Monday, July 9, 2018

I was about to write a post yesterday and thought, “Why bother?”. My posts are being published on my website (not sure yet about the scheduled ones that I write and want posted on a specific date) but the e-mailed posts seem to be going out very sporadic. I’ve made another change today and I’ll see if it works. I plan to move my mail delivery system to another program but finding time to sit down, figure it out, and get it done is the challenge.

I had a massage this morning; my neck is improving but the therapist is moving so today was my last chance for an appointment with her. She gave me a couple of new exercises to do, along with the two from last week, and I’m hopeful that if I do them consistently I won’t have to go back to someone else.

After the massage I had quite a bit of running around to do. First stop was the Kinsmen’s book trailer as I had two boxes of books I was ready to dispose of. The poor woman sorting the books was practically buried but they graciously accepted my donation. Then it was on to the library to drop off a book. A friend was working so we had a little chat before I crossed the street to the post office. From there it was a short trip to the thrift store to drop off a few things, and my final stop was at the bank with a Cranberry Hall deposit.

After lunch I decided I’d do a bit of yard work – perhaps not what my therapist would recommend but it needed to be done. There was a cloud cover and a breeze so it wasn’t too hot. I hadn’t been out for awhile; my main focus today was trimming the grape. It was growing into the apple tree, the maple and two of the bushes we have planted along the fence. Once it was trimmed back a bit I had to bag it all up, which took almost as much time as the trimming. The bindweed, although not too noticeable, is certainly thriving under all the plants so I’ll need to get back out there soon.

Before I went out the door the door this morning I started a load of laundry. I hung it on the line when I came home and managed to get it off the line this afternoon just minutes before it started to rain. We need the rain and I’m hoping it will get it out of its system before our company arrives.

Saturday, July 7, 2018

I skipped yesterday’s post because I didn’t have much to say. I had hardly slept the night before; awake until close to 5:00 AM and then I was up before nine. No idea why I wasn’t sleeping but by 3:00 AM I gave up, turned on my light, and finished my book. About all I managed on Friday was the cake I needed to bake for the show last night and a good nap in the afternoon.

I enjoyed the show last night even though there was some work involved for me. I often wish I wasn’t such a responsible person and I could pass over things that need to be done, as many of the other Board members do. I arrived at the Hall early as I knew the renters from Thursday night wouldn’t have done a clean up. I was right. Although I wasn’t in charge of the Concession our one volunteer really couldn’t keep up with it and the other three Board members (including one who was supposed to be helping with Concession) weren’t lifting a finger to help. Between one other Board member and myself we got everything done; at the end of the night I was left sweeping up the floor after everyone had left.

This morning I got my deposit ready; I don’t know when I’ll take it to the bank but it won’t be until I have other errands to run. My plan for today was to get a couple of cards done; so far I have one finished so that didn’t work out exactly as I had hoped. At various times throughout the day though I’ve done a bit of cleaning; my main area to focus on is the upstairs craft room. Since I moved the doll house all the games that were stored in the stand need a new spot to call home; the spot I’ve picked is full of books so I’ve been busy re-sorting books and deciding what I want to keep and what I am willing to part with, and then finding a spot for the ones I want to keep.

I have some binding to hand stitch this evening and I think I’ll be able to finish English paper piecing one more of the shapes required for my Farmer’s Daughter.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

I spent all morning finishing off the minutes for the last Cranberry Hall Board meeting and getting a deposit ready for the afternoon. Pat suggested I should keep track of the hours I spend on Hall work but I think that would be too discouraging so I’ll keep doing what needs to be done and, maybe, get faster at it.

This afternoon I was back sewing; Jessie has returned from her vacation and it was fun having her back. We are all at different stages in this silly Betsy Bag and, surprisingly enough, I seem to be the furthest along. I’m far from a finish, but I have most of the pieces stitched together. I broke two needles today alone; I think I’ve broken more needles on this project than I have in all my time quilting. I’m using a walking foot because there are so many layers and I’ve decided that all the bouncing from the sewing is loosening the screw that holds my needle in and then it gets out of line and snaps. Gail suggested I lengthen my stitch and, since I did that, things are working better. I’ll be glad to see the last of this project and I hope I’ll find the bag useful.

We had a bit of rain today and I really should be doing my baking tonight while it is still cool. It’s not too late for me to do that but I can’t say I feel much like baking – I think I’ll sit and English paper piece instead.

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

We came home on the noon ferry and it already feels like I’ve never been away. I didn’t even start unpacking before I was out cutting the boulevard; we took the lawn mower to Texada so as soon as it was off the truck I started mowing. After unpacking and putting things away we went out for lunch and then I got busy upstairs.

The weather on Texada wasn’t as hot as I would have liked, but then when we did get a hot day I decided what I really wanted was warm and shady. I spent a few hours outside stitching even though I had to keep moving my chair to keep in the shade. We were so happy to see the deer a couple of days; our neighbours say they are always around but this is the first time we’ve seen them in the yard. We had a mother and a young fawn visiting and this morning, on our way to the ferry, a mother and two fawns crossed our path.

I had a good week of stitching. Block 3 of Splendid Sampler 2 was all done by hand so I didn’t fall behind while I was away. I worked on The Princess and got quite a bit more done. I really wanted to finish her dress and shoes but I thought I’d go blind if I worked any longer last night. I basted a lot of English Paper pieces for my I’m A Farmer’s Daughter quilt.

My afternoon has been spent on Cranberry Hall work. We left for Texada the morning after the meeting so I needed to get the minutes prepared while I could still remember what went on. I will review them again tomorrow morning before sending them out, and then I’ll have to get busy on the items I said I would handle. We have a concert at the Hall on Friday night and I’m working Concession; I need to make a cake sometime before then.

I’m still having trouble with website; some of my scheduled items aren’t being posted and some of the posts aren’t being sent through the mail. I haven’t had time to look at it since I got home but I’ll have to try and sort it out. About all you missed while I was gone were the pot holders I made for Elizabeth’s birthday. Fingers crossed this one works.