Kittens and Blog Blessings

I'm sorry to report that despite all efforts, the entire litter of rescued kittens died within hours of each other. I felt so sorry for them, and for my daughter who tried her best to help them make it.

I do realize that we don't have control over things like this but it does make us wonder 'why'. Why do people and animals have to suffer? Why do bad things happen to the good? I don't have good answers for questions such as those.

On a personal note, I would like to ask whomever would to pray. I have something I'm deeply troubled by and it has taken over my energies. I've not been able to do much else but focus on this issue. No one knows but my husband and God. Please say a prayer for the situation. I really appreciate it.

Onto something lighter...

Blogging has really expanded my world and my friend circle. Dixie Samplar is a special blog friend that has stayed connected with me all these years. Look at the lovely surprises she sent me.

A hand stitched Halloween ornament, patterns, her special hand dyed linen, and a whole variety of goodies.  THANK YOU, Dixie Samplar!!! You are so dear.


Looking forward to reading your blogs this week. Thanks once again for being here. :-)

Kittens crying

Thanks to everyone who has stayed with me here in blog-land. I'm working on going through comments and adding you all to my 'favorites' list so I don't miss posts from my blog-friends.

The topic today for me is kittens. I think most of you know I am a dog lover but I do like cats. I just have a bad allergy to them.

Last week our daughter brought home kittens she found behind a local business. One had already died. The other four were at risk for succumbing to heat and starvation. They are now being hand-fed by my daughter.

Do any of you know much about how feral cats tend their young? These babies were 7-10 days old, blind, helpless, and all over the place. No adults were seen and the babies were crying for a couple of days. Like I said, one was already dead.

I thought most mother animals were more attentive. I was wondering if any of you have insight as to why this happens.

Anyway, these babies are now getting their eyes open. They can't live here but I'm scared we won't find them homes. Cats are easy to come by in these areas.

Anyone still out there?

Thank you for all who have kept my blog in your feed. I know I have many on my facebook and you know all going on in my little world but for those that don't, I'm back to blogging and ready to catch up!  HUGS HUGS for your kind and continued following. If you will please comment Hello/Hi, I'll be sure to keep you in my feed since I will be shortening my reading list to favorites soon.

First for some stitching fun:  I've painted a plain wooden trinket box and added a Halloween stitch to the top. I also painted a little wooden owl and attached it to the inside mirror and lined the drawers with glitter fabric. Pretty happy with it. I'm never sure how to finish things but this was what I came up with.

I passed my skills portion of the Advanced EMT national testing this weekend. Over the summer I became employed at a rural EMS station. I don't like 24 hours shifts away from my family but I have a lot of 'hands on' learning to do in order to be efficient as a care provider.

Oh my poor dogs...they HATE that I leave them. It's really difficult to shuffle all my different jobs and responsibilities. I've taken no shifts as a nurse aide but they keep me on the call list. Dog sitting has been as busy as ever. I actually had to decline clients last month because I needed to slow down. I felt I was near my breaking point.

If you're still reading, thank you. I promise to return a visit to any and all that comment and will add you to my favorites list to read first off whenever I log on. HUGS

A Catch-up Post, Featuring Our Animals

I've been a bad blogger! So much has been going on and then I was without internet for quite a while. I've been doing lots of fire training. We can't take pictures inside the burn room since it nears 1,000 degrees farenheight. Here I am in the front, putting out a bin fire with my team.

I'm busily studying in my Advanced EMT class and having clinicals in the emergency room, operating room, and ambulance. I've been putting in IVs and learning how to intubate patients. Here I am working on a plastic arm. I know I'm acting like I'm enjoying myself way too much, but my classmates were teasing me about using the largest needle I could find.

No stitching to show with all the above activity but I do want to show you our fur babies before I close. If you are on my facebook, you see these faces often. If you aren't on my facebook and want to be, just let me know. :-)

April

Cookie

Melody

Molly

Trixie Belle

Mariposa with tissue on her nose (she eats it)

Flame, my gerbil

 My daughter has four rats and a ferret. Here is her CUTEST rat and her UGLY one. LOL

Andie, my daughter's ferret

Winner and Update

The winner of the cross-stitch necklace is Robin in Virginia! Thanks to all who entered. I hope you'll all bookmark and watch for Laura's lovely creations on her etsy site, NoTwoTheSame.

