Well, I didn't do very well on the to-do list; but I did get all the laundry except linens done. Lillian keeps telling me she will do it when she gets home, but I don't want her to have to do it.
I have to have a pre-op physical and series of tests as the ones from last October are too old-so that got scheduled for Monday afternoon. It really messes up my work schedule, but Siane will go with whatever I need to do, like going back and forth or just taking a sick day for the whole day. The pre-op people at Shady Grove Hospital were great; they told me that if my primary care office can't fit me in so close to surgery, they have a clinic I could go to. Nice to know, but not necessary.
I will be so glad when this is over!
I'm going to crochet tonight and not feel guilty. Now, I'm off to find a metric tape measure for Lou (don't ask me why, I'm not sure I want to know).
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Another click, another clack
http://becauseimatterchallenge.blogspot.com
Go look, maybe join. Once in a while we do need to take a step back and focus on ourselves. This challenge does just that: make a list of projects for you, and finish them throughout the summer. Hmmm, spoiling ourselves for a change? what a concept! I'm not sure I'm going to be able to meet this challenge, but again, it gives me something to focus on besides dealing with cancer.
Yesterday at work the system was down most of the day for an upgrade and the training session had been scheduled for Friday. Though I don't work Fridays, it seemed to me a smart thing to plan on being there. About mid-morning, I got an email that the session had been switched to Thursday. It took me about an hour to reschedule everything from Thursday to other days, and I wasn't a particularly happy camper. But, I did my thing and got work done then went for my haircut. And I got them all cut-but back to that in a moment. When I got home there was a message that the session had been canceled altogether because there were problems with the upload. Pissed me off a bit, but I'll deal.
Yes, I got them all cut. I explained to Elizabeth what's going on and that I basically needed a haircut that would be easy to manage and not develop into bedhead hair, and so I went from shoulder length to barely there-a feminine kind of boy cut. It's very feathered on the top and sides but real short in the back-perfect. it will probably shock some people, but they forget that I usually get it cut short in the spring so I can drive Miss Lucy with the top down and not have hair all over the place.
I'm hoping to get Donna's apron mostly finished today once I stop wandering around the internet. I'm not sure when the dog show circuit starts, but I want to be able to check off something on my list of to-dos. It would be nice to finish Emma's and Gadha's too, because those are money generators, but they both understand that it may not happen BS (before surgery) so, though on the to-do list, we'll see.
I'm acknowledging the fact that I am not Superwoman, and that I will not get all my to-dos done BS. Oh, well. I think maybe if I prioritize what I want to do, some of it will get done. Probably the things (livingroom piles, diningroom table stuff) that drive Lou crazy are the ones I should start with.......
Well, I'm going to sign off and see if I can shake off this "want to get back in bed because it's ugly outside" mood and get moving.
Go look, maybe join. Once in a while we do need to take a step back and focus on ourselves. This challenge does just that: make a list of projects for you, and finish them throughout the summer. Hmmm, spoiling ourselves for a change? what a concept! I'm not sure I'm going to be able to meet this challenge, but again, it gives me something to focus on besides dealing with cancer.
Yesterday at work the system was down most of the day for an upgrade and the training session had been scheduled for Friday. Though I don't work Fridays, it seemed to me a smart thing to plan on being there. About mid-morning, I got an email that the session had been switched to Thursday. It took me about an hour to reschedule everything from Thursday to other days, and I wasn't a particularly happy camper. But, I did my thing and got work done then went for my haircut. And I got them all cut-but back to that in a moment. When I got home there was a message that the session had been canceled altogether because there were problems with the upload. Pissed me off a bit, but I'll deal.
Yes, I got them all cut. I explained to Elizabeth what's going on and that I basically needed a haircut that would be easy to manage and not develop into bedhead hair, and so I went from shoulder length to barely there-a feminine kind of boy cut. It's very feathered on the top and sides but real short in the back-perfect. it will probably shock some people, but they forget that I usually get it cut short in the spring so I can drive Miss Lucy with the top down and not have hair all over the place.
I'm hoping to get Donna's apron mostly finished today once I stop wandering around the internet. I'm not sure when the dog show circuit starts, but I want to be able to check off something on my list of to-dos. It would be nice to finish Emma's and Gadha's too, because those are money generators, but they both understand that it may not happen BS (before surgery) so, though on the to-do list, we'll see.
I'm acknowledging the fact that I am not Superwoman, and that I will not get all my to-dos done BS. Oh, well. I think maybe if I prioritize what I want to do, some of it will get done. Probably the things (livingroom piles, diningroom table stuff) that drive Lou crazy are the ones I should start with.......
