Weekend Update 7.31.16

BSaturday we took a motorcycle ride up to Alpharetta for breakfast at the Original Pancake House.  This was one of our favorite restaurants when we first moved up here (different location) but it burned down after about a year and we only eat at the other location maybe once a year or less.  It's rather pricey but they have the best foods.  I had potato pancakes and bacon.  DH has eggs, home fries and toast. Yummy!

It was warm even at 9am so we hustled home just barely beating a brief rain storm.  We spent an hour or so just chilling out and then had a hot dog for lunch.  DH has had a lot of difficulty with his cell phone.  It's too large to fit in a pants pocket so he is always leaving it in the car, etc.  We went over to the AT&T store to see what options we had.  Ultimately, we decided on a iPhone 6 for him and I would get the 6+.  It took an hour or more to get all this accomplished.  We also picked up an iPad mini which they had on a special promotion - $99 plus $10 a month for cell service (for 24 months).  DH will use this mainly for business purposes.  It was a bit of a splurge considering our reduced income but the net increase each month is about $40 which will be offset by a per diem he will be receiving for cell service from work.  Our out of pocket expense will only be for the $99 iPad mini.

We stopped at Publix and the BBQ place on the way home.  One pound of BBQ meat, package of buns, ice cream, tater tots and lemonade.  Tomorrow, I will make a list and go to the grocery store.  I suspect I will have a small list and subsequently small purchase.  

When we arrived home, we found that the freezer (upstairs) was still not closing properly and we had to unload the whole thing and reload to get it to close.  I threw away several items that were old or unidentifiable.  I now have a better idea of what is in there.  I will be cooking from that freezer stash as much as possible this week.

Sunday we started the day with some lawn work, DH ran the weed eater and I mowed the grass.  It probably took about 40-45 minutes and it was done.

We treated ourselves to lunch (we really have to stop this!) and then went to Target to pick up a couple of items while we still had the no tax sale going.  Then we went to BJs and bought some items that I needed for the week: lettuce, cukes, tomatoes, dishwasher detergent, mushrooms, and salad dressing.  I wanted to get bacon bits but they no longer sell the Hormel brand and the BJ brand was too fatty.  I will have to go by Sam's sometime this week.

Afterward, I went to Publix.  I had a small list and mostly stuck to it, aside from an apple and English muffins.  Dinner at home wrapped up the weekend.

(Thursday and) Friday Update

Thursday was designated as movie day at Nana camp. The theatre down the street was offering a kids movie at 10am at a special discounted price.  

Before the movie DDIL picked up my little camper and took him, along with her kids, to a nearby park for play and exercise.  In the the was gone, I was able to move some things for my kitchen freezer down to the main freezer and clean the stovetop and pizza stone.  I was also going to clean the microwave but I ran out of time.

I met them at the movie theatre and we went in for the movie, $7.50 for both of us with popcorn and drinks!  Afterwards, we saw the the high school band was practicing outside so we stopped for a few minutes to listen.  I was hoping that they would also be marching but we didn't catch any of that.

At home, he read another book aloud (second one this week), we had a hot dog for lunch and then sat down for some quiet time. Before I knew it, he was asleep.  While he slept, I did some hand quilting and then sewed up another high chair cover.

I had planned to make cookies but the afternoon went quickly and before we knew it, it was time to deliver him to his Mom.  We stopped quickly at the grocery store on the way for three items I needed to finish out the week.  I think I did great to avoid the store this long this week.   I spent under $10 and now we should be set for the weekend as well.

I was thinking about a return trip to the pool tomorrow but there is a possibility that I will have the baby as well, so we will see what happens.  I do want to get at least one more book read tomorrow.  Maybe we will make some cookies.. Or paint some Christmas ornaments.

Well, the baby was well enough to go to school so it was just the two of us.  We headed out early to meet and greet at his school (school starts Monday).  It was busy and very warm at 8am.  After we finished the, I was thinking about some place else to go that early when my DDIL called to ask if he would like to go to the park again, which he did.  Off he went for a couple of hours to play.  I was able to get a little cleaning done and get a quick job search done and pay a few bills.

