Kind of an icky day

Where to start with today?  Rick got up REALLY early...about  6AM.  I got up about 7:30.  I usually sleep until nearly 8 and then do a quick look at my phone and send out my game freebies to friends.  I woke up a little when Sophie came into the bed about 6:30.  She didn't stay long and I went back to sleep.

I got up, had coffee and Rick settled in for a little nap.  I was planning to sew today, but I didn't get up in my sewing room till after 3PM.

We took Sophie for a relatively short walk, it was cold and damp today.

I finished up a grocery pick up order at Acme.  It's the first time I've completed an order.  I am to pick it up between 1 and 3PM on Thursday.  I am wondering how many of my items won't be available...I'll have to see.  I also have an order in process at Walmart, but I won't try to get a pickup time until I get my Thursday order from Acme.  Whatever was not available will go on the Walmart list.  Walmart is hard to get a pickup time...they are so booked up.  I will try early Friday morning (after getting my Acme order) to get a time slot.  Nothing urgent, but I will see what happens.

We had wings for dinner from Buffalo Wild Wings.  They were good.  We have a few left over, maybe that will be lunch tomorrow.

Yesterday we got a delivery of cookies.  Kelly ordered cookies to be delivered to us from Insomnia Cookies.  I had part of one and it was good.  They come "hot from the oven" and fresh to your door.

My plans for tomorrow include doing a manicure for myself (my cuticles are rough), read and work on the door banner for baby Conner.  Ashleigh is being induced tomorrow.

Sweet dreams,
-H

Gloomy weather today

Gloomy here today.  No sunshine, cloud covering the entire sky, but I am up, I am healthy and I put up my hummingbird feeders!  I am hoping that the darling hummers will grace our yard this year.  I made nectar early this morning and got the feeders up before noon.

I am going to sew a bit today...not sure just what as yet, but I think I'll work on the Moda Blockheads #3.  Lots I "can" do, but just what strikes my fancy...who knows.  I like the little LOVE wall hanging that I sent to Debra Hirsch, maybe I'll start another (or two) to send to others to brighten their days.  Helen, that's a GREAT idea!!  Also, instead of more bibs for the new great-great nephew, how about a name banner for him?!!  Another GREAT idea, Helen!

Ok, enough writing for now.  Get my butt upstairs to make something!! Well, via the magic of the internet, it is tomorrow and I'm going to finish up  today's post!!  I got this block done:

I'm not thrilled with it...it's one of the sew along blocks, but it's done and it will be fine to either use in the quilt, make into a little wall hanging or pillow or bag.

Now, I've finished this blog post for today, which is actually tomorrow, but we are considering it a finish for Sunday.  This is like time travel--it makes my head hurt!

-H

Sunday...

It's a beautiful day!  It's incredibly windy and the weather is unsettled to say the least.  It's been sunny and windy, then we will have rain, then sun.  We went for a walk today and if you were somewhere that sheltered you from the wind, you got hot.

I have not been doing my hair...why bother too much?!  This morning, I figured I'd get my shower and fix my hair.  I'd also wear something I don't usually wear.  I'm a leggings and tunic kind of person, but today I wore wild palazzo pants and a bright pink LuLaRoe top.  With it being so windy, my hair turned W-I-L-D and frizzy!  Hahaha!

Our neighbor, Matt needed to borrow our hose to wash some stain off his new house.  We lent it to him and chatted a bit with him and his mother.  She was there painting the light pole in the yard.  I think it will be nice to have young neighbors who are eager to take care of their property.

I made chaffles today.  I have been out for quite some time, and by eating those instead of bread for sandwiches, I cut my carb intake.  I made a bunch!!  I made egg/mozzarella and also cinnamon/wonder bread ones.

I have spare ribs in the oven and we'll have little potatoes with that for dinner.  I've cut back on the amount of meat I'm putting on our lunchtime sandwiches...we run out of deli chicken and ham too quickly!!  Haha...this is reminding me of stories my mother told me about the Great Depression.

Lots of folks are outdoors today.  We drove to the post office to mail off some bills and our questionnaire to get a ballot to mail in for voting.  The Cuyahoga River is HIGH!  I believe we have gotten about 3 inches of rain during the last two days.  LOTS of kids were out and they were not keeping the recommended distance of 6 feet of social distancing.  Silly kids think they are immortal, nothing can get them.

Tomorrow is supposed to get back to normal temperatures for this time of year -- low to mid 40's.  Maybe I'll go upstairs and sew tomorrow.  I'm behind on my Moda Blockheads #3.  The new block comes out Wednesday and I have not done the last two.  I would like to make a bib for Cooper Everett with his name on it.   Ashleigh is due to be induced April 1 if she doesn't go into labor earlier.

