Monday, September 17, 2012

Getting better? TUSAL and a prize

Jane Philpott is slowly coming along.  I feel I'm stitching less with the boy child not here and Mia being clingy.


Getting to the good parts at the bottom.


Still a long way to go though.

It's TUSAL time.  The TUSAL is a fun sort of SAL, no effort required.  Here's my ORT jar among some of my pretties, including a Nicol Sayre doll.


I also won a giveaway that Marty of Carriage House Samplings was holding.  Here is my prize, one of Marty's new release charts, Cats' Eyes.  Very cute!


Thanks for the giveaway, Marty!

Mia and I are slowly getting used to having the boy child gone.  There are good days and bad days.  Mia has become my sleeping companion as well since she can no longer sleep with the boy child.  She has slowly learned that I am not a night owl like the boy child was this summer, and that I will not get up at 3 in the morning to play.  lol!  But she's still an early riser, so we have restless nights.  Slowly getting better though.

There's still a lot of this going on too.


The boy child is doing well so far and survived his first week of classes just fine.  He's slowly learning the routine and meeting other students, learning to pay bills, and live on his own.  We do text and IM a lot too, which I'm glad of.

Not much heard from the girl child, but she's settling back into her job and apartment just fine as well.  Also making decisions about life.

There's definitely a chill in the air these days, which is nice.  I will leave you with Mia trying to snuggle in for warmth.


Thanks for stopping by and saying hi.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

52 comments:

Kim said...

I am loving Jane!! The colors...I love 'em, Margaret! She's looking beautiful! Hope things level off for you and Mia with the empty nest! :o)

purple24 said...

Your project is coming along vey nicely.

I'm glad Mia is starting a new routine with you. My kitties get angry with me whenever there is a change. They will not socialize with me for weeks on end and then they come around again very causously. :)

Krista said...

Awww, Miss Mia is so sweet all snuggled up! I am glad that you are getting adjusted, it just takes time. Your stitching is just fabulous, this sampler is so beautiful. Love all those cute pillows with your ORT jar, looks like you are almost filled up! Have a great day Margaret! :)

cucki said...

Cuteee miss Mia :)
Your stitching is so lovely ..
Congratulations for winning the sweet chart and lovely Orts ..
Hugs xxx

Anonymous said...

Love your Jane - I am also stitching it but not as far along as you. Poor Mia - quite an adjustment to make but he seems to be using your lap for comfort. Love all your stitchings.
Brenda

Isabelle said...

Hi Margaret, your Jane is coming along very nicely !!
Poor cute Mia, she misses your boy child and does need you :)
Have a nice week,
Isa

Vickie said...

Jane is SLOWLY coming along???!! You stitch fast when you think you are slow! ;)
Sweet Mia! You two stick together now.♥

Nicole said...

Jane is looking beautiful, Margaret. Mia is so sweet! I'm glad she's slowly adjusting!!

BrendaS said...

Margaret -- Jane looks wonderful. Glad to hear your son is getting settled. Looks like Mia found a new lap to cuddle up with:))

Nicola said...

Hello Margaret

It is so good to be back blogging and seeing your beautiful stitching again.

I am very pleased that your son is settling in well. Going away from home for the first time is never easy for them or for us.

Wishing you a good week ahead.

Giovanna said...

That seems to be a whole lot done in just one week - it's lovely.

Miss Pants said...

Sounds like having a baby in the house again with those sleepless nights.

I have the problem with once the baby goes to sleep, the dog wants my attention. But that's my prime stitching time...it's hard to juggle.

Leneslines said...

You have done a lot on Jane, even if you don't feel you have:) I look forward to seeing it completed. Love cats' eyes! Mia - cute as ever. You are both doing good with the changes going on in your life.

Nancy said...

Your sampler is coming along nicely! Glad you are adapting to the boy child being away at college and glad that he is adapting to college life as well, big change for all of you. Congrats on the win, such a cute chart! Mia is adorable as ever! Hope your week is a good one!

Tracey said...

Your sampler is coming along wonderfully! I know what it's like to try to stitch with a clingy pet in the house. :) Ginger is often vying for my attention when I'm trying to stitch. I've started sitting on our chaise lounge when I stitch so she can lay at the foot of it, that seems to help somewhat. :) Glad you are establishing new routines and things are 'normalizing' for you! :)

Mary said...

Margaret, Jane is looking great. Can't wait to se what yo'ull do for the good parts!

Cats - and Moms - are both very adaptable. You and Mia will both settle into your new routines in your sweet time.

Hope you'll continue to enjoy that freshness in the evening air!

Mugwump Woolies said...

Oh what a lovely lady Jane is! Those colors! Glad the boy child is adjusting!
Have a great week,
Robyn

Cari said...

Love love love Jane. That is one huge and beautiful piece. And Mia, how cute is she wanting to sleep on your lap. I can't tell you the number of times my kitties are right between me and a project. The also seem to rotate to my bed...one on the head, one on the back of the knees... all snuggled in.

Glad you are getting some cooler weather. I think we've got about 2 more weeks of heat before I can start stitching on the lanai.

Hugs

Melody said...

Jane Philpott is coming along. That is such a pretty one. Congratulations on winning the new chart.

Glad to hear you and Mia are adjusting to your new routines.

Take care.

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Great progress, Margaret! Love all those ORTs too. Your Mia reminds me of Miss Shelby these days. Only a 44 pound dog is quite a lapful! LOL! Have a great week!

Joy said...

All things considered, you sound well. Change...hate it or embrace it. As always, your stitching is beautiful! You have a great week!

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Lovely stitching! Poor Mia, I am sure she doesn't understand where her boy is. It will take time but she will adjust.

merumo said...

