Waiting Game

So I've got a guy coming today to fix my washing machine.

Neat place that I called - they give you a two hour window to expect the guy, and they give you a link to a webpage to track the progress... So, my "window" is 11 - 1.  And the tracker page says I'm fourth in line.... and the page didn't start updating until 10.  And based on the info there, he still has the three appointments ahead of me....

So, there are some things I can putter away at, or I can hang out on the 'puter until he gets here.  I can actually do both... Need to run a mop over the kitchen floor - two dogs plus three days of rain equals lots of black foot prints.

Oh, I guess it might be obvious, but I did get the basement cleared enough for him to come and access the front and/or the back of the washing machine.

Now all I have to do is make sure the dogs behave.

So - off I go to wait... and wait.... and wait....

Shooting myself in the foot.

I really don't want to keep going to the laundromat.  I need to get my washing machine fixed.  I have a partial basement - not much room to move down there.  Low ceiling.  I'm short, and I've managed to bang my head on occasion.  So, I need to get my butt down there, and try to move the stored junk far enough to give a repair guy room to work.

So, what am I doing?  Sitting here, writing on my blog, and checking emails.

Need to stop shooting myself in the foot and wasting time and get down to the basement to clear it up.  I did some a few weeks ago, and made great progress, but for some reason, just went and stalled there.  Now, I just don't have the enthusiasm to keep going...

I gotta try to remember that I've accomplished a lot lately - some of it with help - and just keep going... Instead of giving up and getting frustrated at all the half-done jobs.  I mean, I actually finished some of the half done projects lately.  So, there are fewer of them.  And I'll be very happy when the rest are done.  So, I know I should get going.

Think I will :)   I'll share the rest of the pictures I took later this week, after I get the basement cleared out a bit more.

Better late than never...

I had company this afternoon, so I didn't get a chance to post.  I thought she was coming this morning, so I spent some time tidying up.  One of those friends you really don't need to tidy for, but I did anyway.

I guess I didn't post yesterday, though :(  Oh, well.

It has been raining here for two days - not pleasant at all.  Grey, cloudy, miserable, cold and wet.  And muddy foot prints everywhere!

Well, I have a bunch of pictures, but will just show a couple for now - I have a cat making typing difficult right now.

This is how the garden looked a couple weeks ago, when we were roughing out how big it was, how much dirt it needed, how it would be fenced in...  Then, we finally got around to finishing it.

As of right now, there are two rows of bean seeds right up against the garage wall end, and we will be putting in the tomato seedlings starting from the left hand side end.  Probably put in more beans once we know how much room we'll have left.  I know what everyone says about spacing plants, but there are plenty of small garden spaces that work, too.  If you water well, and feed nutrients, you can squeeze a lot into small spaces :)  

Behind the garden, you can kind of see one batch of chives, and one batch of rhubarb.  We have a second group of chives in another spot, and three other rhubarb mini-patches.  My lilac bushes are also along this side of the yard.  And, in the corner behind the chives, is the burlap bag over a tomato cage that I'd used to try to protect that rose bush I got for mother's day last year.  It didn't come back.  I'm hoping, though, that maybe just maybe the roots survived, and it may come back...

So, that is the start of my pictures of garden for this year.  I do have more, but like I said, I also have a cat on my arms, and typing isn't so easy.  She's cutting off the circulation on one arm again, and my fingers are getting tingly.... :P

Still Saturday, the 26th, still counts :)

Even if it is very late, and I'm pretty tired...

Today, we headed out to the seed store.  Bought some seed potatoes, some tomato starter plants (to supplement the ones we tried to plant) and picked up a couple other plants... I saw tomatillos, and figured, why not try them, so got two, and two okra plants.  I love okra.  And we grabbed some bean seeds.

We're still getting frost warnings, so we're going to wait a week to plant the seedlings.  But we built a potato tower today, and planted a few beans.  I first saw potato towers on Pinterest, and that led me to a blog with a tutorial.  Using materials on hand, we did the best we could.  It isn't super pretty, but we're hoping it will work.

Then, after doing several days' worth of dishes, I made Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches for supper.  First time trying it, and they turned out really good...

So, I will definitely have to download a bunch of the pictures I've been taking of the gardening stuff.  And I'll post them here. :)  Hubby wants me to send him pictures of the tower to show at work, so I really better get the pics downloaded. :)

Ok, so I'll write more tomorrow!

Shopping today

So, I was talking about the types of stores we have...

One of the major chains, I used to shop at all the time.  They were good.  BUT - in more recent years, they`ve gotten crazy with their pricing.  For example, we have a Steak Restaurant here.  Not sure if it is international; it might be... Anyway, seems they are now selling a steak spice under their name.  I was in the chain store for something else (now and again, I must go there for some items that aren`t carried anywhere else).  Saw the steak spice, and it was expensive.  Well, I hadn`t seen it anywhere else, and figured I`d try it, and maybe splurge now and again.  A small container (fits nice in the hand size) for $14.99.  Yes, that is ridiculous, I know...

Today, I was picking up some stuff at Wal Mart - we now have one they call ``Super``, that has a good grocery selection.  Guess what I saw in the spice aisle?  For $4.97??  Guess what I bought two of?

I was at my regular chain grocery store, and I was humming and hawwing about buying some Provalone cheese.  Last few days, DH and I were talking about Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches.  Well, I`m trying to hold to a bit of a budget, and we can use cheddar or maybe mozzerella... not that 6.97 was bad or anything, for the size and how long it will last, etc.  Anyway, I passed... Wal Mart, same brand, same size, package of Provalone - $5.47....  Guess what kind of cheese we`ll be using for our Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches tonight?

And here`s a really strange one - it was cheaper to buy a pound of butter than a one pound tub of margarine (oleo for my US readers).

Today was  a good day for shopping, even if I didn`t get a few of the things on my list because they were out.  And even if I did forget to throw the little gas can and the propane tank in the truck for the lawnmower and bbq respectively...

Tomorrow is another day, and we`ll be out picking up some seed potatoes and tomato plants anyway (yes, we started seeds, but we have such bad luck with them, that we want to play it safe), so we can do the gas things then.

Oops, I did it again

And I'm not even a Brittany Spears fan.  Well, not really.  Some of her stuff is good.

But yesterday, garbage day moved.  So, I spent the morning opening and closing the door for the dogs. It was also laundry day.  So, I had to pack up the stuff and be ready for going to the laundromat.  Which I couldn't do until the blue box guys came by.  Remember, their days are numbered, so I want to make sure the dogs get every chance to "greet" them.  (I don't worry about the type of greeting - it is hard to convince the dogs that it is OK for the guys to be taking our blue box and the stuff in it, lol - but since the guys smile and wave at the dogs, I don't think they are bothered by the barking).

