About today...

Another stellar

(and by stellar I mean not)

Bug-ish parking job

Friday Night...

So I'm sitting here watching some documentary on the Military History channel about biological warfare. It's all very exciting. And makes an excellent backdrop to my current crochet project (where's that sarcasm font when you need it?). It actually is really interesting, but it's not what this post is about.

As you might remember, I'm participating in the Moogly Afghan Crochet Along. We're onto square two, and after I finished the first one (I'm actually making four separate afghans) I realized that I needed to finally learn how to block my crochet projects. Blocking just means using one of various methods to straighten out the project so it looks neat. I decided to use the wet blocking method (basically soaking the project & then pinning it in place). I had to order some supplies to make it easier & they arrived today so I was really excited to block a couple of squares. Please note: I've been researching how to take better photos of my projects, but I haven't quite sorted that out yet, so these photos aren't all that fabulous.

I ordered these interlocking mats & some pins. I had tried to use straight pins on the carpet (an option that was mentioned) on a past project with not fabulous results.

Here's the first square - looking rather wrinkly.

Halfway through - I wanted it to be 12" x 12" - looks like pinning it was definitely necessary!

All done!

Here's another square put on top for comparison.

Now they're both pinned & just need to dry. I'll take pictures later to show how they turned out.

And now, onto the next one!

Throwback Thursday

Another brother/sister duo. 1980. I have no idea what we were doing - I'm sure my mother was behind whatever it was!

P.S. I used the HDR setting on PicMonkey to electrify those birds for yesterday's post :)

Wordless Wednesday

This and That

Since I usurped my own Monday Miscellany post I decided to have some miscellany today. Because I know you guys can't wait to hear all about the random things I think about.

First of all, today I saw one of our IT guys go charging past at work today with a mallet in his hand. Now tell me why in the world an IT guy would need a mallet? I sent him an email to ask, but haven't heard back. Seems suspicious to me!

I was going to do Book Review Tuesday, but I've only read three books since the last time (three weeks ago). I'm hoping by next Tuesday to have a few more to include. I have to say, I'm really enjoying Serial, but I've been hardened by reading so many murder mysteries. The narrator will say, "this next part is pretty disturbing," and I'm never really disturbed. And that disturbs me.

I've been crocheting up a storm, but I'm trying to do a better job of photographing my work. Which means I haven't taken any pictures, because who has time to find the perfect time of day & stage things? Well, ok, here's a phone pic - which demonstrates the need to work a little harder at it. Ha!

I'm writing this while sitting in my new chair & I just about dozed off. I sure hope you guys find me more interesting than I do!

How was your day?

In Which Goldilocks Gets a Chair of Her Own

Except I don't actually have gold locks, and I didn't break & enter to try out different chairs. Dr. M called me on his way home from school & asked if I wanted him to stop & pick up the chair we'd decided to get. Of course I said yes - no more shopping for me! So I went from this...

To this (with my wigwam as a chair cover)...

To our first new piece of furniture since 1997!

Oh! Oh! And I didn't even notice in the store - it's a recliner too!

So even though I didn't really want a recliner, I have one & I'm sitting in it right now with my feet up & I love it. Sweet!

Now I'm going to see how it works as a crochet chair...

2015 Project 365 – Week Four

This week there were a couple of near misses – we almost didn’t have a picture for a couple of days. And I’ll apologize right now for the ones I’m using for those days because they’re either boring or terrifying. One of the reasons that this week is so light on pictures is because Dr. M did a blog post! You HAVE to go check it out – he took some fabulous bird pictures this week plus some of the silliest squirrel activity in our back yard yet (and that’s saying something!). Here’s the link: CLICK HERE.

Sunday, January 18^th

Cardinal.

Monday, January 19^th  

I took a walk outside & couldn’t resist taking some pictures.

Beautiful sunset…

Tuesday, January 20^th      

This is the scary picture I was talking about. My temporary crown came out & I decided to photograph it. I don’t know why. Additionally, I’m not sure why I thought I should make this my Facebook profile picture. But I did. I did do this version in black & white so it wouldn’t be so scary.

Wednesday, January 21^st  

The only picture from today – I won the office pool on the size of my boss’s baby (I was one ounce off, & spot on with the length).

Thursday, January 22^nd  

Campus deer.

Dr. M made a crockpot southwest chicken recipe tonight – I decided to have a little bit of it with my cheese and sour cream.

Friday, January 23^rd   

Dr. M took pictures illustrating how cold it’s been! (Although this week was a lot warmer, there’s still ice everywhere).

Saturday, January 24^th      

We drove around and looked at sheep today. Lambs!

Since we moved the computer desk into a separate room I’ve been mostly sitting in a lawn chair when I'm in the living room. It’s actually VERY comfortable, but I decided that perhaps I should start the process of looking for a REAL chair. I went out to a local furniture store to see if they had anything that might meet my chair criteria (made for a short person, not too reclining). Here are the ones that seemed like they might be ok. I can’t decide if I should just pick one or go to a bazillion more places to see other choices. I’m sure I’ll let you guys know whatever I decide to do!

