Finally! PC moved to computer stand and everything hooked back up. All those cords and cables! Good grief. But it's very nice, and set up better than the sewing table! Which is now in my bedroom with Mama's little Singer portable on it. Progress! Sunday afternoon I plan to fire it up and see if it still runs. It is so cute, just a little miniature of the big one Mama sewed on for so many years. I'm not sure how old it is, but know for sure that it is an antique.
I tried to leave a post on the sewing machine giveaway site, but it wouldn't let me. I figure it was Mama's little Singer putting a jinx on me so I couldn't replace it!
The search for an antenna that actually works continues. I'm on number three now, and it is going back to the store Monday. It's discouraging to see how they all claim to be just what I need, and all turn out to be nothing like what I need.
So far no repeat visitors at daughter's house. Traps remain baited and ready for action. Daughter is very jumpy, sees intruders in every shadow. The 'warrior' is very disappointed that there have been no further victims - he is in the gore-loving stage. Every stick he picks up is either a sword or a gun. I think he would love to be deputized to dispose of the next body. But it ain't gonna happen.
I may have to change the 'lawyer's name to the chef! She made her mom's birthday cake all by herself, including frosting and decorating! All I did was set the oven temperature. She was so proud and did a very good job. It's hard for me to realize that is really not so amazing - she is ten years old. But to me she is still as little as the 'warrior' and it still surprises me when I realize how grown up she really is!
Tomorrow's a busy day. Don't want to be late for Sunday School! Time for bed and hopefully sweet dreams.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Disturbed, Delighted and Surprised!
Where to begin! First, morning inspection at daughter's house showed no evidence of further visits. Nevertheless, we will not be relaxing our vigilance. Set out another trap in a likely place just in case.
I took the 'lawyer' to a friend's house in the country for a visit, then the 'warrior' and I started the search for a computer desk to free up Mama's little sewing table. The trip to the Goodwill store was a disappointment. Which is odd, because I have seen any number of nice ones when I didn't want one. Anyway, we decided to go to Big Lots, and hit the jackpot. I was looking at a very nice one on sale, $69.99, down from $89.99. It came with a 3 shelf bookcase. As I was wondering if they would sell the one already assembled, because of my hands, the nice sales girl pointed out that there was another one assembled that had been returned because of cosmetic damage. I got it for $49.99! Yeah!
I also went to Radio Shack and got a new indoor antenna to go with my converter box. First thing when I got home, I hooked it up. It was very disappointing. When I got a call from my oldest brother that he needed my help, I took the thing with me and exchanged it for the most powerful one they had. Amplified, they said. I had to pay almost $30 more for it. Well, it was no better than the cheaper one. It is hard to go from basic cable to four or five channels! But I can't afford to keep the cable. See, my rent went up $30 this month, and I had to start paying a monthly premium on my health insurance this year, in addition to what they take out of my disability check, which I didn't have to do last year. So I've got to cut back where I can. (Notice I am not proposing to quit blogging. I'm hooked on venting online!) But I don't take the paper anymore, and I'm canceling most of my magazine subscriptions.
Anyway, I don't know if they will give me my money back so I can look elsewhere or not. Maybe I should just give up. I probably watch too much anyway. But I can't get channel 8 on this thing, and I really like CSI. And I can't get 13, and I'm used to their morning newscast. And I can't get 59, and I like Fox news. My, am I spoiled or what? What a whiner!
BUT when I finally got wound down for the evening, and went to check my emails, there was a wonderful surprise! I won something! I never win anything, but I won the handmade soap on Karen's Healthy Living blog. Wow, I can hardly wait to try it. Maybe this means I am on a roll, and more good things will happen! You can't believe how excited I am to be a winner! It's a new role for me!
I started writing this last night, and had just finished telling about the desk when the lights went out! So I was glad to find today that it was saved for me to finish. Today is daughter's birthday, and the grands and I are taking her to Ryan's for dinner tonight. And we have to get busy and bake her a cake today while she is at work. So enough gabbing, back to work!
I took the 'lawyer' to a friend's house in the country for a visit, then the 'warrior' and I started the search for a computer desk to free up Mama's little sewing table. The trip to the Goodwill store was a disappointment. Which is odd, because I have seen any number of nice ones when I didn't want one. Anyway, we decided to go to Big Lots, and hit the jackpot. I was looking at a very nice one on sale, $69.99, down from $89.99. It came with a 3 shelf bookcase. As I was wondering if they would sell the one already assembled, because of my hands, the nice sales girl pointed out that there was another one assembled that had been returned because of cosmetic damage. I got it for $49.99! Yeah!
