Tuesday, February 28, 2017

February is ending!

February as been so warm! We had a few nights when we slept with the windows open, then it got cold, then today it was 60! Strange!
 Lakeside Cabin is now finished! I can't get the pic of the finished project to come up in my pix. I'm taking it to AC Moore tomorrow to get it framed. 

Ralph has a terrible cold, and is trying to rest. He sounds terrible. 

I got the new JD Robb, Echoes in Death, at the library today. I also have the yarn all ready to start Amary's poncho. I ripped out the first 3 rows about ten times! And that was after watching the video! 

I've also got my next counted cross stitch project picked out. But I want to get the poncho going well, and the afghan for the farm fair started before I start another cross stitch.

I'm on several facebook groups, for quilting, cross stitch, and crocheting. Some of the people have 50+ projects started! There's no way I could do that, I'd get totally confused.

I did 3+ miles on the bike yesterday. I start the exercise playlist on the iPad, and off I go! 

So life is chugging along nicely!
 

Friday, February 10, 2017

Friday

Another week passed! Retirement is amazing. No set bedtime or rising time, no having to leave the house before it's light outside, no putting up with work people! 

A funny thing is that I'm reading less! I used to read everyday during my lunch break, and after student dismissal. At home, there are just too many fascinating things to do! I have to make an effort to read. I try to read when I go to bed, but it's now making me sleepy. 
The bottom is done! I had to take it off the frame to do the top right section- being a lefty, my left arm isn't long enough to comfortably do the top area, and my right hand isn't coordinated enough to do it. I was hoping to finish the project by March 1, but don't think that will happen. New goal is to be done by March 15. 

After this project, I want to take a month off from counted cross stitch. I have a few crochet projects I want to get going- a poncho/sweater thing for Amary, and my yearly lap afghan for the Burlington County Farm Fair. 

We had snow yesterday, which didn't stick much to the roads or walks, but was a mess coming down. Ralph swept off the steps, and I stayed in all day. Today it's really cold- 23 at 10 a.m., so I may stay in again. Another retirement benefit- I don't buy gas nearly as frequently! I go out almost every day, but rarely go more than 10 miles away. All the places we like to eat, and all the craft stores I go to, are less than 10 miles away. 

Last month we took a morning and went to Thrift stores! We skipped the local Goodwill, because it's a hot mess. We went to 2 church run stores, and a huge store. I got 2 paperbacks at one. At another I got a bunch of small counted cross stitch ornament kits in a bag for a buck! Ralph got 2 pair of pants, one looks brand new, and 2 bike helmets. We decided to make the rounds once a month, then go to lunch. 
 It only took one day for this pattern to be posted online! There's also an Alt US National Park Service pattern up, which I printed out. We live in interesting times.
 

Thursday, February 2, 2017

February

I've been retired for 6 months, and have never been busier! I considered stopping the blog, but I enjoy doing it, so my goal is to post more often. Easy goal to keep!
This is one of the things keeping me busy! Lakeside Cabin, counted cross stitch. I'm enjoying it, but it's a lot of stitches!
We had a snow squall the other evening, that reduced visibility a lot, and dumped about a half inch in a half hour. 
I got bored with my plain green comforter and got this one. I had to buy more pillows for the shams, and have to take another picture. Ralph, being a guy, doesn't get the concept of shams and decorative pillows. Heather could never have this comforter, because it's asymmetrical. I think it makes a nice change.

I got Ralph an echo dot for Christmas. Alexa is very handy when we need to spell a word! She's also great for getting weather reports. 

Cookie Swap is trying to get together every month. Last month we went to the Franklinville Inn, which was very nice but pricey. This month we're going to a pizzeria to make up for it! 

I've got a lousy head cold, and I'm hoping it runs it's course soon. I have things to do!
I watched The West Wing on Netflix. Fantastic show! Now I'm watching Madame Secretary, which is also fabulous. 

So we'll see how well I do keeping up with the blog!