouse xxxx
ps mia still looks adorable :)

Faye said...

Nasty storm!! So glad you guys are ok and things soon will be settling back to normal... You are amazing Margaret with this gorgeous sampler....I have followed it since the beginning and admire it so much!!!

Valerie said...

So glad you had power, Margaret! Yes, it is amazing what you can get done without internet (isn't it mind-boggling how much time we spend on the internet???) Progress is fabulous on your sampler...all that over one! WHEW!

I love "Noises Off", it is such a funny play! I hope your son has a wonderful time and enjoys every last minute.

My thoughts will be with you and your family this weekend for your FIL's memorial service...{{{HUGS}}}

Laura said...

Wow! I can't believe such an early storm was so harsh! Glad you are okay and that you used your time wisely to progress on your masterpiece!

marly said...

I'll bet that was a scary time! Thank goodness you had power and heat. After seeing all the over one, I started wondering which of your stitched samplers had the most. It's a gorgeous piece!

samplerlover said...

Have also been thinking of you and hoping that you are ok. So glad that it was just the internet being down.
Oh Ann is looking beautiful. It won't belonged before she is finished and joining the others on your A&E wall - Sandra.

Dawn said...

Mia certainly looks unphased...as it should be ;-)
Your A & E project is beautiful, yes I love the trees.
Such a busy weekend - you'll need a nap Monday.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Glad to hear you had electricity and that all is well. Hard to believe the NE got so much snow so early in the year.

You've accomplished so much. I need a snowstorm too! :)

Elizabeth MacGregor-Kirkcaldy said...

Happy to read all is well with you and yours, Margaret ~ I am sorry you had such a rough time with the Nor'easter ~ {{{Hugs}}}

Ann Smith is truly Amazing ~ I LOVE the colours and the quirky trees and flowers and that Blue and well, just everything about it ~ she is Gorgeous, Margaret!

Good luck to your son with his play ~ and Mia is as precious as always~~~ Blessings always in stitches...

Penny said...

I'm glad you kept your power through the storm. It really is amazing what you can get done without the internet to lure you. :)
Those are some unusual trees, I especially like the blue in the middle one. It really is a beautiful sampler!
Good luck to your son, and enjoy the show! :)

Cathy Lloyd said...

I love this sampler Margaret! I really love the colors and A&E and the tree! Fabulous!

valerie said...

I'm so glad you're all safe after the storm and kept power. Enjoy the visit with your MIL and good luck to Boy Child on his performance. Great progress on your sampler!

Catherine said...

Margaret, I'm so glad to see a post from you and to know that you all are okay. That was some crazy storm! Sounds like you all were hit a lot harder than we were.
Sounds like you all have plenty to keep you busy - just remember to take some time each day for yourself! Your sampler looks fabulous! I have to admit, at first, I thought Adam and Eve were wearing inner tubes and were ready to float down a river!

Isabelle said...

I am glad to hear from you : we all thought of you with this big snow storm.
How gorgeous is your Sampler , Margaret : it is absolutely well done :-)
and your Mia is always so cute !!
Have a nice week-end ,
isa

Brigitte said...

Good to know that nothing serious happened to you and that you still had power during the heavy snow.
Yes, it's amazing how much one gets accomplished when there is no internet connection or when the computer has crashed.
Your sampler progress is amazing. I can understand how good you feel to be back at over two. It would be the same here. But it rarely happens that I stitch over one as I try to avoid patterns with a lot of over one, lol.

Lois said...

Glad you're back and survived the storm. Ann is looking wonderful!

Jean said...

So glad to hear from you Margaret, I wondered if the storm or illness was the reason for the silence. Glad to hear you had power, we went through that 2 years ago when had that horrendous winter.. tree down and no power for 4 days..but you have made great progress. The colors just pop right out at you.. my crew sends meows and kisses to Mia.

Natalia said...

Oh Margaret, another beautiful sampler, and all that over one !!!!! Just beautiful.
Glad you kept your power. You guys have gone through some challenging times with this awful weather :-(

Carol said...

I knew when we didn't get your normal Monday morning blog post that the storms must have affected you, Margaret... But, at least you had a ton of extra stitching time without the distraction of the internet!

Lovely work--all that over one--whew!!

Hope Mother Nature is kinder to your area over the next few months--you guys have really had more than your fair share this year!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I'm glad you all are okay! The sampler looks great. Amazing what you can get done when you can't get out. Love it!

The Scarlett House said...

Yes, I do love those trees! The whole sampler is just wounderful. It must have been the brightest thing in your snow exile. Glad that you are getting back to normal...well, somewhat normal. Hope the mil visit and memorial go well. I'm willing to relay messages for you again anytime. Let's hope we don't need to though.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Oh very beautiful I love your stitching, have a good day, my friend

Deb said...

Amazing what you can accomplish without the computer! LOL I've been too busy to be on the computer, but also too busy to stitch! I can't believe the progress on your piece. It's so pretty that I know I have to put it on my list to do soon!!

Thank goodness you had power! I'm still so surprised that you got a storm like that so early in the year. I have to say that you've had just one heck of a year with the weather. Hoping the weather systems go way further north for the rest of the season!

Sally said...

Wow your sampler looks fantastic!

So glad you are OK and hope you continue to have power etc.

Giovanna said...

Lovely progress on the sampler. Sorry to read about your internet troubles, but glad that you're ok.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Great progress and love that sleepy Mia!

Melissa said...

Oh, it is truly stunning. Love the colours. I can't imagine all that over one's! Good for you!

Mindi said...

Wow, you're so close to being finished! Part of me want to ask you to slow down so you'll keep posting inspirational pictures for me, and remind me I should be working on Ann. But then the other half wonders what your next project is going to be.

Nicole said...

Beautiful progress Margaret!! I'm so sorry about the storm!!!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Beautiful, beautiful....stunningly so Margaret :)

Solstitches said...

Gosh, that was an early start to the winter weather.
Your sampler is fabulous!
Margaret