Then, of course, there was the time spent away from home.  While waiting for the wash to be done, I walked over to the library, got the book I had on hold, and checked out a couple other things.  Didn't stay long, because I recalled that I was also going to run into the smaller grocery store and grab some bread.  We have three basic classes of food stores.  Major chain grocery stores - these are large, with a lot of selection, and generally great prices enhanced by weekly specials.  Some of them also carry other goods- the one I frequent also sells housewares, and an interesting collection of clothing items - I got my basic work wardrobe from them.   Then there are smaller grocery stores.  These are often affiliated with the chain stores, but may be independently owned or franchised.  They don't have as great a selection as the big stores, but do have a wide range of goods.  So, you can do your weekly shopping there, and probably eat quite well. Except, you really need to depend on their weekly specials, because that will bring the prices inline with the major stores.  Yes, these little stores are a bit more pricey.  I really only buy from this store when it is just a bit more convenient than driving to the big store for one or two items - bread for example.  I also buy a Saturday newspaper and our weekly lottery tickets from this store.  They also happen to have a ticketmaster outlet, and I was able to buy the tickets for my grand daughter and I to go see CATS there.  They also developed what they call a "dollar wall" - a mini dollar store.  I looked at the pet section, thinking I'd treat the dogs like I sometimes do when I have a lot of errands needing doing.  Guilt gifts, perhaps... BUT - since all of the "edible" products were made in China, I passed.  Too many current recalls for my liking...  Finally, there are convenience stores - two major chains that I can recall at this moment, and they are way super high on the price.  They have a very small selection of goods - literally emergency needs.  A couple types of canned soups, bread and milk, lots of snack foods like chips and drinks.  Basically, not where you would shop - I've had ocassion throughout my life to attempt to buy things from one of these stores, and generally - can never find what I needed.  Really, only when my son was young, and we'd sometimes splurge on the fountain type drinks and snacks... and the odd time, when I was desperate and couldn't wait for milk.  Rarely bothered to buy bread there - usually at least three times the price.

Anyway, I digress.  Yesterday, I went to the middle size store, bought the bread, and while perusing the pet and dollar section, saw some neat sparkly bobby pins.  I don't really need them for my hair (I have plain ones for that) but took a pack of the sparkly ones to use for stitch marking ;)

Anyway, by the time I was done everything, I didn't get back onto the computer, so I sort of forgot I hadn't blogged yesterday. :(

DH is home sick today - he really hurt his back at work yesterday.  And I haven't dug out the camera cord yet... though I did spend some time yesterday clearing the "dumping area" that I believe it to be under...

Wake up call

First off, I didn't share any pictures because I seem to have temporarily misplaced my cord.  The one that joins the camera to the computer.  Just had a thought, I'm supposed to be able to insert the card from the camera right into a slot on the laptop... hm, maybe something to try later.

For now, though, I think I need to start remembering to clear off space on the machine.  And protect certain files...

If I lose some of the free patterns I've been saving, well, I can always find them again.  But, the pictures and my original files are another story - if they are gone, they're lost forever.  So, I need to stop forgetting or putting off the task of burning them onto disks.

Had a bit of a scare earlier today.  The laptop turned itself off.  Had to run the repair files... Works fine, didn't loose anything except a game.  It was a good game, though, and one I can't replace easily.  There is a website, that has free give aways.  giveawayoftheday.com as a matter of fact.  (I didn't make it clickable, sorry).  They offer some sort of computer program free every day.  Some are worth having, others not so much.  On weekends, though, they also have a sister site, gamegiveawayoftheday.com and sometimes, there are some cool games.

The catch- they are only free for 24 hours.

So, I downloaded one this past weekend... and now it is gone... :(

Oh, well, sometimes they repeat.

Anyway, starting tomorrow, I will definitely make sure to start burning pictures and critical files.  Might even delete some of them.  Before backing them up even! ;)

And I should be able to find my cord soon - I pretty much know where it is, just that it got some library books and a few newspapers and flyers put on top this weekend, so I need to clean up that bit of a pile.

Another tough day

Tough to think what to write!  We spent some yard time yesterday.  DH cleaned out the eavestroughs/rain gutters.  Second time this spring!  stupidtreeflowersandseeds.  That made him wonder about the rain barrel.  So, he opened the top.  Most of the stuff was floating, and he hand-skimmed it.  I gave him one of my new kitchen skimmers to finish off.  It is only water, and will be washed well.  I bought them for making breaded shrimp.  Anyway - he used a long stick and tested the bottom - though there might be a lot of stuff down there. We pondered the problem of how to clean it out (mostly we thought we could just do it when we drain for the winter, but now realize it needs regular checking, just like the eaves troughs).  I wandered through our garage, spotted some wire coat hangers.  I refuse to part with those yet.  Asked him if he had any scrap screen around... Bent the coat hanger, cut a piece of screening, stapled it on (the staples will rust over time, but we have more ;) and can fix as needed) and then we used a hose clamp to attach it to an old broom handle that was hanging out in the garage... Doesn't look half bad, and works like a charm :)

I think I really am turning green!  Recycling and no money investment at its finest!

We also put in a couple more patio blocks for our gazebo.  The ground has been so very dry, that digging to level out the floor was difficult for the first four.  I had thought that maybe if we watered the area a few hours before hand, that it might be easier.  Well, all that rain... even though most of the ground was protected by the gazebo cover, one side was wet.  Turns out, that mud is just as hard to work with...

Today - my sister is scheduled to come for a visit, so I don't know what all or how much we'll be doing...

I'll take pictures of the skimmer, though, so I have something to post tomorrow.  Maybe the gazebo floor in progress, too.

Knit a bunch last night and sharing a simple recipe.

And watched a couple recordings of Voyager.  I did keep getting interrupted by one of the kitties.  Ashleigh is not the type to like to be picked up and cuddled, but every so often, she decides to be affectionate on her terms - she'll come purring and kneading and rolling around on my lap - and she'll accept a lot of petting and stroking and scritching - but don't hug!!  Sometimes, she'll just keep up the rubbing and rolling for about 15 minutes to half an hour, other times, she'll suddenly decide to lick/wash my hand/arm.  And at still other times, she'll actually fall asleep for up to an hour.

Because these events don't happen often enough for a catlover's liking, I tend to let her stay as long as she wants, and work around her.  Trying not to disturb her.  Last night was one where she only stayed for five or ten minutes, then left for fifteen or so, then back for another short session - lather rinse repeat.  ;)

Yesterday, not much else happened, since it was raining all day.

This morning, I brought the seedlings out to get some sunshine (beautiful day today) and the poor little guy that I tried to rescue survived!!  I was so happy to see that.  He's a little sickly looking, but recovering.  I  know I'm going to keep track of him when we put them in the garden, and favour him and watch him all summer.  I know, it is "only" a plant, but get emotionally attached to things rather easily.  Which is why I'm such a pack rat...

Yesterday's highlight, though - by request I made one of my favourite dishes.  Chicken Mushroom Bake.  mmmmm..... :)

Easy to make - whole pieces of chicken (should be boneless, as it cooks up really tender, and sometimes, the bones get nice and soft, too)  - I used chicken breasts that I got on sale, cut them off the bone, saving the scraps for the next batch of stock.