Well, I promised some life updates. I'll try make it short. Recently I looked into enrolling in paramedic school. I was really scared, to tell you the truth. It was going to be a huge time commitment. I believe everything happens (or doesn't happen) for a purpose and when the class didn't meet the minimum number of students, I felt at peace knowing God wanted me to try but had something different.

Turns out there is an Advanced EMT class being offered soon. Again, it will need to make the minimum number of students, but I believe it will happen due to all the buzz about it. Today I began the enrollment process to grow in my knowledge. Yes, I'm a little nervous but I'm also excited to see what's in store. Pray with me that God's will be done. It starts March 30.

This is Spring Break week. I have lots of dog sitting clients. Luckily, I have a system that keeps things going smoothly. When I actually have a moment to sit down, I review past EMT class materials.

Being a nurse aid at a local assisted living center has been really rewarding. I've actually used my EMT skills several times there. They actually want me to come in much more than I can. Whenever I don't have too many dog clients or classes, I take a shift. I have fallen in love with many new 'Grandmas'.

A pet update will come soon. Leave me a comment so I can be sure to visit your blogs. XOXOXO Blessings to all!

Stitching and Giveaway reminder

Just a quick post to show my current project: A Baby, A Manger by CherryWood Design. I had stitched this for a friend but wanted it for myself as well. Something about the one color appeals to me.

Don't forget my Cross-Stitch Necklace Giveaway. Here's a LINK but it's also the post below this one. Ends soon so don't forget to enter.

Hugs to all. I'll have life and animal updates soon. :-)

Cross Stitch Necklace GIVEAWAY

Hello, blog friends! I had such lovely responses about the recent exchanges and the stitch themed necklace, I thought I'd host a giveaway! My friend Laura was happy to create a 'one of a kind' cross stitch necklace just for one of YOU! It features a dictionary definition of 'cross-stitch', a pin cushion, needle, scissors, and a white pearl....ADORABLE!!

This giveaway has a few rules, so please read carefully...

1. You must follow this blog. (I do check.) Just copy and paste www.seasonsofmymind.blogspot.com into whatever blog reader you choose.

2. Visit Laura's etsy shop and come back to tell us what other items you like there. Click on the link and look through her shop. Come back in the comments to let us know what you love... NoTwoTheSame


FYI: If you'd love to order your own stitched theme necklace it would cost approx. $14 (depending on the number of charms added), plus shipping. You can also discuss custom orders with her for your own unique gifts and exchanges so be sure to BOOKMARK her page for future needs.

3. You must leave a comment saying you follow here and say what you admire from her etsy shop to let us know you visited.

Now for some bonuses: It's up to you if you do these but it will be worth it.

1. Share this link on your own blog and/or facebook for bonus entries for each share AND you'll get a bonus item if you win. Just tell me you've done so in the comment.

2. If you are a member of Primitive Stitcher's Society on Facebook, mention it in the comment for an additional bonus item.

That's it: Three rules, two bonus possibilities. This giveaway closes on March 15 and a winner will be announced via this blog (so follow and read to see if you've won). A new winner will be drawn if not claimed within 5 days.

Good luck and remember to follow, share, and visit her shop. You won't be disappointed. :-)

Valentine's Day Exchanges

Just wanted to pop in to share pics of the Valentine exchange gifts from April and Dixie Samplar (Terri).

First is a pic of what April sent. Don't you just LOVE the hand made heart?! She also send me a piece of fabric she stained, a sampler to stitch, and some fun extras.

Dixie Samplar (Terri) sent me this hand stitched Valentine pillow. So sweet! She included some fun extras too. She has started her own fabric dying business and send me a piece in the exchange called 'Vintage Buttermilk'. Next to it are some pieces I ordered called Gretchen's Grey that I wanted you all to see it as well.

Be sure to visit her blog and look at her tab on ordering fabrics. (Click on the link above.) Tell her Parsley/Deena sent ya...(I'm not getting anything from sending you there but a smile inside knowing she's a great lady who does great work that you'll enjoy).