Hope everyone has a great week!

About Today

Little ones gambol…

Although they’re calling for snow

spring is in the air!

Is this the party to whom I am speaking?

I don't know why I used that title - this post is answering questions and addressing comments. Because I apparently can't be bothered to comment on my posts.

Regarding yesterday's post, my brother says that maybe we were doing jumping jacks. That sounds like crazy talk to me - I don't remember volunteering to do any kind of exercise at that age! That lamp in the background was made by my grandfather (maybe - I seem to remember having that myth debunked, but I need to check with my dad & get back to you).

I have nothing to say about Squirrel Wednesday. Except - I've already seen the picture for the next Squirrel Wednesday.

Darla asked how I read so many books. I actually don't really nearly as many as I used to. I blame blogging & Facebook. The only way that I get through as many as I do now is because of audio books. My long commute (nearly 2 hours each day), and listening to books while I walk, gets me through a book pretty quickly. My kindle books on the other hand seem to take forever to get finished. I need to quit playing Hearts & read!!

Well, speaking of reading, I need to get ready to go gazelle. Our book club is listening to Serial (that podcast about a murder from 1999). It's not exactly a book, but it's pretty good so far.

Throwback Thursday

My parents, sometime in the 70s. Perhaps this was taken before one of Daddy's barbershop quartet concerts? I'm surprised Mom let someone (me?) take a picture of them kissing - she was more of a slap him away not in front of the kids kind of a lady. Ha!

I'm not sure WHAT I'm doing here - but it looks like I'm anticipating that I'd be moving to Ohio in a few years! And, oh look - my perm is growing out...

Squirrel Wednesday

Happy Penguin Awareness Day!

Whew - I almost missed this very important holiday!

Monday Miscellany

So yesterday I was standing in the church kitchen, eating a cookie, and discussing books, when I bit down on something hard. I tried to chew it, but no go. I spit it out on my hand & thought, "Hmm, that looks tooth shaped!"  And that's how I learned that temporary crowns really are quite temporary! I was able to reattach it with some denture adhesive. Hopefully the real crown will be ready soon!

I'm getting so slack with reading lately! Who knows when I'll decide that I've read enough to do another book review Tuesday. How have I been spending my time instead? Crochet and Hearts (which, as I mentioned last week, I play very badly). Urgh. I think maybe it's because the book I'm reading on my Kindle is bugging me. I like it, but I don't like it.

We finally took down the Christmas tree today & moved Pinky back into the living room. I'm glad to have her out where we can see her - & I'm glad to have that space back in the bedroom! Now I can actually make the bed. Woot!

I've been sitting here for 20 minutes trying to come up with something profound to say about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Nothing is coming to mind, so I'll just say this: Happy Birthday Dr. King. We're still fighting the fight.

2015 Project 365 – Week Three

So last week I said I was going to have to take more pictures myself this week. Did I remember saying that? No. Did I take more pictures? No. Thank goodness I’ve got Dr. M to pick up the slack. This week was about the frozen tundra, whimsy, and a harbinger of spring (or maybe a geranium who’s in denial). 

Oh, & just so everyone knows, in the picture with my new socks, NCMountainWoman noticed an “L” & asked if that meant “left.” Yes, yes, it does – there’s an “R” on the other sock. And yes, your eyes do not deceive you – I had them on the wrong feet because I wasn’t paying any attention. For heaven’s sake.

Sunday, January 11^th

I always feel like pictures of cardinals should come with captions. What would this one say?

No drinking or bathing today!

  

On the other hand, inside it was hot flash city while I was doing my daily Gazelle. Had to go put my feet in the snow to cool them off (& somewhere my mother is saying, “See? That feels wonderful doesn’t it?”)

Monday, January 12^th  

Dr. M saw a dog who was apparently out running some errands.

I cut my finger (teensy little bleeder) & rather than go get a perfectly serviceable Band-Aid I decided to use a paper towel & some of my penguin duct tape. Very McGyver, don’t you think?

Tuesday, January 13^th      

Campus deer.

Wednesday, January 14^th  

Campus snow.

I often look rather Pebbles-esque when I’m working out these days.

Thursday, January 15^th  

My cousin’s daughter made this for Dr. M – we love it!

And a friend of mine had been meaning to give me this pillow since August. Penguin!

Friday, January 16^th  

The aforementioned frozen tundra.

Saturday, January 17^th      

Dr. M received copies of a new article he’s had published in the Kentucky Historical Society Register: ““A Blood Stained Sin”: Slavery, Freedom, and Guerrilla Warfare in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, 1863-65.”

I had to go over to the church to turn off one of our heat pumps (it keeps running continuously no matter the temperature). My status from Facebook:  I am heat pump, furnace, & air conditioner illiterate (determinedly so), but when told to move the switch from on to off? That I can manage ‪#‎incompetentchurchwardenproblems

Ms. Pinky decided that January was a fine time to produce her last blooms. At least I think these will be the last until spring. I know for sure that they made us smile!

Hope everyone has a great week!