-H

Rainy Saturday

When I woke up this morning, I heard rain on the house and thunder in the distance.  Oh, I love a gentle thunderstorm when I know I'm safe.  I lay in bed for a while and Sophie came in to sleep on Rick's side of the bed.  She does not like to cuddle, but she let me pet her and I dozed off again.  It was a relaxing way to wake up.

It's been raining most of the day.  I went upstairs to my sewing room and was going to make something for my great-great nephew, but instead, I straightened up.  It looks nicer and is more organized.  Nothing made, but I'm happier being up there.  I finished putting paint on a half-painted rock and put a base coat on another rock.

We had leftovers for dinner--macaroni and hamburger with garlic bread.  It tasted good, I would have rather had something else, but I didn't know what else!

Amy Rogers Gupta got me 2 dozen eggs in a grocery order she had delivered.  I wiped them off and threw away the cartons because they were cardboard.

All in all, it's been kind of a boring day.  We did get out with Sophie for a short walk between rain showers.  It's warm - mid 60's.

-H

Kindness(es)

I'm "elderly" now.  When and just how did this happen?  For most of my life I have been the one to call or contact someone and offer my help.  I'm not supposed to do that now, during this Covid-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, I realized I was down to 3 slices of bread.  I had just been to the store (for the last time in a very long time) and we really don't use much bread at all.  However, lately I've been having a sandwich for lunch (Rick, too) and wow...we were nearly out of bread.  I posted a request on our Neighborhood Folks page on Facebook.  I asked if anyone was going to go to the store, I could use a loaf of bread.  I had the post up for about 5 minutes and then panicked!  I thought to myself, "I could have a DOZEN loaves of bread if several people see it", so I took the post down.  Last evening, one of my neighbors texted and asked if I had gotten bread, or if I still needed it.  She was going to the store today, and she brought me a loaf.  This was Liz.  Later today, Amy was leaving her house and called to me..."Helen, do you still need bread?"  She was placing an Instacart order and offered to order it or anything else I might need.  I asked her to get me 2 dozen eggs.

A little later on, John Burnell called to check on us.  He offered to pick up anything for us as he goes to Acme about every other day to get things for himself and his mom.  He was so sweet.  John is 58, I used to babysit for him and his sisters when I was about 12 or so!

Tonight for dinner, we had Swenson's.  Delicious.

Today was Hadley's birthday!  She's now 12!  She had wanted to have a birthday party with her friends, but with the pandemic, that's just not possible.  She received about 50 cards!  Jennifer had put a post on Facebook that she was trying to make Hadley's birthday special in lieu of the pandemic.  Jennifer (and Todd) planned a special day for her.  They made their house into Hadley's favorite restaurant...Texas Roadhouse.  It was all explained to us via FaceTime!  The photos won't load now, so I'll post them tomorrow.

I'm so touched that our kids are FaceTiming with us a little more frequently.  That makes me feel more connected with them.  I've not been crying so much lately.

It's after 11PM, so I'm going to go to bed now.

-H

Peace to you and be well

Our neighborhood has a "bear hunt" going on.  You put a teddy bear(s) in your window and when the kids go for walks with their parents, they look for bears!  Fun!  

To brighten up our neighborhood, we have put our Christmas lights back up!  We have Easter slides to put in the slide show and we put up the miniature lights on the deck railing. 

We have SUNSHINE!!

I slept in this morning, till about 8:15!  I heard workers at the 🏘 house next door and there were putting on a new roof.  They weren't terribly noisy at all and it was completely done in about 6 hours!  Amazing.

We got out in the 🌞 sunshine today and it was super!  We took off for a walk with Sophie.  I put on my jacket and my fingerless gloves.  I kept unzipping my jacket little by little.  Then I removed my gloves.  Then I removed my jacket and tied it around my waist as we finished up our walk.  It was so nice.

After we got home, we put up our  lights.  We have projector lights and we have one slide that has Easter and one that has Christmas.  We strung up our Christmas lights on the deck.  We are trying to spread a little cheer during this unsettling time because of the coronavirus.  Tonight we will "tweak" the lights so they are just right.

I actually got hot while working outside.  I complained a little (in jest) to Rick about how hot I was!  Thinking about that, I need to get out and fold up the tarp that was over the tables on the deck.

Tonight we are having meatball 🌞 sandwiches.  Tomorrow we will cook hamburger for macaroni and hamburger meals and some for chili.

Nice day, it was so wonderful to see the sunshine and warmer weather.

-H

I'm gonna need a nap!

I was up this morning at 4:45 AM.  The woman who gets up between 7:45 and 8:15 daily was up and out the door at 5:10 AM to go to the grocery store for "senior shopping".  Giant Eagle told me I could come in anytime after 5 AM...if they see someone (of senior age), they can come in and shop.  When I pulled in and parked, an employee (outside having a cigarette) yelled at me and said they didn't open till 6 AM.  I shouted back that I called and was told I could.