I also went to Radio Shack and got a new indoor antenna to go with my converter box. First thing when I got home, I hooked it up. It was very disappointing. When I got a call from my oldest brother that he needed my help, I took the thing with me and exchanged it for the most powerful one they had. Amplified, they said. I had to pay almost $30 more for it. Well, it was no better than the cheaper one. It is hard to go from basic cable to four or five channels! But I can't afford to keep the cable. See, my rent went up $30 this month, and I had to start paying a monthly premium on my health insurance this year, in addition to what they take out of my disability check, which I didn't have to do last year. So I've got to cut back where I can. (Notice I am not proposing to quit blogging. I'm hooked on venting online!) But I don't take the paper anymore, and I'm canceling most of my magazine subscriptions.
Anyway, I don't know if they will give me my money back so I can look elsewhere or not. Maybe I should just give up. I probably watch too much anyway. But I can't get channel 8 on this thing, and I really like CSI. And I can't get 13, and I'm used to their morning newscast. And I can't get 59, and I like Fox news. My, am I spoiled or what? What a whiner!
BUT when I finally got wound down for the evening, and went to check my emails, there was a wonderful surprise! I won something! I never win anything, but I won the handmade soap on Karen's Healthy Living blog. Wow, I can hardly wait to try it. Maybe this means I am on a roll, and more good things will happen! You can't believe how excited I am to be a winner! It's a new role for me!
I started writing this last night, and had just finished telling about the desk when the lights went out! So I was glad to find today that it was saved for me to finish. Today is daughter's birthday, and the grands and I are taking her to Ryan's for dinner tonight. And we have to get busy and bake her a cake today while she is at work. So enough gabbing, back to work!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
First Things First
Go ahead. Ask me if I went looking for a computer stand today. No. Remember this is spring break. And I have two little grands to look after all week. Only two because 'the begger' is spending the week with her dad. 'The lawyer' and 'the warrior' were at each others' throats almost immediately yesterday morning, and I wanted to prevent that today. So I got them up early and changed their schedule all up, giving them the opportunity to unite in opposition to me. Clever grammy. Then I saw The Mouse.
I threw the towel back from the dish drainer and there he was, hiding under the overhang, looking up at me like his whole life was flashing before his eyes. He went from 0 to 60 in one second, sprinting down the countertop to disappear into my daughter's stove top with a flip of his tail.
My daughter told me(with a shudder) as she was leaving yesterday morning that she thought she saw a mouse, but didn't have time to do anything about it, she had to go to work. On the strength of that 'thought' I had spent the morning searching drawers, Cloroxing the counters and generally being paranoid. This was not just a thought. This was a genuine, bona fide, beady-eyed, bewhiskered disgusting little rodent. I went into grammy overdrive. The Clorox came out again, and after another cleaning frenzy, I baited an old-fashioned spring trap with a tiny dab of peanut butter, put it under the stove top, and turned out all the kitchen lights.
I eased into a comfy chair in the living room with my cup of coffee, leaned back with one eye on the early news, and waited. It wasn't a long wait. I love it when a plan comes together. After disposing of the evidence, I baited a fresh trap(in case the little beast wasn't alone), rounded up the grands and took them to my house for breakfast. We had planned a trip to the library, but it was a sunny day, not to be wasted indoors.
So we picnicked at the park, and I sat in the car and worked some puzzles in my new variety book while they kicked up their heels. We were alone when we got there, but not for long. The sun lured other restless kids and frazzled moms out of doors. All played together happily for a while, but then the 'warrior' started showing off for his admiring audience, and the 'lawyer' became his victim. I decided it was time to go home.
And so it went, one essential activity after another until the day has slipped away into weariness, and the eyelids droop and won't stay open. My eyelids, that is. Don't know about the kids. They are with their mother. So night night, sleep tight, and so on and so forth.
I threw the towel back from the dish drainer and there he was, hiding under the overhang, looking up at me like his whole life was flashing before his eyes. He went from 0 to 60 in one second, sprinting down the countertop to disappear into my daughter's stove top with a flip of his tail.
