Life With Jules, and other stuff

2012 sure has been interesting up to this point! Here we are nearing the end of March and so much has happened in my life. Mainly job related stuff. We found out in early January that our facility was one of 11 slated to close by the end of June this year. Soon after, we were given forms to fill out for reassignment to other facilities within the state. One month ago, I learned my fate: Martin, which is 160 miles away from home. Under normal circumstances, I would not have complained. However, the circumstances I am in are not normal. I am my dad's live-in caretaker while he undergoes cancer treatment; have been since his heart attack in 2008. So, I submitted a request for reassignment to somewhere closer, like 2 miles from home. Last week, I received a call that my new assignment came in: West Palm Beach. SAY WHAT!? That's 100 miles SOUTH of Martin. At that point, I knew what was happening and I wasn't going to succumb to their tactics. As of this morning, I am officially

Sorry I have been gone so long. There are a lot of changes happening in my life right now. My job has been in limbo for about a month and I think that issue is finally resolved. My father started his new chemo drug 2 weeks ago and this time it's making him sick, so I've had to step up a bit more around the house. Needless to say, I am a bit too tired to keep up with stitching and this blog by the weekend. I am doing some stitching when I am motivated enough. For instance, last weekend I began Ink Circles' Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon design, however, I am making it my own as a Colon Cancer Awareness. Here's a picture: I am trying to determine the best DMC floss color for the dark blue solid interior of the ribbon that has no interior stitched yet. Any suggestions?? Yesterday found dad and I in Sarasota. I was hoping to find Heavenly Cupcakes (they were one of the contestants on Season 4's Cupcake Wars). We were so close! If only we had turned right instead of

Dad and I went to the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, FL this afternoon. Here are some pics: School's in session? The Great Crab Migration of 2012

Well, it’s just about that time again! I thought I would post a wee bit early since I (had to take) today off. Car troubles. Long story. Quite annoying and boring. I digress… First up is an update on Butterfly and Shamrocks Wreath . I am really liking how this one is coming together, although I am rather tired of the constant color changes. It is a pretty piece though. Next up are a couple of finished finishes. Since I had to stay home today, I decided to take the opportunity (and the motivation I was feeling) to make a couple of ornaments out of recent finishes. On the first one, I used a piece of cording received from Cindy Mae Designs (quite) a while back. The second one still needs some cording. I am leaning towards a red combination. I have also shared with you the coordinating backing fabrics I used on each ornament.   While we did not do our SAL this past weekend, I did decide to put a little time in on Coming Home this afternoon. I know that Joy had family visiting,

I couldn’t resist sharing my Sandy with you: This one really loves to burrow under blankets. She must be cold! Afterall, it hasn’t hit 70 today and it’s been windy. Just a little cold snap. And of course, a couple of pics of my little man, Abu: I had to zoom in for the second shot as his “lipstick” was showing, little perv! LOL He’s gonna be an “It” come Friday!

I finally finished another piece! This is from an insert from one of my Cross Stitch Christmas books. I started stitching it late last year in hopes of finishing it for my niece in MI. Alas, she will not get it until the end of this year. Not a whole lot else happening here. Dad is doing well, although he will be starting a new chemo treatment in the next week or so. Those appointments begin on Wednesday with blood work and health education. My job is going well and while I am enjoying my 3-day weekends, I am looking forward to being back on a more normal schedule. We are still waiting to find out our fate. Lots of prayers going to God to keep us open as we are the highest ranked prison in the state. In the mean time, I am keeping it real and making plans to transfer if it comes to that. I was also finally able to send out the framed piece to my best friend and her husband. While the photo is showing a more elegant frame, this is not the frame I ultimately used (after showing m