Another Busy Day

Yesterday was cloudy with flurries. The high got to 0C. This morning it is cloudy and -1C. We can have a bit of everything today - flurries, wind, freezing rain, blowing snow, and a high of 0C. The wind chill -- -7C. 

Lifestyle

I looked out about 7:30 and the boys were shovelling my driveway. I didn't have to do it first thing. They shovelled while their dad snow blowed their driveway. 

After breakfast, I cleaned the kitchen. I gave it a good scrubbing down and shone up the appliances. I even cleaned the fridge and freezer. Got rid of a bag of outdated food from it. Even the recycling got taken out and when I was done I admired how nice the kitchen looked. 

I donned my outside clothes and grabbed my shovel and trekked to the back to shovel the deck. The stairs looked like a slide and had over 12" of snow drifted. I slowly dug them out taking care not to twist my hip. Awkward when you have to turn around to throw the snow. Once I found the stairs, I started on the deck. I only had half of it to shovel; the other half was bare. But, the half I did was packed in with about 18" of snow. I took my time and got the job done. I was sweating when I finished but cleaned off the stairs on my way down them. I literally drug the shovel behind me going back to the garage. I was tired. 

Once inside, I grabbed an apple juice to drink. I knew I was near having a sugar low. I had it before I took off my outside clothes. I hung everything up to dry before resting and having a glass of water. I was amazed that my hip and knee didn't hurt at all. Some other muscles were aching from all the hard work they had to do. Throwing snow from left to right is hard when you are not use to it. I had to keep reminding myself to do it to keep my hip from not tilting in. 

I put two chicken carcasses on to make chicken broth. They both had lots of meat on them. I got 7 cups of broth and about a pound of meat. I froze 6 cups of broth/chicken and have a small bowl of soup and some meat for today. I now have lots of soup in the freezer for the rest of winter. 

Sewing and Crafting

I spent the afternoon working on the cardinal quilt. I quilted, sewed, and hand stitched until I got row 1 completed. 

I am pleased with how this row looks. A lot of work but worth it. Row 2 has been prepped ready to start working on it. 

Row 2 has less quilting. I only do the center row on the blocks. I hope to have them done by Friday or Saturday. 

Today we get the first lesson on sewing something from the Tudor era. I am looking forward to that. I may have to start looking in the stash for fabrics so I can do a bit each day. 

Knitting

I finished knitting my hat and am happier with the size. 

Next up is socks. I will make a pair for daughter once I find a pattern I like. 

Thoughts

    We survived the storm. It was a nasty one for us. We didn't get the brunt of it. Cape Breton Island got between 40-60" of snow and a state of emergency was declared. They need help to dig out that part of the province. This nasty storm detached itself from the low pressure system and stalled over the Maritimes. I am sure this has happened before as pictures have been posted showing deep snow in years gone by. We have experienced some heavy snowfalls since moving here. 

    The municipality has salted our roads in preparation for the chance of freezing rain. They did our area at 7 am. There was no school yesterday and some buses will not be running today due to the weather and road conditions in some areas. The K-5 children are lining up here to catch the bus. Not sure about the middle school bus and most of the high school students walk to that school.

    Now that the storm is over with, I am going to eat correctly. I ate more carbs while shovelling snow but maintained my weight. I now want to loose the 1.3 lbs I gained two weeks ago. I can do it. 

Today

I am going to scrape the bit of snow off the driveway first thing. I have to do a load of laundry and tidy up the living room area. I am going to make piping today and work on another page of the journal I have an idea brewing in my head for it. Tonight I will start knitting socks. 

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

More Snow, More Wind, More Shovelling

 Yesterday was another blustery snowy day. They say we had another 2" of snow fall but who knows. The high got to -2.5C with a windchill of about -10C. This morning it is cloudy, windy and -2C (windchill -9C). We are to have wind, flurries, and a high of 0C with a windchill of about -9C. 

