Some blurry gymnastic photos -

Rhiannon (6yo) had her first competition for the year today ... they look soooo cute in their uniforms!

Here she is with her team-mates - she is in the middle with the shorter, blonder plaits.



... and a couple of blurry ones from her beam routine, I just can't get good photos of their gymnastics!





... and one of Charlotte, just because she is cute, playing soccer in the back-yard -



Rhiannon did really well today - well down from the top ones (but not at the bottom!) ... but what really makes me proud is she really enjoys it ... some of the kids (and parents!) are so intense and nervous ... she just goes down and does her stuff and loves every minute. She got really consistent scores right through too, all 7.5ish - the starting value is 9.0 - meaning they aren't the hardest routines (which would start from 10.0), so the points taken off, come from 9.0 - make sense? I am very slowly making sense of it all! LOL

Stitching wise ... I finished Peace and Plenty a couple of nights ago AND finally finished the first HALF of the kit I am doing for friends ... I will take photos of them tomorrow sometime.

Monday again tomorrow ... boy it rolls around fast - we've had a busy weekend with the kids' sport this weekend, so it has just flown by, not to mention having to be out of the house by 8.00am both mornings ... did I mention I'm looking forward to next weekend and sleeping?

A Poll ... What should I stitch?

Okay ... next weekend is my break away, my reward for getting to a weight goal and a much need break from everything ... soccer work, children, DH, life in general ... I plan to sleep, read, stitch, bike, walk and generally do whatever I want when I want ... did I mention it's only SEVEN sleeps until I go!

BUT the most important question ... what stitching should I take with me? Do I want to carry on with the likes of The Kiss and Sleeping Beauty that are started and should really have some done work on them OR take something that has long been kitted like Petal Fairy ... OR something totally indulgent and fun like one of my many Drawn Threads, or kitted Bent Creek Rows, or kitted Elizabeth Designs ... or just pack an enormous box and take them all? LOL

Anyway - here is the poll - I hope it works!

What stitching should I take with me on my break?
	Petal Fairy and DT Welcome
	DT Welcome and The Kiss
	The Kiss, DT Prarie Garden and Bent Creek Rows
	Bent Creek Rows, Elizabeth Design and Sleeping Beauty
	Sleeping Beauty and Petal Fairy
	Obligation Kit, Elizabeth Design and Bent Creek Rows
Free polls from Pollhost.com

A couple of Lizzie*Kate Pictures

Friends Make Life a Little Sweeter -


and Friendship Grows -


and I'm nearly finished Peace and Plenty by Little House Needleworks - I should be finishing it tonight, but I might do a quick RR first, then I can send it off with another one tomorrow.

I've got sooooo much I want to stitch right now, wouldn't it be absolute heaven to be able to stitch for hours and hours every day ... one day :)

In other news, I took our 9yo (Cameron) to get his eyes tested today, he used to wear glasses a few years ago, went through a specialist, a couple of years ago the specialist signed him off saying he was okay now - still long-sighted but his eyes were able to manage it without glasses. Over the past few months we've noticed little things, like not being able to read the scoreboard at the cricket, that made us wonder if he wasn't seeing properly. Well, turns out he is very long sighted and has been fitted for glasses, for now only a third of the strong prescription he needs to let his eyes adjust ... he is NOT a happy boy and is still saying he WILL NOT wear glasses ... *sigh* I see some major bribery in our future. The worrying this is that this our little sporting wonder, I hope once he starts wearing them and his eyes relax and adjust that he can still see okay to not wear them while playing soccer.

Only 10 sleeps until I go away for my weekend ... all ALONE ... I can't wait!

Goals, what goals?

It's the 22nd of May and I just realised I never got around to setting any ... in fact I've been in a bit of stitching big things for me slump really. Still doing some ebay stuff, but partly because I can't be bothered with my big things ... partly because I can never afford to get them framed so I'll stitch them, then they'll go away for who knows how long ... oh woe is me ... I'll get over it though, and get stuck into my usual stitching soon :)

I think I'll forget May and start thinking about some June ones to get me inspired ... I work much better when I have goals to work towards, in any part of my life.

I found some perfect "Princess" fabric for this chart the other day ... so I'm pretty enthused about stitching it and making it into a cushion for Rhiannon ... it is just right for her. I can also see me doing the same for her friend, I think it would be a perfect fit for her too ... two little princesses ;) ... I'm thinking this might be my next project ... it's nice to know how I'll finish it as well, without any worries about framing!

I've stitched a few little things in the past week or so, I'll take pictures when I've finished the one I'm doing (Peace and Plenty by Little House Needleworks).

Happy stitching everyone :)

A proud moment

Got to be proud really ;)


Rhiannon - 6yo.

Note the nightie and boots attire LOL ... the boots are new and haven't been off her feet for the last couple of days.

My Gymnastics Girl

Charlotte (3.5) is our little gymnast (as is her big sister- I might get some pictures of her this week too) ... but this is a kinda photo display of her typical gym class :)

Warming up -


Getting up on the beam the "right" way -


Sideways on the beam -


Swinging -


and up the feet go!