I went in, went to the bakery and got some cupcakes to have on Friday when we FaceTime with the Plank family for Hadley's 12th birthday, and a package of hamburger.  I was glad to get both items.  The meat case had only about 10 packages of hamburger--if I hadn't been able to get in during the senior hours, there would have been none.  Most of our stores have very little meat.

Then I bee lined to Walmart.  I was there before 6:00AM.  They have "senior shopping" hour on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 AM.  I was in and out of there, buying everything I thought we would need for a LONG time.  I was home before 7.  I brought all the purchases to the porch, brought in all the cold/frozen foods immediately and wiped everything off with bleach water, then put away.  I then went to the basement, stripped off my clothes and put them in the washer.  Wiped off my shoes with a Clorox wipe, put my glasses and hair clip in the sink with some hot water and dish soap, then hopped in the shower and scrubbed any germs off of me.

I got all the groceries wiped down that hadn't been done and put them away.  I wiped out the grocery bags with my bleach water.  I left the gallon of distilled water, diet root beer and some fizzy water on the deck to kill off any germs, etc.  We'll put those things away a little later.

I bought donuts on the way home at Dunkin' and we had a cup of coffee and a donut for breakfast.

It's now 8:40AM and I'm going to relax in my chair for a while.  Hopefully a little later we will put up our Christmas lights to bring a little cheer to the neighborhood.  I also need to put a teddy bear in one of our windows...our neighbors are doing a "bear hunt"!!

It's now 5:15PM and here's how the rest of the day has gone.

First of all, I did get a nap.  I went to bed and slept for about 75 minutes of uninterrupted sleep.  I dreamed about my mama.  It wasn't a good dream; we went to a store.  I had forgotten something in the car so I left her at the store and went to the car.  However, I couldn't find my car.  I was gone for a terribly long time.  Then my dream went another way...I went to my older daughter's home (not where she really lives, though) and it was chaos.  She had someone who looked like her sister-in-law living there.  There was a man who came and went...and kids, so many kids running around.  When I woke I was a little frantic.  I don't like dreams where things are disjointed and unsettling.
 
It's not a sunny day here.  The temperature is in the low 40's, so it's not a particularly nice day.  We did get out and go for a walk with Sophie.  It was kind of cool and my scarf for my neck is still drying, so I was chilly.

We didn't put up the Christmas lights.  We are hoping to do it tomorrow.

Tonight we are going to get takeout chicken wings.

I'm kind of down about this Covid-19 pandemic.  I'm scared and today I'm not doing extremely well handling it all.

-H

Sunday of Shelter In Place

Sheltering in place.  That's what I'm doing each day.  We get up, we have coffee and play computer games, we eventually get dressed!

Today I finished the LOVE quilt(let).  I am pleased with the quilting and the way it turned out.

Kelly and Scott got a puppy.  She's a Bernedoodle which is a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle.  She's adorable.  As of now, no name...they just got her today.  

And here...here is our Sophie girl!  Amazingly sweet dog.

We also cleaned up the yard.  Rick ran the mower for a bit.  It's harder and harder for him because of his lung issues.  I raked part of the yard and a few people walking stopped to chat.

Dinner was ribs in the oven, stovetop stuffing and I had some cauliflower casserole.

Now I'm in my nightie, sitting here, writing in my blog/journal and sipping a cup of tea.  

-H

Friday and Today, wrapped up together

Sigh...what to write about today?  LOL...life in shelter in place mode makes days run into one another, but so does being retired!

Yesterday I participated in Jimmy Fallon's Cowbell Challenge.  At 3pm, you were to go outside and ring your cowbell (which I don't own so I substituted a stainless steel frying pan and lid -- makes great noise!) to show support for all those staying home and to honor all our medical teams and first responders during this Covid19 crisis.  One of my neighbors joined in, thanks, Amy!  Kelly posted Anna and Viv banging pots outside their front door, too!  Something to jazz up the day!

It was supposed to rain almost all day yesterday, so I had planned to do laundry.  I don't mind doing laundry and when I do go downstairs, I like to tidy up the pantry shelves and putter around.  I did some tidying during the first load of sheets.  When I went upstairs, I took empty boxes up with me and took them out to the recycle bin.  It was WARM!  It was in the high 60's and it wasn't raining.  The breeze was BALMY and nice.  I hurried inside, woke Rick from a little snooze and we went outside.  No jacket even!!  The day was a good one, so I did a little more laundry later, but I will finish it up today.  (More than usual, as I bought some fabric and it needs to be washed separately.)

