Stuff

Another week has come and gone. Things got done and things got missed and I am hoping deep in my heart of hearts that this is the phase where everything looks horrible, right before it all gets better and turns lovely. Lets go with that theory shall we???

The lights and garland are off the front of the house and the Christmas tree is bare. The fact that all the stuff is still in the living room and dining room instead of in the basement and under the stairs where it should be is not being addressed at this moment in time. Move along, nothing to see here.

I have not got back at the craft room purge BUT I have figured out what supplies I need for a scrapbooking workshop that is coming up, Getting that all figured out took most of today because I cannot haul all my supplies like I do when its the scrapbooking weekend. I need to take only what I will use and not too much excess. Space and time are different for this workshop.I am pleased that I got it sorted and bagged up ready to go for the event. The Banker, KitKat and I will go and The Sailor will join us later in the day. I predict fun times!!

My fingers are still numb. Some days I feel like they are a little better and then other times I think that at least they are no worse. Inspite of them I got the 10 puppets made this month that I had scheduled to make. I have also managed to get some little brown paper bags for them, (for the craft sale, when they are sold and need something to be carried in as they go off to their new homes) When there is a 50% off coupon I go get a bundle. While not much else is on schedule in my life, the puppet craft sale project is ticking along on time and under budget. All the rest will come along in its own space and time.

Teddy Bear and I met the Hostess this afternoon for tea today. It was so nice to see her. Its always good to catch up on her life. Good things are happening for her and that makes me so very happy. I always just want people to be happy and she is very happy right now. SQUEEEE!!! Another small thing that made ME happy was that I got to pass on one of the Belgian waffle makers. I was happy to give it to her, get it out of my house and free up some much needed space. Its a small start but its a start.

Teeny tiny footsteps but the journey is underway.

Toodles,
Linda

Catching up

Its been a while since I managed to post here. Had a busy weekend last weekend, Best Friend blew into town for a short but wonderful visit. She had business down in this end of the country so she stopped in and we talked ourselves senseless. We always do. She arrived here late on Friday night, we had a lazy Saturday then she headed out into the cold early Sunday morning and I proceeded to have the normal Sunday that I usually do. It would have been nice for her to be here longer but I am grateful she makes the effort to get here even if her time is limited.

Its been a busy week doing this and that and yet not seeming to accomplishing anything. Adjusting to new stuff........

Some girls get jewelry, not this girl. I have had problems with my fingers going numb for a long, long, long time but they have always snapped out of it. At Christmas time my thumb and two fingers went numb and stubbornly stayed that way. So my Doctor thought this would help. I get to wear it for six weeks and if there is no improvement then we will  look at surgery. So I am adjusting to this. It has slowed me down a lot but it has to work. I cannot deal with the idea that I cannot do all the things I love to do . Its not acceptable.

It may have slowed me down but I am still working on the purge. I have moved into the craft room which has been so out of control for so long its beyond crazy. This Saturday the sewing table got dealt with.

 Aw yes the shameful before photo. This poor work surface is a catchall for material, magazines, paper and things that I need to put away but for reasons unknown, I do not do it right away. So for two hours on Saturday, I sorted, purged and put away. I did not just move things from one surface to another, I PUT THEM AWAY. Now the work top looks like this

It is so nice to have it back to this state. I am most grateful that I did not just move things to another place without actually putting them where they do not belong. I tend to do that alot.  With my spanking new cutting board ready to make quilts once my fingers get working again. I have decided to clean off all the work surfaces and then I am going to go deep into the dark spaces and purge the whole room. Its going to take longer than I though it was going to. My hand is slowing me down. ( just to be warned I may be whinny about this for the forseeable, just sayin')

Other than this not much going on around here. I went and got some new stuff from the health food store which is supposed to help with joint pain and inflammation. I am going to give it a whirl and hopefully it will work. Less main would mean I would feel like moving more and maybe I would actually start to exercise again. So lets all hope this is a step in the right direction.

Toodles
Linda

The Great Purge of 2017

So starts a brand new year, fresh and full of promise. It seems I always start them out the same way, with high hopes of eating better, exercising more, getting organised and managing my money better. So this year is no different.

To day I plan to take down the Christmas decorations at last, I also plan to continue the great purge of 2017 that started yesterday. Since the toaster oven died and is not going to be replaced I took the opportunity to move everything off the counter, washed it all down and reorganized. Its a start.

this is before

And this is after

Much better I think. I loved my toaster oven but it just took up way too much space. I have little space as it is so this is very good indeed. I also like that you can now see my pretty blue jars. 

