Hello Monday!

 Right now I am in the craft room finding things to do so I can avoid my messy kitchen. It will get cleaned up today but right now I am procrastinating. We are back into the horrible heat and I am feeling sticky, icky and cranky, How fun is that? I do have say that I am in a much better frame of mind than last week and this heat is suppose to be gone soon. I can hang in until then,  I have chronic pain, that is a fact of life. I live with it and deal with it, every day of my life. Sometimes it gets to me and I start to feel sorry for myself and I need to vent. So far I can yank myself up by the bra straps and get on with it. So bra straps yanked and I am back on track for the moment. Just have to wait out this latest heat wave. 

Are these not the cutest little things?

These are the next set of blocks for the Christmas Quilt. I just love these little candy cuties. We get a new block via email every Tuesday so I'm looking foreward to tomorrow to see what is next. I imagine I will keep this quilt for me because I really need another quilt. (I nearly got that typed out before I started to giggle).

On the weekend I got ambitious and mixed up the grout for my mosaic stars. It is such a messy job, or at least it is for me. I need to do it outside from now on. The black stuff seems to get everywhere and my fingernails look like I have been gardening for days. Yes I usually wear gloves to do this but I could not find any on the weekend and used a bread bag to smooch out the grout. It was ok but not the best.  I do like the look of them now they are grouted, they turned out just as I wanted them to

The pictures are a little dark but its my talent for picture taking, (We have spoken of it before). Now I just need to paint the edges, add the hangers and they are good to go. My next mosaic project to to fix the sad little table I have outside the back door. That's a tale for another day.

More sad news for our family this last week, My oldest cousin passed away. Such a sweet, quiet, gentle being. He never said much but he did have a great sense of humor. He had a terrific record collection that you could listen to while your mom and aunt gossiped in the kitchen. I like Neil Sedaka because of him.  I still have the stuffed Santa Claus he won curling and gave to me so many years ago I do not remember not having this jolly old elf,

That's him, sitting on his chair in the entry. He has had a full body refresh because the original material rotted and I could not stand to throw him out. My cousin was truly a nice man and he will be missed but his pain and his battle have ended. Rest in Peace.

I am oh so close to having the donation quilt finished. KitKat was at a yard sale on the weekend and snagged me three sheets to use as backing on future quilts. I was thrilled. I can just feel my fingers itching to get stitching. 

Not a great big to do list today. Clean the kitchen, quilt and bag up the textile recycling and the garbage. needs to be taken out. Not a lot but enough that it has me hiding in the craft room and blogging instead of cleaning. I really am my own roadblock.

Toodles

Linda

Complaints and other stuff

 Yes I am going to complain. I'm feeling decidedly sorry for myself lately and I just need to vent for a moment then I will get on with other things. The last bout of heat and humidity did a number on me. I have never handled the heat well, throw in humidity and I am a total mess at the best of times. Add the new fun of  arthritis in my arms, shoulders and hands and some days just getting dressed is not worth the fight. It took me 25 minutes to get my compression socks on the other day, Much sweating, tugging, swearing and two broken fingernails later, they were on. Add in these new pains and stiffness in my arms and one wonders if its worth it. I have ordered some new sock which are, in theory, easier to get on, time will tell but I have to try.  Stretch pants that stick to your skin and it just feels like everything is a fight.

One of the most frustrating things is that when I am sitting I am fine. No pain in my legs, nothing, I feel completely normal and in my head I think I can do things like I used to . Those silly thoughts last until I stand up and that illusion goes crashing to the ground as I struggle to move. I am fighting against this but like most things it goes wrong much faster that it goes right. One step forward and five back is how it feels. It frustrates me to no end and sometimes I just need to ramble on and on about it. I'm done now until the next time. Thanks for listening,

Time to move on, even I get fed up with my "woe is me" speeches. Lets change the subject. I have decided to do another Quilt-a-long on Facebook. Its a Christmas quilt this time and I have the first two wreath blocks completed.

I have a sizable stash of Christmas material so I am going to try and do the quilt without buying any material. The next blocks are peppermint candies and I am going to take a stab at making them once I am done this post. I have totally enjoyed the last two quilt-a-longs that I did and I think this one will be fun. I'm not sure what I will do with the finished quilt but I will deal with that when the time comes. For right now I will just be happy to have the making of it.

I started a new scrap quilt. This one is going to be donation quilt I think. I have so much material and I love to make quilts so this is one way to keep making and have them be useful.

