A blog about my life, my fiber arts and pictures of my finished work. I will also throw in the very occasional recipe or shopping tip.
Monday, June 22, 2020
My Question of the Day is?
I have a very interesting question. I’ve been walking a long time to get in better shape. When my step goal was 8000 steps a day I struggled to make the 8000 steps a day. However, when I switch my step goal to 10,000 steps today I seem to be exceeding it almost every day. I am totally confused by this. Does anybody else have the same issue?
Sunday, June 21, 2020
I Am Getting Restless
I still can’t knit following surgery. My hand was too sore to do much spinning today, or any spinning for that matter. So I did a lot of pacing around the house and racked up 5 3/4 miles which is 13,652 steps. I have to honestly say my hand is doing a lot better. I can do more, but no knitting yet. Hopefully soon.
Labels:
knitting,
post hand surgery recovery,
recovery,
slow recovery
Monday, June 15, 2020
Progress
I have made progress today, even though my stitches don’t come out till Wednesday. I managed to spin a half an ounce of fiber into yarn. I spun half a rolag from Mirla Fiber Arts. I did stop before I felt pain. You can find her fibers on Instagram. Jenny does not always have her shop open. When it is open you can get beautifully blended rolags , batts and jewelry.
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Success
I don’t know if I’m the only one losing inches during this pandemic. I finally got up the courage to order some skirts that fit. Of course they are one size smaller than I wore before. I have to admit that I ordered one to see if it fit, then I ordered a few more from the same manufacture. I really had a hard time shopping online because I really like going into the stores and trying on the clothes before I buy them. Now I won’t have to wash clothes every few days. It feels really good to have clothes that fit. The skirts sit on my waist instead of my rib cage. The next thing to tackle is a few pairs of shoes. This is really scary.
My hand is slowly healing.As predicted I am very bored without my knitting. I can’t do much until the stitches come out. I hope I can do physical therapy at home. It just scares me to go into the unknown to have my hand worked on.
Well it’s time to call it a night so that John and I can go on early morning work tomorrow.Success
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
105f Today Or Hats by the Dozen
What do I do I knit when it’s 105f out? I knit winter hats. You all know that I don’t think summer is long enough. Pretty soon it will be in the 70’s and the cold weather gear will come out. I am with in knitting distance of 4 dozen hats knit this year. The earliest it has ever happened. That means I only need to knit 16 more hats to make my minimum goal of 5 dozen hats. To me that means 60 heads will be warmer this winter. I wonder if I will make it to a bakers dozen of hats this year. In case you were wondering a bakers dozen is 13 of any baked good. So that is 12 x 13 or 156 hats which is my all time record.
Stay safe and have some home bound summer fun.
Stay safe and have some home bound summer fun.
Labels:
dozens. Charity knitting,
hats,
Summer knitting
Monday, June 1, 2020
Monday’s Rollercoaster
Today was a roller coaster with some very good highs. Seven bags made it into the recycling bin, I am hopeful it will squish down if necessary. One additional bag of trash made it out of the house along with a broken piece of pool equipment from the pump area into the trash.
On the down sloop I started dropping stitch’s on a lace work pattern that I am working on and put it away for the day. I have 3 hats in progress and could not seem to finish just one. I meandered my way through the house doing a little throwing and putting things away. Not much progress was made.
I will end on a good note of walking over 13,000 steps and over 5 miles today. So goodnight and stay safe.
On the down sloop I started dropping stitch’s on a lace work pattern that I am working on and put it away for the day. I have 3 hats in progress and could not seem to finish just one. I meandered my way through the house doing a little throwing and putting things away. Not much progress was made.
I will end on a good note of walking over 13,000 steps and over 5 miles today. So goodnight and stay safe.
Labels:
deep cleaning,
knitting,
random cleaning,
walking
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Number 50
My 50th project for 2020 was a charity hat and the 41st hat I knit this year. I have used about 75 skeins of yarn and have not made a dent in my yarn stash. So I will keep knitting.
Labels:
50th project,
beanie,
charity knitting,
knitting
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Knitting Scrappy Hats
I have finished six scrappy hats since May 15. It seems that the scrap yarn is multiplying. For every hat I make there just seems to be more yarn left to knit. The yarn scraps are from other hats that didn’t require a full skein of yarn. I take all the partial skins and put them in one or two bags depending on the size of the skeins of yarn. This often leads to more than one hat being on the needles at a time. I currently have two scrappy hats in progress.
Maybe I shouldn’t of waited until the bags were overflowing before I started knitting the scrappy hats. In the picture below you will see the two current hats in progress and the two bags of scraps. I really want to get to knitting other hats, but this will only lead to more partial skeins and more scrappy hats. So I will trudge on and try to finish as many scrappy hats as I can. I don’t think it will be more than a dozen more hats before the bags are empty. Then I will go back to knitting full skein hats until the bags fill up again. This seems to be my endless cycle.
This is how I am spending my COVID19 summer vacation. What interesting things are you doing?
