Stitching news and life

Well,
My stitching has increased finally. I think the curse of the fifth house has been lifted. Our LNS had a class last weekend on a pretty geometric pattern in needlepoint. I was moving along well, when I realized that the two Watercolour threads I'd chosen (beautiful as each one is) do NOT go well together once stitched. Sooo, I ripped out the easiest one :) and started redoing in different colors. Much better. Hope to finish that one soon, too. My UFO's are really calling to me, as is half the stitching patterns out there. What's a girl to do? Simple - buy them all! (providing finances allow, of course....)
I'm in a group currently with an ongoing secret sister exchange. I was just sent the loveliest white evenweave fabric, booklet of patterns, and set of new colors of linen embroidery. Many thanks to my SS!
Happy stitching all.
I'm adding an addendum to this - the curse has not been lifted! I finished the fifth house - it looks adorable.....except for one thing. The Rose border is darker than the others and stands out.I'm thinking of redoing the border (for the umpteenth time, I might add) in the lighter rose color of the house. But I'll stitch the last house first, just to see. Anyone else have this problem with these charts?
On a sad note, just saw where Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman lost his youngest daughter in a tragic accident at home - heartfelt prayers go out to his family - may the peace of God be with them.

All grown up now & then some trivial pursuits of the weekend

My oldest DD finished grad school this weekend - shortest graduation ceremony I've ever attended -45 minutes. I must say, I've been somewhat amused at our last two commencement speakers. The first in an indirect, long-winded way told the grads that ALL the good jobs have gone overseas and good luck finding one. Current speaker told everyone WHY the jobs were overseas (it's a way US helps other countries - Methinks he may be looking through rose-colored glasses?! No self-serving greed at all? Interesting) However, his real point was to tell the grads to make a difference with their lives for others. Not so shabby advice, hmmm? I like this option. Much better overall, this time.
DH's truck had a flat tire graduation AM, but DS saved the day with his truck; In case you wonder the vast amount of truckage we brought an entire state across, we also moved said DD back home afterwards. Went rather smoothly, considering. Now she's all grown up, job-hunting, and preparing for a wedding!
Not too much on the stitching front. Started a needlepoint project by Nancy's Needle which is a seasons series- Two Cabins & Two Cottages are the first two. Still stitching the fifth house in Cottage Garden Series - I think I'm cursed with this one. I've removed a part of the border 4-5 times for the same darn error (in a different place). I will attempt to salvage my dignity and intelligence by blaming our Mon. night stitching group for being too interesting to listen to (& forget about small details in stitching - such as COUNTING), but oh well, let's be truthful. My BAD! Here's to paying attention to what you stitch. Oh btw, Chris, if you read this, - love the biscornu.
Mother's Day was nice - time with all my chickies and my mom. Mom's doing well, counting down the days to get the cast off her wrist. Youngest DD gave me pics of her and me at about the same age. Sweet gesture and note on back. Her pic is hauntingly beautiful and mine (sigh) - well, shall we say - ugly blouse and 70's hair. Taking that into account, not so bad. I'd love to weigh what I did then, for sure. But I love the idea and sentiment here.....oldest DD gave me a sweet booklet and DS brought flowers, too. DH gave me important things -you know, sunglasses & gloves for the Harley! Most fun time, but best of all was the family time spent together.
Well, back to everyday life and hopefully, more stitching this week than last.