Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Overdue Update

Wow, time flies indeed. And I missed updating my blog in February completely. To my excuse can be said that I'm just so very busy and often go for days without internet. Even my stitching time is reduced quite a bit. I'll explain that later. For the ones interested in stitching only here is the only update I have to show.
Stitching on this piece is rather addictive. I'm so in love with it:

 A Parrot, A Leopard, A Lion
Designer: The Scarlet Letter
Fabric: 40ct Lakeside Linens "Vintage Maritime White"
AVAS silks
 
Now to the reasons for my absence. There are two major reasons for that.

One is that I started to sport daily. Right now I'm happy with it and also with the Weight Watchers program. I'm loosing weight rapidly and getting fitter same time. Feeling so much better.

The other reason is that we will work on a solution for the only problem we have in our otherwise very happy marriage. And that is ...how to say it nicely...his shit stuff that he carries inside, on the patio and everywhere else - and leaves it there. Until I get really mad, then I have may be couple of days of a clean area and a rather miffed husband. And we start again.  It can be anything honestly. Tools, computer parts, small planes. What about a boat on the patio at times? Why can't he simply start stitching???
 Don't ask me what the thing is in the picture. I don't know and really don't care. He explained it couple of times, but my brain somehow doesn't process that info. What I do care about is that he put it on the lounge table and it will stay there until I get a major mental break down. Same to the shelf seen in the background. Can't complain too much about those. He will hang those up next to my stitching chair...sooner or later. 
And don't get me started on the trailer that gets pushed on the patio. And if it's not the trailer it's his boat. Or both.  Or the other things that appear there magically:
To his defense - it's partly my fault. When we built this house I insisted that our large garage and the shed should be heaps. It's not. He has no room to store his tools and other stuff.

The solution is sort of easy - my husband needs his man cave. He really really does. So we decided to have a major change to our backyard and will have to get builders in to concrete a large area and put up a huge shed and additional garage. The new garage will be for the caravan, said trailer and boat. And the LARGE shed (will be for everything else. A work place. Storage Unit. There will be also an outside area just paved.  And he keeps of course his original shed (which needs to be moved to the other side of the house).

Seen we are going in May again for couple of months to Europe to visit my mum and to travel through France and Austria, we have to do a lot of preparations before hand. First of all the rest of the back yard needs a revamp to suit the new plans. Then we have to move the shed to my vegetable garden which needs to be changed too. That all has to be done before the builders come in. And that is a LOT of work all by all. But it's fun too same time. :)
Here is a picture of what we did the last month. There are 2 dug up areas still to be done.

Wishing you all a nice time where ever you are in the world. Here it's too hot today to work outside.


29 comments:

Samplers, Silks and Linens said...

Hi Gabi - first of all love love the piece you are working on the colours are gorgeous and second is I'm having the same problem as your husband all my sewing - crafting - stitching stuff is spread all through my house - it is messy and unattractive been trying to convince my husband that i need to convert one of the bedrooms into a craft room so I have somewhere I can put all my "stuff" - it does affect our relationship he thinks my crafting is a waste of time but i let him do his "thing" so he should let me do mine - preferably in peace : ) once your man gets his own space he will stop cluttering your space and I'm happy to see you understand that - wish you the best of luck. Amanda

Shelley said...

Your stitching looks lovely!

Good luck with the hubby's "stuff"...lol :)

I've started working out at the gym 6 days a week. I just started though so I don't have any progress yet.

Elizabeth said...

Gabi - congrats on the new workout/eating regime. I have just started training for a 10K and feel like I have so much more energy!

Well - I can commiserate with you on the clutter. My DH's problem is putting the clean laundry away - which is the only step of the whole process I actually have ever wanted him to do. Ah, well - some things just won't ever change!

In any event, love the piece you are working on. The colors look so bright and cheery. Enjoy your upcoming travels!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your SL piece looks fantastic. Congratulations on the weight loss and increased exercise. Good for you.
Good luck getting your DH organized.

Dot said...

How funny. My darling husband also has....err... stuff everywhere and I deal with it in exactly the same manner you do. Your post reminded me that we have been planning a man cave for quite some time and never got around to it. Hmm...

Siobhán said...

Beautiful progress on your WIP!

Best of luck with your getting healthy regime. I need to do that but instead just get comfy on the sofa. :P Lovely work on your garden! My biggest complaint with DH is that he starts DIY things around the house and then golf season happens, which is March - October here, and he's on the golf course. I'm starting to dream about impaling him with his golf club. LOL Just kidding (not really). My son & DH took over the Study and it's their man cave but I still trip over golf clubs laid around the house!

cucki said...

wow congrats dear on the new work out regime..
your stitching is looking so lovely..
good luck with with your DH.
big hugs x

Chris said...

Great update Gabi! Congrats on the exercising and weight loss.
Sounds like a great plan for the backyard.
Your stitching is gorgeous.

