A Day In The City

 Yesterday was a mix of sun, clouds, and rain. The high got to 7C. This morning it is cloudy and 1C. Today is suppose to be mainly sunny with a high of 6C. 

Lifestyle

It was a long day in the city and a fun one. After getting what we needed for the next dinner at the community hall, we wandered the Halifax Mall for a couple of hours. We did the two main floors of stores and had lunch on the first floor. We didn't do the other part of the first floor. We had to go to another area to shop some more. 

In the other area, we did up Walmart. Then it was on to Costco. We stopped (for some unknown reason) and I spotted slippers. I felt them and called daughter-in-law over. With the recommendation from a shopper, we each got a pair for Christmas. These slippers are similar to Ugg slippers and are carried in Costco every winter. 

I bought a Dyson vacuum cleaner. The one I had settled on had too small a bin so I got the one I had a larger bin. We did wander around and while I waited for daughter-in-law to pick up something a gentleman and his wife told me that the vacuum was a great buy and to also get a robot cleaner. They have both and love them. So I save my pennies for a robot cleaner. 

Our last stop of the day was at the Lindt chocolate shop. We signed up for card and to get 10% off until the end of 2024. We also got a free chocolate. I bought chocolates for the candy holders I will be making for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners. This store really tested me as I had a free chocolate in my pocket and was craving something sweet due to the smells. I didn't eat the chocolate and got over the craving after a strict talk to myself. I have a lot of chocolate stored in the garage for Christmas but I won't touch it. 

We got home and I was really tired and sore. We had walked 4km which was all cement. I applied heat to my sore hip and started stretching it out. I did a lot in bed and got a pop (not a crack) in the hip area and the pain was almost gone. Hurrah for what ever happened in that area. 

I unpacked the vacuum cleaner and used it. The green light on the one head shows all the dust, cat hair, and other tiny debris on the floor. I was embarrassed at how dirty the clean floor was. I'm on a mission now to start vacuuming the house every other day. 

Sewing

I didn't sew yesterday but I did two things. I put away some craft supplies I bought. I need to find a box to store some ornaments in on the shelf. The paper is for reindeer candy holders. 

The second thing I did was to make a list of crafting items I want to make in the next year. Some are gifts for family, some are for the craft bazaar. It is now ready for me to work on. I only have one pattern to buy. I did have it but it got lost when my old computer died. 

Knitting

I worked on the socks and am ready to start the first decreasing row for the gusset. 

I am still working on the first ball of grey yarn and wonder if I will have enough to finish the socks or if I will have to start another ball. We wait and see what happens. 

Thoughts

    I did really well walking so much yesterday. I have a feeling that my soreness is still tight muscles pulling joints inwards. Though I have improved a lot, this last part is really testing my patience as I want it to be better now and not later. I keep pushing myself to do more stretching in hopes it will help. 

    My craving for chocolate and sugar was really bad when we stepped into the Lindt store. I knew I couldn't eat any of it as I need to eliminate it from my diet. It was hard and I know I have a few more days of craving. It will get easier with time.

Today

My plan is to put the central vacuum hose away and clean the spare bedroom using the new vacuum cleaner. I need to do laundry and get groceries. If I have time, I will start sewing doll clothes. I want to knit tonight. 

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

Working On The Memory Book

 Yesterday started off damp and ended up being brighter with a high of 6C. This morning it is cloudy and 5C. Today is suppose to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 7C.

Lifestyle

I started my morning out by going to vote. There was a Facebook post that said we were to vote at a different location so I went to that station. Not so as I live in a small area that was to go to the other given location. Off I went. Once there, you had to register and then take that form to another table so you could vote. Very different than in previous years. It was a slower process but it went quickly enough as I was the only person there to vote. I voted and left. 

Once home, I set up one Purolator box and started to fill it. I need to get bubble wrap before I can do the second box and I need to get a few more gifts. I did fairly good as I am packing gifts, china, and other items for daughters. She can't open the boxes until Dec. 25. It is nice to have a good start on this project as I want both boxes gone by Dec. 10th; earlier if possible. 

