And It Rained

 Yesterday was cool and wet with a high of 12C. This morning it is cloudy and 10C. Today is supposed to be cloudy with showers and a high of 13C. 

Lifestyle

I took daughter-in-law shopping yesterday morning. Our first stop was the sporting goods store where I returned a pair of runners and bought another pair. Daughter-in-law bought herself a pair of runners also. 

Our second stop was Walmart and we did our shopping. I bought celery and she bought carrots which we shared. I got a few other things also. Our last stop was at the liquor store. We did a bit of snooping in there for fun. We were home by noon. 

After lunch, I chopped celery and onions and grated carrots for mirepoix which I use in soups. I have a tub of it. I also keep the chunks of celery that I can't chop up as I put them into the pot when I cook a chicken carcass for broth. 

Sewing

I have started to print the patterns for the doll's outfit. I got the gathered pocket pieces done and the coat is now printing. I want to rough cut them and tape the pieces together and put them into a pile on top of the coat fabric. 

I bought ribbon for the last two bags I made. That is on the list to do right away so I can put the bags into a tub to sell next year. 

Knitting

I did a lot of knitting yesterday. I got both sleeves done. I even wove the ends in on the sleeves. 

I read both the pattern and the knit along instructions carefully and started to pick up the stitches on the right front. 

I am taking my time as I find picking up stitches this way challenging. There are not many rows to knit though there are some stitches to pay attention to when making the shawl collar. I am happy that I decided to make this sweater using both the pattern and the knit along. 

Thoughts

    We had a good rain yesterday. It was nice and soft in the morning with a good hard rain last night. We really needed it and I, for one, wasn't complaining. The ground was bone dry at least 6" down. The downside of having the rain was how gloomy it was all day. 

    I am still waiting for the paperwork to return my Fitbit. I sent them an email asking when it will be sent as I am missing having it. The company was fast to start with but have slowed down since our Thanksgiving weekend. 

    I am still playing around with packing. I put things into the suitcase, take them out, rearrange, and drive myself crazy. I think I am trying to be over prepared. Yesterday I was fiddling with my backpack trying to get things organized so I can get at items during the long flights. I know I will be putting my back pack under the seat. 

    It was this day in 1897 that a fire broke out in Windsor. But due to gale force winds, most of the town burnt to the ground. Help came from Halifax, New Brunswick, and Boston. Within a year 150 new structures were built and Windsor was fully function as a town. I do know from visiting museums in the town some of the houses were not touched by the fire. The owners of one house helped build houses in the town. 

Today

I am gone first thing to make sandwiches. I am not sure what time I will get home as I think we have to make two batches today. I would like to do some laundry, work on getting the ribbon into the bags, and start rough cutting and taping doll patterns together. I will knit on the doll's sweater tonight. 

Until the next time..........................................................

A Busy Day

 Yesterday started out cloudy and ended up sunny. The high got to 17C. This morning it is cloudy and 9C. Today is supposed to be cloudy with a chance of showers and 14C. 

Lifestyle

I was out to physio at 8 am. After a quick assessment, the therapist released the sacrum which was a bit tight. Then she worked on both SI joints. They were also tight. I did the gym exercise and had the electrical and heat therapy. I go back the first week of November for another session. I was much better than the last time and hope I will be a bit better next time. 

Once home, I did a few things. I prepped meat for a stew, cleaned up the kitchen, and wandered outside to see how the hedge was coming along. The guys were putting down the cedar mulch as the edging was done.  

I left for my flu shot after lunch and arrived at the doctor's a good 10 minutes early. There was a small line up and I was in and done in 10 minutes. The doctor's 2 sons were helping him and they make an efficient team. 

Back home, I was outside to clean the shed. I picked up the empty plastic bags and box and took them to the garage to be recycled. I swept the floor of the shed, tidied up a bit and am happy with my clean shed. I also picked up the empty bags from the mulch and put them into the garbage can the guys had for them. I went back out later to lock the shed and admire the hedge. It looks great. No phone so no pictures. 

