March 18, 2010

Day Out

I took today off to get a doctor's appointment out of the way and buy a tire for my car. The tire took two hours to install, so I got some stitching done.
I'd like to say how honored I am to be selected for an award by blogging buddies. This is from Crafty Green Poet.


Margaret at Days of a Sampler Lover and Theresa at Giraffe Xing awarded me with this.


Let's see--I'm supposed to tell something interesting/secret about myself. I don't think I'm that interesting, but I'll tell you a few things you might not know:

1. I drove a tractor trailer coast to coast for two years when I was much younger--this was taken in 1980. My ex-husband and I owned this franchise. We had neither power steering nor a jake brake, so you had to put some muscle behind a slow turn, and you'd better be in the right gear going down a mountain!


2. In spite of that, I cannot parallel park a car. People who ride with me are crying "Look! there's a spot right in front of the place!" If it's a single parallel spot, I will drive on by while everyone has a fit. Fortunately, in Massachusetts, where I initially got my license, parallel parking was not required.
3. I finally finished my first college degree when I was 48.
4. I play the violin. I had stopped for a long time, and I took it up again a few years ago, although I've shelved it again until I finish this latest degree.
5. The best job I ever had was 15 years ago, when I was a night word processor for a law firm. I worked the 5 p.m. to midnight shift, and I was generally the only one in the building. I usually finished my work by nine or so, but because I had to stay until midnight, I did whatever I wanted until it was time to leave. Unfortunately, I had not developed the stitching obsession yet. When I walked the few blocks to get my car I used to note the number of rats in the big decorative planters in front of the office buildings--along which people would sit during the day to eat their lunches. If only they knew how many rats had been cavorting in their picnic spot!
Five's enough--they're getting boring.

I am supposed to name some other blogs, to receive the award, but I can't choose! I enjoy so many of your blogs, and I think you all deserve an award!

On to the needlework!
Here's a little work I've done on Catharine McNeal--photographed on the rug in the room where it'll hang. I like how well the colors go together:

And a closeup of the over-one stitching. The tree is over-two, but the fruit basket is over one. Because the fabric threads as plump and so are the NPI fibers, I elected to do tent stitch instead of the full cross. The bottom three rows on the basket are full cross, but I didn't like the way they were squished, so I decided to do tent instead.

The bunnies are busy today planning their Easter events.
Scratchy: "They're very busy under the bed!"

See you Sunday!

22 comments:

Nicole said...

Beautiful progress on Catherine! It's so pretty!! I loved learning more about you too! I can't believe you drove a truck!!!

Nicole said...

P.S. I'm the world's worst parallel parker - I about had a panic attack when I had to do it in NYC this summer. But amazingly I did it - I was very proud of myself!!

Margaret said...

Wow, I loved reading about you! A trucker, huh? That's pretty cool! That was totally gross about the rats though -- ugh! I love your Catharine -- it's going to look great in that room!

Alma Allen said...

Love the picture of you and your tractor trailer....that's amazing you drove that. I might be able to drive it forward...but backing up? I don't think so....Love your sampler Catharine McNeal too. What a border design!!! Going to be fabulous.

Alma Allen said...

I had to post again....this visit to your blog is going to cost me money...not that I'm complaining too much. I just e-mailed Ellen to see if she has that sampler in stock. You purchased it from In Stitches right? It's just too unusual....those large thistles are calling my name.

Melissa said...

I don't think you are getting boring at all. I was ready to read some more! A trucker! I never would've guessed...who now plays the violin, and stitches but who doesn't parallel park! ;-)

Catherine is coming along nicely!

Love that peekaboo picture of scratchy!

Crafty Green Poet said...

wow, those are some interestign facts, I'm impressed by that truck you drove....

I hope the bunnies are having fruitful Easter discussions under the bed...

Alice said...

I am totally with you on the parallel parking. I always park in outer Mongolia! I always tell my passengers that if they want a closer spot, then they can drive. Besides it adds steps to my day. Your 5 things weren't boring at all!

Siobhán said...

I loved reading about you, Glenna! A truck?! Really?? I'd freak just having to get myself up into the cab. LOL I stink at parallel parking, too. One of the reasons I can get so much stitching done when I go to pick up the rugrats is because I have to leave extra early so that I can pull in to the spot with room on either side. If I have to reverse into a spot with cars waiting behind me, I tend to drive around and around and around.

Catherine looks AMAZING. I love love love the fabric that you're using!

Jules said...

Great progress pics! And the kitty keeping an eye on things is adorable. lol

I got my license in NH. During the driving exam, well on the way to it, I almost hit a car (dad rented a vehicle because I couldn't drive stick yet). Then at the beginning of the exam, the DMV was across the street from a school, so you exit out onto a road in a school zone. Oops! Later in the exam, I almost backed into a pole. Hmmmm! LOL The proctor said he was passing me ONLY because I was so calm through the whole process. So I can really and truly appreciate your apprehension to parallel parking!

d. moll, l.ac. said...

Ha, ha, loved the things. I tried to be truck driver, got my license and everything, but didn't get hired. I can parallel park quite dashingly.....Got some bonding vids for you up at Qi Papers....as always, happy stitching!!!

Catherine said...

Lovely progress!

I can't believe you stopped your facts! They were great!

Deb said...

Catherine is looking wonderful. Because of you I'm hoping to have her in my hot little hands as soon as I'm done stalking the postman! I loved reading everything bout you! I can't believe that you drove a tractor trailer! YGG!

Kellie said...

Catherine looks great! That over one stitching is especially nice. I can't believe you were a trucker! That's awesome!! I can't parallel park either, but DH is exceptionally good at it so I just make sure he is driving if we are going somewhere that we are going to have to parallel park. LOL! Can't wait to see what the bunnies are up to.

Loraine said...

Love reading about your other life. So interesting! You are never too old to learn. I love that you are still earning degrees! Love the new start too. Have a great day!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

What great facts! I love the pic of you in front of the rig! Catherine McNeal is gorgeous!!!

mainely stitching said...

I am gobsmacked. You were a TRUCK driver? You're older than I am? Huh? The violin playing for some reason doesn't surprise me.

Your stitching is gorgeous! The tent stitch worked out great for the over-one bit. Love those NPI silks. YUMMY!

mainely stitching said...

PS: Parallel parking is one of the very few driving bits that I can do well.

RG said...

Ay God - I think that was one of our house-fuls in that truck .. I think we moved across about then with Mayflower. You didn't ever find a forgotten box with my old baseball cards in it did ya?

Those bunns under the bed are not just planning!

Did you Snoop in those late nights at the lawyers???

Brigitte said...

Parallel parking - nothing for me either. And I even learned it in my driving lessons but that was ages ago.
Catharine makes good progress, I love the colours that are used in this beautiful piece.

Michelle said...

No parallel parking for me either - unless there are three spaces together, so I can just pull right in. Love Catherine - she is so gorgeous! It's a whole different world working at night isn't it?

samplerlover said...

Hi Glenna,
You sound like me with the parallel parking lol. Hate it.
Catherine is looking wonderful. Such an unusual sampler with the colour scheme. The tent stitch works well. That is what I would do if I did Grazing Sheep again. - Sandra.