I had promised him that we would go out to lunch on Friday (all our other meals were at home) and it was all I could do to keep him awake through lunch.  He ate well but as soon as we got home, he was out for a nap.  I quilted a bit, sewed a bit, etc.  I had planned to make fajitas for dinner but realized after 2pm that I had never taken the chicken out of the freezer.  Fortunately, I found a gift card and we went out to dinner instead - only spending about $14 (including tip) for two dinners, drinks and a special appetizer.

It's been a good week.  We went to the library, farmers market, blueberry picking and muffin making, swimming at the local pool, park and movie matinee, and finally the school greeting, park and lunch out.  Add to that the two books he read to me, the one I read to him, herb picking, laundry folding, etc. that we did.

(Tuesday and) Wednesday Update 7.27.16

COur activity for Tuesday was blueberry picking.  There is a small farm very close to us that was open for picking.  I knew as hot as it had been that we would need to be there early so we were there at 8:30.  Their blueberries are not sprayed so you can eat right off the bushes.  Of course, the downside to that is that there are weeds in the bushes and around.  There were plenty for us to pick and still many unripe ones still to come.  Unfortunately, most were higher and further in the plant so I ended up picking most while my helper carried the bucket.  After about an hour, I was incredibly hot and knew it would only get worse.  We checked out finding that we had picked about a pound of blueberries.  (More than enough to make blueberry muffins a couple of times.). Our cost was $2.11 including tax. [Agriculture]

I stopped by my polling place to vote on the way home and he got to watch and see how the process worked.  We were in and out in just a few minutes. [Civics]

Once home, we both bathed and changed into clean clothes.  I believe there was some poison ivy but we were careful where we stepped and what we touched.  We washed ourselves and our clothes just to make sure.

Picking blueberries makes you very hungry so we ate lunch a little early.  (Leftover spaghetti.). After lunch, I found him asleep in the chair.  He proceeded to take a two hour nap because I simply couldn't get him up.

After his nap, we made blueberry muffins, chocolate chip muffins and pecan muffins.  We discussed fractions ( 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 cup measures) and he measured most of the items and mixed the batter.  He scooped the batter into the muffin cups and we cooked them.  [home economics, math, fractions]

By that time, it was time to head home so I dropped him off at his Mom's school with a container of muffins to share.

Our activity for Wednesday was a trip to the local pool.  I've never been there so it was a first for me.  I would like to have gone earlier but open swim was not until 2:30.  We spent a quiet morning and my charge read me a book while I set the table and loaded the dishwasher.  He's a good reader.  We have three more books to get through in the next two days.

I needed to go to the drug store today so we headed that way late morning.  He asked for a toy but I said not.  I did agree to a small bag of candy that he could have after lunch.  When we returned home, I made us a grilled cheese sandwich and we had a bag of chips.  He ate some of his candy and saved the rest until after the pool.

I got a mini nap (maybe 10 minutes) while he played a game on the iPad.  At two, we dressed for the pool and headed that way.  We probably spent 40-45 minutes in the pool but I could tell that he was getting tired.  He won't sit on the side of the pool and he won't float so he's constantly treading water or dog paddling,  I tried my best to get him to work towards swimming but he just wouldn't do it.  He needs a group of kids to encourage him.

After swimming, we headed back home and both got showers/baths.  He dosed off while I started dinner.  

Monday Update 7.25.16

Today is the first day of Nana Camp.  Ha!  My six year old grandson is spending the days this week with me.  He starts school next Monday but his Mom, a teacher, had to start today.  His little brothers go to a day care that starts along with the teacher schedules so they are set.

I have tried to schedule one activity each day to keep us "doing" something.  I was limited in what was available today but here's what we did.

Early am, I spent a few minutes searching the job websites (probably 15-20 minutes) while he played a video game.  Afterwards, we washed clothes and folded.  He was a good helper bringing the clean clothes from the dryer to me.  Mid-morning, we headed over to the library to pick up some books.  He selected four books for the week.  I looked for one for me but they did not have it.  We spent a few minutes on reading but we will come back to that later in he week.

We (technically, he clipped) clipped new oregano and rosemary from the bushes and then put the dried oregano in the jar.  

