Block # 6 Was Difficult

 Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 20C (humidex 24C). This morning it is raining and 18C. Today is supposed to be wet with a high of 19C. 

Lifestyle

My job yesterday morning was to clean the hall. It isn't a big space. I took down the pictures and cleaned them. I removed the small table and cleaned the items on it. Then I started washing the walls. Up the ladder to do the top half of the walls. Down the ladder to do the bottom half. I moved around the space cleaning all the trim and 3 doors. When they were done, I got down on my hands and knees and washed the trim and the floor. The water was dirty but not filthy. I put the pictures back up on the wall and cleaned the table and put it back. I am pleased with the results. 

Just before lunch, I took the bread for sandwiches to the community hall and was home 10 minutes later. I did see another lavatera yesterday. This one was a young bush with two solid pink flowers on it. 

Sewing

I worked on block #6 yesterday and it was the hardest block yet. I made a few mistakes because it was hard to see the cutting lines on the cat. I had to remake one piece as it wasn't lining up properly. Pressing had to be redone so seams could nest. It took me 2 hours to make the block and I am proud of it. 

Blocks 7 and 8 are the same as blocks 1 and 2 so I am hoping they will only take a day to make. Then it will be on to making 12 maple leaves. I have to remind myself it is one step at a time as this table runner has a lot of pieces in it. 

Knitting

I did not do any unravelling of the afghan last night. 

Thoughts

    The storm that was to give us a lot of rain has not really materialized like they thought. The concern is more for Halifax and eastern Nova Scotia. We could still see an inch of rain but not the 2+" of rain they had predicted. The worst of the storm will be gone by tomorrow morning. 

    I am working on a lot of ideas on how to keep the house cleaner. I know Rosie does a horrible job of mopping the floors. When I clean, I do a big clean and then leave it until the next time. I know it is one reason clutter starts to accumulate and areas look dirty. As I work through each area/room I am trying to figure out how to keep each area tidy and clean. The hall is easy. Vacuum and mop every two days. The same for the landing. The challenge will come when I get into the bigger areas. At the moment, I am working on what I have cleaned and how I can fit it in to keep it clean and tidy. So far, no clutter has appeared and the spaces are clean. 

    I was tired yesterday as I came down from daughter's court day. She is still safe and he has to follow the protection order. She has gone away for a holiday so she can recharge her batteries. She still has a lot of stress ahead of her. 

Today

I am out this morning to make sandwiches at the community hall. Once home, I want to start cleaning the bathroom. I am hoping to make the last 2 pumpkin blocks this afternoon and I should start unravelling the afghan. 

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

The Table Runner is Growing

 Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with a surprise shower mixed in to the works. The high got to 23C (humidex 25C). This morning it was foggy when I got up but clearing off now. The temperature was 13C. Today is supposed to be mix of sun and clouds with a high of 20C. Rain is coming tonight.

Lifestyle

I had a lovely drive to Bedford yesterday morning. The sky was a light blue with huge puffy clouds floating in it. Everything is green and lush with a few signs of fall starting to show. 

I decided to stop at Michaels to look at their fabric. This is what I saw. 

They are just starting to do the layout. I did some snoop shopping and bought some one-sided velcro which I do like. If I have to use velcro on doll clothes this is not as hard on their hair as the regular velcro. 

My next stop was Walmart. I did both my grocery shopping and that for the hall. I didn't do a lot of snoop shopping as I wanted to be home by noon. The person I had at the till was amazing. He was kind and very polite. I thanked him for his excellent service. 

I decided to do a bit of banking while in Bedford. When I entered the bank, the layout was not the usual layout in most banks. The tellers are at tables spread around the space. Same service, different layout. I was in and out quickly. It was time to go home. 

When I got home, I saw that my lawn was mowed and it looks great. I can't see the weeds so have to leave it until after the storm goes through and then pull the weeds that have survived the spraying. 

Inside, I put away my groceries and prepped the chicken for dinner. I sat down as I was sore and needed something to drink. I had a good morning. 

Sewing

My first job yesterday was to remake block 1. I cut the large piece and the small squares. I sewed the squares onto the corners and then proceeded to replace the old square. An easy job that took about 20 minutes to do. 