Jane is looking very pretty and glued on your prize picture! Mia also seems to be learning to be on her own... Maybe not!

Roberta said...

Poor Mia she misses her playmate and friend, but she will adjust.

Love the sampler and you have quite a bit done.

Lana said...

Jane is looking great! You have gotten alot of progress in!! I am sorry you are missing your son! At least you have Mia there to keep you company, and give you comfort! He'll be home before you know it!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Jane is looking fabulous... she's a big sampler! Poor Mia... I'm sure she's missing her boy child very much. I wonder if she'll start to sleep a little later in the mornings as the sun rises later and later.

valerie said...

Jane is really coming along Margaret! And poor Mia...she'll get used to not having Boy Child around but sounds like your sleep is suffering! lol Great TUSAL!

P.J. said...

Jane is AMAZING. Holy Hannah that is a lot of work thus far. Poor Mia, glad to see she is adjusting. Our Libby (Basset hound) took a bit to get adjusted when our girl left for the Navy in January. She will be crazy howling when the Navy Girl comes home in October. I can't wait!

Faye said...

Being an empty nester is not easy...Trust me! Your Jan is coming along so so nicely...It is huge~~~ Poor Mia is missing her buddy so much...He'll be home soon!

marly said...

Wow. There's so much stitching in Jane but obviously worth every minute. I think you're making excellent progress. What a stunnng sampler. Glad you and Mia are having some good days.

Stitch By Stitch said...

Jane is coming along so well! And I'm very glad both you and Mia are adjusting to a new normal. It takes time. Thank goodness for stitching and blogging friends:)

Deborah said...

Jane is looking wonderful. Poor Mia. Kitties don't like change very much. Glad she is starting to settle in.

Chris said...

Jane is looking great. Is Mia slowing down your stitching since she is now occupying your lap more?
I love your TUSAL pic with the smalls. Lovely.
Have a great week!

Myriam said...

Hello, heureusement il y a Mia!
Je pense bien à toi , il te faut t'habituer sans le fiston à la maison.

Cathy Lloyd said...

Jane is just lovely, Margaret! And Mia....aren't you so glad you have her companionship? Isn't technology so wonderful? With texting and IM we can keep track of all those special people we love so much! Enjoy your week! Hugs!

Carol said...

I'm glad things are starting to fall into a "new normal" around your house, Margaret--for both you and Mia. Isn't it great to be able to keep in touch with our kids so easily, though, these days? I remember when I was in college, there would only be one (expensive!) weekly call and a letter now and then :)

Lovely progress on Jane--you'll have a new finish in no time!

Dawn said...

Jane is a beauty - wow, so much detail.
Congrats on your win too!
That Mia - she's just too sweet. She'll adjust at about the time they come home for the holidays.

Melanie said...

I love the colors on this piece, I really do. It's coming along quite nicely.

Congrats on winning the chart! I had missed that one - it's adorable. And fitting too because you could totally make that white cat in the middle into a Mia!!

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

oh I love Halloween !
bisous Margaret

Deb said...

I really like Jane and you're making good progress on her even though a certain furry baby is demanding your attention. Love your pillows and your Nicole Sayer doll. I've got one that I really treasure!

Hope that Mia settles down a little bit more for you and have you started on the SAL piece yet?

samplerlover said...

Hi Margaret, Jane is looking lovely. You are making good progress with her. Beautiful colours. Love your collection of cute pillows, they are really lovely and I really love your Nicol Sayre Doll. It is really lovely.

It is good that both you and Mia are getting used to the boy child not being there. Mia will probably be wondering where he is, but for you, you are able to be in contact with him and that is the main thing. My boy child finishes school tomorrow, but still has his big exams to go in 4 weeks. - Sandra.

Catherine said...

Aawwww......poor Mia!! Jane is looking lovely and I love, love, love your TUSAL display!

Sherry said...

Love jane! You and Mia will keep each other company and the BC will be home for vacation before you know it!

Debby said...

Jane is becoming so beautiful!! Poor Mia, now she only has you to play with.

Greetings from Debby

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Glad to hear that your children doing well. Poor Mia. She must be missing her best friend so much. Jane is coming along so beautifully, Margaret.
Linda

Annette-California said...

Oh Jane is coming along beautifully. Looks so rich. Sounds like Mia is doing very good and you are to. Congrats on winning "Cat Eyes". I noticed BBD "Wild Garden" in one photo. It's so lovely. It will be the holidays before soon and hopefully you get to see your son then:) love Annette

Anonymous said...

Hello

Just found your lovely blog.
Your sampler is beautiful and Mia is adorable!

krayolakris said...

Oh Margaret, you & Mia are on my mind so often! Glad you two can snuggle!

Loraine said...

Wow your sampler is really coming along. It looks wonderful!
Congrats on winning the Halloween chart. I haven't seen that one before. Cute.
Your doll is fabulous. Where do I get one of those?
Hope your weekend is better...being in an empty nest does have it's down side, I guess. There are many days that I would trade places with you. It's too busy here! LOL.
Hugs to you.

Lois said...

Margaret, I'm glad you're adjusting to things. It does take time. Glad he's settling in well. Poor Mia, I think you've found a new best friend!!!! Loving Jane!

Sally said...

Jane is looking lovely.

I'm glad that you are settling down now. Mia is still as cute as ever. I just want to pick her up and cuddle her.

Anne said...

Jane is coming along splendidly!!! Wasn't that flower so much fun to stitch?! And the tree too!? I attacked the big bird last night and almost finished him but got distracted by things. I'm glad to hear the two of you are snuggling and keeping each other company. That's so great you and your son are texting and that he is settling into a routine. Love that photo of Mia under the blanket!

Hugs