Brown all sides of chicken in frying pan of butter and chopped garlic.

Mix together:  can of mushroom soup, 500 ml tub of sour cream, (sorry, been so long I don't know what the non metric equivalent is - talking the smaller size tub) and I like to also add a can of mushrooms.  What I do is drain the canned mushrooms, but keep the liquid.  I then chop up the mushrooms so they are smaller.  Then, while mixing the soup, sour cream, and extra mushrooms, I'll stir in some of the mushroom liquid to make it a bit more runny.

Place the browned chicken in a baking dish, (I scrape the butter/garlic bits in, too), pour sauce over, lift the meat gently so the sauce gets under it, too (I guess you could pour some sauce, then put in meat, then more sauce), bake at 350F for an hour.

Easy :)  And so good!!

One of the rare times that I still used pre-prepared ingredients - Until I get a chance to make more home made mushroom soups, I do confess to still using store bought mushroom soups and tomato soups for cooking with.  Not to eat straight from a bowl -  has to  be home made for that.  But to cook with.

Priorities

So, yesterday, I didn't post.  I know that, and I tried.  Several times, I opened up a browser tab to start a post, and ended up just closing it.  Sort of a metaphor for my life these days... Also, it seems like lately, I haven't been doing enough interesting things that are worth posting about.  I was trying to stop going on and on about the house, since I wasn't making any progress on it, despite my best efforts.

And there in lies the problem - my best efforts.

I start a project or a room, planning to get it done.  I sometimes make a bit of progress on the room/project. Sometimes it is even visible progress.  BUT then, something else comes up, and I have to switch priorities.  Like, when the sewer plugged up - I had to drop everything else, and clear the basement.  Then, something else happened, and I had to abandon the progress downstairs.  Then, the washing machine, so back to the basement.  Then I had to deal with outdoor stuff, then the bathroom needed a good cleaning again, so I figured I'd take the time, since I hadn't been folding the bath towels and putting them away, to straighten out the undersink cupboard and give it a wipe as well, then the bath towels could be put away -- I put everything left under the sink into a plastic tub.... When I washed my hair two days later, I realized the hair dryer was at the bottom of that tub.... In other words, something else took priority again.

I am having trouble with either too many things going critical all at once, or I'm having trouble deciding what to do first, or I'm having trouble saying, "too bad, that can wait, I have to finish this".  So, either I can't keep up, I can't think straight, or I can't be strong.

So, instead, I end up giving up on everything, and just wait for the next crisis to tell me what to do.  Now we're dealing with a preventative crisis - hearing about what happened to an acquaintance/co-worker of my husband - he had a chest freezer that was his meat freezer, and it died on him, and he doesn't know when that happened.... Lost everything in it.  Well, that made us think about our chest freezer.  And how we haven't seen inside it for a couple of years, because of all the stuff that was piled around and on it, because we are storing stuff for someone else and that got out of hand, and we are storing it in our off-season storage area, which meant our off season storage is now an issue, and last night it rained and the roof leaks (though it now seems the roof leaks worse than last year, or maybe it  was just the super hard rain we had - good news, the rain barrel functions as well as it is able)

And I end up feeling like I can't accomplish anything, so why try?  Not really depressed, not really frustrated, though both of those have similar symptoms.  More like just giving up.  Which is now affecting even the things I enjoy doing.  Like, I still haven't sought out the TV show, because I really shouldn't spend the time watching it when there are so many other things to do.  Or the movies I've recorded.  Or knitting... because those are all "rewards" and I haven't "earned" them yet.  Which makes me feel even worse.

I need to break out of this cycle of apathy....

Anyway, I didn't post yesterday.  Lost count of how many times that makes for this year - not making it to my goal.  I'm not considering that a total failure.  I'm still making the effort.  I'm still trying to keep discipline and "completion" or "success" in some small corner of my life so I can avoid feeling totally useless.

I've had trouble with self-esteem many times over my life - thought I was improving.  I guess I am, but it is still a fairly fragile healing....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are still with me - I did take a couple of pictures yesterday morning, of the garden, and of our tomato seedlings.  But, I didn't get them downloaded.  And, at one point, I went to check on the dogs, and discovered...  One of the dogs was happily chewing on a seedling pot... and a second was missing, located a few feet away.  The one dog got the most of my disappointment, but I suspect the other one started it...
Anyway, early yesterday morning, I lost one pot that hadn't shown signs of germination yet, and one that had two seedlings growing... I did try to salvage one, that I found that hadn't been damaged; it remains to be seen if it survived... :(

Can't think of a thing!

Watched rerun of NCIS last night - the season finale.  Got me thinking - the NCIS LA one kind of dragged - didn't need to be a two hour show in my opinion.  Especially after I watched the Criminal Minds 2 hr show.  That one was great!  I'd heard a cast member would be leaving, and it sure kept you on the edge of your seat to find out who and how!  Very exciting...

Did get several rows of knitting done, and spliced in the second ball of yarn.  Will see if this one is as bad as the first with the thick and thin bits.

Today is supposed to be a hot day - but the wind is pretty strong.  I may or may not put on shorts and hang around outside :)  Will see a bit later.

Should try to get out there, take a pic of the garden plot like I said I would.  We'll see.

Holidays Days

So, I mentioned my husband gets what are called "summer hours".  Basically, the company he works for came up with the idea that if people work an extra forty five minutes each day, then they can take a paid day off each pay period. Now, to avoid confusion and chaos, it isn't quite that simple -- The employee pool is divided into four teams.  Two teams get alternate Fridays off, the other two get alternate Mondays off.   So, there is always at least someone if not a few people in each department still there every day.  And, everyone gets lots of long weekends throughout the summer period.

Also, the teams are set up so that everyone has an equal opportunity for the extra long weekends that would occur around the long weekends that normally happen.  Most years, this might mean getting two Mondays (or Fridays) off in a row, and having to work two in a row at some point, so the weeks work out evenly.  This year, it just happens that there is no need to double up - the weeks worked out so that each team gets two four day weekends.

There are, for us anyway, normally four long weekends throughout the summer months.  Beginning with the May long weekend, celebrating Victoria Day.  Then, the July 1st or Canada Day weekend - this is one that really doesn't always fall on a weekend, or near enough to one.  But a lot of businesses will work around it, and  have employees work that day but take another off in its place...  The beginning of August gives us a "Civic Holiday" on the first Monday.  And in September we have Labour Day.

Now, this morning, while checking the website of the TV station that we usually watch the news on, I discovered that apparently, throughout the entire calendar year, we have 9 statutory holidays, which is apparently fewer than any other first-world country.  And apparently, this is supposed to be a bad thing.  I've blogged before about how I've felt about the decision to add a holiday in February - the shortest month.  And I know I've been accused before of not being able to relate because I don't work full time.  But, I have worked full time, and I still think it is just another excuse for people to not work and get paid.

I have just run into too many people who want/expect/demand more pay for less work.

