Sorry I'm late, but have BIG news!

Let's get the stitching out of the way first. My ADHD is in high gear right now. I'm having issues focusing on any piece for very long, so I was all over the shop this week. I stopped working on Amour et Vengeance and moved back to Belle of Bonaventure, which is what I wanted to do anyway. I left off on her here last time:

I'm not digging her off white face (she's a bit Wednesday Addams) but, I'm hoping it will all work out in the end. I managed another 10.58 hrs and 2675 stitches for a total of 68.22 hrs, 17,705/1118,000 stitches and 15%.

Next up, I went ahead and started Garden Path from Monet by Yiotas.

I'm fighting with the large paper pattern, but I'm just not feeling it either, so it got one whole night. It's not big, that marked square in the middle is the size of the whole thing, but I think the confetti might make it take a long time. I also can't give complete totals since it didn't cross into Markup RXP right, but by the pattern, I know there are a total of 26,730 stitches. I can also tell you that I did 804 stitches in 3.8 hrs. I'll keep up with the stitches as I go manually.

I kind of realized I needed something a bit easier and maybe that would sort out my ADHD, so I picked Merida by DoNa Stitches. I last left on this on 2-9 here:

I only worked on it one day this week so far (other things to discuss in a mo-mo), but I got another 886 stitches in 3.72 hrs, for a total of 22.47 hrs, 4745/41,836 stitches and I'm now at 11.34%. If I focus on this, it should be a quick finish, maybe a month or two, but again, ADHD is a pain, dude.

On Tuesday, I had a HORRIBLE crick in my neck (which I still have, FYI), so I decided not to stitch that night. But that's not the good news, or scary news, depending on each second my obessive brain flip flops.

I had already decided that this year, considering the debt from the past several trips, even though this is my 55th birthday and a big one, I probably wasnt' going to go anywhere for my birthday. I did consider a few places, Nantucket, Cape Hatteras, even Universal for Harry Potter (which was OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive, BTW), but eventually decided I wasn't really interested in anywhere and decided maybe to pay down some debt first and maybe get my new skirting or new deck.

I was having a rather innocous conversation with a co-worker about swimming, something I haven't done since I was a teen, since I grew up with a pool, but I refuse to be seen in public in a bathing suit now, so it's a moot point. I was reminded that the last time I stuck even my feet in a pool was many years ago at Wilderness Lodge, my favorite Disney resort. Then I started trying to figure out when the last time I had stayed at Wilderness Lodge and it was 2013! That was ridiculous! Then my brain went into overdrive. I randomly ended up on the Disney website to check prices around my birthday and they weren't bad! I saved a cart, but decided I needed to talk to my therapist on Wednesday before I did anything drastic.

As some of you may remember, my last trip to Disney in 2021 was a life changer. Not only did I plan that bad (booking a month out), but I didn't physically prepare so I spent the entire trip in severe pain (and it even led to both my knee surgeries in the couple of years that followed). It was also, not only the first trip I had taken since "Hotel California" in 2017 (my last Disney trip before that was 2016), but the first trip since COVID. It was stupid of me to do it and it severely burned me on Disney totally. I did start taking trips again, but it's been to the Northeast (several times) and Boulder and a few other places, not Disney. I had decided that I can go a ton of other places for a 1/3 of the price of a Disney trip (not including spending money, which would probably lower it to an 1/8 of the price). Plus, I disagreed with a TON of the changes Disney has been making. Disney hasn't been a thought for me in the years since (well, maybe a fleeting one, but more of reminiscing the old days).

This morning (Wednesday), I realized I don't have therapy today, it's Friday. I couldn't wait until Friday. They might book up at the cheaper rate, the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets should go on sale at any time this month, timing was key. So, this morning, after talking to a couple of co-workers, I booked it! A birthday trip to Wilderness Lodge! It's 6 days/7 nights (hence my 7 park ticket purchase). I decided to book a value resort for the night before (making it 7 nights), simply because I want to get my ticket's worth and didn't want to waste a night at a Deluxe Resort when I would be arriving late. I have done this before, one night at a Value then move to the Deluxe, and it worked out well. My therapist and I will just fight it out on Friday, it's done.

Yeah, I'm going to Disney World! Granted, I have to walk a lot between now and then to get in better physical shape as well as lose at least 30lbs (I've done it before, I can do it again). I'm not entirely sure where the money is going to come from, but that's why god made credit cards and I do have a Disney rewards card, so more Disney points for me (and adds to my spending money fund). Because I haven't been in such a long time and there have been SO many changes, I will have a few months to study up (and gives me a project for the next few months and focuses my brain).

I booked the Quick Service meal plan instead of the full Dining Plan. For those that don't know, Quick Service plan includes 2 quick service (or counter service, non-reservation sit down restaurants), one snack and a refillable mug (which is only good at the resort, but I collect the mugs more than actually use them on the trip). The full plan includes one quick service, one sit-down meal, one snack and the mug. I can't remember what I did last time (I will look it up when I get home), but considering I can count on one hand how many times I've been in a restaurant since 2017, I'm not sure it is wise to book restaurants. I will probably eat at Raglan Road for my birthday (it had become kind of a Disney tradition for me...bangers and mash!) and I can pay for that out of pocket. But I can change the dining plan if need be between now and then, or even upgrade when I get there. I need to research the restaurants because they have all changed since the last time I was there (as well as MANY other things).

