Its a GIRL!!

Just got off the phone with my brother and SIL...

Lindsey Rose 8lbs 8oz, 21" born at 11:20pm on November 7, full head of hair.

And the mother enjoyed 8 minutes of pushing labor.

Excited Godmother here!!! It was so cute, I could hear the 15 minute old baby crying.

What a lovely morning site...

Gosh darn it all, Im not ready for snow this four letter word yet!! Im want my 80s back, and I dont mean music.. LOL

Yep, this is what it looks like here this morning, up in the northwoods of Wisconsin.... 32.7 degrees, and blowing like crazy. Oy!

S*N*O*W

Look what I woke up to this morning.........

Stopped in Crandon

Today while on the way to Rhinelander, I have to go thru Crandon (well I just catch Hwy 8 from Hwy 55). I thought I would seek out the residence of the Crandon shooting that took place on Oct 7th. Nosey, no, just wanted to pay my respects. If you haven't heard about what happen.. you can watch the video explaining what happened.

I sorta had an idea where it was, but wasn't sure.. so I just went south on 8. I recognized one of the buildings from the many pictures I had seen almost 4 weeks ago now. I happen to look down the street, and sure enough. There it stood.

I proceeded down two blocks, and made a right turn. I needed that extra block to prepare myself. I started down the street the house was on. I got closer, and just sorta drove by. I was overwhelmed, so to say. I then drove down to the end of the street, and turned back onto 8. I thought, I need to turn around and go back. I need to say a prayer, and give a moment of silence.


I had a moment just to take everything in. I noticed that the house was across the block from the post office, which was busy while I was there, for a few minutes. What a sad place.. a very visible place. Seen by all that goes to their daily post office run for their mail. What a sad reminder.

I thought I would take a few pictures of the home. It was a simple two story home, curtains all pulled of course. On the porch was flowers and memorials. I just took a few pictures, and drove on my way. In the future, the house will be torn down, and a memorial will be placed.


I began to cry. I don't know, but this tragedy struck me hard. I guess its the fact that it was so close to home, and the way it happened.


Just imagine, behind that door, 6 people lost their lives.

What a day.....

Well it started out the other day, when I opened up my drivers license renew form, to find out that my SS # and name do not match. Well I already knew that. So today, I traveled over to Rhinelander to the Social Security office with our marriage license, and the form I needed to have filled out.

Got there, there were 3 other ppl waiting, so I thought no big deal. Got my number, and sat and waited. About 10 minutes later, my number was called. Stated why I was there, and gave her the paperwork I needed to have. Got a sheet stating I have a new card coming to me, with my new name on it. Yep, I'm finally a Ritchie! Only took me 5 yrs to do it.. LOL Call me lazy!

So, I went over to the DMV. Walked in and I thought oh crap, oh wow, lots of people. Got my number, 76. Looked up, number 61 was being waited on. Looked for a place to sit. Ok, I have to ask.. why do people sit with a chair inbetween?! I thought, good, I bet the only seat I can find at the moment was the toilet.. LOL So, I went to the bathroom, come out to find a decent seat open. I just sat there, watching people doing their business. Looked around, listen to the number thingy going off, to find my number getting closer. There hung a sign on the wall, no cell phones. So the thought of calling my sister to chat was out of the idea.

"76" Hey that's me! Walked up to the counter... you see my friend from high school, Mom works at this DMV. And I haven't seen her since, I think our wedding. The guy that was going to wait on me, goes, "Kim" and I thought holy crap! But I didn't hear my friends mom saying my name, and she said that once she was done with her customer, she could wait on me. Great, I went back to my seat, which was luckily still open.

Got to the counter. We chit chatted alittle bit, and she took my information and the reason I was there. Explained to her, that I got a notice in the mail with my renewal that I needed to get my name changed on my SS card. We chit chatted some more, I took the eye test.

Guess what! I couldn't renew my license.. LOL It was too soon for the DMV's computer to catch up with the SS's computer. So I have to wait a day, come to find out. So I have to go back to back to the DMV (a 55 mile one way) on the 14th. Just gotta have it all done by my birthday, the 19th.