Today, it's COLD!  It's 9:15 am and it's 28F with an expected high in the mid 30's!  We will bundle up later and take Miss Sophie out for a walk, but until then I will be drinking coffee, made by Mr. B-my personal barista, sitting in my chair in my bathrobe while I write my journal and surf the web.  Laundry will get accomplished, just not sure exactly when.

We are starting to plan a trip to the store.  I've been telling Alexa to add things to my list, and diet root beer is dwindling, so I'll be careful and make a trip out.  I'm thinking either Marc's or Discount Drug Mart might be my best bet.

Yesterday I decided to do the LOVE paper pieced block from the Moda Blockheads #3 sew along. 
I'm making a very small (12 inch or so) wall hanging quilt for Debra Hirsch.  The block is 12 inches, finished, but I think I might put a sashing on it to make it slightly larger. After taking this photo, I got it quilted.  I'll try to finish it all up tomorrow and post a photo before I send it along to Debra on Monday.  I like the way I quilted it, just straight-line quilting, but, to me, it fits this little quilt.

Not too much more to write about today, so it's hasta la vista for today!

-H

I'm having a bit of a difficult time

We are ok.  We are not ill.  We get outdoors and walk Sophie (for about an hour) each day that the weather is cooperative.  Today the weather is not cooperative.

I miss my kids and grandkids.  I FaceTimed with my MA family last night and I had a hard time not breaking down near the end of our session.  I talked with my PA daughter via the phone and nearly broke down at the end.  My emotions are becoming more fragile.

I knew it was supposed to rain today.  I was going to do laundry yesterday, but knew I would need a project for today with the rain.  So, the first load of laundry (sheets) is in the washer right now.  I love clean sheets and it's sometimes hard to wait a week to change them.  Feels SO good to crawl in a bed with fresh sheets.

My sewing room is a total mess.  I finished Tanya's quilt and delivered it yesterday.  I have been sewing and not cleaning up, so there is another project for another day.

H's birthday is later this month.  She's very blue because she cannot have a birthday party with her friends and there is no school.  I ordered 2 games this morning that she wants.  No guarantee they will be there by her birthday.  I asked to FaceTime during their family party so we could be a part of it.  Think I'll make us a couple of birthday hats and if I can find some balloons, we'll blow some up.

The lighter side

Here we are, it's Thursday, March 19.  As I woke this morning (after a marathon sleep) I lay in my bed and pondered, "What day is it today?".  That's the normal thing that runs through my mind each morning, because, being retired, I don't really pay attention to that.  The second thing to pass through my mind was...are we still dealing with the coronavirus...Covid19.  Yes, we are and that's just a fact that I need to deal with.  I need to be calm and patient.  That's just the way it is.  Calm, patience and prayer.

Sophie got groomed on Tuesday.  Here's before and after photos:

Isn't she adorable?  She looks 50 pounds lighter and the only difference is the fur!!  Such a sweet dog.

 Since there is no pickleball until this Covid19 is over, I've been walking with Rick and Sophie.  I snapped this photo yesterday on our walk:

Our weather has been pretty nice, cold, but we are able to get outside.  Today we have rain coming our way, so we will need to get out a little before the rain sets in.  Then, it's supposed to get really cold this weekend.  Wish it would get warm so that we could be outside doing some yard work.  That would be good for us and good for our yard.

I finished a small quilt for my Pay it Forward 2020.  This is for Tanya Titus.  I just need to wrap it up, write a little note and drop it off at her house.

This last photo is from Tanya, after I dropped it off at her home.  (I just left the package on the doorknob of her front door, then sent her a message that something was there.)  This is her thank you note:

More closures

Governor DeWine had to be even more specific.  He listed that gyms, recreation centers, trampoline entertainment places, indoor water parks and other things I can't remember now are now to close.  It' boils down to "STAY HOME, PEOPLE".

On to regular life:  Rick, Sophie and I went for a walk today.  We were in the neighborhood ror about 50 minutes or so and got some 8,000 steps.

I finished making the Japanese Knot purse for Crystal.  It didn't take a long time to make it, but since I made it out of leather (and did not line it) I had to glue the edge and when it dried, I sewed it.

The new neighbors had some tree folks out today.  There is a tree in their back yard that the trunk is rotting.  Our tree guy, James Jewell, is the one doing the work.  He had a helper with him and that guy looked like one of the guitar players from ZZ Top!!!

Tonight my sister is hosting our Monday night dinner outing at her house.  Since all the restaurants' dining rooms are closed, we are picking up carry-out pizza, she's making soup and a salad.  We have a pie to take.  Butch and Suzi are going to be there too.  I should probably invite them over next Monday to our house.

Enough ramblings for now.

-H

Holy cow!

After my last post, things changed here in Ohio.  Governor DeWine has CLOSED all bars and restaurants for dine in/drink in.  They can stay open if they offer carry out and/or delivery.  WOW!