Well, I'm going to sign off and see if I can shake off this "want to get back in bed because it's ugly outside" mood and get moving.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Hot day
Another beautiful day here today, I could almost get to like it if it stayed this way; but tonight the temperatures will drop, we'll have rain, and tomorrow will be miserable. Okay, not miserable, just crappy.
I'm lining up all the ducks in a row regarding the surgery and feeling pretty good about it. The insurance is taken care of, I should be getting the updated requirement sheet from the surgeon today or tomorrow, and I've got a comfortable terry cover up for wearing home.
Now, to the IMPORTANT news: My daughter, Lillian Rose, is a published author!! Her advisor from Brown, Jim, finally got one of the papers together and it has "gone to press". So very cool and amazing, of course she is the last author, but Lou says that means she did all the work. I do remember seeing lots of those images on her computer screen. But it is definitely cool.
KS is cruising along. She called me today after her meeting with her advisor and asked, "How would you like to go to Spain or maybe Latin America over winter break?" It seems she was talking to Wey-Gomez about an honors thesis, and he suggested she would learn so much more from research looking at the the actual paintings rather than just studying them in books. I wonder if he has a cutting of the money tree we could transplant so it would be blooming nice big hundred dollar bills by winter break.....
Tara got me interested in looking at a few sites she visits, and I signed on to do a quilt-along. I have never really quilted before, but this is an easy nine patch pattern that I think even I could do without messing up. the idea is to do a square a day (or like 7 on the weekend) and by mid-summer have enought to put together as a quilt. I may wimp out and only make it baby sized and then I'll have the perfect gift for Jamie's one-on-the-way. Since she's due in August, I would be able to have it finished by the shower. Sounds like a plan, right?
I'm lining up all the ducks in a row regarding the surgery and feeling pretty good about it. The insurance is taken care of, I should be getting the updated requirement sheet from the surgeon today or tomorrow, and I've got a comfortable terry cover up for wearing home.
Now, to the IMPORTANT news: My daughter, Lillian Rose, is a published author!! Her advisor from Brown, Jim, finally got one of the papers together and it has "gone to press". So very cool and amazing, of course she is the last author, but Lou says that means she did all the work. I do remember seeing lots of those images on her computer screen. But it is definitely cool.
KS is cruising along. She called me today after her meeting with her advisor and asked, "How would you like to go to Spain or maybe Latin America over winter break?" It seems she was talking to Wey-Gomez about an honors thesis, and he suggested she would learn so much more from research looking at the the actual paintings rather than just studying them in books. I wonder if he has a cutting of the money tree we could transplant so it would be blooming nice big hundred dollar bills by winter break.....
Tara got me interested in looking at a few sites she visits, and I signed on to do a quilt-along. I have never really quilted before, but this is an easy nine patch pattern that I think even I could do without messing up. the idea is to do a square a day (or like 7 on the weekend) and by mid-summer have enought to put together as a quilt. I may wimp out and only make it baby sized and then I'll have the perfect gift for Jamie's one-on-the-way. Since she's due in August, I would be able to have it finished by the shower. Sounds like a plan, right?
Monday, April 27, 2009
The azaleas are out!
When I got home from work today, the azalea transplants were starting to open! Lou thinks they would not have survived another season in the sideyard, and I agree. They're so pretty, when they're a little fuller I will take a picture to share. And, in the shade bed under the magnolia, the lillies of the valley are opening. This is really one of my favorite flowers from childhood. We had a huge patch in the backyard, up against the neighbor's garage. I like to think the fairies really are out there among the leaves, and in the very quietest part of the night, they come out to play the "white coral bells". It must be incredibly sweet music.
Leslie really liked her apron, and she plans on wearing it when she gives a party next and when people ask where she got it, she's going to say "I know this woman who makes these incredible aprons. Would you like her web address?" So, I guess that means I have to get this surgery under my belt and get sewing. That's okay, it's rarely a hardship for me to sit down at the machine. I want to make a variety of half and full bib styles, G-d knows I have enough patterns and enough ideas of changing them that I won't run out of styles very soon. and therein lies the rub: how do I decide which styles to concentrate on? Most of my apron wearing friends prefer full styles so they have lots of hand wiping space. I prefer half aprons for "show". Well, I'll figure it out eventually.
Next on the list is Donna's dog grooming apron. The material is so cute, little paw prints all over the place on a pale tan background. I'll be making a smock type covering, with sleeves, and nice pockets for tools. She's asked for velcro on the pockets to keep things from slipping out, but I think that will just collect dog hair. I'm thinking more along the lines of short zippers. So, tomorrow after AC Moore I will start drafting her pattern, and hopefully she will be done by the weekend.