Lifestyle

I was out the door to shovel snow. The drifts were about 12" deep on both sides of the driveway and the snow berm at the end of driveway was over a foot deep. The two boys came over to help and we got the job done in fairly good time. 

Once I had rested and hydrated, I did some housework. Mainly swept and washed floors and some tidying up. I also folded a load of laundry. Once I got that done, I did the balance sheet and paid bills. 

The plow truck was around and I was out the door twice in the afternoon to shovel snow. Both time the boys helped me. The last time the snow berm was huge and compact. By this time everyone was out shovelling and snow blowing. The job was done and I was finished for the day. The deck needs to be done which I hope to do this afternoon.

My hip and knee have held up well during all the shovelling but I have found muscles that haven't been used in a long time. This has happened due to the fact that I am shovelling from left to right to keep my hip from tipping to the right. Small price to pay. 

Sewing and Crafts

I worked on the cardinal quilt yesterday. Blocks 1 and 2 were sewn together and the back seam hand stitched down. I then quilted the blocks as much as I could. The bottom row has been left plain until after I sew rows 1 and 2 together. 

I got blocks 3 and 4 sewn together and the back is now ready to hand stitch the seam. Once that is done, I will have 2 areas to quilt and then I can sew the first row together and finish it up. That is 2 areas where they are joined. 

I didn't do any paper crafts yesterday as I had no time. I did take a quick look at the journal and am pleased with how it is coming along. 

Knitting

I picked up my knitting after dinner and got 12 rounds knit. I am just over half done the hat. 

I know this one will fit me better and I love to wear it when I go shopping. 

Thoughts

    I am grateful for all the help I got during the storm. It made the job go faster than if I had had to do it myself. I was prepared to do it myself with a plan of going slow and steady. I am mobile, strong, and able to do the job. I have learned when to stop hence why the deck is not done. 

    Though we hate the snow berms the snow plows put into our driveways, I am grateful that they go 24 hours a day to keep the roads in the best possible condition during the storm. It has allowed me to stay home safely knowing I could get out if necessary and that emergency vehicles can get in if needed. 

    The plow was out at 2 am and did the roads again. The salt truck has put on salt since then. That will mean heavy snow berms in the driveway when they plow off the slush. A small price to pay to have the roads open and in good condition. 

    I have been hungry the last few days and have eaten more food than I should have. I have put on a pound but it will come off when I cut back on how much I eat. I am not worried as I keep monitoring what I eat every day. 

Today

Physio has been cancelled due to the weather. I will shovel snow instead. I want to also clean the kitchen up a bit. It isn't bad, it just needs me to wipe down the counters and clean the stove top. I also need to take out recycling. I did wash the floor yesterday so that is one job already done. I also want to work on the quilt and knit. I doubt if I will have time to work on the journal as I will be shovelling snow. Tonight I will knit. 

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

Digging Out From The Storm

 Yesterday was snowy, windy, windy, snowy with a high of -2.4C. They say about 11 cm of snow fell but who really knows. This morning it is a repeat of yesterday and -5C. We are to have more wind, more snow and a high of -2C. Windchills have been between -10 and -13C over the past 24 hours. 

Lifestyle

I was out the door in good time to shovel snow. I did the back deck and then helped my neighbour's boys finish up the driveway. I didn't feel too bad afterwards but rested and hydrated. 

After lunch, I was back out to shovel more snow. It was less than in the morning. As I was shovelling one of the boys down the street asked if he could help. We did the driveway and the deck. When we came back to the front of the house, we watched the plow put more snow into the driveway. Down we went to shovel it out. I was more tired and rested a bit longer. 

While shovelling, I tried to shovel right to left to right so my right hip turned outwards. It was hard to do but it did save me a lot of soreness. I walked about 1.6 km while shovelling snow. As I went to bed last night the road was plowed again and I have a snow berm in the driveway to deal with today. I have to shovel the deck but it isn't as bad. I have to be out tomorrow morning for physio so need to have things cleaned out. 