So from there, I thought I would go over to Culvers and get a scope of the flavor of the day, and heck, and just pamper myself! I was all alone, no one to tell me... are you done yet!? So, off to the shops I went! Went to WalMart, Fashion Bug, Payless, Kohl's, and I even got my hair cut! I like it.. its shoulder length. Was getting real sick of it always coming into my face when I bend forward. Hope to get it highlighted soon.

I did a good job shopping today! Lots of dress tops for work, and I even got Brian his Wisconsin Badger hat that he has been wanting.

Doesn't he look excited!? LOL

SBQ - Oct 31st

Today's SBQ was suggested by Ternezia and is:


If you were a cross stitch designer, what would your design style be?

Northwoods! Imagine that! I love northwood designs, and alot of times I find it hard looking for northwoods designs to stitch. I did design a cute little northwoods design in 2006 for a quilt I organized.

Happy Halloween 2007!

Happy Halloween! I have to spend it working at the nursing home, and I gotta be there an 1 1/2 hrs earlier. To help the residents pass out candy to the kiddos.

Of course, last week, Natalie requested Uncle Brian to draw her a picture of a pumpkin that she could hang at home.

Here was his results.. TOO cute!

Do you sell cross stitch kits?

Do you sell cross stitch kits? Was one of the many questions I received today while working my fun job at the quilt shop. Along with ... do you sell rubber snakes?! LOL

While I was working at the cutting table, putting together some kits. There was a lady that came into the quilting area of the store, and asked, "do you sell cross stitch kits?"

"No, sorry, but we do carry DMC floss, needles, and "some" aida, if you're interested in that."

"No, that's ok. I'm looking for some kits"

I waited till the customer walked away, and my coworker was close by.

I said to my coworker - "Do you think I should have said, well come to my house, I'm sure you are to find something to stitch." LOL

And there sitting on my little desk, a cross stitch book from a friend, for me to have.

Addicted, eh!?

You Make Me Smile Award goes too..

Kalu gave me the "You Make Me Smile Award" And now I must follow the rules. I have to send it to 10 people that make me smile!!!


Carolyn - Taking one stitch at a time
Cathey - Pumpkin Patch & Co
The Chicken Lady - The Chicken Coop
Elaine - Sharing My World
Irene - Cross Stitch Happy
Michele - Just Another Stitching Blog...
Rachel - SCRAP HAPPENS
Shari - Shari's Sharings
Teresa - Teresa's Stitching
Vickie - Reading and Stitching

And since Kalu said Missy, I want to include her with my award.


Thanks ladies, you truly make me smile!! You all are an inspiration to me! Love to you all!!

SBQ - Oct 24th

This week's SBQ is:

Do you railroad?

Nope, dont know how, and aint going to learn.. LOL

Vickie's SFE Received

Ive received word that Vickie received her SFE today.

Her theme was Winter/Christmas. I decided to go with Winter. Here was my result.

I used the Winter Welcome chart from Hinzeit, and made it into a little door hanger. :)

I love these exchanges. I love coming up with an idea and then running with it... and it shows. LOL

Think Pink - L*K FINISH

I stitched this cutie in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Think Pink, a limited edition design from Lizzie*Kate. I stitched this with DMC floss, and stitched it on 28ct Cheryl's Wild Rose from Sassy's Hand Painted Fabrics

You can find alot of other Breast Cancer themed finishes on Stitch Pink.

SBQ - Oct 17th

This week's SBQ was suggested by Jennifer and is:

What proportion of your stitching is for your own personal use versus gifts?

Well, I have done alot stitching for others, and I do have about 4 finishes hanging on the wall in the living room. I do have alot small finishes that are just laying in the finish drawer. I do stitch for others. I have stitched gifts for my Mom, Dad, sister, and brother. And I love to model stitch!

QSnap Huggers - Featured on Independent Needlework News

If you have found this blog as a cross stitcher, you may have visited Independent Needlework News recently.

Its a new blog devoted to cross stitching news, such as retreats, new goodies and just worthy stitching news. Well a couple months ago, Heather emailed me with a few questions about the QSnap Huggers, and she also placed an order for them. I think I sent her about 11 or 12 QH, an assortment for her, and also for prizes in the future for INN.

