Friday, February 27, 2009

Virtual PJ Party

So, in honor of my new found freedom, my flysisters in chatzy threw me a virtual pj party. Lots of chat and ROFLOLs. Even party hats ^ altho one did get a little tipsy and put on a lampshade []:-}
Over the past couple of years of FLYing, these ladies have helped me alot. Not just in housework encouragement, but with dh's army training time (gone for 19 months) and everyday ups and downs. We rejoice together and its been a place to rant and whine when upset....and someone will turn the mood and laughing will start. Births, deaths, child troubles, and child accomplishments have all been discussed and shared.
Most of these ladies were ones that hung around on the old noodlebug chat room that FlyLady used to use for her once a month Q&A. We found that the room was available 24/7 and made good use of it. When it went down, one of the members made a chatzy room for us so we could continue our friendships. Some have dropped away, some come occasionally, some are new to the site, all are welcome. I have even had the pleasure of meeting a few face to face.

On the finger front, I had my assessment yesterday and they gave me a plan of exercises, most of which, I was pleased to see, I was already doing. There is still some bruising and swelling even after 2 1/2 weeks. Mobility is up, but still far from normal. Knitting happens, but I take more breaks now.

Making good progress on the BSJacket. At least 1/3 done.
Need to go thru my stash and find the yarn for The Grim Squeaker Egg Cozy which I may make larger for a TP cover. Thank you sallyinwales for developing the pattern.
I want to make a skirted diaper cover/soaker for newest granddaughter. I have yarn, just need to check pattern.

Life Returns

After a year of watching 2 little ones, I have a life back. Today was the last day for watching them 5 days a week, 9 hrs a day. I love the babies...don't get me wrong...but at my age and with BG still at home and homeschooling, everyday is a bit much. The biggest missing part was being able to go out at the drop of a hat. Getting 2 little ones dressed, sippys ready, diaper bag ready, into car seats, out of car seats, 2 carts at the store....well, you get the picture. I don't know how DD does it all the time...or did before I started watching them.
BG is excited. She is already planning trips for us to the library and COSI and the zoo and...and... And I hope to get her back involved at the rec center for classes again. Homeschooling will be a bit easier too when we get back on a real schedule, I can sit and help her, and we don't have to wait for baby nap time.
I am looking forward to deep cleaning my house (did I say that?). Going to do the Mt. Vernon method in each room. For those not familiar with this method, you start in one corner of a room and really clean that area before moving on to next. If you need to stop for the day, you start where you left off. This way you are not tearing apart an entire room (that never gets put back..SHE that I am) and then its easier to keep clean. Working on my FlyLady habits is another thing I am looking forward to. Too many of them have slipped since dd moved in a year ago and I never was able to re-establish them properly.
Til tomorrow.....

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Knittin', Nothin', and Time Wastin'

Last night was our weekly knitting group get together. We had a nice group out including 2 new ladies. It was nice to see progress on everyone's projects (except my QAL). I did get several rows done on the BSJacket before switching over to complete almost a whole round on the QAL. I had to stop a couple of times to stretch out my finger which still hurts. I start therapy tomorrow, so it will be nice to see if any of the exercises I have been doing are making any difference.
Managed to get most of the daily stuff done in the house yesterday, but nothing extra. Just hoping to maintain til next week when I can start working at deep cleaning and decluttering this place room by room.
Over at Ravelry, (Reclaiming the Home) SallyinWales posted a great item about time wasting and gaining an extra week. I will paraphrase: If you can find 12 minutes a day x 5 times a weeks that you waste, and use that time to do something productive towards a goal, you will have gained an entire week of working towards that goal. Fits right in there with what FlyLady says about the 15 mins a day toward decluttering and cleaning your home. I know I spend way too much time just playing cards on the pc. I could be using that time for something more constructive than reaching the next level on Facebook Scramble. (on level 16 with 489 more games to reach level 17 x 3 mins per game + time for starting next game...mentally adding wasting time in my head and guesstimate several hours)

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Blog Challenge

The moderator on Reclaiming the Home (ravelry) has issued a daily blog challenge. I don't know if I am up to it or if I have anything worthwhile to say on a daily basis, but am going to give it a try.
Today marks the countdown of dd#3's ex moving back in with her and watching the babies full time....which means I will have my days back. 3 days and counting..lol. Already planning major cleaning and decluttering missions in the house and outtings with bg.
OTN: Arch-shaped socks which keep telling me they would be happier as mittens. Only 2 1/2 inches into them, so there is still time to change over.
BSJ (jacket..not to be confused with BSJ hat) for newest granddaughter.
QAL tablecloth. I am almost done with the 2nd repeat of the last motif to enlarge it. 4 more to go before I lifeline it again and check size on table.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Another Month Has Gone By....

and I am still working on the QAL shawl. Well, not right now, as I have 2 of my fingers splinted together. Tuesday I tripped over the humidifier in the hallway and didn't quite catch myself with my hand. Instead, I managed to dislocate my ring finger on my right hand. Spent 4 hours in the ER getting x-rays, feeling stupid, getting peeled off the ceiling when they popped it back in place cause that took the pain level from a nice throbbing 3 to off the chart bad, more x-rays to make sure that it was indeed back in place, and a wonderful splint that doesn't allow my to use my middle or ring finger..all for 100.00. Wednesday saw me back at the hospital seeing their Ortho clinic where they resplinted and referred me on to an Ortho specialist. Today I saw the specialist who (for the low cost of a 25.00 office visit) removed the splint, taped the 2 fingers together and referred me on to physical therapy at...you guessed it...the hospital. 2 nights of taking vicodin has revealed a slight reaction to the meds, so won't be taking them again. Still watching babies, so occasional bumps to the swollen knuckle are to be expected.
Frustrated that I missed yet another night of knitting group, I started a straight knit scarf of larger needles. I tried working on the sock, but couldn't hold the yarn tight enough to keep tension.
Went to visit my newest granddaughter (and her parents..lol) this past weekend. My she is growing so fast! The first year goes by so quickly it seems. Her colic is better as dd-i-l is drinking camimile tea everyday. Seems to pass thru the breast milk and soothe dgd. Not a big napper tho. Short cat naps are all she seems to get during the day. She laughs and coos and loves looking at her toys. DD-i-l told me her doctor said she was beyond her age in some areas, which is good.
Got my package from my Igorina swap partner. Still finding little things to tuck into the box I am sending her. This turned out to be a good swap if I say so myself (being the moderator of it). Everyone seems happy with it.
Not much else happening in this little life. I hope to blog more often, but then I have said that before.