I played with the Bluetti power source yesterday. I plugged in a light (led bulb) and ran it for 5-6 hours before I drained the unit down to 45%. The light used 39% of the power in the unit which is good to know. I will probably use another light source of which I have used in the past. I will probably save the power source for other uses like charging my phone, iPad, and to use my cPap with. The big thing here is that we usually aren't without power as we are on the hospital grid. If we are going to be without power for a longer time, I have the gas generator to hook up to the house. 

Crafting

With the craft table cleaned off, I decided to tackle the memory book. I got three pages done. Making memory books will not be high on my to do list. I will probably make one more and then stop. Guaranteed it won't be as big or complex as the one I am making now. 

The pages were enjoyable to make but I need more paper. I am going through the stash in a hurry. I will have to get some  on Saturday. 

I spent a lot of time thinking about the pages I did. The first page was already planned so I just went for it. A good way to start the project. I didn't even photograph it. It is Snoopy dancing on Schoder's piano. 

The second page was  a bit harder to decide what I wanted on it. I finally got it to what I wanted. I used left over paper from another page for the background. I still have to colour the bells and may add a red ribbon to them. 

The third page was a fun as I played with ink and a stencil. It evolved when I found the paper to glue the counted cross stitch tree on to. 

The last page was equally as fun though I was disappointed the envelope is a bit crooked. It moved after I spent a lot of time making sure it was straight. I used two pieces of smaller paper for this page. 

I still have some research to do for the center page and a couple of other pages. But, I have laid out the items I am going to use for the next few pages which is about the nativity. I do have the background paper for it -- a dark blue night sky. 

I still have one more signature to do when this one is done. I keep chanting "This will be done for Christmas". 

I grabbed a small notebook and played with an idea of how to make a removable cover for it. I think I have a plan for it and will play with it next. If it works, I will do the second one. 

Knitting

I knit on the second sock last night and am 4 rows from starting the heel flap. 

At the rate I am going, it will be done next week. 

Thoughts

    I realized how much the clutter in the family room is bothering me when I worked on the memory book. I am really thinking about what crafts I will do and what will leave for good. I know that if I wish to make things for gifts, I can buy what I need and use it up. I know that I want my inventory to be very low. 

    I looked in a bag of card stock and found the items to make 3 wall hangings using the Cricut. They will be made in January, stored, and gifted next year. I couldn't find them due to the mess I had. It has me spurred on to getting things into order. It has also reminded me to start crafting more each month to get items made. 

    I did well yesterday and ate no foods with refined sugar or chocolate in them. It will take a few days to see progress and I know I will have cravings. I keep thinking of the positive side of it. 

Today

I am going into the city to shop with daughter-in-law. If I can, I would like to get the vacuum cleaner. I am not sure how long we will be gone but it sounds like we are making a day of it. If I am not too tired, I will knit tonight. My only other chore to do is put recycling out for pick up tomorrow. 

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

Large Hot Pad Finished

 Yesterday morning was damp and cool but the afternoon was warmer with it being cloudy and 7C. This morning it is cloudy and 5C. Today is suppose to be damp with a high of 7C. 

Lifestyle

I started to clean the dining room and got some done. I made a hasty decision to head out to New Minas for boxes to ship parcels to daughter. I got them. Then on to look at vacuum cleaners and the one I wanted was sold out. Last stop was to pick up some craft items to make between now and the end of the year. 

The trip to New Minas was slow as there is road work being done. One stop was a 15 minute wait and the other one was about 5 minutes or less. I took the back route to avoid the road work and had a 1 minute stop going that way. Once back on the highway, it was a good trip home. 

When home, I was tired and quite sore. I rested some before putting the dining area back together. I found out later that the air pressure had dropped low causing my knees to ache. The pressure is back to normal now and I am having less pain in my joints. I also think sugar and chocolate are causing joint inflammation. I am going off them as of today. I know this happened before and I felt better when I eliminated them from my diet. I have been sneaking these foods into my diet. 

Sewing

I made the binding and put it onto the x-large hot pad. Two strips of fabric 2.25" x wof was more than enough. I spent the rest of the afternoon hand sewing the binding down. 

I am very happy with the end result and hope these will sell at the craft bazaar. This one has been rolled up and put into a bin to keep clean. 

I know I will be making 7 more of these to sell as they are quick and easy. I can cross hatch or straight line quilt these. Thanks to Pin Cut Sew I have found a project I enjoy making. 