Maybe I shouldn’t of waited until the bags were overflowing before I started knitting the scrappy hats. In the picture below you will see the two current hats in progress and the two bags of scraps. I really want to get to knitting other hats, but this will only lead to more partial skeins and more scrappy hats. So I will trudge on and try to finish as many scrappy hats as I can. I don’t think it will be more than a dozen more hats before the bags are empty. Then I will go back to knitting full skein hats until the bags fill up again. This seems to be my endless cycle.
This is how I am spending my COVID19 summer vacation. What interesting things are you doing?
Labels:
COVID19 project,
knitting,
scrappy hats,
Yarn,
yarn stash down
Friday, May 22, 2020
3 for 3
Today was the third day in a row that we made charity drops. Today we filled the back of my car to capacity with dog pillows for the animal shelter. There were 9 in all plus a few odds and ends. Thank to new donation procedures we did not even have to get out of the car. We just popped the hatch and they took what would have been several trips for us. I did not even have to stop knitting. The result is a much cleaner craft room. Although I still need to vacuum.
I also tried starting my day with a walk around the block, that seemed to help my mood. We also cleaned out part of the garage and put the new patio umbrella up. All in all a good day.
I also tried starting my day with a walk around the block, that seemed to help my mood. We also cleaned out part of the garage and put the new patio umbrella up. All in all a good day.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Busy
Today was filled with grocery shopping, charity drop offs, knitting and celebrating. I know a very odd combination but it worked. I even managed to fill the back of my car with a charity donation. Yeah for us, less stuff in the house and garage. I need to see what other charities have curb side drop off.
In knitting, I finished one hat and started another. Different colors though.
We also celebrated COVID19 style with curb side delivery and immediately put the food in a hot oven when we got home.
A good day was had by all.
In knitting, I finished one hat and started another. Different colors though.
We also celebrated COVID19 style with curb side delivery and immediately put the food in a hot oven when we got home.
A good day was had by all.
Labels:
charity donation,
grocery shopping,
knitting,
partying
Saturday, May 9, 2020
BingingHave a great day.
I am currently binging on hats with my knitting. I started three hats and finished 2 today. I am almost done with the next dozen hats. Only three more hats to go.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there, Have a great day.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there, Have a great day.
Labels:
hand knit hats,
happy Mother’s Day,
knitting
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Moving Forward
After resolving some issues in my mind last night. I was able to move forward today. I made some crafting decisions like if I make rag rugs in the future, I will just order the supplies needed. The reasoning behind this is takes an awful lot of work to turn old t-shirts into useable weaving fiber. People love the idea of a recycled rag rug, but the don’t want to spend more than $20 or so one one. Because I was using some recycled material they think that they should be able to pay less, but the warp alone usually runs about $20. If I am going to work at a loss it has to be better than decorating someone else’s house cheaply. So the t-shirts were torn up for dog pillows.
I did manage to sew 2 face masks and start 3 dog pillows. I think I can get a few masks sew every day too. I should be able to get at least 6 or 8 dog pillows done with this batch. Yes, I called the Humane Society and they would love more of my pillows. I don’t even have to go inside to drop them off. I have also gathered enough yarn to make 2 cotton scrappy hats for the clothing bank. The next hat has a rolled brim.
I also think that it is time to create a spreadsheet for grocery shopping and what we have in the house. I think the Excel Spread Sheet should work. Well another busy day tomorrow. Stay safe.
Labels:
dog pillows,
face masks,
inventory,
knitting,
Rag Rugs,
Sewing,
t-shirts,
weaving
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Steps
I looked down at my steps and wondered how I got over 8,500 steps today. I goal alarm did not even go off. My day was filled with chores, knitting and taking to Teri. A good dY all around.
Stay safe.
Stay safe.
Saturday, May 2, 2020
The Big Reveal
As those of you that have been following my blog for a while, you know that my long term goal is to have less of me and to feel better. I started out as a size 4X and with small changes such as giving up high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and moving more. I have been tweaking my everything since June 2009. You can go back and see all the tweaks if you would like.
It has not been easy. There were set backs along the way. There is no fast fix. I kept at it for over a decade. Today is a really big day for me. This is the first dress that I have worn since so last century that has not had an x before or after a number or letter. I have finally gotten into a regular size large. Yes this looks like an X-Large that I have been wearing for a few years. With COVID19 in all it’s, I don’t know. What I have not been able to do is celebrate properly by going out shopping. So I headed to eBay and found a dress that I already had in my closet in a size smaller. The only difference is the empire waist is in the right spot on the large dress and around my waist on the X-Large dress.
This is not the end of the journey. This is a milestone to be celebrated. So celebrate with me as I show you my new to me dress. Join me in my journey if you would like. I have miles to walk and more inches to lose. I would like to lose about 4 more inches around my rib cage and drop another few sizes and at least 50 more pounds. I say wish me luck, but there is no luck in longer term body reshaping, only hard work one day and one mile at a time.
It has not been easy. There were set backs along the way. There is no fast fix. I kept at it for over a decade. Today is a really big day for me. This is the first dress that I have worn since so last century that has not had an x before or after a number or letter. I have finally gotten into a regular size large. Yes this looks like an X-Large that I have been wearing for a few years. With COVID19 in all it’s, I don’t know. What I have not been able to do is celebrate properly by going out shopping. So I headed to eBay and found a dress that I already had in my closet in a size smaller. The only difference is the empire waist is in the right spot on the large dress and around my waist on the X-Large dress.