I then started to cut out block #5. I chose the light grey colour as I am mixing up the order of colours for the 2nd half of the centre part of the table runner. I was careful to cut only the pieces I needed for each small section. When sewing each section together I was careful to make sure the seams were pressed correctly so they would nest together. I had to repress a few seams. I actually enjoyed watching the cat come together when I sewed the final seam. 

The next block will finish the cat and I have to spend a lot of time cutting the small pieces and putting them together. The last two blocks will be easy; just pumpkins like block #1 and #2. Then it will be on to the leaves. 

Knitting

I ripped out the side borders and started to crochet a border. Not happy with it as it is rippling. I am considering this project as a semi flop caused by me and will start over again. I have lots of time on my hands so will work on it for the next few months. 

Thoughts

    We seem to be getting the storm from Ontario. It caused a lot of damage in Toronto and is moving happily over to see if it can drop the last of its moisture on us. They are predicting 24 hours of rain. 

    I was a bit stressed as yesterday was court day for daughter and her ex-spouse. Her lawyer let him ramble on and the judge had to remind him several times that he was off topic and what the protection order meant. The judge set a date for him and he has to follow it. Then it's on to the next part which I am not exactly certain about or its process. She is still under the protection order which is what is important. I realized the stress was more about "what's next" and not about trying to fix something outside of my control. 

    I was surprised to see children wearing backpacks walking up the street this morning. The bus arrived on time and school has started a day or 2 before Labour Day weekend. The fall routines have started and the street will be noisy in the mornings once again. It brings up memories of when I was teaching. Good memories. 

Today

I am going to wash the walls in my hall this morning and stop before noon so I can deliver bread to the community hall for sandwiches. After lunch I want to sew block 6 and possibly block 7. Tonight I will start ravelling the afghan so I can start again knitting it later this week. 

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

Two More Blocks Sewn

 Yesterday started out cloudy and then was sunny and calm. The high got to 23C (humidex 24C). This morning it is foggy and 11C. Today is mainly sunny with a high of 22C. 

Lifestyle

I paid bills on line and then went to pay the property taxes. There were 4 people ahead of me and about 5 behind me. The computer system wasn't working which made it slow going as we had to get hand written receipts. My next stop was the bank to get money for the person who mows my lawns. Hopefully he will be here today or tomorrow as we are under a rain warning starting tomorrow night for 2 days. 

Once home, I started cleaning. I moved the server and then washed the items on it. The picture was removed from the wall and cleaned. I then washed the wall, baseboard, floor, the crocks and wooden cat. When dry I put everything back into its place. 

I then moved into the hall and washed the wall which has the closet for the washer and dryer. I also washed the doors inside and out. Next up was cleaning the washer and dryer which weren't too dirty. I did throw out one item -- a box that had some borax in it which was rock solid. I stopped as it was enough for one morning. 

As I rested, I folded laundry and then put it away. I also emptied the dishwasher and loaded it while I made lunch. I had done my to-do list for the morning even if I did have to push myself. 

Sewing

I did 2 more blocks yesterday. Block 3 went together well. Block 4 was more difficult. I cut out pieces and had to recut them. I cut out the wrong colour and had to recut them in the right colour. I had a panic attack when one piece looked wrong but when I thought about it, it was correct. I got the block together. The center part is half done. 

I have decided to redo the blue part of block 1 as the lines are annoying me. 

The parcel with the apron and placemats arrived in Saskatchewan. The people opened it as they couldn't wait until the auction. They loved it and the husband has a $100.00 bid on the placemats already. Doing items for hunting dog people is a real niche market. I'm happy to supply something for them once a year for an auction. They are hungry to see what I will make next. 

Knitting

I did a bit of casting off on the afghan and then stopped. It looks like the sides are pulling inwards and I am not happy with that. I have two options -- unravel the whole afghan and start again or unravel the side border and either do a row of single crochet down each side. I am thinking on it at the moment. 

Thoughts

    I have been wondering why my right leg has been so sore. It is muscle soreness which means there is rebelling going on. It may be that I am walking and standing more evenly on both feet. The muscles don't like it and want me to go back to the old way of standing and walking. This happened a few times before and I know I have to train them to accept the new way. 

