4 Books that Shaped Me

This is fun....When I first thought of this topic I was like I don't know I love books how can I choose just a few.  Then within minutes they popped in my head, so here goes. 

You Can Heal You Life - Louise Hay 

What can I say I found this book when I was at a low point in my life.  I had my daughter out of wedlock and I was doing this single mom thing thinking no one would ever want this hot mess in their life.  I went on a self discovery mission.  I found this book and even went to a workshop about it.  My most touching memory about it was the fact that we all have to be our own best friend and if you ignore that self you loss out on a lot.  The teaching was to really look in your own eyes in the mirror learn to say I love you to yourself. 

Harry Potter -

These books taught me how to just love ready again and to dream.  I am still to this day I lover of the Harry Potter books re-reading them just to have the adventures of Harry in my life. 

Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse 

This book was recommended to me by a co-worker that had read it in high school and said this is a book he has reread in his life.  And I can completely understand that.  This really is just a book about a mans journey but in the end it was the discovery of peace and love.  That is all we need... no reason to judge others.

Bible - 

In 2012, for the first time in my life I read the whole Bible.  Its funny I had memorized verses of the Bible.  I knew how to look up things in the Bible but I had never read it from cover to cover.  I bought a 1 year Bible and I made notes as I went and highlighted things that touched me.  I discovered that at different points in my life different things jump out to me as important.  I need to revisit this practice...

Update Monday on Hobbies

I am over the moon proud about my accomplishment on this t-shirt blanket for my daughter.  This weekend I completely finished sewing the top together!!!!  I am ready to take it to the quilters.  This truly was a labor of love.  My daughter has been saving t-shirt since about 2 yrs old. (Okay I may have helped in the younger years.) Anyway she had about 70 t-shirts that were memories she wanted added to this blanket.  I did so much research on making these blankets and I kept coming up against statements that I should only do about 12 shirts.  So I had to make this happen on my own with just the basic instructions on getting the t-shirts ready to be sewn.  I told my daughter this is one of my proud moments in life that I did this.  The only sad part about it was that I wanted to share my joy with my mom and I can't....  My daughter sat there and pointed out t-shirt that were from nana taking her to this or being at that event.  So we just enjoyed out reflecting time.  ( We lost my mom/ her nana on Nov 3, 2017.)  

The other update I have is I did finish a 3rd square on my Butterfly Afghan. 

I am also including a pic of where I got to on my Quote of the Month by Stoney Creek.

That is pretty much it for the week.  So thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a great week.

January WIPocalypse 2019

Last Sunday of the month update.  I am participating in the WIPocalypse SAL and you can find out more information here.  This is also where others check in with their updates.  It may turn into an idea hub for me to get more stash....

Here is my first update. 

Butterfly Afghan 

Quote of the Month - Stoney Creek *** I forgot this at work.  I will have an update tomorrow.

A Year of Celebration 

 

New York Dreamer - Spring.    

Daisy - not started

Harry Potter - not started

I am trying to figure out a rotation for these but in the past I have only had a couple projects going at once, usually a "major" project and then a small one. 


One of the reasons I love the SAL is because also every month there is a question for us to answer as a way to get to know each other better.  This month the question is...

What SAL's are you participating in?

Now I may be biting off more than I can handle being new to this so we will see how it goes but right now I am doing the following.

The People's Choice, WIPocalypse, Fully Finished Gallery, Gifted Gorgeousness, and Small Finished SAL

I have them listed on the sidebar with links to them if you would like to check them out.

January Small Finish SAL

I hope I am doing this "right".  This is my first post for the Small Finish SAL.  This is a SAL that is encouraging us to do a small finish each month.  If you would like to check out the other bloggers that are doing this also you can go here.  For this year I am trying to stitch 
 "A Year of Celebration" by Hands on Design.  I already posted my January finish in another blog but I am sharing it again here.

  

I am hoping to get this completely finished so but I probably will not get to display it this year.  Its all good I am excited to just do these quick stitches.  

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and keep stitching... 

Bloggers That Inspire

I am loving this blogging thing and I want to give a couple shout outs to the ladies that got me started....

My lovely Katie... dragonsluver.blogspot.com/ I met Katie through my sister, we all have interest in cross stitching and geocaching.

She has encouraged me to restart on this path of blogging for a couple of years.  I would ask questions at the annual cross stitch retreat when I would see her and this year it just stuck.  Following her blog has been an inspiration to just be me when blogging and know that I could share my life, thoughts, and love of all things I do.  Thank you Katie, I really don't think I would have ever done this again without our talks and your help.  I always want to have everything just right before I do something and you were like "just do it" and learn as you go.  You are a blessing in my life.

