Unfinished Object
Quote of The Day
Navigation
Home |
Where I Play
Categories
Read
Lurk
Inspire
Green
Diversions
Photos
Monthly Archives
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
Site Credits
Powered by:
ExpressionEngine
Design by:
BlogMoxie
I found that extra sewing project I was looking for … actually I had offered it up a week or so ago and got a response back last night … in the process of finding it I may have stumbled over my Halloween spirit. I’m making costumes for a friend’s kids. I’m so excited about this that I want to drop everything and get started, but first things first. This weekend I’m making a costume for another friend’s daughter plus two totes if I can squeeze them in (fingers crossed). Since I’m so excited at that prospect I stopped at Joann’s last night, despite the fact that I’m not allowed back in there until next pay check due to an expensive unfortunate beading incident a few weeks ago.
While I was scoping out the sewing patterns I wandered into the yarn department (for some reason in this store the patterns are next to the yarn and not next to the fabric???) and stood, dead center of the aisle, at a total loss of what to do. I touched a few yarns, looked at some needles (the bamboo ones feel nice) and flipped through a few pattern books…but the entire time I was standing there I felt as thought I’d just stepped onto another planet. Ultimately I left empty handed, and yes, the clerk looked very concerned, after all how will they ever afford the electric bill this month if I don’t do my weekly share? I have to go into town tomorrow for dog food and towels (YAY – the bathroom is up to new towels, we’re soooo close) so I’ll probably hit the book store for Knitting for Dummies … fitting, since that’s what I am right now – heh.
And just because I like making you all tired, here are my hopes plans for the weekend (and to keep me straight):
Tonight:
Edge driveway, weedie the yard
Dinner
Sus out the pattern for the changed neckline on Hanna’s costume
Saturday:
Cycle, 5 miles (puny, I know, but it’s a start, I’m on my third weekend)
Pull weeds, spread mulch (D will still be asleep)
Help D clean the garage
Clean house while D is pulling the graphics off of his car
Paint primer coat on bathroom (maybe first color coat … timing is a factor here)
Trip to grocery, pet store, book store, Bed Bath & Beyond (yay)
Dinner
Clear my work room … ie kick junk to corners
Work on Hanna’s costume
Sunday:
Cycle, 5 miles (still puny … pat self on back anyway)
Pull weeds, spread more mulch (there are 50 bags of the stuff to spread- urgh)
Clean lanai
Paint bathroom
Work on Hanna’s costume
Dinner at our place with my Dad and his wife
Put feet up – drink wine
Monday:
Walk with Mackie, 2 miles
Mulch – dang woman, aren’t you done yet?
Wake neighbors by pounding raised flower beds apart – especially the young ‘uns next door who routinely wake me at 3am
Look for other noisy things to do in the yard .. oooh I know, mow the yard and go really slow between the houses!
Sew lady sew lady sew!
Ya think that’s enough?
I’m not entirely sure where yesterday went, but it’s gone! It has been a busy work and I’m a bit in the weeds trying to get everything done by month’s end. Home is much the same; I’m playing catch-up on promises made and the bathroom debacle. The good bit of this busy-bee-ness is that I’m sleeping well and I’ll take that anytime. The odd bit is that whenever I get this snowed under I always hanker for a new project. Seriously, where would I find the time? And yet I searched online for new sewing patterns while eating lunch yesterday, I’m sure if I’d found one that ‘blew my skirt up’ it would no doubt be on its way. This was the habit I was trying to curb when I dubbed this the ‘Year of the Finishing’ … I guess I’ve backslid somewhat. So, no new projects until the bath and promises are finished … and yes, I’m including the foray into knitting in that list (sorry ladies). Finishing up the bath in the next few weeks should be very liberating on the craft front, so I’m expecting to try my hand at it around the beginning of October.
Speaking of October … Halloween is coming! I luvs me some Halloween, but the last few years we’ve only had one or two trick-or-treaters and I am seriously considering letting it go. I haven’t held my annual costume party for some time now, and I’m not sure decorating for my self is really worth the trouble. What would you do? Go looking for the ‘Halloween spirit’ or grow up and move on?
We had hoped to finish the bathroom this weekend (with exception of the backsplash), but no, we’ve encountered another obstacle. I washed the walls and painted Saturday afternoon. On Sunday D went back and sanded a high area where the old mirror had been. The sander caught a corner of paint and instead of sanding it ripped the paint from the wall … a 3 foot section of paint! Further ripping of loose edges pulled the entire wall of paint down in four larges pieces … argh! Basically it sticks to the old paint but not to the old, old paint which was under the mirror. So he spent much of yesterday sanding the entire wall, and I picked up some primer so we can start over. Visions of a relaxing, holiday weekend next week are fading fast…of course the odds of me actually adhering to those visions was a pretty slim shot anyway – heh.