I had a short nap as the combination of physio and flu shot knocked me out. I was okay with that as I had expected it to happen. I am always tired after physio as my therapist works we hard. Add the flu shot and I knew I would need a nap. 

Sewing

Nothing done as I didn't have time to print the patterns. 

Knitting

I finished week 1 of the knit along I had found quite a while ago and started on week 2. Week 2 was a bit of a challenge for me as I wasn't doing the bottom of the sweater the same as the instructions said. I was adding a wide white knit border above the bottom rows of garter stitch (knit the rows). It was in keeping with the picture I had found. My calculations were spot on and I finished the body of the sweater. 

Week 3 is the sleeves and I need to knit plain until I hit the cuffs and then knit them in white. That will be easy to do. I need to get a size larger needle to knit the sleeves. Like most people, my gauge is tighter when I knit in the round. 

Thoughts

    I was surprised at how many people were on the list to get the flu shot. Pages of them. The doctor would be busy until 5 pm. He gets to repeat this in 2 weeks when he gives the Covid vaccine. 

    I got my blood collection appointment done online this morning and as of now I am done with booking appointments. I don't have to keep putting them on the list every day. Now they go on the day I have to get them, which is every week from now until Nov. 14. 

Today

I am heading out the shop at New Minas and hope to be home in good time. I want to print pattern pieces, do some laundry, and clean up a bit more upstairs. I hope to knit tonight. 

Until the next time...........................................................

Starting A Doll's Sweater

 Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 17C. This morning it is partly cloudy and 8C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 17C. 

Lifestyle

My first visitor of the morning was the company that does the fertilizing and weed control on the lawn. I talked to the person and he told me my lawn is coming along nicely after a very dry summer. Seeding will be done in the spring. 

Once he left, I headed out to do the grocery shopping. As I was getting into the car, I got a text message from the company who mows my lawn. They were at the house trimming the hedge and were going to do the edging. When I got home, we went over what I wanted, I unlocked the shed, and let them get at it. They had to buy bigger spikes to hold the edging in place. They got the old edging down and most of the hedge weeded by late afternoon. They will be back today to put down the new edging and finish up. I am pleased with how it looks. 

Once I got the groceries put away, I set about washing windows. They are done until spring. I then went under the stairs and started on it. I did not take out the tv boxes and some other things I have to keep and are tidy. The rest of the stuff came out. I let go of my poinsettia tree, outdoor Christmas lights, and a few things in the Christmas tub. I put the outdoor fall decorations into the sell/donate pile and used the wooden crate to hold a metal Christmas tree that holds tea lights and the outdoor projectors. I put what I was keeping back under the stairs along with the two crafting trolleys. 

I kept two empty boxes which I have to keep for another year. One is for the robot vacuum cleaner and the other is for the portable generator. I have 2 cans of paint to take to the depot as it is old and not usable. 

Once done under the stairs, I had a rest. My SI joint was not happy with me crouching so much but I was happy it was done. The rest of the afternoon I rested with some trips outside to enjoy the wonderful warm weather we were having. 

Sewing

Nothing done. I am ready to print patterns. 

Knitting

I did a bit of research on sweaters worn between 1910 and the  mid 1920's. I found these at the Vintage Dancer. 

The light blue and the green and white one caught my eye. I have a pattern for a shawl sweater for the dolls. 

I have instruction (knit along) to do it with a contrasting collar. I can knit a belt if I have to. So the fun began. I started with the navy yarn I knit the beret and scarf from. I did a swatch to get gauge.

It is very close with stitches per inch but a bit out on rows per inch. I am okay with that. I then cast on the stitches and started to knit using the pattern and the knit along instructions. I am going to admit I was having fun though going between the two on the iPad was annoying. But I was learning new things from the knit along. 