I ate a lot of carbs yesterday to keep my glucose levels up. It worked and I didn't feel stuffed due to the amount of exercise I did. I hope after today I can go back to eating like I was. I need to have extra carbs today so I can shovel. 

Sewing and Crafting

Between shovelling, I was downstairs crafting and sewing. I worked on the quilt and got the quilting done on the first 4 blocks. 

The first block was labour intensive as I could do a lot of quilting. The second block was easy as I only had to quilt one red dot rectangle. 

The third block had to have the center block quilted along with one red rectangle and the last block had more quilting on it. 

I now can trim and sew the blocks together and do more quilting. As I am more familiar with the design, it is going together quicker. 

Once done the quilt blocks, I worked on the journal. I moved the artist cards to another page. Having them in the center fold was too busy. 

I am quite happy with the result of the page. 

Knitting

I took my hat apart yesterday and wound the yarn into a ball. I then started to knit it into a smaller size. I got 18 rounds done before I stopped. 

I am sure it will be done before I know it. I am wearing a wind proof fleece hat right now due to the weather conditions but I love to wear this hat when I go shopping. 

Thoughts

    Everyone was shovelling themselves out yesterday. I was so grateful to have some of the younger ones help me. One boy had his 4 wheeler out with a blade on the front. He was going up and down our street cleaning out the snow berms from driveways. People think of others on our street which is nice. 

    I am tired from shovelling snow but know I can do it. I am realizing I need to take my time and throw snow so my bad hip turns outwards not inwards. I am in good shape to do the job but have to take care of my joints. I have a plan when I go out -- I dress warmly, carry my phone, unlock all the doors. I start on the worst job first. Usually the deck but it can be the driveway. I go slow but steady. Once done, I rest, apply heat and hydrate. 

    I read that Nova Scotia's ground hog did not see his shadow on Feb. 2nd. Early spring? I don't know. Easter is at the end of March so it could be early. With this storm, we may have a late spring. 

Today

Shovelling snow is at the top of the to-do list. I have to put my outdoor clothes into the dryer to make sure they are dry and warm. I have to do some housework today and should do the balance sheet. I hope to work on the quilt when I have time. Knitting tonight. 

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

The Second Cardinal Quilt - Started

 Yesterday was a day of snow flurries. It melted as it reached the ground which was nice. The high got to 0.7C. We were put under a Snow Fall warning around noon. It snowed good overnight and it is snowing and windy and -4C (windchill -10C) this morning. We are to have heavy snow, wind, and temperatures around -4C with a windchill of about -13C.

Lifestyle

I was sore yesterday morning -- both knees and my hip. I really knew the storm was coming. I didn't do yoga but washed the floor at the closet on my hand and knees which hurt. When I did the stairs down to the front door, I stood and stretched while I washed them. The floor at the front door was on my hands and knees and the stairs to the basement was standing and stretching. It is done and clean. 

I had to go out shopping for apple juice and a few easy foods in case we loose power. The grocery store was busy with long line ups at the tills. I did self check out as it was quicker. I got out of the store and home at noon. 

I picked up grandson from school at 5 pm and had dinner with family. Leek and potato soup and fresh buns. We celebrated son's birthday early as we could be still digging ourselves out on his birthday. Friends came to help celebrate. I came home about 8 pm. 

I took Tylenol last night to help with the hip pain I have been having. I did sleep okay and when I did some stretching this morning, I heard 3 cracks in my hip area. It is feeling much better since then. 

Sewing and Crafting

I decided to spend about an hour working on paper crafts. I cut out 4 artist cards and made 2. The theme from the video I have watched was travel so I used that as a basis for the two cards I made. The first one was made through trial and error and turned out okay. 

The second one I just had fun with it. I dug into every piece of junk I had and went to town. 