After lunch, he had a little quiet time while I browned some ground beef, green peppers and carrots and made spaghetti sauce.  I out the sauce into a small crock pot and left it on high while we headed over to a local Farmers' Market.  We looked at all the booths and selected some fresh, locally grown tomatoes and peaches.  (The peaches are beautiful and huge!)  By the time we finished at the Farmers' Market, it was time to get him home.  We took a scenic trip back to his house.

When I got home, I made a small salad and started the water for the pasta.  Dinner came together quickly and easily.

Weekend Update (7.24.16)

It was another really hot weekend.  We started out with our usual Saturday morning breakfast and DH left to join a group ride to lunch, the original plan was that he would be back by early mid-afternoon and we were going shopping at Fry's for some things he needed at work.  Well, his short lunch ride turned into a longer ride than expected due to the fact that 80 people showed up for lunch and it took much longer to get served.  He also ran into showers coming and going.  We postponed our shopping trip til Sunday and elected instead to go the the movies Saturday evening,

Sunday, we had breakfast at home then we went to Fry's just after noon.  We stopped at Chili's to have some chips and queso dip.  Then we stopped at DD house to drop off her key and finalize plans for kid drop off tomorrow.

I did very little this weekend in the way of cleaning, cooking, etc.  

(Thursday and) Friday Update

MkI was afraid that Thursday was going to be a dud.  I started out great with a healthy breakfast (old fashioned oatmeal) and I got right to work doing some chores/tasks.  I put the vintage toys away (actually, I packed the like items together in zip lock bags so it is very neat and organized) and started a load of laundry pretty early this morning.

I did some job searching but didn't find anything today.  I worked on the website for a little over an hour but I'm running out of things to do.

I did make an appointment for a checkup and a mammogram on the same day.  I was trying to verify which facilities were covered with my insurance company and found that to be extremely difficult.  Trying to deal with insurance companies and providers is like a shell game.  You're nevertheless REALLY sure.

Then, I went to the grocery store to pick up a small amount of deli meat (for dinner) and to find a mailing envelope.  DH sold an item on eBay and I need to get it in the mail tomorrow.  The envelope at the grocery store was way less expensive than a similar envelope at the UPS store.  Score!  I had intended to make this a no spend week but I've had a few things that I needed to buy:  $1.30 at the post office, $6.50 at the pharmacy for a prescription, and then <$5 at the grocery store today.  I'm really going to try not to spend anything else until I buy groceries this weekend and I will be paring down that list. 

Next week, I will be cooking out of the pantry and freezer.  I'm still trying to figure out what we're eating on Friday.  Fajitas would be great but I would need jalapeños and cilantro.  I think I could do spaghetti with what I have on hand.  Still thinking on that...

I also mowed the grass today and repaired the two t-shirt quilts.  Yes!  

I took the day off Friday.  No job searching and no working on my internet gig.  Instead, I worked on things that absolutely had to be done (time sensitive) and things I wanted to do.

I ran the dishwasher and cleaned out my car a bit (still needs to be vacuumed).  I ran a package down to the post office, fed and watered the dogs, and filled up my car with gas.  Got lunch from Chick-fil-a.

I stopped procrastinating on the "slip cover" for the high chair.  My problem was I couldn't decide what fabric to use.  First I thought about terry cloth or an old towel, then flannel, then muslin but I finally decided to use some gingham I had on hand.  It's nearly 100% polyester so it's not suitable for any quilting project.  DD used this gingham to cover her bulletin boards several years ago.  When she pulled it down, I washed the fabric and put it away.  The only piece of green gingham was enough to cut two slip overs.  This fabric will be easy to wash and quick to dry and will likely be wrinkle free.  It may not absorb as well as some cotton material but I believe that solids and slimy things will be more of an issue than liquids at this point.  

I was able to make the one slipcover and return the high chair to her house today when I visited with the dogs.  Once I know it works, I will sew up the second one.  (I already have the pieces cut.)

We broke my no spend rule and went out to dinner.  I guess I have no willpower but I will try to make up for it by using freezer items and keeping my grocery expenses as low as possible this week.  I will make a list tomorrow using the sale flyer as a guide.  I already have several items for our Wednesday dinner so I won't need to buy those.