One of the big issues in 2021 was the buses and how close I had to sit next to people after COVID (something that always bothered me, but having strangers touch me after that was almost unbearable). But with the Lodge, most of transportation is not buses. Yes, Animal Kingdom is exclusively bus, but the Magic Kingdom is a boat. I can get a boat to the Contemporary and take the monorail to either Magic Kingdom or Epcot. Epcot and the Studios both connect via boats and skyliners (and the skyliner goes to Pop Century, so I can get to Disney Springs via boat from either Epcot or the Studios)...and about a dozen other transportation options other than buses. Last time at Saratoga Springs, even though I wasn't exclusively tied to bus (there were boat options), the skyliner was barely working and new and I didn't want to risk it. That makes it even more exciting, human distance (to a point)!

Normally, I also upgrade my park tickets when I get there and get an annual Passholder (basically for the extras you get with that, special pins, discounts, etc), with the idea that I will go again in a couple of months, which would make it worth it financially, but I have only ever gone back a second time in the year of the pass twice. I'm not sure it's a good idea to upgrade (but even just for the discounts and pins, I might splurge and do it anyway).

I also have not edited a picture from any trip since Disney 2016, and I'm not sure those are edited properly. I need to get Lightroom for a couple of months and fix that. Depending on when I start that, I might actually be able to photo update you on all my past trips since 2021!

This will also probably cut into my stitching. I take Disney planning VERY seriously, and the fact that I didn't plan in 2021 is one of the reasons why that trip failed so spectacularly. I won't risk that happening again. So stay tuned, more Disney info to follow! And maybe I'll be able to update my Disney reviews page! I haven't done that since 2015 (didn't even apparently do them for 2016). If I don't shut up now at the possibilities, I won't shut up at all! I'm already pissing off co-workers today!

Yiota's Cross Stitch - A Review

I have totally blown this IHSW. I have been working on the house like crazy and have just used this weekend to relax. But I did get a new present in the mail on Saturday, so I wanted to take time to go through it and give my thoughts. Those who have been around for a while know how I feel about built kits. I'm still reeling over Mickey And Friends; the material ripped (and was just overall crappy), Donald's face has way too much pink in it...the list goes on and on. Needless to say, I swore I'd never do another kit that wasn't store-bought again...I might have to eat those words now.

I had seen Yiota's Cross Stitch kits reviewed on other sites, I have even looked through their catalog, but I just couldn't bring myself to take the plunge (the horror that was Mickey and Friends will never go away). The opportunity presented itself for me to get a Yiota's Stitch, I picked the kit I wanted, and it arrived yesterday (a very fast ship from the UK I might add)! I was a bit miffed at the mailman for sitting it on my very wet front porch mat, but it was packed very well and nothing inside was affected, which was a very good start!

Here's the opened kit:


I chose Monet's Garden Path because I'm a big fan of Monet and I thought that the impressionistic style would lend itself quite nicely to cross stitch (plus, as a former artist, I'm just a huge fan of impressionism). Monet was known for painting his garden at Giverny hundreds of times, often the same location at different times of the day or week or even month and year. It was nice to see that someone had created a kit for another study other than his typical garden view (and they have a very good Monet selection to choose from). The lily pad/bridge versions might be popular, but they are not my favorite (I personally adore his London studies...they are a far cry from his bright and colorful garden studies!).

The kit comes with chart, instructions, material, thread, and even a needle.

The material seems to be a very high quality (you can choose either 14, 16ct aida or a 28ct evenweave - I went with the evenweave). It also looks to be cut straight...a rare find in a kit!


The Madeira thread that it comes with also looks really high quality. I have never used this thread before, but just from its appearance, it looks really appealing. I do worry a bit about the sticky stuff used to adhere it to backing paper. I know it looks good all lined up (and probably makes the kit take up less space in the enclosing plastic), but I don't know what the long term effects of the sticky stuff on the thread. I may have to wash the thread first-something I've never had to do before...I will have to ask them about it. It is pre-measured which also worries me a bit...I've always had bad luck with kits not having enough thread to finish the project, but have always had good luck with companies sending me more (hopefully it will be the same with Yiota's).


The chart is printed on a good paper, but it's double-sized and sort of glossy. I always make a copy of the original on to my preferred paper anyway (usually a copy cover or light cardstock, makes for more sturdiness and an easier surface for marking done areas with a highlighter - glossy paper and highlighters don't mix and thin paper leads to highlighter bleed through). I have had to split up a double-sized paper chart before, so I'm no stranger to it, but it definitely ain't easy getting the chart set right as well as finding and marking the overlap areas! Besides, I think it's easier to work with charts that are on one sheet of normal-sized paper anyway. The bigger sheets tend to not do well in paper props and get mangled faster.

But other than the paper issues, the symbols are a good size for us blind folk and they are easy to see and read! There are no backstitches or half stitches, another big bonus...but until I actually start stitching it, I'm not sure how easily it will flow. It is very confetti, but I would expect that from an impressionistic stitch (and would encourage it). I can't speak for how confetti their non-impressionistic stitches are (but I will probably find out someday).

I'm really excited to start this stitch (although it's in a long waiting list)! Good job Yiota's! I have very high standards and no kit, other than one I have built myself, is gonna get an A+ rating. I would definitely give them an A on the material and thread with a B+ on the chart (strictly due to paper issues), but, overall, I would say the kit gets a solid A-. The problems I did find were minimal and probably only another OCD brain like mine would be bothered by them anyway.

If you'd like to look through their catalog and choose your own, just go to their website at www.yiotas-xstitch.com. They are a UK based company, but that shouldn't scare off the American buyers, it just means that, with the currency difference, we will be paying a bit more than the list price (since it's in British pounds instead of dollars). There is a very wide selection, which seemingly gets added to quite often! I look forward to seeing any of Monet's London-series they add in the future (hint, hint!).