Happy New Year!

Well my last post was in July ??? I believe that was the finish of Halloween Rules by Lizzie Kate. I have completed a few things since then and believe me my life is full! I began yoga teacher training inOctober and it has been life changing. I look at a lot of things very differently.

 This is Howl by Shepherd's Bush

A finished ornament for a dear friend of Phil's

This has been stretched and needs a frame , it's for my DM 

I finished this on the annual Angel retreat:)

My Christmas project this year - still not done I'm  afraid to say

This is Bent Creek - I need more time on this but I'd've working on it.

Life is busy - Emma begins auditions for school , Ben is in grade 8 and Mags starts back at college in the fall.

I'm loving yoga- my job at Starbucks is great and Phil and I have been marred Ed almost 21 years - crazy . Everyday is a new adventure! 

Until next time !

J

Crazy crazy crazy

There are days when I think - blog I must blog and then something else comes up. I have no excuse , I have not been myself lately- I have signed up for two half marathons in October - CRAZY I know but I need a goal. I also start my 300 hour yoga course in October - October will be busy .

On the stitching front I am finished Lizzie Kate's "HALLOWEEN RULES " Yay! 

I'm now working on SB's Winter Moon. I am a collector of kits and patterns so I need to start stitching the collection. 

 On the kid front SO much to catch on - Mags got into her dream program at SFU. Emma is off to NYC in less than two weeks and Ben got a fabulous new computer. Those are the highlights --- lol

What's new with you 

The latest...

I FINALLY have finished "Mind Your Mummy" and "Sit a Spell" it feels like it has taken FOREVER ! I guess I just had a block there. I only have 4 to go!!!! 

I've been sick AGAIN with a sinus infection and head cold - so frustrating! I'm off this weekend. I have decided to make some lifestyle changes - gluten free (attempting anyway) and greatly reducing the amount of wine I drink - I'm hoping to finally reduce it to none but we will see - won't that make Phil happy lol

Emma has submitted her resume and head shots to a casting director and agent - woot she has finally done something here! 

Maggie is so busy with school and work - it keeps us out of trouble

Ben continues to be Ben

I'm off to a a 3 hours yoga course today - so excited! Tomorrow is groceries! Who lives an exciting life!

Until next time... J

Progress -

I'm excited to share my latest progress on Halloween Rules. I'm slowly plugging thru - it's almost time to set it aside - I'm getting slightly frustrated and I am not really sure why. Hmmm - it's coming along - 

I had a weeks vacation which consisted of not very much of anything - it was awesome ! 

I've been accepted into a yoga teachers program - so excited ! 

Not much else to report ...

Until next time 

J

More progress

Here's the latest progress  on Lizzie Kate's Halloween Rules - I started a Nora Corbett for my sisters girls but there is not much to post - the plan with that one is work on it with the Angels when we are not stitching here - it's done in silks - it's lovely 

Until next time,

J

New Year new goals

Wow when it rains it pours - Ben managed to compromise his immune system so much he broke out head to toe in a measles type rash - that was our last week in a nut shell. I'm glad it is over.


On the stitching front progress has been made on Lizzie Kate - Halloween Rules

I'm really loving this piece again. I have been working on a couple others but this is where my head is at right now. 

Emma and I are off to pick a memory card and some groceries - thank goodness for days off!

Until next time

J

Happy New Year !

Door is shut and locked on 2013 moving on...

New start !

The girls went to separate NYE parties and both were home before 9am. Emma - the luckiest employee in the world  got a call from her boss and didn't have to go in today -that girl ...

I spent the morning coughing and playing Dr Who Monopoly - Phil won... He had to then head to McDs for the rest of us. Don't feel too sorry he got a latte and three poached eggs on toast in bed this am. I should have planned that out better as he maybe expecting that every time I'm sick or off.

Emma and I watched The 5 year engagement this afternoon. We snuggled with the black and whites. It was lovely. I'm now continuing my revisit with Six Feet Under. So dark but entertaining. 

