Making Progress Can Be Slow

 Yesterday was sunny with a high of 5C. This morning it is clear and -5C (windmill -8C). Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 7C.

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I was out for osteopathy. My SI joint was sticking out a bit and that was worked on. All of my muscles were worked on as they were tight. They are compensating for the SI joint being out causing them to become tight and hurt. I was sore when the session was done but I felt much better. I was told to take it easy for a day or two -- no ladders. 

Once done, I went and got a new broom for the garage. The old ones will go out with the trash tonight. I also went and did some grocery shopping. The grocery store is bigger than ours and I had problems finding things. I actually had to go shopping at home to get some items I couldn't find. 

Once home, I rested on heat though I did get up and move around. I did make dinner which I enjoyed. I also made sure I got up during the evening and moved. I noticed that I was walking much better as things were more aligned. 

Sewing

I spent some time figuring out what I had done wrong with the shirt pattern. I printed one page of pattern pieces off and it told me the story. I had printed the original pattern with the fit the page checked off. It is way smaller than when I printed it off using 100%. I may have enough fabric to do the shirt again. If not, I have another piece I will use. 

Knitting

I did knit last night and have knit around 150 rows in total. 

I have a lot more to knit on this scarf before it is done. At the moment I have almost used 100 grams of yarn. 

Thoughts

    Though I have improved a lot since starting physio and osteopathy almost 2.5 years ago, I am still having issues with tight muscles. I could spend hours doing exercises each day. I have to choose the ones that do the most good for the SI joint. If it is in place, the muscles relax and I do better. I do find the pain exhausting and I don't want to do anything but rest. I keep pushing myself to stretch the muscles even on days when the pain is bad. I feel like I am not making much progress at this time even though I work hard at doing what I am told to do.

    I have been working on loosing weight again. Pain makes me want to eat comfort food so I have eliminated them from the house. I have stopped eating between meals. I am back to portion control. I am back to cooking meals. I would like to loose 20 lbs as I know it will help my joints. I know the dietician would not approve of what I am doing as she thinks my goal weight is too low. I disagree as I know that weight is the best for my joints. 

    I can't do any more cleaning in the garage until I do some sorting in the shed. I need to get items out for the garage sale and flower/vegetable pots outside before I can take items up to store in it. 

Today

I am going to clean the kitchen and wash the floors. It is due to be done. I have to do some cooking so I have meals ready to eat this week. This afternoon I will cut out a new shirt for the doll and tonight I will knit. Exercises and movement will be done during the day. 

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

Figuring Out What I Did Wrong -Shirt Too Small

 Yesterday started out partly cloudy and ended up sunny. The high got to 9C. This morning it is cloudy and -1C (windchill -3C). Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 4C. 

Lifestyle

I did my exercises first thing in the morning and then headed out to the garage to do more cleaning. I did the back wall and it took longer than anticipated. I broke down boxes and put them into recycling. I moved everything off the work bench and moved it out to sweep behind it. I sorted items into bins as I moved along the cupboards. I tossed items into garbage and recycling. I then gave everything a good cleaning and put tubs away neatly. The peg board has nothing on it as we display items for sale on that wall. I swept more of the floor. 

I am now ready to do the wall with the window. 

I put the bags of pop cans and the old paint into the car. I got rid of the pop cans first and then the paint. I also stopped to pick up something healthy for lunch. It was noon when I got home. 

I had laundered the sheets and made the bed later in the afternoon. Once that was done, I had to bring up the box to ship to daughter today. I got it and a birthday present ready to go. I was sore from cleaning the garage and knew my SI joint was tight. I decided to put the two items into the car so I wouldn't have to struggle with it in the morning when I would be sorer. As I stepped off the last step into the entry way, I had 3 loud cracks. One was my left knee (that hurt) and two were in my SI joint area. Instant relief. I am a bit sore this morning but osteopathy will help that. 

