A New Grocery Bag Completed

 Yesterday was a repeat of the day before: sunshine and a high of 22C. This morning it is clear and 9C. Today will be sunny with a high of 25C. 

Lifestyle

I did the balance sheet yesterday with no issues. It is put away until Sunday when I will do it once again. 

I went down a rabbit hole when I started to delete emails after I finished the balance sheet. I went to see what info there was on my Newfoundland relations. Specifically my great great uncle's daughter. It was a goldmine with me finding out she and her husband had a son who died in action in WWII. I was also able to get into Newfoundland's census (1921 and 1935) which has been difficult. I found through one census that This couple had a daughter who married and lived with her husband at his parent's home which was next door to them. I put it all to bed once again as it was noon. 

My SI joint was better yesterday though I did have pain. Last night I did a backwards stretch of the leg and the SI joint released with a loud crack. It is almost back to normal though I do feel a bit stiff in my sacrum. It may or may release or loosen up. Only stretching will tell. 

The one jalapeño pepper plant has many peppers turning red. It is the only plant doing that which is strange. I will be picking the green ones so son can make more salsa and leaving the one plant to turn red. 

Sewing

I made the grocery bag. It took me almost 2 hours as I had to watch the video many, many times. I had thought it was done a bit differently but actually was quite easy to make. 

The blue fabric I bought about 5-6 years ago and the print came in a box from daughter. There was only enough of the blue for one bag and a piece leftover to make something for the dolls. There isn't a lot of the print left but it will be used for something. 

I did a lot of careful stitching on the bag handles as I am sure they are going to be strained when items are put in the bag. The side seams are French seams which allows it to be unlined. The bottom of the bag is folded up which makes it have a faux boxed bottom. 

The handles are only 8" in length which is short. I am sure they will work for what we need these bags for. They will be great to have when you run into a store for a few things as you can throw it in your purse. 

I now need to launder some fabric so more bags can be made. 

Knitting

I knit away last night and have finished the gusset and have 35 rounds done on the foot part.

I stopped there and will start the 2nd sock tonight. I am a bit worried about not having enough yarn for both socks. I weighed the ball and there was 116 grams of yarn which should be enough. I do this every time when I make larger sized socks.

Thoughts

    Our friends had a viewing on their house last night. Only 2 parties have looked at the house in 50 days. The market is very slow here. Inventory continues to be low but not like it was 3-4 years ago when it was so low it was hard to find a place to buy. If you blinked twice it was gone. Today buyers are in a better place to offer below listing price rather than be in a bidding war. 

    I have been watching for when my fridge will be delivered. It has gone from Sept 25 to Sept 22. I am happy it could arrive earlier than anticipated. I know I will have to empty the old fridge and defrost it before they take it away. It is still working but I do not trust it. 

    My neighbours just across the street from me have been playing pickle ball. They set the net up in the street and play. It is usually a parent and one child and they have lots of fun. They have also set up their hockey net and the youngest boy roller blades up my driveway to practice shooting in the net. Other children will bring their hockey sticks and join in the fun. It is great to see the kids out playing on the street now that it is cooler. 

Today

I have to go to New Minas to get my travel cPap machine. I want to do a bit of grocery shopping before I come home. I will launder the fabric for the grocery bags and start sewing a top for the rabbit. Tonight I will start on sock #2. It is going to be a bit of a busy day for me. 

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

Rabbit Bloomers Made

 Yesterday was another sunny day with a high of 23C. This morning it is mainly cloudy and 12C. We may have had a shower during the night. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 23C. 

Lifestyle

I spent the morning either sitting on the couch with heat on my SI joint and glute or on the bed doing exercises. Both of those hurt like crazy and I was walking with great difficulty and was leaning to the side. It was up and down between the two places. 

After lunch, I decided to walk around and took out the garbage and recycling to the garage. I also picked the over ripe sun burnt tomatoes and put them in the compost bin. It was hard but the walking did help some. Doing the stairs severals times also helped. 

My friend and I were to dinner at family's. Daughter-in-law made jambalaya and it was delicious. Son told us all about his trip to Uruguay and we had a great visit. We got home a bit later than expected but we had a lovely evening with them. 

Sewing

I was able to sew yesterday as long as I moved around the room to keep my SI joint from getting really sore. I finished the bloomers and am pleased with how they turned out. 

Instead of adding ribbon to the end of a small amount of elastic and sewing it in place, I thread ribbon through the waist casing. It worked out just as good and was easier to do. 

Overall, I would make these again if I need to but would make them in white so they would go with all of her clothes. 

Knitting

None done last night as I got home late. 

Thoughts

    My SI joint released more during the night. I did hear one crack before I fell asleep. It is less sore this morning so I am going to continue with the exercises and heat. I will also keep moving around to make sure I am balancing sitting and walking. 

