Merry Christmas!!!!

Story of my life: I'm always late.  What is my evidence?  Well, I'm about 1.5 weeks behind in posting to el blog-o (that isn't Spanish for blog, but most things sound more Spanish sounding when you put an "O" on the end of the word).

So, what has been happening?  Well, I have had to work, the Husbinator has had to work and I met my cousin's girlfriend!  I was happy to meet K.  She is a really cool person and I couldn't have picked a better person for J.

Oh, wait, there was a holiday in there too wasn't there?  That's right.  Christmas.

How did our Christmas go?

Well, this was mine and the Husbinator's first Christmas as a married couple.  It was special and I'm glad that he and I got the chance to spend actual Christmas Day together.  We had agreed to not get any presents for each other, but Husbinator being who he is decided to buy presents for me.  Well, guess who had not gotten anything because we had agreed and I took it seriously.  If you said me, then that would be the right answer.  Well, I ran out on the night before Christmas Eve (seriously, I can't understand some people and how crazy they get when shopping) with J & K and I got all of Husbinator's presents:  3 T-Shirts (Transformers, Angry Birds, and Thundercats), Moravian Spice Cookies, Meyer Lemon Moravian Cookies, Eclairs, and I made the Husbinator Stuffed Chicken Marsala, Smashed Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans and a Creamy Marsala Wine Sauce.  Can you tell the Husbinator loves food?  Well, he does and I love cooking for him.  

What did he get me?  A bunch of awesome stuff:  An electric wine opener, a collapsible collander, some kitchen knives, 2 bottles of my favorite wine (it's kind of pricey, but oh, so good), a membership to the local winery wine club, a star wars book (yes, I am a geek), and makeup mirror.  My Christmas was a great Christmas and it has been quite awhile since I had one of those.  I married a wonderful man and I'm so happy and blessed.

So, during this season, I saw so many signs about keep "Christ" in "Christmas," and how "Jesus is the reason for the season,"  and other signs of that nature.  That irritated me.  Below, my irritation is explained.

*I have no problem with churches, religion, and people who go to church.  My problem arises, in that people use their religion as an excuse to judge others.  If you don't fit their narrow-minded perspective of what you should be, then they have no use for you.  Christians are some of the most judgemental and hateful people that I have come across.  If being a Christian means using your religion to hurt, hate, and judge others, then I don't know if I want to be a Christian.  I have seen so many Christians use their religion to justify their hatefulness and they problem is that they KNOW they are completely twisting and perverting what being a Christian is all about. I have been a victim of this and the problem is, it was by people who I was the closest to.  This is what weighs on my mind and I can't stop it.  I think the message of love - true agape love - and acceptance is far more effective and does more to heal old hurts than does beating someone over the head of how horrible they are, how they are going to hell, and how they are worthless because they might be gay, bi-sexual, fat, blind, or because they have lived with someone before marriage, had sex before marriage, or because they don't fit a stereotype.  I can't condone that as a Christian.  Too many people have said "That's not what being a Christian is about."  "Being a Christian is about carrying Jesus' message and love."  Those are some of the worse offenders.  They use the banner of Christianity and carrying Jesus' message as a smoke screen for their hate and vitriol.  Are all Christians like this?  No...absolutely not.  I have come across some of the most caring, kind, and loving people that happened to be Christian.  Was that a natural personality for them or did it stem from their faith?  I don't know.*

Does this mean my faith is weak and I am an atheist/agnostic?  No.  My personal faith is strong and deep.  I believe very much in the message of Jesus and I do believe he is my Savior.  However, while my faith can be rocked and strengthened, my opinions are just that, opinions.  They stem from things that have happened to me and to friends of mine, both in my youth and as an adult.  I don't claim to be perfect, far from it.  I do strive to be caring, loving, and accepting as this goes farther than fire and brimstone.  

I end with this word of warning:  Christians wonder why people regard the ones under this banner as being hate-mongers, it is because that is what they have been shown.  Too many people have had interactions with Christians that are hateful and angry because of the actions of the Christians.  Think about things before you act upon them.  When people look at you, do they see the love of Jesus shining in your eyes?  

"The single greatest cause of atheism is Christians.  Who walk in the doors of the church and acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the doors and deny him with their lifestyle.  That is what an unbelieving world simply finds, unbelievable." - Brennan Manning

Some people you just have to let walk out of your life...

I'm not one for the cheesy, feel-good sayings about how people walk into your life and leave crap...blah blah blah.... I have always been of the mindset that if you don't want to be my friend, if you don't want me in your life, then I don't need you in mine.  I'm not going to force anyone to be my friend, it doesn't work that way.  Recently, that point was driven home.  While the details will be kept private, I wish this person and their family nothing but the best (no, really, I do), and I pray for their happiness. Sometimes you have to get that out there and get it out of your mind, much like the use of the Pensieve in the "Harry Potter" stories.

MOVING ON.........

Update on the 101 list:

#17 - I have gotten the rest of the pictures for the 365 day photo challenge done (the ones that I was behind on) and I feel like I have climbed a mountain (and for us chubsters, that's a really odd feeling).

#120 - Cook at home for a whole week - no takeout:
 Mark this off the To Do list and put it on the "To Done" list.  I must admit, when I started, I was worried I couldn't do it. I didn't know if the Husbinator would like what I cooked and I honestly didn't know if we would have the self-discipline to do it.  Well, we did.  It is a pretty awesome feeling to sit down to a meal that you have cooked, even it if it is just soup, and hear The Husbinator say: "Wow, this is really good!"  Not to mention that we have saved money just by getting leftovers out of the night before (sometimes 2-3 days worth of leftovers) and we have had food to freeze for the nights when we don't want to cook.