A lot of the comments following the story, too, were talking about Sunday and holiday shopping as well - that people are being asked to work on those days.  Well - only in some sectors, and in some cases, the jobs are held by part time workers who appreciate the extra income and extra job experience - aka students.  One of the complaints was that people "used to" be able to do all their shopping etc. without needing to do it on Sundays.  Well, the thing is, that is in the days when most families were "traditional nuclear families"  - two parents, only one of whom worked outside the home.  So, there was time during the week and on Saturdays to do the errands and shopping.  Nowadays, though, there are more single parent families, both partners working full time, perhaps even with part time jobs to make ends meet, and if there are children involved in activities - well, there just isn't time during the week.  And not all stores are open late into the evenings.  So, Sunday shopping is a necessity for some.  Not a luxury.

I have time to do all that, being not employed outside the home, but I still support Sunday shopping.  Ever since I learned there were some people for whom Sunday is not the Sabbath day.  I always thought it unfair that they had to bow to Christian ideals, especially in a country that claims "freedom of religion".  I think we should make an effort to not just rephrase that, but to live the idea of "freedom FROM religion" as well....

Ok.  I think I've done my rant for now.  Only managed to do four rows of knitting yesterday... :(   While watching NCIS and NCISLA.  Will try to do better tonight...

Doggy Doctor

Well, there really isn't a lot to say - the dogs were super well behaved.  They got into the kennel with no trouble.  They were a little excited about getting to go somewhere.  And they wanted to visit the office cat and talk to all the humans in the waiting room.  But for the most part, they behaved themselves.

They were really good while they were being checked by the vet.  And no fuss when they got their needles.

It would have been nice if they didn't shed so much while they were there, lol... The joys of coat blowing combined with minor stress shedding....

Health wise - again, their weight is almost the same.  Well, they put on a bit since last year, but they are still growing.  But they weigh the same as each other.  Or, within two pounds of each other.  Last year, they were exactly the same weight.  BUT - more importantly, they are in the very healthy range.  The vet did mention that Delko's ribs were a little easier to feel, but nothing to worry about.  I'm glad, because he does eat!  He's just super active.  Trying to get him to play less or eat more would be next to impossible!

Everything else - perfect health.  :)  No issues at all.

I haven't knit on the shawl for a few days.  Well, I did do two rows last night - and at one point had dropped a stitch.  Took me three tries of recounting to find it.  Fixed it just fine; just had trouble finding it.  I'll get back into the knitting soon.  I just have a sort of "knitter's block" like a "writer's block".  I know where I'm going, what I'm doing, I just don't want to pick up the needles... Sometimes, I'll fight it by working on another project, or crochet for a while, or read a novel.  But because I want to finish this shawl in a timely manner, I'm not doing other things... I'm kind of forcing myself to continue.  But, I don't want to over do the forcing, or I'll go into shutdown instead of temporary break on it.

So, I'll try to get back to is tonight or tomorrow.  Now that there isn't  much to watch on TV, I'll be able to give the fiddly bits my full attention :)

Will let everyone know tomorrow how it goes! :)

Power dependant

I grew up in an era when we had electricity, but if there was a cloud in the sky, there was a good chance you could find yourself without power for hours.  Or, a fuse would blow fairly regularly.

These days, there are advances in technology and knowledge, and power outages are few and far between, and most often just appear as "blips" or "hiccups" in service.  Even fuses/breakers seldom interrupt day to day routines.   Sure, they still do their jobs, and you find that a circuit may be overloaded.  But for the most part, younger people of today are unfamiliar with the term "black out".

Well, last night was one of those exceptions.   We were happily watching the finale for Survivor, when in the last 15 minutes, we had a "blip".  Maybe lasted five seconds, if that, but enough to cause the TV box to reset.  Fine, we'd miss a bit, but there was nothing to do but wait...then, there was another blip.  And then a third... When the power shut down the fourth time, it didn't come back.   Since it was close to bedtime anyway, K. went to bed.  I stayed up, hoping.... checking outside in the neighbourhood to see if it was a "pole fire" (often occuring during wet weather, when  damp conditions cause a short in the wiring and the top of a hydro pole ignites) There were a lot of sirens around - one of my trips outside I overheard a dog-walker telling another neighbour the firetrucks were headed out one of the nearby streets... Anyway, it was sort of "painful" to see that the other side of one of the streets still had power.  Neighbours on this side were blacked out, but still - a couple hundred feet away, people were enjoying (maybe) the final moments of the Survivor finale reunion show....

Really, with all the excitement, I forgot one small detail.

So, I stayed up a little longer, paced a bit... finally went and did the bedtime routine things by flash light and battery operated LED lights.  I have this little LED fixture thingy above my sink, to make it easier sometimes when I'm washing dishes.  My sink is not below the kitchen window - oh, wait, you all know that, since I shared pics of my kitchen here before.  And I went to bed.

The power came back on, turned out an hour after going out.  I realized as I lay in bed that I needed to go back downstairs to turn off the living room light, and the TV.  It was acting funny, so it took a bit of effort, and the little light was on saying something was being taped.  I thought it was a glitch from being interrupted while recording the finale - - even though we were watching, I usually tape anyway, just in case.  And in past years, DH (which, for those non-craft-group readers, means "dear husband") might go to bed early so I keep the tape for a bit in case he wants to watch.  So, I checked what was being recorded, and the remote was acting up.  Giving me unexpected results when I pressed certain buttons....

Finally - discovered, if that is the right word, that what was being recorded was the final episode of the season of "Once Upon a Time".  DANG!!!!  Missed the first 45 minutes of it.

So, I need to go hunting for a video stream or whatever it is called.  The TV network that carries it, does show episodes via website, so I can go get it from there.  But darned inconvenient!!!

Otherwise, today is going to be a "take it easy day" - DH home from work (summer hours - don't know if I've blogged about those, but I will soon) and we took the dogs to the vet today. BUT - I'll blog about that tomorrow.  :)  So, now I have at least two topics I can blog about, just in case I can't think of anything else on those "short post" days :)

Another gorgeous day

So another excuse to say screw the house.

Yesterday, we got some of the mess I wanted done cleared up.  We put the cover on the gazebo.  And not much else.  Today, I want to get the grass cut.  Really my only goal today.

Last night, I was kind of ready to go to bed, but discovered that the last Harry Potter movie was just starting - so I stayed up to watch it.  I got it for Christmas on DVD, but since watching that means hooking the laptop to the TV, I just haven't really gotten around to watching it yet.

I must say - the whole movie series was handled rather well.  There were some things left out of the first couple that would turn out to be key to the plot line, but they recovered rather nicely later.  I really liked that they didn't leave out a couple of things that I was afraid they might.  I was a bit disappointed they really shortened the segment where Harry talked to Dumbledore's brother, but I guess since they'd cut out so much of that part in the earlier movies...

All in all, I enjoyed it.  Books are always better than movies, of course, but they did do a pretty good job.  Stayed to the general theme, and didn't change a bunch of stuff.

