Life

 Hello All! This has quite possibly been one of the busiest Spring Breaks I have ever had! It has been difficult to get caught up on what I need to do, let alone what I want to do. And, of course, the first day of spring break was spent in mandatory training at work. At least until we became too busy with calls. Tomorrow school starts up again. I am not all that thrilled- this break flew by far too fast. 

  The weather has been nuts- one day it was in the 70s, the following day there were tornadoes in the general area of Missouri that I live and work, then the day after that,  there was snow. Our weather can never make up its mind around here!

 Things are progressing slow with my house. A coworker has agreed to frame it, once the foundation is finished. He recommended a guy to finish the foundation (with Dad's work schedule changing, I see no way it will be done by us), but that guy is booked through the end of May- beginning of June. He said he might be able to fit in somewhere in April, but can make no guarantees. Which is a bit of disappointment to me. Not sure if anyone else in the area will be able to do it any earlier or not- it is the season for such things now. 

  Yesterday, Mom, Kirst, and I visited Grandpa and Grandma B, as well as as my Uncle Bob and Aunt Charlotte. It was amazing getting to see them after so long apart. I also managed to sneak some stitching in, but forgot to take a picture. I did, however, remember to take a picture of a pillow my Aunt Charlotte embroidered many years ago. 

  I thought it was quite clever how she embroidered around the white squares to really make it pop!

  The kitties have been entertaining of late. Here is Ladybug helping Mom make her bed:

Someone had to help with laundry here:

Its hard work keeping each other in line!

 Someone had to hold Dad's foot still...

Storm watching:

 Helping me assemble a cabinet for Mom:

Supervising the cabinet assembly:

Signs of Spring!!!!!

Then snow...

  We are now back to things looking more like more spring, but it still cooler than it had been. Hopefully, it will warm back up soon! I hope all of you are doing well. Have a wonderful Sunday!

 Happy Stitching,

 Emmy

Kitties and Stitching

      A very good combo indeed! Mr. Smokey required lots of cuddles- and his fuzzy blanket- on my days off.                        

                                                 

  Ladybug found it quite necessary to guide my package that came. She was using it as a temporary throne. This Queen may not wear a crown, but she does require a throne!

                                                 

  The Queen did remember us peasants when it came time to unload groceries and bring them in the house the other day. 

 I do not remember if I posted my Singing in the Rain finish here or not. I can't find a decent photo on my phone, or I would post one now. I must have accidentally deleted the more recent photos of it. 

  I did start this: 

  I finished Singing in the Rain before Christmas, and started this one (Baby, It's Cold Outside by Heartstring Samplery) around the same time. It is hard to see, but the linen is sparkly! I'm using 32 ct Raw Silver Belfast linen. For threads I am using DMC 869, 816, 730, 728, and either 712 or 3033. I am also using Petite Treasure Braid 300 for the snow. Can't have too many sparkles!!!

  I also got Mom various dinosaur/nessie sppons and things. Here is noodle Nessie enjoying her first sauna!

  Last, but not least, Robin, thank you for the lovely card!!! It made my day! That was incredibly sweet of you! I would post a picture here, but alas, it is at home, and I am not. 

  Well, I do not have much else to say. I am at work, and several of the shift's circumstances are suboptimal. That said, I am determined to have a good a day as possible!

  

I hope all of you are staying warm and safe! 

 Happy Stitching!

 Emmy

Well, that escalated fast!

 So, when I last posted about the two kitties at work, the story didn't end there. The big one, the one I called "Mama"- its not exactly a girl... While playing with them outside, another coworker came out. He turned to look at her, and I found myself saying "That is definitely a boy." So Mr. Jellybean found a tiny kitten, and started raising her. Hours passed and multiple people watched. No other cat came around. Jellybean stayed close to Ladybug and acted like a Mama. He cried if he thought someone got too close to her, made sure she ate, even if he didn't, and chased after anyone that started to carry her away, crying with every step. 

It is hard being this adorable. She crawled under her big brother's belly, rolled on her back, got stuck on her back like a turtle, then cried while Jellybean just deadpanned looked at me like, "This is what I have to deal with."

 Jellybean and Ladybug went home before my shift was even half over. They now live in my parents' barn. Jellybean has free range, after a couple of days in the crate so that the dogs could learn that they are family, not entertainment or something to herd (looking at you, Banjo). Ladybug is so tiny and does not understand the concept of fear, so she is (hopefully) confined to two rooms of the barn until she gets a little bigger. I say hopefully, because she is quite the adventurer!

 Ladybug demanded her freedom and reminded me that she had rights. Jellybean just chilled and came over for the chin scratches. 

I'll hold the leash- he won't get away from me!

Smokey was less than thrilled. I brought the baby in once since Mom had not yet gotten to hold her- I am told that Dad hogged her. Smokey had a panic attack- seriously, he had to go into another room and breath in a paper bag until I told him that was actually harmful, and not helpful, while hyperventilating. He hissed whenever he could smell them on us. I had to wear different clothes and take a wet wipe bath after holding them. Smokey would still suspiciously sniff me and either hiss or pull his ears back in betrayal. He seems to have finally adjusted to the smell of them now. 

Okay, I am ready for my breakfast now! (He snuck up there when my back was turned. That is my breakfast-eating spot. I think he thought he would get my food if he start there.)

Seriously, hurry up, it is too early to be up. I got up because I love you, I love cheese, and I love catnip treats. 

Okay, I'm ready to go shopping!

What do you mean I have to wear a mask in Hobby Lobby?!?

Aunt Kirstie spoils him:

On days when he wants it, he demands that either myself, or any other person present, puts his jingly patriotic jester's collar on. He bounces even more when he walks with it on, just to make his presence even more known. ;)

And this is me, waiting for it to be 8 o'clock in the morning, not 8 in the evening, so I can go home. 

 I hope you have a wonderful evening! 

 ~ Emmy