Not what I'd Planned

Installing this bad boy today was not my plan, but such is life.  Yesterday, attempting to warm up some lunch, the frozen pizza bagels stayed frozen, and the smell was ozone, not pepperoni.  Dammit. It looks like the hanging bracket from the old one matches the bracket from the new one, so that's good.  As long as the top bolt holes match, all is good.  I can install it anyway, of course, but not having to fill old holes and drill news ones would be ideal.  Fingers crossed for an easy install.  I'l wait until Daniel's up though - this is definitely a two person job.


January is over  How'd I do with my resolutions?  I managed the discretionary spending!  I not only did it, but I have some cash leftover!  Daniel owes me a little bit of money, but I don't think I'll replace that cash unless I have to.  Nightime snacking - I indulged a little once the calendar changed, but I really didn't like the way I felt afterward, so I'm going to make that a policy.  The water habit has stuck, though.  I don't drink enough during the day, but that mostly is because I really hate the incinerating toilet we have, and the nearest flush toilet is down the stairs, out the door, across the parking lot, down the road, up the driveway, across the parking lot, though the porch, and down the hall.  It's easier to drink less.  The exercise still didn't happen, but my 'no-bread-at-lunch did.  Unexpected side effect, though, I carbed up when I got home.

For this month, a line in the sand.  10 lbs.  It's not a lot, it's not enough, but I'm going to weigh myself every morning, and get this done.  And week 1 - only fruit or veggies when I get home instead of chips, or a bagel, or cookies.  Plus water.  I wonder when Lent starts? (March 6)

I have backing. batting, and spray baste for the quilt.  That's my target for this week.  It's big, I'll need a big clear space, so I'll need to do that too.  I think getting this together is going to be about as hard as getting it quilted (not really😟)

FEBRUARY 0/10

Week 1 - fruit or veggie snack after work

What's for Dinner?

3 Roast Chicken
4 Grilled Cheese
5 Fried Rice and Eggrolls
6 Spaghetti
7 Chicken Pot Pie
8 Pizza
9 pigs in blankets
10
11
12 fajitas
13 Mac & cheese
14 meatloaf
15 Pizza

Boom. <- the sound of me blowing up my life.

So I quit my job.  Not really, but yeah, really.  I spent a little time Sunday composing a "hey I'm looking for a job" email, loading the 'to' field with various movers and shakers (or as close to movers and shakers as I have in my life) and then saved the draft.  This:

Are you looking for the right person to fill a position in your organization? Someone who works well independently or with others, who has an excellent memory and stellar organizational skills? Someone with managerial experience who doesn’t hesitate to take on the most menial tasks? Someone who understands the value of the smallest detail?

After almost three years in my current position as manager of KB Cafe in Vergennes, it is time for me to look for another outlet for my skills. While I wish the new owner Yvonne Brown nothing but success, I feel that we both need a fresh start. Building the cafe into the welcoming coffee shop it has become feels too personal, and in order for it to become the business Yvonne wants, KB Cafe needs to move in a new direction. That will happen better without me.

I am reaching out to you because I believe that I can best find my new place within the network of people I know, of people who know me. My availability is relatively immediate, although I feel I must honor a commitment I have to the local school district to prepare and deliver after-school meals daily (15 hours per week until the end of the school year.)

If you would like to speak further, I would love to meet. Although my weekdays are jam-packed, evenings or weekends work; my contact info is below. As a courtesy to my current employer, I will not be answering calls or emails between 7:30 am and 1:30 pm for the time being, but I will get back to anyone who leaves a message. And I ask, please, if you don’t have the job I’m seeking, could you forward this to anyone who might?  Thank you! 

Monday, after a weekend of "we really need to talk" (apparently I hurt some feelings, again) I did 2 things.  I hit 'SEND' and then I told Yvonne I was going to have to find a new job.  I truly wish her well.  She seems a shrewd enough entrepreneur to have made herself a comfortable life.  And I hope the cafe makes her happy.  It's no longer doing that for me.

Onward.

I think I've got it.

This is where I'm headed with the raffle quilt. I'm actually enthused with the idea and plan to spend a few hours this afternoon cutting and sewing. The little squares will be yellow, I think, the rest random scrappiness aiming for clearer colours rather than warm-y muddy ones. We'll see, hmm?

I've already been to the gym today, and done some laundry and got groceries. While I *could* easily waste the rest of the day with Facebook and Solitaire, I think I won't. Famous last words.

Oh, and Simon informed me yesterday afternoon that he has a recital Tuesday night. Sigh. Here we go again.

Yesterday, garden. Today, more garden. + sunscreen.

Oops, a little pink last night. It's been too many months since I needed to slather on the SPF.