He has also said the child care centers are going to be closed, not yet, but he advised that if you have children in day care, try to find alternative method for child care as closures will be coming.

I guess I wasn't overreacting to this Covid-19.  Decisions have been made FOR us.  Wow, just wow!



Ok...let's try to show some lighter things.  We went for a walk today and our Sophie was silly, as usual!  We went past Kent Feed (where we buy her food and she gets treats every time we go there) and she decided she wanted to go in.  She laid down in the driveway!  Then, she went up the walkway to their door and wanted to go in!  They are not open on Sundays!  She's funny.  I snapped a couple of photos and I'll show them to Todd and Helena (owners) when we go in again.  Sophie goes to the groomer on Tuesday to get her spring "do".  She looks just gigantic with all her hair, so I'm documenting how big she looks.  This is the "before" photo.

Yesterday I made a birthday card for Cris.  Her birthday is Tuesday.  I think she will like this!

That's about all for now.  Updates on this Corona Virus (Covid-19) issues as they unfold.  

-H

Isolation...to do or how much to do?

The Covid-19 virus

I'm nearly embarrassed.  I want to hunker down and self isolate.  I truly do.  My instinct tells me it's the right thing to do.  However. folks around me sway my decisions and I feel embarrassed for being "one of those panicky people".  I truly am not panic stricken.  I just don't want to leave myself open to unnecessary virus opportunities.

I don't want to go to pickleball.  The owner of the Club needs our money and I understand that.  However, his needing to make a living MUST come second to my need to be safe...at least safer in my mind.

When I go out somewhere, I come home and wonder, even worry a bit, about whether I should have gone out or not.  I ponder things and challenge my decisions.

This is such an unsettling time.

-H

Schools are cancelled

Family in Rutland -- schools closed
Family in Bridgeville -- schools closed
KSU -- closed for face to face classes

This is scary.  I hope we have acted quickly enough to try and stop the peak and slow this virus down.

I am prepared, I think.  I have heard horror stories of people going to the store and seeing people grabbing food and supplies and being panicked.  My BIL went to Sam's Club today and couldn't even find a parking place.  When he finally did, people were lined 15 to 20 customers deep to check out.  Their carts were PACKED to overflowing with everything imaginable.

I hope I'm not fooling myself into a false security.  I'm not sure.  As far as I can see, we have everything we need.  I don't see a problem that if we need something, we can order it and have it delivered.  I also think we will occasionally go out, being careful-of course.  Keeping a distance between us and others, using hand sanitizer until I can get home to wash well and doing what I can to stay safe.

I pray my family stays safe and healthy.  Dear God, keep us safe

-H

Busy Wednesday

I had a list of things that needed to be done today.  Some of the things got done, quite a few, actually, but I still have some to do.

I downloaded Microsoft Office.  What a mess!  I was on the phone with support and they weren't much help.  I worked and worked and worked on it...finally something clicked and I got it downloaded.

I needed to send in the paperwork for the rebate at Menards, but do you think I could find my receipt for the propane firepit?  Nope.  I looked and looked and looked, but finally found it in a pocket of my purse that I thought I had already looked in.  Anyway, got that filled out and ready to mail; then made a file folder for the firepit.

I ordered Rick's available meds.  No problems there!

I sewed.  I finished the two smaller blocks I had nearly done.


I cut out block 9 in the Moda Blockheads #3 and sewed it together.  Unfortunately, the block is too big.  I have to re-measure and then take it apart, cutting the center portion of the block down and then sew it back together.  I will fix it tomorrow.

I still need to cook the ground chicken I bought.  I also need to cut up the bell peppers I bought at Beiler's and get them into the freezer.  Rick wants sausage for dinner, so while I'm cooking the ground chicken and cutting up the peppers, I'll cook sausage.  I have Taco Pie left over, so that's what I'm having for dinner.

We moved the firepit onto the deck.  In order to do that, I borrowed a dolly from Marty and Michael Vietz...made doing it lots easier.  Rick measured to be sure it would fit through the gate and it did!  It looks really nice.  Tomorrow we will get a propane tank and complete the set up.

Pepsi is on sale at Acme, so I will go tomorrow and stock up on Cherry Pepsi for Rick.

All is well here, and we hope to keep it that way!

-H

Corona Virus precautions and KSU has cancelled "in person" classes

The Corona Virus

I'm considered elderly now.  I have had pneumonia twice in my life and my respiratory system is my weakest link.  Rick's respiratory system is compromised.  We are being careful.  We are being very careful.

We were supposed to go on a mini vacation next week.  We were going to go to Wheeling Downs Racetrack for two days.  We have decided to cancel our trip.  When we called the kennel to cancel Sophie's reservation, the woman who runs it was not surprised; she even told me she thought it was really smart of us to not put ourselves in a situation we may regret.