I think Gadha's mother and daughter matching styles will be similar to the one I made for Leslie. Simple, with style, and washable!
Hmm, am I having too much fun with this? Maybe, maybe not.
Today at lunch Angie was making an ankle bracelet from the stuff we got last week, and I put it on to model and told her I was keeping it. I know she won't let me pay for it, and it's so cute and feminine. Shiny silver, too, my favorite, although as Lou says, since it's just silvertone it will probably turn my skin green if I leave it on too long....we've had that happen before.
Well, I think I'm going out on the deck to enjoy the bat show until it's too dark. good dreams to all.
Leslie really liked her apron, and she plans on wearing it when she gives a party next and when people ask where she got it, she's going to say "I know this woman who makes these incredible aprons. Would you like her web address?" So, I guess that means I have to get this surgery under my belt and get sewing. That's okay, it's rarely a hardship for me to sit down at the machine. I want to make a variety of half and full bib styles, G-d knows I have enough patterns and enough ideas of changing them that I won't run out of styles very soon. and therein lies the rub: how do I decide which styles to concentrate on? Most of my apron wearing friends prefer full styles so they have lots of hand wiping space. I prefer half aprons for "show". Well, I'll figure it out eventually.
Next on the list is Donna's dog grooming apron. The material is so cute, little paw prints all over the place on a pale tan background. I'll be making a smock type covering, with sleeves, and nice pockets for tools. She's asked for velcro on the pockets to keep things from slipping out, but I think that will just collect dog hair. I'm thinking more along the lines of short zippers. So, tomorrow after AC Moore I will start drafting her pattern, and hopefully she will be done by the weekend.
I think Gadha's mother and daughter matching styles will be similar to the one I made for Leslie. Simple, with style, and washable!
Hmm, am I having too much fun with this? Maybe, maybe not.
Today at lunch Angie was making an ankle bracelet from the stuff we got last week, and I put it on to model and told her I was keeping it. I know she won't let me pay for it, and it's so cute and feminine. Shiny silver, too, my favorite, although as Lou says, since it's just silvertone it will probably turn my skin green if I leave it on too long....we've had that happen before.
Well, I think I'm going out on the deck to enjoy the bat show until it's too dark. good dreams to all.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Softly comes the night
Well, I feel like I've had a busy weekend and enjoyed every minute of it! I got caught up with my Weight Watcher buddies and am still doing fine on the scale so to speak; it may only be in tiny increments, but I continue to lose weight which means I'm probably not stress eating (and isn't that a surprise?).
I found a place to recycle the packing peanuts and Friday Lou and I took 6 black garbage bags of peanuts to the Mailboxes Plus on Rockville Pike. The guy was really glad to have them, and I'm glad they aren't going into the landfill. We also sent the cuckoo clock up to Brown for the exhibit Sarah is helping to organize as part of one of her classes and was able to send it from the place we recycled the peanuts. I have one big box and half a bag left of peanuts, but Angie wants them for when she moves to South Carolina. I also got the rest of the OR boxes unpacked, it was a major undertaking, but everything is organized in the yellow room and once I'm feeling better after surgery, I will start working on the doll clothes.
Saturday I straightened up Sarah's room so she'll have a bed to sleep in when she gets home, the other stuff she will have to decide if it's "get rid of, store, or find a new place for". She will have all summer to do it. Now, I just need to rearrange the master bedroom so that it will be easy for me when I get home from the surgery.
Today was anothe spectacular weather day. I mowed the lawn early before it got too hot, and while Lou dealt with the plants, I started moving the trimmings and dead limbs from the "junk" pile by the fence to the area in the sideyard I want to passive compost in. We actually made two piles, one of kindling and one of compost. I got about half way through the pile and decided it was getting too hot to keep going. After a quick shower, we went to B3 (Bed Bath and Beyond) and got the terry cover ups they had advertised this week, I figure they will be good for post surgery as they are light and non-restrictive. We also stopped at the store and stocked up on the steaks on sale for when Lill is home. We do like our red meat, that girl and me.
Once home I started on a new apron idea I wanted to try, a full apron with a flounce (not ruffle) that I wanted to make reversible. I made it in Leslie's colors, her kitchen is black and gray, so one side is a black print on a very light cream background, and the other side is a Sabbat print in blue on white. so, she will get it as a gift. There is a slight "bleeding" of color through, but as this was a prototype, it doesn't matter that much-but I did decide it's not a pattern I want to use for reversible again. I will probably make it up in the yellow stripe and blue/yellow floral print for Lill so she'll have an apron to use on a daily basis. And, speaking of daily basis, please go visit: http://nationalapronday.ning.com
and read about National Apron Day. I plan on making something new for myself to wear that Monday, maybe a showy little hostess half apron. I also want to order some of the matzo print fabric online so that I can make Passover and Chanukah reversibles, and I still think I'll make a few Christmas and Chanukah reversibles for the mixed families we know.