My daughter told me(with a shudder) as she was leaving yesterday morning that she thought she saw a mouse, but didn't have time to do anything about it, she had to go to work. On the strength of that 'thought' I had spent the morning searching drawers, Cloroxing the counters and generally being paranoid. This was not just a thought. This was a genuine, bona fide, beady-eyed, bewhiskered disgusting little rodent. I went into grammy overdrive. The Clorox came out again, and after another cleaning frenzy, I baited an old-fashioned spring trap with a tiny dab of peanut butter, put it under the stove top, and turned out all the kitchen lights.
I eased into a comfy chair in the living room with my cup of coffee, leaned back with one eye on the early news, and waited. It wasn't a long wait. I love it when a plan comes together. After disposing of the evidence, I baited a fresh trap(in case the little beast wasn't alone), rounded up the grands and took them to my house for breakfast. We had planned a trip to the library, but it was a sunny day, not to be wasted indoors.
So we picnicked at the park, and I sat in the car and worked some puzzles in my new variety book while they kicked up their heels. We were alone when we got there, but not for long. The sun lured other restless kids and frazzled moms out of doors. All played together happily for a while, but then the 'warrior' started showing off for his admiring audience, and the 'lawyer' became his victim. I decided it was time to go home.
And so it went, one essential activity after another until the day has slipped away into weariness, and the eyelids droop and won't stay open. My eyelids, that is. Don't know about the kids. They are with their mother. So night night, sleep tight, and so on and so forth.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
One Thing Leads to Another
Well, the plot thickens! Looking around my tiny apartment for a place to set up my sewing project. I do have Mama's little folding table, BUT I have my jurassic pc on it. Oops! Um,let's see. How about my little drop-leaf kitchen table? That's possible, I guess, once I get rid of the plant, parafin bath, meds tote and last several days mail.
I hope you can hear me. I'm snickering now, remembering how I referred to Mama as a 'pack rat'. Ah, the apple never falls far from the tree, does it? Now, if I move the parafin bath to the bathroom, which really is probably a safer place for it anyway, I will have to rearrange the shelf where the towels are. Wouldn't want to put it anywhere but the low shelf. Don't fancy spilling hot wax down my front while reaching up high to dip my poor hands!
So, if I move the towels up one shelf, where can I put the stuff that's already up there? Lotions, perfume, hair stuff, bath powder. I guess I can condense it on one side of the shelf. If I keep moving things up, I'll have to stand on a box to get them down! Ouch! If I crowd that stuff too much, I seem to be prone to knocking one thing off on my head while reaching for another. No! Don't fall in there!! Yuck.
OK, so I put the prone to falling on my head (and elsewhere) items in a little basket. That way I can slide it out, get what I want out of it, and slide it back. Now, where do I put the washcloths and hand towels that were in it? If only my bathroom were bigger! I know! I'll move the toilet tissue from the shelf to under the sink. Wait, remember what happened last summer when the grands were running in and out filling water balloons? Had to throw away a whole package of tissue that somehow got wet under there. That's why I moved it up to the shelf.
There's only one rational plan. I'll hit the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores tomorrow and find a computer stand. Then I can use Mama's little sewing table for sewing! What a grand idea! Why didn't I think of that sooner? Now, about that mail...
I hope you can hear me. I'm snickering now, remembering how I referred to Mama as a 'pack rat'. Ah, the apple never falls far from the tree, does it? Now, if I move the parafin bath to the bathroom, which really is probably a safer place for it anyway, I will have to rearrange the shelf where the towels are. Wouldn't want to put it anywhere but the low shelf. Don't fancy spilling hot wax down my front while reaching up high to dip my poor hands!
So, if I move the towels up one shelf, where can I put the stuff that's already up there? Lotions, perfume, hair stuff, bath powder. I guess I can condense it on one side of the shelf. If I keep moving things up, I'll have to stand on a box to get them down! Ouch! If I crowd that stuff too much, I seem to be prone to knocking one thing off on my head while reaching for another. No! Don't fall in there!! Yuck.
OK, so I put the prone to falling on my head (and elsewhere) items in a little basket. That way I can slide it out, get what I want out of it, and slide it back. Now, where do I put the washcloths and hand towels that were in it? If only my bathroom were bigger! I know! I'll move the toilet tissue from the shelf to under the sink. Wait, remember what happened last summer when the grands were running in and out filling water balloons? Had to throw away a whole package of tissue that somehow got wet under there. That's why I moved it up to the shelf.
There's only one rational plan. I'll hit the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores tomorrow and find a computer stand. Then I can use Mama's little sewing table for sewing! What a grand idea! Why didn't I think of that sooner? Now, about that mail...
