Yup, I’m yet livin’! I’ve been busy, but no busier than most of you. I’ve had a flurry of obligations followed by the calm of low tide.
I made a two day trip to Iowa, with my sister, Frankie, of Just My Opinion. It was a voyage of remembrance for me, and one of discovery for her. Our grandparents and their children lived in Iowa. My sister had heard stories of “the farms” all her life, and it was time for her to go see them, and get to know those who farm them better. I enjoyed the trip down memory lane, seeing the houses where my aunt and grandparents lived, and the house where my father was raised. I was astounded by the generosity of everyone we met in Iowa. They were generous with their time, their information, their smiles, and concern. This was perhaps the best quick trip I have ever made! Thank you, Iowans!
Monday, just past, I was scheduled for an insurance audit. I was prepared, but just to be on the safe side, I skipped exercise to be sure that everything was ready. Eleven o’clock came and went with no auditor at my door. By 11:22 I called, to see if she was lost and needed directions. No answer. I have still not received a return call. I believe a letter to the company is warranted.
I’ve started a new quilt top. I have a small wall-hanging-size quilt that is bands of four patches on point alternated with strips of solid fabric. I have it folded into quarters and Ed, the cat, lays on it when I am at the computer in the living room. I’ve always loved that little quilt and decided to make a larger version of it. True to form, I may be making two larger quilts. I started cutting up scraps and ends of small pieces of fabric before I had the design planned out. Of course, now I have more squares than I need for one quilt, so I may put together two to use up all the cut pieces. Pictures to come, sooner or later.
I have a great deal of weeding to do. I thought I was going to have help from a grandnephew, but that’s fallen through. I’m going to try to work tomorrow morning while it’s still cool, and the sun is not overhead. I may even work at it this evening once the gardens are in the shade of the house. If I can’t keep up with the weeding, I may see if my favorite landscaping company can give me a couple of hours. I’m going to have two willow trees planted this summer, so perhaps they can do it then.
Our exercise guru’s daughter gave birth to her second baby recently. Lynda will be going to spend a week or so with them, and I’ve been invited to take over the class next week. I need to spend a little time reviewing the music and the moves and create a new cheat sheet, if necessary, before Monday morning. I really enjoy working with the class, and they seem to be willing to have me lead them.
Thank you notes. I have a stack of thank you notes I need to write. Frankie puts me to shame with her beautiful, hand-written, notes. I think I’ll print up a list of the notes I owe, and do a few now and then through out the day. This is one obligation I really want to get done!
I finally stopped at the local upholstery place to start looking at fabric samples. Of course, I’ve waited so long that the color I want, spruce green, is no longer available. There is a sea of moss, tarragon, sage, basil or even lime green to be had. I think the people who choose what colors will be offered each year must have been very hungry. I had originally planned to have two chairs and an ottoman done in a solid green, but now that I think about it, It might be a better idea to have a chair and the ottoman done in a floral print, and then have the couch and loveseat done in a solid green. There are SO many variables, it makes my head swim. And this is going to be done piecemeal, so I can’t just order everything at one time, which makes it even harder. This is one chore I’m not enjoying.
I have finally repotted three plants that have been waiting for months for just a little dirt! Two plants for my bathroom, and a geranium that I wintered over are now the proud possessors of new homes! There’s a plant in the green room that needs to be killed off. It’s grown oddly and can no longer get enough food and moisture from the pot it’s in. It’s too leggy to save, so I’m going to have to do the unthinkable and cut it up. There is also a euphorbia, that I’m going to take cuttings from. This plant has grown so well that it can’t hold itself up in the little pot that holds the roots. Luckily, it’s an easy plant to propagate, so I’m going to get new pots and soil, and get started on that. I think I may give one to my Mother.
And the last bit of news…I cut off half my hair. I walked into the salon for my appointment and said….”Shave my head!” My hairdresser smiled, and said, “We can do that.” I back tracked a bit, and we compromised on cutting all of the lower length, and most of the sides. Now, I look a bit more like my sisters, who all have short hair. I don’t think it was a mistake, but if it is, it will always grow back.
I hope you’re all having a good day, and wish you the best for the weekend!