(Tuesday and) Wednesday Update 7.20.16

I had an extensive list for Tuesday and I managed to get everything done except mending the two t-shirt quilts.  That will be on my list for Wednesday.

In addition to dishes and cleaning the cast iron items, I packaged some meat to go into the freezer.  I also watered the veggies and the house plants and clipped oregano to dry.  The oregano wants to bloom so I'm keeping it clipped every other day.

I applied for a job today and worked on the website for an hour.  I managed to get to the post office to mail a form to the DMV.  They "suggested" proof of mailing which was a real pain.  I don't own the car any longer and frankly, I don't care if you suspend the registration.  But, filled out the form and mailed it in today - three weeks to spare.

I'm also pet "watching" each day - making sure they have food and fresh water and they haven't escaped or destroyed the house.  I'm also picking up the mail.  I think I need to do this through Friday evening or Saturday afternoon, they should be home later Saturday.

I posted some vintage toys on a Facebook site to see if I can get a buyer.  Tomorrow, I will list it (along with some other things, on a second site and then if it doesn't sell by Saturday, I will probably list it on EBay.  I also have a couple of bicycles to list and I have a desk I would like to list but I need a chest to replace it, so that might wait a while.

Wednesday was not as productive.  I did manage to find a job to apply for.  It looks promising and it is close to home,  I also spent an hour and a half working on the website.  Today, I fixed the text alignment issues I've been dealing with.  Every time I tried to remedy the issues, they reappeared.  Today I deleted the copied text and re-typed all the text.  Now I have no legacy formatting to deal with.

I listed some of my items on new Facebook pages and did a few random things.  I checked on the dogs and gave them more food and water. 

Our DS, DDIL and kids went to Florida for a few days so we have no guests for dinner.  I elected to make a pot of steakhouse noodle soup and a small salad for dinner.  (What I like to call, something from nothing.)

Monday Update 7.18.16

Today was a pretty busy day.  I spent time checking the job sites (no luck) and a couple of hours working on the website gig I have.  I have some work to do on the "projects" section and some general clean up; then, I anticipate a team work effort to add captions and titles as I simply don't know those things.  Finally, we need some more photos and text to round things out.

After the office work, I did a little clean out outside.  DH pulled some weeds yesterday and they needed to be swept up and thrown away.  I also sprayed our walkway to kill the weeds that are always sprouting up there.

Finally, I went on an errand for DH.  He needed a fan for his new office so I went shopping at Target.  The one I picked was a little pricey ($50) but it is a known name brand and it is all metal.  DH really liked the look of it.  It was assembled and running when he got home.

Dinner was smoked pork chops, baked sweet potatoes and sauted brussel sprouts.  It was simple but yummy.  I've had a change to plans for Wednesday.  We will either have no guests or only one due to some spontaneous travel.  

I also pulled out some vintage toys I had and did some research to see if there was a market and if it was worth the time to list it for sale.  Turns out it may indeed be marketable.  I assembled and took some photographs today.  I will take more photographs and inventory tomorrow so I can write up the description/ad tomorrow.  I think this is something that will sell in the $150 range - give or take.

I ran laundry twice and the dishwasher.  

Weekend Update 7.17.16

Saturday, after our usual breakfast, I went with DH to help him get his office in order.  We spent a couple of hours getting his computer hooked up and his stuff back in place.

After which, we decided to get some lunch on the way home.  The restaurant we decided on was unexpectedly closed so we had to pick another.  We selected a pasta restaurant in a restaurant group we have frequented.  We elected to have a dinner sized meal because it was a better bargain.  We each brought him leftover pasta and some salad.  For dinner, I added some lettuce, cucumber and tomato and made each of us a generous salad.  I heated up the pasta as it was and we enjoyed a free leftover, restaurant quality meal.

We watched a rental movie for entertainment.

I was able to get a cover off of a high chair and get it washed.  Then I reassembled after I traced a pattern so I can create a slipcover that can be quickly taken off for washing.  

Sunday ended up being a day at home for little projects.  Linens and pillows were washed along with two loads in the dishwasher.  I checked and added air into the tires of my car.  DH reset the TPS so the little light would go out.  DH listed some items for sale on EBay and I listed the same item on the Facebook Yardsale site.  I now have 7 items listed.

