35 days. \o/

Which means that my cycle is really getting shorter (*knocks on wood*), which means that either my PCOs is really getting better () and/ or that daily rooibos fix really does what it's said to do (according to some sources. Official truth is that there's not enough research about that yet): balancing hormone levels. (Though I was unaware of that accusation when I found spiced rooibos)

Though there are still those frigging hormonal imbalances I hate. Once again I had to use my tweezers in the morning to pull few dark hairs from my upper lip. In fact it wouldn't be that much of a problem if I weren't this pale (I'm one of those who you really could call white) and if my body hair wasn't that dark.
And in the end I shouldn't even complain. I've excess hair growth on my upper lip only before and in the beginning of my periods. I could consider myself as a lucky b*****d.

Topiary

I've been stitching it yesterday and today I'll continue so I can promise some progress pictures later today.

Quotes

I tried to find one quote from Wikiquote, but instead of that I found these:

• "Leonardo's Mona Lisa is just a thousand thousand smears of paint. Michelangelo's David is just a million hits with a hammer. Were all of us a million bits put together the right way.

• "It's so hard to forget pain, but it's even harder to remember sweetness. We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace."

• "The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will."

Page 123

I stole this from chanda_m's blog:

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don't search around and look for the coolest book you can find. Do what's actually next to you.

This is what found:

giggle: v. laugh, titter, chuckle, snicker

Book in question happened to be The New International Webster's Pocket Thesaurus of the English Language, which was on top of my Webster's pocket thesauruses pile. (I keep them on my computer desk just for reference, as online dictionaries may not always work.) Therefore I wasn't able to take fifth sentence, I took fifth term.

What next?

Pet Bowls

And the funny thing?

"Your needlework or photo fits underneath the bottom of the dish so it is protected from the food."

How so stitchers are bit silly?

Stash!

Got my dragon from Angela! It's mine! All mine... my preciousssss.....

And in addition to that my Cross Stitcher came also, so good day stash wise. Though I miss my Silkweavers...

My innocent victims

Haa! I got poor Angela into blogging. Another victim.

And VE item is almost stitched. It has took more time than I assumed, but now there's only some backstitching left, and cross stitched line around the design, so it shouldn't take that long. Then I have time to stitch my Winter again (which reminds me: I should modify my topiary entries as I changed photo hosting service for SAL pictures as Albumtown sucks and doesn't seem to work like ever). At least I can have some progress with it before Friday which is starting day of Silhouettes SAL at EMS BB.
I'm organizing it so I think it's better for me to start it in Friday.

LNS

Maybe I should just believe that her customer service has gotten worse? I placed an order for few needles (well... yes) in Sunday and haven't heard anything from her since. And she still hasn't sent my Kreinik I ordered ages ago.
Apparently I just have to try my luck with some other online shop - which means ordering even needles from abroad as Finnish ONS's seem to be... disappointing experiences.

that I would be good even if I did nothing
that I would be good even if I got the thumbs down
that I would be good if I got and stayed sick
that I would be good even if I gained ten pounds

that I would be fine even if I went bankrupt
that I would be good if I lost my hair and my youth
that I would be great if I was no longer queen
that I would be grand if I was not all knowing

that I would be loved even when I numb myself
that I would be good even when I am overwhelmed
that I would be loved even when I was fuming
that I would be good even if I was clingy

that I would be good even if I lost sanity
that I would be good
whether with or without you

For us coffee addicts...

...Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee

EDIT 20:06:

And chanda_m found this: Tea FAQ

MM; new meme

Oh yes, more memes!

Monday Madness

1. Name 1 type of supplement that you take.
2. List 2 books that you would like to read in 2006.
3. List 3 hobbies that you have.
4. List 4 gifts that you have received.
5. Share 5 (instant & inexpensive) ways to spruce up a room.

1. If vitamins count, multivitamin every day - if I just can remember.

2. 1. Stephen King's Wolves of the Calla (Black Tower V)
   2. Any of the Harry Potters I haven't read yet
3. 1. Cross stitching
   2. Forum administration
   3. Reading

4. In near future or ever?Anyway, gifts which have made me happy for a long time:
   1. Cat ring from Dan. Great middle finger ring ("See, cute cats, aren't they?")
   2. Acoustic guitar from my mother (in my 15th birthday)
   3. Drawing board from bits_2_whole
   4. The Big Book of Kitty Cats from my floss mom Debbie

5. This one is not something I'm good in, but I'll try. This is great example of my household...
   1. Dim lights (candles make everything look beautiful).
   2. Open windows (those in walls, not in your computer ) for few minutes.
   3. Collect dirty clothes in to laundry basket, hide it.
   4. Hide dirty dishes in dish washer.
   5. Burn incenses (Sandalwood!).

