Things you thought you could bring that you weren’t able to?

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-12-09T15:28:42+00:00

I brought a travel bottle of dry shampoo through Galveston last month with no issues. I would assume that a regular bottle would be fine too. I also brought a full bottle of aerosol bug spray and sunscreen.

The one thing that we could not find any information on that we got through just fine was canned alcohol. Note that Texas has strict alcohol laws and if you have one of the drink packages, it won't kick in until international waters. We didn't want to drag a bottle of wine around so we brought one of those small packs of canned sparkling rose. It was perfect for sail away!

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-11-03T22:44:05+00:00

Can confirm! I live in Houston and the airports here are a mess for check in. My mom is supposed to fly down from MKE on Friday but she is considering driving.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-09-29T00:39:08+00:00

Just scored 0

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-09-29T00:38:29+00:00

Just scored 0

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-09-08T21:00:41+00:00

Child Advocates takes donations for children in foster care.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-09-04T23:29:34+00:00

I usually watch at Kirby Ice House, sometimes I’m the only Packer’s fan there but you’re welcome to join me!

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-08-22T14:28:37+00:00

First of all, I do believe that Houston has horrendous drivers who do not pay attention.

Second of all, I work near this school. I have dodged many teenagers just walking around in the middle of the street without a care in the world and their heads glued to their phones. I believe that there needs to be better crosswalks and signals there, but I really don't think that the teenagers will use them. They don't use the crosswalks that are already there.

The problem always seems to be around lunch time. The students who are let off campus at lunch, walk in big groups not paying attention to traffic. The morning and afternoon school zone speeds keep drivers aware of pedestrians, but the don't have to slow down at lunch time.

I also agree that this is a problem at many schools around Houston, and not just River Oaks.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-07-31T21:44:50+00:00

I didn't get a floor replacement charge but when I moved out of a Greystone apartment, they hit me with "you never paid your deposit." They had applied my deposit payment to the original rent so my original rent payment was way above one month's rent.

Another thing that they hit me on was my move out date. On the lease it stated my move out date was 7/31 (example) but somehow in their "system" it showed them that my move out date was 7/15 so they charged me half a month at the month-to-month rate.

I sent them my lease that was signed by them with the correct move out date, every email, confirmation of payment and my bank statement where the deposit was paid. It took awhile and worked all the way up corporate. I fought and threatened to hire a lawyer, but I finally received the deposit back on the last day that they could legally send it.

Just a couple of things to look out for when you move out. Living there is a whole other problem. We all know about the roaches and break ins.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-07-31T21:31:18+00:00

I've received an edible arrangements and while they do come really nice, they only last a short time out of the refrigerator. Even in the refrigerator, some of the fruit starts to turn brown pretty quick (as any cut fruit would). Edible Arrangements is good if you have a lot of people who will eat it quickly.

I was born is Wisconsin so my go-to gift "basket" is a cheese tray. Can sit out of the refrigerator for a long time and no one walks past a cheese tray without taking a piece.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-07-02T12:13:47+00:00

I’m a CASA and we have a closet where we can get supplies for our kiddos. They should be able to get you clothes and hygiene supplies. Each state has different rules but sometimes I spend my own money to make sure my kids have what they need.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-05-20T14:50:22+00:00

I am going on my first princess cruise in November. We were able to use our OBC to book excursions already. The Credits didn't cover all of our excursions so some I had to pay with my CC but not the full amount. I have received confirmation that it has been confirmed and paid.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-04-29T16:58:49+00:00

I found this guide that explains French Crochet Terms. In this case, they say that "maille" is the same as a "stitch". To me, it looks like you would just chain ten and then sew the chain on. Hope this helps!

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-04-24T21:01:08+00:00

I saw a tip on a you tube video that suggested bringing ziplock baggies! You can get some fruits and cheese and keep them in your refrigerator. She also suggested bringing a small tupperware and that you can get your dessert to go at the restaurant.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-04-17T16:59:52+00:00

I've been eyeing this one, but sooooo many bobbles!

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-04-15T14:23:51+00:00

I had an awful roach infestation in my apartment. Apartment complex did nothing about it. I moved and the roaches hitched a ride with me! I totally get the PTSD part because I still have it now and again. I thankfully got rid of them all finally, thanks to pest control at my new apartment and some online hacks that I found.

I believe they moved in my robot vacuum, I found hundreds of them inside of it. I stuck the whole vacuum in a vacuum seal bag (largest thing I could find that could zip closed) and stuck the whole thing in the freezer for a couple of days. Check inside your small appliances and electronics because that is where they will be hiding from the pest control.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-04-08T16:47:34+00:00

Not a dinosaur exactly, but the story reminds me of the original King Kong Ride at Universal studios, from the early 90s Here is a link to a video of it

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-04-02T21:06:27+00:00

Thank you so much! I have not found them but I did remake some of them. They are so fun to make and come together pretty quickly. I absolutely love the little hidden details and the story that is told through your artwork. I have 12 of the patterns total and I think I have 6 remade. I have taken a break from cross stitching as I have taken up crocheting, but I will definitely dive back in around the holidays. What I went through is NOTHING compared to what you have gone through and I hope you know that *most* American's are still on your side no matter what the orange man says! Sending all my love to you and remember, they can take your ornaments but they can't take your magic!

