This and That

 I have started pre spring cleaning.  The more weight I lose, the more energy I have.  Except when pain wakes me up at night.  So I am trying to do tons of small little things that seem to be adding up to bigger things.  I am also trying to walk more. Today I got over 7,000 steps. 

It was interesting shopping at Target today. They are remodeling the whole store. Moving everything around.  They have extra staff on hand to help.  I can compare it to a home remodel except it is super sized.  Almost everything is going to be in different places, even the freezer and cold Food sections.  It looks like they are adding more energy efficient freezer and chiller cases.

My hand was even feeling well enough to knit a few rows on the doodle shawl.  I am taking baby steps with my hand.  

A Busy Day

 I had a very busy day. With brunch out. Shopping for smaller pants, I got 1 pair. Coming home and cleaning.  Giving 4 mudd rugs their hot bath and agitation. Plying and setting 1 very small skein of lace weight yarn that was completely spun by hand.  The yarn is now drying in the garage.  The mudd rugs have been moved inside to hopefully finish drying.  I put a baking cooling rack over my hand washing sink.  They are still quite damp so I do not expect them to be dry by morning.  I also tried to catch up on paper work, my never ending battle.  Some progress was made. 

Now it’s time to put my feet up and knit.  

Sunday

 The day was spent doing a little cleaning, laundry,and knitting.  A lot of time was spent Zenning.  We also went to a store that claimed that they just got a shipment of Tilly hats and had one in John’s size.  A knock of is not a Tilly hat with proper ventilation.  A tiring but productive day.  

Stitch Markers

 For those that don’t know me well, I have an obsession with stitch markers for my knitting. I have them in almost all shapes and sizes up until a U.S. size 19 knitting needle. The do break sometimes.  Which means I will put them aside to fix next week.  Well not quite next week from the pile of stitch marker repairs I did today.  I found 1 pretty white flower pot and 1 box of stitch markers that needed repair.  

 

This is the pile of repair work that I started with.  After a few hours of diligent work, I landed up with the next pile of repaired stitch markers.  If you really  want to know, I did not do a very through search for them. So there might be more hidden in the house. I just about filled up my smallest yarn bowl.  Below is a picture of the newly repaired stitch markers. You can tell from the natural light how much time has passed. Yes, there are Dr. Who themed stitch markers too. 

My Self Cleaning House is Missing

 Today was spent on chores and deep cleaning. Followed by an evening of knitting.  The most eventful event was getting out the hand vacuum to catch the dust bunnies.  They hide every where given the chance.  

I am stating to feel better, but still tire out very quickly. So it’s equal amounts of chores and rest.  I really want that self cleaning house of the future that G.E. Promised in the 1960’s.  It’s 2022 G.E. I really want my self cleaning house.  

The Word of the Day

 Todays word is brain fog.  It’s what prevented me from doing a simple 3 needle bind off with 2 double pointed needles and a crochet hook.  A cast off that I can practically do in my sleep. However I can’t seem to do it with brain fog.  A state of mind where everything is merky .  Slow running brain.  Nothing makes sense   

Here is to a good nights sleep.  

Just Exhausted

 I found out something new about me this weekend.  I can actually be too tired to knit.  Yes, I have been known to fall asleep while knitting.  But I have been too tired to pick up any knitting needles.  I will put it solely upon the Sjogren’s flare that snuck up on me.  No I have not been sick. I have just been really, really tired.  

The rest of the really expensive Elon for nails package came today.  Yes, it included a note to send a thank you note to my husband.  I am not sure what he thinks about that.  However, I just don’t feel the need to thank my husband for a tube of nail cream, cuticle oil and nail files.  If it was something really big like…..

I have got to get my energy together to plan the yarn destash sale.  I am thinking a 4 or 5 hour window on a Sunday so as not to be in direct competition with my local yarn shop.  

Just Sunday

 I had a good cleaning spree today. Over the course of the day I got almost 2 hours of housework done.  

I am however completely ticked off by the realtor from California who called my cell phone at 7:30 this morning wanting to sell our house.  Waking me up after a very rough night. First off our house is not on the market. Second my cell phone number is unlisted.  Which by the current time difference she was making cold calls at 6:30 am in California.  What in the blank it ee blank was she thinking? There is something known as common courtesy.  Can someone from California tell me what time your state allows sales calls to begin?  Also to sell real estate in Arizona, you must be licensed in Arizona.  This was so wrong on so many levels.  I am still tempted to file a complaint. 

In knitting news, I got to the 4th color in the baby blanket.  This is the 3rd color change.  It is looking good.  

Shopping

 I did manage to get out to get a few new outfits for spring.  Most of my pandemic clothing purchases are starting to look a little worn and frayed.  So I went to Bryn Walker to get some new outfits.  I managed to get 2 shirt and pants combs, 1 pair of pants and an extra top.  I just love shopping at my local Bryn Walker store.  I really like working with Teri.  She is so nice and helpful.  Did I mention how comfortable the clothing is too.  

Now a fun fact for today.  Model is a rayon fiber made from beach wood trees.  Model is the registered trademark name.   Just don’t know how to bring up the trademark symbol on my iPad.  

That was followed by some grocery shopping and then home.  I got home before the really bad winds and rain.  After lunch I spent my time knitting.  

They Are Finished

 The fingerless gloves are finished.  I am going to wear them tonight to keep my hands warm.  They are a little wonky, but the pattern was very vague and open to interpretation. There was only one very bad picture   So here’s the deal   If you can’t see any flaws or artist interpretation from 5 feet away they are perfect. 