Sewing

I worked on the doll's shirt yesterday. I got the collar on, side seams sewn up and the first cuff on. I tried it on the doll and it is tight. This doll is not chunky. 

The sleeve is almost too short and the cuff won't close on her wrist. 

I sat and pondered on it and then decided to try on the red vest I had knit to see how it looked as a 3 piece outfit. 

I am wondering if I had print the pattern to the fit the page. I have now printed one page at 100% to check the difference. The sad part - I don't have enough fabric to make another one and will have to hunt in the stash for fabric. I have set this aside for now but am going to make it again. 

Knitting

I knit on the scarf last night and got more done. 

It helps me pass the time in the evening. 

Thoughts

    I am pushing myself to get the garage cleaned up. I have to do some housework upstairs and more to do downstairs. Once the weather warms up again, I need to be outside raking the lawn to plant grass seed. I know my SI joint will tighten up and I will have to do exercises to help release it. I am hoping that keeping active will help strengthen everything so my SI joint becomes stable. 

    My mental health has also improved. I think part of it has been busy in the garage. I work with the door open so it is bright and airy in there. I am also making a list of items I need - a broom, more shop towels, and a few items so I can do some repairs. I am also trying to do things in the house and know that being busy and accomplishing tasks helps me a lot. I also know that stress and pain make me feel tired and mentally drained. I am working on that every day so I can, hopefully, be more calm and happier. 

    The daffodils in the yard across the street have started to bloom. Soon I will be able to admire them in full bloom which always makes me happy. 

Today

I am out for osteopathy this morning. Once done I am going to get a few groceries, a broom for the garage, and some more cleaner. Once home, I hope to find fabric for the doll's shirt and see what I need to do to remake it. Tonight I will knit on the scarf. 

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

Cleaning the Garage Has Begun

 Yesterday was warm and cloudy except for one burst of sunshine. The high got to 19C. This morning it is clearing off and 3C. Rain fell during the night. Today is supposed to be cloudy with a high of 9C. 

Lifestyle

I did the balance sheet yesterday morning. There were no problems and I have not spent a lot of money to date. It is another low spend month without even trying. 

I put on a load of laundry and put the dried laundry on the couch so I would see it and fold it. I was getting it all put away if it killed me. I got both loads folded and put away before lunch. 

I decided to start cleaning the garage. What needed to be done was what I needed to do by myself. I chose the wall that is attached to the house. I moved stuff out from the wall and started to sort through the items. I put things into recycling, the garbage can, and the compost bin. I swept down the walls and wiped everything down until I ran out of cleaner. I hung up items that could be hung up. I swept the floor area and the mat and put everything back in its place. That area looks great until I looked at how some things were still dirty. 

After lunch I went shopping. I got some cleaning items I wanted and a container of cleaner that people recommend. At this point I am able to have a new container of cleaner as I am out in the garage and running low in the house. When home, I started cleaning the containers and a piece of furniture. I was amazed at how much dirt that cleaner removed. 

I took my friend for dinner at family's and we had Moroccan stew and carrot cake. It was delicious. Moroccan stew is my favourite way to have stew. I love its sweetness from the dates and orange juice and the spices that are used. The carrot cake was delicious and moist. We had a great visit afterwards about Ramen soup and then food in Montevideo. We also was watching soccer out the of corner of our eye and saw one great play which had us excited. We got home late last night as time flew by. 

Thoughts

    I did not sew or knit yesterday. I chose to work on the garage and do the things I can do on my own. I will be getting daughter-in-law to help me a bit later on. 

    When I was out to shop, I drove down to the bank to see if the forsythia was in bloom. It wasn't so I can't prune the rose bush yet. I did see a yard beside the bank had many purple and white crocuses blooming in the grass. On our way to family's I showed my friend the daffodils blooming and we also spotted another three daffodils blooming at the end of the next driveway. Daughter-in-law's daffodils are almost ready to bloom as are the ones across the street from my house. 

