A Day of Busyness

 Yesterday was cool and cloudy with a high of 2C. This morning it is cloudy and -1C (windchill -4C). Today is supposed to have freezing pellets changing to rain. The high is to get to 2C. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I put the sheets into the washer and cleaned the kitchen. It was time for it to have a good wipe down. When I wiped one counter, it was black and I freaked out. First thought -- black mould. When I calmed down I realized it was spores from the ferns in the bouquet of flowers. I wiped it all up and then dealt with the flowers. Hopefully no more black spores on the counter. 

While the sheets were in the dryer, I did my exercises. They are getting easier to do though I am still sore in my back. I do 10 exercises and I had cracks while doing 5 or 6 of them. My muscles are loosening up a tiny bit which is nice. My back is still sore and that is more annoying than the muscles. 

When done the exercises, I headed downstairs to do more work in the family room. The area I did is the same size as my living room. I took the table cloth off the table and saw some damage to the finish on the table. Not overly worried as it has lots of other damage to the finish. I did scrub it and organized everything when I put it back on. The floor area was vacuumed and mopped and I did a bit more floor in the rest of the room. 

I am ready to tackle other parts of the room once I spend a few days cleaning the sewing room. I am alternating between the two rooms. 

I forced myself to make dinner last night. I cut up 2 peppers, an onion, and some mushrooms and cooked them in a hot frying pan. I added some cooked chicken, teriyaki sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. I put it over rice. I had enough for dinner tomorrow night. It was nice to have a home cooked dinner which I enjoyed very much. 

Sewing

I worked on the two mug rugs and got the binding sewn on them. I sat in the family room hand stitching the binding down. 

I do not usually do a contrasting/darker binding. I like the binding to blend in. This binding's colours are in the print fabric which is why I chose it and allowed it to frame the mug rugs. 

I played with the doll's dress trying to figure out how an Acadian rural lady would wear it when dressing up. I know they wore a scarf (fischu) at the neck of their clothing so I found the one I had made when I had sewn the Isla Lass outfit. I tucked it down the front of the stomacher. 

The outfit is complete. 

Knitting

I played with the yarn and got it wound into cakes. I had to do one cake twice as it didn't wind all that well the first time. 

After dinner, I knit the cuffs on both socks. I am now ready to do the leg in a simple pattern. 

The yarn looks like it had a spiral perm but it isn't hard to work with. 

Thoughts

    We are no longer under a freezing rain warning. I am sure that if it happens it will disappear when it rains. If there is none, then it could be snow which will also disappear when it warms up and rains. 

    I have been working on not being stressed. I am still parking emotions and try not to let both situations make me feel overwhelmed. I know that some of the soreness I have is from stress hence why I am working on parking my emotions. 

    I am back to struggling with decorating the bathroom. I need to do a mood board with ideas I want and see what I can find. My bathroom just won't talk to me and I am not sure why. It didn't seem to talk to the previous owners either as it was not decorated when we viewed the house. 

Today

I have to clean the bathroom first thing while another load of laundry is done. Then I want do a bit more cleaning downstairs. I do want to bind the small table runner this afternoon. I am going to family's for my birthday dinner tonight so may not get a lot of knitting done. 

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

April's Projects Started

 Yesterday was wet until late afternoon. The high got to 5C. This morning it is cloudy and -2C (windchill -7C). Today is supposed to be mainly cloudy with a high of 3C. 

Lifestyle

Daughter-in-law came for a short visit yesterday morning and then I was out to have my hair cut. I was home by just after 10 a.m. It was down on the floor to do my exercises. Though I am still stiff, it is getting easier to do the exercises. I still have cracks which means joints are releasing and my muscles relaxing. 

As I was getting ready to go downstairs and finish cleaning the area of the family room I had started, I got a text from a good friend asking if I would do something for her. I was out of the house to get it done and didn't have a chance to work in the family room. 

Sewing

I did get to sew and worked on a table runner and mug rugs. They were fun to sew and are now ready for me to put binding on. 

The dark fabric at the top of the picture will be the binding. I am not sure if I will keep it, gift it, or sell it at the craft bazaar in November. The runner is big enough for a teapot, creamer and sugar bowl. 