Here are a couple of finishes - finally!

This is Hometown Holiday - Main Street Station - Little House Needleworks  

I have been throwing a few stitches in each day I've been sick- not much progress but I'm working on it slowly 

Until next time,

J

FEAR

As we close out 2013 I can say that this whole year has been a year of fear. The relationships in my life have been questioned, my ability to do my job questioned and the general way I live my life suspect. It all sounds negative doesn't? I think it does but I sure learned so very much!

I'm not interested in 2013 anymore that door is closing and I will be locking it. I have spent the last 5 days in bed with a sinus infection and pneumonia. It's been wretched. It snuck up on me and I kick my arse. I have managed to accomplish nothing in these past 5 days except sewing up an infinity scarf for Mags - she likes it so that's good. I may get some stitching done but who knows. The dr in the er insisted I not go back until Monday - WHAT??? I am very sure I won't be able to stay away from my store until then.

Plans for 2014???

- I will run the BMO Van half with my best friend
- I will finish Halloween Rules by LK
- I will begin and continue a solid yoga practise- my darling children have bought me a gc to Hot Box here in Kelowna so as soon as I have my breathe back I will be yoging it up lol


That's about all!

Until next time...

J

Life at Chez Butler is busy as per the usual- We bought Mags grad dress this - who knew it had to be chosen and purchased so early??? I am back at work after 10 days off that were lovely . Emma continues to struggle with a virus that does not want to leave her (she's a favourite of this one apparently) Ben is good. Adapting to school quite well. I hear him playing the new Zelda for Wii U and yelling at the tv. Too funny.

All is well on the stitching front. Not too much progress but getting there. I will post pictures soon. I am at work tomorrow and then cleaning house Tuesday so hopefully then.

Until next time...


J

What's new?

A LOT!

Here we are on the verge of a new school year and our trip to England. Where did the summer go???

Maggie begins her grad year and Ben his last year of elementary school- CRAZY. What's even crazier is we have allowed Em to try eschool this semester. It will be fine but still a bit scary.

I had all kinds of BIG plans for today but alas enjoyed my first migraine in two weeks. I did get the big breakfast done and mowed the lawn so not a total loss of a day. I also made pulled pork in the crock pot for dinner- I can smell it now - so good!

What's been happening on the stitching front? The retreat has been booked and I am slowly start to gather my projects together. I always love to finish a UFO - I'm sure I can find something.

Here's some progress
I'm pleased with the progress just really wish there was more time to stitch


Until next time


J

Poor Mags

I've been up all night with Mags she had her wisdom teeth out Thursday . The antibiotics did not agree with her - she was sick most of the night. I phoned the oral surgeon this a.m. He immediately stopped the meds. It's a wait and see for infection now . What a night ! 

The first part of my evening was spent doing a coffee and wine pairing at Viva Las Pride - an Okanagan Pride wine festival event! It was fun! Here's Renee at our booth. 

It was a great people watching event and we had fun! 

I came home with ice packs for Mags and at about 1:00am all heck broke loose. She is resting comfortably now :/

I am sitting with her now and working on a another ufo. I may finish this tonight although she has request a meal to end all meals so I may just be cooking lol.

I am grateful to do it for her :)

Until next time...

J

Finished!

So happy this is done ! I promise myself I would NOT start something new until I finished a project. The bad news is I went out to the garage last week and found several UFOs I want to finish that I forgot about:( What's a gal to do??? I really should just celebrate the finish right???

 Mags has her wisdom teeth out today so we are laying low :( poor thing . I guess stitching is in order ! 

Teenage girls..

So Emma is 15 and Mags is 17. They have a wide age range of friends. It is so nice when those friends get together and my girls get along. How long will it last???

Until next time...


J

It was a crappy day...

