Just Discovered Something!

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How many times have I looked at my Alaska photos?!? And, I just looked closely at the top photo for tonight and remembered that Melany said that the water in this picture was the ocean…where the cruise ships are docked.  And, I got to looking closer at it and realized that I could see two cruise ships in this picture.  So I cropped the photo down so it was easier to see…though the picture lost some of its sharpness!  I don't believe that it is our ship…not colorful enough.  This was taken from the window of the train that we took in Skagway, Alaska. The train that took us into Yukon gold territory and into Canada.  But do you see in the top photo why I didn't see the two cruise ships that are tucked into the middle of the photo?!?

Today I have done little things around the house.  I did get my lesson "put to bed"…it's all printed out for me to refer to while I teach my class's lesson.  I was privileged to get to go to a birthday celebration of one of my longtime friends at First Baptist, Tullahoma.  It was held at our church's ministry center.  It's always good to get to visit with friends at these gatherings. When I got home, I plopped in my recliner and put my feet up and started stitching…on the latest Christmas ornament and got a phone call so stitched and talked with Connie for a while.  Now I think a light supper sounds good.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Busy Friday

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I woke up pretty early and stitched for a while before I got up and going.  After breakfast, I headed to Kroger.  Putting the groceries away took a bit longer as i had some preparation of several items before I put them away…I bought fresh produce for the first time in a while…banking on the health issues to have settled down.  I guess time will tell on whether that was okay for me to do! 

After lunch, I got busy on the Sunday School lesson, again.  I have all the information gathered and out into an order of sorts.  I still have to go back through it to check for typos that will trip me up when I am looking at my notes…sometimes I have no idea what the keyboard decided what I needed to say!  I will go back over it in the morning before I print it out…aka "put it to bed" = when I am through adding more or taking away!  But I am always glad to get to where I am now, as if I have to, I have enough info down to be able to teach the lesson. 

My back told me a while ago that it was time to get up from the table where I had been working on the lesson…that chair is not the most comfortable and my back was objecting to so long away from one of the recliners!  I plan to do more stitching this evening and watch some TV.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! 

Thursday

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Stayed at home today…always something that I enjoy doing…a day that doesn't dictate having to do anything in particular or having to be someplace at a particular time…a perk of being retired!  Two loads of the three that I had planned to do got done.  I need to take the items on hangers upstairs.  I will do that on the next couple of trips  upstairs.  I will do the other two loads of clothes tomorrow.  I have done a little on the Sunday School lesson…very little…I still have tomorrow and the next day to wrap it up!  I had an enjoyable afternoon visiting with my sister and two friends.  Just as I finished lunch Connie called, then as I was hanging the phone up, Cheryl called so we talked for a while.  While I was talking to Cheryl, Marie called so I called her back after I hung up from Cheryl.  At that point I hadn't baked the cake that I got out the ingredients for last night so I would make it today. I got busy putting the ingredients together and into the oven.  It is cooling now.  I am planning on a treat after I blog!  I made a Texas Hot Cocoa Cake…very yummy…and haven't had one in quite a while.  I found a recipe for a "cake for two." I don't need a big cake these days.  I plan to eat a slice or two over the next couple of days and freeze a couple of slices for a treat on down the road when I get that craving for something chocolate!  Planning ahead!  But at the moment just looking forward to that first taste in a few minutes. 

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! 

Midweek

Glacier Bay National Park—Black and White Study

I feel like it has been a busy day…but when I look back on it, I’m not sure just exactly what I have done…I guess a little bit of everything!  I had a little bit of a slow start to the day because I didn't have the best night's sleep…ended up sleeping in a little later than usual.  I worked more on Sunday's lesson.  I have read most of the material and have started sorting it out as to what to share and what I can skip!  I listened to some chapters in Genesis for tonight's Bible study.  I did manage to take a power nap a little before it was time to go to Bible study this evening. I went to Bible study and just got home.  Had a nice visit with a friend after Bible study.  It has been a nice fairly relaxing day over all.  I’ve read several chapters in a new book.  So far haven't stitched any today, but plan to before I sleep tonight.  I have some plans for tomorrow…so I made some preparations…got out ingredients for a cake and sorted my laundry…now to see if my preparations help to get the tasks done tomorrow!  

