Hello.... it's me!

A week since my last post! Well it has been a busy time. As you can imagine we have been getting organized here and adjusting to the new household. All has been unpacked and put in place. New items added to and changes made here and there. Alan off to work each day.
I must admit to having lost ambition to do and taking advantage of just relaxing. A little bit of reading now and again.
This past weekend, Lisa and I went to the Litchfield Faire...and... there is a new man in the house..

he lives in my bedroom, hanging right by the slider.
A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to repair "Blue Blanket" for a sweet 5 year old I will call "J".

He has had this crocheted blanket since birth and has loved it so very much. What to do? The yarn used is 6+ years old, of course no way to match it....but I love a challenge.

I must say I was pleased with my efforts. The best moment was to hand it back to this beautiful little boy and he immediately scooped it up and clutched it to his chest with a big smile. His mom seemed pleased too.  Thank you Vickie (and here) for trusting me to repair this keepsake.
We had a rain storm very early this morning... around 3:30 complete with thunder and lightening. It did not last very long but enough drench everything. The sun is back, bright and warm. There is swishing in the laundry area and soon I will be sitting out in the lanai. So off I go.... glad to chat with you. Thank you for those who emailed to check up on me.... Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Oh what a beautiful morning

It's going to be a beautiful day.... sun shining front door open and a lunch date with Vickie who has this thing about reminding us how close we are getting to Christmas! It has been some time since our last meeting due to commitments so we are looking forward to catching up. I have not been on the computer these last few days. I have blog catching up to do for sure. I have been working in the garage in the early morning before  it gets too hot. I have a trunk load to hand off to Vickie for the school donation. Slowly clearing out what I am not using or will use or just do not what/need anymore. My trash/recycle guys are going to wonder if I am moving out. No indeed, instead it is who is moving in!
After so long of planning and counting away the months the time has arrived. The Brother Alan and Lisa are arriving next week.... yes they are.

In between the garage and other stuff I began the last dragonfly. This is the one that Catherine so generously helped me by sending me the right beads for the eyes.  As much as I like Mill Hill kits, there were a few issues with these. Of course having had them for a several years and never checking them, there is not much to do about the issues now except make the replacements of what is missing. The first two I made were complete so I did not check the remaining three. Thank you for the caring thoughts on my blood pressure issue. Although it has lowered a little, I am still in the Stage 2 Hypertension area which is still a concern for me. So far my bloodwork is all within normal range. I am walking a few mornings and an adjustment to one of my meds has been done. Working on it.. Glad you had time to visit. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Spam, mittens and a perch

Finally got out to the garden yesterday morning as the temp was only 87and the sun had not filled the garden yet. I managed to sweep most of the debris and rake back the rocks around the fountain. Since the leak  issued is solved it was time to do so. I even trimmed a little but all of that is on the ground drying out and this weekend I will try to finish. Meantime, the hummer has found a new place to perch....

This are the bells that Bobby and Dianna gave me last Christmas and it hangs in the lanai. A couple of times when the breeze caught it and it swayed, the little guy had to hang on! As hot as it is, the lanai is just a bit cooler than the garden but more importantly it is all shade.
The question I have.... how do I keep a regular email out of the Spam folder?! The last couple of days my emails from DebbieB have been going into that folder. We email everyday and this is the first time it is happening and I have no idea how to correct it. So, now some of my emails are going to outer space...unable to deliver…and some emails are coming in the Spam folder. Last week Dave came across the courtyard to re-boot the router and at least my tablet is running better, and now I will make it  monthly maintenance to do.

As you can see, I have worked on Santa and his burro. He now has mittens and I am adding the beads as I go along. I am loving this project! More on the burro today.
I have the star fabric strips ready to press and then weave also for today...keeping busy since outdoors is out of the question. Vicki and I were to meet this week for lunch but she is not feeling well so that is on hold. I am of now to create....
Glad to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words ad for your friendship.

And the beads go on......

