This is what the project is supposed to look like...

I was hesitating because I posted about a month ago asking for advice. I was hating doing the half cross stitches and I didn't like the way it looked. The consensus, however, was to keep doing the half crosses and just use fewer threads. I understood everyone's reasons, and decided to stick it out. After a few more days though, I was still terribly unhappy, and just about to put it aside and give up.
But I kept reading all the treads and one theme keeps coming up, there is no right or wrong, and in the end I have to be happy stitching and happy with the way the piece looks. So, since I was not happy doing it the 'right' way, I decided to stop the half crosses and continue the 'wrong' way. I feel so much better about how it looks, and I love doing it now. So I think this is the right way for me.
So this is what it looks like after 10 weeks...

You can see I am learning to park, which is definitely making the stitching much easier. I also learned the loop method for starting single colors and I start in the front for the blended colors.
So, basically, I wanted to start this SAL so you could see how much you have all been helping me. I am no where near as skilled as the rest of you, but I think in time I might get close.
Thanks for looking.