Back To Our New Normal

Yesterday was warm, sunny and with very little wind. It was a perfect day in all respects for an Easter Sunday. Today is cloudy, warm and rain is in the forecast. 

Lifestyle

We spent the afternoon out of the house. We drove to our family's place and social distanced while looking at their yard. We even took a longer route to get there. We also had another drive to help us be from home longer. 
We did notice several things. We, for one, were not on an essential drive unless you call keeping your sanity essential. We did not get out of our vehicle except at family's. We did notice others were parked on side roads and ramps walking about in closed areas. We saw only 6 vehicles which is less than I anticipated. We got home mid afternoon and had a lovely Easter dinner alone. Now we are back to a week in the house keeping safe. 
The number of cases reported on Sunday was 21 (the lab is running 24/7). The daily number of positive cases goes up and down giving us a roller coaster effect. Our total number of cases is 445. 

Sewing

The five contoured masks had the elastic put on. I forgot to take a picture of them I also made a pleated mask with ties. 

I pressed the fabric for the next masks (3 of them) and folded the rest of the fabric up and put it away. I will be done mask sewing sometime tomorrow. 

Knitting

I worked on one sweater last night and am pleased with how far I got. I am going to alternate the sweaters now. 

Today

I am going to fold laundry and sew masks. Dinner will be the same as last night. I'll knit on the white sweater tonight. Back to our new normal.
Until the next time..................................

Cheery Flowers For Easter

Yesterday's weather was somewhat better with sunshine, less wind and a high of 6C. This morning it was 2C at 6 a.m., few clouds, and the sun is trying to shine. It is suppose to get to 9C today. 

Lifestyle

I was tired yesterday and really wanted to do nothing. But, I did laundry and cleaned the front entrance. It was washed down with bleach and soap. The rug at the front door was sprayed with Lysol, rolled up, and put into the garage.When the stairs were washed, I even did the carpet treads. The upstairs has been scrubbed to within an inch of its life. Now to maintain it and do the downstairs. 
Daughter-in-law and grandson arrived while I was scrubbing and brought us fresh strawberries and flowers for Easter. A lovely surprise. 

The Spousal Unit worked on the puzzle but his mood wasn't the best by dinner time. He was feeling depressed because we can't go out and do things. He knows why but, like many others, he had a spell. 
After lunch, I laid down for an hour and rested. It helped me for a couple of hours but I faded fast late in the afternoon. A couple of nights with bad sleep habits caught up to me as did the gastro issue. 
Nova Scotia's number of virus cases bounces up and down on a daily basis. There have been over 400 positive cases with just under 100 resolved. Eight individuals are in the hospital with 4 in ICU. No new deaths. 

Sewing

I spent nearly 2 hours in the sewing room working on 5 masks. I stitched, clipped, turned, pressed, stitched and have them ready for the elastic. 

Knitting

No knitting again last night. My mind would not focus on anything related to knitting. 

Today

I'm folding laundry and sewing. I may get to knitting tonight. I would love to sit and do a bit on the puzzle also.
Until the next time.......................................

Happy Easter

Caturday

Stay At Home Kind of Weather

Yesterday's weather was a good one for staying home. Cool, snow, and windy.  We had snow on the ground in the morning, a good snow flurry mid morning, and sideways rain in the afternoon. Today looks like it might be a repeat of yesterday. It is 1C and the wind is blowing. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning was spent finishing up the living area. It is done and I'm happy about that. We are getting use to the smell of bleach in the house. 
The Spousal Unit and I had been talking if we would get an emergency alert from the government on our phones to stay home. Though I said they should, I never thought they would. It happened at 11 a.m. and noise scared me for a few seconds. I cheered when I saw the message. 

Daughter-In-Law and grandson came over after lunch and brought us carrot muffins. They are yummy and a wonderful treat for Easter. It was nice to talk to them even if they were wearing masks and gloves and standing in the entry way 6-8 feet away from us. 
The Spousal Unit worked on the puzzle and got more done. I  worked on it for a bit and got some pieces together. 
My IBS has flared up again due to stress and worry. I'm not sleeping well at night, pushing to get things done, and worrying about family who are out and about. I am going to do some self calming to see if it helps. Maybe a good nap too.