So, got a few more things to do, then I'm off the the great outdoors!! :)

Beautiful day, and BBT

Yesterday was crazy, but we spent most of the evening outside, and got our garden patch ready to go.  I mentioned we decided to expand it, and we were wondering about the additional dirt we'd need.  (hm, dirt vs soil - interesting how different words have different connotations about the same thing).  Anyway, because we'd had somewhat raised beds in the past, to be sure to have room for potatoes, turned out there was more than enough dirt/compost/soil to go around!  Then we talked about keeping the dogs out of the garden... and came up with a plan that might work.  In the past, we've wrapped the whole thing in chicken wire, which works for the dogs, but makes it awkward for the humans. This year, the dogs are older, and I came up with a suggestion, and hopefully it will work.... I'll try to take pictures soon.

Otherwise, today is going to be beautiful again, so we will try to spend more time working out doors.  We need to put the cover back on the gazebo, and we will be putting the patio blocks we took out for the garden down in the gazebo.  Won't cover the whole "floor", but should give a nice base.  Since the gazebo shelters the ground, and the grass in that area will die off, and since I like to save money whenever possible, and since gravel costs money, I thought it might be a good idea to "pave" the "floor".  And there is a corner of the yard that I want to clean up some.  We have a fire pit, and last year between wind, dogs, life, we didn't use it much. We have a wood pile that really needs some cleaning - we did stack stuff proper, but weeds grow through it, some branches for kindling kind of got a bit out of hand, a few other odds and ends of "mess" between wind, animals, and neighbours "borrowing" from our woodpile (we dont' know who, we just know the pile is smaller and since we didn't use it....)

Anyway - it is time for a  clearing out.  Bushes needing trims that I couldn't reach because of the woodpile, etc.

And, the grass probably all needs a cutting already, which means picking up the dog toys and bones and everything...

So, today, being so gorgeous out, I want to spend it outside!  (not that long ago, I wasn't an outdoor person!)

I almost forgot, too, yesterday to comment on my reaction to the last seconds of The Big Bang Theory the other day.  I think it was either "Oh, My God!"  or "Holy Sh*t!"  I think it was an even bigger shocker than last year's offering of Penny and Raj ending up in bed...

I can hardly wait for next season....

Oh, and I found out recently that for sure, one of my other faves of the new shows is definitely coming back for another season!!  Yay.  Still keeping fingers crossed on some of the others making a miraculous return.... (Hoping for Terra Nova, Pan Am, Criminal Minds Suspect Behaviour)  Haven't heard yet about Grimm, but definitely want that one back, too.  Most of the other shows I watch have been around long enough for me to feel comfortable that they will be back.  Or at least, they will not suddenly disappear, but will offer some form of "ending" or closure if they do go.

Short one again - not enough typing time.

No actual knitting got done last night, but math was done, and graphs were played with, and dogs were loved and snuzzled and played with... ;)

Today, I got my running around done, and hubby is leaving work early so I needs to go pick him up shortly.  So, I really dont' have a lot of typing time, so I guess it is a good thing I also don't have a lot to say.

Today I stopped off to pick up a fifth ball of yarn for the shawl, and instead of taking  my money, the ball was put aside for me.  :)  Just in case I don't need it... I thought that was really great of them :)  I have a wonderful new yarn store to shop at.  Which is a good thing, since the old one (which I always used to have good things to say about even before I worked there) is going down hill, both in product and service.

Anyway - I best get my butt in gear here.  Hopefully, will have a better report tomorrow. :)

Need to force the positive...

And share a picture :)  I'm really really really happy with the transition from one pattern to the other.  I'm also thinking... I may play around a bit with the pattern...

Here's the picture:

And a little closer:

As for the positive - I need to stop complaining about how crappy everything is.  I need to focus on things like the beautiful weather we had yesterday, and are supposed to get today.  Shorts weather!! :)  Not sure if I'll go that far or not, though.

We're working on expanding our small garden space.  I found something on the net that we're going to try for planting potatoes.  A variation on a "living fence post".  So, the other garden won't have to support potatoes this year.  Which is good, because I'm hoping for some tomatoes...  We do plant tomatoes, but never seem to get a great crop of them - the ones that do grow do fine, just not prolific.  Like, maybe three tomatoes per plant... One year, we had more than enough tomatoes to freeze, and to make sauces, and....  I'm hoping for another year like that.  So, more plants will be needed...

One of the things we were talking about yesterday involved my husband not looking forward to the next step - digging.  Me, I love the digging - great way to get rid of excess anger and frustration.  Just what I need to do these days!  And, I look forward, as I said, to the harvest.  Unfortunately, I consider the rest of it "necessary evil".  I hate planting, I hate watering, I hate weeding, I hate tending.... I know, all those "hate" words, and I want to be positive.  But, really, I only do those things because someone has to do them, and it is only fair that if I want the product of the garden, I should be willing to partake in the labour.  So I do it.  But if science ever invents "instant garden", I'll be there!!! ;)

So, this weekend will be very busy - our city encourages people to do a sort of "freecycle" thing city wide for one weekend in the spring, and one in the fall.  Anything you want to get rid of, that is in good condition, you put out on the boulevard in front of your house, with a "free" sign on it.  And then, you can drive around the city, looking for other neat junk to pick up.  Anything not gone by the Sunday night, though, you are supposed to put back in your yard/garage/house/whatever, or dispose of it appropriately.  There are some that don't follow that rule, but mostly everyone cleans up after.  Invariably, I get a phone call from my son - we have a pick-up truck...   Plus, this weekend is the one they are going to be selling composters and rain barrels.  I have three composters already, so I think I'm good for that.  And we did build the other rain barrel a couple weeks ago - and it was cheaper to build than buy, even at the "special rates" the city offers.  So, we won't be partaking.

And, I just found out that Saturday (usually they do it on Sundays) our museum/planetarium is offering their free admission day.  Wish I could afford the time to go - I haven't been in years.  I used to "haunt" the place...

And this weekend is Mother's Day.  I just found out with all the gardening that the rose bush I got last year didn't make it through the winter.  :(  I tried so hard...

I have a lot of other stuff going on, too, though mostly tomorrow... and Monday is the day to take the dogs to the vet.

Today, I need to get my butt down to the basement, move stuff around (again!) so I can get a repair guy in to do the washing machine.  I just moved stuff so the sewer guy could come in, now I have to move it all back and a little more moving besides!  Oh, well - I'll get to the fridge another day.

Big mistake but doing it anyway.

Beating myself up.  I have failed so far at doing anything I planned this week.  Life things just keep coming up that change any plans I make.  I'm very much sick of that.  I mean, I know, I have no control over it, but it still makes me mad.  If I don't plan anything, nothing else happens, but I end up not being able to think straight and figure out what I should do, because I have nothing in mind.  So, I get mad at myself for letting it get to me.  And I was so pissed off last night, I couldn't settle to concentrate on knitting...