I’ve been dabbling in Swap-Bot lately and I’ve swapped myself right into a corner with three hand made items that need to go out by the end of the week. I had thought to tackle them this weekend but by the time I finished all the other ‘to-dos’ on my list I had neither the energy nor the gumption to get them done. My review of Swap-Bot is mixed, though it is no fault the actual site, which works quite well. It seems that enough of the participants are ‘swap-lifters’ that many of the hostesses have become a little gun shy. As a new user it was irritating to have to prove that I am an ok person and a good swapper. One hostess asked for references, another my Ebay ‘score’. I realize that one person’s idea of a good swapper and another’s would be completely different and result in various ratings. But it is sad to know how many folks are in it just to get something free … they are missing the point, not to mention mucking it up for the rest of us.
One person who gets the point is Kim, who just sent me lovely little package of hand knit wash cloths and tourist trinkets. Like the ‘red dress’ washcloth she sent me recently those buggery little things defy photo, but they embossed, one with the state of Florida and the other with a dragonfly. She didn’t just send them because I’m wonderful (har), she’s participating in a ‘Pay It Forward’ exchange, and now so am I. So here’s the deal, I will send a handmade something to the first three people who comment that they too would like to participate. In other words, you will also be sending out three handmade items. The good news is that unlike my Swap-Bot packages there is no date that they must arrive by … but I’m shooting for before the end of the year. So, speak up! Who wants to play?
One of the things I like best about my job is that every day is a little different. Sure I do the same sorts of things every day but I do them for different customers with different problems, it really doesn’t get boring. There are also days when I’m doing something completely different; like today. I’ve spent much of my day turning this:
Into this:
It really isn’t rocket science; it just requires a ruler, some patience and a little talent with an x-acto knife. Still, it’s a nice (though hot) change of pace and pretty darn gratifying to boot! I’m sure it’s of no interest to anyone save me, but boy howdy have they improved the vinyl material since the last time I striped a van. The vinyl has been given a very slightly raised cross-hatch texture which allows the air bubbles to slide out on practically the first pass with the squeegee. In years past I would spend hours piercing air bubbles with a needle or razor and forcing them out. With the new stuff I’m not sure you could get a bubble to stay under it! This is by far the best job I’ve done on one of our vans … thanks to the material.
Now for the completely unrelated: last night, shortly after I posted the shower photo, I realized that I was hearing a helicopter and that it seemed rather close. When I stepped outside I found one hovering quite low to the ground about three blocks behind the house. It circled and ran a search light off and on for about an hour and a half. Looking up the street I realized that there were cars blocking the road and stopping each car that tried to pass, this too went on for quite some time. There was nothing on the news about it last night or this morning; however I found this online article today. The time listed (early morning) is wrong, but the location is precisely three blocks behind the house … this has to be what was going on. Scary, no? Worse, I was standing outside watching. Of course had anyone burst from the bushes and run through the yard you might have been surprised at just how fast this fat ole lady can move, heh.
Not to over shadow the previous knitting post but we have success! The shower is officially finished as of tonight ... thanks to my plumber step brother - heh. D was willing for me to drop the towels ... I wasn’t sure the Internet was ready for that!
During an IM conversation with Rox today I screwed up the courage to ask her to knit something for me. Many months ago the fab Donni sent me a wrap and I use it whenever I am watching TV. I love my wrap, but I am … ummm somewhat wider than it is, and for months now I have been considering asking one of my knitting friends to make a larger one; an official throw. I’ve hesitated because I have no clue what I’m asking, for all I know it could be a year long project that requires four cases of yarn and swearing in multiple languages.
Rox, Darth-Knitter herself, has been mercilessly gently twisting my arm practically since we ‘met’ but thus far I have successfully blocked her with my Jedi sewing tricks. Little did I know that my envisioned throw is constructed of the garter stitch … also known as the beginner’s stitch*. Yes friends I left the loading bay on the Millennium Falcon wide open and TIE-fighter flew in. A TIE-fighter named Rox. And like a duck on a June-bug she pounced and in my weakened state I agreed to pick up a pair of sticks and some sort of instructions from my LYS and give this mysterious knitting a go.
This, dear friends, is where you come in. I’m fairly sure with my patience level – or lack there of – that embarking on a whole throw will result in a box of wadded up yarn and broken sticks shipped directly to Rox’s house for, um, correction. A small project is more in order, dontcha think? So, the suggestion box is open. Wash cloth, scarf, clapotis (kidding – but I’ve always thought a throw sized one of those would be cool –err warm); how should the knitting grasshopper continue? Favorite beginner book? Favorite online site? Share the knowledge … but go easy – k?
*Donni will have to confirm this.