    I did do my exercise for my SI joint. I had one crack in my knee. My SI joint is a bit stiff this morning so I will be doing the exercise twice. I go to osteopathy tomorrow for a treatment. 

Today

I have to do the minutes for the financial committee meeting and get some items into the car for tomorrow. I have more laundry to do (sheets) and will continue to clean the garage. The next area has been picked and it needs lots of attention. I hope to sew this afternoon and will knit tonight. 

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

Progress On The Doll's Shirt

 Yesterday was warm and sunny with a high of 15C. This morning it is cloudy and 4C. Today is supposed to be cloudy with showers and a high of 18C. 

Lifestyle

I was out to the community hall to make sandwiches. We had several really good laughs while making them. We were done and leaving for home in just over an hour. 

Once home, I did my exercise and had one small crack. It was then up and cleaning windows. I started in my bedroom and was ready for the worst. They weren't as bad as I had thought they would be. I did scrub the frames good and then washed the glass. That took quite a while as I am hoping I don't have to do this job until fall. I will do the glass on a regular basis. The next room was the bathroom and it was surprisingly not that bad. I made sure it was done well so I don't have to do the frames until fall. Once they were done, I stopped as the windows were getting too warm to work on. I did not want streaky windows. 

I went back out to the shed to look for a rack for the bbq. I am amazed at how well I got that shed cleaned last fall. And how well I stored items. I did find the rack after moving a few items. It was on top of a tub and I couldn't see it until I moved the tub. I took the rack over the family's as the bbq was being picked up there. 

Daughter-in-law was cleaning up the garage. She had strips of pool covering out and was rolling them up to put into bags for recycling. I stayed and helped her and we got 5 bags of strips to go. I came home after that job was done. 

Sewing

I worked on the doll's shirt yesterday and put in the sleeve plackets. I cut new plackets longer and then had to cut them wider and at the longer length. They are finicky to put in and by the time I had them in I was tired of working on them. 

It is one boring looking shirt which is to be worn with a skirt and a jacket or vest. 

This shirt reflects the type of shirts worn by ladies for horse backing riding and baking around 1917. I still have a bicycle skirt and jacket to make which I found a picture. Thimbles and Acorns has it in a doll size version. These two pieces will be made in May and June and will finish the Edwardian Wardrobe. 

Knitting

I knit on the scarf last night and it is coming along nicely. It is a beginner's project and the instructions are not for beginners. I do like the pattern as it is easy for a beginner as you only knit and purl. It is the first and last stitch that has no instructions on what to do. I realized last night I do have the instructions in another pattern.

Thoughts

    I am going to spend one afternoon in the shed going through everything and deciding on what I will I will sell in the garage sale or online. I don't need some of the items I have stored in there. Other items I will keep as I do use them. I want to be able keep it tidy without having to do a major amount of work moving stuff around. 

    I also need to spend a morning or afternoon in the garage cleaning it up. It may take more than one session as I have to move a lot of stuff around in preparation for the garage sale. It is one job that I am not looking forward to but know I will enjoy it once I start. 

Today

I have to do the balance sheet first thing, fold the laundry I ignored yesterday, and do some cleaning upstairs. I am going to target one small area in the garage which doesn't require me to do a lot of moving stuff. This afternoon I will sew on the doll's shirt. Tonight I am out for dinner at family's and I hope to knit a bit tonight. 

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

First Daffodils In Bloom

 Yesterday started out cloudy and then cleared off and was sunny. The high got to 13C. This morning it is clear, frosty, and 0C. Today is supposed to be sunny and 15C.

Lifestyle

I started the morning cleaning the bathroom. Not too dirty but I did a good job. Next was the kitchen and I was surprised that most of it was clean but some areas were dirty. I did a good job cleaning it up. 