Monday, March 30, 2009
I Have a Plan (Sort of)
I am making a sort of plan on how to reach the goal of making a 'Mama memory' quilt. I will be without regular RA meds for about 2 more weeks, BUT I am on good ol' prednisone. So I am not feeling too bad. I have been checking out some quilt designs and instructions, and checking out the materials from Mama's wardrobe that I want to use. And I'm getting some ideas.
But I need to check out the machine and see if it still works! Mama had macular degeneration the last several years of her life, and had not been able to see well enough to sew. It has not been used for a good while. And I need to do some practicing with it, to be sure I can actually use it. I haven't done any 'real' sewing since Mama was still using her Singer cabinet model, and that has been a very long time. So I think I will join in with the gals making the denim picnic quilt. My grands love picnics better than almost anything, and it will get a lot of use. If I get it done. If the machine works.
I have been thinking about the materials I am planning on using, and they are of varying textures and weights. Could this be a problem? Some are very sturdy and some are delicate. Some are older and some are newer. I think it is going to take special care to make it all come together. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! It occurred to me that if my hands are up to it, I might use some of the more delicate fabrics to make flower petals and applique them onto squares of sturdier fabric. Sewing the squares together should be easy, right?
If anybody has any thoughts, I'm listening!
But I need to check out the machine and see if it still works! Mama had macular degeneration the last several years of her life, and had not been able to see well enough to sew. It has not been used for a good while. And I need to do some practicing with it, to be sure I can actually use it. I haven't done any 'real' sewing since Mama was still using her Singer cabinet model, and that has been a very long time. So I think I will join in with the gals making the denim picnic quilt. My grands love picnics better than almost anything, and it will get a lot of use. If I get it done. If the machine works.
I have been thinking about the materials I am planning on using, and they are of varying textures and weights. Could this be a problem? Some are very sturdy and some are delicate. Some are older and some are newer. I think it is going to take special care to make it all come together. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! It occurred to me that if my hands are up to it, I might use some of the more delicate fabrics to make flower petals and applique them onto squares of sturdier fabric. Sewing the squares together should be easy, right?
If anybody has any thoughts, I'm listening!
Friday, March 27, 2009
I Have a Dream! Can I Make it Come True?
A few years ago when I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (a form of RA) I had already given up so many things I couldn't do any more because of my painful, swollen hands. The one I missed most was embroidery. I used to sit in the evenings, stitching away through the news, I carried projects with me to waiting rooms, and even to work for break times and lunch. The last project I did was Christmas ornaments. For a while I kept on trying, then switched to plastic canvas. Finally I just quit trying.
The only thing I can still do is type. And I get a great joy from expressing my feelings and thoughts in this way. Right now, I have been taken off all my major meds for a time, and am beginning to see a difference already in my typing ability! Much slower, more clumsy, more mistakes. BUT it's just for a while! And I have decided not to give in. I am coming back with a vengeance. As soon as I am back on my meds, I am going to start a project. Not embroider, I just can't push and pull the needle BUT I am going to learn how to quilt! I can machine stitch the pieces, can't I? And can't I knot it instead of quilting? I remember having lots of them with yarn knots when we were kids - Mama called them 'comforters'.
So, anybody with quilting experience (hint: yes, you) who is willing to give me beginners advice, I will be more than happy to hear and learn. I lost my sweet Mama about a year ago, and I would like to make a Mama quilt with some of her favorite clothes that all her kids and grands and greatgrands will remember seeing her wear. I must confess I don't (didn't) even own a sewing machine, but I now have Mama's little portable one. So bring on the advice for truly novice, beginning, baby-step quilters. I won't get my meds back for a few weeks, so I have time to pick the garments I want to use, and I can get my grands to help me cut pieces.
It will have to be somethng simple, but I kind of wanted somethng a little more than just squares of fabric. Are my goals too high? I'm starting to waver, here. Maybe I should just gather up my material and take it to an accomplished quilter? What do you think? Input! Input!
The only thing I can still do is type. And I get a great joy from expressing my feelings and thoughts in this way. Right now, I have been taken off all my major meds for a time, and am beginning to see a difference already in my typing ability! Much slower, more clumsy, more mistakes. BUT it's just for a while! And I have decided not to give in. I am coming back with a vengeance. As soon as I am back on my meds, I am going to start a project. Not embroider, I just can't push and pull the needle BUT I am going to learn how to quilt! I can machine stitch the pieces, can't I? And can't I knot it instead of quilting? I remember having lots of them with yarn knots when we were kids - Mama called them 'comforters'.