Well she informed me this morning about her post to INN, regarding QSnap Huggers! I love her write up about the Huggers. Thanks Heather!!

HOW COOL IS THIS! Please check out the post and comment away.. he he

For those that are proud owners of QSnap Huggers, THANK YOU. I really appreciate your support!

BIG Double GRRRRRRR

Yesterday, I noticed I was getting these weird messages from eBay.. stating that there was a question on a product. Well like most spam/junk mail, I just ignore and go "delete".

Well then I started to get replies back from eBay, and I thought.. what the heck!

Then I got an email from eBay -
Dear (insert my user name here)

It appears your account was accessed by an unauthorized third party and used to send unsolicited emails to other community members, including email offers to sell items outside of eBay. It does not appear that your account was used to list or bid on any items. Additionally, the email address on your account may have been tampered with, which is why you may not have received any emails about this activity. At this time we have taken several steps to secure your eBay account. Rest assured that your credit card and banking information is safe on the eBay site. This information is kept encrypted on a secure server and cannot be viewed by anyone.

Come to find out, my eBay account was hijacked and used to send out mass emails to people. So now, my eBay user password had to be changed. Crap!

To the hijackers.... Thank you my friends on eBay that decided to use my account for your enjoyment. Not funny!

I wanna be a Rockstar

I was watching CMT and this video came on.... gosh, how many celeberties can you spot. I saw Dale Jr, Gene Simmons, the guy from ZZ Top, Rich from Big & Rich, Kid Rock, Wayne Gretzky, Paul Sr, Paul Jr, and Mickey from American Chopper, and the list goes on.

Rockstar - Nickelback (edited version)

I wanna be a rockstar .....

Something Wrong With this Picture!?!

Ok.. can you figure what is wrong with this picture!?

Ok, story goes. Natalie asked if I could give her a bath Sunday.... got her all set, her in the tub. Left the bathroom to get Nat's pj's, began to talk to my sister. Heard - "Mom, the baby is in the bathtub." Turned around.. this is what I saw.. LOL

Yes - Kaylee is in the bathtub with her clothes on.. LMAO.

Look what I found in the yard!!!

Last night when I pulled in the driveway - something caught my eye. I thought, what the heck is that.

Over in the lawn between the two willow trees, there lay this big white looking ball. Brian then joined me outside.

I have never seen a mushroom this big before! But I have heard that they do get bigger than the one I found tonight. Just recently, my BIL found 3 of them down by the pond. It was one of those Puffball Mushrooms. We took it over to my in laws to show them, and while there, we washed it off. We brought it back to our house, and of course had to get out the camera.

So I took a picture of Brian with the giant puffball. And what the finished product looked like! How I prepared the mushroom was, we had to cut the mushroom open to find if it was edible. It was pure white, and smelled exactly like a mushroom! Peeled away the outer layer, and sliced it. Put it in a frying pan with some butter, and fried away. We did give half of the mushroom to my BIL who loves the mushroom!

So this was our dinner from tonight - chopped steaks, with fried onions, and puffball sauteed mushrooms, and broccoli and green beans mix.

Grrrr - I started to post this message last night, but then our internet went out.

Natalie's Trip to Build A Bear - Oct 15th

For Natalie's birthday - her birthday was on Monday (Oct 15th), I surprised her with a trip to Build A Bear in Appleton. She had no clue and never had been to such a store. It went very well! We had a blast. The only thing - is when we got inside the store, Natalie goes. "Mom - Kaylee can fit in this."... LOL. Umm no Nat, Kaylee is not quite the size of the bear.. LOL

Here are some photos of from Build A Bear. She picked out a Pink bear, of course. It has a white belly with a pink heart in the middle. And on the bottom of its foot there is another embordered heart.