    I checked the lawn yesterday to see how the weed control was doing. I may have a few weeds to dig out and will try to do that tomorrow morning so the job is done. The over seeding is to be done this month so I need to be ready. 

    Our weather has a more fall feeling to it. The mornings are quite crisp and the afternoon warm. I really enjoy this season though I do know we can have hotter weather, humidity, rain, hurricanes, and what ever Mother Nature decides to fling at us. It is still my favourite season as I can open the windows, be outside without overheating, and sleep in a cool room. 

Today

I am going to go shopping this morning and do a couple of other things for daughter-in-law. I want to sew on the table runner this afternoon and make a decision on the afghan tonight. 

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

A Day Of Pain

 Yesterday was warm with a high of 21C (humidex 23C). This morning it is cloudy (pink clouds) and 12C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with the possibility of a late afternoon shower. The high is to get to 23C.

Lifestyle

I had an early physio appointment. The assessment showed I was in alignment but the SI joint was sore. She did a good 15 minutes of work on me to get the SI joint released and to get my leg to lay flat on the bed. My knee did crack when she started so something released. I did the gym exercises and then the heat and current therapy. The person who put the current pads on me put all 8 on and it was what I needed. I go again in 5 weeks. 

When I got home, the company was there spraying weeds on the lawn. He was putting on a good coat of spray. We chatted where I wanted a bit of extra spray put and I left him to it. I will only have a few to dig out before the lawn is reseeded. 

Once inside, I had a cup of coffee and put heat on my sore muscles and SI joint. I was told I would be very sore yesterday. I was and struggled all day with it. My first job was to finish the balance sheet and do the little bit of month end I had to do. 

I did clean the server. Every thing was removed from it, the spaces wiped down and then everything put back in a more organized way. I had some recycling to get rid of. I wiped the outside down well. It was dirty as I have only dusted it. I did not wipe down the wall that was designated as I was very sore and tired. 

After lunch, I laid down and had a good nap for almost an hour. I woke up feeling a bit more rested but was still very sore. I did prep for dinner (cut and marinade meat and cut vegetables). I decided to take out the recycling and that was one big job. I struggled down the stairs but got it done. I did it but all I can say is that it really hurt. 

Sewing

I did not sew yesterday as I would have made one mistakes when cutting fabric. I did sit at the downstairs computer and looked at the embroidery files I have looking for something I don't have. It was fun to go through them. I found a couple of projects that I might make this winter. 

I also looked on line for an embroidery file for the embroidered table runner but the ones I found are all to big. I have found one this morning that I may buy. I am thinking on it for a bit. 

Knitting

I did not knit last night. 

Thoughts

    The physiotherapist told me I would be sore yesterday and she was spot on. It was muscle and tendons that were rebelling from the treatment. I did push through the pain and put a lot of heat on them until bedtime. I am much better this morning. On the up side, when I stood for my post assessment, I was standing with equal weight on both feet. Normally I have a bit more weight on my left foot. 

    I did not run the a/c yesterday and had the windows open all day. It was lovely having fresh air coming in. The bonus was the wind was cool which made it so nice to stand outside. The air had a bit of an autumn smell to it. I have the house wide open this morning enjoying the coolness. 

    I tracked my food again yesterday. Portion control and lots of vegetables. I have been eating cucumbers and tomatoes from my plants but it has been a poor year for them. Spring was so late that they are now producing. This is about 3 weeks later than normal. My weight is up a little bit from the beginning of August but about the same as it was near the end of July. 

Today

I have to pay a bunch of bills online and in person. I want to wash some walls and fold laundry I did yesterday. I hope to sew on the table runner this afternoon and knit tonight. 

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

A Fall Table Runner Starting

 Yesterday was quite sunny with a high of 25C (humidex 27C). This morning it is clearing off from rain last night and 14C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 23C. 

Lifestyle

I made a list of things I needed to do yesterday and set about doing it. I started off with a few easy jobs: take out the garbage, fold the laundry, and launder the sheets. Then I set about fall cleaning. The closet was tackled first. Everything was moved and it was dusted, wiped down and the floor washed. 