I stencilled, layered, fussy cut, and used stickers. It turned out to be a neat card. I have temporarily attached them to a pace in the journal and will get them put in today. 

The next 2+ hours was spent in the sewing room. I cut the wine bottle bags. I have 3 outer parts and 2 linings. On the hunt for fabric for the third one. 

Next up I cut the fabric for piping into bias strips and piled them ready to sew. 

Last I worked on the cardinal quilt. The first row of 4 squares have the center block stitched in the ditch to hold the block in place. Then I stitched 1" from each side to quilt the embroidered blocks. All the threads have been tied and buried. 

I laid them on the floor so I could admire them. 

I had a busy session in the sewing room and accomplished more than I had expected. 

Knitting

I had knit a bit at noon and finished the hat before bedtime. I have a tiny bit of yarn left from making the at. 

Thoughts

    I am glad I did some stretches in bed this morning and got my hip feeling better. It will help me handling the shovelling today. I just have to remember I'm not 25 years old and take it easy out there. It is suppose to snow heavily until Monday morning. 

    I am finding that keeping busy is helping me a lot while staying at home. I am feeling alert and wanting to do things including housework. It is also fun to plan out what I want to do and prep it so I can work on it during the month. 

    Going through the crafting items I had made me realize I need to make a list of items I am going to make and start on them. It may happen between shovelling sessions if I am too tired to do anything else. I just know I need to do the list of what I want to make for sale. 

Today

It is going to be a shovelling day. I have to do the deck and keep up on the driveway. I am hoping my neighbour will snow blow it but if not, I will take my time and shovel it also. I hope to do some sewing and crafting between the times I have to shovel. I want to unravel my hat tonight and start knitting it in a smaller size. How tired I am drives how much I get done and how much I sit and rest. 

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

Fighting With Low Glucose Levels

 Yesterday was mainly cloudy but not dull or dark. The high got to 2.1C. This morning it is cloudy and -1C. We are to have it cloudy with a few flurries and a high of 1C today. It is to start snowing tonight and it may not stop until Tuesday. 

Lifestyle

I was out the door to grocery shop yesterday morning. It wasn't too busy when I arrived but got busy while there. I got what I needed but had to go back and look for items due to people stopping and looking in some areas. 

I went to the $$ store on my way home and got a few things there. People were shopping there -- busy, busy. I had a long wait to pay but noticed that people buy groceries at this store. I did buy rice crackers as the grocery store was out of them as they are on sale. They are about $.75 cheaper at the $$ store compared to the regular price at the grocery store. I'm going to do a bit more price checking when shopping. 

As I left for home, I had a headache hit. Not sure what caused it. Once home, I put away the groceries and sat down to rest and have something to drink. I had a good rest after lunch which did help some. 

I was lagging in energy all afternoon. I didn't move much until 4 pm and when I did my glucose reading it was 3.9. I had been fighting low glucose all day and nothing I ate was helping. I ate most of a bag of crisps to help get the level up and that has resulted in water retention. I'll be drinking water today to fix that little problem.

Sewing and Crafting

I started crafting at 4 pm as I didn't want to move. I went into the sewing room and measured the lining fabric for the wine bottle bags and I have lots for the two I am going to make. 

I did a page in the Charlie Brown journal. I printed off the cartoon I wanted to use, stencilled snowflakes onto the page and glued down the cartoon. Not hard to do but I did enjoy the process. 

I then made a hot chocolate holder that the hot chocolate pack didn't fit into. 

The paper is very heavy and hard to fold but I did get it done. I put in a bag of tea and two candies. I need to add a package of honey or raw sugar. 

I am happy with the design even to fussy cutting the holly. At this stage the cost is $.38. There are scraps of paper left over that I need to figure out what to make from them. 

I am going to try the hot chocolate holders an inch bigger. If they work, I will start to make them also. 

Knitting

I did knit on the hat last night. I am ready to start decreasing so it will be done tonight. I think I may be playing yarn chicken though. 

