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Saturday, March 13, 2021

Spring Zephers in Weather and Work

First off, I finally finished stitching up a "mirror image" of my "Jumpin' for Joy" cross stitch chart, using  an alternate "colorway," as they say. Of course, I finished it as...another pincushion! I backed it with a woven gingham, in small black and tan checks. I don't think I'll do that again because gingham has too much "give" and it made it cattywampus. 

jumpin for joy etsy shop cross stitch themerryneedle

That sprig of juniper behind the pinkeep is from the church. The new growth froze and dried out, giving it a unique chartreuse color. The other dry sprigs I have are much darker.


jumpin for joy cross stitch chart themerryneedle


Today we had dust storms all day, with winds gusting to 50 mph, and all our warm temps went *poof*, with the low nearly freezing.

But the breeze blew in some changes. I didn't like my new job. At all. I resigned Friday morning, made some calls, had an interview at a nice school at 4:30, and was offered a teaching job on the spot, second grade. But I don't want to teach again. Not this semester, anyway. I had heard the secretary was leaving. I want to be the school secretary. I start on Monday!

Half the pay, but twice the fun! 


purple leaf plum in bloom in spring


We went to Cracker Barrel to celebrate, and since our town just went into the "yellow" zone, we could eat inside. But outside, there are several dozen purple-leafed plums blooming so I took some more photos. I'm afraid the wind is whipping off many of the petals and soon they will be bare.

close up mason jar spring plum blossoms

Hoping all my blog buddies are doing well this weekend.

23 comments :

  1. I had news from my son in Dubai yesterday and they also had a sand storm
    And he was in the desert! He said it was terrible.
    Glad you changed your job!
    We also have very high wind and heavy rain here and the plum tree flowers will all go away with the wind.
    We have a stay inside weekend!

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    1. Those Dubai storms put ours to shame. I hear their sandstorms will take the paint right off a car!

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  2. Life is too short to work at a job that you are not enjoying, hope the new one is to your liking. Thankfully we don't get sand storms over here in the south of uk but quite a bit of rain in the winter. I love the little pin cushions.
    Briony
    x

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    1. Thank you, Briony! I know you get a lot of rain, but the area you live in is just unmatched in beauty! Maybe the rain is one reason why the UK is so pretty! Your summers (from the photos I see) look like something out of fairytales.

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  3. Dear Dame, you are Amazing! I agree with Crafty Cat, life is way to short to spend your time doing something in a place you don't like, been there. I call them the soul stealers. You have much to offer, and let your light shine and a school is the ticket. Your embroidery work is beautiful. Those plum flowers sure are pretty. Thanks for popping over and leaving a comment...we never know until we try something or not whether it will work, it is in the trying that we learn many things. We are here to live our life not exist in it.

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    1. Thank you, Faith! I think that is a great term for some places, "soul stealers." That is what they do, and I want to GROW in appreciation and light, not just exist as you so wisely say. I am excited your CrochetByTheSea blog is back, it just feels right doesn't it?

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  4. Cracker Barrel gives me fond memories. I visited my pen pal in St. Louis in 2006. My first American breakfast was at Cracker Barrell. My friend ordered a full American breakfast for me with so much food, so I was almost culturally shocked :) It was very good, and since then we have made a tradition of American breakfast for my family once every Easter. Except last year and now this year with the epidemic where we can not gather. The plum flowers o are beautiful! So good that you could quit the job you didn't like, and get another job so quick!

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    1. Ha ha, Marit, we are always complaining the breakfasts are not big enough at Cracker Barrel! I am so glad you got to experience Cracker Barrel! My favorite part is looking in the store that is attached to the restaurant. I hope that next year your tradition of Big Fat American Breakfast can continue with your family!

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    2. I believe my friend and her family ordered a lot of stuff for me beside the main breakfast menu!:) I too loved the store! It was all like being in a movie for me. So many impressions!

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  5. I am sooooooo glad, that you quit your job!!!!!!!!!!!!

    And Hooray for the new one, which you like!!!!!!!

    😊😊😊😊😊😊

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    1. Many thanks! Life is so short...that first job was just bad karma! New job looks fun!

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  6. I am happy for your new job opportunity. I'm sure you will like it better than the other one.

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    1. Thank you, Emma. I think it will be an enjoyable job!

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  7. Yay you!!! You are the wise one for knowing that the law firm was not a fit for you....many do not have that inner core of courage and self perspective or are forced to fit themselves in due to financial pressures. And congrats on the new position!! It is good that places are willing to take on "overqualified" applicants. That is not always the case and I have never understood it as they would be getting so much more in return. Sweet little pincushions...yes, I am guilty of resorting to pincushions or tucks for finishes....It's a comfort zone for me I guess. Those plum blossoms are just glorious! A riot of color! Do they have a fragrance??? So thankful you shared more photos of them. Sunday Blessings & Hugs ~Robin~

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    1. I have the somewhat loony habit of just leaving jobs I don't like, no matter what it was paying. I don't try to talk myself into staying if it's a gut dislike, because life here on earth is pretty darned short! The plum blossoms do smell, that fruit-tree smell that conjures up spring in an instant. Not sweet like cherry blossoms, though. I love those.

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  8. Along with all your other followers I am SO happy that you quit the job you hated and got another one (more to your liking I'm sure)!!! AND being in a school you'll get the summers off. How great is that?

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    1. You're so right, GM. I love following the school calendar now, lots of days off!

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  9. There is nothing worse than a job you hate. I hope you enjoy your new job. WE have not eaten in yet I feel like a chicken.
    I can't wait for things to bloom here but tonight the wind is blowing and snow flurries are going through so I guess not yet.
    Cathy

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  10. School secretary--I agree totally. Twice the fun, half the stress.

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  11. Congrats on leaving a job you despised and finding another so quickly that you will enjoy. Life IS too short.

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  12. I'm glad you changed your job situation. It's bad enough when a job gradually becomes something else, but to walk into something not as advertised right from the start... That other one sounded terrible. Soul sucking work as someone prior commented.

    I'm going to assume you already know this, but if not - next time you find a fabric you love but it's not quite stable enough to hold the stitching properly, try to layer it with something. Interfacing, plain muslin, or old bed sheet would work. Or what about an odd bit of linen that you don't like and will never use for stitching? The tricky part is knowing before hand if underlining is needed. Or deciding if tearing something apart to rework is worth the effort.

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  13. How great that you found a new job and even better that you went for the half pay and twice fun one. I really admire that. As I do you needle work. I'm not very handy, but I enjoy cross stitching.

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  14. I've been off the grid for several days and I come here and find you have quit ONE job and found another the same day. You are very lucky and very talented. So glad you like this one.

    I'm definitely not ready to eat out, but I've been to Cracker Barrel a couple of times. We don't have one in Wichita, but there's one in a town near here. If about 30 miles is near in your book. Loved the plum blossoms, too.

    Beautiful pin cushions. I am in awe of the bunnies/hares you created. These are both lovely and your wonky is not wonky as far as I'm concerned.

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