Kent State University has suspended "in person" classes.  Actually, they won't resume "in person" classes until at least April 13.  Spring break is week after next and the kids will be traveling and partying.  I'm happy they have suspended "in person" classes, maybe the kids will go home and do their online classes.

We are as prepared to stay home as possible.  I have pop, beer, wine, any booze that I might EVER want to drink.  We have canned vegetables and fruit, extra butter, cake mixes.  We have meat.  We have meals partially prepared and frozen.  We have toilet paper, paper towels, soap, bleach, laundry detergent.  We have sanitizing wipes, shampoo, shaving supplies and plenty of medications.

Some folks think this pandemic is made up.  I'm not sure how they can say that.  Half of Italy is CLOSED.  The numbers of people infected and the numbers of deaths are staggering in their country.  Things ARE bad.  Maybe this will resolve itself, but in the meantime, we need to be cautious.  I am doing any reasonable thing(s) to keep myself and my sweetie healthy.  I don't want to be a fanatic, but people are starting to point fingers if we mention that we have changed our habits in any way.

Oh, well.  It's my life and I will live it the best way for me that I can.  I will protect my husband, our furry kids that live with us as best I can.

God bless us, everyone.

With love, H

Rainy Tuesday

It's a rainy Tuesday, but we were expecting the rain.  We are supposed to do our taxes today, and I believe we will, but in the meantime, I had a little sewing and crafting to do.

To the right are two 6.5 inch blocks for my Moda Blockheads 3 quilt along.  This is the block for week 8, a darling 9 patch.

I also made the St. Patrick's Day cards for the grandchildren, but I forgot to take photos and they are in envelopes and ready to mail, but here is an extra one of which I snapped a photo.  Each kid got a card, $5 and a shamrock pin.

I had to renew my software for Microsoft Office.  It's always a hassle...I detest doing it.  There are so many numbers in my records and the numbers change with each order every year.  I paid for it, and think I am going to have a permanent license from now on, but until I get it downloaded (and the old software uninstalled) I won't be sure of anything!!

I also called to schedule a grooming appointment for Sophie.  Their first available appointment is next Tuesday, March 17 at 9:00 am.

Also on the agenda for today is Rick's scheduled haircut.  For a stay-at-home day, it's been quite busy around here!!

I want to make a small purse for Cris for her birthday.  If I get time, I'll make it, but I'm not really sure she would like it.  She said she would, but we'll see what the future brings.

Here it is again -- Monday!

Boy, it's good to be retired, Mondays don't bring as much angst as they used to bring!

I froze the pork chops I bought at Aldi last week, we were going to have them for dinner yesterday, but we did so much shopping and running of errands that we got Galley Boys from Swenson's for dinner.  I blew my low carb plan for the Galley Boy, but you have got to "let loose" now and again.  So, I added an order of onion rings, too!!  LOL

I need to cook the ground chicken that I bought at Aldi's, too.  It froze in the freezer, but I will let it thaw and then cook it to have it ready to easily and quickly make Egg Roll In A Bowl later this week.  Always good to have that ready to eat, it's one of my most-favorite things.

Our freezer is as full as it can be.  I have packed it with foods that we like and we won't have to go to the store for groceries (except perishables) for a very long time.  I even made EXTRA sure the door will stay closed (it wasn't in danger of opening, but you can't be too careful) and put a piece of duct tape.

Today is pickleball and Cris is coming to pick me up about noon.  I'm still sitting here in my nightie and robe (9:30 a.m.), but I'll hit the shower in a couple of minutes.  Dinner tonight is at Applebee's with Cris, Jerry and Butch.  I see a bacon cheeseburger with no bun in my future, along with some broccoli!

We purchased a propane firepit for the deck.  Hopefully Rick will assemble it today (while I'm at pickleball).  I don't like assembling things, but he thinks there won't be a lot to do it.

I would like to sew on my block for the Moda Blockheads 3 today, but I think that's way too ambitious for the way my day ahead is scheduled.  Tomorrow perhaps, though I believe we are planning to do taxes tomorrow.

-H

A little trip

Thursday, I took off to drive to Pittsburgh to visit with daughter #1 and her family.  Grand daughter #2 was to be in the middle school production of The Lion King.  She was in the chorus, probably only on stage for 3 minutes, but it was fabulous!  She was so excited and nervous, but she did such a fabulous job!