This section has the yarn overs separated from the decreases they are paired with - so, the "instinct" to wrap yarn around needle right after working one needs to be curbed... Not in every row, but still... The end result will be worth it, so I don't mind doing the extra work, and it is still faster than the beaded section.

I need to work out, though, how I'm going to handle the next section, too - the row repeats need to work with the row repeats on the top edging, so there will be a natural "center".  Since the number of rows don't match, I need to figure out when to start the repeat, so I don't have to make a fifty foot long shawl ;)  I need the lowest common denominator.  (early arithmetic, back in the days of learning fractions, which I struggled with in third and fourth grade, but now use almost daily, not just in knitting, but in cooking, shopping - lots of places to use the basics of fractions/ratios/percentages)

Well, I think the dogs have been outside long enough - and I don't want to delay the trip to the laundromat any longer.... (had to wait for it to open, and sure enough, right on cue, the dogs had to go outside....)  So, I'm off for a while.

Messed up...:(

After writing my post yesterday, with my big plans, I recalled I needed to do some errand running - despite having requested that I not have to deal with anything this week.  I was not happy...  And now, today isn't going any better.  Forgot about the interruptions from the dogs due to it being garbage day.  So, I am not getting much of anything done.

I really feel frustrated again.  Or maybe still.  I mean, I know that life can throw you curve balls, and that I need to remember to just roll with the punches, but some days I feel more like a punching bag than others.  I know that any "plans" I make *could* be interrupted by life.  But when I am constantly being interrupted by either other people (I know I can say no, and I often do, but sometimes I must say yes or compromise) or by life situations that I have little or no control over, I tend to get upset... I used to be much more impulsive and flexible.  Guess I'm just getting old and set in my ways...

Actually, I think it is more a case of the morbid realization that I *am* getting older, and there will be less time to do the things I really want to do... Not that I plan on leaving any time soon, and I've known enough people who've died too young, but trying to be somewhat realistic here.

So, besides not having a clean or tidy house, I *have* been working on the shawl, and have discovered that the second pattern has flowed from the first as smoothly and appealingly as I'd originally hoped!!  I even have some ideas for continuing it... Now, if only the next pattern section will work as well :)

TV - not much to report.  DH watched the rest of the Race thing he missed the other night. Then he went to bed, and I watched yesterday's ST Voyager.  Oh, and last week, what with hanging out at the laundromat, I started reading my latest Death's Daughter book.

Well, maybe I can still get *something* done around here... the dishes, the fridge needs a good clean-out...

New week, new goals...

I'm going with some short term goals within my monthly goals.

I want to, today, get the bathroom cleaned properly.  Tomorrow, I want to do the back entryway of our house.  Wednesday will be laundry day, and that means the laundromat for washing.  Wednesday I will do any leftover cleaning that I didn't get done today or tomorrow.  Thursday, I start on the kitchen.  I can only do that in small segments, because of the sheer volume/size of the task.  I will start with the fridge (and freezer).  Friday I will have a lot of errands to run.  I postponed some appointments from two weeks ago when the vehicle needed repair, so they will be coming up this week.

The shawl will begin to move quickly now - I got a start on the second section.  I'm really looking forward to getting on with it :)  So, my hope/plan is to be finished at least the three repeats I've charted so far on the second section.  I can then decide how many more repeats to do of that one.

Watched Once Upon a Time last night.  The ending was more or less predictable, but not necessarily the way it happened.  And I'm guessing that is the last episode of the year.

Last night was the last Amazing Race, next Sunday is the final wind-up for Survivor - didn't realize it was that close already.  After that, don't know *what* we'll watch on Sundays!  Or Wednesdays, either, lol.  This is one of the worst times of year for TV.  Too many reruns, or none at all  - instead they put on more of those horrid "So You Think Anyone Else Gives a $#^%$% That You Think You Deserve Your 5 Minutes Of Fame".  Sure, I know, some of them really do have a talent, and in the beginning of these things, most never would have had a chance to be discovered if it weren't for the shows.  But now, instead of "unknowns" getting a chance, it seems the semi-professionals are involved... American Idol seems to have at least half of the top group who are in local "bar bands".  To me, that isn't fair - they have the ability to be seen by agents or talent scouts.  The show was supposed to give opportunity to those less likely to be found any other way.  And, I'm really getting sick of the obviously no-talent people who are just there to see if they can get on the TV show as the ones being made fun of.  I do also feel for the ones who are in between - the ones encouraged by Mom or Grandma that they should try out, but Mom and/or Grandma are obviously biased... They may not be horrible, but they definitely aren't "star quality".   Yes, I used to watch the show; mostly because it was on more than anything else.  But I really got bored with it quickly....

Anyway, I'm not looking forward to no TV watching in the evenings... But, on the other hand - it will be pleasant enough outside that I can spend quality time with the doggies instead.  And I can maybe knit outside like I did several times last summer.  :)  I mean, I got a lot done on that sweater, just sitting out there, watching the dogs play, soaking up the sun...

So, that is where I am for now :)

Posting for the sake of posting...

Didn't knit as much as I would have liked to last night.  I have 6 more rows to go on the shawl.  Well, not total, but to finish section one.  Two of those are beaded.  Much as I like beads in knitting, and much as they are integral to the design, I'm going to be glad when this section is done.  I'll still have to do the beads on the opposite end, but at least I'll have a break from them.

Watched some programs on tape, erased one I didn't mean to.  I don't care for the show, "The Amazing Race" anymore, but DH still likes it, and he watches it.  I use the time to either do something else, or I knit.  And we tape the show, just in case.  Sometimes, things come up or he's extra tired, or we get a late start on watching news and eating supper... Anyway, last week, they had a segment where people were doing some spinning.  Looked like a variation on a walking wheel, and I meant to replay that bit and watch it while I paid more attention  - but I went and erased last night :(  Oh, well - I did kind of watch it the first time around, so I did see it.  If I recall, they had to spin rope from coconut fibre...   I *was* stuck in the kitchen with supper things, though, so I didn't see as much as I'd have liked.

Today - not too much exciting to report.

Oh, yesterday - I did get the tomato seeds planted, and I did get the shrimp done for supper.  The bathroom - not so much.  I did a fast clean this morning, because we were having some company today.  Otherwise - I will have to get on with it this week.

So - that's it.  At least I managed to get a post done today! :)

Saturday - big plans

And I hope I get to actually do them!

Planned for today:  S the bathroom, plant tomato seeds.

Not such lofty goals, I don't think... :)  I hope not, anyway.  Oh, and I need to make deep fry shrimp for supper, so that means starting it early... (I bread them myself).

So, I might be able to share some pictures soon.  Unless I really screw up the day, and don't finish stuff... Priority wise, the shrimp come first (have to eat) then the tomato plants (getting a late start on them, oh, well, and besides I found this thing on the net to use empty toilet paper rolls for starter pots, so it is kind of related to cleaning the bathroom 'cause that is where they are piling up), then the bathroom.