My next project is to make a cover for a notebook. I want to see if they will be easy to make. I have watched several videos on how to make them and will combine the ideas. I also have 2 smaller notebooks that I may make simple covers for and see how they sell. This is a learning curve for me. 

Knitting

I cast on and knit on the 2nd sock last night. It is moving a long quite quickly. 

I will probably be done them by late next week. 

Thoughts

    I have almost everything I need for gifts to send to BC. I will finish up this week and get the boxes shipped next week. I will do an Amazon order which will be delivered to their house. I need to wrap gifts which takes time. 

    I have to set aside my sewing or just sew for 30 minutes and focus on paper crafts. I need to work on the memory book and get it done. I have my workspace clean which means I don't have an excuse not to do it. I need to look at it, print off some things I downloaded and get busy. 

    As I work on items for the craft bazaar I am trying to figure out how to have a cohesive look to my table while using fabrics I have in the stash. I have a print table cloth which I may buy a darker table cloth. I am thinking of using white and clear containers to put my inventory into. The only deviation at this moment are the cookie boxes I bought to put 4 tree ornaments into. I need to find some way to elevate items on my table and to have the containers on an angle. 

Today

I have to vote today and then make a decision on what else I will do. I will probably do a bit of house work and then do some crafting in the basement. Tonight I will knit. 

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

A Day of Decluttering and Sewing

 Yesterday was damp, brighter and cooler with a high of 5C. This morning it is cloudy, raining, and 3C. Today is suppose to be wet with a high of 7C. 

Lifestyle

I decided not to get a parcel ready until later in the week. Both daughter and I are waiting to see if there will be any action taken on the postal strike. 

Instead, I went to the basement and started to declutter and purge the crafting materials in the storage room. I had a great time going through everything tossing some items, donating others, and giving the rest until the end of 2025 when I will donate what is left. Everything is organized and I got a few more empty tubs. No pictures taken as I forgot in my enthusiasm of getting the job done. It did take me until noon to get the job done. 

Sewing

I spent time in the sewing room yesterday. I had to launder two pieces of fabric. One was dirty due to dust and the other needed to be shrunk. When done, I got busy and had fun. 

The dirty piece is a lovely fat quarter of fairy frost. White with silver threads in it. I cut it into bias strips for piping. Daughter will use it on a fancy shirt. 

The second piece was black cotton. I pressed it good and then proceeded to make an X-large hot pad. The top is from a fat quarter daughter sent me. I used two layers of batting left over from the Scandinavian Winter quilt. It is now ready to bind in black cotton which is on the back.

When done, I will roll it up, tie it with a ribbon. I want to make more of these to sell at the craft bazaar next year. The next one will be using a sunflower print fabric. I have enough for two or I can make one and then 2 square hot pads. I will decide later on. 

I played with the cotton fabrics in the stash. I sorted the Christmas fabrics into colour piles and I have lots left to sew. Less than last year. Though I am planning on sewing for enjoyment this year, I know I will get a lot of it sewn. I love Christmas fabrics. What isn't Christmas fabric is minimal and I can sew it up easily. The pile of fabric for piping is decreasing at a slower rate than I had hoped it would. I may have to make some decisions on it. 

Knitting

The first sock is completed. I am pleased with it as it is the first heavier sock I have knitted for daughter-in-law. 

I will get the second sock set up tonight so I can work on it. I hope it will go as fast as this one did. 

Thoughts

    The postal strike is affecting many businesses in Canada and there is a cry out for the government to legislate the workers back to work. I am going to make a decision on what to ship by another company this week and then ship what is left later on. I am trying not to let the strike affect me but I know that many small businesses in our area have been scrambling to get items shipped to their customers. 

    The prediction of snow disappeared during the night. It is too warm for snow and will be too warm for most of the week. The flurries have changed to rain. We may get a few flurries but no heavy snow falls yet. Our snow doesn't come until late January/early February. Just wait and see that I am proved wrong. 

    I am pleased with how much crafting materials I let go of. I focused on what I want to make vs what I thought I would make. I am trying to build inventory for the craft bazaar and have space for most items now. I still need to do a bit more work in the storage room. I need to take items to the thrift store and get some ready for the quilter's group. I have another mornings work in that room before I am done. 

