Side by Side

 John always comes up with elegant solutions.  Take this week for instance.  I was feeling really for no other term really super fat.  John’s solution was to pull a picture from just before I started my lifestyle changes from 2021 in Sabino Canyon. 

Then he took a picture while we were at saguaro national park east today for a comparison. Which he showed me at lunch.  It really lifted my mood.  I can really see the changes in my face.  

While I still have some more weight to lose, even I can see the progress of side by side pictures.  By the way the outfit in the top picture was sent to Goodwill months ago.  This current shirt is 2 sizes smaller.  Notice that I have rolled up the sleeves 3 inches because the shirt is starting to get too big.  The pants were bought on a trip with my eldest just after she finished grad school.  Over a decade ago.  Giving a shout out to shopping my closet. 

So I will continue on my less of me is more of me journey with renewed focus.

How WasYour Day?

 It was a no good, very bad, horrible day…..I did not eat a box of brownies or cupcakes.   Sorta of good.

I did my physical therapy and exceeded my walking goal.  Really good.

It was no way in the world a break even day.  Sighs!

Plus I did not buy enough yarn for a weaving project.  I need 3 more skeins of the yarn for a woven summer shawl.  Sighs! 

I hope I can still get some more Circulo Whoopee in color 9883 batch 698459.  

Less is More

 I started physical therapy for my right hand.  I am hopeful that this will bring much needed pain relief.  I am also hopeful that I might start to get more sleep.  All I need to do is a lot less.  Wish me luck.  

Spring has Sprung

 I went out for my walk today.  This plant seemed to come to life overnight.  The flowers are more plentiful when we really cut back this bush.  I am really not sure what kind of bush it is. It was here when we moved in so last century.  The rest of the front yard does not really come into life until the summer monsoon rains.  

A Very Busy Day

 I was finally feeling well enough to vacuum almost all the tile in the house. I skipped the knitting room.  That will get do after I finish the next round of de stashing. That makes a little bit of a mess.  After that I steam mopped half the house.  After 1 1/2 hours of cleaning I called it quits.  We have an awful lot of tile in the house.  Let’s just face the facts.  At the time it was easier to push Eric’s wheelchair over tile than carpet.  It is also easier to clean up messes on tile rather than carpet.  It was a strategy that worked well for us. In that cleaning time I did not include the 4 loads of laundry.  That happened before breakfast, well at least the start of the 1st 2 loads.  The washing machine and dryer do most of the work.  

I also got a bit of knitting time in while listening to my current audiobook All The Devils Are Here by Louise Penny.  I just love her writing.  I am also not listening to the books in order,  just what I can get at the library when I need a new book.  

I can tell when I have a very active day. My hands get very, very tired.  

Need I Say More?

 After a really bad couple of hand days and nights, my hand was feeling well enough to knit a few rows tonight. I might finally finish my new shawl this week. It might be that I had started wearing my Maxi Fingerless Gloves while sleeping again.  

4th Avenue Street Fair

 We made it to the 4th Avenue Street Fair today.  My find of the day was a pair of Calla Lily earrings made from Pennie’s from the 1960’s.  Kate Hast is a very talented metalsmith.  She is also the owner of Le Duc Jewelers.  You can find her work on line at Le Duc Jewelers. There you can sign up for her newsletter to see where she will be at or order online.  She will be at the 4th Avenue Street Fair until Sunday.  She is on the eastern side of the street towards the back.  

I was also very pleased to see that the local Lavender Oaks Farm has opened a Brick and Mortar store located at 347 East 4th Street. The shop is called The Lavender Manor.  This is at the corner of 4th Avenue.  They have all things lavender of course. The lavender is grown on their farm.  Plus a tea room with all things tea.  

This was my shopping splurge today.  I do use the lavender in my knitting room and boxes to ward off evil little bugs that eat yarn. The hand cream is wonderful. The lip balm just because it’s dry in the desert southwest and they had peppermint.  You can shop online at Life under the Oaks. They also have a news letter and events at the farm.  Check out the current details online. Events change with the seasons.