Thought it was going to be a nice sunny blue-sky day; but it has now clouded over.  Yuck.  Oh, well - good day to stay indoors and do stuff, I guess.

Didn't progress as far as I would have liked with my knitting last  night.  Am ready to start row 105; the repeat ends at row 114.  Since only the first section is beaded, I anticipate more speed in the next section(s).  :)

Then I have to get started on the dreaded typing out of the pattern... :P  Need to do it myself, because if someone else does it, then I need to read through for typos or clarification, and that will be just as bad as if I do it myself... I can dream, though. :)

Well, I'm off to try to get something accomplished today.  Will share pictures in a few days, of the bathroom.  One of the ones I wouldn't mind so much the before/after thing (since I more or less did a lot of the S type cleaning around Christmas, lol)

Started, finally....

and learned something.

First off, I didn't get too far on the shawl last night.  One of those evenings where DH wanted to chat during commercials of the shows we were watching, and it is the time of year, where, well... The sun stays out longer, and our living room window faces west.  I really hate to shut out the sun at any time of the day or evening.  So, I don't turn on the lights until I absolutely have to, because then I need to close the drapes.  BUT - setting sunlight isn't really adequate for seeing lace and beads, even if they are light enough colours.

This morning, I finally went wandering around the house with my digital camera.  Had to wait until the dogs were outside, because Lady is such a camera hog - she hears the little beeps it makes when I turn it on, and comes a runnin'.  Anyway, I got pictures of most angles of the main floor of the house, and inside cupboards, and I took some pics of the upstairs, the stairwell, and the basement stairwell.    I didn't do the basement, and I only did a part of the craft room....

Now, I don't promise to share any of the pictures.  I did share kitchen pictures before.  And I may share some of the before pictures I just took.  (oh, for those of you "new" to my blog, or who've forgotten, I'm doing a before and after picture thing as part of my organizing and cleaning of my house)  But, since some of them might reveal more than I'm comfortable with in terms of possessions, etc.  I am not sure I want to go totally public.  Besides, I confess I'm a little embarrassed about some of it...

What I learned was, that when you are actually physically in a space, it doesn't seem the same as when you have it "in your face" in a picture.  And the condition of the room is a gradual thing... Like, my living room.  I have one corner that I've been piling up my craft stuff, and I have some empty boxes for organizing things, and I have a "phone corner/office corner" spot where papers and such get put, and I have some things in that area that are supposed to be getting put away, or were put there temporarily while something else happened (like the canisters of flour etc. that normally live on my kitchen floor near the basement stairs, that needed to be moved for the plumber the other day).....  Now, besides this pile growing over time, when I am in the room, I know it is there, but it has volume, and character (for lack of a better word) and so on, and doesn't seem that bad.  But, when I saw it through the camera's "eyes", it suddenly looked like something I've seen on TV on those hoarder shows.... :(

Now, it really isn't just crap; it is simply unorganized stuff, that through laziness or lack of organizing skills, hasn't been put away properly.  And suddenly, I'm embarrassed by it.  And suddenly, I don't like it being there.  So, I'm spurred on to deal with it.  I only hope my body holds out!!

Like I said, I'm not going to promise pictures, but I will keep you posted on progress.

Pictures

I didn`t realize I`d taken some pictures the other day, but didn`t get around to downloading or anything!

Hope I got them in the right order.  If I recall, it was around row 70 something that I kept messing up.  I could go look at my notes, but that is too much like work right now, lol.  But I took a picture anyway.  I`m trying to get a good shot that does the beads justice.  They are behaving in real life exactly like I want them to, but the pictures just don`t tell the same story!

I also cropped and turned the picture, in case it makes the beads show better.  (and I seem to have gotten the typing to be centered, instead of registering from left to right...)

This will be how the patterning and beads will  be oriented - wait, no they won`t... I was thinking this is how they will look when the shawl is worn, side to side, but the ends of the shawl usually end up hanging vertically...  Oh, well - doesn`t matter, it is another shot trying to show off the beads!

This is the most recent picture of how it looks now.  I pinned it out, but I only have 11 of the type of pins I`ve been using.  They are nice, long and strong, with good head for holding... BUT, that means I can`t always pin it out nicely.

When I`m finished the shawl, and blocking it out proper, this bottom edge piece will be made rounder.  It actually turned out to be knitted in a more rounded shape, but the pins kind of pulled it funny.  I`m just stretching and pinning for photo purposes - I expect that when it is done and wet, it will stretch out better, and when dry again will hold some of the shaping...

Like these top spikes, for example.  I really wanted thinner spikes, but they wouldn`t hold up, I know it... They would flop down and look like a fringe... But that is OK.  This will work - it is really a representation, anyway. :)

Any guesses?

So, for the TV stuff - I did look up Pan Am on the network website (and can`t even remember 24 hours later which one it was, lol - I *think* ABC).  There is nothing to say it will be gone - still in their list of programs, but nothing to say it will be back, either.  I haven`t looked up The River yet, nor have I done any more follow up on Terra Nova.  Just keep signing the petition (well, once is all, but sharing it) via Facebook.  Beginning to believe that nothing will come of it, which is a shame, because it really was a good show.  I`m fascinated by the whole time travel thing, and paradoxes, and all that.  I really enjoyed Michael Crichton`s Timeline book, and they did a good job of the movie of that one.  

Havent`watched last week`s episode of Grimm yet; may need to tonight... After the Big Bang Theory, of course!!! :)  

Still need to watch a bunch of movies; I`m keeping up with Star Trek Voyager, and Once Upon a Time.  Mostly keeping up with Grimm - was waiting in case DH wanted to watch with me.

Right now, I`m waiting on some laundry to dry.  I know, yesterday was laundry day.  But, if you were reading yesterday (go ahead, you can scroll down in a minute, I`m nearly done for today) I couldn`t finish washing my clothes, and wanted to wait until today to deal with the laundromat.  I was upset yesterday, but in the evening I kind of went into a sort of denial - I just stopped caring about what was going wrong, and enjoyed the sunshine and the dogs and the time with my husband.  Then, I cooked us bacon and eggs and toast for supper (hey, so what if some people think that is breakfast, it is nutritious and tastes good!) and watched Survivor.  Then, I finished transcribing the rest of the first chart, but didn`t actually do any knitting... That I will do tonight.  :)

Ok, go read yesterday`s post, if you haven`t already ;)

Forward, March! Or May!

So - I actually accomplished making 12 rows on the shawl last night, without a single "tink" or "frog"!!  Best I've done in a while!  :)  I"m done row 92, and this pattern section ends on row 114.

I need to find somewhere to stretch it out now for a pin-blocked picture to share.  I can't wait until I get to the end of the section to share it.

