Sunday 26 July 2015

Nothing of any Importance to Say

Saw my doctor on Friday, he is very pleased with my leg. However he does not want to mess with the treatment that is working. So I will continue to go daily for dressing changes. My mistake was setting my hopes on things changing and they didn't. End result is that I am pouting, being all grown up and mature like I am. I have been going daily since February and the charm is long gone.

This Monday marks the return of working full time, which has me pouting cause I am all mature and reasonable. Its month end as well so I imagine I will be royally fed up by end of day tomorrow. I loved being at home. Stupid money, ruins everything.

Its hot out, I got very little done this weekend that I wanted to accomplish, I have a hot flash every other minute. . Every one of my friends had fun plans this weekend, going places,  but me. So I am being childish, miserable and in short, making my own self irritated. I hate when I get in a mood like this, Its so pointless but I can't seem to shift it.

I will blog again when I am fit for company.

Toodles,
Linda

Sunday 19 July 2015

Easing Back into the Flow

First week of work under my belt. Not as bad as I thought in  some ways and as bad in others. Struggled to remember computer screen names, struggled with little things like how to transfer calls and how to create a reminder task on the computer. Things I have done a million times in the past but evaded me like flighty little butterflies. Its coming back, in bits and pieces but its coming back. Sometimes its better if I put little to no thought into it and just let muscle memory take over.  A part of me still wishes I did not have to do this again. That I could be at home, quietly puttering about, surrounded by crafts and times out with good friends and not have to concern myself with all the mucky details of the daily lives of the people who have to use our service. Pie in the sky.

The No Cooks had another yard sale this weekend. Got rid of a ton more stuff but there is still lots left. On Monday we are gathering to pack up the leftovers and clear out the Banker's garage. Some will come back home with me but the majority will go to a charity shop. Its so good to have the stuff go on to be used and not more landfill.

DING DONG the LOOM IS GONE. I am truly happy that that got sold. To someone who will use it. Poor thing was horribly neglected at my house. I have already filled the space where it was. Would you expect any less of me??

I have a new plan to make a little extra cash for myself. I am hoping to get to Scotland next year after all. I will fill in the details after I see how things work out.

So today its laundry, baby quilt making and maybe some puppet making. I will try and tidy the kitchen as well but I am making no promises. I have one more week of half days and then its back to full time at work. I wish that thought made me happier but it doesn't no matter how hard I try to change my thinking.

Toodles,
Linda

Sunday 12 July 2015

Well and Truly Slapped in the Face by Reality

I feel a right fool. At my age one should be over that "oh crap, its school tomorrow" feeling. My time off is over, its back to work tomorrow. I don't want to go. I love being at home, I love being in charge of my own time and I have had that privilege for the last few months,. In spite of the worry about my leg and not feeling all that great, I have loved the free time. This weekend I feel like I am standing in quick sand, I am trying not to move, desperate to slow down the passage of time but knowing I will sink in the end. I am trying to find the positive side, get my mind off this panic I feel and see the best of the situation but its hard. In fact I fail more than I succeed.

I am grateful to have a job to go to, grateful to have money to pay the bills and keep a roof over my head. I am just tired of working and I want to stay on my break. Want it with every fiber of my being but its not going to happen. At least not before tomorrow.  If only I could afford to stay home. Pie in the sky thoughts and wishes. The quick sand is going to suck me in and tomorrow I will go back. Half days for two weeks and then full swing. I just can't face it.

Birthday Twin and her granddaughter were here for three days. It was lovely to see her and catch up. We did some touring around and garage saleing and lots of veranda sitting. She stitched on her afghan and I knit. Granddaughter played on her phone and generally amused herself. For being 13 years old she was a lovely young lady to have around.

They have headed back home, the house is empty and I am not happy. Going to be a fun day around here.



Toodles
Linda

Monday 6 July 2015

Fence Me In

Well it was all busy and all a go at the homestead this weekend. Busy and the Carpenter came to replace the fence between my house and my neighbours (the ones with the two big dogs). The Banker and I had picked up the supplies on Friday so things were all ready for them. I rented a fence stretcher so The Carpenter would have all he needed to get the job done.

This is what they were replacing, this sad old picket fence. I thought the posts were rather solid but I was living in a fools paradise. Busy mostly took it down her self and only one post gave them problems. What do I know??


In short order the Carpenter and Busy were getting the poles in place for the new fence.


It was hot, humid and sadly, thanks to the tons of dog poop next door, very stinky.


This is the Carpenter, He did the lion's share of the hot heavy hard work. I have to confess that  I have seriously rethought my childhood opinion of him, When I was little, I could not understand why he was not completely and utterly thrilled to have my little self with him every waking moment. My very presence should have thrilled him to death and I could not, for the life of me, understand why it didn't. Therefore I would have happily given him away at times. Thankfully, that did not happen. For many years now I have come to the conclusion that I would not trade him as a brother for anything. He is so very good to me. Both Busy and the Carpenter are more than good to me. They came, they worked like rented mules in the heat and the smell just so I  could have a new fence. Time and again they have gone above and beyond, to help me. and when you are alone, those things mean the world to you. I try not to take advantage of them as they are busy people and have a lot of pulls on their time and energies but its a comfort to know they are in my corner it I need them.


Busy was right in there, helping with the details, doing clean up, pulling down fence and loading the trash into the truck.


She is a worker, that sister-in-law of mine!! I am happy to say that the fence went up fairly quickly. We (isn't it fun that I have included myself in the mix, I mostly sat on the sidelines and fetched water) got the poles in and cemented just as the heaven's opened and the rain came tumbling down.