One of the benefits of *ahem* not paying attention at Little League is that you sometimes learn something. Last year, I had very few strawberries. Nobody did, due to crapola weather, buuutttt, it prompted me to cock an ear when I heard a couple of parents discussing their own berries. It seems that one is expected to replace strawberry plants every 3 years. Really?! Who knew? Not me, that's for darn sure. It seems that after 3 years, the mother plants are exhausted, and if you (me) haven't been real attentive about removing the energy sucking runners, mama's done. Since I started this bed 2 years ago, and many of the plants were the aforementioned runners from the old bed, they are at mama status and will soon need to be replaced. I'm instituting a 3 year rotation of the 3 rows - row one after this season, row two next year, poor overworked row three the following, then lather, rinse, repeat. I should have continuously fruiting plants in various stages of exhaustion at all times. And if I'm careful, I can use the runners from row 2 to replant row 1, from 3 to replant 2, and then 1 to replant 3. Genius! *famous last words

So yesterday I got the strawberries all weeded, and they're covered with blossoms. I'll give the bees a few more days, then pull on some row covers to keep the robins off. Today, I'll empty the tumble composter and dig it into the bed that will soon be planted with beans, onions, peppers and tomatoes. I'm going all low-tech this year, combining the simple space maximization of square foot gardening with bug deterrent companion planting. Marigolds with the tomatoes, red onions with peppers, yellow onions with the green beans.

Also on the docket, a trip to the gym, a couple loads of laundry, and I swear, a half hour at the sewing machine.

All this, of course, is contingent on the phone not ringing in the next 20 minutes with a "can you work?!" panic call. Fingers crossed.

January

The borders are now all pieced, I need to give the center a trim and then assemble. Because all the HSTs in the body of the piece are on point, and the HSTs in the border are not, there's a wee fudge factor built in. With so much bias in the center, I want to be careful not to stretch, but I need to make this work. The center of the piece is just the tiniest hair under 25 1/2". The borders, if assembled the way they are, will be 24 1/2". I'm debating a few options - adding a 1" spacer in the center of each border, or "framing" the corners with a 1/2" one. I'll decide when I get there.

Looking at it through the lens of the camera, I see which one it should be, I think. Even waaaay over-exposed (oops) that built up corner looks much more natural than having a pieced gap in the center of the border.

That's the plan for today. I've been trying, trying, trying to make time every day to sew, and the result is that things are progressing. And I'm a little less resentful of people "needing" me all the time. I've decided with regard to a couple of different situations that while I cannot change some situations, or other people's behaviour, I *can* change the way I respond. Being proactive, rather than reactive feels a little selfish (it's not, but that's a whole 'nother issue) but it keeps the boat a little straighter when the water gets choppy.

huh, waddya know, there's that comity things back for a return engagement.

Deep Breath...

This is a busy freaking morning! Holy cow!

•Okay, once the kids are up, it's everyone in the car, NOW! It's a half hour drive to the orthodontist appointment at 8:10.
•Don't forget to leave a note for the satellite guys, in case they actually get here when they're supposed to.
•Daniel's all in for eating breakfast at school, yeah! And hot lunch, too (corn dogs) so no lunch to pack. Whew! He's even got some change in his bag if he wants to visit the snack cart, 'though he did ask me to make him some of "that crazy trail mix" (raisinettes, goldfish, and animal crackers.) It's the least I can do.
•Drop Tori off at the high school, Daniel off at the elem school, swing back around and head south. We can do this!
•And once done there, I have to remember to drop off a check at the insurance agent's to pay the policy on the new car. We drive right past it, though if I forget, I can just drop it in the mail...
•At least I get to sit still for an hour or so this afternoon. Sadly, it'll be in the dentist's chair.

I did forget a couple more things on my to do list for this week. Daniel's staying for the After School Enrichment Program on Wednesday - they're making pear butter for the hot lunch program, and Thursday evening is my book club. I haven't finished the book, yet, but it's in my bag to fill any gaps I may have in my schedule this week. Depending on where we meet, I may take the time to make a batch of these intriguing cookies. Snockerdoodles. What a name! And I have everything to make them! From The Jack Daniel's Spirit of Tennessee Cooking, via Milk and Honey blog. Click the picture to go to the recipe.

Gotta Get it Done

I'm instituting another Sew Every Day month - there's just that much to do. With the donation of quilts to a couple of fundraisers word has got out that I know how to thread a needle. "Could you...?" "Do you think...?" "I have this..."

First up is a small quilt (9 blocks) for a retiring ex-Navy officer teacher. "Could it be done by Memorial Day? Of course we'll pay you whatever you want, you do such beautiful work!" (Geeze! Take that last bit off and I might have been able to say no.)