I am going to take my only hat like this apart and knit it in this size. This hat fits me perfectly. I will do it next as I want to get it done and over with. 

Thoughts

    I may never know why I am having lows like yesterday. I ate carb rich foods at noon but I was loosing the battle. I over ate carbs last night to try and fix the issue but who knows. 

    I am not looking forward to the snow that is coming in. I am ready but not looking forward to shovelling snow. My hip hurts. I may have to cancel my physio appointment Monday if there is a lot of snow. They are predicting up to 10" of snow. I wait and see what I plan to do.

    I enjoyed my brief crafting time yesterday. I will have to do it more often. I watched a video on making artist cards and that looked like fun. I may take a scrap of the left over card and do one for the fun of it and add it to the journal. The theme for February is travel and I thought I could do something wintery -- tobogganing or skating. You are travelling when you do those activities. 

Today

I have to clean the front entry this morning while I do laundry. Then it will be craft time. Both paper and fabric. I will be ready to shovel snow if I have to. I am out for dinner at family's. I do hope to knit when I get home as I want to finish the hat. 

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

Thoughts About January's Plan

I spent some time thinking about the goals I set for January. Were they unrealistic? Not obtainable? Did they make me feel miserable? The answer was no. It was a challenge that I wanted to see if I could do happily and without regrets. I wasn't unhappy and I learned a lot about myself. 

What Was Great

    It didn't bother me to stop shopping in stores and start shopping in my house. It wasn't just in the stash of fabrics and craft supplies but in the pantry and freezer. I did buy mainly food during the month but tried to use up what I had before replacing it. I found a few things I had forgotten I had bought. Will be using them up even if just to cook the bacon and freeze it in small baggies to use as garnish on some foods. 

    Using fabrics and trims from the stash was easy. I decided to cut out the projects on my list and sew them when I needed a break from Elliott's cardinal quilt. I am not a person who likes half finished projects lying around but having the ability to work an afternoon on a project that is cut out was satisfying. 

    I struggled a bit more with paper crafts. I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to do on the pages of the journal. Part of that was not preplanning my ideas and part is lack of experience in making this journal. Another part is wanting to make other things which I need to work into my schedule. I didn't need to purchase any items in January which was nice. I have realized that you can do things with what you have. 

    I did buy a year's subscription to sew something different each month for the dolls. I enjoyed sewing the track suit and learned a few new tricks. I used up what I had on hand for it which wasn't hard to figure out. 

What was bothersome in January

    I found that I did have a few negative thoughts from being by myself so much. Most are self worth issues that plague me. I know the cause of it but can't seem to get over it entirely. It usually happens when I do something that is very different than other people do. There have been some comments in a store when I have shown my work and they don't understand what I am doing and I take it as criticism. I need to get over that but it's hard to do. 

    The advertising to buy products that came through emails and websites like Facebook and Instagram. I could feel the tug to go shopping and had to talk myself out of going several times. 

    I watched a lot of crafting videos and had to slow down on that. It was another pull to go shopping that I didn't need. I watched other types of videos instead. The one video I watched daily was on making an ideas book. I had no desire to make one but watched as some of the ideas are neat and I can use them in the journal using what I have. 

    Not making to-do lists for crafting was bothersome as I lacked focus on what I needed to make. I realized that I need to make lists for everything I do -- house, yard, sewing, and crafts. It is the only way I keep up on things. I am not the only one who does this. I find it keeps chaos at bay and it kept me focused to stay home. 

What's For February

    I am going to continue using what I have in February when sewing. I have got into the groove of looking in the stash when planning projects. I have 3 projects to make when I need a break from working on the larger cardinal quilt. It helps keep sewing fresh and exciting.

    Make a list of what I need to do craft wise. I need to take my book downstairs and sit in my craft area and think, look and plan. I find that I do enjoy doing a bit of paper crafting most days so need to be organized for that. 