I hadn't been to the swap site for a few days, and what I read there today upset me a bit. There are some people who haven't honored their commitment and sent their partners their aprons. I feel bad-I know I couldn't wait to get mine and I couldn't wait to hear what my partner thought of hers. There's been some discussion about how people feel, and of course there really is no way to know if people will flake or not. i'm really glad my partner didn't because I've made a new friend from this who loves the same needlecrafts I do; sewing, knitting, crochet. Love and kisses to you, Tara! And I've made another friend, Karlie, who also loves needlework. It's a joy to me to have these girls to email with and check their blogs and see what's going on in their lives.
Louis, the love of my life, continues to absolutely pamper me. He always has, but now with this surgery ahead of us, he is taking extra care to see to my needs. So, imagine how touched I was when I went out on the deck yesterday and saw the lounge chairs set up next to each other. I made a gin and tonic for us to share, and as we sat he remarked how the chairs were the perfect height to filter the sun on the plants he'd moved outside and to keep them for getting sunburned while they reacclimated to the outdoors. I said, "So, this wasn't set up for us to enjoy the evening?" and his answer was, "well, that's an added benefit"....what can I say?
Tomorrow I'll see if I can get a hair appointment because it's really too long to be driving around with the top down on Miss Lucy. I'm about a month overdue for the convertible haircut, but since it was so cold and rainy I didn't rush it. After this weekend, I KNOW I need it cut.
The only other possible score on tap is that the AC Moore online ad this week showed Adirondack chairs. When I called the store, I was told they have a lot in stock. We were going to go and pick them up, but when I got ready to print the coupon, they had two: one for 25% off the entire purchase this week, and one for 50% off one item on Tuesday only. So, we will print two coupons and go pay for them separately, and then Lou will have a job to put them together and stain them. It was really weird that they advertised them this week because I had just said to him I'd really like two chairs on the front stoop, and he said he'd really like Adirondack chairs in wood, not another plastic one like the one we have from Everett St. the only other ones I'd seen were $99 at World Market, so now I will have my chairs for about $70 instead! I just love that store!
I found a place to recycle the packing peanuts and Friday Lou and I took 6 black garbage bags of peanuts to the Mailboxes Plus on Rockville Pike. The guy was really glad to have them, and I'm glad they aren't going into the landfill. We also sent the cuckoo clock up to Brown for the exhibit Sarah is helping to organize as part of one of her classes and was able to send it from the place we recycled the peanuts. I have one big box and half a bag left of peanuts, but Angie wants them for when she moves to South Carolina. I also got the rest of the OR boxes unpacked, it was a major undertaking, but everything is organized in the yellow room and once I'm feeling better after surgery, I will start working on the doll clothes.
Saturday I straightened up Sarah's room so she'll have a bed to sleep in when she gets home, the other stuff she will have to decide if it's "get rid of, store, or find a new place for". She will have all summer to do it. Now, I just need to rearrange the master bedroom so that it will be easy for me when I get home from the surgery.
Today was anothe spectacular weather day. I mowed the lawn early before it got too hot, and while Lou dealt with the plants, I started moving the trimmings and dead limbs from the "junk" pile by the fence to the area in the sideyard I want to passive compost in. We actually made two piles, one of kindling and one of compost. I got about half way through the pile and decided it was getting too hot to keep going. After a quick shower, we went to B3 (Bed Bath and Beyond) and got the terry cover ups they had advertised this week, I figure they will be good for post surgery as they are light and non-restrictive. We also stopped at the store and stocked up on the steaks on sale for when Lill is home. We do like our red meat, that girl and me.
Once home I started on a new apron idea I wanted to try, a full apron with a flounce (not ruffle) that I wanted to make reversible. I made it in Leslie's colors, her kitchen is black and gray, so one side is a black print on a very light cream background, and the other side is a Sabbat print in blue on white. so, she will get it as a gift. There is a slight "bleeding" of color through, but as this was a prototype, it doesn't matter that much-but I did decide it's not a pattern I want to use for reversible again. I will probably make it up in the yellow stripe and blue/yellow floral print for Lill so she'll have an apron to use on a daily basis. And, speaking of daily basis, please go visit: http://nationalapronday.ning.com
and read about National Apron Day. I plan on making something new for myself to wear that Monday, maybe a showy little hostess half apron. I also want to order some of the matzo print fabric online so that I can make Passover and Chanukah reversibles, and I still think I'll make a few Christmas and Chanukah reversibles for the mixed families we know.