This is not the actual quilt - I made exactly ONE block yesterday (copy and paste is an EXCELLENT tool,) but they're relatively quick, and the look is exactly what I'm after.
•Due May 22.

Number two. "My sister brought me this fabric and asked if I could make new curtains for her boat. I don't even know where the foot thingy is for my sewing machine!! I'll pay you whatever you want, you do such beautiful work!" I sense there's a cheat sheet going around with Just the right thing to say. Straight sewing, no hardware. Sure, I'll add it to my list.
•Due May 22

Number three. "So I bought this skirt at a yard sale, and I LOVE it! It's totally homemade and really simple I think and I'd love to have 3 or 4 more just like it for work." (She's the front of house manager at my favourite coffee place, and waits tables at the local wonderful french restaurant in the evening.) "I'll buy whatever you need, I'll pay you whatever you want, you do such beautiful work! And I could probably throw in a free dessert or a latte, you know, whenever you want." Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding! We have a winner! (Obviously Sophia paid extra for her cheat sheet.)
•Due when I get to it.

Will a half hour a day get done what needs doing? Dunno, but it's a half hour more a day than I'd be doing otherwise, I bet.

Yes, I am one of those people

Since I finished the last of the Christmas scarves I've been pondering next year's Christmas gifts. And, even better, I've decided! I've got a niece and a nephew with quilts due this year - Alana is my 2nd brother's youngest, and Phillip is my sister's oldest. For Alana, I've already started scheming a Lady of the Lake quilt. Phillips will come to me, I'm sure, sometime before Alana's quilt is done. I hope. But beyond that, there are still 2 nephews, 4 nieces and my own 3 that are below the 16 year old quilt gift age. And for them? Aprons! How bizarre, you say! I know! I'm going to find (or come up with) a cute, personalize-able chef's style apron pattern, and make them up in various sizes (from 13 year old young man to 4 year old young lady.) Combine those with one of those glue and decorate gingerbread house kits per family, and I think we'll have a winner! Woo! (BTW - I don't know who the cutey is in this pic, but gee, who wouldn't love to have that flinging frosting and gluing gumdrops all over their kitchen?!)

Now, all I have to do is remember. Heh.

This week is history

So, what'd I do this week? Whole lotta nothing, it would appear. We had some killer hot, super humid days this week. The Adirondacks, upon which we can often see tree texture and rocks, were a mere shadow in the haze. It was the Anti-Arizona (you know, the old, "it's a dry heat.") Like breathing soup (and here in farm country, that would be cow-poop-soup.) Ugh. And heading into August, the weed pollen is high, just for kicks. So, I was knocked flat by migraines twice this week. I suffer from allergy induced migraines so I get a sinus headache with the aura/flashes/upset stomach/knife in the eye pain of a traditional migraine. Fun? You don't know the half of it.

Aaaaanyway. I guess I did do something. Young Anarchist got carted off to his swimming lessons daily and I threatened him (by withholding his daily candy fix) enough to make him pay attention and do what he's told long enough to pass. Good boy. :o)

During the 40 minute lesson, surrounded by the "almost-30 (OMG!) young- mom" set, I played the dowager and knit on Katherine's scarf. I'm at about 18", with about 1/2 the skein left. Christmas is months away, I'm SO on top of things (cue: catcalls.)



Did I sew? Not a stitch. Not a single one. But I did buy some more batiks for Bevin's quilt. They're, um, still in the bag.



But my greatest achievement, that generator of the aching back and sore butt muscles (who knew??) is this:

Saturday afternoon I decided I want a patio. Scott sat on the newly cut lawn (his work) enjoying a Coke and the thankfully less humid afternoon, and suggested I'd better get to work. He didn't really, but his reaction wasn't much more than that. So I did. We've always had a ridiculously wide crushed stone walk up the house. Like 7 feet ridiculous. I dragged out some hose and reduced that sucker to 3 feet, 45" out from garage, and straight along the grassline. I shoveled, and raked, grunted and heaved, and got myself about 6 feet before going in to order a pizza for dinner. We discussed my vision over pepperoni, Scott suggesting that we "really could hire someone to do this." I was unswayable. He humoured me. We staked out the center of the front entry area, measured a length of rope, and spray painted a large circular patio. 18 feet. He went in to have a shower after tagging the grass with Simon's name. I got busy finishing that walkway and new planting area. Simon grabbed a shovel and de-sodded most of his name. As my walkway approached the edge of the "patio" I moved my pot ghetto to the finished end and carried on. It was getting dark when I came in. This morning, Scott and I went to Livingston Farm to look at rock. They were closed. Four Seasons was open, but had no stone. And Home Depot? Well, we bought some hose parts.