I have a few more rows to knit and week 1 of the knit along is done. I love Little Woolens patterns. They are well written and she has some great techniques. The person who did the knit along has good instructions and some great tips. I ended up the evening very happy. I needed something different to knit before I start the next pair of socks. 

Thoughts

    Yesterday was the perfect fall day. The sun was warm and inviting. I was in and out of the house many times enjoying the sunshine. These are my favourite days when I don't have to wear a sweater but I don't overheat. 

    With the hedge being done, I will be able to go to clean the shed some. I need to sweep the floor and move a few things around. It will be nice to have lots of open space to move about. Maybe this afternoon I can do that. 

    I got a call yesterday for making sandwiches. I will be out making them 4 days in a row starting on Friday. I know I will be sore which means I will have to do a lot of stretching to keep my SI joint released. 

Today

I am out shortly for physio and then home to do some things. I am back out at 1 pm for my flu shot. If I feel good enough, I would like to do a bit of work in the shed. Tonight I will knit. 

Until the next time..............................................................

A Productive Day

Yesterday was sunny with a high of 15C. This morning it is cloudy and 4C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 17C. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I made buns. I was a bit worried as my yeast is just out of date but has been in the freezer. It worked well for me and the buns turned out great.

We had them for Thanksgiving dinner last night. 

While waiting for the dough to rise, I set about doing chores. I cleaned the bathroom and did laundry. The laundry was folded and put away. I also scrubbed the kitchen windows along with the outside of the bathroom window. 

I had to stretch my SI joint once during the day to release it and then accidentally stretched it again last night and it released again with a good crack. I slept until 4:30 am. 

Thanksgiving dinner was at family's and we had a delicious ham dinner. Friends came over so there were 6 of us and we had a great visit. 

Sewing

I played around and made pictures of the patterns I would like to sew for the doll's outfit I want to make in 2026. The main outfit will consist of a skirt and one top for sure. I have included 3 tops and will pick one. 

The outer garments will consist of a coat which I will add gathered pockets and a cloche. 

I have all the patterns for this part of the outfit. 

I have 3 more patterns to buy before the end of the year and will probably get the two top patterns and the bicycle skirt. That way I can make several outfits for the doll. 

Knitting

I finished the hat yesterday. It was a case of knit, unknit, and then knit to the finish line. I am not sure what I did wrong but I certainly wasn't paying attention to my knitting when I realized I had done the decreasing for the top of the hat wrong. 

I am not sure what I will knit next. 

Thoughts

    Thanksgiving was quiet for us as we don't do a big dinner. We have in the past but have done less in the last couple of years. We are thankful for what we have and what we can do. There are no big sales or anything exciting happening in the area around our Thanksgiving holiday. 

    My IBS has calmed down in the past couple of days. I think it is because I am having less pain in my SI joint, eating better, and stressing less about getting ready for our trip. I feel like I am back in control of what needed to be done and have relaxed now that the jobs are done. 

    I have started to do some Christmas shopping for daughter and son-in-law. I have to ship them 2 boxes before we leave, one of which needs to have their Christmas gifts in it. I have told them not to ship me anything until January. 

Today

I have to get groceries this morning. Once home, I hope to finish the windows in the house and start cleaning up under the stairs. I have to figure out what I want to knit next. Tonight I hope to start a new knitting project. 

Until the next time...............................................................

Planning A Doll Project

 Yesterday was another sunny day with a high of 15C. This morning it is cloudy and 4C. Today is supposed to be mainly cloudy with a high of 15C. 

Lifestyle

First job yesterday was to do the balance sheet. It is frustrating when you have to move numbers from one month to another due to how the bank processes your debits. Shows I bought items on Sept 30 and they processed it on Oct 1. Once I had that done and my totals updated, the rest of the entries were a breeze. Done until next Sunday. 

My next job was to take some things downstairs and put them away. I did that and then decided to wash the stairs and entry way. Job done in no time and I am happy to say the upstairs is officially cleaned. Now to maintain it which I am doing with tons of reminders. I am hoping it will become a habit that I will do automatically. 