Day two was putting up the wire and finishing the fence. It all went together fairly quickly and easily, at least that was what I was told. The poop was cleaned up in the other yard so it was a less stinky process,


I, now, have a five foot fence between me and the two dogs next door. Once I get the vine to grow up this fence I will have a more private yard as well. Its what I wanted, its installed and it got it done for a fraction of the cost. I am so grateful!!

The goodness did not stop there. The old picket fence continued past my shed and right to the back alley. I thought I would eventually take that section down myself. I was sure I could as I knew the trees were what what holding it up. These trees can act as a dividing line. You can see the fence in the picture, there, behind the lattice and the trash bins, My goal was getting the new fence up,


Well I blinked and this happened. 


Yes the fence is gone, gone, gone. They pulled it down, cleaned up the vegetation around it and I am over the moon happy about it. It is just a joy to look out my kitchen window and not see that ratty old picket fence. Don't think I am crazy, chain link is in no way a pretty fence but its sturdy, maintenance free and I can walk out to my car now without fear of a dog coming flying over to take a test bite.

AND I also got this:


My snazzy new motion sensor light is up and working!! Sweet!! I love the look of it, I think it fits with the style of my house and I have wanted a motion light for a long time. I forget to turn the light on or off at the front door so now people will not have to stumble in the dark to my door. My word, its grand to have handy willing workers come to visit!!

We had a nice weekend. Busy brought me the material The Teacher picked out for New Baby. I am eager to get started on that. I have a picture and now the material. I spent some time today working oout the measurements etc. Its going to be so very cute. I cannot wait to get going on it. Its a challenge for me. I will share pictures once I get going. I am in charge of the quilt and the bumper pads. Busy is doing the crib skirt and the roman blind. Well we are working together on that. I will explain, later, as I post about the quilt.

It was not all work and no play, we got to get some shopping in and we had a good visit. Those two are busy busy people, as usual. Sadly for my poor brother, while we crossed things off his "to do" list for this time but I am already starting another one for the next time he comes to visit.

 We (once again I am including myself under false pretenses) barbecued steaks, had new potatoes with real butter, and salad for supper one night. I almost licked my plate. I only set the table and stuffed my face. If only I had thought to get cheese cake or ice cream for dessert. This is the kind of company to have, they do projects for you, they cook for you, its a good deal. That was not the only reason I was sad to see them go this morning. I always am. I am hoping that once I am not tied to the hospital everyday for dressing changes, I can get visiting some of my family and friends.

So they are back at their home, I am here. Birthday Twin and her granddaughter will be back on Wednesday for a few days visit. Then this coming Monday my idle comes to an end and I go back to work. That is a post for another day.

For day I am happy and grateful for my family, my friends and my new fence. I am one lucky lucky lady.

Toodles,
Linda


Friday 3 July 2015

Busy Busy Busy

So as I am slowly getting better, my energy level and inclination to actually do things is slowly coming back. I am actually feeling like doing things, which is wonderful. I did not realize how bad I had gotten until now, when its coming back. It has also pointed out to me what an incredible drama queen I can be!! My chief talent should be making mountains out of molehills.

Finally I got busy and made laundry soap. I did a double batch this time as I have the storage containers and the stuff was out anyway. Yes those large white jugs once held kitty litter but they work wonderfully as laundry soap storage. Recycle, reduce, reuse!!



Plants have finally been planted, rhubarb tea poured onto ant hills at last.  I made more glass mushrooms for the front yard.  KitKat came over and dug out the lily of the valley for me AND she took some of the day lilies that I do not like, but she does. As she is just starting to work on her yard, she can use them. I even dead headed the peonies!! Go me!!


Yes, yes, there are a lot of weeds out there, I said my energy level was coming back, I did not say it had gone crazy!!. I need to get out there and trim the tree so you can walk into my house without getting slapped in the face with a rather willful branch.

Knitting has been going one as well. I found some new yarn just right for dishcloths and it was in the most cheerful bright yellow I knew I needed some for my kitchen. It was called Sudz and is finer than the cotton I usually use. Very nice and soft. I got three of them made. I am still making puppets and quilts of course.


Here is where I get the Drama Queen crown. I have had, for months, a new shower head to install. I have worked it up in my head that this is like the worst job ever and takes all manner of contortions to accomplish. Fancy wrenches, turning off the water, oh the list of foreseen difficulties grew and grew As I have thought about it and talked about it, it has taken on epic proportions in my head. Well I had company coming and I finally just had to get at it, no putting it off, no cavalry coming to my rescue. Got to getter done!!


OMG the only way this could have gone quicker and easier is if the dang thing had installed itself. Literally unscrew the old one, screw in the new one. Less than five minutes work, I worked up more of a sweat worrying about it than the actual doing of it. I really must work on my need to overthink stuff. So happy to have this new shower head, no more having water shooting out at all angles no matter how much of that fancy leak stop tape I wound around the hole.

Birthday Twin and her granddaughter were here for a visit and have headed on to see her family and other friends, they will be back here next week for a few days. The Carpenter and Busy will be here tomorrow to visit and to install this:


New fence for between my house and the neighbours. No longer will I have to worry about the two large dogs launching themselves over the fence to take a chomp out of me!! The Banker came with Sweet Baboo's truck and we picked up the supplies this morning. Squeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! I just hope that this does not cause the Carpenter unforeseen problems while he puts it in for me.

No the shed is not painted yet, inspite of my having the stuff to do it with. Rain has been constantly in the forecast but has not shown up and its too hot to paint it. The paint would just dry too fast and peel off. This job may have to wait a bit. I do want to get it done this year.

Today I have laundry to do and I am going to be working on puppets. Then its out for No Cook Friday with the girls. Things are perking along quite nicely I would say.

Toodles
Linda