I nearly have it quilted and then just need to get it bound. I am planning up a crib quilt for the next project. Quilting is the thing that I love to do most of all.

Teddy Bear and I went out for lunch last week. We went in the SAME CAR!! We went to an actual RESTAURANT!! It felt so naughty but oh my goodness it was fun. Covid rules are starting to loosen and we can do some of the things we have not done for more than a year.

This coming Friday, the No Cooks are actually going to meet at a restaurant. We have not done that since Covid reared its ugly head. We are all double vaxxed and ready to roll.

Sad news in our family this month. My last Aunt passed away at the age of 91. She is at peace now and no longer in pain. Its strange to think that I no longer have any Grandparents, aunts or uncles. Her passing has bumped my generation of cousins up to being the elder statesmen of the family and I'm not sure I am ready for that. I have said before, my age never used to bother me until I hit my 60's. Those numbers stick in my craw, I don't feel that age (at least when I am seated) and while I am happier to have birthdays than not, I am not all that thrilled with being one of the OLD ones. Yeesh.

It is what it is and I just need to make peace with it, all of it. The pain, the limitations, the age, the random farts, the list goes on. Right now I am going to pull out my Christmas material and loose myself in making quilt blocks for awhile.

Toodles

Linda

Monday Musings

 My goodness, August already, when are the days going? We are still trapped in the heat and the dry. Little to no rain has been had or forecasted, Its been a hard year. Its been a hard almost two years. Covid and the weather are putting us to the test. 

I had a lovely week last week, Mama Bug stopped in and we had supper together. I always love to see her and catch up on her news. I had friends stopping by for coffee and visits, The Banker is back in the province and we had a good catch up. We are back to gathering for our No Cook nights and one can almost pretend that life is semi normal. Almost

I made a big long  "to do" list last night, I am always full of good intentions the night before. What actually happens the next day is a crap shoot. So far today I managed to do three things on the list and then I went rogue. I made some mosaic stars. Channeling my inner Princess Diva,

They need to dry overnight then they are ready to have some grout added. Once that is dry, the two big ones will go on the shed and the little one will be added to the veranda Canada day decor. I am rather pleased with the results and am very glad to have them under process, at long last.

I am now toying with the idea of doing some scrapbooking. I have a couple of albums that need to be finished. Speaking of scrapbooking we have booked our room for our scrapbooking event in the fall. We are sticking with a small group due to covid still being a potential problem. I am just so excited about being able to at least entertain the idea that we can have our get together. That  weekend is one of the ones I look forward to every year.

This photo shows a domino effect. I wanted to do the stars and I swore I had gem stones I could use. I wanted to add them. Could not find said gem stones. Gave it some serious thought and decided I would not be happy without them. I placed a Michael's order. Long story short, I got the gem stones I wanted, one more container of gem stones and two packs of card stock. Did I mention I has sworn I was not going to buy paper for scrapbooking this year. If a certain paper punch had been in stock I would have got that as well.  I have plenty of paper and punches but apparently I have little to no will power. Not too mention,  there was a sale.  Yeesh.

I wish the weather would break and we would get some rain. This heat and humidity does me no favours. I understand its doing worse things to other people but I, for one, am wanting it over. I am so stiff and sore these days its not even funny.

I have the first donation quilt top finished and ready to sandwich. Birthday Twin's quilt has been washed and hanging to dry. The cushion tops are under construction, Things are bopping along. Seeing Mama Bug reminded me I am very behind on the quilt squares for Lady Bug,. Must get those done as well. I know what I am making I just need to make them. 

Toodles

Linda

A Successful Massacre

 So I broke down a bought those horrid fly strips because my house was swamped with the rotten little things. I hate those strips but I was desperate and did not know what else to do, I caved and got the dreaded strips. They are ugly but they work. Work they did. I will spare you the photographic proof but trust me to say that the three strips I hung in the window in my downstairs literally were covered in the space of a day. I can now sit unmolested by sticky annoying flies.

Finally, finally, finally I got the bear made for The Hostess. 

Getting this fellow made was just a gong show.  Long story short, in the end I had to get another pattern (I lost the first one) and the new pattern did not need the joints that I had to order from China. When I screw up I do it all out and full on. Thankfully he got made and The Hostess is very pleased with the result. Personally I am beary glad to have him finished at long last.

A friend's daughter asked me to hem a bridesmaid dress for her. In the event that I could do it I hauled my vanity stool downstairs for her to stand on while I pinned up the hem. Turned out the hemming job was above and beyond my skill set. I can sew quilts and do simple projects but most clothes are beyond me. Sheer overskirts scare the bejeebus out of me.  I did not need to haul the stool down. Curses.