**See, I’m learning already – hah! (That’s ‘local yarn store’ to us non-knitters.)
Yesterday while searching flickr for photos I stumbled across and old ‘friend’. At first I didn’t think it was her but someone who had chosen a screen name that echoed her long defunct blog, but then I saw a photo of her cat and that settled it. That particular screen and a nekkid Cornish Rex was too much coincidence for me. My first impulse was to send an email, or leave a comment expressing my excitement for having ‘found’ her again. I loved her blog and her way of seeing the world, and I was always a little star struck when she responded to a comment or e-mail, and she responded often. Indeed, she is now something of a celebrity on flickr as her photos frequently receive comments in the hundreds. And that little bit of information is what stayed my hand from sending that e-mail.
When I opened her blog one day to simply find ‘and that is that’ sprawled across the screen I was surprised. Another online friend suggested that maybe she had ‘shut-down’ due to wacko problems … the net is full of them, you know. But she never posted again though the URL is still good and emails came back undeliverable. It was my first internet loss, and silly as it sounds I was hurt. But it taught me a lesson; despite how well I think I know someone by reading their blog I am still only seeing the side they want me to see.
There are a few online folks that I ‘speak’ with from time to time who I truly admire. I am attracted to the image they have created with their words. They are people that I would like to be friends with, but they keep me at arms length. I am insecure enough to consider that it may simply be ‘me’. But, having learned from my experience with my old ‘friend’, I also know that it is very likely just the people that they are. I have curbed my interaction with them, but continue to visit because I am interested in their lives, and will continue to comment when I am moved to do so. For the most part though I will lurk, and that is what I will do on my re-discovered friend’s site as well. Lurkers are perhaps what people like this really want out of blogging; it’s obvious they aren’t looking for friends.
Saturday I put a handful of miles on my bike, did a little gardening and spent rest of the day with D looking for bathroom light fixtures. What we originally envisioned was very plain, brushed stainless and marbled glass. The only things we found fitting this description were $300 and up, each! I positively refuse to hang $600 in light fixtures on the wall. Call me cheap if you want, but I’ll still refuse. In the end we settled on a fixture D likes (me, not so much) that should look good in the space. The draw back is that its low profile will not work with the mirrors we had chosen, so those will have to change too … sigh. We are now in search of rectangular beveled mirrors … frame / no frame … we have no clue. Sadly we are not very good at being interior decorators. We do luck out sometimes however, the lighting trip did land some towel bars that we both are tickled pink over. Believe me, with our opposing tastes this doesn’t happen often; come to think of it, we probably should have picked up a lottery ticket since our luck was running so high – heh.
We are hoping that tomorrow morning we will be able to enjoy the first official shower in the shower. The hold up is a missing screw for the valve handle … have I mentioned that I hate plumbing? We think we’ve come up with a temporary fix which we’ll try tonight; if it doesn’t go we’ll probably have to wait till the weekend when we can tear it all down again. D is really driving to be finished and I’m getting a little worn on the whole process. Hopefully I’ll find my second wind soon.
Sunday was consumed with waxing cars, cleaning house, grocery shopping, and a trip to Target. I also took a little drive up the street to visit with my new friend, Theresa. We chatted over odds and ends for almost two hours and I made sure she had my number in case she needed something. I was happy to see that she seems to have a good group of neighbors close at hand as well as a church ‘family’ looking out for her. She is devastated but moving forward, and is a very nice lady. Some of you will be delighted to learn that she is a knitter and was working on a ‘T’ sweater when I arrived. The universe keeps throwing me in with knitters; I’m beginning to think that I should take the hint! Though it was jam-packed (as usual) it was a very satisfying weekend.
Believe me when I say, “I earned my sit down this weekend!”
Normally I would be planning out the long ‘to-do’ list for the weekend, but not today. Today all I can think of is the pedicure appointment I have at 6:30. There is even some time prior that I can enjoy a glass of wine and an appetizer at the restaurant across the street from the salon. Or, if I prefer there is an open slot for a facial. It’s a tough call, but the wine and appetizer are considerably cheaper-heh. This is almost the only thing I do solely for myself; I’m the only one that knows my piggies are cute in my shoes since sandals are almost out of the question. I intended to do it while on vacation but never found the time … I’m glad I’m making time now.
Not far in front of us a woman stepped from her house wearing her nightgown. Given the pre-dawn time and her apparel I guessed she was after the morning news paper, and to satisfy my stunning CSI talents that’s just what she collected from the paper holder on her mailbox. Had her path continued into the street we would likely have collided and being that close (as well as certain she’d seen me in the darkness) I said, “Good morning”. She replied without hesitation. My four legged walking companion figured, as she always does, that the lady was addressing her and thus drug me across the street to make her own introductions.
Mackie is large and black and despite a very friendly temperament, is frightening to some folks but my morning acquaintance took it in stride and offered a tentative pat.
“Do you live around here?”