I, then, moved on to the cupboard I call the platter cupboard. I thought it needed thinning out. I have way too many platters (and other things) that never get used, so out they went.

This is before

and this is after

Yes that is three waffle irons you see. I had good reason to have them. I used them when we used to do the big family Christmases. I made waffles and sausages for Boxing Day Breakfast. Those don't happen anymore so one is going to Miss Mouse, one to the Hostess and I am keeping one.I have room to put a couple of things into this cupboard that did not fit in before and still there is room. Its a good start. My craft room is next in the hit list. I am itching to get going on it. I have high hopes for that room.

I promised some more Christmas pictures. Tater Tot got his very own recliner chair and it proved a popular spot for watching Paw Patrol or Clifford the Big Red Dog. 

Well second only to Papa's recliner. The Wee Girl prefers to stand beside but she would climb in as well when it suited her.

Busy has a puppet named Stacy, that has been around since The Pilot and Miss Mouse were little. She was there for Christmas too. Its so fun to watch the little ones interact with Stacy. They are totally focused on her and they do not see Busy at all. Stacy has been invited to go to school with Tater Tot some time soon for show and share or whatever they call it these days. My day it was show and tell. 

I have had a lovely weekend so far. Its been bitter cold but I managed to run my errands yesterday. To the Dollarstore for some supplies and then to Michaels to spend up my Christmas gift card. I made out like a bandit between the gift card and coupons. I got the extra big scrapbook album thanks to a 50% off coupon. Sweet!!

Now I think I am going to get the laundry done, empty the dishwasher and make a pot of soup, with a nap thrown in there for good luck.

Toodles

Linda

And Then it was Done

Christmas is over.... I am pouting. It goes by way to fast. Its so wonderful to get together with family and share the festive season. We lucked out this year because we had not one but two little ones for the day. Crap weather but good times with family and friends.

The Carpenter and Busy hosted this year. Miss Mouse, The Farmer and Tater Tot came. The Pilot, The Teacher and The Wee Girl came as well, I swear those little ones made a million trips around the island chasing each other.

 They did so good with each other, 3 years old and 1 year old could have had some problems but they did very well. of course no matter how many toys there are the old cardboard box is still the winner.

I will have more pictures another time. I need to find my camera and download the ones I  took.

We ate well as always. The traditional turkey dinner was saved for Boxing Day when Busy's family has their Christmas. We dined on Prime Rib. Busy can COOK. They give me the business because rare is not my favourite. I like mine cooked a bit more or ruined, depends who you talk to.

The babes got new Christmas jammies and Tater Tot had the hardest time to go to sleep. So many questions. "why does Santa come?" "when does he come?" "how long does he stay?" "I can't see him" " What kind of reindeers does he have??" and on and on and on. He was so excited.

Waking the next morning continued the fun. Santa had eaten his cookies, drunk up his milk and left a thank you note to boot!! Tater Tot worked hard, handing out each gift  and helping to open it should you need some assistance. "Who's next Mommy, Who's next?" was the chant of the day. The Wee Girl was just interested in watching, ripping paper and just generally being very cute.

We all did well in the gifts department as always. It was so nice to see everyone, Time and work and living in different provinces, mean I don't get to see the kids as much as I would like. The little and the big ones. It means a lot to me that I get included. Having Christmas is a lot of work and I don't think I am much help but I am always grateful to be invited.

We had the mother of all blizzards while Christmas was happening and I have to say that we were insulated in our little bubble. No one went out of the house so we did not know what was happening. Lots and lots of snow!! I headed home before it hit and stayed there an extra day so it was mostly cleaned up before I headed home.

Those No Cook gals looked after my house and the cats very well. My side walk was shoveled and so much more was done. I am grateful that the shoveling was done, I would have had a heck of a time to get from the street to the house if it had not been done.

So now its back to the normal routine, back to regular life which really is not terrible, its just a bit blah after looking foreward to spending time with family, seeing the babes and well just being together. Ah well.

Now its time to look foreward to a new year, new possibilities and new things to accomplish. Right now I am going to accomplish sitting in my chair and watching TV.

Toodles
Linda

And then the toaster oven died

Well its been busy around here and I still have a lot to do before the big day but I see light at the end of the tunnel. I am going slow but steady,  knocking things off the list one by one. I did not decorate like I usually do. I did not feel like it this year. I had wanted to put up the big tree and if I had done that I would have done the entire winder wonderland/santa palooza that I usually do. It was not going to work out this year so I decided against it.  Once that idea was knocked on the head, the momentum was done.

