Hey, cq! How is Halloween where you live now??
We had all of 6 tricker treaters but 6 more than last year.
This is the first gorgeous weather Halloween we have had in years.
cq, you might like to know that H is going to India for nephews wedding.
Memory lane also for him and his sibs.
RM, I grew up sewing and maybe would have been better at it (though made my own shorts and
such at age 12 and made a jacket with a lining at age 15) if my mother had not leaned over my shoulder and told me everything I did wrong.
:(. Now I dread being near a needleājust finally sewed a button on my rain coat after nearly a year.
The needles just seem to jump out at me and I ALWAYS prick my fingers.
Happy all saints day
No trick or treaters hereā¦canāt say I blame themā¦my lane is a loooooonggggg hill and if I didnāt have to get mail, I wouldnāt walk it either
But I do miss trick or treatersā¦though mcson dressed up for work in a pink robe, toweled head, and cucumbers on his eyes His version of spa-day mcson. We also had a storm trooper and a "ceiling fan.ā Hi ho.
Belated Happy Halloween to all. We had about 12 kids. Gone are the days of over 100. Our neighborhood is just starting to turn over with some young families moving in but a lot of us have been there for years and so our kids are grown.
Puppy is doing well and going through the night with no accidents. There have been a couple of accidents in the house but while we are there. We are working on that, how to not chew on well EVERYTHING, and that counters are not for dogs. Yes itās training time! She actually will start puppy head start (yes that is what they call it) in mid-November. I am enjoying her - not to say that there arenāt days.
Because of the puppy I am walking more, knitting and sewing less, and probably cleaning more. This too I know shall pass. It is causing me to work less as I go home at lunch most days and let her out. I have had a couple days where I just couldnāt get away but my kids each took a day. Also Iām walking more. I take her out for a walk in the morning and again at night. For the most part that means Iām exercising 7 days a week. Just walking but isnāt that supposed to be good for you? Typically I get in just over 10,000 steps a day since getting her so that is a positive.
Still havenāt managed to sew although my sewing room is getting there. Need probably this weekend to finally get it finished. Goal is to have it ready to sew the week of Thanksgiving as I have taken it off and we will have several days at home before going to my MILs for the holiday.
Oregon - I can see where that might turn you off of sewing. My grandmother and mother taught me and for the most part it was here are some instructions and then they left me alone to see what happened. Only made sure that I didnāt sew myself with the machine although at first it was a treadle machine that my grandmother had so not sure that would have sewed through my finger.
I havenāt actually moved yet, @oregon101 - long story, but we were still working on my parentsā move. I am in California for work this week, so H and my brother finished it all up yesterday. H is driving to NC today. I fly to NC on Friday so weāll see if H has secured us a place to live yet. We applied to rent a house, waiting to hear back (we offered less than asking rent) but have a backup townhouse.
So still in flux, but thankful we have one move completed!
Made a pact with myself that I wouldnāt bring the new sewing machine into the sewing room until the sewing room was clean. Which basically means that for the last few weeks itās been sitting in my kitchen. Every time I walk by it I just want to sew on it. So (drum roll please) ā the sewing room is CLEAN!!! I can now take that machine and get it setup. I mean the thing has wifi! I canāt wait to play with it. Between that and the puppy I donāt need Christmas this year!
I have moved! We are renting a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath townhouse.
This happened on Friday. We have the stuff that was in our car, and have borrowed a card table, 2 lawn chairs, and an air mattress. Now we just need our stuff from storage!
H has been in Delhi and Agra and now on his way to Varanasi.
This is a trip I decided not to take and, wow, am I glad that I made that decision.
As you no doubt know, United has canceled flights and it is considered the same as an
earthquake or hurricane. The smog is actually causing traffic accidents.
But the saddest is that children are suffering terribly.
The wedding is this weekend. H will be home the day before Thanksgiving.
I have been thinking about those of you who work long hours.
I took a 4 day painting on glass class and just hated the getting up at a certain
time and driving across town and long long times to be with people and driving
back home. At least I was alone so dinner was sometimes cooking and sometimes
not. I get that one gets use to things but it has left me in awe of your obligations!
As I am home alone for 17 days Dās friends are contacting meāso sweet.
Tonight her BFF from HS and her partner came for dinnerācan be a 40 minute drive or more
in traffic. Wonderful company and if I may say so one of the best meals I have made in some
time. BFF also changed the hall lightbulb and that made my day!
Playing Mah Jongg twice a week. Had a hard time adjusting to different personalities but
it has all gelled and is quite fun and brain challenging.
Hi Oregon. Someday I too will not need to be places all the time. I am not wishing my life away but that time will be here. We are enjoying the puppy. Lots of puppy time! I just love dogs and realized that the 2 months where we didnāt have a furry 4 legged friend in the house I was very depressed. The wedding kept me occupied but I just felt lost with out a dog. This one is just very cuddly and would love it if you would hold her all day long. Of course at 16 pounds or so that is doable but we are thinking that she it going to be around 70. Not sure how that is going to work. LOL! My sewing room is clean and I have been playing with the sewing machine a bit. Hours at work Iām just doing as much! I just said āenoughā. I have other things that I like to do. When Iām here I am really here but when I try to leave on time and I do head out now at lunch to go home and be with the puppy.
Hope everyone is well and enjoying what ever they are into currently.
D and her H are starting the process of selling āherā house and looking at moving closer to us. Not that they are that far away - 20 minutes in traffic? She wants to be closer to us and my S so Iām thinking that a move is in our future as well. Always something.
Good morning, all!