Giovanna said...

Great going on the Parrot - he's gorgeous. All the best with the building - if only my DH would insist that I need a stitching cave :-)

Margaret said...

Love your A Parrot so far -- beautiful! I love how it's coming out! As for your big project -- wow, sounds like a lot of work! But it also sounds like it will be worth it in the end. Good luck with it! Good for you also on your diet and exercise program!

butterfly said...

Your stitching is just wonderful.

I do know what you mean about your hubby mine is very much the same.

Have a wonderful holiday, hugs.

Vickie said...

Exercise and weight loss is great! Good for you. Hang in there.

Carolyn NC said...

I do love this piece. And congrats on becoming healthier...just what I need to do. Renovations are no fun, but the end result is worth it!

Carol said...

That is wonderful that your Weight Watchers adventure is going so well, Gabi! Best of luck for continued success...

Your new backyard project sounds like just the thing--hang in there; it will all be worth it in the end!

Michele B. said...

Your parrot is beautiful! Love it, but whats not to love about SL, right?! Good luck with the new shed! My husband has one and they fill up fast and then they want to add on to it for more room! Men and their toys!

Michele

Catherine said...

Beautiful stitches!! Had to laugh about your husband leaving things....sounds familiar!

Sally said...

Lovely stitching Gabi.

Hmm and I thought my hubby was bad enough with the man drawers we have!

Kate said...

Lovely stitching. My DH and I are both guilty of leaving the house messy at times, but we have a 4 car garage and workshop for him and I have my sewing room so it works out well for us both. He is trying to find room in the garages for a lathe!
Congrats on the weight loss.

Nancy M said...

Your WIP is beautiful and kudos to the exercise and weight loss. It's always a great feeling when you feel better and better about yourself. Glad that you have come up with a solution with the DH, sounds like a good one too! Let's just hope all goes well before you have to leave AND that he puts all the stuff away after it's built!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Gorgeous stitching!

we have a 40foot shipping container in our front garden and yet we still have four foot high speakers in the hall and a utility room full of cables...

And don't even look at the entire Lego carpet in my son's room! I do insist on a clear path through to his clothes cupboard.

SoCal Debbie said...

Your stitching is beautiful. No wonder you haven't been blogging lately. So busy fixing up the yard and getting ready for the new garage and storage. I hope it's all organized the way you like it before going on vacation. Don't forget to bring your stitching!

Unknown said...

Congratulation desde España Madrid veryvery beautiful muy bonitos trabajos yo tambiem tengo un blog pasate por el es dtupmanualidades muchas gracias

dixiesamplar said...

Oh, Gabi...I feel your pain! Living with a pack rat is difficult, but it sounds like you two have come up with a wonderful plan to solve the dilema. Best of luck with the renovations, and your coming vacation.

Congrats on the health and weight goals...and best of luck as you continue the battle to get and stay healthy.

Love the SL progress...those colors are gorgeous!

Anne said...

Well, I'm late in commenting so don't feel bad! Good for you for working out daily and loosing weight! I loooove your sampler and am addicted to watching it grow...so don't be shy with the updates! Oh dear! The man clutter...sigh. Luckily we only have an apartment and there's no place for any of his stuff. My mom has your same problem with my Dad though, but it's waaaay worse. I hope that his new storage spot will help with the odd bits and pieces that end up on your dining room table!!

Have a splendid time in France and Austria!

Jeanne said...

Well Gabi the new shed probably will help solve the dilemma with your husband's 'stuff'. Everybody needs a place of their own I guess.

Your sampler is just beautiful and I'm so envious of your upcoming trip to Europe. I adore France and Austria and it brings back happy memories of trips with a good friend. Congrats on your weight loss and new beginnings.

Evelyne said...

Hi Gabi, ik heb je post gemist.
Wat knap dat je aan het sporten bent en aan het afvallen. Super van je. Zou ik ook moeten doen, maar...
The Parrot Lion and Leopard ,wordt mooi. Ik heb op dit moment veel te veel om handen en kom niet verder met mijn sampler. Van de zomer krijg ik heel veel visite, misschien dat ik hem van de winter weer oppak.
Ik ben blij dat we een grote garage hebben, want die kun je niet missen!
Lieve groetjes, Evelyne

Judit said...

Your WIP is beautiful.
I like it!
Good for you.

Unknown said...

I love this Parrot piece, it inspires em every time I look at it. Thank you for building such a lovely blog. I mentioned you in one of my posts. http://internationalstitcher.blogspot.ca/2013/10/okay-i-was-nominated-for-liebster-award.html

Marie said...

Your stitching looks beautiful.

My DH can fill a 3 car garage with so much crap it is carzy. I spent years not being able to park my car in the garage due to all of his "stuff" ~ I completely understand your frustration. Glad that you came up with a plan to rectify the situation,

Enjoy your travels.