The other lady I want to give a shout out to has no idea who I am but I have followed her since about 2009.  Erica from Confessions of a Homeschooler .

When my daughter was born I was a single mom working 2nd shift with the future looking like that was where I would be for the long haul.  I started researching homeschool as an option so that I would still be in my daughters life.  We practiced in pre-k then went on to do a couple of years.  The problem is I couldn't get her to read so I gave in, and placed her in public school for 3 yrs. then after that time period they closed her school.  The school she would have to go into was not where I wanted to send her, so that is when I found Erica.  She had amazing ideas and her blog was encouraging.  I still to this day follow her though I am past the homeschooling thing.  She is a quilter and that is something I am dipping my toes into.  She also has a You Tube channel and it was fun to watch her and her family for VLOGmas. 



So with much love thank you for stopping by to learn a little more about my world.

Update Monday on Hobbies

This weekend Winter Storm Harper came rolling into our area.  On Friday before the storm rolled in I took my daughter prom dress shopping.  And she said yes to the dress...

Hobby time kicked of Saturday morning with the final row being sewn on the tshirt blanket now I just have to sew all the rows together.

 As far as my cross stitching goes this week I had a finish of A Year of Celebration's January.

Then a small section of the in the Butterfly Afghan was worked on... I almost have another section finished.  I really am enjoying working on this gift from my mom.  It helps with the missing of her.

My last project I worked on this weekend is my "Stitching Fairy".  I always feel like it is slow going starting out projects.  

This is a long weekend for me so on this Monday, my husband and I did a bunch of errands.  I had a wonderful weekend and look forward to the upcoming week.  Thank you for stopping by to see how things are going.  I hope you have a good week also.

Oh one last picture of my stitching buddy,Opie..

5 Facts Everyone Should Know About Me...

This is going to be fun..... 

  I am a Certified Aromatherapist. 

I finished a two year program in Dec 2017.  I have been interested in essential oils for years.  When I started looking into it, I was informed from my Aunt Susie that my great grandmother was very much into herbs.  She said, " I must come by it naturally."

I am planner and organizer.

I feel in my element when I am planning and organizing almost anything.  I research vacation things to do.  I research anything new I want to try.  I probably have more 3ring binders than a person should have.  And now with the cellphone by Notes app is crazy with notes.  I actually sometimes have a problem just flying by the seat of my pants. 

I am a Millwright @ work.

So I have worked for General Motors for almost 24 years.  I started out working on the production line putting parts on motors for the trucks we build.  I took the test to get into skilled trades and did a full apprenticeship to be a Carpenter.  But they eliminated that trade so I was rolled into the Millwright trade in 2010.  I basically run what they call a crash wagon.  We are called out if there is a breakdown. 

I struggle with making deep friend connections.

By the time I was 29 years old both my high school best friends were dead.  This rocked my world!!!  Tina was the first to go she died of a brain aneurysm 6 weeks after giving birth to her daughter.  Then Tami, we had been friends since middle school, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend and new girlfriend in 2001.  As you can guess this made it very difficult to move on.

I am in my 40's.

It wasn't until I was in my 40's that I kindof really felt like I was being who I wanted to be.  What does that mean?  Well I always did was expected of me.  Not really a bad thing always but I finally started doing some things for me.  I love coloring the tips of my hair purple!!!  Then I had my cartilage pierced.  And so far I have one tattoo. (psst I want a couple more)  And if you are wondering no I am not going through a midlife crisis.

Update Monday on Hobbies

It has been a busy week and weekend so lets bring you up to speed.

My fabric for my scheduled projects for the year came in so I finally got that all sorted out.  This allowed me to get my projects kitted up.  That took a lot of time this weekend but I am happy that it is done. 

I also tried to come up with a schedule of how I am going to stitch these projects.  We will see how that goes I usually only have 2 or 3 projects at a time going. This is a first for me of trying to predict what I will do in a year, fingers crossed I can do this.

I was able to finally get the beading/buttons done on a couple projects I have just recently finished stitching.  They are "Be Happy" by Shepherd's Bush and "Cupcake Sampler" by Casey Buonaugurio. 

I was able to start "Stitching Fairy" by Joan Elliott Designs.  This was a gift at a retreat I went to a few years ago.  (Bonus is that it is a signed copy!!!)

 

Lastly, I started my 3rd square on my Butterfly Afghan. 

I am bummed that I didn't get more stitching time we had the perfect weather to do it.  But I have this big project I am trying to pull off for my daughters graduation.  She has like 70 t-shirts from activities growing up that I am making into a blanket for her.  I literally am teaching myself how to do this via You Tube and Google.  So this weekend I put some time into working on this also.  I am attaching a beginning picture of the blanket.