One tree is up, the nativity is out and there are a few bits here and there. The outside looks festive and I have found the big red outside ornaments that I will need for next year. Some of mine a broken and need to be replaced. I need to find new outside lights for next year too. I am still on the lookout for a light up plastic snowman for the front. I have a candle but I want a snowman.

Crafty things are still happening.What a surprize that is in this house!!New things are happening. One of them is I made a bottle sweater for a friend at work. I did not have a pattern but I had a description of what she wanted. I am rather pleased with the results but I would make a few changes on the next one.

I will be making more as a co-worker was shown this and wondered if I could a snowman themed one. The little brain cells started snapping and I have a great idea for the next one.

We were chatting at work one day about childhood memories and someone mentioned ribbon candy. Or "old lady" candy as the youngen's in our office refer to it. I went and got myself some. I loved this stuff as a child and turns out I still like it

This stuff, nuts in the shell, Spanish peanuts and Japanese oranges where the big treats in our house at Christmas time and usually were what we got in our stockings. I did not buy a lot but just enough to bring the memories back.

I had forgotten the cookie exchange at work until supper time the night before. I have no idea how I did it but I did. Thank goodness I remembered in time to get these made:

eight dozen for the exchange and a roll of the frozen dough to bake off for my family. Where my head is some days I have no idea.

It has not just been baking around here. I have been crafty as well. I made some more Christmas cards

I made some camera critters for the Hummingbird. What are they you ask, Well they are little animals you slip over the lens of your camera to get some little ones attention. She found them on the internet and wondered again if I could make some.

She was pleased and that is all that I am aiming for. Happy customers!!

Today I did this for my Secret Santa exchange at the office. I appliqued the top last night and I got all the trees sewn but when I went to do the trunks, the machine would not zigzag. Dang!! so I finished it by hand and quilted it today

I had promised myself that I would make a couple of Christmas runners last year to have as last minute gifts, but did I do it?? NO! I made this one at the last minute when I should have been making cookies and candied pecans, butter tarts and schnakens. Oh well. It will all get done one way or the other.

I decided to do one last final list. combine was was not done on the other lists with the new things I need to get dome. I had a little trouble or a little help which ever way you want to look at it.

Apparently pet the kitty is item one on the list.

I am going to wrap presents to night, finish the laundry and then this coming week finish off the baking that needs to be done. It will all get done one way or the other, it always does.

Michael's and their 50% off coupons got me again as I was in the store getting some yarn for a few project. They have such good yarn sales at this time of year and I have monkey hats and bottle cozy's to make that I can work on over the holidays. I also got these;

My round punch collection is complete. I have decided that that is my Christmas present to myself. I usually get myself something each year and this is something I wanted and I have used and will use. I bought the star punch for the same reason, I had a coupon and I will use it. I won't need every size like I did with the round, thank goodness.

This week the car goes back to the garage to get winter tires. I made myself afford them. I at last got the headlight fixed and got it winterized. I have never had winter tires but everyone says they make a big difference so as my car really needed tires I went for it. Did not have much of a choice.

SO the sewing machine is acting up, and the toaster oven is finished. the revenue office still has not sent me my tax refund  After Christmas I am going to have to remind them again they owe me money. The roof needs shingles and as I watch the frost build up inside on the windows I know those need to be replaced as well. Like the Christmas preparations this too will get done. all of it, one way or another.

I am off to wrap presents and no doubt have a wrestling match with the cats as I try to get that job finished.

Toodles
Linda

Snippets

I took Thursday and Friday off to have some time to get things done. I had hoped to do the baking but that has not happened yet. Do not despair!! not that you would anyway but I did get lots done otherwise

On Thursday I went shopping, got half the gifts that I needed to get purchased. I checked out the second hand stores and then came home. I made Christmas cards and made new name tags for my Christmas gifts. I got to play with my new circle punches (thank you Michael's 50% off coupons)

I will make more cards as I need to but these are a start. The new gift tags may not look overly impressive but they are cute little embossed hedgehogs giving gifts. I got to play with my embossing powder and the heat gun which was great fun. I love the magic of embossing powder.

I went out for supper with KitKat then came home a spent the evening knitting and crocheting on things that I cannot share on here. (Because they are for Christmas gifts, silly.)