I decided that I would take advantage of the situation and make use of a piece of blue velvet I found while sorting in the craft room. When I got my vanity dresser the stool had a silk cover that had seen better days. I removed it and put this black vinyl on it instead. I never was a really big fan. Utilitarian but definitely not pretty.

I removed the vinyl, tightened up the joints and made use of my blue velvet remnant. I rather like the look of it now. Definitely one of the easiest reupholster jobs I have ever done and well worth the effort

It just needs a good dusting and then it can go back upstairs where it belongs.

It is still hot and humid here. I was out this morning and picked up a small grocery order then I went and got some breakfast. That is my big outing and my treat.. I really have no need to go much of anywhere else. I have all I need at home at the moment. I am blessed.

I nearly have a quilt top sewn to eventually become the first donation quilt. I am rather pleased with it. I still have to make cushion covers for Birthday Twin's children from her husbands shirts. They won't take long so I will get at them one of these days. I have to wash her quilt and check it for any weak seams and then will be the major problem. The major problem will be getting all of it packaged up and into the mail to her. I have postal issues but I know she is anxious for it all and that will spur me on.

Today I have a few housekeeping jobs to attend to and then I will spend the rest of my day sewing. Sounds like a solid plan to me on this hot and humid day.

Toodles

Linda

I'm Back

 I took a little break from blogging last week because I was being lazy and because I don't have a lot to say. I can't even blame it all on the pandemic, I doubt much would be happening even if things were normal. That's just me.

I did do some more weeding and then it got crazy hot. I think Mother Nature is telling me to knock off weeding because every time I do it, the temp goes up and stays up

 Yes, all those lush green leaves are weeds. Maybe I should just embrace them as lovely plants and give up the fight.

SO there we are, the after math of a Linda weeding. Far from pristine but its done. Now if it ever cools off I will continue. My marigolds have no blooms thanks to the neighbourhood rabbit. Most annoying.

I have declared war on the flies in my house. Oh my Lord there are a million flies in the house and even more outside. I finally caved in a purchased some of these

I dislike the look of these things but ugly as they are they work. I can at last sit in the living room or the kitchen unmolested. I have ugly strips of dead flies hanging in the windows but I can't care. I will never understand why flies have to be right in your face or be walking on you. Makes me crazy.

I have finished Birthday Twins quilt and just have to wash it. She would like two cushion covers made so I need to go that. I can also move onto other things. A certain Teddy Bear is at the very top of the list at long last. Thank Goodness for patient friends.

It has been super hot and super dry lately. This sort of weather only makes me want to sleep. 

Well I am out of things to write about. I shall try to do better in future. I maybe should make a list as the week goes by so I don't miss things.

Toodles

Linda

Help I've Fallen......... Oh Wait I Did Get Up.

 First of all I am fine. My ego is bruised and the metal garden globe got flattened but all in all things are ok. Having said that I will give you the full story. 

So last week it was way to stinkin hot to work in the yard. That had been my intention, I had weeded round the front yard then I planned to make a stab at the back yard. The heat however put this on hold as I do not do well with heat. This week the heat has broken and today was nearly chilly. My legs were feeling not too bad so I decided to have a go at the back yard.

Really needs it don't you think? Well I got stuck in, I planted the last of the petunias and started to do the weeding. I was going along rather well, and then next thing I knew, I was planted firmly on my arse in the midst of the glass mushrooms, the metal globe was flattened and I had bounced my head off the side of the shed. Harumph! what a pickle. How to get back on my feet. I could stay where I was and be a garden gnome. Not the best of plans so I needed to get up.  I will have to say that I can fall with the greatest of ease. Thankfully I don't tense up so I rarely get hurt. The downside is getting up. That is where I have a terrible time. 

Thankfully the glass mushrooms remained intact. One of the caps came unglued from the stem but no other damage done.

So on hands and knees I got myself over the wine bottles and over to the bench, Once there I managed to haul myself up to my feet, took a few attempts but at last I managed it. My knees do not like it when I am on them, they complain very loudly and I am sure tomorrow they will still be complaining, Best of all was I got back up again.  I did go back into the flowerbed. once I got my wits about me and planted two hostas that I got this year to add to the bed. I wanted to show the flowerbed who was the boss.

Because I do "Linda weeding", its hard to see that I have done anything. I left the blue box in the picture to prove that I actually did remove some weeds. I gave the bed a good watering and all was well. 