Sewing

I pushed myself to get 5 masks ready to sew together and finish this afternoon. I did a lot of cutting, stitching, top stitching and pinning the lining to the outer mask. They are ready to sew together and finish up. The pictures taken show the wrong side of the fabric. 
Adult masks. I did a lot of fussy cutting to get the horses on the masks. 

Kids masks. More fussy cutting. There are 3 of them. 

Knitting

I did no knitting last night. I was tired and unmotivated. 

Today

The entry way and stairs will be cleaned thoroughly. A load of laundry will be done and laundry folded. I want to finish the masks, prep a pleated one to sew and choose the next fabric. I hope to knit tonight. 
Until the next time...........................................

More Masks

Yesterday was a lovely day with a high of 10C. Last night the wind blew and kept waking me up. This morning it was 3C and snow on the ground. The weather is to be unsettled until Sunday. 

Lifestyle

The Easter Bunny has been deemed an Essential Service. 

Yesterday I cleaned some more in the living area. I wiped down half of the couch and did the floor under it. All of the floors were washed again yesterday. Yes, our house smelled of bleach once again. 
The Spousal Unit worked on the puzzle and got quite a few pieces in. I spent some time putting together some and finding a few to attach to the edge pieces. 

Sewing

I spent a good part of the afternoon in the sewing room. I made one mask that has pleats. I used this pattern and video. I love how she folds her pleats and it is easy to do. 

I opened it up to show how it looks when worn. I'm not modeling this as the mask is going to a cancer patient. 

I was so proud of myself for having three masks done when the lady said her son is 9 years old. The little mask is too small for him. 

I will make a feather one in an adult size for the lady and I'm making this one for her son. 

This is fussy cut so he has the horses on his mask. I'll make him another one with horses on it also. 
I've been a bit worried about sewing machine needles and black thread. I wanted to shop Canadian but what I want is not available. I finally shopped through Amazon. I have enough of what I bought to last until they arrive. 

Knitting

I unknit one of the sweaters (not the white one) as I had made a mistake. I knit on it last night but am not quite caught up. I'm not happy with myself as I didn't read the pattern correctly. 

Today

Laundry, finishing the living area, sewing and knitting. I'm going to cut out several masks so I can sew with brown thread. I have brown cotton for the ties and enough elastic for them. I have to hunt in the garage for plant ties to put in nose pieces. Knitting tonight. 
Until the next time.............................

More Face Masks

Yesterday was another lovely day with a high of 8.5C. This morning, it is clear and the 6 a.m. temperature was -6C. We will see it cloud up during the day and the rain/snow will begin tonight. 

Lifestyle

The Spousal Unit had one of those days. He put a bunch of the puzzle edging onto the floor just before noon. He was grouchy for several hours and then he was fine. 
The only cleaning I did was to tidy up my knitting on the couch and put away what I'm not using. My mind was elsewhere yesterday. 
We had our all time high of positive cases yesterday -- 39. The numbers are going to be larger as people can be tested with 2 symptoms. The reason seems to be to get those with mild cases into isolation and treated. They are hoping it will reduce community spread from taking off. 

Sewing

I headed downstairs early yesterday morning to dig through my stash for left over pieces of fabric. I found some fabric left over from daughter-in-law's knitting bag and made her two more face masks. 

The lining is cute - lambs knitting. She can wear them inside out if she wants to. 
I then cut out two more masks, one for 10-12 year old and one a size smaller. They are for 2 little girls who's dad we know. 

I will be making their mom a pleated one as she wears a N95 mask. She is having chemo at this time. 
I also did a bit of stay stitching on the coat lining. I'm using the same colored thread on the masks as the lining. 

Knitting

I am almost half done the second sleeve on the white sweater. 

The sleeves are cute. They do look at bit on the large size. 

I didn't do any on the other sweater. 

Today

I have to do a load of laundry, clean a bit more in the living room and head down to make at least 1 mask. I will knit more this evening. 

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