Friday was the best of days. The Banker came and picked me up at ||||||9:30  on the dot. We started with breakfast at a snazzy trendy little coffee shop and had butter tarts for dessert. Breakfast dessert is something that should catch on, don't you think? Fortified with really good food and coffee we went out and went shopping. We hit all the little fancy shops and greenhouses we  could think of. We did a couple of antique stores and we had the best time. I managed to walk around more than I normally do which made the best day. I hate not being able to do as much as I want to so I was pleased I could keep up. We had yummy soup and biscuit for lunch at a local gift store/cafe then shopped more. We even hit Michaels again and I got a deal on ribbon to replace the bows on my veranda.

We then ended up at her place for a shot of Bailey's and a good natter, joined by her Sweet Baboo. Supper time rolled around and we went out with the No Cook girls. All of us were there so it was great fun, supper was delicious, then back to the Bankers place for a little Christmas get together. We played games, did a little gift exchange and ate dainties. Fun Fun Friday. I so enjoy days like that.

Saturday I was up and out inspite of the -31 degree weather. I finished purchasing my Christmas presents. I got groceries then one last trip to Michael's to exchange one of the round punches. I bought a scalloped one and it should have been plain. That accomplished I headed home. I hauled as much in from the car as I could that I thought would freeze then I quit. By today my poor legs were letting me know they were done with the walking about.

I made brunch for myself then finished a few of my crafty things..Desi and I manages a nap, Today, I have made one and a half monkey hats so far. I tied the bows for the veranda, I tied in a million ends on the knitting that I did. I finished some sewing and I chatted with Teddy Bear and her daughter as they came over to wrap the presents they had stored here away from prying little eyes.

Once again I have to admit I cannot be trusted with food stocking stuffers. I will have to replace one I got for my brother as I am currently snacking away on it even as we speak. I am such a child some times. Oh well it will be easy to replace it and its so yummy. One year I had to buy Lindor chocolates three times before they actually made it to the stockings.

So I did not get anything baked but that will happen this week. I can start to wrap gifts and finish decorating the house. It will all get done, it always does and I do have one more weekend before the big day.

I would love to have some more days off but its back to work tomorrow. Oh well these last four have been wonderful.

I hope your Christmas prep is going very well.

Toodles,
Linda

Random Thoughts on a Snowy Sunday

|* Why is it when I am at work I can thing of a million things to do if I was at home but once I do get home all I want to do is knit, nap and watch tv.

*I miss the big window displays the big department stores used to do at Christmas time. I loved getting to go and look at them, so magical

* On the first of December I took a few decorations to the office and it made such a big difference to my little cubicle. Warmed it up to no end.

* I finally have ideas for everyone for Christmas and I have finally got my shopping started. I am usually finished by now. I need to get myself together!!

* I have a lot of crafting to do before Christmas. This season always makes want to craft even more. Every year I think I will do some things in January and February so I am not cramming it all into the last of the year, but it never happens. Maybe this year????

* Speaking of after Christmas that is when the big craft room purge and inventory is going to take place. The room is almost beyond hope.

* I have decided to stop donating quilts to the Blarney night. Not that I want to but its just so hard to get it delivered on time and to get the quilt made on time. I have done this donation for years but I think the time has come for it  to end. Makes me a little sad.

* I was very proud to have a hand in raising $1945.00 for the safe and warm shelter here. Its such a good cause and I had lots of good help. I was just a tiny part of it but it warms my heart.

* I want to do a calendar this year with things that need to be done each month on it, like puppets to make for the big craft sale, quilts to do. etc. Maybe I could stay on top of things then. How very Martha Stewart of me.

* My multiple yarn baskets are getting out of control. They need a good tidy up, Maybe this weekend I will beat them into submission

* Some days I think I should get the Banker to come in here and organize for me but I really like her and I don't want to finish her off. The shocking truth would do her in. So I shall attempt to accomplish this on my own, More fool me.

* Feeling like putting up the big tree this year but since that is not a practical idea this year. Just a couple of the little trees will have to do. Yes I said a couple. I usually put up four trees, don't judge me, I like Christmas!!

*Craft stores and their 50 % off coupons are just enablers to people like me.

* Been  making sock monkey hats like crazy this year. Am on my 7th one already. They do come out pretty darn cute!!

* Feeling pretty smug to day,  the front of the house is all decorated for Christmas. The lights are up, the garlands strung and the big bows are hung. Much as I hate hauling that stuff up from the basement, its lovely to have it done.

(This is not a current picture but the same stuff is up this year so you get the idea)

* I got a lot of sewing done yesterday so the Wee Girl's Christmas gift is 99% finished. It was all Santa's work shop here as I got busy on several gifts. Love spending snowy days crafting away.

Thats all folks

Toodles

Linda