This is not the end of the journey. This is a milestone to be celebrated. So celebrate with me as I show you my new to me dress. Join me in my journey if you would like. I have miles to walk and more inches to lose. I would like to lose about 4 more inches around my rib cage and drop another few sizes and at least 50 more pounds. I say wish me luck, but there is no luck in longer term body reshaping, only hard work one day and one mile at a time.
Labels:
Happy Dance,
New Dress,
smaller clothing,
Weight loss journey
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Knitting Hats by the Dozen
In order not to give everyone hat fatigue, I will only post 1 picture for every dozen hats. That means 10 more hats to knit before the next picture. Also hats will only be knit in the den. I have a better set up for patterns that I need to follow instructions on in the craft room. Next to my rocking chair, I have a music stand to hold my patterns. It is wonderful. I am wondering why this took me 20 years to figure out.
Anyway it’s late and we should all be asleep. Stay safe.
Anyway it’s late and we should all be asleep. Stay safe.
Monday, April 27, 2020
Hats and More
Would you believe that 21 out of my 30 completed prior knitting projects this year were hats? If you know me the answer is is that all you’ve made so far? I am knitting hats like crazy and hoping that school will resume in the fall. Three of the 21 hats were gifts so that leaves so far 19 hats for the Flowing Wells School District Clothing Bank. If school does not resume it is my hope that the wonderful superintendent Dr. Baker will be able to get the hats to the kids who need them. So I keep knitting. I also started the dozen bag today. This is the bag that keeps the clutter out of the den. When I have a dozen hats they go in to this bag and into a closet until school starts in the fall.
I also took the plunge and ordered some smaller clothing on line today. I hope that they all fit. For those keeping track, I have lost 8 inches off my rib cage and lots of inches in other places and 50ish pounds since 2009 when I started the make Sheri healthier project. I have also gone from a 4x, I really don’t know how I let it go so far out of wack, to ordering a size large. I know each store, designer and chain store have their own size scales. This is crazy, right? Today I ordered a size small (another division of the chain this would be a large or extra large) from one store and a regular larger from another.
Today was a relatively good day. Stay safe and stay 6 feet apart. Hat 21 is sideways.
I also took the plunge and ordered some smaller clothing on line today. I hope that they all fit. For those keeping track, I have lost 8 inches off my rib cage and lots of inches in other places and 50ish pounds since 2009 when I started the make Sheri healthier project. I have also gone from a 4x, I really don’t know how I let it go so far out of wack, to ordering a size large. I know each store, designer and chain store have their own size scales. This is crazy, right? Today I ordered a size small (another division of the chain this would be a large or extra large) from one store and a regular larger from another.
Today was a relatively good day. Stay safe and stay 6 feet apart. Hat 21 is sideways.
Friday, April 24, 2020
A Political Post
I don’t know how so many people shop on line for clothing. I have only shopped for clothing on line after I tried it on in the store and wanted a second one or a different color. With my clothing growing bigger every week and COVID-19, I might not have a choice. The thought just scares me. What if I pick the wrong size or I just don’t like the way it looks. What then? The thought of shopping on line is panic attack worthy.
So here is what I need everyone to do. Get out you magic wands or lucky rocks, and pray that the scientists find a vaccine for this scourge. We need more people like Bill and Melinda Gates to step up, because Washington has become so patrician that the public be dammed. I find it very sad that companies have to advise people not to follow what comes out at the daily press briefings because it will kill them as it has here In Arizona. Can someone have the courage to say we are handing this off to the CDC, NIH and have Bill Gates be the point man. This may add some calmness to this chaotic situation. It might not get things fixed any faster but the anxiety levels would be lower. It would also eliminate the anxiety that the ignorant man is spewing just to hear himself talk and get his ratings.
The above rant has nothing to do with a poorly written set of instructions that left me so frustrated that the words I was using would make a sailor blush. Or that I have been so tense that my back has been in spasms for almost a week. Or that my clothing is falling down or going on a growth spurt all on its own. You can’t tell me that you clothes never got longer between wearings.
By the way the recipe will be added tomorrow. Life happened today.
So here is what I need everyone to do. Get out you magic wands or lucky rocks, and pray that the scientists find a vaccine for this scourge. We need more people like Bill and Melinda Gates to step up, because Washington has become so patrician that the public be dammed. I find it very sad that companies have to advise people not to follow what comes out at the daily press briefings because it will kill them as it has here In Arizona. Can someone have the courage to say we are handing this off to the CDC, NIH and have Bill Gates be the point man. This may add some calmness to this chaotic situation. It might not get things fixed any faster but the anxiety levels would be lower. It would also eliminate the anxiety that the ignorant man is spewing just to hear himself talk and get his ratings.