I hadn't been to the swap site for a few days, and what I read there today upset me a bit. There are some people who haven't honored their commitment and sent their partners their aprons. I feel bad-I know I couldn't wait to get mine and I couldn't wait to hear what my partner thought of hers. There's been some discussion about how people feel, and of course there really is no way to know if people will flake or not. i'm really glad my partner didn't because I've made a new friend from this who loves the same needlecrafts I do; sewing, knitting, crochet. Love and kisses to you, Tara! And I've made another friend, Karlie, who also loves needlework. It's a joy to me to have these girls to email with and check their blogs and see what's going on in their lives.
Louis, the love of my life, continues to absolutely pamper me. He always has, but now with this surgery ahead of us, he is taking extra care to see to my needs. So, imagine how touched I was when I went out on the deck yesterday and saw the lounge chairs set up next to each other. I made a gin and tonic for us to share, and as we sat he remarked how the chairs were the perfect height to filter the sun on the plants he'd moved outside and to keep them for getting sunburned while they reacclimated to the outdoors. I said, "So, this wasn't set up for us to enjoy the evening?" and his answer was, "well, that's an added benefit"....what can I say?
Tomorrow I'll see if I can get a hair appointment because it's really too long to be driving around with the top down on Miss Lucy. I'm about a month overdue for the convertible haircut, but since it was so cold and rainy I didn't rush it. After this weekend, I KNOW I need it cut.
The only other possible score on tap is that the AC Moore online ad this week showed Adirondack chairs. When I called the store, I was told they have a lot in stock. We were going to go and pick them up, but when I got ready to print the coupon, they had two: one for 25% off the entire purchase this week, and one for 50% off one item on Tuesday only. So, we will print two coupons and go pay for them separately, and then Lou will have a job to put them together and stain them. It was really weird that they advertised them this week because I had just said to him I'd really like two chairs on the front stoop, and he said he'd really like Adirondack chairs in wood, not another plastic one like the one we have from Everett St. the only other ones I'd seen were $99 at World Market, so now I will have my chairs for about $70 instead! I just love that store!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Everyone's a Critic
So I sent the pictures of my apron to the kids to see, and of course KS has to comment on my clothes even though I told her I know she needs to remake my wardrobe. I could do it myself, but I've got other things to do. Besides, it gives her such pleasure to tell me I look like a dork. it must be a burden to have a mom like me-tough luck, girls! I think one of the best parts of life is to realize that no matter how hard we try or think we want to be different, we basically become our parents as we age. Since I really liked my parents, I think that is a good thing!
We are in for about four days of beautiful weather says weather.com, so we will be enjoying coffee on the deck watching the birds eat breakfast on the railing. They are so used to us already this spring that if they fly away when the door opens, they come right back within a few moments.
On my to-do list today are a variety of house jobs, none so big it will make me crazy (that job is scheduled for Saturday). Today I'm going to get Lill's room ready for her and do some sewing, maybe make an appointment for a hair cut. I need to find some place to recycle all the packing peanuts from the stuff sent from OR, right now I've got two and a half black garbage bags filled, three boxes to put into bags, and still about 6 boxes to unpack---that's Saturday's crazy job.
I have been getting lots of wonderful calls and emails from family and friends regarding the saga of Lefty and Righty. It's very true: what goes around comes around. After spending my life trying to be a good person and be available when I was needed, I am finding people are making themselves available to me. Weird place to be since I rarely ask for help-but it's still really comforting to know you are all out there, waiting to step up however I need you to. Thank G-d for you all.
We are in for about four days of beautiful weather says weather.com, so we will be enjoying coffee on the deck watching the birds eat breakfast on the railing. They are so used to us already this spring that if they fly away when the door opens, they come right back within a few moments.
On my to-do list today are a variety of house jobs, none so big it will make me crazy (that job is scheduled for Saturday). Today I'm going to get Lill's room ready for her and do some sewing, maybe make an appointment for a hair cut. I need to find some place to recycle all the packing peanuts from the stuff sent from OR, right now I've got two and a half black garbage bags filled, three boxes to put into bags, and still about 6 boxes to unpack---that's Saturday's crazy job.
I have been getting lots of wonderful calls and emails from family and friends regarding the saga of Lefty and Righty. It's very true: what goes around comes around. After spending my life trying to be a good person and be available when I was needed, I am finding people are making themselves available to me. Weird place to be since I rarely ask for help-but it's still really comforting to know you are all out there, waiting to step up however I need you to. Thank G-d for you all.
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