While everything was out, I organized the winter basket and tossed a pair of worn out gloves. Next was the trolley that I have cleaning items on. I tossed 7 or 8 worn out cleaning rags and replaced them with new ones. I tidied up the mess and put it all away. Books were taken out of a basket and all but 2 were put into a pile to be taken to a little library in our area. 

I picked up all the recycling and put it out into the garage. My break was changing Rosie's filter and emptying her dust bin. I also filled her tank with water. 

I washed the door inside and out and then started washing walls in that area. I made sure they were spotless and then did the baseboards. I wiped the refrigerator down and then washed the floor. 

While the floor was drying, I took the books to the little library and once home I put everything back in its place and put the sheets into the dryer. 

In the afternoon, I watered all the plants and picked the cucumbers and tomatoes. The earwigs are eating the tomatoes so I am going to start picking them before they are ripe. I also made my bed and while dinner was warming up, I emptied the dishwasher and loaded it up again. After dinner, I did my usual clean up so the kitchen is clean in the morning. 

Sewing

I started the table runner. I pressed and cut the pieces for block #1. I carefully sewed the pieces together doing a lot of measuring after each row. I was successful. 

I used the herpa marker to mark the lines where I will the outline stitch so these pumpkins have some curves to them. 

I am deciding if I will embroider the now or after I sandwich the 3 layers together. 

Knitting

I knit 4 rows on the afghan border and had to stop when casting off. My hands started to cramp. 

Thoughts

    I am happy that I got the first area cleaned. I was surprised that I had a lot of items to go out to the trash or recycling from the closet. I am happy all the books are gone. I kept one to read as it is about the Acadians in a community near us (fictional based on truth). The author is from that community. It will go to the little library when I have read it. 

    I ate well and tracked all my food. I was hungry in the afternoon as lunch wasn't big. But I didn't snack. I was a bit short on fluids which was one reason my hands cramped. The other reason was handling the small bits of fabric when making block #1. 

    Daughter spent Saturday and yesterday at a class so she could get her Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). She was nervous about doing it. Saturday was class and the room was overly warm and stuffy. The a/c hadn't been put on. Yesterday was the practical side of it plus the written and hands on test. She got 96% on the written test and 100% on the hands on test. She was tired when done and had been out of the house over 9 hours yesterday. She has to submit the paper work and wait for her certificate to be sent to her. 

    I slept poorly last night. Don't know why. I woke up around 1 am really hot. I had to get up and lower the temperature on the a/c. I know I will have a nap after lunch as I will be tired. I hate it when I sleep poorly as it slows me down during the day. 

Today

I have physio early this morning. Once home, I have to prep chicken for dinner and then start more fall cleaning. I have to do a load of laundry. I will nap after lunch and I hope I can start work on block #2. If I have the energy, I will finish casting off the afghan. I am going to push myself to get my to-do list done. 

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

More Embroidering Done

 Yesterday was mainly sunny with some wind. The high got to 22C. This morning it is a mix of sun and clouds and 12C. Today is supposed to be mainly sunny with a high of 26C (humidex 29C). 

Lifestyle

Sandwiches were done in good time yesterday with extra people helping. I was home in good time and was sitting drinking water and making my plans when daughter-in-law invited me to come along with her to Bedford. 

We only went to Walmart as she needed to get the lenses replaced in a pair of glasses. We did some shopping and headed for home. The traffic was heavy as people were going down the valley to enjoy the lovely weather at wineries and other fun destinations. We got home at 11:30 am. 

Once home, I decided I should do the balance sheet. I got it done by noon without any problems. I do like it when I can get it done quickly and easily. 

Sewing

I spent the afternoon in the sewing room having a bit of fun. My first job was to starch the fabric for the table runners. I did the pumpkins and background fabric. The pattern starts with those. 

Next up I decided to see what the maple leaf design looked like when it was double and played with on the software program. It took a while to stitch out but I did a few things while I waited. 

One thing I did was look up the sample I had done way back when. I have a binder that I have kept some designs in. I had done it on red faux suede. The stitching was done in gold with a hint of red where I have the cream. It brought back a lot of happy memories as I really enjoyed embroidering the design down the fronts of a vest. 

I cut down the single piece of embroidery to 4.5" square and sewed it to a piece of the fabric I want to use. 