The above rant has nothing to do with a poorly written set of instructions that left me so frustrated that the words I was using would make a sailor blush. Or that I have been so tense that my back has been in spasms for almost a week. Or that my clothing is falling down or going on a growth spurt all on its own. You can’t tell me that you clothes never got longer between wearings.
By the way the recipe will be added tomorrow. Life happened today.
Labels:
Clothing,
COVID19,
muscle spasms,
online shopping,
ranting and raving,
shopping
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Waiting for Ice Break
It is not quite 3 a.m.m and I am waiting for my sinuses to drain. The Palo Verde Trees are in bloom and the grass pollen is very high too. This is all because I wanted to take a walk last night to get outside for a bit. Really dumb, but it was so nice.
This is where Ice Break in Tucson comes in. Ice break is when it reaches 100 degrees for the first time of the year. Legend has it this is when the ice breaks on the Rilito River. Then sand trout fishing begins for the first time of the year in question. After 3 days of 100 degree days the pollen count drops really fast. Then I can go out on my evening walks again without worrying about waking up at 3a.m. Sneezing with an ear ache or 2..
I did not plan far enough in advance to get some hard candy to help relieve the congestion. I was more concerned with getting the basics at Trader Joe’s then the things I would need in April. Well I think things finally cleared up enough to go back to sleep.
This is where Ice Break in Tucson comes in. Ice break is when it reaches 100 degrees for the first time of the year. Legend has it this is when the ice breaks on the Rilito River. Then sand trout fishing begins for the first time of the year in question. After 3 days of 100 degree days the pollen count drops really fast. Then I can go out on my evening walks again without worrying about waking up at 3a.m. Sneezing with an ear ache or 2..
I did not plan far enough in advance to get some hard candy to help relieve the congestion. I was more concerned with getting the basics at Trader Joe’s then the things I would need in April. Well I think things finally cleared up enough to go back to sleep.
Labels:
100 degrees,
Allergies,
ear ache,
evening walks,
Ice Break,
sinus pain
Monday, April 20, 2020
It Had to Happen
It’s been needed for over a month. The dreaded to do list. I think I need a little more structure in my life right now. A lot of structure has been missing since late November 2019. So tonight I made my first to do list of the year. Not long, it fits on a Post-it Note. Don’t get me wrong an awesome amount of cleaning and organizing has been going on around here. Yet I still can not find my second 16 x US size 8 knitting needle for hats. Don’t forget about knitting too. I have planned my stash to last a long time without yarn shopping. How many things can I finish?
I am loosely planning dinners around a shopping wish list. I put down what we need and wish that we get most of it. One thing that I cannot seem to find is Excedrin Extra Strength for my arthritis. The plant that makes it, is currently closed. You can’t get it online and they won’t add it to curbside delivery. I know kind of lame. Because of stress some days I am taking all I am supposed to be taking instead of 2/3 of what I should take. My normal amount. This means that I am using up my precious supply faster. Tomorrow I will try driving up to the drive through pharmacies in the area to see if I can get some. If not I hope they restart production before I run out. It’s the little things in life I like, like not being in pain that I love. Not to mention a good sunset.
I am loosely planning dinners around a shopping wish list. I put down what we need and wish that we get most of it. One thing that I cannot seem to find is Excedrin Extra Strength for my arthritis. The plant that makes it, is currently closed. You can’t get it online and they won’t add it to curbside delivery. I know kind of lame. Because of stress some days I am taking all I am supposed to be taking instead of 2/3 of what I should take. My normal amount. This means that I am using up my precious supply faster. Tomorrow I will try driving up to the drive through pharmacies in the area to see if I can get some. If not I hope they restart production before I run out. It’s the little things in life I like, like not being in pain that I love. Not to mention a good sunset.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
An Important Announcement
John and I will no longer be sheltering in place. Sheltering in place is drab and dreary. It fills me with unnecessary anxiety. It bring unnecessary tension to our lives.
We have decided to share an Artist Retreat here in the beautiful Sonoran desert. We we’ll be surrounded by beautiful cactus. There is a large lizard guarding the walkway to discourage interruptions. We will also have a wonderful view of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The residence includes a kitchen and fully stocked pantry. Room for John’s 3-D Printing with plenty of filament. Also separate area for fiber arts. As a bonus there is as much fiber as I can use. There is also a full library of fiber arts books.
I will try to get a few new patterns published. Of course Grandmas Spinning Wheel should have the supplies.
We have decided to share an Artist Retreat here in the beautiful Sonoran desert. We we’ll be surrounded by beautiful cactus. There is a large lizard guarding the walkway to discourage interruptions. We will also have a wonderful view of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The residence includes a kitchen and fully stocked pantry. Room for John’s 3-D Printing with plenty of filament. Also separate area for fiber arts. As a bonus there is as much fiber as I can use. There is also a full library of fiber arts books.
I will try to get a few new patterns published. Of course Grandmas Spinning Wheel should have the supplies.