I decided to watch a series I found on Netflix. It is called Sullivan's Crossing and is filmed in Nova Scotia. Most of the scenes are around Mahone Bay but there was one shot at Fisherman's Cove and several scenes were shot in the Dartmouth/Halifax area. Netflix has 2 seasons of the show and I will watch what I want of it. The story line is good at the moment though there are some exaggerations. The last Netflix show I watched that was filmed in the Mahone Bay area was done in the 1800's and was quite good.

Sewing

I cleaned off the cutting table and looked at the doll's fabrics for inspiration for an Edwardian outfit. These are the ones I found but they may change. 

So far, the lighter blue is the coat, the darker is the skirt and the stripe is a shirt. The white is for cuffs and collars. We will see if I make any changes. 

I need to make a jpg of the patterns which will be next. I am slowly getting my ideas together. If there is enough of the lighter blue, I will make a cloche hat. What I need to find is fabric for the lining. I have a grey stripe lining fabric I could use. 

Knitting

I grabbed a part ball of navy blue yarn and decided to knit a scarf and hat to go with the Edwardian outfit. I made the scarf in a couple of hours in the afternoon. The hat was worked on last night and I am ready to decrease the top part now. 

This is a quick knit which I needed after knitting so many pairs of socks. 

Thoughts

    We are in the midst of fall here. Cool with frost warnings. It is almost time to turn on the heat but I am holding off for a few more days. I will start with heat in the mornings only. I let the sun shine in to heat the house during the day. Soon it will be time to run the heat mornings and evenings. I am enjoying the crisp weather we are having. 

    I have started to make a list of some meals I want to make for the next few weeks. I am trying not to go overboard as I want to leave only one or two meals in the freezer for when we get back. I also need to use up the meat I have in the freezer so am looking for recipes. I have been cooking very bland foods while my IBS was flaring up. I can now eat a wider variety of foods. 

    I hope to start cleaning under the stairs this week. I have looked under there and know it will be a big job but I have the time to do it. 

Today

I have to make buns for Thanksgiving dinner tonight. I will do a load of laundry and try to clean the bathroom. I would like to look for the video on how to bind the book and see if I can do it. I don't know if I will be knitting today or not as I don't know what time I will get home from dinner. 

Until the next time..........................................................

A Proud Moment

 Yesterday was another sunny day with a high of 16C. This morning it is partly cloudy and 4C. Today is supposed to be another sunny day with a high of 15C. 

Lifestyle

I was out the door and at the community hall to make sandwiches before 8 am. As we had an extra person who cuts and arranges the sandwiches only, I made up 3 loaves of sandwiches. I was home by 9:30 am. 

My Fitbit died yesterday. I put it on to charge and when I took it off the charger, it was dead. I called Fitbit and it seems as if the battery is no good. I am in the process of doing a warranty claim to have the battery replaced. I do miss having it as I used it as a watch as well as a Fitbit. Back to using my phone as my watch. 

I spent time cleaning the front hall closet. It is now clean. I also cleaned the floor at the top of the stairs. After lunch I vacuumed the stairs, the door entry, and the basement floors. Lots of fluff to be found along with some crafting and sewing bits. It is done once again and I can now wash the stairs and front entry way. 

I had to be at family's just before 11 am. Grandson's team was playing (Uruguay) and we were hoping he would get some playing time. We enjoyed the game as the players were playing a good game and were scoring. We could see grandson warming up and were hoping he would play. Ten minutes before the game ended I spotted him and asked for his number. We were excited as he was on the field playing his first professional game. He showed maturity, confidence, and great skills. He definitely can play at this level and even a level above this team. We were super proud of him and were literally yelling and cheering him on in the living room. 

Sewing/Crafting

None done yesterday as I was busy doing other things. If all goes well, I may get something done this week. 