I even managed to get the dumpsters out to the back alley. Thankfully I did that before I went splat.  They should have been put out last week but that just never happened. It shall be interesting to see if I remember to bring them back in. 

I hope to get out and do more weeding tomorrow. I also hope to get the metal globe standing back upright once again. The tree needs pruning and then I can move back into the front yard. The work never ends and I shall keep plugging away at it. It is good for me to keep doing all I can do myself.

I have gotten the top for Birthday Twin's quilt finished. I hope to get the backing material soon and then I can get at the actual quilting. Next quilt I start will be one of the donation quilts I hope to make. I need to settle on a pattern, there are so many that I want to try. The mind boggles at the possibilities, She has asked me to make two cushion covers, one for each of her children, I think that is a lovely idea.

That;s it for the excitement for today. Here's hoping  that tomorrow if I get back out there, I manage to maintain my footing,.and keep my arse from sitting on the mushrooms.

Toodles

Linda

Slow Start Today

 I am having a decidedly hard time to get moving today. I got up later than I usually do because I just could not convince myself to get up. Bed was far to comfortable and I was far to lazy. I did finally manage to drag my bones up and out of the comfort (obviously) and have now had my breakfast, my coffee, my daily dose of morning pills and gave the kitchen a bit of a tidy. While the kitchen is not perfect it is managing to stay respectable and a darn sight better than it used to be.

My garden hose is no longer leaking, ( I have decided this post is going to be random bits of information as they pop into my head). Turns out it was not the hose but the tap. I got Sweet Baboo and the Banker to come over, he worked his magic and fixed it for me. Makes me seriously happy. My flowers may actually stand a chance of survival now.

I have managed to get the front yard weeded. Now let me explain that because Linda Weeding is far different than other folks weeding, Mine never looks pristine, it more looks like goats have had a banquet and no one has cleaned up afterward. 

A lovely before shot. It does look like a hot mess.

Ok now you have to stretch your imagination here but as you can see by the contents of the blue box I have been weeding. Not all the plants have been removed. There is Snow on the Mountain, daisies, coral bells in there and I have decided to leave them. The lilac bushes are growing back and I have decided to embrace the volunteer plants and think of this as a tiny little  wild meadow. I plan to plant tulips and daffodils in the fall to add to the meadowness.

I did get around the front yard once so last week, now I plan to move into the back yard. I still have flowers to plant and a couple of hostas that need to find a forever home. The Banker came over and moved a couple of peonies for me. I still need to get some plants for the back flower bed but its all coming along. The tree in the back yard needs some trimming up as well. So that is my this week hope. upon finishing the back yard, I will move again to the front yard and take it in turns from here on. Pristine will never happen but I can hope for keeping it to a dull roar.

Covid rules are loosening and this coming Friday the No Cooks will actually get together and have an outdoor supper. We have not all been together for a meal for sometime. I am as giddy about this as kid at Christmas. These ladies are my second or chosen family and they are as important to me as my actual family. Looks like I may be able to see my actual family, as well, at some point in the future. Squeeee! Although if gas prices keep sky rocketing who knows????

I have been working away on the quilt I offered to make for Birthday Twin. She sent me a bunch of her husband's shirts, I finally got going on it and its coming along nicely.

She chose this jig saw pattern which is easy and challenging all at the same time. Easy because it is just squares and a challenge because you have to keep track of several rows at the same time. 

Speaking of quilts I have signed up for another on line quilt-a-long,. Its to make a Christmas quilt which I need like a hole in the head but I find the quilt-a-longs a lot of fun. I have a plethora of Christmas material for some strange reason and this will use some of that up.

Again speaking of quilts. Princess Diva provided me with a nice stack of sheets to be used as quilt backing. That woman is amazing, Now I can get started on making my donation quilts which is something I have been wanting to do for some time. They are going to be a really good stash busting project. I get to make quilts, try patterns I have found on Pinterest. use up my stash material and put the quilts to good use, Winner Winner!!!

Finally got printer ink so I am back in business with being able to print things off the computer. I can get my recipe collection updated. I am making a book of only recipes I really like and know I will make again. I am trying to get this meal making thing to where I actually will make stuff and have some ideas about what to make. Since I have retired, and with covid curtailing eating out, meal making has become a major problem to me. I need to solve it.

Well I should move on, I want to do some sewing today. I still don't have a great surge of energy but I think I can manage to sew, order some groceries and order my fully vaccinated card!! 

Toodles.

Linda