Labels:
3d printing,
announcement,
Artists Retreat,
books,
fiber arts,
kitchen,
Sheltering in place
Saturday, April 11, 2020
I Hate to Disappoint People
There is some dunderhead on Raverlry that has decided to name themselves the official judge of others people’s knitting. You know the type, the dreaded Knitting Police. You all know how I feel about these self appointed idiots. Knitting is one of my own art forms and I like to push the boundaries as much as I can. I like each piece of my work to be different and unique. Seriously if I wanted conformity why both knitting at all? I would save the time, space and money and just get what ever cheap crap you can get at the dollar store. The kids in Tucson deserve much better than that.
The thing about this idiot, is that they don’t know that my hats go to a clothing bank for kids. These kids don’t have much, so getting something that no one else in school has is pretty special. I have heard stories from people who work with these kids how much they love their hats. Not many know that I am the Hat Lady. I will not let one very insecure person stop me. They can give me as many ugh’s as they want. That won’t stop me. They were too much of a coward to leave their name. How childish is that?
Which brings me to another point. I was raised with these quotes among many. “ If you do not have anything nice to say, then say nothing at all.” Another that comes to mind “Silence is golden.” With everyone around the world dealing with the pandemic of COVID19, none of us need this. I knit to relax, have fun and escape. We all need to relax and chill for a while.
This is the hat that got the ugh. I personally like how the blue and red swirl and mix. I hope it will be going to a future University of Arizona Wild Cat. Have a Great Weekend everyone and remember to social distance.
The thing about this idiot, is that they don’t know that my hats go to a clothing bank for kids. These kids don’t have much, so getting something that no one else in school has is pretty special. I have heard stories from people who work with these kids how much they love their hats. Not many know that I am the Hat Lady. I will not let one very insecure person stop me. They can give me as many ugh’s as they want. That won’t stop me. They were too much of a coward to leave their name. How childish is that?
Which brings me to another point. I was raised with these quotes among many. “ If you do not have anything nice to say, then say nothing at all.” Another that comes to mind “Silence is golden.” With everyone around the world dealing with the pandemic of COVID19, none of us need this. I knit to relax, have fun and escape. We all need to relax and chill for a while.
This is the hat that got the ugh. I personally like how the blue and red swirl and mix. I hope it will be going to a future University of Arizona Wild Cat. Have a Great Weekend everyone and remember to social distance.
Labels:
Editorial,
knitting police,
manners,
ughs
Friday, April 10, 2020
That Feeling
I am having that feeling today that I am stick in school in the classroom waiting for recess. Knowing that something bad happened and waiting for the other proverbial shoe to drop and I will never be able to go out to recess ever again.
This is what the COVID19 virus is making me feel like today. Each new outbreak makes the feeling worse. If the president would just keep his nose out of things and let the well trained Doctors and other specialists do their job we would be in much better shape.
G’d will really understand why you are not jamming into his places of worship. Even G’d is smart enough not to interfere with Mother Nature. I am hoping that in the long run this will help the environment and our grasp of what we need to do to end global warming.
I really want to go to recess again. So just do me a favor if you can. Just stay home until this is over.
This is what the COVID19 virus is making me feel like today. Each new outbreak makes the feeling worse. If the president would just keep his nose out of things and let the well trained Doctors and other specialists do their job we would be in much better shape.
G’d will really understand why you are not jamming into his places of worship. Even G’d is smart enough not to interfere with Mother Nature. I am hoping that in the long run this will help the environment and our grasp of what we need to do to end global warming.
I really want to go to recess again. So just do me a favor if you can. Just stay home until this is over.
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
My Production Line
If anyone would have told me in April 2019, that I would be sewing mass quantities of fabric face masks to protect us against a virus called COVID19, I would have asked them what Fantasy world that they were living in. Mass quantities of sewing were for Eric’s bibs and a few bibs that I donated to charity. This was only a dozen at a time. This is what my sewing table look like today. Yes, they are sliding off the table into a laundry basket. I did chain sewing. I ran out of pins and had to pin the second half when the first have were finished.
I did production line sewing where I could. Tomorrow after ironing the seem flat it will be one mask at a time. I will see how many I can get done before I run out of ties. The next batch of ties will be wider so that I have less cutting to do.
I did production line sewing where I could. Tomorrow after ironing the seem flat it will be one mask at a time. I will see how many I can get done before I run out of ties. The next batch of ties will be wider so that I have less cutting to do.
Monday, April 6, 2020
Busy at Home
For a couple who is staying home to avoid the COVID19 pandemic we have been extremely busy which has lead to exhaustion. Let me explain further. I told everyone the my craft space has even turned into another dual purpose room, part pantry and part fiber room.
So Saturday we cleaned the room out. We scrubbed the walls, guess what we still were scrubbing formula off the walls. I got down on my hands and knees to scrub the stubborn formula stains off the tiles. Thank goodness for my bottle of Parsons. Then we ran roomba and scuba.
Sunday we set up a 6 foot tall by 24 in wide shelving system. Then we started to load it, don’t worry I saved the top shelf for fiber. I might have also put a few small baskets on the bottom shelf. I also did some deep cleaning and emptied 2 boxes.