I don't remember whose blog I found this meme from, but I've been receiving mails from Monday Madness some time, this is my first and maybe I'll harass people with these in future also.

New link; Hospitality Club

I've to admit that I have no actual experience about this yet, but because

1. I like the idea
2. I like to corrupt innocent souls

I've added link to my HC profile in to the sidebar of my blog.

From their front page:

"...Our aim is to bring people together - hosts and guests, travelers and locals. Thousands of Hospitality Club members around the world help each other when they are traveling - be it with a roof for the night or a guided tour through town. Joining is free,takes just a minute and everyone is welcome. Members can look at each other's profiles, send messages and post comments about their experience on the website.

The club is supported by volunteers who believe in one idea: by bringing travelers in touch with people in the place they visit, and by giving "locals" a chance to meet people from other cultures we can increase intercultural understanding and strengthen the peace on our planet...."

You're not obligated to accommodate anyone if you don't feel like it. There are also other options, like inviting lonesome traveller for a dinner or show around your home town.

So, in case someone is coming to visit land of Santa and needs little stitching & bitching session, I'm here.

Cats and becoming mail

My mom bought radiator bed for her cats couple of years ago, and they didn't like it for some reason so she gave it to me just to try it - as my Siamese loves warmth...
Well, she likes it. And so do the boys:

As the angle isn't best one, here's better picture of radiator bed in use (none of my cats though):

(here's instructions how to make it yourself (seems to work only with IE)).

And when it comes to mail... Angela mailed me and told she has sent Mystic Dragon II for me so it should get here in the next week. She had also received her magazine (extra copies....) and loved those GASTs I sent her (as a 'sample'. She had asked from me how they're and I thought she should try them herself).

And rest of the day I will... stitch. I want to finish stitching part of my VE item. I really want to see it finished as I've gotten bit fond of it.
Maybe I have to do one for myself later... And that's what I need: more 2-dos.

The Geek Code v3.12

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 3.12
GO>J d+ s:+ a- C+++(++++) UL?>++++ L>+++ E? W++>+++ N* w PS++ PE Y+ t+>++ 5++ X R* tv(--) b+++ DI++++ D+ G e*>+++ h+>- r x+(**)>+++
------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------

Looks odd? Create your own.

Stitching goals for January

I have finally got the idea of goals. \o/
Anyway, my list looks like this:

• Finish Valentine Exchange item!
• Send SEBE and SECE items!
• Stitch first part of the Silhouettes (Apparently Icy Blue).
• Finish Winter topiary.
• Stitch 5th part of Best Friends.

No hurry.... very realistic...

In fact I may be able to do that.

Where the time went?

It seems to me that I've pile of emails waiting to be answered and household chores to do, after just "few" days with Dan. I really don't get it.

Fortunately it seems that my hormonal cycle is just on right phase so I've been doing dishes like a mad woman whole morning. And I feel like cleaning up. It sounds even good opinion, not some do I have to do it task it's usually.
Something good in hormones after all.

SBQ

Today's

Stitching Bloggers Question

was suggested by Renée and it is:

"Do you do your stash shopping at your LNS, ONS, or both? Which do you like better? Why?"

As my closest NS which I'm aware of is in Helsinki (~30 kms from here) I prefer online ones.

1. With that 5,8 euros bus fares take from my budget I can as well pay postages
2. Online shopping saves time
3. Online shopping saves money (as most things are cheaper online)
4. I prefer to shop at home with my coffee/ tea cup on my hand in the middle of the night if I feel like it
5. I don't usually even like IRL shopping
6. I order most of my stash from abroad as stitching supplies are so expensive in here (some reference: skein of DMC is 1 € in online shops, and up to 1,8 € in needlework shops (from $1.21 to $2.18). I have floss mom in States and I get 6-8 skeins with one dollar (0.83 €). In fact I couldn't afford to stitch as much I do without her help. As floss is expensive and my income is low.)