While doing this project, I finished a spool of thread which was great. I did have another spool of that colour as I use it a lot. 

The cutting table is quite tidy. I do have a small pile of scraps left over from other projects and am deciding on what to do with them. The group I give them to may not be doing quilts after my friend moves away. I don't do scrappy quilts and don't know of any group that could use them. 

Knitting

I watched the video that goes with decreasing the top of the hat I was knitting. I am so glad I watched it as the lady explained why she does it this way. I sat and knit on the hat and got it finished. 

I now need to wind the balls of yarn from the socks I ravelled out and start on them. I will use the same pattern I did before but cast on less stitches so they fit me tighter in the leg and foot. 

Thoughts

    My back was sore yesterday and I was tired. I wondered if my thyroid is low. I am having all the symptoms, including back pain, and have to push myself to do everyday chores. I do have blood work near the end of this month and see the doctor in early May. 

    I pulled out the stakes that show where my lawn is when it snows. I thought it was time to put them away. I would love to put the salt away. I am not sure if that is a good idea as we get freezing rain tomorrow. We are hoping this is it for wintery weather. 

    I thought I saw a robin yesterday but I don't think it was one. Usually they arrive in groups of 5 or 6. This was a lone bird. 

Today

I have launder the sheets today. I want to do some cleaning in the kitchen before going downstairs to work in the family room. I would like to finish the space I started. I will work on finishing the items I started yesterday. I do have wind the yarn and start the socks tonight. 

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

Doll's Sacque Back Dress Completed

 Yesterday had snow and rain with the temperature dropping steadily all day to 1C by 5pm. This morning it is raining and 1C. Today is supposed to be rainy with a high of 6C.

Lifestyle

I did my yoga exercises and it is getting easier every day. I did have 2 or 3 cracks while doing them which means joints are releasing. I was very sore all day due to the weather system we are having. I pushed through the day doing small exercises to stretch muscles. 

My job yesterday was to start cleaning the family room. I finished cleaning the ledge (pony wall) and some spots on the walls. I cleaned the baseboards and furniture in the area I am focusing on. Cardboard from the blinds was put into recycling. Finally I was able to vacuum the floor and mop it. Part of the floor was clean and part was dirty. I didn't take a picture as I am not finished but I am happy with what I got done. 

Sewing

I did sew yesterday and got the petticoat for the 1750's outfit done. It went together nicely for me and I did hand stitch the waistbands in place. When I put it on the doll, I thought you tied it up at the sides but you don't. You tie the back ribbons at the front and the front ribbons to the back. The skirt fits perfectly. 

The back looks nice and fits the doll well. 

I got notification that the snaps were to be delivered yesterday and they didn't arrive. When I checked this morning they have been delayed and should be here by April 6. I have to set this project aside while I wait for them. 

I am deciding if I will sell some of my dolls. I have 13 of them and do not make clothes for some of them. I am thinking of putting together a small wardrobe and selling one that I ignore. I think it is time to start downsizing the collection. 

Knitting

I knit on the hat last night and got the main part done. I have added the markers so I can start decreasing the top. I think there are 18 rows to do and it will be done. 

I have to go in and adjust what I will knit during April as I am ahead of schedule. 

Thoughts

    I pushed through yesterday doing everything I had planned even though I was very sore. The pain did subside in my knees first and then in my back which was wonderful. I did do some research on activity and one thing I found out was not to do bed rest. In honesty, I did want to go back to bed and rest but knew it wasn't the right thing to do. It was recommended to alternate between movement and resting which I did all day. I made sure I went up and down the stairs several times, stretched my body, and rested when I needed to. 

    Spring is coming slowly but surely. Some of the trees are starting to have their leaf buds swelling and are ready to open soon. I haven't seen the robins yet and am waiting for them to arrive. We have seen some Canada geese but think they may have stayed around here all winter. 

Today

I have to get my hair cut this morning. I am hoping to fit in my yoga exercises before I go. I would like to finish cleaning the area of the family room I started yesterday. I am going to work on a small sewing project today as I need to cook myself a good dinner. I will knit tonight. 

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