Today we got our 5 cubic foot frostless freezer. With not wanting to go into the stores even during the times set aside for older people, getting food has been interesting to say the least. We make a fantasy wish list of everything we need and the stores send us what they have or have too much of. On one order we ordered a variety of meat and they sent us the equivalent servings of ground turkey even though we did not order turkey at all. On another order we ordered a variety of frozen vegetables, green beans, spinach and mixed vegetables. For the 2 packages of mixed vegetables we ordered we got the 1 pound bags for everything else we got huge family sized mixed vegetables. This is one time I am glad to be older, the grocery stores here were trying to tell everybody to skip the stores for the first week of the month so the people who receive food stamps and seniors can shop. I am so glad I put my birth year on my loyalty cards.
Besides setting up the freezer we got Wednesday mornings delivery this morning and today’s delivery this afternoon. This involves unpacking everything in the garage. Wiping down the cans with alcohol and putting it on a shelf in the garage for a few days. The meat in plastic wrap has to be sprayed down with alcohol and for it to evaporate, then it goes in the freezer. For meat packed in paper we put it in a ziplock and then the freezer. Everything gets cleaned off. We even bought a fruit and vegetable wash. The whole process takes at least 30 minutes if not more per order. This leaves us both exhausted. Then there were a couple of boxes delivered too.
I have set up a quite spot with my rocking chair and knitting in the dual room and for the first time in weeks was able to relax.
So Saturday we cleaned the room out. We scrubbed the walls, guess what we still were scrubbing formula off the walls. I got down on my hands and knees to scrub the stubborn formula stains off the tiles. Thank goodness for my bottle of Parsons. Then we ran roomba and scuba.
Sunday we set up a 6 foot tall by 24 in wide shelving system. Then we started to load it, don’t worry I saved the top shelf for fiber. I might have also put a few small baskets on the bottom shelf. I also did some deep cleaning and emptied 2 boxes.
Today we got our 5 cubic foot frostless freezer. With not wanting to go into the stores even during the times set aside for older people, getting food has been interesting to say the least. We make a fantasy wish list of everything we need and the stores send us what they have or have too much of. On one order we ordered a variety of meat and they sent us the equivalent servings of ground turkey even though we did not order turkey at all. On another order we ordered a variety of frozen vegetables, green beans, spinach and mixed vegetables. For the 2 packages of mixed vegetables we ordered we got the 1 pound bags for everything else we got huge family sized mixed vegetables. This is one time I am glad to be older, the grocery stores here were trying to tell everybody to skip the stores for the first week of the month so the people who receive food stamps and seniors can shop. I am so glad I put my birth year on my loyalty cards.
Besides setting up the freezer we got Wednesday mornings delivery this morning and today’s delivery this afternoon. This involves unpacking everything in the garage. Wiping down the cans with alcohol and putting it on a shelf in the garage for a few days. The meat in plastic wrap has to be sprayed down with alcohol and for it to evaporate, then it goes in the freezer. For meat packed in paper we put it in a ziplock and then the freezer. Everything gets cleaned off. We even bought a fruit and vegetable wash. The whole process takes at least 30 minutes if not more per order. This leaves us both exhausted. Then there were a couple of boxes delivered too.
I have set up a quite spot with my rocking chair and knitting in the dual room and for the first time in weeks was able to relax.
Friday, April 3, 2020
It’s Official
It’s official, I will not die with the biggest quilting fiber stash. I told John today that I would make face masks until we no longer needed them or I run out of fiber. After listening to Bill Gates speak on television tonight it might be as long as 18 months. So much for traveling in our retirement.
Tomorrow marks the lasted change in our life’s. The proposed craft room will be a long term temporary pantry complete with a small freezer. I am sure we can convince the fiber to get along with the pantry supplies.
I have a big day of sewing and remodeling planned for tomorrow so it’s time to get some sleep.
Tomorrow marks the lasted change in our life’s. The proposed craft room will be a long term temporary pantry complete with a small freezer. I am sure we can convince the fiber to get along with the pantry supplies.
I have a big day of sewing and remodeling planned for tomorrow so it’s time to get some sleep.
Labels:
COVID19,
face masks,
Quilt fiber,
remodel,
stash
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Wondering
I am wondering if this is how my grandmothers and great grandmother’s felt as they were knitting socks as part of the war effort of their generations. No, I am not knitting socks but rather sewing face masks for a local Tucson non-profit.
I am using the material that I had purchased to make quilts some day and some sheets destined for another project. The material went through the 4 1/2 hour sanitary wash and a very hot dryer. I will make the first one and then if all goes well I will mass produce them a dozen at a time. If the first pattern does not work there will be others to try.
I am not sure if this will help with the current COVID-19 crisis. I was asked and will do my part and hope it helps. Using the old biblical adage “ If you save one man, you have saved the world”. Now I am off to pull the dried fabric from the dryer and iron it before I cut the material.
Additionally these are my prototypes. I will make one change tomorrow. I will have a different fabric on the back. For these I just used a sharpie pen to mark the back.
I am using the material that I had purchased to make quilts some day and some sheets destined for another project. The material went through the 4 1/2 hour sanitary wash and a very hot dryer. I will make the first one and then if all goes well I will mass produce them a dozen at a time. If the first pattern does not work there will be others to try.