I marinated chicken for dinner. I rubbed it in mustard and added some spices. It was spicier than I thought it would be though it was tasty. I am looking at some new spices and haven't bought any as they come in larger sized containers. 

I walked out to the shed after lunch and was amazed at how clean it was. I still need to go through it to make sure I get everything I don't need into the garage sale. I walked around the shed picking up the neighbour's shingles. I threw a hub cap out of the yard but need to put it up on the road. I didn't throw it far enough. The Spousal Unit's rose is showing some growth but I can't prune it yet. Soon though. 

I was out mid afternoon for a meeting and got home later in the afternoon. I have minutes to type up today. On my way to the meeting I saw the first daffodils in bloom. 

This spot is protected by trees and many more daffodils will bloom on the hillside. 

Sewing

I didn't sew yesterday as I didn't have enough time. 

My snaps arrived. The company sent them by mail directly to me. When I had put the tracking number into Canada Post it didn't track the parcel. I can now finish up some doll clothes that are waiting for snaps. 

I did watch a video yesterday where the lady made placemats. She does not line them but serges all the seams. Where she joins the ruffle she puts a cotton lace over the seam. We can buy that lace but it's very expensive. She put a lovely trim on the top and they were beautiful. Fabric and trim was from a thrift store and she did buy the lace. 

Knitting

I cast on and knit quite a few rows on the scarf. I used up the yarn I had left over from the hat. 

I have to bring up another ball of yarn and am deciding if I will make it using only 1 more ball or if I will use 2 balls. 

Thoughts

    It was so nice to have the sun yesterday and walking around the yard was wonderful. I looked at the pots of dirt for the few vegetables I will plant and am looking forward to getting them out next month. 

    I did my exercise yesterday morning and I had 2 cracks in the first 3 minutes (SI joint and knee). I did a second 3 minutes and had one more crack in the SI joint. It is still tightening up and the muscles are still a bit sore. Not sure why this is happening but am going to invest in some expensive insoles for my shoes. I am not sure why I stopped buying them as I use to get a pair every time I bought new runners. 

Today

I am out shortly to make sandwiches. Once home, I have a load of laundry to fold and put away. I also want to wash a few windows. I hope to sew this afternoon and will knit tonight. 

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

Socks Are Done

 Yesterday was mainly cloudy with some showers later in the day. The high got to 11C. This morning it is cloudy and 6C. Today is supposed to be cloudy with some showers and a high of 15C. 

Lifestyle

The company that does the health care of my lawn was here early yesterday morning. They were applying lime to reduce the ph of the soil. I have to rake spots in the lawn and throw grass seed on it. It is still too early to plant as the soil is cold. I can rake and plant later. 

I made cookies after I had my lawn discussion. I was well organized and barely had time to do anything but make cookies. Daughter-in-law was over shortly after she called me for her cookies. She loves them. I cleaned up the kitchen and froze the cookies for Saturday. 

Once done, I did the exercise and got a crack at almost the 3 minute mark. I sat on heat after that. I was waiting for the person who bought the lamps to come. After she left, I had lunch. 

Sewing

I started a shirt for the Edwardian outfit.  I had cut it out before we left for Montevideo and it was ready for me to sew. I got the front facings on and then the back yoke done. I was being very careful as this fabric frays. I then tackled the collar and it is ready to put on. 

I stopped at this point as I have to do the sleeves next. I am going to cut new lap bands a bit longer than the ones I had cut. I also have to serge the side seams of the shirt and the sleeves. I knew I needed to start fresh another day. 

Crafting

I decided to cut out more reindeer and attach the antlers I had sorted out. What amazed me was how nice the craft paper cut. I actually got 20 reindeer done. 

I went to get the cutting mat from one of the trolleys I have to hold my Cricut materials. One of the bins had slid down on top of the mats. I wheeled it out to work on while the Cricut cut. I ended up having to get a wrench to tighten the bolts. I moved the rolls of vinyl to the bottom bin as they are heavy and the cutting mats to the middle bin. The one thing I don't like about the Ikea trolleys is that the bins do slide down easily if not tighten up. I really think you have to watch them as they will loosen up over time. 