I went to the grocery store - with a list - and stayed on track.  Here's my meal plan for the week:

Sunday - steak, baked potato, caprice salad (sirloin was on sale)

Monday - smoked pork chop, sweet potato, brussel sprouts

Tuesday - veggie dinner ( Mac and cheese with bacon and veggies)

Wednesday - Greek chicken, roasted potatoes, and salad (with optional feta and katamata olives)

Thursday - salad

Friday - tbd (steakhouse noodle soup, spaghetti, etc.)

I bought one boneless sirloin steak and cut two individual steaks and the remainder was grilled for soup later.  It was $5.99 a pound which is lower than I've seen in a while.  

(Thursday and) Friday Update

HThursday I spent a good deal of time working on my website gig.  Some things are really easy and other things are fairly complicated.  I have a stack ready to go to Goodwill tomorrow - I'm trying to have a goal of taking something every week.  This week, I have a few men's shirts, a pair of men's shoes, a leather tray, 31 CDs, a random remote controller, a ladies sweater, and some reusable bags.

I mowed the grass around noon.  It was hot but bearable.  It took three pulls to get the mower started - probably because it had not been cranked in a while - but it's been weeks since it was cranked.  We have a tremendous amount of weeds.  Maybe as many as early spring before I reseeded.  I'm thinking that we will weed kill and then reseed again in the fall but I'm not sure.

Friday, I was up early to make DH some breakfast.  I washed a load of dark clothes and a load of light colored clothes.  The dishwasher has been unloaded and relapoaded - ready to run.

DD brought over the high chair she has.  She cannot get the plastic, padded cover off to clean.  The goal is to get it clean and maybe make a cover of two that can be washed.  After studying how it was assembled, I did manage to get the cover and all the straps off.  I had to rip some stitches on the strap that folds the unit.  If I can't get it reassembled with the original cording, I may have to replace that cording with new.  Right now, all the pieces are in the washer.  I'm thinking that the straps may need to be soaked as well since they tend to be the messiest part of a high chair.

I mad a trip to Goodwill to drop off some things and then over to the bank to deposit a refund check we received.  While I was out, I went in Walmart to kill some time.  They had no clearance fabric but I did pick up a few things there that I can't get elsewhere: light cheddar cheese, taco salad shells, and then some other random things - canned beans and corn at a good price, antacids, and a bowl and lunch sized plate to match my dishes (I'm trying to get at least eight of all items and the lunch size plates and pasta bowls were not included in the boxed sets).

DH was at work exceedingly late due to a delay in getting their furniture moved so we decided to go out to dinner.

(Tuesday and) Wednesday Update 7.13.16

Tuesday I had a three year old and a ten month old all day.  Whew!  Am I tired.  Seriously, they go take a lot of energy.

I managed to get a little quilting done in the hour that they were both asleep -at the same time.

Fortunately, dinner was leftovers so that was pretty easy to pull off.  I heated the meatloaf in the microwave for three minutes then placed the glass dish - with plastic wrap covering it - into the crock pot with some hot water.  It worked out really well.  I will use that trick again.

I was up again at 6am on Wednesday and made DH his breakfast.  He seems to like this and it gets me going early.  Three of the grandchildren came over early and I dropped them off at VBS so their Mom could take her Dad to medical appointments.  It was just down the road so it was no big deal.

I came back home and spent a couple of hours on my website gig.  I was pleased with what I was able to do but also frustrated that I could not capture some of the images and logos that I wanted to incorporate.  I will be working on that again tomorrow.  I had leftovers for lunch and ran over to our neighborhood product market.  I picked I up five or six fresh tomatoes (what you get in the grocery store just doesn't compare), a few peaches, and a half head of red/purple cabbage.

It was a quiet afternoon with a little bit of quilting and some tv.  Tonight, I will spend another hour or so on the quilting as well.  I also now have the two t-shirt quilts to repair.  I may try to get that done tomorrow but I really haven't decided if this will be a hand repair or machine repair.

Tomorrow will be a more structured plan with a to do list.  I need to work in mowing the lawn and it will be hot.  I may try to tackle that late afternoon just before dinner time.  