I am not sure if this will help with the current COVID-19 crisis. I was asked and will do my part and hope it helps. Using the old biblical adage “ If you save one man, you have saved the world”. Now I am off to pull the dried fabric from the dryer and iron it before I cut the material.
Additionally these are my prototypes. I will make one change tomorrow. I will have a different fabric on the back. For these I just used a sharpie pen to mark the back.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Today’s Hat
May I present hat 13 - 2020. I am almost out of this grouping of purple yarn. More colors to come. Also don’t worry about the knitting needles or stitch markers, hat 14 - 2020 has been cast on and is 2 1/2 inches in. I go to 7 inches before my decrease begins.
Monday, March 30, 2020
Day 17 of COVID19 and Counting
The dress I wore today is 2 inches longer than the last time I wore it. I don’t think it can be classified as an Empire Waist dress anymore either, you guessed right that seam is a good 2 inches below where it needs to be.
On the knitting front I have decided that I need simple knitting that I can do in my sleep. I am just so stressed by the uncertainty and people not doing the right thing. So I pulled out this basket of yarn which will be made into hats and maybe a few scarfs. I want to finish it before the end of April, yes we will still be home for all of April too. I will show each hat as it is finished. I really hope we will be able to go out by mid June.
Labels:
basket of yarn,
charity knitting,
COVID19,
Growing clothes,
stress
Thursday, March 26, 2020
I Am 3 for 3
Today was a puttering kind of day. Over breakfast I found out I could get my favorite Trader Joe’s snack food from Amazon, at a slightly higher price. I justified it because Trader Joe’s does not deliver.
I got laundry, walking and cleaning done in dribs and drabs. Yes, John’s polos came out wrinkled, but I did it so I can’t complain about. I honestly can’t quite remember when the last time it happened, but I think Teri was in preschool. Since John is working from home I am the only one who is going to see the wrinkled shirts.
My fiber crafting was quite scattered today also. I spun 2 ounces out of 16 ounces which means that I have 4 ounces on the bobbin. I can’t decide if I want to get a bright hot pink silk to ply it with or just ply the yarn back on itself. Twice as much yardage or the regular 2 ply yardage. Then it was off to the modular baby blanket after dinner. I finished 1 square and found a mistake in another that needed to be fixed before I could continue with the blanket. I fixed the mistake and moved on. I am decreasing stitches on the current hat. Since we are not eating out at all or going for car rides not a lot of hat knitting is going on. So I worked on 3 projects and finished none some that is how I am 3 for 3 today.
I got laundry, walking and cleaning done in dribs and drabs. Yes, John’s polos came out wrinkled, but I did it so I can’t complain about. I honestly can’t quite remember when the last time it happened, but I think Teri was in preschool. Since John is working from home I am the only one who is going to see the wrinkled shirts.
My fiber crafting was quite scattered today also. I spun 2 ounces out of 16 ounces which means that I have 4 ounces on the bobbin. I can’t decide if I want to get a bright hot pink silk to ply it with or just ply the yarn back on itself. Twice as much yardage or the regular 2 ply yardage. Then it was off to the modular baby blanket after dinner. I finished 1 square and found a mistake in another that needed to be fixed before I could continue with the blanket. I fixed the mistake and moved on. I am decreasing stitches on the current hat. Since we are not eating out at all or going for car rides not a lot of hat knitting is going on. So I worked on 3 projects and finished none some that is how I am 3 for 3 today.
Labels:
Amazon,
charity hat,
cleaning,
knitting,
laundry,
Modular BabyBlanket,
Spinning,
Trader Joe’s,
walking
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Bits and pieces of COVID19
Nothing says the house needs to be reorganized more than “sheltering in place” do to the COVID19 outbreak. But I am limiting myself in the amount of time that I am spend. Today the hour before breakfast was spent putting our extra blankets in vacuum bags for John to put up higher in the closet after his work at home shift had ended. This gave me space for things I use all the time at a level that I could reach. Also more baskets and bags off the floor.
Another thing that I have noticed is that I am not eating enough during the day and find myself hungry at night. I did not have this problem before because we ate most of our meals out. Now that I am only eating when I am hungry and not planning my eating times around how crowded a restaurant will be I am just eating less. We are also eating better sized portions and healthier food. Take to day for instance I had only had 560 calories from the time I woke up until after dinner. This meant that I had to eat roughly 700.calories before bed. So my bedtime snack was a toasted cheese sandwich, dried fruit and a breakfast bar.
Even worse this is the time when I would normally be shopping for smaller clothes. Wearing the skirt at the rib cage is uncomfortable. I am a touchy feely person when it comes to clothes shopping, gee it must be the fiber arts in me. I like to feel the fabric before I try on clothes. Today’s skirt was 6 inches above my waist sitting on my rib cage to keep from tripping on the skirt or having it fall as I walk. Real first world problems during a pandemic.
Well it is time to wind down for the night.