    I am going to take down the tabs on the sewing room closet and put up one on the "office space". I have part of it cleaned and part has been started. I know this will be 2 tabs only. I am enjoying the closet being clean and purged. It is fun to look for items to sew in there. 

Today

My plan is to do some cleaning in the dining room and lay out the gifts to start wrapping. I may go to New Minas this afternoon to get a few things. If I don't, I will sew. Tonight I will knit on the 2nd sock. The weather is dictating what I will do. 

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

A Busy Day Outside the Sewing Room

Yesterday was grey and wet with a high of 7C. This morning it is cloudy, windy, and 4C. Today is suppose to be cloudy with showers and a high of 5C. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning began with me folding laundry while the first load of blankets from the living room were in the washer. Once done, I started cleaning the living room. It was a deep clean where I used a tool to take off more cat hair from the couches, removed the cushions, and cleaned underneath them. It was past due. Then I moved all the furniture, swept the floors, scrubbed the floors, and put all the furniture back. I ended up getting the blankets done and put back on the furniture. I was tired but happy with how clean it looks. 

I did two little things in the living room. One was to put out new battery operated candles in the window for Christmas. They will be on every evening starting Dec. 1. The other was to put my Scandinavian Winter quilt on the couch to admire. 

I can look at the other half when sitting at the dining room table. 

Once done, I rested as I was a bit sore and knew I would be on my feet for 3-4 hours helping at the community hall. It was nice to sit in a clean area. 

I spent 4 hours at the hall helping. I am glad I went early as they were short of volunteers. I ran the bar alone, helped put food on plates (running to the bar to serve when necessary), and wanted to help with cleaning up but the bar kept me busier than anticipated. Daughter-in-law was suppose to help me (it was me helping her) in the bar but she was so busy in the kitchen that I didn't see much of her until 7 pm. Unfortunately it was not one of the best organized dinners but with a few doing the majority of the work, the jobs got done. In reality, daughter-in-law would have a great catering business if she chose to do that. She is a super cook, a great organizer, and knows her stuff. 

Once home, I sat and relaxed until bed time. I did no sewing or knitting yesterday. 

Thoughts

    Our weather has been crazy. It poured rain most of yesterday. The wind has been from the north and it has been warm. The wind has shifted to the west and it is going to be cooler. No idea where the storm we had came from. There is more rain in the forecast and they say the wind will be from the north once again. 

    I did not have to do any decluttering in the living room. I have kept it pretty well decluttered over time. I have been trying to keep my knitting organized. I will need to take yarn and needles back to the sewing room where I store them. It is an easy space to clean up which I really like. 

    My next step in cleaning is the dining room. I need to spend a day wrapping presents to send to daughter. I have a lot of it in the dining room and some in the family room. Once that is dealt with, cleaning the dining room will be easy. I did declutter it earlier this fall. 

Today

I am going to do some resting but will start wrapping presents to send to daughter. I need to get the box gone this week as it will go by truck across Canada. If I have time, I want to do some tidying up in the family room so I can start working on some Christmas items. I hope to knit tonight. I could finish a sock. 

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

A Doll's Skirt Sewn

 Yesterday was a dull, dark and wet day. The high got to 8C. This morning it is windy, wet, and 7C. Today is suppose to be wet and windy with a high of 9C. 

Lifestyle

My first job of the day was to do the balance sheet. A few stupid (on my part) issues which took time to sort out. Bills were paid and I was done at 11 am. 

I got out the generator to play with it and to drain the charged down. I tried the kettle but it overloaded the machine. I need to buy a travel kettle which takes less power. I can look for one next month. 

I finished cleaning the bedroom yesterday. I moved furniture, vacuumed and gave the floor a deep cleaning. Everything is in its place. 

As I put the furniture back, I thought about colours once again. It was a surprise when Marianne suggested coral, burgundy, and forest green. I had thought about these colours for this room with the green being more of a sage green. 

It looks pretty bland in there at the moment but I certainly was happy to sleep in there last night. 

Sewing

I did some sewing yesterday. I made a skirt to go with the sweater I knit. It was an easy sewing project and I really enjoyed it. 

I still need to put the snaps on the back but I had run out of time. I got a picture of Lea with Nellie who is wearing the short sleeved version of the sweater. 

I still have the matching top to make for the skirt but I am not sure when I will make it. I need to make a couple of items for Christmas before any doll sewing should happen. 

