Happy New Year my friends!
Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays.
My first post of 2026 is going to be what
I have been stitching on in November & December.
A recap though before I get started.
In 2025 I started with 15 WIP's (works in progress)
I started 28 new patterns.
I finished 26 cross stitch items.
Leaving me with 17 WIP's now starting in 2026.
My goal is to try and get my WIP's
from 2025 finished this year...
but who knows if I will succeed...
there are so many wonderful patterns
out there that I want to start on.
Now let's get started with this first WIP.
Joyeux Noel.
This is what I first showed you.
This where I am at.
Almost to the finish line with this piece.
I would like to frame this once complete.
Next up.
I started Sarah Casey Unwin
back in February 2025.
Yes almost a year stitching on this piece.
This is where I left off the last time
After 2 months more of stitching,
I am almost to the finish line.
Once I have this puppy completed,
will send it off to get framed.
Then I need to pick out a new pattern
for my Saturday stitch.
Last but not least.
Feniscowles Hall.
I started this piece in July 2025.
This is my latest tribute stitch
for my paternal grandparents
and their parents.
Here is where I am at after 2 months.
This one is a faster stitch believe it or not.
Once I stitched the first color of the grass,
it is smooth sailing
on the second fill in color.
Am not happy though with this side of the grass.
The darker green I chose for this piece...
well even though I bought the floss all at
the same time...one of them was more variegated.
UGH
Not sure if you can really tell unless
I had not said anything.
It bothers me a bit...
but when I saw the change,
was not about to frog it all out.
Plus not even sure if I would
get the same variegations if I purchased
more anyway...so it stays like it is.
In other news,
when the kiddos came over for Christmas;
right after we ate,
Mikayla wanted to know
if I had hid the elves.
Yep. Sure did I told her.
Then her & Michael went to look for them.
She was first to find them.
With one semester of college in the books,
she made straight A's.
Am so proud of her.
She came home and went to work.
Before stating college, she worked at a chicken place.
The owner told her she could
work anytime she comes back home.
She has been working as many double shifts
as she can now.
She is a hard worker.
Am not sure if I told you that Michael
is back to work now too.
He hates his new manager and everyone
except for him have already quit.
He is also looking for another job.
Also learned a new word.
Couch Rot.
Its what we use to call a couch potato.
Guess each generation has their own words.
I took my mom back to my sister's
the night of January 4th.
While she was with us,
I was as patient as I could be with her.
When I asked her if she did her
exercises at my sister's and she told me no...
that was when I flat out asked her
if we were wasting our time.
She did not answer me.
However she did do them while she was here
with us...only because I supervised.
She still does not like using her right arm.
There were times I felt like her mom.
One time she wanted a Christmas cookie.
I noticed she started eating it with her left hand.
When I told her to us her right hand,
she shoved the rest of it in her mouth
with her left hand and just looked at me.
That was one of many instances of her
childlike attitude.
It is so sad seeing her like this.
She use to be a strong woman.
When I had finished unpacking my car
she started crying when I went back into
my sister's house.
My sister was not yet home and my niece was there.
Catlin looked at me concerned.
I asked my mom why she was crying.
She would not respond.
I told my mom everything would be alright.
Gave her a hug.
Told her I loved her.
I myself do not think
everything will be alright though.
My mom will never be the same.
She will never go back to living on her own.
Just so sad.
The countdown begins even more now
with only 30 days to my sabbatical.
Then after 6 weeks, I go back to work one week...
which I already know that I will do nothing...
because my portfolio will be transferred by then.
So just going in for that last week to comply
with the bank's requirement of coming
back after a sabbatical.
Looking forward to a new year of blogging,
so hope you come along with me on my continued
blog journey.
Happy New Years To All Blessings To All!
Janice
Oh I understand your sadness from a daughter and now patient perspective. My mom was never the same after her stroke. I missed that woman, but also loved the woman she was. It is so hard - don't be too hard on yourself. I still regret some of my "pushing" her to do her therapies. I have similar stories like your cookie one. Hugs
ReplyDeleteAm sure it is awful to watch a parent decline medically and mentally. Thankfully my mother was mentally alert until the end in her 80's. And of course sad to lose a loved one. Smart grandkids you have there and having great work reviews is even better. Not long now gal, before you enjoy the retirement life.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, I love reading your posts so I will be here-hugs. so sorry about your Mom-difficult times, she must not feel comfortable at your sister's home.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy seeing all of your stitches-thanks for sharing.
we have bitter cold weather here for several days-thankful no snow as of yet
I'm so sorry about your mom. I know it's very, very difficult. It's hard parenting your parents and there's a lot of stress, guilt and worry that goes with that, even when you are doing all the right things. So big hugs and kudos there for keeping her as much on track as you could during the holidays. I am amazed at your stitching productivity. It's all lovely too. Three cheers to Mikayla on her grades first semester!
ReplyDeleteYou have a ton of things going on and a lot of needlepoint. I am so sorry about your mother. I remember mine going through that. I still miss her. Congrats to Mikayla - she is doing great.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to see our parents aging.
ReplyDeleteHooray for Mikayla. I hope Michael can find a new job soon.
I enjoyed all your stitching!
I am so sorry for you and your mom.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on straight As Bravo. My daughter used to do that when she cam home from college she would wait table's at an upscale resturant here.
You started and finished a lot of projects!!
Cathy
Prayers for your Mom and You
ReplyDeleteThe greens have a vintage variegated look. I don’t see it as a flaw. All your stitching to me is perfect.
May
I am always amazed how much stitching you get done…especially still working full time. I would not have noticed the variation in the grass had you not mentioned it.
ReplyDeleteLet the retirement countdown begin. Retirement is THE BEST.
My heart breaks for you and your mom. It is not easy watching them decline. (Been there. Done that and it is so heartbreaking.). You are a wonderful daughter and she is lucky to have you.
Your stitching is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI must get that Pineberry, and the grass is AMAZING! I never saw a design like this, gorgeous! Oh the mistakes I would make trying to stitch the pattern. I had many trying times with my mom. Found for her, it was best to say the opposite (but correct) to get her to defy me and do what I wanted. I so wish I could do those years over with what I know now. Very difficult for her to not be the mom in charge. I asked for her help and advice often when I realized it helped her mood. Even though always done wrong!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of stitching and it is all beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to see our parents grow old!!
I love your cross stitch choices. Our tastes run the same. Sorry about your mom. Mine had Alzheimers. It's a sad disease. Take care and have a good rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteYour stitching is beautiful. Nice job! I'm sorry for the struggles your Mom is having and I know you are too watching her go through this. We really don't know how or what will happen as we age. It's tough being in role reversal...now you're the position of being the enforcer. Hugs to you from Ohio! Stay warm in Michigan!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, thank you so much for sharing the online site for DNC floss-huge savings - I paid too much on etsy they also have sashiko threads too and the brand I like-less shipping costs than the etsy sellers too
ReplyDeleteYou, my friend, are a stitching force extraordinaire. To finish 26 pieces in 12 months' time. Wowzers. Incredible progress on the WIPs in this post as well. I love that Pineberry Lane piece...and you already know I love that Fenniscowles Hall piece...have since it was first released and your floss issues are not visible to my eyes. So sorry things are not improving with your mom's situation. It is so sad...I know. I only wish she could understand how fortunate she is that she is still will family. Woohoo! Let the real countdown to retirement begin! I can't imagine how much stitching you're going to get done then!!! Yikes!
ReplyDelete