Monday Update 7.11.16

I started something new today, getting up early at 6 am and staying up.  I got DH some breakfast cooked (scrambled eggs and toast), two loads of laundry washed, dried and folded, and showered and dressed before 9am.  I did a quick look through the job boards, paid a few bills and had breakfast.  

The two little ones got here a little after 9 and we played until about noon when DD returned from her shopping adventure.  (The baby napped for about an hour.). I went with them to lunch and we stopped at Publix to pick up a couple of things we both needed.  I was back home by 2pm and very sleepy.  I took a 20 minute nap but found that I was so sleepy I could not get up.  I ended up sleeping about 40 minutes before I finally forced myself up.  I will try not to nap tomorrow.

I spent a few minutes tidying up and starting dinner then working on the label for the Minecraft quilt which I was able to finish.  It is sewn on the quilt and ready to go.  I may try to wash it as we get closer to the holidays.  That's the first Christmas gift done.  

I'm making salad for dinner (quick and cool) since I have fresh bread ready to go.  Those nights when the oven is not needed for supper are so much cooler.  I worked a little on my whole cloth tonight - maybe 2 1/2 hours.  Dinner tomorrow will be leftovers from Sunday.

Weekend Update 7.10.16

Saturday was a pretty typical summer day around here.  DH and I started out with our usual breakfast out and then he went out for a short ride.  I expected him to be gone 2-3 hours but he was back in less than two saying it just was too hot.  We did some work around the house.  He gathered up some things he wants to sell, I washed some clothes and ran the dishwasher.

We spent some quiet time (he playing a video game and me sewing and putting the binding on a quilt).  I finished up my Starburst quilt which was very gratifying.  I spent most of the afternoon and evening sewing on my whole cloth.

We were out of TP so we went to Sam's to pick some up.  DH wanted to look at what they have available for workbenches.  While we were there, we got a four pound package of ground beef (90/10), a 3 pound package of bacon, guacamole, strawberries, tp, and a package of smoked pork chops.  We also ran over to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things and see about a movie to rent.  He didn't find anything in the redbox so we just ended up watching Bullitt from our "library."  

Dinner was a chef salad with some five grain bread from Publix and a Pina Colada!  Yum.

Sunday, DH was up early to head out on a club ride.  I slept in which I don't get to do much on the weekends.  While he was out, I cleaned up some and generally goofed around.  DD, DSIL and their boys came over for dinner - meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggies.  Now, my challenge for this week is to create a menu using our leftovers, what we have on hand and what is in the freezer.  I may need some deli meat and some milk for the week but I'm hoping that is all.

It will be another busy week.  I have two little boys for a couple of hours tomorrow morning and then those two again most of the day on Tuesday and carpool from VBS for all six (maybe).  I need to work on a website, sew a bed skirt, and look for a job.

Tentative Menu:

Sunday - meatloaf

Monday - salad

Tuesday - leftover meatloaf

Wednesday - Tacos or chicken fajitas

Thursday - veggie dinner or spaghetti

Friday - stuffed bell peppers, Chinese chicken and lo mein, etc

Still needs a little tweaking.

(Thursday and) Friday Update 7.8.16

I lost my post and I don't remember most of what I said.  Here's the down low:

Had a phone interview for a job that sounds great and would be a good fit.  They won't me to move, not happening.

More cleaning and organizing in the sewing/guest room,  Took two large bags of stuff and a big bear to Goodwill.  Went through a paper box full of CDs to sort out what we don't want to keep.  Posted a new item on the garage sale site,  more to come. I have the room clean enough now to see the floor and the bed,

Hot, hot hot here.  

Working on a label for a Minecraft quilt, a teal starburst quilt needs a binding and I am working on a white whole cloth quilt.  Busy, much?

Pizza at home for dinner tonight.  DH brought home a bottle of wine and flowers.  So sweet.

(Tuesday and) Wednesday Update 7.6.16

LI had a to do list for Tuesday but, after running the dishwasher, I found myself consumed with my construction project.  I've been trying to organize my sewing closet and get rid of some things in there. I've put the two kitchen carts and my dehydrator up for sale.  I put four shelves up on the sewing side of the closet.  With this new arrangement, I can store my cake decorating items and my fabrics in a small space in this closet instead of all over the room.