Knitting

I worked on the socks last night and am ready to knit the foot. It has been a fairly easy knit as I am using larger needles. I also have another pair of socks to measure them against while figuring out how many rows I need to knit each part of the sock. 

These socks will be done well before Christmas and I am going to knit myself a vest using the yarn I got for Christmas last year. 

Thoughts

    With rain coming in all of yesterday, it was very dark outside. So dark that I had all the lights on in the house so I could work on projects. It will be the same today. It was very depressing having it dark and gloomy outside. We have had very little sunshine in the past while and I am craving a good dose of it for one day. 

    Now the master bedroom is done, I am really letting my thoughts go wild with ideas for the room. I have to hang to pictures first. I know I can add some artificial flowers to a vase on the dresser. I need a blanket to drape on the bed or hang over the chair. The quilt is a William Morris print and in a minimalist look it should be the only print used. The accent colours may need to be in a solid colour. I need to remember that I can't over do the bedroom due to my sleep disorder.

    I am getting ready to clean the house so I can decorate for Christmas. I will only do it in the mornings and then focus on the basement in the afternoons making what I need for Christmas. I have a plan in place that I hope will work and not let me get stressed. 

Today

I need to fold laundry and wash the blankets in the living room. I also need to start cleaning up that space so it is clean. I have neglected it for long enough. This afternoon I would like to work on the memory book for a bit. I have to leave to help at the community hall before 5 pm. I won't be home until late so no knitting tonight. 

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

Cleaning the Master Bedroom

 Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds though mostly cloudy. The high got to 8C. This morning it is wet and 8C. Today is suppose to be wet with a high of 8C. 

Lifestyle

I decided to tape and paint the trim around the window. This is the job I really don't like as I think I do a terrible job. I found out I was overworking the paint wanting it to be perfect. When I left it alone, it was fine. 

I left the room for two hours and rested for two hours as my hip was sore from balancing on the top rung of the ladder. I went back and stripped the tape off the walls and was pleased with the results. The paint was dry so I hung the curtains. 

I then started scrubbing the floor under the window. I scrubbed with a cleaner and then rinsed it with Bona floor cleaner. I then set up the furniture in that part of the room. 

The curtains match well and the furniture pops against the light walls. The room looks huge and bare which means I need to start thinking about decorating it after Christmas. 

I shut the curtains so the house would be dark last night. 

I think it is very monochromatic at the moment and I know that navy and white will be fine in there. The more I looked at it, the more it needs a pop of colour. 

I had to keep moving or I'd fall asleep on the couch. I spent some time cleaning the kitchen. It was nice to have a clean kitchen with no painting supplies on the counter next to the sink. 

Sewing

None done yesterday as I was too tired to make decisions on what to toss and what to keep. 

I have to buy fabric this week to make a friend a new bag for traveling. She wants the same as I made her a couple of years ago only with pockets on the inside. It will be her Christmas present this year. 

Knitting

I did a few rows on the heel flap and then stopped when I had to make dinner. I didn't pick it up in the evening as I wasn't able to focus on anything. 

Thoughts

    My exhaustion has been from not sleeping well and pushing myself to get the master bedroom painted. I was tired but not falling asleep when I went to bed. My mind was actively thinking about how to get the room done. I was also sore from osteopathy, physio, and climbing up and down the ladder. I have realized that I can paint but I need to take days off to rest my body and mind. 

    The little accent colour in my room is almost eluding me so why I will be looking at artificial flowers for inspiration. Once I decide, I will have to figure out how to add it to the room. I also have a couple of pictures to hang up which I love. One is a counted cross stitch picture I did years ago and the other is a picture I had redone many years ago. My uncle gave it to my parents as a wedding gift in 1945. I may also get a black headboard. I still need to think a lot about what else I will do in this space. It has to be minimal so I can sleep relax and fall asleep easily at night. 

    With Black Friday sales in full swing, the Dyson vacuum cleaner I want is on sale. I will probably get it this coming week when I go looking for the fabric for the bag I am going to make. 

Today

    I have to do the balance sheet today. When done, I will continue cleaning in the bedroom. I would like to sew this afternoon and tidy up the binders. Tonight I want to knit. I am trying to balance work and fun so I won't be so tired tonight that I have issues falling asleep. 

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