    I am slowly getting the fabric I bought this year sewn up. I know I will have a few pieces left to work on next year as I won't be doing much sewing in October. The good thing is, I. haven't bought a lot of fabric this year and most of it has been sewn and a piece put in with the quilt fabric. What is left is minimal and will be sewn up in early 2026. 

Today

I have to do the balance sheet this morning and sew a button on a top. I have to do heat and exercises for my SI joint. I want to make a bag this afternoon and knit tonight. I have a quiet day planned so I can focus on getting my SI joint released and the muscles around it relaxed. 

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

Runner #3 Completed

 Yesterday was sunny with a high of 22C. This morning it is partly cloudy and 11C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 23C. 

Lifestyle

My SI joint was very stiff yesterday and had me in a lot of pain. I did my exercises 3 times and only got one small crack. I pushed on all day and finally got some good cracks in bed last night. I am still sore today as my SI joint is still tight. I am going to be working on my exercises again today. 

I did get my bedroom dusted and I cleaned and wiped the dirt off the dining room table. Having windows open all the time brings a lot of dust into the house. I also cleaned the kitchen up as it was getting a bit messy. 

Just before noon I went to get some food for lunch and dinner. I went in to town the long way and went to the grocery store I normally don't shop at. All was quiet. I decided to go home via the hospital as it is quicker. Not yesterday as there was a line up of cars as people were looking for parking. Our exhibition opened yesterday. I had to wait about 5 minutes before the line up moved and I could turn to go home. 

I worked the bar at the community hall last night. Daughter-in-law and I were entertained. The people were nice and were enjoying themselves. I was home just before 9 pm. I did take Tylenol before going and was very tired. Still in a lot of pain just felt dopey. 

Sewing

I finished the binding on the last runner yesterday morning. It took me about 20 minutes to do. It is on my grandmother's wash stand. 

I put the wash bowl and jug on it like I have done for many, many years. 

In the afternoon, I cut out the bloomers for Anika the rabbit. I made the pin tucks on both legs and got the lace on the ruffles. One ruffle has been sewn on and is ready to have its seam finished and pressed. 

Knitting

I didn't knit last night as I got home late. 

Thoughts

   The exhibition in our community is 260 years old and draws a huge crowd. Some exhibits are really interesting -- oxen pull is one I enjoyed watching. Other exhibits have decreased in size due. One is Homecrafts. Though there are people who still do take part, some areas have remained empty since 2021 and have been eliminated. I have not gone for a few years due to Covid, Hurricane Fiona, and my SI issues. I do not enter as many of the sections do not have what I would enter. They have slowly disappeared due to the lack of interest which is sad. Record numbers of people do attend and enjoy all parts of the exhibition. 

    I am pushing myself to keep moving even if I am in pain. I hate the fact that I am slow and hurt all the time but I also know that moving helps. I know that all the moving I did yesterday helped me partially release the joint last night. If I can't get it fully released today, I may have to call and get a physio appointment. 

Today

I have to do a few small things today and will sew this afternoon. I am going out for dinner at family's tonight. If I get home early, I will knit on the socks. My plan is to do my exercises at least twice today. 

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

An Afternoon Out And About

Yesterday was a lovely sunny day with a high of 19C. This morning it is clear with the fog starting to roll in. It is 6C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 20C. 

Lifestyle

I had a busy morning with cleaning the living room. I moved all the furniture, dusted, dry mopped, and then wet mopped the floors. I over did it and my SI joint is tight and very sore. When daughter-in-law came in she asked if I washed the floor with red wine. The fresh smell was overwhelming. We had a good laugh and a great visit. 

I did get a load of laundry washed and dried but failed to get it folded. I went to the city with daughter-in-law around 2 pm. We did our round of stores looking for bright blue suitcases for daughter-in-law. None to be found but I did get the green carry on case to complete my set. 

We did Home Depot to return a light and the went looking for a mounting block for an outside light. Their website said they had 17 in stock and we found 0. I asked a sales representative and we got first class service from him. None on the shelf, 17 in stock. He set about looking for it and was baffled he couldn't find the box. I set about looking and found a box with the number on it. We thought it was in the wrong department but when he got it down there they were. He apologized profusely about not getting it down, gave us one, and proceeded to restock the shelf. We thanked him for his excellent customer service. 

Our last stop of the day was to pick up daughter-in-law's glasses. As we were talking we found out the optician is the aunt of two boys grandson played soccer with. We chatted for quite a while with her. I have met the two boys, their sister, and their father. A lovely family and the optician is also very friendly and helpful. 

Dinner last night was a small burrito. It was delicious and I ate it knowing I was within my allowed points. I scales were down 1.3 lbs and I have lost 6.2 lbs in 5 weeks. I am happy with that and hope to have a good weight loss when I see the doctor in early November. 

