Life With Jules, and other stuff

And what a journey it has been! I am in the process of applying to graduate school...again! This time for a terminal degree. That's right! I want to earn a PhD in History. That has been the goal all along. I knew from the start that I really can't get anywhere in my field without it and I figure now is as good a time as any. I'm not getting any younger. I'll be 50 in less than 2 years. OMG! I created another blog devoted to that journey: https://julesdoctoraljourney.blogspot.com/ It will be a slow start as I go through the application process, but I hope it takes off once I actually begin school again. Picture it: Dr. Julie Hayes. Has a nice ring to it!

(Warning: Picture Heavy) I will start with an update. I have (almost) completed part 5 of the HalloSAL, although I am counting it as complete. I just need to fill in the eyes on the pumpkins and for that I need to buy some petite seed beads. I tried without success to do the french knots. I just don't have the patience for them. Here is an updated picture: Yesterday morning I awoke thinking that I would spend the day working on the Butterfly and Shamrock Wreath . Well, my wee little mind started spinning and I remembered another design that I picked up last year at The Black Sheep Shop in Orlando by DebBee's Designs . It's her Holiday Highlights St. Patrick's Day . So, around 10am I began stitching the design. I worked on it on and off all day and by 9pm here is where I was at: There was a new stitch in this design for me: the herringbone stitch. I think I am fairly comfortable with that one now, lol! This afternoon, I picked it up and finished it. I even finish-finish...

In honor of my service in the United States Navy... My niece called me yesterday wanting to come over to learn how to cross stitch. Of course I said yes. She also brought her baby. We all had a good time! Here is a picture of my niece learning the craft: Here is a picture of my start on Anchors Aweigh (a Candamar design): I actually took this after starting the lighter blue stitches this evening. The dark blue is all I completed last night. I was a bit annoyed with this kit when I first started sorting the floss and prepping to stitch. It did not contain all of the correct colors. There was no white whatsoever. It gave 3 or 4 different shades of brown, none of which are even charted! Thank God for my well organized floss as I was able to convert the Anton floss into DMC equivalents and get the needed colors from my stash. The undesirable floss that came with the kit: Here is a picture of where I am now: I leave you with "A Mother's Love" (and baby hugs): It's hard t...