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.
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.
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.
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.
I did something that I have never done before. I typed up most of a new pattern before I have finished knitting the sample. I have to admit that has a lot to do with my recent hand surgeries and the slow healing process. There are still a few tweaks to do. The sample to finish. A bit more editing. It will definitely take me longer to finish the knitting. Then it’s picture time. I am thinking some time in April with any luck. Then there are 3 more patterns in the pipeline. Just maybe I am getting my mojo back.
I also have hit my walking goal 10 days in a row of a minimum of 5,500 steps. I think my current decluttering efforts have a lot to do with the high numbers. I also tend to get a lot of steps cleaning house. Also it is easier to walk with hand pain than knee pain.
Today I tackled over 20 years of accumulated knitting patterns. On this first cut I got rid of almost all the lace patterns. Also patterns that were aspirational at the time, as I will have the skills to knit these some day. Well a long story shortened, I have the knitting skills and I no longer want to knit them. I emptied three 2 inch binders plus took some out of 3 inch binders. I will bring them to the next knitting guild meeting so other knitters can pick and choose patterns that were published pre Ravelry days by indie designers I even had to start a second bag to accommodate all the knitting patterns that are leaving. Next on the agenda is to make a second cut as to what I can realistically make. This should cut thing’s further, however that will take more time. So today I cleaned off 8 inches of shelf space. John and I are happy about that.
To be filed under they don’t make things like they use too. The television we bought when Eric was no longer able to go on vacations about 15 years ago, died this week. John picked out a great model, don’t ask, because I don’t know. I stayed home for that shopping trip with all that new technology. I really did not want to break the store. I do know that it is about the same size and has a better picture quality than the old one. I sat and knitted while I watched them install it. 3 technicians and John.
A busy but wonderful day.
I have finally lost enough weight and inches to start shopping from my closet. I can’t wait to see where that takes me. What style trends can I start with clothing that I bought when my daughter graduated graduate school. I now have more energy because of the weight loss and as a result I am doing yet another round of deep cleaning.
Leaving this time are lace knitting patterns. Those who know me are quite understandably happy. Quilting patterns. Also patterns for outfits that I will never make that are back in style. Not to mention all the things that went into recycling. Did I mention that the Goodwill box is overflowing? Less is turning into more. Less time to find things. More time to do things. More open space. A win- win for me.
This week I might even try my Lucet for the very first time. A kind artist at the renaissance fair in Phoenix showed me how to do it. Now it is my turn to try it. My right hand is still wonky so wish me luck.
I got some bad food last Saturday and landed up with a mild case of food poisoning, but have finally fully recovered. It was a rough couple of days. We have all been there.
TTFN