CQ, glad to hear youāve landed for your new adventure
RM, jealous of your puppy time. Iām allergic to dogs but love em and have been trying to negotiate acquisition with mch for several years now. He loves dogs more than people but does not seem remotely interested in a smaller, less allergenic dog.
My sib s recovering well from her skull base brain surgery and the family crisis meter is slowly dialing back to situation normal around here
My niece and her friend (and my other sub) are coming down this weekend for a āpunk rockā show at one of our small venues. Mcson is teasing me that its āpop punk rockā not āpunkā but the Descendants have been doing it since the 70s so Iāll give them a pass
Next week, mom is coming down for TG and it feels lie ninja-holiday-sneak-up somehow this year. Havenāt even called the fresh turkey guy yet.
Donāt think I mentioned it previously but I finally saw Wickedā¦mch bought tix to a local touring run for his dayās 89th bday. Great present for us all - it was sold out so heād bought front row scalper tix for an undisclosed fortune
I bawled like a baby during Defying Gravity.
Last weekend, friends hosted a lovely dinner party, so in all November is a banner month compared to the hijinx f Oct. Feeling happy to settle in for some good times!
KMC - my H is also allergic to dogs - however we have always had one. I just canāt live without a pet and the couple of months where I tried I think now my H gets it. I was not a nice person. Was just tuned out. Totally in my own world and didnāt want to interact. The dog helps keeps me centered I think. She is a joy although she was NOT a fan of the other puppies in puppy class on Monday. Seems a bit overwhelmed. Need to get her playing more with other dogs. She is small. That is probably a good reason. She wonāt stay small but was very skinny when we got her - she may have been the runt.
That the roofing contractor on the rental I own only put one leg through the ceiling of the flat roof family room addition and was unharmed.
That I have enough money to pay to have the rafters reconstructed at not inconsiderable expense, despite the delay to the already exorbitant flat roof replacement job.
That the tenant was sufficiently delighted with a free month's rent in December to put up with the ensuing cleanup and construction disruption.
That I live in Michigan, where every home project that lingers past October promises to be a duel to death with Lady Winter.
Well KMC - seems like a delightful way to start the day! Glad no one was hurt in the roofing escapade.
I am thankful for:
Grandkids who make me smile
2 New fireplace that hopefully will be functional tonight! :)
Puppy cuddles
High tech sewing machines that let you know when the embroidery is done or you need to change the thread color so that you can have more of #3. Yes it sends an alert to my cell. :)
A daughter and son-in-law who want our opinion on selling their house and buying a new one closer to us.
Working today and then 1 week off. Of course I canāt do anything easy so leaving work at the end of the day, going grocery shopping, then home to brine a turkey for family Thanksgiving with my kids and family tomorrow. Tomorrow will be hair appt, puppy time, cleaning, cooking, more cleaning and then toddler, baby time, eating and then sigh more cleaning. It will all be fun but what a way to start a week off!
Great kids who are launching really well as adults.
My toys (BMW, MacAir, wireless headset, Wifi mesh network, Alexa ...). Still trying to decide whether to buy Google Home (to compare with Alexa) an Apple Watch or Google Pixel 2 and Pixel Buds and maybe Clips.
That the world treats me well -- respect, money, etc.
D won the Chicago Hamilton lottery today and gets to see the show tomorrow (she got 2 $10 tickets)
Free tickets for lunch today to a BBQ at a nearby church (I'm feeling very full)
Still have some concerns - hope itās okay to include these:
Just got a call - they're taking my mom to the emergency room right now (bad cough)
We are having major delays working with the movers and one of the storage units where our belongings are being held hostage. Hoping for an eventual reunion with some of our belongings, and as temperatures drop, would especially like to see our winter coats!
Sort of hoping someone in our new town might invite us for Thanksgiving dinner. We currently have no plans. And no kitchenware.
Hope your mom is okay, c_q. I remember those kinds of calls from long distance all too well . Hope also you get your things soon . All the best! Thinking of you
QuestionāHamilton is coming to town and of course all tickets went fast.
Anyone here use StubHub? Of course outrageous prices but want to know
if these are legitimate seats.
c_q - I hope your mom is OK. If you can get to suburban Northern VA you can join in our Thanksgiving dinner.
What I am thankful for:
The job move 3 months ago. I am much less stressed and much happier now.
D is applying to MBA programs- heard from the first one (of 4) today. She is in - good school, she likes it and full ride! Not naming names but it's one of the (original) Big 10.
S flies home from London tomorrow. D and SIL will be here Tuesday night.
CQ, what is your new town? Fingers crossed for serendipitous meetup with new thanksgiving friends
My gratitude exercise was originally an effort to find positive spin on a yucky day. The roof saga is becoming a comedy of errors
Last night a friend had our book club dinner in a town a good bit north of me. id been looking forward to catching up with everyone. But in the midst my tenant calledā¦the tarped roof for which the contractor had just replaced all the rafters was leaking big time despite his earlier report of tarping.
I ended up tracking down the contractor and met him there as I happened to have a 60x40 waterproof tarp Iād used to take down the dome in spring. I tracked down mch whoād been at a long movie and tasked him with buying the last-on-shelf huge blower fan used for water damage - minutes before lowes closed.
Two hours in the 39 degree rain later after some contractor roof tai chi in the dark we got the huge tarp secured and the leak to stop, and by then the fan had dried out the room, so allās well that ends well
This too I know shall pass. It is causing me to work less as I go home at lunch most days and let her out. I have had a couple days where I just couldnāt get away but my kids each took a day. Also Iām walking more. I take her out for a walk in the morning and again at night. For the most part that means Iām exercising 7 days a week. Just walking but isnāt that supposed to be good for you? Typically I get in just over 10,000 steps a day since getting her so that is a positive.