Meet Chloe and Sophie

I am hoping housebreaking two puppies is not going to be that much more work than one because today I bought two little Shichons. They are a hybrid dog, half Bichon Frise and half Shitzu. The girls are 8 weeks old today. We are picking them up in 10 days, I can't wait. We have to make a quick trip to Virginia next weekend and it wouldn't be fair to leave our DD, Meggie, in charge of two new puppies for four days hence the wait. Chloe is on the left and Sophie is on the right.

We had talked about getting another dog a couple years ago but when we consulted with our vet he didn't think it would be good for Shelby at her advanced age. He said it would just make her miserable and not for anything would we have wanted Shelby to be unhappy. When we started talking last week about a puppy I told my DH Iwanted two from the same litter. I think if we are going to get two we might as well get them at the same time.

I am off to work on my BBD Where My Heart Blooms, I will post another picture later this weekend. Thank you all for you comments and taking time to read my blog. Hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend!

Round Robin Rant and New Start

I am in a Neighborhood Round Robin with a great group of ladies, well all except one. Lauren Winter has had my and Michelle's round robins for months. She stopped communicating with the group well before Christmas. Despite numerous emails from more than one of us she continues to ignore every attempt we've made to fix this situation. Three weeks ago as a last resort I sent her a stamped envelope. There was enough postage to mail both pieces on to the next person in the rotation and still nothing. I've also posted to her blog asking her to make things right. I feel sure she's looking because I've seen her coming and going on Feedjit for the neighborhood blog. This morning I emailed her and told her if she didn't send me proof that she had mailed the pieces in the form of a USPS tracking confirmation that I would post something on my blog. I am very upset. I understand that sometimes we can't fulfill our commitments but never in a million years would I keep someone else's piece. I just don't understand it. No matter what is or isn't happening in her life, how hard is it to drop a package off at the post office. So this week I will start a new piece, thankfully Michelle and Judith have both said they will stitch my piece again, thank you ladies. Poor Michelle has yet to even have had someone stitch on her's. She is going to have to start over as well.

On a happier note, I've been working on BBD's newest Loose Feather piece, Where My Heart Blooms. It's so much fun and the colors are gorgeous. I think Alma and Barb are fast becoming my favorite designers. I went to Fancimats on Monday for the Market Day and got I Thee Wed, Mildred's Garden House and Thank You Sarah Tobias. They are all wonderful. I also met up with Chelle's sister Joy. We shopped a bit and then went to lunch at Panera's. It was a very nice day :-).

We are still missing Shelby terribly. Today was beautiful, sunny and 55, just the kind of day she'd have loved. Whenever it was nice out she'd go in and out all day and lay in the sun. She liked nothing better than to nap on the deck :-).

I hope everyone is having a great week! Thank you all for taking the time to read and comment on my blog, I so appreciate it.

***In answer to Carol R's comment: Like you I would truly love to give Lauren the benefit of the doubt and that's how I approached this situation. This has been going on for several months. Based on all the information I have available to me she's ignoring the group. According to her blog she's 24 so I don't think she's died. I've googled her extensively to try and locate a phone number. I feel sure I would have come across that kind of information. I considered a computer crash but I find it almost impossible to believe in this day and age, particularly when someone works, they'd not have any access whatsoever to a computer. What's more, before she stopped communicating she'd assured the organizer of our group several times that she'd sent out the round robins. I also sent her a stamped envelope in the mail, she doesn't live alone if she were very ill someone would have still opened the package and known from my note there was an issue. I also know that she bailed on at least one exchange. Unfortunately, I know more than one person who has had their round robin piece "kept" by someone. I wouldn't have posted about this situation if I didn't feel I had made every possible effort to resolve it privately. I hope that eventually the pieces are returned but at this point I am not counting on it. {{{{{hugs}}}}}

Thank You and Stitching Rambles

Thank you all so very much for all your comments about our sweet Shelby. They often brought me to tears but at the same time were a great comfort. We are still very raw and sad and missing her very much. I know it will get easier as time passes but right now it just hurts.

I neglected to post a picture of a gorgeous pinkeep I got from KarenV. I just love it, I am a huge La D Da fan and it's perfectly finished. Thank you again Karen.


I finished a couple things besides round robins this month. This is the new Shepherd's Bush 2008 scissor fob. I wasn't crazy about the ribbon that came with it so it's finished a bit differently.

I also finished a Christmas ornament, it is the Midsummer Night Designs piece from the 2007 JCS Ornament issue. It was one of my favorites this year.

I thought I'd also post a couple of stitching decorating pictures. Here is a basket with several exchange pieces I've received.

This is a picture of my "tree". I know someone who does woodwork and he made this for me. I love it. My goal is to fill it up with smalls and ornaments this year.

Have you all seen the new Drawn Thread Toccata Four piece? I am in love. I can't wait to get my hands on it, I plan to start it as soon as I get it. I am also anxiously waiting to see all the Market releases. I know there will be at least a few must haves :-). I am trying to decide if I need to change my work schedule next week so I can go to Fancimats Market day. I hope you all have a nice week with lots of stitching time.