“Yes, just on the front road”, I replied and waved a hand in the general direction of home.
“They say there is a lot of rain headed to C.C.” She waved a hand toward her own home, and the TV flickering inside.
“Hmmm, yes, I’d noticed a few distant flashes of lightening I guess I’d better put a move on huh? Oh, I’m Shan, and this is Mackenzie”.
“I’m Theresa”. She inhaled and paused, and I waited as she was clearly going to add something, and then her face crumpled, a weathered hand fluttered up in front of her mouth and she wailed, “I’m so lonely. My husband just died”.
I’m sure there was a stunned silence on my part before I offered condolences. She spoke of him a few moments, admitting, grudgingly that he had been sick in the end and then offering that tired old line; ‘he’s in a better place’.
‘But you aren’t, are you?’
‘No, no I’m not’. She regained some of her composure then, and perhaps that is what I intended by saying something so stark.
We spoke a moment or two more, and Mackie sat quietly at my feet before Theresa hurried back inside.
My morning walks are generally a mash of thoughts that drift from ‘damn pot hole’ to ‘c’mon pup’ but in a few simple moments Theresa had gelled them into one topic which I mulled over all the way home; loss: hers, mine, everyone’s, and the powerlessness that seems to go along with it. By the time I reached home I had formed a plan to go back to her house over the weekend and offer to chat. I’m sure she has casseroles, flowers and cards galore, but ‘ears’ are sometimes difficult to come by and I could at least offer her that.
But now, as the day has passed, the sun has burned away some of that resolve and I wonder how she’d feel about my sudden appearance. Would her family assume I am a preying on a lonely woman? By the weekend it is possible my life will have carried me on to other things and I will forget my intention. I hope I do go … I hope I am that person I was there in the morning darkness, but I fear that I’m really not.
The vanity installers left a little after 5pm. D and I scarfed down a quick dinner and trotted off to the home improvement store for faucets and drawer pulls. I’m the plumber in the family, so I installed the completed sinks (aren’t they pretty?) and D did the drawer pulls. I just finished the last one ... well except for the drains. The old tail piece isn’t long enough since the counter is higher. This should have occurred to me at the store, but it is plumbing after all ... it can’t be done in one trip - heh.
It’s a mess, but we have doors! And if you look closely you can see one of the cabinets waiting patiently for installation ... YAY!
There is much banging and oath muttering coming from the other side of the house. I suspect my two installers have encountered problems but I am sticking firm in my craft room because in a way I don’t want to know, heh. The weekend went much as planned and I had the vanity sinks and top out, and the base broken loose from the wall before D came home from work.
D brought the ‘saws-all’ home from work and he made quick work of cutting the monstrosity down to size.
When we were done we had a clean slate for the new install.
And one aggravation ... plumbing, why am I not surprised.
I replaced all four valves, since they were so easy to access (and never will be again), but one still insists on leaking. If those boys would wrap it up and get outta my way I’d give it another try. Unfortunately I may be doing it from under the sink as I just got word that the vanity installer is now on the way. Yay! Sink yoga ... I’m so excited (not).
We didn’t make the beach Sunday due to a late night stay at the birthday party. We had a great time. D tried to take a nap Sunday afternoon, but that can be a little difficult around here (the extra dog is Mackie’s mom).
Not to mention Daniels discovery of a lizard in the window. There was much clucking and meowing on his part ... hee.
I’m sure my shutterbugging about the room didn’t keep him awake, har. It was a nice weekend ... and in a few short hours will we be a huge step closer to a second working bathroom. Stay tuned, I’ll post more photos as the installers finish.
As seems to be my norm I’m once again at the precipice of a jam packed weekend. We have a last minute birthday party to attend (and a cake to make), bathroom demolition, two costumes (one to finish, one to start), a swap craft project to complete, a ceiling to paint (bathroom), tile to seal and of course the non-stop housework and yard work. D and I plan on carving out some time Sunday morning to take Mackie and her mama (we’re dog-sitting) to the beach. I figure that’ll ‘knock the new’ off the HSS Silver* quite nicely (and give me a stroke in the process). To give us some extra time I’m hoping to pull the vanity out myself on Saturday morning while D is at work … or at least break everything loose and cap the plumbing so all that’s left is to carry the monster to the garage.
Monday both the shower doors and the vanity are being installed. Talk about one giant leap toward being finished! We’re both pretty excited. It is a moment of truth of sorts … I think we’ll be able to see if what we’ve hoped was right really was. Even after the installations there is still a great deal to do but that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is finally growing at a constant rate. Now all we have to do is arm wrestle for who gets the first shower (the dog will probably win). Perhaps the best part is that to accommodate the installations I will be off on Monday, with little else to do other than open the door – weeeee!
*The new truck, as so dubbed by the ever comical Kim.