And I assume that even if I had decent LNS close to me I might still prefer online shopping, as I get easily "panicked" in stores because of the amount of things...

And just as a little reference for my co-stitchers who live in countries of expensive floss (and other stitching supplies): check this.

So, Dan left few hours ago. It was nice to see ("see"... he was here over three weeks ) him, but it's also great to be alone at home. In fact I should do some cleaning as... who knows, maybe I'll have someone to drop by some day. (As I may have mentioned: my life has been odd last 1½ months, and New Year's Eve was interesting.) Have to see about that though, but anyway it wouldn't hurt to do some cleaning.

I also found little something which seems to help with my PCOs related pains: rooibos. I have rooibos which is spiced with vanilla and it's absolutely delicious (if beverage can be that)(and as I ate some chicken I couldn't drank coffee as I drink my coffee with milk. Rooibos just needs some sugar with it and yummy).

When it comes to my VE item I've stitched about 1/3 of it. I'm surprised how nice it looks like as I changed colours of the flosses of original design, and those ones I use are quite 'candyish', but they look good together and IMO are just right ones for Valentines Day.

Btw, have I mentioned that this year will be great? Don't know why, but I just feel like it.

Some goals for 2006

Stitching goals for year 2006
• I should finish Dan's chess board some day
• 'Welcome' sign for my mom (from Vermillion Stitchery's Fantasy Bears series. Gnome to be exact, as she loves gnomes.)
• Finish (and send) all current and to-be exchange items in time
• Stitch few thingies to my 'adoptee' in Germany
• Try some freebie from Châtelaine
• Then there's Passione Ricamo's 'Topiary Sampler' which lacks 2½ seasons
• 'Silhouettes' SAL @EMS BB
• 'Best Friends' SAL @Linabear BB
• Stitch Devil Bear's sister Angel Bear
• Find suitable flosses and fabric for 'Alter Echo' sampler, decide will I translate it from English to Finnish (if so, translate it) and stitch it

General goals
• Enroll to university of Helsinki, which means:
  • Save enough money to be able to buy admission exam books in time
  • Contact that vocational institute I graduated from and ask few copies of my diploma (Yes, I have lost it...)
  • Purchase books in time
  • Make a studying schedule
  • Stick in that schedule
  • Keep my life clean from relationship related problems
• Exercise - when possible
• Contact rabbi (finally... procrastination is bad habit of mine)
• "Don't be so harsh on yourself"

[400]

400th entry.

And as my camera was willing here are some pictures taken from my balcony few minutes ago:

      

Lovely snowy, crisp winter's day.

VE

I spent last night rinsing those overdyeds I'm using for my Valentine Exchange item, and I was really surprised how much excess dye there was in them (though nothing drastic. Vinegar is your friend. ). Fortunately they dried up quite fast and I've been able to begin stitching. I have only one problem... I have few more ideas for finishing so I may have to change my plans.

Anyway, as it's exchange item there will be no pictures of it before 14th of February (parcel opening day, as it's Valentine Exchange... )

Beginning of the stitching year

I decided to at least begin with my Valentine Exchange item today, which means taking few measurements and doing some planning. I also have to prioritize this because I have one PTB I'm going to use with this, but I also need it in other project, but as VE has deadline...

I've waited for this moment, and I think that one reason for not start before today was that nice tickling feeling of anticipation. And of course I'm also bit worried will my receiver like it - even there's no reason why she wouldn't like it.

Shopping sprees

Placed an order... on Silkweaver's, yes (where else?). Though I couldn't afford to get those linen stitch bands I've been drooling after so long. I had to borrow some money from my mother last month and as I had to pay it back, I just couldn't...
Materialistic b*****d, me?

"I need bigger stash! And nothing else matters."

Guests

Holidays are over and Dan will be leaving in few days. My emotions are bit mixed. In a way it's great, as I like to be alone. But on the other hand... I have to admit that I enjoy being close to someone. Even I don't have deep feelings towards one (Of course I love him in a way, as I can't stop loving anyone I have loved).

[398]

Still alive, but very tired. Stayed up until ~5:30 (And I had been awake 24 hours before I fell asleep) and woke up after 11.

Anyway, I had great time and if this year will become what New Years Eve was like... I'll have a great year in many ways.