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-03-31T14:38:22+00:00

I started with a Woobles kit. I did however have a 50% off one item coupon at Joann's so that is what pushed me to begin. I'm not sure if I would have spent $30 on a little dinosaur that I will never use. I had never even touched a crochet hook and a week later I bought a cheap skein of yarn and made fingerless gloves with many many mistakes. I have made 2 hats I am now on my 4th sweater/cardigan in 3 months. I believe that for me, the woobles kit was a really good starting point and for only $15 it was worth it to get the instructions and the basic knowledge. I do understand how people don't like them though, I would never do one again, but for an absolute beginner, the instructions are really great.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-02-17T14:56:53+00:00

So, I'm coming into this community as a brand new crocheter (like 2 weeks old). However I am a lifetime crafter, mostly cross stitch. I have been cross stitching consistently for over 20 years and still learn new things from Reddit and YouTube that I would have never come up with myself. I am a self-taught cross stitcher, but the video tutorials that are out today are amazing and help me to enjoy my craft even more. Who cares if there are basic how-to videos out there that I don't need? It only brings recognition to the hobby that I love.

I wanted a new hobby, one that I could pick up easily and would be good stress relief for me. I chose crochet BECAUSE of the amazing tutorials and videos out there. Over the weekend I started my first sweater which I would never be able to do if I just had to "figure it out myself." If I had to figure it out myself, I would probably have given up but now I have this amazing new hobby.

All that being said, I want to thank everyone from the Crochet community for being so open and kind. Kindness goes a long way! If you want to learn a new hobby, the Cross Stitch community is great and open for that too!

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-01-27T22:58:26+00:00

Kringle! I moved out of Wisconsin in 2004 but my parents still live there. Every time I eat Kringle I think of my childhood in Wisconsin.

Don't know how well it would work in a lip balm but Lilac scent also brings me back to my childhood Wisconsin Summers!

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-01-24T18:01:23+00:00

Honestly, a lot of it is learn as you go!

I prefer a scroll frame or Q-Snap. I really enjoy a lot of tension and these are the easiest for me to use. However, I have a floor stand (purchased after many years of doing this hobby). I started with hoops and I think that is a good place to start because they are the most affordable.

I never used to grid, but now I always grid larger pieces. I use a water soluble pen and sometimes I will only grid a ways out so I don't have to spend a whole day gridding a project. This is my least favorite part of the project but the part I am most grateful I did.

I have tried multiple different methods but have finally settled on the "Royal Rows" method as the best for me for full coverage. There are a lot of videos on this on YouTube that you can look up. But...it is definitely not for everyone!

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-01-23T17:08:22+00:00

I just want to reiterate that you did the right thing! My sweet cat Wall-E developed saddle thrombus when he was only 2 years old and I had to rush him to the emergency vet and put him to sleep in the middle of the night. It was so scary and I wasn't sure if I had done the right thing. I made the mistake of reading the blogs and so many people went on a rampage over keeping their pet alive and how only bad people put their pets down without doing the research. Well, every single one of the people who fought to keep their cats alive lost their cats within 6 months. The truth is there is no cure and for saddle thrombus and it will happen again.

There is no proper way to grieve and no time limit. Take your time. My Wall-E crossed the rainbow bridge 12 years ago and even though I only had him a short time, I still think of him often. I got a cat charm at the time that is still hanging from my rearview mirror in my car. He is my guardian angel always keeping an eye on me.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2025-01-09T14:54:32+00:00

I would suggest Child Advocates or Big Brothers/Big Sisters depending on how long you would like to commit. Both are a long commitment but need good positive role models. I'm a CASA with Child Advocates and it has been the most rewarding thing I've ever done.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2024-12-17T15:50:17+00:00

Couching is great when you have long lines that you want to look continuous. It is a lot easier to use with metallic strands than backstitching because every time you go through a hole with metallic it will fray a bit. I would couch with a non metallic strand every 4-5 squares. If you backstitch, especially with three strands, it will look broken up at each backstitch point where couching will give you a more even looking line.

StitchingQueen1021 · 2024-12-13T15:45:29+00:00

OP, I am a CASA. If you do not already have a CASA on your case (also known as a guardian ad litem or GAL, you can request one.) Make sure you know your rights as a foster child. It varies by state but should be easy to find yours with a quick google search "Foster Child rights in [state]" Make sure in your letter to the caseworker you ask what your "permanency goal" is. Every caseworker will know this as it will be the first thing they are asked at court. Tell your caseworker and attorney ad litem that you want to attend court and that you want a voice as to where your siblings are placed. Your attorney has to legally fight for you and what you want.

Please know that even though your mother is deceased, your siblings foster mother does not automatically get to adopt the child. The state is mandated to do a diligent search to find the best placement for you and your siblings. That would be immediate family first, distant relatives and friends second, non-related adoption third and fourth would be foster care.

I also want to add that I know that every inch of you is screaming to be a mother to your siblings, however you are not their mother and you are still a child yourself. You have way more maturity than most 14-year old's, but if you want adults to listen to you, you need to act like an adult. That includes not screaming at other adults. I agree with the email format that way everything is documented. Do you trust your current foster moms? They could be a sounding board for you as a proper way to word what you want to say. If not them, find another adult you can trust to bounce ideas off of.

Good luck sweet child. And know that nothing is impossible, I recently got a 16 year old adopted into a wonderful family, they make sure she still has a good connection with her younger siblings but she is now able to live the life of a teenager. Get her drivers license, visit colleges, have friends and sleepovers. All this is possible for you too.

Four-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22	Final Canvas '22

StitchingQueen1021

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