While the 101 list is moving at a snail's pace, it is moving.  And for that, I am pretty proud.

I do have a few worries and concerns that keep eating my mind and they will resolve themselves on their own.  I just hope it happens soon because being stagnant like this is for the birds.

Remember: Treat everyone you meet with kindness.  It won't hurt you to have compassion and empathy for your fellow man.  Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle inside, be it small or large.

I remember the 80's and I miss them

Numbers make me happy.  Lists make me happy.  Together, they make me feel as though all is right in my little world.  I decided to make a list of the corresponding numbers of my 101 list.  In addition, I completed another task.  I'm feeling pretty snazzy. 

Here goes the finished:

#49 - Have professional photos taken (I am counting our wedding pictures since the family is me and the Hubs)
#69 - Learn to shoot (The Husbinator taught me)
#70 - Drive the tractor (I did this all by myself and I'm pretty darn proud)
#84 - Find Harry's name on the AIDS quilt (I can't find the words to describe this experience)

Here is what I am working on:

#17 - Complete a 365 day pohoto challenge ( I am a few days behind posting the pics, but I have taken them)
#126 - Blog at least once a week. (I have missed a few days, but I am better than I was)

So you see, while I haven't absolutely just blown this out, but I am getting things done and I am proud of myself.

Hopefully, the next time I post (which, in accordance with my 101 list, will be next week sometime), I will have more stuff done.

Update, my dearies!

Well, the 101 in 1001 project is going pretty good.  While I have taken enough pictures to upload and keep up with my 365 day project, I haven't uploaded them yet.  I guess I better fix that, huh?

Well, I am sitting here watching the Husbinator do some macho, He-Man, construction stuff and I must say that, oh my stars, I married a good looking man.  I think I kind of love the dude.

Also, I went and started getting the ball rolling to go back to college.  This is quite daunting for me in that I am a little bit apprehensive regarding the money.  I worry all the time about money, as it is, now I just have to find a way to pay for graduate school...yeah, that's gonna be real fun.

So, back to the 101 in 1001 project.  Here's what I have finished so far:
- Have professional family photos taken (I'm counting our wedding photos)
- Learn to Shoot (the Husbinator taught me, given that he is law-enforcement/military)
- Drive the tractor (I did it by myself!)
- Do a 365 day photo challenge (I've started it, so I guess I can count that)
- Blog at least once a week (Well, I skipped Thanksgiving, but come on....it was Thanksgiving)

While I haven't gotten much done, I am proud of what I have done.  I think if I can get a minimum of 60% of the list done, I will be much happier and I think it will be fun.  Hopefully, it will inspire the Husbinator to make on of his own.

I guess too, since this is a smocking/stitching/sewing blog that I might need to add some tips and tricks for sewing and the likes.  I do embroidery, counted cross stitch, and I sew clothes, so there will be no tips for quilting or any other kind of needlepoint, but a lot of the tips can cross boundaries.  I will try to review products too.

Organization:  I hate how I do a counted cross stitch, embroidery, sewing project and I don't have any place to put a photo of the finished piece.  It's also hard to keep the actual legend or pattern with everything.  Well, I have solved that. I created an organization system that works for me, but is really easy to follow.

Here's what's needed:
1.5 Inch 3 Ring Binder
Standard Size Sheet protectors
Baseball card protectors
Index cards
1 Inch Metal Craft ring

What to do:  I take the example picture that comes with the project and put it in a sheet protector.  I then take a picture of the finished project that I sewed and put it in the sheet protector as well.  The picture and the example are back to back and I always keep the example first.  Then, in between them, there is usually enough space for the pattern/legend to go.  Then, I take the standard size index card and cut it into quarters.  After that, I punch a hole in the card and run the metal ring through it.  I then take my bobbin with my thread on it and I run the metal ring through the hole in the top.  On the card, I write down the brand and the color floss (I always use DMC, just because I think they make a GREAT product - so....DMC, if you are reading this, a lifetime supply of thread would be super neat-o).  I take the index card and I put it in the baseball car holder. Voila!!!!  Your floss is organized and the project stays together in the event that you want to do another one just like it.  I use 1 baseball card holder for one project.  It makes everything much easier and you can really see how you improve over the course of the project/several projects.

Hope that helps everyone and I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

101 in 1001

So, this is my first post to this blog.  I have tried to keep a blog before, but it always winds up falling by the wayside.

I would love to say "Not anymore!"  but I can't.  I am going to try and keep this one up as part of the Day Zero project.

What is the Day Zero Project?  Well, I am glad you asked.  You make a list of 101 things (or more) that you want to get done in 1001 days.  It can be something as simple as "Potty train the Husband," or it can be something as big as "Get pregnant."  Really, it is supposed to help you motivate, achieve, just open up and create, and live a little.

I am excited to do this and I am kind of hoping that I can keep it up.  I have already finished 1 task and I have started on a few more.

For example:
A completed task - drive the tractor around the farm with no assistance from the Husbinator.  That one is done!

An in progress task - 365 Day Photo Challenge.  I started it today with a picture of my puppy.  Winston died in December of 2010 and it broke my heart.  He was truly my saving grace through some very difficult times.

One of my listed goals is to keep a blog on how things are going and what I learned (that sounds so ABC after school special-ish).  Hopefully, I can.

Look it up: http://dayzeroproject.com/.   My profile is under the name Emily Cheek.