My plan was to leave the house at 1:30.  I did.  I headed east on Route 76 and before I got to Route 44, I realized I didn't have the transponder to pay tolls on the Ohio and PA turnpikes.  DRAT!  I was unable to turn around immediately, so I had time to think about what I needed to do.  Should I just pay the toll on the PA turnpike?  Nope, can't do that because there are no manned toll booths.  I got off Route 76, called the bank (because I knew Rick and Sophie were going to go to the bank after I left home) and talked to a teller there.  I asked him to have Rick wait for me as I would be there in about 7 minutes or so.
When I was driving to the bank, I saw Rick's car, then Rick and Sophie.  I got back into my car (with


the transponder) and headed back to Pittsburgh.  I lost close to a half hour, but no problem.

Friday, after getting the kids off to school, Kelly and I went shopping around.  I wanted to go to Joann Fabric near her home as they were the only store that had some of my black/red/white paisley fabric.  We went to TJ Maxx, Ikea and Michaels, then had lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse.  I had a salad with shrimp and it was SO delicious.  After that, we went home and I loaded my belongings into my car and headed home.  As soon as I left her house, weather came with a vengance!  It was snowing a mix of snow and ice and it was coming so fast that the ground was getting covered in a matter of seconds.  Funny thing, once I got down the hill to Route 50, the weather was gone and it was clear sailing.  UNTIL I got on Route 79 near the airport exit.  Again, the snow/ice mixture was coming down so fast that traffic was going about 50 mph.  A little ways north, I drove out of the storm and it was pretty clear the remainder of my drive home.

I got home about 3 pm and Rick was just heading off to go to Pete's place.  We decided to have dinner at home - I was going to fix sauteed chicken and rice.  I wanted to go to the store and pick up a green pepper and an onion to go with dinner, so I headed (with Sophie in td my phone.  I was kind of frantic.  I remembered putting it in my pocket after paying with it, but I coow) to Walmart.  I had a few other things on my list, so I picked them up, too.  THEN...I couldn't finuldn't find it.  I stopped the car, checked my pockets, checked my purse and checked the bags with the groceries.  NOPE.  I completely emptied my purse, NOPE.  I was going to go back to Walmart, but then I remembered that I heard a "thud" shortly after I got in the car.  I drove home, ran into the house and grabbed the land line and called my phone.  I could hear the vibration!!!  My phone had fallen between the driver seat and the console.  Crisis over!

Got my groceries put away, made cauliflower casserole, cooked the onions and peppers and then Rick came home.  He got a little nap and I sat down for a while.  About 6:30, I cooked the chicken and rice and we had dinner.

Boy, I was tired at the end of the day.  I slept better than I have for a while.

Today is Saturday and I hope to do a little sewing today.

-H

Wednesday's chatter

Rick has his echocardiogram today.  It was interesting to watch the blood flow through his heart and the technician who did the test was very nice.  We don't know the results of the test as yet, however, if the tech had seen anything dangerous, he would have called the doctor (we were at Western Reserve Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls).  We really like this hospital, it's not a public hospital, but is privately owned by doctors.

After having the test, we dropped by Pete's bar and visited with him.  We had Sophie with us and he loves seeing her.

Home and a little lunch, then checked my email.  I got notification that my bras were in and so I drove out to Montrose to pick them up.  After getting them, I went to JoAnn's and looked for the black/red and white paisley fabric I'm starting to run out of and I'm using it in the Moda Blockheads #3 blocks.  I made a stop at Aldi's and bought pork chops and ground chicken.  Jennifer and the girls Facetimed me, so I sat in the parking lot and chatted with them for a while.  I drove across the street to Sam's and put air in my tire that was low.  Love that Air Hawk that I bought for my bike.  It's so easy and makes a problem just go away!

We had an Arby's fish sandwich for dinner...it was pretty darned good!

I hope we go and early vote tomorrow before I take off to go to Kelly's house.  I plan to leave about 1:30 or 2:00; that way I should get to her house well before the rush hour and the crazy traffic.

Tuesday stuff

Today I needed to get the chicken into the freezer that I bought yesterday.  I had it all packaged in individual sandwich bags and those in my FoodSaver bags, sealed and in the freezer before noon!  I bought two 5 pound packages of skinless, boneless breasts from Duma's.  I love walking into this meat store, it smells absolutely delicious!  The last time I visited I asked what the wonderful smell was and was told that it was whatever they were smoking in the smoker.  I need to find out what they smoke and try that.  Mmmmm...

I would also like to go to Aldi and purchase some pork chops and some ground turkey or chicken to make some egg roll in a bowl later on.  However, I have leftover taco pie in the fridge.  Come to think of it, I should probably freeze part of that for later use. As it turns out, I didn't make it to Aldi's to get what I wanted, but tomorrow is another day.

I would like to sew a bit today on my Moda Blockheads #3.  I am re-doing the first block in a larger size.  Had I really given it more thought, I could have just added a couple of borders to make my 8.5 inch block into the 12.5 inch block.  I am happier with the larger block.