Do you ever have those days or weeks when you know you did the right thing but it doesn't change that you still feel crappy. I am in one of those days/weeks. My Mom - one of the wisest women I know says - You have to put a value on yourself. She is so right! - I had two people in my life hurt me this past week and   expected more from them. The third I had hoped one day to rebuild a relationship with but have given up and deleted her from my phone and FB. I miss my friend very much but also understand that choices had to be made and she did the best for her.

Ok ENOUGH!

The kids are good. Typical teenage stuff - Mags is enjoying driving. Emma is working at Milestone's and Ben is Ben.

Our summer has been busy with work. Phil and I are heading to England in September for 10 days. It will be great to get away just the two of us.

On the stitching front...

I am desperate to finish the latest one colour wonder

That way I can work on another Halloween UFO lol... I did finish an ornament 

I am working on another Christmas project at work and it is coming along slowly...

My puppies are hating the Summer thunderstorms

They hate thunder...

On the retreat front- I found a fab cabin at Silver Star in Vernon and so excited to be going with the Angels. It's very cool this group is still going strong. I AM SO LUCKY TO HAVE THEM! I hope all of them can come! 

Life is getting better as I type - thanks for reading...

Until next time...

J

I'm a lousy blogger...

What to write??? I have had so many ups and downs this past five months, it's been hard to keep one nostril above water.

Family front: the kids are fabulous and frustrating! They are teens and pre teens and that's all I can say at the moment...

Stitching front: I have completed a couple of Christmas ornaments and started Plum Street's Halloweenies. I have that Christmas heart almost done AND HAVE PROMISED NOT TO START ANOTHER PROJECT UNTIL I FINISH IT--- hence I have not picked up a needle much lately...

My stitching peeps were over for a day of stitching and laughter today. We ate, watched the Da Vinci Code (by watched I mean listened in the background) and maybe put a few stitched to fabric. My kids entertained with their goings on and the complete ability to make me mental. The day ended with Phil having to break into Leisa's van as she locked her keys in:) Great day

Running front: I GOT NOTHING!

Until next time...

J

Update!

All kinds of stuff going on! I have had some health issues that we think are sorted! Yay! I actually ran 4.5 miles today which I have not done it months! So excited
I thought I had rehearsal today and I don't woot! I can do groceries and sort out my life for next week.
The kids are off school so they have projects to do around here and hopefully we can sort out the garage as we need to have a garage sale!
On the stitching front I have a couple of pics on what I've been working on :)


Until next time,

J

So much going on...

Crazy days ... I have had extreme ups and downs at work. my boss of 11 years was let go - not for any reason but downsizing. It's been an adjustment. We have managed to come through it and do VERY well as a team. WOOT!

I am in my first production at KAS in April. WOOT! Terrified but yay!

On the kid front. Mags got another part time job. Emma is busy and Ben is Ben. All is well!

On the stitching front I am working on an ornie and pillow. Hopefully I am going to see my Angels next Wednesday and stitch !

Until next time,

J

A small finish ...

I finished a piece for two very awesome dudes - it's from Julie Jackson's Subversive Cross Stitch - I hope no one is offended as one of the awesome dudes ask me to stitch it:)

Until next time

J

SOUP

I made the most excellent soup. "The Chew's" Clinton Kelly made this fabulous cream of tomato soup last week- go to The Chew.com for the recipe -SO GOOD! I made it for dinner tonight FABULOUS!!! It's even kid friendly.

We had the Kelowna Actors Studio senior performance troop practising "RENT" tonight. It's great to listen to these kids sing. They are uber talented. Their performance is in April and they are going to blow the roof of the place.

I've been knitting and not stitching- I have made two infinity scarves that the girls are now wearing and suppose that once spring arrives I'll get back to stitching.

I've been off for the past 7 days and it's been full of ups and downs. It can only get better.


Until next time,

J

The really great thing...

about being so busy is the night you're not you get to catch up on all the pvrd tv. I am currently watching Grey's from the beginning of the season while knitting. Why knitting not sure - probably just too tired for much else.
I guess that's all for now

Until next time...

J