Welcome to me ...
February 1, 2005 at 4:17 PM
by Ashleigh
This is my second attempt at a blog. I had one before which failed dismally, mostly because it had no purpose at all except as 'something I should do' designated by Brad ;) So this time lets see if I can keep it going. This one is to help me record my thoughts on living in Holland and also to keep track of my needlework. I do have a paper journal for needlework too, but I write slower than I type ...
If you've come across this accidentally and not been directed here by yours truly, let me tell you a bit about myself. I'm Ashleigh, I'm 31, married to Brad, who is an IT professional and has a blog too over here all about movies. We have two sons, Sebastian, born on 3 March 2000 and Joachim, born on 18 August 2002. I was born in Zimbabwe, and Brad in South Africa and we have lived in Zimbabwe, South Africa, England and now here in the Netherlands. My mom and dad are still in Zimbabwe, and Brad's in South Africa. My brother is carving a career for himself in the hotel industry in Scotland. I am an avid needleworker and participator in online needlework communities, reader of horror fantasy and science fiction, watcher of horror movies and film noir (not as much as the other half though), and fancy myself an appreciator of art and fine things. Whether I am or not is up for debate! I speak English and Dutch, though the latter is dependent on who I'm talking to and how I feel. Sometimes I forget it altogether! My children are my greatest achievement and the focus of my life.
For some reason recently I've been feeling pretty down. Probably has a lot to do with stopping Prozac in August last year when my dr went on holiday and I decided that seeing as he wasn't around to renew my prescription I should go cold turkey. After the six weeks of nausea, dizziness, assorted ringing in the ears and faint spells all stopped I felt fine for a couple of months and then found I was getting way out of hand. I've been back on the meds about a month now, after crying on the dr, and in fact, crying at everything at the drop of a hat, and although I feel better generally I still feel down. The weather is always awful at this time of year so no doubt when the spring comes I will feel better. I am seeing the acupuncturist in two weeks time, maybe he can prick my moods into some semblance of normalcy!
And on the stitching front I've almost completed a fabulous project for Martina Weber of Chatelaine. I'm model stitching for her and this is the first big project I've done all on my own. I previously stitched only the speciality stitches and beads on Rose Lights but I hadn't done a whole project on my own exclusively. This one was supposed to be complete by the end of January and its *almost* there so I'm not doing too badly. I'll upload pics when I'm allowed to. Right now its under wraps until its released. I started stitching the first band and border on the Aion Designs Heart Sampler today. Its a great release to stitch this after my model! Firstly, its all with DMC except for one Wildflower thread, and secondly its on 28 count! I'm loving it! I've just about done the whole border now sans flowers so its all set for me to add bands to as and when I please. Other stitching on the close horizon is another iteration of the current model but all stitched on one piece of fabric now instead of separately, and then the Sampler Mystery as a model. I must stitch my piece for the Aion Seasonal Cushion Exchange and get it ready to send off on 18 February. I sent my Valentine one on Saturday. Hope my partner likes it!
My brother is going back to Zimbabwe for two weeks on 12 February so I bought a couple of things for my mom - a thin jersey in a beige colour, and some of the foot sachets from Le Jeunesse or whoever they are called. My mom has troubles with her feet and so appreciates anything foot related. I hope she likes the jersey. Its a thin knit so she can wear it tucked in with another jumper on top and she always says she is cold in winter there. Of course, its blazing hot now so she won't be able to wear it but I hope she likes it.
Seb and Joe are comfortably ensconced watching Postman Pat and I need to make chicken and broccoli bake for dinner.
So, let's see if I keep this up for a bit longer shall we?
Comments
Hi Ashleigh,
Well done on starting a blog........I started one on this site ages ago but haven't been back to it since! ;)
Hope it helps to see your thoughts down on 'paper'!!!
Mary x
Hi Ash,
I started a blog too - it's blank, so you've done better than me!!! Keep it up, I plan to do the same.
Love
Heather
Just came across your site by chance
I really like the wooden shoe you have on the page.
Anyway I am not a blogger or one who shares e-mails with the whole world but it appears in order to write you this is the only way???
It be great if I could write to you more personally and ask you some more questions about your journey and move to the Netherlands
Madison in NewYork
Hi Ash,
Such a funny blog to find... and via a strange way (looking for recipes for Boston Cream Pie of all things..) Anyway, I was born and raised in Holland, but now live in the UK and I too have a son called Sebastiaan. Cross stitching is my thing too....
Just thought i'd say hi... all those simularities an'all.
Groetjes,
Mandy
Hi Ash - good to see you in the land of Blogs. I'll be back often.
February 1, 2005 6:01 PM