I walked over to my neighbour's house last night and picked up the flyers on their driveway. I am going to do that each week so they don't get a huge pile of them to blow around. 

Sewing

Daughter-in-law's visit in the morning was to show me a video of a bag she thought I could make for us to have on our holiday. Once I get going, I will be making 3 or 4 of them so we can have them when we go grocery shopping. Very simple and quick to make. 

After lunch I sat down to finish sewing the binding on the last runner. I was almost done when I had to get ready to go with daughter-in-law to the city. I will finish it this morning. 

Knitting

I turned the heel, picked up the gusset stitches and have 21 rounds knit on the gusset. Big progress last night on the socks. 

I am loving the blue in these socks. 

Thoughts

    My fridge made a lot of noise for 2 days and is now back to working properly. I am so upset with it and am happy that I have a new one coming later this month. It can't be trusted at all. 

    There are more peppers turning red on the one plant. At the rate it is going, most of the peppers on that plant could be ripe by the end of the month. I have never had much luck with peppers and to have this happen is quite exciting. 

Today

I am going to fold laundry and finish the runner. I would like to dust my bedroom and clean the dining room table (layer of dust on it). I am resting a lot today as I am sore and have to work a bar tonight. I know I will be doing some exercises to see if I can release the tightness in my SI joint. 

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

Nearing The End Of The Irish Chain Project

 Yesterday was sunny with a high of 24C. This morning it is clear and 11C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 19C. 

Lifestyle

I had another busy morning working on my list. I cleared off the dining room table and got out the clothes I had bought for our trip. I took off all the tags and put them in the washer. 

I grabbed the two table cloths off the back of the couch and put them into a tub with the rest of the craft bazaar items. Next was to tackle mopping the family room floor.

I decided to use Swiffer wet mops. I started in the area where the windows are. It was dusty but not overly dirty. As I moved towards the back of the room where the TV is, it got dirtier. I was embarrassed with how dirty it was. Five mops later, I was done. The floor was really clean and the whole room smelled nice. I picked up my cleaning stuff and headed upstairs. It was lunch time. I hung the clothes on the drying rack before I had lunch. 

I went out to check the pepper plants yesterday. There are now 3 ripening and more to come. I am amazed at how those 4 plants produced this summer. Son will be busy making salsa, etc. for the rest of the month. 

Sewing

I finished runner #2. I put it on the dresser and love it. 

The dresser was my grandmother's and the marks on it were there when I got it. Cause was dampness and plastic doilies touching the finish. It isn't high end furniture but I do love it. I have had it since the early 1990's. 

I worked on runner #3 thinking it would take me a lot longer to do. I had to piece the backing. I did it and you can hardly see where I joined the fabric pieces together. I got it quilted and the binding sewn on. I sat down and almost got all the binding hand sewn in place. 

This one goes on another piece of furniture that belonged to my grandmother. When it is done, I will have finished the projects for my bedroom. 

I put the fabric for the rabbit's next outfit back on the table. I will cut it out and sew it before the end of the month. 

Knitting

I quietly knit last night and got the heel flap done. 

I usually turn the heel right away but I had run out of time so will do it and pick up the gusset stitches tonight. 

Thoughts

    My IBS has settled down a lot. I have been very careful about what I am eating. My portions are smaller and I stopped using spicier seasonings. I am also trying to stay hydrated. My weight hasn't changed which is good. I usually put on fluid weight when I have a major attack. 

    I am slowly getting things done in the house. I will be starting to add some outdoor work to my list as I need to get things done out there. One or two items at a time so it will be done in the next few weeks. 

    I have been looking at quilt patterns so I can start a new quilts in January. I have 2 chosen. One is Blown Flying Geese for a doll's quilt and the other is 18" blocks using a 12" block and two 6" blocks. That one is fast and easy and will show case some printed fabric I have in the quilting stash. 

Today

My goal today is to clean the living room, fold the clothes I laundered and finish the last runner. If I have time, I will do a bit of cleaning on the deck. I am not sure if I will get to sew this afternoon but if I do, I will be working on the bloomers for the rabbit. If I have time tonight, I will be working on the socks.

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

Almost Done Runner #2

 Yesterday was sunny and warm with a high of 22C (humidex 24C). This morning it is cloudy, damp, and 15C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 23C (humidex 26C). 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning was busy. I put the sheets into the washer and then did a bit of cleaning up. I checked the pepper plants to see how they were doing. It was out the door to get groceries. I got home at noon. 

I put the sheets into the dryer and sat down to eat lunch. I was tired as my IBS was still ongoing. I decided to have a bottle of Gatorade Zero as I knew I was dehydrated. It settled my whole system down and I was fine for the rest of the day. 