Knitting

I sat and knit last night to keep busy. I was feeling bored and would have wandered the house looking for something to eat. I did get the 2nd sock finished. 

I now need to decide what I want to knit next. Will it be socks or something for the dolls. 

Thoughts

    I decided to get weighed this morning to see if I had lost weight this week. I lost 1.5 lbs which is a lot more than I had thought I would. My first goal has been met as I am down 10. 6 lbs in 9 weeks. That is 44.4 lbs of pressure off my hip and knee joints. I have set my next goal which I hope to reach by the time we leave on November 14. 

    My determination to loose weight has been complex. I know that I can't eat certain foods as they trigger compulsive eating. I still crave potato chips but don't allow them in the house. I am doing a lot of portion control but have to monitor that as I will eat less than I should. I know that being at the weight the doctor set for me is ideal for my joints. I move easier. I will still have sore days but not from being overweight. I also know that loosing weight is each person's own journey. 

    Upstairs is almost cleaned and I am trying to keep up on the job. I have a few things to put into a box (I found one) and a few things to put away. I am hoping I can start under the stairs this week. It is a job I am not looking forward to but I do know it needs to be done. 

Today

I have to do a bit of grocery shopping as I need food for lunches. I want to do the balance sheet and finish cleaning the stairs and the entry way. I need to decide what I will knit next and hope to start printing patterns for the doll's outfit I want to start sewing in January. 

Until the next time.................................................................

Plans Changed for Shopping at Ikea

 Yesterday was mainly sunny with a high of 11C. This morning it is 6C (up 4C between 5 and 6 am). Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 17C. 

Lifestyle

My plans for the morning changed. Daughter-in-law and I went to the city so we could get some things at Costco and Ikea. Costco was very busy for 9:30 am and people were buying for Thanksgiving dinner (Monday in Canada). We got through the store without being hit or hitting someone. I got coffee pods, some soup I love, a square, and some Tylenol. We found some lovely pants for daughter-in-law in colours she loved. 

At Ikea, I was buying a few items for daughter's Christmas box. We only did Market Place as that was where everything I wanted was. I gave myself an hour to look and buy. We walked a lot of the store and I got everything I wanted. I was an hour. From there we headed home as it was getting super busy in the stores and the traffic in that area was heavy. We were home by noon. 

I bought two stems of fake hydrangeas. They were 79 cents each. I am hoping they will have more when I go back later on. They are perfect for my bedroom. 

Crafting

I spent the better part of the afternoon cleaning up the crafting materials. I sorted, bagged, and put a lot of stuff into the donation/sell box. I put a tub on the shelf of paper I kept. Not a lot. I sorted out the cart and tidied it up. The last job was to take out the garbage and sort it. That took a while but the job is done and the family room is ready to vacuum. 

I didn't look at how to bind the book yesterday. I need to do a search on YouTube for it. I also need to price it at the office supply store. My biggest fear is the cover for the book. I will have to ask about that when I go. 

Knitting

I did a lot of knitting last night as I was bored. I got the foot knit on the sock. 

It could be done tonight. 

Thoughts

    My weight dropped slightly this week. I think I am not eating enough and my body is holding onto the weight. I did eat a bit more yesterday to see if this is the case. I am loosing inches as my clothes are fitting looser. At this time I will not be going back to see the dietician as I know what I need to do and can do it on my own. I know that loosing the weight I gained is better for my joints. 

    I bought soup yesterday as it is one I love. It is one I don't make so I buy it as a treat. I am going to make soup when this is gone as I enjoyed a bowl of it last night. I also like it for lunch. It is cool enough to start thinking about soup, especially chicken soup. 

Today

I am off to make sandwiches this morning. When I get home, I want to start cleaning the front entry starting with the closet. I have to be at family's at 11 am to watch grandson play soccer (YouTube). This afternoon, I would like to do find the videos on how to bind the memory book to see if I can do it myself. Tonight I hope to finish the socks. 

Until the next time..................................................................