Happy Big 5-0, dear Jo ...

... and welcome to Jo's Big Birthday Blog Hop....

I have been given the year, 1992.  Here is what Jo has to say about that year's events for her.

1992 - Jo was 26.  Following the demise of Ripley the Hamster in the winter, Jo was delighted to hear the patter of tiny feet this year.  Or tiny paws!  She adopted a rescue cat.  Jo wanted a black cat she could name Vasquez (Aliens theme to the pets) but the cat she adopted was so shy the name just didn't suit her.  When Jo tempted her out from under the cupboards she discovered the black cat was actually white at the roots of her fur, so the name Spooky was chosen.

Jo's instructions go on to say:

On the 17th September you post that information on your blog and add an anecdote either:

1. What happened to you in that year

2. What happened to you at that age

3. What happened when you had that life event

Then add a photo of something you've stitched which you think will appeal to me.

I have chosen #2, what happened to me that year.  

Well, I, too, heard the pitter patter of tiny feet but these were not feline but human, at the end of this year, my third child was born - DS2.

He was born on Boxing Day, 1992 and I can still remember being at my sister's for Christmas Day, feeling very uncomfortable as I ate Christmas prawns and literally crossing my legs, declaring that this baby was NOT going to be born on Christmas Day.

Well, I managed to hang on - just! - my waters broke the next morning and my second son was born late that night.  His birth was a difficult one, an emergency caesarian, the months following his birth were also very difficult as he was a very clingy and quite demanding baby. Plus two weeks after his birth, DD came down with chicken pox and two weeks after that DS1 and then DS2 (the baby) had a mild bout (the daughter of my friend who looked after DS1 and DD on the day of the birth came down with chicken pox that very day!).  And, oh, we were also doing major renovations to our house!   But once his babyhood was over, he turned into the most delightful toddler and child and has become the most easygoing of young men - kind, caring, thoughtful and loving.

Once DS2 was born it became clear, that three children was the right number of children for our family.  So, that meant that I could finish the family birth sampler ... Wind in the Willows.

(Sorry about the glare on the photos - I have taken lots of the different sections so that you can see them more clearly - it is a very big piece).

I would have to say that this is my biggest stitching accomplishment and is certainly the one of which I am most proud - which is why I chose to showcase it for Jo.

Dear Jo, I just want to wish you the very happiest of birthdays today. May it be a very special day for you and I hope that your menfolk spoil you rotten all day long.

I also want to tell you how much I value your friendship - we have been wonderful online friends since 2012, I believe, and I find your stitching advice and finishes totally inspirational.  I love your various blog hops and I enjoy our email discussions on a variety of topics very much.  Long may our friendship last!

All my love, and.....

xoxoxox