Demonstrating the monkey swing (she often demonstrates for the coaches to show the other kids how it is done :))


Jumping up -


Waiting -


Then jumping!

Finishes and Ebay

I've been stitching a few small pieces to sell on ebay - a lot of people think I'm nutty doing all that hard work and then selling it - but I love to stitch ... am definitely one of those "enjoy the process" people, and I always feel so much better if I'm paying for my stash out of my Paypal account, not the family budget. This time though I'm selling them to make some money to go away Queens Birthday weekend (a three day weekend here, beginning of June). My next weight goal reward was to treat myself to a weekend all ALONE ... only problem is, money is tight ... hence doing some ebay stitching - I sold a few last week and made enough for about half of what I want ... and finished these two this week, ready to put up for sale in a couple of days (I want to finish a couple more before I put them on).

Shepherds Bush Violets -



Lizzie*Kate - Live, Laugh, Love -



... and this one is one I sold last week, Lizzie*Kate - Spring ABC



I'm always amazed at what sells, and sometimes what people will pay - and also what doesn't sell!

... in other parts of life, DH is waiting to hear from one job, they have told him they definitely want him but have to talk to the higher powers to okay the bigger salary (than what they originally wanted to offer). He has also heard from the agency of another one that sounds perfect, he's hoping to hear something about that quickly incase he has to choose - or not ...

I shot in our big North Island competition yesterday, and did okay. Pretty much shot my average, nothing brilliant - but I didn't fail miserably either, I'm so up and down at the moment that I'm more than happy to shoot averagely! LOL

Poor DH had fun getting the five kids to various soccer games, all at different places - although I did most of the arranging beforehand, so it really wasn't that bad - hurray for great friends who don't mind taking an extra!

Oh - and take a look at my ticker with my blogger-title! I'm so proud of myself ... the weight is still coming off and I'm definitely over half way now. I'm loving the bike-riding (I'm planning on doing a nice big one this afternoon), I'm still walking with my friend twice a week (about 10km) and of course mostly sticking to the Weight Watchers programme, I'm finally starting to feel that I look "okay" now :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tagged!

Thank you Faith for thinking of me :)

Pick five things from the following list, and then complete the sentence, and then go on and tag another 3 people.

If I could be a scientist . . .
If I could be a farmer . . .
If I could be a musician . . .
If I could be a doctor . . .
If I could be a painter . . .
If I could be a gardener . . .
If I could be a missionary . . .
If I could be a chef . . .
If I could be an architect . . .
If I could be a linguist . . .
If I could be a psychologist . . .
If I could be a librarian . . .
If I could be an athlete . . .
If I could be a lawyer . . .
If I could be an inn-keeper . . .
If I could be a professor . . .
If I could be a writer . . .
If I could be a llama-rider . . .
If I could be a bonnie pirate . . .
If I could be an astronaut . . .
If I could be a world famous blogger . . .
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world . . .
If I could be married to any current famous political figure . . .

If I could be a psychologist . . . I'd work with difficult children in schools, right from when they were very little so they had some hope of managing their difficulties before they went off the rails as older children.

If I could be a writer . . . I'd write a parenting book for "real" parents, with wonderful common-sense tips, that really work.

If I could be a scientist . . . I'd find out how to stop cancer appearing, so that people don't have to go through hellish treatments to fix it ... or not fix it ...

If I could be an athlete . . . I'd learn how to ski (and not be such a wuss about hurting myself) so that I could compete in the bi-athalon (shooting/cross country skiiing) at the Winter Olympics.

If I could be a painter . . . I'd paint our house, inside and out! (ohhhhh maybe they don't mean that sort of painter though! LOL).

Hmmmmmm now to think of three people to tag ... that haven't already been tagged!

I tag - Sam, Kerry and Katrina!

Happy Mothers Day!

It's Sunday here in New Zealand, so Mother's Day today.

Here's what I received in bed this morning -



My 13yo wants to be a Chef when he grows up, so was quite happy and proud to do a "fancy" breakfast. There were peaches inside the pancakes ... being on WW, he asked what to make me, and I said pancakes and peaches should be fine ... the presentation idea was all his - I'll keep him for a few more years ;)

I'm hoping to have a relaxed day - I want to go for a big bike ride later, and need to go buy my mother a gift and drop in and see her (they live locally). Otherwise I'm hoping to get some stitching in! The next part of The Kiss is coming along nicely, and I'm really enjoying a big piece again.

Soccer started yesterday ... 650 children, and I *think* it went pretty much okay ... as far as I know there were no major stuff-ups from my part of things *phew*. We have changed the Nursery Grade from Sunday mornings to Saturday afternoons ... which makes for a long day, and lots of complaints that always seem to come my way, over the last week or so ... but not to worry - we can't please everyone, and I for one would rather have a very busy Saturday and Sunday off, than two early mornings during the weekend.