I hear they are predicting another big snow storm for next weekend so I am hoping to get the blanket into the final stages.  AND I need some stitching time so I am looking forward to that....   But first I am moving forward into this week.  I hope you have a wonderful week also.

#Made for More

So I did this thing this week (Jan 9, 2019) and I am super excited to share but I would like to first give you a little history on it.

Summer of 2018, I kept hearing about this book "Girl Wash Your Face" by Rachel Hollis.  It is kind of a motivational get your stuff together book.  I am all about personal development, I had to have it!  I am in love with her message and the book was fun to read.  Then I processed to follow her on all social media platforms.  This women is amazing, she gives straightforward in your face advice. 

She holds a conference called "Rise" it is a personal growth conference that as she explains is like a women's church conference without the church part.  She brings women together and helps them grow as a person and want to be part of this community that she has.  Here's the thing I sooo want to go to this conference but it is crazy expensive and not happening for me.

I find out she has taken this conference and made the highlights into a documentary.  They were playing it in theaters for 2 days in 2019.  I decided I was going no matter what.  It was almost sold out when I ordered my ticket but I was in....

I went to this all by myself, I laughed and cried during this whole thing.  She just wants to empower women and teach you to be good to yourself.  She throws out awesome ideas and techniques to help you on this journey.  I am going to give a few examples....



Embrace your past---my scars heal but they are still here....  I am a beautiful warrior!!!

Give yourself credit for what you have done in your life.

Make a playlist that makes you happy.  This can turn your mood around!!!

Give yourself 1 hour a day for 5 days a week for whatever you want to do.

Once a week check in with yourself.

All of these are tools to use to set yourself up for success.   She has the follow up to this book coming out in March 2019 "Girl Stop Apologizing" and the documentary will be on Amazon Prime soon.

I want to encourage and recommend both books and the documentary to anyone that wants to next level herself.  We have to get better about how we treat ourselves.  I can have some very negative thoughts go through my brain and it can mess with me at times.  I try to remember a friend would never talk to me like that and I have to be my best friend so I can't believe those nasty thoughts. 

Thank you for reading this post and I just want to tell you I love you for being you.

2019 Kickoff to WIPocalypse

Let me explain what this is then I will dig into the details....  WIPocalypse is something that was started a few years back from a blogger/stitcher that made reference to the world ending...  WIP stands for work in progress. So this fun group is trying to get their stitching done before the end of the world. 

 If you want more details about it check it out here.  Basically, I am to have fun stitching, check in with group by posting update pictures and then participate in the Stitchers Bloggers Question. Oh and this is done on the Full Moon every month.  Totally my vibe!!!

Therefore to Kickoff 2019, I am to introduce myself, my projects, and any goals I have for the year.

Hello.  My name is Janet.  I am a wife and mother to 3 teenage kids. (1 girl and 2 boys).  If you would like more of the details click here. ( this is just my profile info) as for my stitching story.  I stitched my first piece when I was about 18 yrs old. 

Then didn't pick the hobby up again until I had my daughter when I was 29 yrs old.  I needed something to do when all she did was sleep.  My sister introduced me to a wonderful group of ladies call the Hoosier Stitchers.  They would get together once a month around Indiana and hold a retreat once or twice a year.  I love this group of ladies!!!  By this time I was hooked!!!  I have been on and off for almost 20 yrs now.  This is my first piece I stitched.  I still love it to this day, not sure why its not finished finished....


The projects I am planning for this year is a fairly large bit but I have the stitching bug right now so here goes.

1. Butterfly Afghan- from the Stoney Creek Magazine.  There are 20 panels I started this project on Dec 23, 2018. 
     
2. Quote of the Month - Stoney Creek Not started 
   
3. A Year of Celebrations - Hands on Design Not started 
   
4. Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Time - New York Dreamer Not started
   
5. Daisy - Nora Corbett Not started
   
   
   
   
   
6. The Little Stitching Fairy - Joan Elliott Designs. Not started
   
7. Harry Potter
   

I would be over the Full Moon if I get all these done in 2019. 

My only other goals are get some of my other finished really finished and displayed around my house. Other than cross stitching related goals....  After I finish my daughters T-shirt quilt for her graduation gift, I would love to relearn to crochet and learn to quilt we will see.

New Starts

Lots of New Starts for Me

So I am doing this thing....  I have decided besides starting to blog this year I am going to take my cross stitching to a different level. 