Another thing that I have noticed is that I am not eating enough during the day and find myself hungry at night. I did not have this problem before because we ate most of our meals out. Now that I am only eating when I am hungry and not planning my eating times around how crowded a restaurant will be I am just eating less. We are also eating better sized portions and healthier food. Take to day for instance I had only had 560 calories from the time I woke up until after dinner. This meant that I had to eat roughly 700.calories before bed. So my bedtime snack was a toasted cheese sandwich, dried fruit and a breakfast bar.
Even worse this is the time when I would normally be shopping for smaller clothes. Wearing the skirt at the rib cage is uncomfortable. I am a touchy feely person when it comes to clothes shopping, gee it must be the fiber arts in me. I like to feel the fabric before I try on clothes. Today’s skirt was 6 inches above my waist sitting on my rib cage to keep from tripping on the skirt or having it fall as I walk. Real first world problems during a pandemic.
Well it is time to wind down for the night.
Labels:
COVID19,
diet,
Growing clothes,
Life Style changes,
reorganizing
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Me Over Do It
The quick answer is yes. Yes I did over do it by doing a multi day 2 person job in a few hours by myself. I am not saying that the closet does not look great. I am happy to be sending fiber to a friend. Its what happened 10 hours later that I am not happy with.
The overdoing lead to a really bad fibromyalgia flare followed by a very bad migraine. It's really not fare I really made fantastic progress. So the day was not spent making more progress but allowing my body time to heal.
It was also a bad day for knitting. I had to tink out the blanket square that I started yesterday. Then tink it out again because I screwed up the cast on. There is always tomorrow.
If you talk to me in the next few days my words might be out of order, but listen to the whole sentence and play word jumble. This too shall pass.
Also since we are washing our hands so often I find I must add lotion several times a day. By the way, Fitbits do not like lotion. If you accidentally get lotion on yours an alcohol wipe Followed by a few minutes on the charger will fix the problem.
The overdoing lead to a really bad fibromyalgia flare followed by a very bad migraine. It's really not fare I really made fantastic progress. So the day was not spent making more progress but allowing my body time to heal.
It was also a bad day for knitting. I had to tink out the blanket square that I started yesterday. Then tink it out again because I screwed up the cast on. There is always tomorrow.
If you talk to me in the next few days my words might be out of order, but listen to the whole sentence and play word jumble. This too shall pass.
Also since we are washing our hands so often I find I must add lotion several times a day. By the way, Fitbits do not like lotion. If you accidentally get lotion on yours an alcohol wipe Followed by a few minutes on the charger will fix the problem.
Labels:
bad body day,
Fitbit Inspire HR,
handwashing,
headache,
Over doing it
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Really Deep Cleaning
I spent the last hour and half going through my fiber stash. Don’t worry it will have a new home with a fellow fiber artist. I am hoping she likes the gift. I really hope she has room. Now I must decide what to do with my new found space. To give you an idea of how much space that I will gain, there is a double laundry basket to the brim, 2 xxl ziplock storage bag and a twin blanket bag. I just have to get enough boxes and large shipping bags to mail it.
I think it is snack time now.
I think it is snack time now.
Friday, March 20, 2020
Life with COVID19
I don’t know about anyone else, but lately I feel like I am in an old Rod Sterling’s episode of the Twilight Zone. With the empty streets and unseen pending disaster. I hear the old theme song in my head. With Mr. Sterling saying “Now we are entering a small town in the Twilight Zone. People are panicked about an unseen danger. There is a rush on for supplies. The shelf’s are empty.
We are now entering a suburban home with a husband and wife. They are trying to live a normal life. Trying to make sense of the world around them. In the Twilight Zone.... more ominous music. Cut to wife taking a walk and the neighbor is explaining to his child that we now have to stay away from other people. Stay on his side of the street. She will stay on the other.
The news of the object called COVID19 is all that is on the television. They even stopped reporting on earthquakes. So the couple escape by watching old reruns on television. The wife is knitting for a distant event. The husband surfing the web.
Unfortunately this is not an episode of the Twilight Zone, this is Tucson Arizona in springtime of 2020. Welcome to my life.
On the bright side, you know I have to end on the bright side of life. Another project bag is empty.
We are now entering a suburban home with a husband and wife. They are trying to live a normal life. Trying to make sense of the world around them. In the Twilight Zone.... more ominous music. Cut to wife taking a walk and the neighbor is explaining to his child that we now have to stay away from other people. Stay on his side of the street. She will stay on the other.
The news of the object called COVID19 is all that is on the television. They even stopped reporting on earthquakes. So the couple escape by watching old reruns on television. The wife is knitting for a distant event. The husband surfing the web.
Unfortunately this is not an episode of the Twilight Zone, this is Tucson Arizona in springtime of 2020. Welcome to my life.
On the bright side, you know I have to end on the bright side of life. Another project bag is empty.
Labels:
COVID19,
empty project bag,
knitting,
satire,
The Twilight Zone
Thursday, March 19, 2020
COVID19
I have told my daughter that John and I will be staying home until I run out of yarn and fiber or there is a vaccine for COVID19. I will have a ton of finished objects in a few months, but that’s ok. We are just trying to come up with a daily routine.
Labels:
COVID19,
fiber.,
knitting,
staying home,
Yarn
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