When we got home, Simon finished removing his name, and then disappeared. Cute Boyfriend and I spent the next 3 hours de-sodding the remainder of the patio. Tomorrow I'm going to see a man about some dirt. And stone. According to the book I bought, they highly recommend delivery. And professional installation. Pshaw. How hard can it be? *snort* Stay tuned.

Yesterday

What a productive day I had yesterday! Before breakfast I walked from one end of our little town's Main Street to the other, then home. 2 1/2 miles for the round trip. Came in, got a load in the washer, another in the :o( dryer (drizzly outside) had some oatmeal, tidied the kitchen and sat down to sew. Crazy for Spring is assembled. In Debra's world, this is barely begun, in mine, it's almost finished. I love the look of her super embellished crazies, but mine is more about the colour and composition of the quilt itself, than about filling every space with more. I like it like this.

After that, ran the vacuum, washed the floors, then went out for lunch with Tori. One of our favourite coffee shops was sold in January so the owner, our friend Tara, could concentrate her efforts on making her newer location work. It didn't, and yesterday was her final day. Eat Good Food is no more. I'd been in on Friday but knew Tori would be disappointed if she didn't get a shot at one more scone so off we went. Happily, the place was packed - everyone wanted to give Tara and Pip a great send off. More than once we overheard "gee, we're going to miss this place, we should have come in more." Yup, should have. They will move on to bigger and more fabulous things yet, I'm sure. They have a beautiful daughter Flora, and are in the process of adopting twins from India, and this will give them time to focus on that super part of their lives. Watch for them, I'm sure the world's not finished hearing from the Vaughn-Hughes family just yet.

After lunch, we went to poke around the thrift store for a few - no great treasures for me, though the store did look very much like a Fashion Bug truck had been recently - there were stretch jeans and wedge heels everywhere, ;o) Then home.

It was a good outside day - sweatshirt cool, plenty of damp in the air. I got some greens and carrots in the garden, looked over the hostas and astilbes in the nursery bed and was weeding the strawberries when I sensed I was being watched. Tori was creping up behind me, camera in hand. "What is THAT?!" She pointed beyond me into the trees. Wodchuck? It's to big to be a gopher, but really not big enough for a groundhog. Whatever, he had BETTER not decide my garden's a salad bar, or he'll be dinner. Well, not *my* dinner, ew, we prefer our groundhog faux. All the fancy camera work scared him off, so I got back to work. I spent several happy hours in the yard, with plenty to show for it. There's always something to do outside, and I'm the one to find it. Today I've gotta get some grass seed - that 2 yard pile of topsoil I raked out isn't going to seed itself (not with grass anyway) and this is perfect grass growing weather.

I really ought to pull out the Henny Penny (thanks Fitzy!) quilt blocks that were dropped off (!) on Friday. I do love both the teachers that are retiring, so yes, I'm going to do this for them. Not for the other inconsiderate people who dumped this on me (love them too, though), I'm doing this for Maureen and Alice. I must remember that!

My world is all stitched up

I finished quilting the Map today! Wahoo! I even got the binding sewn on, and I think I'm going to just flip it to the back and sew it down machine-ally. This baby will be done, done, done by tomorrow. This weekend I'm pulling out the Crazy for Spring blocks to see what they need.

Wednesdays I volunteer in the Elementary School library. Yesterday I was busy (alphabetizing the Emergent Reader books, actually) when my friend Jackie (also the school receptionist) mentioned that she was having trouble getting her block done. Uh, 'scuse me?

Another teacher had mentioned months ago (before Christmas) that maybe they were going to consider perhaps possibly making a quilt for each of the two retiring teachers, and could I possibly be available to help if they were having troubles. Sure. Famous last words, of course.

The blocks (that I didn't know about) for the quilts (that I had no idea about) were due back (BACK?!) yesterday so the quilts can be done(!) by the retirement dinner June 1st. Like, a month from now. Okaaaay. None of them are quilters, none of them have a single clue what they're doing, but the finished squares I've seen are pretty. Let's see what we can do, shall we? Stay tuned.

Eureka! I've found it!

Susan posted this the other day and I have decided it is the perfect end-of-the-year teacher gift. Add a lovely bar of Vermont Country Soap, the rose geranium is my favourite, and voila! Yahoo! I have some cotton yarn around here, though nothing variegated like hers (and I think the variegation makes it look grand.) Maybe I'll try one in the rose or ivory yarn I do have, let Tori give it a scrub up to see how it does. I'm not sure how the pattern works, I've never knit anything round before, but how hard could it be?