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Hanging around...

I'm still here, just have been a bit busy as I was travelling and needed time to settle back in, and also preoccupied with some personal stuff, so I haven't had the chance to update my blog or go visiting either. Thanks to everyone who dropped by and/or left a comment for me, I didn't mean to ignore you, it has just been a little crazy for me. But it's the long weekend, and I plan to catch up on my blog-reading, so look out for me at your blogs! :)

A couple of updates from me. Firstly, there was a bit of a scare with my grandfather. As most of you would know, he had lung cancer and is recovering from surgery. He hasn't recovered as fast as we liked but has been doing okay for the last few months. About two weeks ago though, he relapsed with hallucinations caused by a lack of oxygen, which the doctors advised that it came about from a viral infection and had developed into pneumonia. That was pretty scary - it's bad enough for an old guy to get pneumonia, let alone someone in his condition. The doctors were also telling my family to "mentally prepare" ourselves and asked us to make some tough decisions. Needless to say, everyone was tense, and I was feeling especially helpless as I am miles away so all I really could do was get updates from my sister. Anyways, the good news is, we received some positive feedback early in the week. While my grandfather is still pretty weak, medication had helped to get rid of the fluid in his lungs and x-rays show that the infection is clearing. He's still in hospital but it seems like he's on the mend. That was a tremendous relief for everyone, and we are hoping he's going to be well enough for Chinese New Year. I go back to Singapore the middle of February and my aunt will also be there from New York, so it will be the first time in quite a while that the whole family is gathered together on such a significant occasion. It's going to be good. I just hope that my grandfather continues to get better.

The news about my grandfather had distracted me from stitching, even though I was late on the deadline for the RR I'm in (as always!), but as usual, my RR mates are so patient with me and so understanding. With the good news early in the week, I could focus on stitching again, and I'm proud to say that I finished my piece today. Well, pretty much finished, all that is left is for me to "sign" the piece. I guess having a long weekend (it's a public holiday today as it's Australia Day) helped as well, and apart from having breaks to eat and going to the toilet, I was pretty focused on stitching! I reckon I worked harder today than at the office! LOL. This is the last round of the RR with my friends from Cyberstitchers and this is on Mady's piece. I stitched Friendly Stitchers by Brittercup Designs.

Initially, I was unsure about this choice as I wasnn't sure if it would fit with the overall RR so I sought advice from a fellow RR-mate, Harmien, who assured me that it was fine and I'm glad I did. I am really pleased with how it turned out. I changed the colours completely from the original as I wanted it to match with Mady's fabric and if I do say so myself, I think I did a pretty good job! I did consult with Terrence, but the choices were still mine, so I take full credit! LOL. I also didn't use the flower button as required for the piece - partly because I didn't have it, but even if I did, the colour wouldn't match and I didn't have any substitute buttons that would work so I just stitched in a flower. Anyways, without further ado, here's a picture of my stitched piece! I have also included a picture of the original. Once I "sign" the piece, I'll upload a photo of the entire RR - it's a real pretty one, I think Mady will love what is going home to her!



I have also been watching some pretty exciting tennis matches on the telly. I love it when the Australian Open is on, it's the only time that I get to watch the matches on TV at fairly decent times. I would love to follow all the grand slams but with the different time zones, it's pretty hard to do that. Oh, and the first time, we actually have decent reception so we can SEE where the ball is going! LOL. We weren't organised enough (and also didn't feel like paying so much) to watch the games in person but I think I would like to do that next year. Sure, it's pretty pricey for a ticket but I think it's worth it for the experience and atmosphere, and I think doing it once won't kill us. So Australian Open, I'll see you in 2008! For now, I will be happy watching the finals on TV. I'm happy that Gonzales has beaten Mr. Fancy Pants (aka Nadal, whom I really don't like) and now that he's beaten Tommy Haas and gotten through to the final, I hope it's going to be an exciting match with Federer. I'm still gonna support Federer (you just gotta love that sheepish charm of his, so adorable!) but I hope Gonzales puts up a good fight and don't get destroyed like Roddick in the semis. Did anyone see that match? Poor Andy was bitch slapped; he was destroyed and crushed and even though I was supporting Roger, I actually felt sorry for Andy and was hoping he could get some points in. Anyways, I'm definitely looking forward to Sunday night's final, I hope it doesn't keep me up for too long, I still need to get to work the day after!

Well, I think I've yapped on long enough, I sure was making up for lost time there! :) For those who have been visiting, I hope you keep visiting, and be sure to leave me a comment! I love comments! *big smile* I will catch up with my blog reading, so expect me to pop up here and there! Oh, on a closing note, I just discovered my local library and I just want to say it's AWESOME! Almost as cool as Bookcrossing! Okay, it really is the end for me now, bye bye everyone, I will be back soon! (^_^)

I'm glad your grandfather is doing better. What a huge relief that must be.

I like your RR piece and agree with you that the colors would not have matched the fabric. Great job!

Hey Eileen, glad to hear your grandfather is on the mend. What a relief that must be.

I *love* what you stitched for Mady. More importantly (she siad selfishly) I *really* love what you stitched for me. And I can tell, because I'm holding my RR in my lap as we speak!!!!!! It's gorgeous! I love it. I don't know what on earth you were worried about, Eileen. You and Mady and Harmien have excelled yourself. Now it's up to me to finish it. And as we all know that might take a while :o)

Glad you like your RR too. You know I was joking a bit when I wrote that about you and your RR in my blog, don't you? Although I must admit I was a bit worried. Turns out everybody always is.

Thanks for being in this RR with me. This was a very special experience, and I'm glad to have shared it with you!

Whew, I am so relieved to hear that your grandfather appears to be on the mend. I'll keep fingers and toes crossed that he'll soon be home again.

Hi Eileen...thanks for visiting my blog...apparently I'm a cyberstitchers mate with you as well! I know Mady, Harmien and An as well..so small world, huh?!
I'm sure Mady will *love* what you did for her!

Glad to hear your Grandpap is doing better :)

Your color changes are very nice! I'd like to see a pic of the whole RR. I hope your Grandpa continues to improve, and quickly :)

Glad your Grandfather is doing better.
I really love the piece you stitched - the colors are beautiful!!!
And from someone who will hopefully be a librarian in the future I'm psyched to hear you discovered and love the library...it's a cool place!!

My thoughts are with you and your family -- I hope your grandfather continues to improve. :)

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About me

  • I'm Leeny
  • From Melbourne, Australia
  • This is where I dazzle you with my wit and fascinate you with my interesting self....but no, it ain't happening. I'm just a normal person, who can be a little nutty at times, but otherwise lead a regular life. Oh, and I LOVE cross-sitching, but I'm not 80 years old :p
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My Unkymood

    My Unkymood Punkymood (Unkymoods)

What I'm Stitching

  • Little House Needleworks - Spot of Coffee
  • Monsterbubbles - Home (freebie)

What I'm Reading