I made my bed and got the garbage out to the curb for pick up this morning. I also checked the pepper plants for some unknown reason and there were two more red ones. They had ripened during the day. I was shocked at how fast they had turned red. 

Sewing

The binding was sewn onto the 2nd runner and I sat and hand sewed the binding down. I am almost done it. 

The last one will take longer to get done as I have to piece the backing. I am hoping it will be done by Monday unless I have lots come up that I am not expecting. 

Knitting

I knit on the socks last night and have the leg done (80 rounds) and 2 rows done on the heel flap. 

Though the yarn is dark, I am enjoying knitting it. The blue in the yarn keeps me going as it gives the socks some brightness. 

Thoughts

    I was surprised to see how fast the jalapeño peppers ripen. Once they turn to a very dark green and sit for a while, they turn red in a matter of hours. I am watching the plants carefully as I don't want to pick the peppers that are dark green. I am hoping they will turn red so son can make chipotle. 

    I was shocked to hear that Charlie Kirk, whom I had never heard of before, was shot and died from his wounds while speaking at the University of Utah. I cannot understand how someone could do this to a person over the fact that you do not agree with his political views. 

    The rain we had this morning was a surprise. It is cool and refreshing outside. I see that my flowers have revived from the rain we have had. I will keep them going for a while longer as they are bright and cheerful against the shed. 

Today

My list is made for this morning. The big job is to mop the family room floor. There are other smaller jobs to do also. This afternoon I want to finish runner #2 and start working on runner #3. Tonight I will knit on the socks. A quiet day for me as I have nothing to go out for. 

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

Runner #2 Quilted

 Yesterday was mainly sunny with a high of 21C. This morning it is 7C (too dark out to see the sky). Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 22C. We are to have a warmer night with showers tonight. 

Lifestyle

I was out early to make sandwiches. I made sandwiches rather than cut and arrange them on trays. We had a good time even though there were only 5 of us doing it. And it only took an hour to do. 

Once home, I had a rest as my IBS was making noises. Another day of it which was annoying. Once I had my rest, I got busy doing chores. First on the list was to clean the bathroom. It was done and Rosie the robot sent in to do the floors. Laundry was folded and put away. Blankets for the dog shelter was laundered and delivered. Almost half of the 2 day list was done. 

I went out to pick some jalapeño peppers for son and was really surprised to see three had turned red. I didn't think they would turn red in our area.

I picked them along with 20 from another plant. There are 6 or 7 left on that plant plus the other 3 have 25 or more peppers on them. I delivered them to son so he can enjoy them. I am going to leave the rest on the plants for now. Some will turn red and others will be picked for him to eat. This is the best pepper crop we have ever had. 

With my chores done, I rested a bit more as I was tired. But it was a happy tired. Things are getting done around here and I am enjoying what I am doing. 

Sewing

I got the 2nd runner quilted yesterday afternoon. 

It is ready to sew the binding on and I will spend a couple of afternoons quietly hand sewing it down. 

The last runner is smaller but I have to sew the backing together as I don't have enough. It won't be seen unless I flip it over. 

Knitting

I got a lot done on the socks last night. I have about 24 rounds left to do before I start the heel flap. 

I watched Knitty Knatty's video on their tour of British Columbia. She went to 5 knitting stores. One was the Sweet Georgia yarn shop. I forgot about this yarn brand which is gorgeous to knit. The other shops I hadn't heard of even though one has been in the Vancouver area for many, many years. Her last video of the Canadian series will be filmed in Alberta. Can't wait to see what shops she finds there. I know of one artist who lives in Alberta. I have a skein of her yarn coming this fall/winter. It should be noted that they do not travel through the entire province they are visiting. They only do a portion and miss some wonderful scenery. But many of those areas don't have yarn shops where local artists sell their yarn. 

Thoughts

    My IBS attack continues and I think it is, in part, to my body hating me putting food into it. I am going to stop drinking carbonated drinks. It also could be a side effect of the water pill I am taking. I know it will settle down and I need to be patient. 

    I am still working on what I want to sew in 2026. I am trying to figure out what it is I want to sew not just sewing for the sake of using up the stash. It is really hard to figure out what I want to do.  My list has 5 areas to focus on. Quilting, dolls, house, piping, and Project Linus. At the moment, I am not adding any more to the list as I am still brainstorming on those five. It will take me quite a while to get my ideas down as I think and ponder a lot. 

    I am going to get to work under the stairs next week. I am doing a few things that needed to be done right now. I should be caught up by Monday. 

Today 

I am going to finish my list of things I need to do which includes laundry and grocery shopping. I also need to get the garbage out to the curb. I want to sew the binding on runner #2 and start hand stitching it down. I want to knit tonight. 

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