A lovely morning. The  sliders as well as the front door are for now. The temp is expected to be around 106-ish as it was yesterday. The weekend may reach 110, so definitely indoor activity only for me.
Tea and Pizzelles with Glenda yesterday.... good catching up conversation too. Isn't it nice that when friends have not shared company for a bit that when you are together it is as if you visited just yesterday. Glenda and husband Don have been good friends..... she and I shop or have tea and Don teaches and helps me. Great combination.

 

Today starts the beading for On The Range. I love Mill Hill kits and have been stitching them for years. Usually when you get kits, all threads and beads and even needles are provided. This kit did not have the beading needle, no problem as I have many. The threads for this kit were in some colors just enough. You would think that because the threads which are not specialty threads and inexpensive, would have a bit more than needed... remember, if you must take out then you are running very close or out of thread. Luckily for me on a few of the colors I had my own stash. This is merely a statement not a complaint.... not really. Anyway, onward to the beading today. I love the honey color for the hat outline.
Can you believe that this month is almost over? This week has been like a fast moving train…. the weekend is just about here! As a reminder, Vicki posted on her blog that we have only 26 weeks until Christmas! I have only 2 gifts ready. I really do not have a big gift list so I still have time. Nevertheless, I will buckle down to accomplishing filling my sleigh.
Time for my second cup of coffee... as soon as I get my chores done. Whoever has my House Fairies, I would appreciate you return them so I can just sit and bead. It has been nice chatting with you. Thank you for your kind and caring words. Thank you for your friendship.

Not yet a horse

Very little stitching yesterday....

The star is complete and the left border also. As  much as I enjoy these kits, they ae a challenge sometimes. There a so many blank spaces for the beads that counting twice does not always work. I have had to re-do a few times. Hope to stitch more today as tomorrow there will most likely not be any stitching; I have an appointment for my eye exam at noon. Vickie, who has 2 blogs: here  and here, emailed me and offered to take me rather that to wait any longer. Totally out of her way, but a friend indeed.
today. . The garden chores are complete; fountain water added and With the household chores completed I plan to make Pizzelles later.

With each recent visit, The Brother Alan and Lisa have brought and left clothing and items and leaving with empty suit cases. This time Alan also brought these. They are awards, back row:
 the Massachusetts Police Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department 4th Squad, Adjunct General  Rhode Island National Guard for Excellence in Standards and Discipline, Federal Law Enforcement US Department of Homeland Security. The front row: Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, Signature Costumer Service, and Federal Law Enforcement Training Center of Homeland Security. These are not the last of awards I am sure. Eventually we will find a more fitting place to display them. Yes, I am proud of him and what he has accomplished.
Wonderful having time to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Busy morning....

I watched the Boston Marathon as I have done for many years before leaving New England. I am always in awe of these athletes … I can barely run across the street! The weather was perfect for them. Here the sun is bright and it is warm and doors are open.... at least until it gets too warm then the fans will be on.
The electrician came this morning.

He installed the security light outside my garage. I will need to check the light angles once it is nightfall. Then I will clean and paint the area from the previous light. When he removed the old light, out scurried a gecko.

Can you spot him? He ran to hide behind the downspout. Not sure where he will be living now.... but most likely will move into the garden where they all come to live.
Yesterday I saw a video on how to bead a round peyote pendant. Why not five it a try, something new. Door bell is ringing...be back asap.
How many people does it take to install a trash can liner? Me to ring Ethel's doorbell to ask to use an electrical outlet, Mark to grind the old rim, Dave to insert the liner, of course I did supervise and then Robyn to carry the hammer back home with Dave.

Was not as difficult as I thought...small; the size of a quarter. Do not pay attention to the colors this was just a learning piece. I would love to learn new projects to bead. Lots of gals have done tape measure covers and such...they look so nice. I like a challenge.