Thank you stitching friends. I really enjoyed celebrating Valentine's with these fun exchanges. I loved everything!

Sweet Valentine and Pain Solutions?

Stitchy friends are just the best. Look at the Valentine surprise Karyn, Ma Teakettle, sent me. I felt a big hug across the miles. Thank you, K!

I also did a private exchange with a couple of stitchy friends. More on that soon...

While you are here, I would like to pick your brains. What do you find helps you or your family with joint/bone pain?  I am asking for my family members, but also for myself. I'm on my feet up to 8 hours at a time at work and also find myself doing more physically in firefighting and training. Thanks in advance for your comments. I'm off to read your blogs...

Valentine Stitch and Stitch Necklace

Hello friends! Just wanted to share a little crafting with you. I joined in an exchange with two dear friends for Valentine's Day. I stitched and framed both of them this freebie from Primitive Hare. Isn't it sweet?!

I also wanted to get them something unusual so I asked a gal I know to create a unique stitchy themed necklace for each of them. These have a dictionary definition of 'stitch' on them, a rose for Valentine's Day, needle and scissors. Cute, huh?

Your Theme Song

I doubt many have thought about such, but if you had a song play every time you walked into a room what would your 'theme song' be?

In movies, boxing, or wrestling some characters have a song play upon their arrival. What song would you have playing that represents your overall character? 

I have an easier time thinking of a song for friends and family than for myself. It's fun! When I asked others what my theme song should be they offered 'Who Let the Dogs Out' and 'Jesus Loves Me'.

I learned that people watch me and have ideas (right or wrong) about who I am based off of what they see in my life. I want to keep living a life that sings a positive song to people's ears...and eyes.

Ferret Face

Announcing another crew member to our little fur family. Meet Andie, my daughter's ferret. I think she's cute and she is really entertaining but, I prefer dogs. HA!

I've got a finish to show soon but I have to wait until the recipient gets it. Are any of you stitching for Valentine's Day? I'd love to know about it. I really LOVE Valentine's Day and feel it is an under-celebrated holiday in the stitching world. What are your favorite pieces?

I did NOT faint in Walmart

It's that glorious time of year when the FLU is spreading. I took the flu shot last year for my EMT but not this year. Apparently it wasn't effective for the strain going around anyway. Schools are closing in our little town.

Any person with even a wee-bit of germ phobia would be cautious. I am nowhere near 'Monk' in the OCD department but there are times where I become hyper-aware of germs to the point of 'seeing' them.

Here's a recent Facebook post of mine. You can laugh WITH me or AT me, but for those that relate, I tip my cup of 'vitamin voo-doo juice' to you. We may still catch it but we will almost faint trying NOT to....

I had to go to Walmart. Fearing the flu, I went early in hopes of missing large crowds. I timed inhalation and exhalation when walking past others. I held my breath when sharing an aisle with coughing people. I almost fainted. Just kidding....sorta.

Shake It Off

Loved this video so much, I just had to share. Hope it makes your Monday a little better and if something is bothering you, that you can SHAKE IT OFF.

Parsley Posts!

Procrastinating Parsley, here. I've had several months of blog hiatus. I actually had some draft posts but never published them. I had cards, emails, and inquiries about my absence and it made me feel welcome to come back when I was able. You all are great!

Oh, how in love with life I am! My dear family and I are all well and our six dogs bring lots of joy. I'm still dog sitting, care giving at an assisted living center, teaching, and volunteer as a firefighter/EMT. I'm also currently stitching on a few forgotten projects and some Valentines for exchanges with friends.

Here are a few pics to play catch-up. I will visit each and every one of you who drop by and say hello. Thanks again to everyone for all the love and understanding as my life has become a great big busy ball of blessing.

In December, we celebrated our 25th anniversary. We went to Little America in Flagstaff, AZ where they had all the pine trees lit up for Christmas. So beautiful and peaceful.

We've adopted a new pet. Meet our gerbil, Flame! Every firefighter should have one. ;-)

Lastly I wanted to share a stitch I completed long ago but recently had finished by Faye. I love how she turned it into a wall-hanging.

Well friends, here's to rekindling the blog fires. I'll have some stitching and stories to tell but I had to just break the cycle and start back with this humble post.