A Bit of Everything

 I saw the dentist earlier today and got my tooth fixed. The crown is now back in place.  I always get a little tired and loopy after the dentist even with out pain meds. So after a very late breakfast I took a long nap.  I was still a little bit loopy but I made it through the day.  

I did spend the afternoon knitting.  I am happy to say I am almost done with the 3rd pattern repeat. The knitting is perfect just don’t look at my pattern notes. They got kinda wonky towards dinner time.  Knitting this pattern is ridiculously easy for me but writing down what I do line by line is another thing.  I still don’t know where I am going to block it or photograph it yet.  I should not try to get ahead of myself, I still have rows to knit before I am done.  The next question is to fringe or not to fringe.  That’s not a rush because I can do that after I am done blocking.  

With the post holiday COVID19 surge I am back to staying home.  Yes, I have enough yarn, fiber and fabric. Thanks for thinking about it. Also please do us all a favor. If you have not had the vaccine for COVID19 please start the vaccine series. It’s no different from getting the MMR, Poliomyelitis, tetanus, or any other vaccine that you had as a kid to go to school.  Also I highly recommend wearing an N95 or Kn95 mask when out and about.  Just in case you were wondering, yes there is a new variant of COVID19. So we all need to work together to end this pandemic. 

Happy Holidays

 A good day was had by all. I enjoyed some nice girl talk and knitting outside this afternoon.   

Saturday

 I have had my most productive day in a while.  I even started 2 loads of laundry and put things away during the 8 minutes that my breakfast was cooking.  Not one spot got cleaned, instead a whole lot of things got got trashed or moved to where they were supposed to be.  

I was going to take a walk when I got frustrated by my new design.  I am not sure how, but it is easier to walk, talk and knit this pattern than it is sitting down at a table with pen snd paper, writing the pattern as I go.  There was just one little glitch.  There was a coyote wandering around.  I make it a point not to venture far when wild animals are roaming the streets.  So I did the sensible thing and watered the new cactus we planted last weekend.  

When I came back inside, I was a little more relaxed.  I figured out it was not the written pattern that was the problem rather I did not count right when casting on yesterday. So I tinked it. Cast on again and everything is ok.  

I picked up some wonderful salmon for dinner. It came out perfect.  Nice and buttery.  No, I did not use butter when I baked the salmon.  I use the juice of one lemon, salt, white pepper and dill.  I let it marinate a few hours. Add a bit of water before cooking.  Bake at 350f for about 35 minutes.  I buy enough to cook once and eat for 2 nights.  

Charity knitting happened after dinner.  The scarf that I am working on will take at least 7 skeins of yarn.  It is called the Stash Dive Scarf by Summer Lee Designs.and is available on Raverly.  This is number 4 with this pattern.  

Just Puttering Around

 Today was spent doing errands and puttering around the house.  Nothing massive got done unless you count an overflowing basket of hand spun yarn sorted into bags by color to add to the scarfs I am weaving with 1 off and partial skeins of yarn.  The ideal is to make the scarfs as color cohesive as possible and still be one of a kind works of art.  The mini hand spun skeins add a pop of color between larger skeins of yarn.  These should make nice presents for the kids   The clothing bank usually skims off my hand woven scarfs for holiday gifts. Since I know it will be the only gift some kids receive I try to make them special   

I have started a new hat today and am almost finished with the brim   

I still can’t figure out this COVID19 mask thing.  There are so many different numbers floating around and cases are up in our state.  So when out in public, I will continue to mask up even though I am fully vaccinated.  In matters of health and people being sick in public, is that if I had a nickel for every time someone got sick at home from an allergy, I would be rich.  

Attacking Mistletoe

 Today we worked on getting some mistletoe out of a mesquite tree in our yard. It seemed like we took out a lot of tree. I have to admit that I have not been doing much mistletoe removal in the past couple of years. I have instead relied on the gardener, that was a huge mistake.  He has not done any mistletoe removal. He is supposed to be here this weekend, so I left all the branches we cut off for him to clean up.  It’s my passive aggressive way of say you did not do your job, so John and I had to.  So you get to pick up all the branches. 

I finished knitting my yellow shawl today. It is a little small for me and I think I am a bit to pale to pull it off. I will weave in the ends tomorrow and take a picture.  It will probably be sold.  Now to pick the next project.  

Totally Crazy

 Today was totally crazy. Our new fridge was supposed to be delivered today. The only problem was that it has not left California.  I don’t know why people are so geographically impaired. The delivery was supposed to be by 2:00p.m. After dinner we find out that we might get it by next week. I am really mad at the vendor. That added a lot of stress to my day.  

I almost finished one hat, I just have to weave in the end. I started hat number 3 for the year. Day 2 of no Tylenol.  I am just to tired to type any more.  Goodnight.  

Still More Recovery Time

 I went to the doctors yesterday.  The bottom line is that it will be about the end of May or early June before I am totally recovered.  Apparently I am very good at hiding how awful I feel.  In my defense I did have almost 30 years of practice.  With Eric unless I was to sick to move, I had to keep going with that wonderful mommy smile. Who knew it would backfire on me.  

On the bright side I am cleared to start driving again. However with the COVID19 numbers in Pima county so high we are staying home.  This in turn will give me more nap and rest time. Isn’t it great how things like this work out?

Today was a prime example.  By the time I got my knitting project set up, I was too tired to move and took a 2 hour nap. I was to tired to concentrate on a pattern so I worked on the hat I started yesterday while we watched television tonight.  I only added 5 inches of knitting. I am Decreasing the crown right now. It should be finished in a few days. I don’t think I’m up to knitting  hat a day right now.