This design could be 4 squares wide by 6 to 8 squares long. A smaller table runner as the embroidery is dense and takes time. I need to buy a spool of glide thread and two pieces of fabric. I had to stop as it was time to make dinner. 

Knitting

I cast off the afghan and then picked up the stitches along one side. I have 3 rows knit on it. 

The picture is horrible and you can barely see the border. I am planning on doing 6 or 8 rows down each side. 

Thoughts

    I had a better day food wise. I did not snack at all and ate well. I made salads using up the ripe tomatoes and cucumbers from the plants on the deck. I had portion control. Overall I felt better watching what I ate. 

    Grandson has let family know he and his girlfriend are moving from Spain to Alberta. We are not surprised as many questions have been asked by his girlfriend. It isn't going to be easy and they have to figure out what they need to do. We don't know when they arrive and we don't know when they will talk to us again. 

    It started out somewhat humid yesterday and the wind came up and move the humidity out of the area/province late in the afternoon. I opened the house up around 8 pm and the windows are still open at this time. The forecast still shows a humidex but it is not like it was. Will be have more of those ugly hot humid days? We can until late September. But they don't last as long unless there is a major storm coming. 

Today

I am going to start fall cleaning. The area I am working on is the closet and top landing. Walls, doors, trim, floors. I will be going through tubs to see what I can let go of. This afternoon I want to start cutting out and sewing block 1 of the table runner. Tonight I want to knit on the afghan. It is cooler and I want to get things done. 

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

Fabric Bought For A Table Runner

 Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with one tiny shower. The high got to 27C (humidex 34C). This morning it is cloudy and 19C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 23C (humidex 26C). 

Lifestyle

Prior to leaving for New Minas, I went down to the basement. It was overly warm down there. I checked the dehumidifier and it said the house humidity was 50%. I emptied the container even though it only 3/4 full. I turned on heat pump to dehumidify and hoped it would cool off. It worked as it was almost cold down there mid afternoon.

The trip to New Minas was warm and muggy. I got my bag from the quilt shop and did buy some fabric. I went to Walmart to buy groceries as it is cheaper than buying them locally. By the time I was done there, it was time to go home. I was tired and it felt ugly outside. 

Once home, I put the groceries away and crawled into bed. I hadn't slept well and the humidity is bothering me once again. I had a good nap and felt much better when I woke up almost an hour later. 

I was out to family's last night. Daughter-in-law and I took the containers of sandwich filling to the community hall to put in the fridge. We didn't stay long and went home for dinner. It was hot dogs and chips. After dinner we had to go back to the hall and do the cookie trays. Once back at their place we watched YouTube videos on British Indian cooking. I learned a few new things that I didn't know about curries. 

Sewing

I spent about an hour at the quilt shop buying the fabrics for the table runner. It was a lot of fun as several people hung around to help me. I chose mainly solids with two of the fabrics having subtle prints and the backing and binding being a soft print. 

I was going to go to Michaels to look at their fabric. I didn't as I was too tired and will save it for another trip. The only fabric I am interested in is their solids as it is a good brand name. The others will be of interest for doll clothes and some small craft projects. 

After my nap, I decided to play around with an embroidery design. I haven't stitched it out in about 15 years when I used it on a vest I did for a rodeo queen. I got out the colours I had put into the design and had a bit of fun on a piece of fabric. 

I am thinking of using this idea for another table runner. I need a different fabric for the embroidery plus more of the print. I may be back at the quilt shop on Tuesday for fabric and thread. Glide thread is wonderful to use in embroidery projects. 

Knitting

None done last night as I got home late. 

Thoughts

    The humid weather is not going away like we had hoped it would. It has stuck around and is keeping us all inside trying to stay cool. I popped my head outside this morning and it is humid even though we don't have a humidex reading. It must be close. I keep reminding myself cooler weather will arrive sometime in September. 

    I was going to start fall cleaning mid September but have decided to start doing some each day right now. If I can't get outside to do things, I can wash walls, etc. slowly over the next few weeks. Windows can wait until it cools down. It will keep me busy in the mornings. 

Today

I am out shortly to make sandwiches. Once home, I want to start fall cleaning. This afternoon I hope to prep the fabrics for the table runner. Tonight I hope to knit. 

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