Knitting

I wasn't going to knit but forced myself to. I finished knitting sock #2 and then did the toe on sock #1. All yarn ends were woven in. 

I am happy to have these socks done and ready to wear next winter. I will be casting on a scarf next. 

Thoughts

    Our weather is going to be nice for the next few days. Warmer nights and 20C on Sunday. Everyone is waiting for the leaves to come out on the trees. 

    I am working on keeping the family room tidy. I am still forcing myself to do it rather than leave my mess behind. I am slowly getting there. It feels so nice to go down and see the room tidy rather than having a mess to deal with. 

    My back is slowly having less pain. I am doing the one exercise daily and am trying to move more. I really do not want the SI joint to lock up again. 

Today

I have to clean the bathroom and give the kitchen a quick clean. I am out for a meeting this afternoon so won't be sewing today. I will knit tonight. 

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

Pain Problem Solved

 Yesterday was cloudy and damp with a mist falling most of the day. The high got to 9C. This morning it is cloudy and 6C. Today is supposed to have some rain with a high of 10C. 

Lifestyle

I was out the door for an 8 am physio appointment. I got there a bit early so did the gym exercises first. They were hard as I was sore. When done the therapist did an evaluation and I was stiff and tight. My SI joint was locked tight which was giving me all the pain I was having. She worked on me for about 20 minutes and left me doing one exercise. I had 3 cracks while holding the position for 3 minutes. I had the TENS machine and heat for 15 minutes. 

Once home, I sat on heat for the SI joint and then got up to move while waiting for daughter-in-law to pick me up. We were off to New Minas to shop. Our first stop was the thrift store where she unloaded some stuff. Then we went to Home Depot. I got light bulbs, filler for small holes in the walls, sanding block and 2 tomato plants. 

I need to get some soil so I can plant them into bigger pots. 

Our next stop was Dollarama. I was looking for small bins to hold thread. I couldn't find the ones I wanted but found some that should do the job. We wandered over to Home Sense and looked around. We got our osteopathy therapist's baby clothes for her first birthday.

Walmart was our last stop before lunch and we got groceries there. We then went to Wolfville for lunch. Wolfville is a university town which has lots of historical attractions. It was first settled by the Acadians and then became a seaport where apples were exported to England for many years. 

We had lunch and then daughter-in-law went for her appointment. Once done we headed home. I put away all my groceries but still have a few things to put away this morning. I sat on the couch as I was sore from walking and physio and fell asleep. I slept for an hour. 

While dinner was heating up, I did the exercise to make sure my SI joint was locking up again. No cracking which told me it was fine. The long length makes sure everything is stretched so the SI joint can seat itself correctly. 

Sewing

I did none yesterday. 

Knitting

I knit on sock #2 and got a lot done on it. 

At the rate I am moving, they should be done either tonight or tomorrow night. 

Thoughts

    I was sore yesterday after physio which I was told I would be. It was more muscle soreness which I had expected. My gait was much better than I had thought it would be though I was slow when walking. I noticed the improvement when I took the recycling to the curb late in the afternoon. No soreness when walking down the driveway. I did it twice as I had a lot of recycling to go. Going down hill/stairs is hard for me as it stretches the area around the SI joint which gives me pain. It is good for me to do it as it allows the SI joint to unlock. 

    I looked across the street to see how the daffodils were doing. They are up and some buds are visible. It will be nice to see them in bloom as there are lots of them at the front of the house. They always mean spring is here. Next I will be watching for the magnolias to bloom. 

Today

I have to make cookies this morning. I also have to get the lamps that sold upstairs for pick up. I would like to start sewing on a shirt for the Edwardian outfit and knit on the socks tonight. I also need to do my exercises. 

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