So, anybody with quilting experience (hint: yes, you) who is willing to give me beginners advice, I will be more than happy to hear and learn. I lost my sweet Mama about a year ago, and I would like to make a Mama quilt with some of her favorite clothes that all her kids and grands and greatgrands will remember seeing her wear. I must confess I don't (didn't) even own a sewing machine, but I now have Mama's little portable one. So bring on the advice for truly novice, beginning, baby-step quilters. I won't get my meds back for a few weeks, so I have time to pick the garments I want to use, and I can get my grands to help me cut pieces.
It will have to be somethng simple, but I kind of wanted somethng a little more than just squares of fabric. Are my goals too high? I'm starting to waver, here. Maybe I should just gather up my material and take it to an accomplished quilter? What do you think? Input! Input!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A Pretty Good Weekend
Well, nothing this weekend went the way I anticipated, which in some ways was good. Had all three grandchildren, and had planned several crafty ideas, with a little help from my friends! But the weather was beautiful, and we spend most of our time outside. They rode bikes and we loaded up and went to the neighborhood park Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon my daughter took all three on what was supposed to be a skating expedition, but they decided they didn't want to skate, so they went to McDonald's and then she took them to a bigger park with more play equipment, and trails to walk.
I had to be up early every morning and take the little lamb that stayed all night with me to my daughter's house so she could go to work. This got her good and awake, and she didn't want to lie back down and go to sleep and soon had everybody else up too early, which annoyed me until I figured out that the earlier they were up the earlier they would run down and be ready to go to bed.
Today before Sunday School we had doughnuts at the church coffee bar. After church we went out for dinner and had chinese. I like to take them there because everyone can find something they like and at least one vegetable they will eat. I thought I was going to have to empty my pockets to convince 'the beggar' that I didn't have any extra money to get her a light-up necklace they had for sale by the cash register.
All the way from church to the restaurant, 'the beggar' and 'the lawyer' pelted me with questions about where we were going to eat. I said, 'You'll see when we get there.' And I told them, 'I'm tired of you all arguing and disagreeing about what you want to do and where you want to go. From now on, I will take you where I think is best, and today we are going to eat somewhere that I like.' The 'lawyer' asked, 'Is it going to be this way from now on?' and I said YES. Strangely enough, they settled right down and didn't give me any more guff! How about that? And when we pulled into the parking lot, they all tumbled out of the car very cheerful and not one complaint. Do you think I am on to something?
After dinner we went home and then they decided they wanted to go back to the park, so we took a neighbor child along and back to the park we went. They played happily beside the creek, picking up tiny little shells of impossibly tiny snails and other little creatures, when they weren't swinging or climbing or chasing each other. I finally drug them home, dirty but happy, and took 'the beggar' back down to her mother's house. All in all, it was a pretty good weekend.
I had to be up early every morning and take the little lamb that stayed all night with me to my daughter's house so she could go to work. This got her good and awake, and she didn't want to lie back down and go to sleep and soon had everybody else up too early, which annoyed me until I figured out that the earlier they were up the earlier they would run down and be ready to go to bed.
Today before Sunday School we had doughnuts at the church coffee bar. After church we went out for dinner and had chinese. I like to take them there because everyone can find something they like and at least one vegetable they will eat. I thought I was going to have to empty my pockets to convince 'the beggar' that I didn't have any extra money to get her a light-up necklace they had for sale by the cash register.
All the way from church to the restaurant, 'the beggar' and 'the lawyer' pelted me with questions about where we were going to eat. I said, 'You'll see when we get there.' And I told them, 'I'm tired of you all arguing and disagreeing about what you want to do and where you want to go. From now on, I will take you where I think is best, and today we are going to eat somewhere that I like.' The 'lawyer' asked, 'Is it going to be this way from now on?' and I said YES. Strangely enough, they settled right down and didn't give me any more guff! How about that? And when we pulled into the parking lot, they all tumbled out of the car very cheerful and not one complaint. Do you think I am on to something?
After dinner we went home and then they decided they wanted to go back to the park, so we took a neighbor child along and back to the park we went. They played happily beside the creek, picking up tiny little shells of impossibly tiny snails and other little creatures, when they weren't swinging or climbing or chasing each other. I finally drug them home, dirty but happy, and took 'the beggar' back down to her mother's house. All in all, it was a pretty good weekend.
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