I explored some around the settings of the blog.  I can't seem to find anywhere to change the moderation thing for the comments.  If you make a comment, and it doesn't appear here for any reason, maybe if you could also type it first into a notepad file or copy/paste it into a notebook file, then if it is shows up, you can delete that file, or if it doesn't, you could email it to me at catsrme  @  gmail.com (of course without the spaces - just put them there to foil the 'bots) and I'll use it in the next post or something.  Please. Not that I think I'm self important, but I wouldn't want any of you to think I'm ignoring your comments or not approving them.  :)

I've been trying to get some TV shows caught up.  Not doing great at it - I deleted a movie unwatched.  I think I only taped recorded it on a whim anyway.  I mean, really, I might just be a bit too old (did I really just type that?) for watching "The Smurfs" anyway....   Or, more likely, I am pretty sure it will be on over and over again in the not too distant future, and I can tape later, or watch when it comes on... ;)

I am wondering about some of the shows that were on, and aren't anymore, if it means they are totally dead, or if they just haven't picked a permanent time slot for them yet.  I'm not sure where to look to find out.

And, while I was typing this, my washing machine just died.  In the middle of the first load.  Not happy... Well, will let you know what I discover, when I get a chance....

Suddenly I have a lot to say!

I'll start with... Delko.  My protector.

We know that he has men-issues.  He is quite shy around them, and takes a bit to warm up.  I've always thought he would be protective of me; he showed a lot of signs of being protective.  Lady barks up a storm when ever anyone comes around, be they friend or foe.  She just likes to bark!  But Delko - he's got a different bark...

Anyway, to make sure there was no trouble when the plumber arrived, dh took the dogs into the garage with him while the plumber was here.  Well, somehow, they all ended up outside for a bit, just when the guy was getting ready to take his tools and equipment back to his van.  I suggested he wait, until my husband could get the dogs back inside.  Unfortunately, the guy opened the inside door....  At one point, I thought Mr. D was going to come in through the kitchen window - it doesn't open - to get to me.  So, I went outside, calmed him, and got him back into the garage.   Well, after the guy left, and the dogs came into the house, D gave it the once over with his nose.  Checked every room, the stairs to the upstairs, everywhere - running.  If there was no scent of the guy, the dog didn't give it a second glance, but through the kitchen, and out the door, and down to the basement, got thoroughly "nosed" complete with hair on the back raised.

So.  Next order of business - training Delko a little better on the "some strangers are acceptable" concept...

The sewer line got cleaned, and everything seems to work again.  Hope it will be several more years before that happens again.  The basement got a rush job on clearing  - now I either haul it all back down, or I try to keep cleaning the basement.  I've just got word that (here we go again on the garbage topics) we will be getting our new blue box bin system starting in June.  And, according to the information on our city's website, the new bin will hold the equivalent of four, that is *4* standard blue boxes.  WUHOOO!!!!  We own 2.  I fill the house one every week - either because I happen to end up with a lot of recyclables, or because I clear up some of the overflow from previous weeks.  Some weeks, I confess, to either not taking the box out for whatever reason (nearly empty) or not grabbing the excess... Hence the disaster in the basement.  And the other blue box lives in the garage, for outdoor garbage situations.  So, since I don't have anything really really pressing right now, I can spend some time clearing the basement, and in a month or so, I can really get caught up on getting rid of stuff!  :)

The shawl - I kept having problems with a row.  Finally just put down the knitting, and went back to the chart... I did check the chart before, in case I'd made a mistake, and I had reread my notes, but for some reason, I neglected to sit down and go through my notes abbreviation by abbreviation while also looking at the chart, square by square - - No wonder I couldn't get the pattern to line up - I had written "K2" when there were two blank squares - but forgot that in my shorthand, my seed stitch border of "K1, P1, K1" added the extra knit stitch to the beginning of the row.... as in, it should read:  K1, P1, K3, but I had written in my notes, K1, P1, K2.   Such a silly mistake, that I made for the first time in transcribing row 78.  Yes, I've made other silly errors, but that was the first time it was related to the border!

Now I'm ready to do some more transcribing, and hopefully, I can get the first set of patterning completed SOON!  (worst part - I still have to type all those notes out. :P)

Which brings me to.... this is May 1.  Time for goal review, and goal setting.  I had a bunch of WIP and UFO goals, and in the first few days, I decided I was socked out, and didn't want to work on any more socks for a while.  So, I didn't pick up any project other than the shawl.  If the pattern had already been written, and I was just following it, I'd have been finished.  But this back and forth, and working out errors, and trying things that either do or don't work, is a much slower process.  And there were days when I was either too tired, or the TV show required a more mindless project, or something.  So,  I think it is time to reintroduce a few of the other projects...

Anyway, here was April's list:

1. No longer able to put off special project.  <---Done.  :)
2. Finish Pink Flora Fauna (one done, second in progress)  <---left
3. Type up three patterns - pink sock, afghan, baby blanket before I forget all the details.  <---Uh, not done
4.  Type up document outline at the very least.  <----better take the library books back, and try this again later
5.  Celtic Cape worked on. <----Not even thought about.
6.  Blathnat socks  <----wondering if I should give up entirely?  No enthusiasm, even though I liked the pattern....
7. Striped socks <----the yarn just isn't as appealing as it was in the ball.... this may take me a couple years to do
8.  Cast on for new shawl, writing and typing directions during knit so I don't put that off!<--- I've been updating progress, haven't started the typing yet, but am itching to do so... well, some of it ;)
9.  Pick a room, and properly clean it.  <---almost ready - I was going to do that late last week, or this week.  Every time I think I know what I want to do, something happens....
10.  Dye the yarn I want to dye.  <----Yeah, I should try to get this done.
11.  Crochet the bolero and tank top set.  <----Another of those best get going on.  Was one of the take along projects to Mexico a year ago February.... It is a summer set; maybe I'll use this as my "sitting outside with the dogs this summer" project (worked for that cabled sweater I made last year)
12.  Learn something new. <---hm, not sure if I did this... I know I found a few candidates, but didn't pick up needles and scrap yarn to try anything... then again, I did learn a lot about charting and the shaping of charts...  Remember when I posted about figuring out how to chart the edgings properly?

So - I guess that leaves me with some good ideas to do for May.
1.  Dye with copper
2.  Work on shawl
3.. Take before pictures of rooms for 5S+ works
4.  Start and/or complete at least one room, even if it is small like the bathroom
5.  Chip away at the basement
6.  Dig out striped sock for mindless project when needed.
7.  Gather crochet twin set ready for nice weather.
8.  Learn something new
9.  Incidental life things - dogs need to go to vet this month for checkup, day to day cleaning and cooking, shopping, etc.
10.  Make sure to blog every day.

There we go.  I know I missed blogging more often in April than in January, February and March combined!  And as summer approaches, it will be a challenge.  Because, with a little luck, we'll be heading out to the cabin more often this  year than we have been, and there is no internet connection out there.  BUT, I could try to stay in the habit by still "blogging" in a document, and then posting it when I get back to the city.  I'll make sure to announce if I do that, since the way blogger works is new posts at the top, and if I do two in one day, the earlier one might get missed...

See?  Told you I finally had a lot to say!  Hopefully, I have a lot to say again tomorrow.