Kelly called this morning and invited me (and Rick) to come and see Annabelle in the play "The Lion King" that her middle school is putting on.  Anna's just on stage for about 3 minutes while she sings in the chorus, but I so want to see her and support her in this play.  I am going to go on Thursday and return on Friday.  Rick is not going.  I'm kind of sad about his not going, but it's probably better...he doesn't do well with staying overnight.  I must call Cris and tell her I won't be available on Friday for our "play day"!

Another favorite blog and chatter about my day

Tanya writes a blog that I read nearly every day.  If I miss a day, I read what I've missed.  She's American of Japanese descent.  She was raised in the US, but she's lived in Japan for over 40 years with her Japanese husband.  She lives an interesting life and she tells a lot about the different culture and some of the differences in cultures.

Today is Monday and I have had a FULL day.  Right after getting up and having coffee, I stripped the bed and washed the bedding.  I got it all washed, dried and put back on.  It will be great sleeping on clean, crisp sheets tonight.

Western Reserve Hospital called to schedule Rick's echocardiogram.  He's all set up to have it done on Wednesday.

I went to play pickleball.  (Cris didn't go, she is helping Kathy get her house in order.)  I headed off to pickleball about noon in the rain.  I had fun, for the most part.  We had a new player come and she was nice.  I helped her learn how to keep score and where to stand when opponents were serving, etc.  I like helping the new players.   Keith is still sick and I got him to call his friend who is a doctor and ask for another round of antibiotics.  He is coughing so hard it hurts his back.  Hope he feels better soon.

After pickleball I went to Duma's Meat Market and bought chicken breasts. After that, off to Walmart to get things on my list.  By the time I got home, I was tired.  I had heavy stuff to bring in.  Bottles of water, cans of green beans and pumpkin and all the other stuff!  I got it in (Rick was getting cleaned up) and got stuff put away.  I grabbed something to drink and sat down for a bit, then it was time to go to dinner with my brother, sister & husband and Rick and me.

We went to The English Pub in Ravenna.  I had been there before, and it wasn't that good, so I wasn't expecting much.  However, I had Greek Haddock.  It was delicious!  Baked haddock with tomatoes, feta cheese and black olives.  It came with vegetables and salad.  What a delicious dinner.  Cris had the same thing.  Jerry's watching his carbs, so he had an antipasto salad and soup.  Rick and Butch had burgers and we all enjoyed our meals.  This is one to add to our list of places to go.

Well, enough boring chatter of my day.  Tomorrow I have to get the 10 pounds of chicken bagged up and into the freezer.

Challenges

I read 2 blogs...occasionally I'll read others, but usually just these two.

Judy lives in Texas.  She used to be an avid quilter, but now her focus is knitting and homemaking.  She reminds me of myself when I was young.  She cooks from scratch, does her own canning, has a great garden (when the critters leave it alone long enough) and likes being home.  She has a good heart and she's down to earth.  (One thing we DON'T have in common is her ability to tolerate snakes.)  I enjoy her blog a lot.  She feels like a friend, even though we have never met.
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This year, Judy has offered up a challenge.  Each month she will "announce" a color, ask if you made a gift, what you have read and what you have learned.  I try to make something in the "color of the month".  Giving a gift a month is very doable.  I have issued a Pay It Forward Challenge to some of my friends to do a random act of kindness or give a gift.  I enjoy doing this and it's especially fun since it can be anything.  I enjoy reading, but I don't read a lot.  Judy's challenge might just spur me to read a little more.  I'd like to think I try to learn new things all the time.  I feel it's good for my brain to "tease" it or try to use it in different ways.

I'll be posting "Challenges from Judy" occasionally.

The other blog I read is by Tanya.  I'll te
ll more about her blog in another post.

I've been sewing on some of the Moda Blockheads #3 today.  I have a block about halfway done and am planning on a birdhouse block, to replace a birdhouse block that was released a few weeks ago.  I made that block, but I really don't like it at all.  It's "primitive" and I really do NOT like primitive style.  I will be making a birdhouse block that is similar to this:

-H

Heart block for my Moda Blockhead

This is my version of the heart block from the Moda Blockheads #3.  The heart block that was released on Wednesday wasn't really my "style".  So, I made this one and I'm so pleased with it.  

I am re-doing block #1.  I made it in the 8 inch size and the other blocks I've done have been the 12" size.  I think I am going to stay with the 12" blocks, in the event I don't use the block in a quilt, it's large enough to make into a pillow, bag or even a wall hanging.

I'm really enjoying the making of these blocks.  The points and preciseness of the process is interesting to me and seems like my brain has to work a little harder to do the best job I can.  I truly don't need another quilt, but the process is most enjoyable.

-H

Magic

I finished the "Magic" block.  LOTS of points!!

Not the best photo, but I'm enjoying making these blocks.  They are challenging...and I believe that's good.