    Buy a few craft items (budgeting an amount) so I can do a few things I want to do for the craft bazaar. It is my treat for being so good after Jan. 5. I have made a list of what I want to buy for me - new runners, rice steamer, and meat knife and have a good idea what I want from the craft store. 

    I want to stay at home as much as possible to get a lot done sewing, crafting, and housework. I have lots of appointments this month (one to two each week) for my hip but I also need to get out and visit or do something different a couple of afternoons during the month. 

Here is to having a "Use What You Have" February. 

I'm Ready For February

 Yesterday was cool but the sun did shine in the afternoon. The high got to -2.6C (can't find the time) though it was mainly -4C all afternoon. The temperature dipped to -8C in the evening and it is -3C this morning. We are to have a bit of everything today with a high of 1C. Snow arrives tonight. 

Lifestyle

I did yoga yesterday and could feel it in my hip. It is painful but I am coping with it. The stretching did it good. My knee is much better since it cracked on Tuesday and I have more mobility in it. 

I did laundry and cursed laundry pods. I had to wash the top sheet again as they gummed it up. If this continues in the next tub of pods, I will be using liquid and powder laundry detergent. 

I cleaned the bathroom and washed the floor on my hands and knees. It wasn't overly dirty but needed to be done. I also did the spare bedroom and cleaned it good. Elliott had fun in his litter box and had litter strewn everywhere. I also washed the hall floor. That was enough for one day. 

I spent half of the afternoon at family's house sitting while the workers fixed the crack in their basement wall. I did watch some and they are artists at what they do. It took them about 5 hours to do the job but it is now guaranteed for life. 

I took some pictures of family's cat. He started out being with them while his owners were away and eventually he moved in permanently. He has his own chair at the window that he loves to be in. He can look out at the birds and loves to bask in the sun. 

When I got home, I tidied up the snow drifts on the driveway I didn't have a lot to do and paid attention making sure I crossed my body over the bad hip so it would turn outwards. Very hard to do when it isn't your way of shovelling. I am now ready for the snow that is to arrive tonight. 

Sewing and Crafting

I didn't do anything in the sewing room yesterday. No time as I had to do a few things once I got home. I did watch a video on making wine bottle bags which I will use some of the ideas. 

Daughter's piping!! I started making it for her to use on the yokes of the western shirts she makes and sells. It has ended up in her "hoard of piping" drawer. Most has been admired but not used. I have hopes that she will use it. I keep making it as I find it a relaxing job. This year I want to make at least one piece of piping if not 2 a month. 

Doll sewing for February will something from the Tudor era. I have the only pattern the designer has published so am hoping it will be used. We find out on Tuesday. I am looking forward to this sew as I love historical doll clothes. 

Knitting

I did knit on the hat last night. I have about 18 rounds left to knit and it will be done. 

My next project is going to be socks. I am thinking copper coloured ones for daughter which will go with a hat I knit her last year. 

Thoughts

    I am ready for the snow that is going to be arriving tonight and last until sometime tomorrow. I know I will have to shovel but am hoping that I can remember to do it properly. It is getting harder to shovel and not throw the snow as there is a lot piled up on each side of the driveway. I have to remember that I am not 25 years old and can't do the job with gusto anymore. 

    I made a little list of what I want to buy this month. I have no fabric on the list as I am trying to use up what I have. I do need ribbon for the bags. I also have new running shoes on the list. I want to order a rice cooker as I eat a lot of rice. As I was so good in January, I can buy a few items I want for crafting. I will set a $$ limit when I go to the store but I do know I want a corner rounder and the envelope making board. I may allow myself one more item and call it a month. 

Today

I need to get groceries this morning. It is the only thing I have on my list but know I will do a bit of housework if I have time. This afternoon I want to cut the piping and wine bottle bags so I can sew them starting tomorrow. I hope to do a page in the journal. I will knit tonight. I am ready to be home for the next couple of days. 

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