Funny (and frustrating!) thing is ... yesterday we had all four older kids playing at the local grounds, while DH and I were both there to share watching/helping/cheering duties ... next week I am away at our big North Island shooting match all day so poor DH has to do it on his own, and wouldn't you know it - they're all at different places ... within a radius of about 50kms... and similar times ... we'll be calling in a few favours this week to get children various rides with friends!

and our sobering, annoying, stressing ... all of those things ... news of the week, is that DH is almost certainly getting made redundant in the next few weeks. He hasn't been happy for a few months (long story, but he took this job after being made redundant at the end of last year) and has been half looking, then a couple of weeks ago, seriously looking for a new job - so he has two definite interviews next week, please, please keep everything crossed that something comes of those two interviews, we are financially stuffed ... too scared to even think of, stuffed, if he loses his job without another one pretty much lined up. He hasn't been there long enough to get any sort of big payout, or to have built up any amount of leave - so I think he'd get about a months pay (notice) and that's about it ... I'm trying very hard not to stress, he has great skills and WILL find another job - it's just the timing that is scary.

and on that happy note -

I hope all you mothers out there have a well deserved break this Mother's Day, and feel very loved :)

A couple of RR finishes

For a board RR -



and for an International RR, this is the dreaded bookmark, the fabric for this was horrible, really stiff and hard to stitch on ... as a comparison, it took me about a week to stitch this and just last night to stitch the bird.



I now have NO RR's in my possession, well, I have those two to send off, but none to stitch.

I need to set some goals for this month - I really stunk at keeping to last months! LOL ... I didn't feel like stitching anything big at all so only stitched a few little things, although I think I did get quite a bit of the kit done.

I think I'll pull out The Kiss tonight ... I really do feeling like stitching something like that again ... aren't we funny beings - a month ago I wondered if I'd ever feel like stitching a Mirabilia again, my heart just wasn't in it. I was *that* worried, I know I've gone through little phases like that before, it's a hobby and supposed to fun so I've learn't just to go with whatever I do feel like without worrying about it.

Time to pick up kiddoes from school - might be back later to up date goals and such :)

Stitching Cruise?

Hmmm ... why do I keep reading that everyone is receiving their Stitching Bits and Bob's orders ... while I, of course me, typical me, obviously ordered the one thing that was hard to get. Apparently The Drawn Thread have gone on a Stitching Cruise and I have to wait until they get back. Which brings me to the question, why put something on sale (this was the spring sale when not everything was 25% off) when it's going to be hard to get an out-of-stock chart in? I'm not really complaining, just moaning, I know now that when I order from SBB that I am probably going to have to wait for something, and will not order anything from there that I need quickly ... the anticipation of waiting will keep me excited for a while :)

On to much better news - I shot 200 yesterday! ~where's the dancing icon when I need it :) ... It's nice to know I can still do it ... just wish I wasn't so up and down at the moment and was more confident everytime I went down. Shot a 198 to go with it, in fact I shot three 100's in a row, which is pretty darn good ... I couldn't hold it together to shoot four, my poor mental state couldn't quite handle it LOL. I was second top score for the day :)

The kids go back to school today - hooray - I can get back into my walking, a friend and I walk 10km, twice a week - I'm figuring it will be hard going today after a couple of weeks break, I have walked in the last couple of weeks but not as far. I've had a bad weekend eating wise and having exercised at all, I'm hoping getting back into it this week will make the scales be sort of nice to me on Friday.

I've joined a challenge at one of my cross-stitching boards for May - I'm really hoping it puts me back on the straight and narrow ... I've been slipping lately.

I think that is it ... time to go make lunches, wake up the littlest, and get this show on the road!

Avoiding Laundry

I should be folding about a weeks worth of washing ... which in a family of seven equates to LOTS ... I don't know where this week has gone.

... so instead of folding the washing, I'll blog for a bit instead, I wonder how long I can ramble about nothing?

I got my hair chopped off yesterday ... I've had a fringe (bangs) for years, over the last six months or so I've been growing them out, and my hair has got longer and straglier - yesterday I got it chopped to about the non-bangs length, all sort of about chin level - I have very fine hair, and very little of it ... the idea is to "product" the ends out so it looks a bit funky and has a bit of life ... I'm pretty pleased with it :) albeit, I'm not really a "funky" person LOL

I also shot in a championship yesterday ... and shot badly ... I'm really having trouble getting my head right this season. Hopefully I will do better at the rep match this afternoon. Horowhenua against Wellington ... half my problem is that I DO shoot much better at rep matches, but I need my championship scores to come up because they count towards important team matches, like the North Island team for the North vs South match in a couple of months. I'll make the womans team no problem - but there is no way I will make the Open team at this stage.

I put on weight at my weigh-in at Weight Watchers this week - the first time since I started in January ... only 100g (about .2 of a lb) ... but still a gain. I think it was mostly circumstances - middle of month time when I always do worse, school holidays so more picking at bad food, and less time to exercise ... etc etc ... hopefully this week will be better, I'll be back to walking with Deborah twice a week so that will help. So far (Friday and Saturday) I haven't been so good though!

... and stitching (what this blog is supposed to be about!), I haven't done a whole lot, I finished a Lizzie*Kate's Summer Sampler, and still need to finish the horrible RR I'm doing ... I put it down to do the Lizzie*Kate as a bit of a break, I might work on the RR tonight.

I think that's it ... it is an overcast, miserable sort of looking day ... a good day to be inside.

I suppose I should go do that laundry ...