The cost to install the shelves was about $30 which included a 25 package of wall anchors which I used to ensure that the shelves would be ultra secure and hold whatever weight was added.  I did all the measuring, cutting and installing.  DH graciously set out the chop saw because it was too heavy for me to lift alone.  I will probably come back and paint the shelves and supports at a later time.

I will be moving all three table leaves into the left closet and continue to work towards getting the closet cleaned out.  There is a whole tub of stuffed animals and some other stuff that will likely go to a thrift shop.  There's also some vintage (80s) toys that may have a market.  

This week's goal is to get the room back in order even if there is a single pile of stuff to go through.  I have a sewing project (paying) that I need to start working, a couple of quilts that I need to put the finishing touches on, and a computer gig that I need to work on.

Wednesday I got almost everything out of the closet.  I have a load going to Goodwill on Friday, a box of pictures to go through, a box of CDs to go through and a tub of toys/dolls that need to be sorted.  

I made an exotic dinner, poblanos stuffed with shredded chicken and jack cheese.  Everyone like it except the peppers.  Next time I will just make it lasagna style and save a lot of time.

I applied for a job that sounds like it would be perfect for me.  Once I got the confirmation email back, it says .. Relocate to ...   What the !  

Happy Fourth of July

Today has been a busy day and the rest of the week looks like the same.  Being a holiday, DH and I started our day with breakfast at home.  He then went out for a ride (couple of hours, it's still hot) and he was back before 2!

While he was gone, I was able to get a few things done around here:  glued his sunglasses back together, watered the house plants and the vegetables, and washed a load of clothes and folded two loads.  I was able to get the stovetop cleaned and the cast iron cookware.  

When he returned, we took his truck over to the Home Depot and picked up a few pieces of wood.  I'm going to be working on getting some shelves put into the sewing room closet.  The goal is to install 3-4 shelves perpendicular to the closet on the right end.  I will put my cake decorating tote on the floor and then have these shelves to store bolts of fabric (I have four currently and they are difficult to store) and assorted charm packs, fat quarters and scraps.  The shelves should also be the right size to hold plastic shoe boxes should I need more of those.  I hope to get the boards cut for those tomorrow.

My Misto sprayer has not been working for a while.  I neglected to clean it and it was gummed up.  I researched how to clean it and it turns out that alcohol (the drinking kind) will dissolve the gummed up oil.  The next problem was that I couldn't get it to pressurize.  Somehow, I had lost the o ring or gasket that allowed it to seal.  DH had a neoprene washer that I was able to trim and now it works perfectly.  These aren't expensive items but the company does not make/have the replacement parts.  I save it from the trash AND it's working again.

I put a brisket in the crockpot this morning and we had that along with some mashed potatoes and fresh green beans for dinner.  We will likely be eating that for dinner tomorrow night, too.  

I'm off to sew on my whole cloth for a while.

Weekend Update 7.3.16

Saturday, DH and I took a ride about 45 minutes north to have breakfast at the Midway Mealhouse.  We rode on his motorcycle as we are taking longer and longer treks out.  It was already quite warm by the time we rolled home about 10-10:30 ish.  Later in the day, we went over to a cycle shop that sells accessories.   We decided that the first thing I need (I already have a helmet and a leather jacket) is a mesh jacket for warm weather riding.  I tried on six different jackets and decided on one that seemed to have the best fit.  It fits well and has a quilted liner for cooler riding.  The next thing I need is summer gloves (I have winter gloves) but that can wait till next week or the week after.  Shoes will come when the weather gets cooler and fall styles/boots are in stock.

We had a sub from Publix for dinner and watched "Gods of Egypt" for movie night.

Sunday, DH went out for a short ride. It's still very hot so most of the rides right now are a few hours, not all day.  Just regular things happening around here.  We had dinner at a new Greek restaurant and shot off a few firecrackers as it got dark.  For a patriotic movie, we watched "The Patriot" for movie night II.  

I started working on a whole cloth quilt (crib size) this weekend.  It is quite addictive.  These are very, very tiny stitches 8-12 an inch and both sides need to be finished quality.  Knots must be buried inside and there are NO seam lines.