My question to beaders out there...do you need to use a plastic ring in the center?! I will post to one of the bead sites and ask. I will definitely make another but larger.
The temps is already rising (almost noon and 84) so the doors will close and fans on. I am determined to not turn on the AC yet.
Vicki and her husband stopped by the other day to pick up my craft donation to her daughter's school and we took a picture. Stop over to Vicki's blog and see it!
There was swishing and fluffing in the laundry area.... not it will be folding time. Off I go....
Glad to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

I either have too many studs or not enough!

Oh the weather outside is frightful is getting hot already. They say up to the low 90s this weekend. I really think I am having weather related headaches and sinus issues..... or whatever. I give up. Yesterday morning the fragrance from the Daffodils was really bothering me so they are now out on the table in the Lanai. They are visible each time I walk into the kitchen. The back is just okay. I have been doing nothing and there is the possibility that I will call the doctor Monday.

My April Origami Star is finished. I like the colors and how it feels like Spring. These are easy and enjoyable to make. I like that I have all the months prepared so that I can just sit and make in just a few minutes.
I  decided to replace the garden tool storage rack in the garage. I want to have a storage on the garage wall. So of course first I need to find the studs. Were you thinking another kind of stud from the title????? ... anyway, I found the stud finder (of course Denny had one...only one in the cupboard) and read the directions. Read them and read them again. I was doing what it said but could not successfully locate studs then all of a sudden there was one almost on another. Something obviously was really wrong. I texted both Bobby and Don for advice. Bobby got back to me with directions but I still could not find my studs. Don call and said he would stop by and he did and showed me how to use the tool but even he had to admit they were not lining up right. Glad it was not my inability to follow directions. After we chatted and he gave me advice on how to mount the rack  he kindly added the last 2 bags of soil into the pond. Ta Da…. just going to let it settle then plant. I have also decided to remove 2 Yucca plants that cause me serious cuts from the sharp leaves. Things are progressing nicely.
Wednesday lunch with Vicki was delightful. We chatted and munched on Fettuccini and salad at Olive Garden. I forgot to link up her 2 blogs....one here and the other is here. Be sure to check them out.
Okay, time to move on..... glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Plans sidelined

Today I was going to paint the pond wall...I stopped yesterday at Home Depot and picked up a few items...paint

to paint 2 stripes on the wall behind the pond matching the colors in this pottery jar that is on the wall. All the supplies were made ready last night

yes, in the laundry basket which is not being used right now. But...earlier this morning there was thunder and lightening and very grey skies along with about 5 minutes of drizzle. So, by the time this cleared up it is too hot and too muggy to be out there preparing to paint. Maybe tomorrow. The nozzle broke for the backyard hose so that made it's way into the cart. I also remembered to pick up a new skimmer

Denny was 5'8" and long arms...me at 5' short arms had trouble using the skimmer he had with no handle! This will telescope to 8 feet! It is a guarantee that I will not be leaning into the pond to collect leaves and not falling in! This morning I attached a timer so that if I want to shut the waterfall off I can do so from the house. I am feeling quite accomplished.
Enjoyed my lunch meeting with Vicki-K.

Vicki and Dan

Be sure to stop by and visit her Christmas blog  and also her other blog Being Grammy.  We had wonderful conversation as well as lunch. Her interests are varied and I am sure you will enjoy meeting her and her sweet grandchildren as well as get some organizational ideas for Christmas.
Remember my rearranging the computer? I had to disconnect several things so I could move it and in putting it all back together I messed up. No speakers! Of course what to do...after spending an hour this morning trying to figure it out, I sent an email to Keith and ....did you know that if you have a green connection it plugs into the green spot on the back of the computer? All fixed. Poor Keith I just about drive him crazy. The sun is shining brightly now and it is hot and humid so no outdoor activities for me. Soon, real soon, I must get gas...I am at the 3 line. It has been a month since my last gas adventure so I hope I remember what does what. Today will be a relax day and just maybe some needle in hand. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. Most of all, thank you or your friendship.
❤Special note: Today is the funeral back in Rhode Island for my dear gentle cousin Rocco.