I have to share a funny story. On Saturday night we were talking about doing something special for Nat's birthday. The plan was to go to school with her (which I did), and then go back and pick up Kaylee, Brian,(which is funny cause Brian had to pay the babysitter to watch Kaylee and himself..LOL)and my Mom. We went to Nat's favorite resturant, Fazoli's. After we would go to the mall, and go and do something special just for Natalie. Well we were talking in the truck, Nat and I were sitting in the back, and I said to Nat - you are going to have to pick out a special name for your something special that you are going to be getting. Her "special name" was Pineapple. LMAO. Fast forward to Monday.... it changed to Heart.

Random Pics from the weekend .....

This past weekend, Brian and I went down state to visit with my family, and to celebrate two birthdays. One for my niece, Katie, who turned 2 on the 10th, and for my oldest niece Natalie, who turned 4 on the 15th.

We went down on Saturday morning, arriving late to our destination, thanks to detours. My brother and his wife were having Katie's bday party at their house.

We got there, an hour late.. so everyone was eating. Shortly after Katie started opening her presents.

We visited with the family, and my brother's got out the 4 wheelers. We all had fun till someone got hurt. :( We had to have the ambulance come as one of my brother's friends was driving my brother's 4 wheeler, some how managed to flip the 4 wheeler, end over end. His gf was on the back - its one of those 4 wheelers that have the extra seat in the back. Well the bf landed on the gf, and then the 4 wheeler landed on the gf. My other brother's gf daughter watched the whole thing happen. She came up to the house to say that they had flipped the 4 wheeler - we were in a panic to figure out who it was. The gf was complaining of back pain. She is fine, she was transported to the hospital, but came home that same night.

When the accident happened, we were in the process of leaving to go shopping. So after the ambulance left, we went on our merry way. We had to go and pick up the stuff to make cupcakes for Nat's party. We went to Neenah and did our shopping. Got all we needed, and then it was on the way back to my parents house, where we picked up my Dad and went for dinner in Omro. The place were Brian loves to go when we are down there was packed!! We did get a table, and when our meal was over, they came out with a cake for Natalie.




Once we got home from going out to eat.. the process started of making cupcakes. As far as how many we made... I have no clue. I know it was more than 15 as that was the number I sent to Sunday School for Nat on Sunday. I was up till 2:30am frosting the cupcakes! Was up early on Sunday to take Nat to Sunday School. We even had a cupcake disaster! Someone accidentally put them in the wrong place, and Nat happen to sit on them.. Oh well, they still were edible. LOL

Sunday for lunch we went to the Viking in Winchester. What a great place to eat!! Its reopened supper club, and it was great to go there. Cant wait to go and again when we are down there again. After lunch we headed over to Fox Valley Lanes for Natalie's party. Yep, we went bowling for Nat's party. It was fun! Natalie opened up her presents and we had a great time!

Sunday night we went back to Amy's, and just relaxed. Had a pizza for dinner. Gave the girls a bath, and was off to bed.

Monday, I went to school with the birthday girl and my sister. It was neat getting back into the classroom again. I was even thinking about getting back into teaching again. But we will see.

After school, we went over to Amy's to pick up Kaylee and Brian. Then we were off to pick up my Mom and to Fazoli's to eat lunch. We went to a sewing place so I could get my needed foot for my new sewing machine. Then we went over to Archiver's for my sister Amy, as I treated her for her birthday (yes I know I was a month late). We then went to Build A Bear at the Fox River Mall in Appleton for Nat to get her bday gift from us. It was fun watching her in the experience!! We walked around the mall alittle, and needed to get going. But I had to stop at Hobby Lobby!! Nat and I went inside to do alittle shopping - I think I spent more time making her move than I shopped. LOL Monday night, my brother's gf invited us over for dinner, so Amy, Nat, Kaylee, Brian and I went. After we were done we went back to Winneconne, and my parents met up with us to visit again.

Tuesday morning, Amy had to take Nat to school and then run to an appointment. So I watched Kaylee and my niece Katie (whom my sister babysits for). We even managed to get a walk in between the rain showers. We walked about 6 blocks and back. My Mom called to ask if we would be interested in going for lunch before we left. So my Dad, Mom, Amy, Kaylee, Katie, Nat, Brian and I had lunch at the Arrowhead in Winneconne.

We got home about 5:30p on Tuesday and I was TIRED!!