What do I mean by that, I have joined a couple of stitch-a-longs (SAL) that will let me begin to become part of a community of people that enjoy the same hobby has me.  I am so excited about this new start!!!

I want to chat a bit about the excitement and challenge I encounter when I start a new project.  If you know me this will not surprise you in the least bit.  But I have to organize and gather everything I need for the project I want to begin.  I even "check out" the threads I will need from my storage system of my DMC threads.  (I am attaching a picture to understand.)

 

Once I have accomplished that I have to figure out where to begin....  Sometimes the struggle is very real.  Do I start in the upper corner or dead center on my pattern???  And more than a few times I have to get my sisters opinion on this.   Lets just say I can get a little nervous since I have had a few close calls on a project "fitting" onto the fabric.  Overall, I am normally excited about just starting a project. 

I have never been a stitcher that tries to figure out what I have planned for the upcoming year. This is something I am trying a little different also this year and I will be sharing those plans with you tomorrow. 

If you are interested in this People's Choice blogging SAL please feel free to check out the link here.  On the first Saturday of the month we have a theme that we post about... I look forward to this new adventure as well. 

My Why???

So I wanted to pop on here and tell you a little about "why" I wanted to blog.

First, I feel I need to give you a little history.  For the audience that remembers My Space on that platform I was journaling about my weight loss surgery process, both the before and after.  When My Space was on the way out , I started a blog and moved all those posted over the Blogger.  That led me to just started blogging about my life.  I was hit or miss and in the process I moved....  well I lost access to that blog due to changing email addresses and not being able to recover it.  Why am I telling you this... basically to say I have been interested in this blogging thing since about 2006.

Fast-forward to the Fall 2018, My friend Katie was talking to me at our annual cross stitch retreat that I should really start blogging again.  The funny thing is that for about the last year I had been thinking about starting a Podcast because I wanted to reach out to young teenagers and women to empower them to be their best selves.

My reason for this is really that I feel like I have been through different chapters of my life and I felt that I could maybe help...  I have been morbidly obese, loss best friends in my 20s to death and murder, a single mother, a blended family, and now unfortunately I have experienced the loss of  my mother/best friend.  I feel if I can help anyone then maybe this is my purpose.

I am always working on self-improvement and self-discovery.  I am continue learning different things (this as an example).  But mostly I just try to live a positive life and hope that this rubs off on others around me. 

SO you may ask what are you going to find on here.....  to be honest, it will vary.  I am going to be posting about my hobbies (cross stitching and reading), my life interest of helping others when that pops up, and random stuff because that is me to a "T"

My Story

My Story

Sometimes I wonder where to start and I also know that I will miss parts of my story.  What can I say, that's just me..

So here goes as best as I can.  I was born on May 23, 1971 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana.  I lived the first 17 years of my life in Selma, IN.  I feel I had a pretty normal childhood.  My father worked and my mother stayed home to take care of us girls.  I am the middle child with one older and one younger sister.  

My younger years were mainly just school and family activities.  I was a Brownie in the Girl Scouts, I played soccer for couple of years, and I cared a great deal about my grades.   I truly enjoyed school all the way...even into college.  

We moved in the summer of 1988 to Huntington, Indiana.  I lived there for the next 27 years of my life.

In 1995, I became employed full time at General Motors and  for 3 years I worked on the production line.  In 1998, I started an apprenticeship into Carpentry this placed me into skilled trades.  (I am now a millwright because of reclassification.)

In 2000, I gave birth to my beautiful daughter, Lizzie.   I love being a mother and enjoyed all the adventures that this brought into my life.   I loved doing this mom thing even though I was a single mom.  My amazing mother was my rock during all of this.  Because of her my daughter was blessed with always having her family with her. 

In 2007, I finally knew I had to do something to take care of my health.  So I researched and had gastric bypass surgery.  This changed my life forever!!!  I was 350# when I started this path and from the surgery and the "golden" year after I was able to get down to 175#. (I fell in love and gained some of that weight back.)

In 2008, I met the man who would become my husband and began another chapter in my life.  My husband, Jeff,  is a wonderful man and we have had so many adventures together also.  We were married in July 2011.  This was a blending of our 2 little families, he has 2 boys and my one daughter.  Jeff adopted my daughter in March 2012.  And his 2 boys, Logan and Dylan, came to live with us permanently in March 2017 .  So we now have a house full of teenagers.

We were blessed to be able to build a home in the Fall on 2015 in Jeff's hometown, Ossian, IN.  I love the small town we now live in!!!

I am know there are many holes in this story and  I hope to fill in as they pop up.  But for now this is me....

So welcome to my life. I look so forward to sharing this journey called life!!!