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! 

Happy Birthday, Erin Elizabeth!

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Erin was our first grandchild…so there is that wonderment and excitement that the first of anything so often brings.  I can remember that she was born on a Wednesday…because her birth was announced to me via a telephone call to our church office from Wade's brother's wife.  She was due on Labor Day…so Melany went into labor a bit early.  No cell phones back in that day so communication wasn't as easy. Woody and I were both at the church…I was working in the library and Woody was outside with his RA boys playing dodge ball or some such.  Someone came to the library telling me to come to the church office as I had a phone call. The message that I got via Melany's sister-in-law was that Erin had already been born, that Melany had to have an emergency C-section because the baby had shown signs of being in distress…and when born the cord was around her neck. But that now Melany and Erin were doing fine.  I hung up the phone and headed out to dodge flying balls to pull Woody out of the fray of young boys to tell him that he was now a grandfather.  That was 33 years ago late this afternoon.  And, I was 45 and still dark headed, as I noticed in photos that I looked at today when hunting the above photo! Tonight's photo was taken just a couple of months before Erin turned 3.  She loved "blow flowers"…what we called the gone-to-seed dandelions.  Happy, happy birthday, Erin!  Enjoy your pizza and a shopping spree in Barnes and Noble…one of your favorite places!

    Decided to post the above photos of Woody and me holding Erin when she was a day old. Time marches on!

Monday Arrived Again This Week!

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Running late tonight, as I just got home a few minutes ago from prayer meeting.  We had a larger group tonight and then several of us stayed around and visited afterwards.  The day has gone fairly well.  I did have a bad headache for a couple of hours.  But it is gone.  And, in the end I was glad that it kept me from running errands when I planned to, as the two errands that I ran later in the afternoon than planned, it was quick in and out.  The person at the Credit Union said that it had been really busy and had finally slowed down.  It was nice to not have to stand in a line..,just walked up and she was ready to help me.  It was pretty much the same at the pharmacy…she just finished with a customer when I got to the counter.  So my errands were accomplished very quickly.  I have begun studying for this coming Sunday's Sunday School lesson, as I am teaching again. Prayer meeting this evening and that about sums up my day.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious.

Sunday Favorite Alaska Photo

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Saturday Visitors

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Melany and Wade paid me a visit today.  We got to talking about some of the things that we did while in Alaska and I mentioned how much I enjoyed this museum.  It was just filled with all kinds of things Alaska.  All of which had been collected by the gentleman the museum is named after.  This museum wqs in Sitka.  I found it quite fascinating and enjoyed looking in all the museum cases and in their drawers.  So many things!  I was intrigued with the sewing implements some of which are pictured in the middle photo above.

Wade took us out to eat at a restaurant that I didn’t even know existed here in town…a Thai restaurant.  I enjoyed my choice from the menu.  I chose not experience the heat of Thai food…I chose 0 heat…Melany went with 1 and Wade went with 2.  They both said that theirs weren't very hot.  That was a first for me trying Thai. I got Chicken Cashew and it was very tasty. I have enough for lunch tomorrow.  

I made it through the day without a nap…but sat down a little while ago and off I dozed.  Maybe that will help me keep my eyes open for a little while to stitch.  I have a new Christmas ornament underway. Or I might read…two new books came in on my Libby App that I had been waiting for so I have started both of those.  Plenty to do…if I can keep my eyes open! 

My Sunday School lesson is all printed out so I guess I am ready for tomorrow.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Friday

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I woke up early…did some stitching and reading.  I did finish another book for the Cottey Bookclub.  After breakfast, I got busy on the Sunday School lesson.  I got it somewhat finished and got it printed.  Now I need to read through it to see if it makes sense.  I have looked through it for any glaring errors…but still need to read through it.

I decided that I had plenty of food in the house and chose not to go to the grocery store today.  I thought through what I have on hand and made a plan for lunch if Melany joins me tomorrow.  I’m not sure if I'm going to cook tonight or get up and do it in the morning…not a major cook…just simple. I did clean the refrigerator this morning,,,one of my cleaning accomplishments for the day. I managed to fit in a nap, too and a few phone calls.  Pretty much a lazy summer day…too hot to do much. I didn’t even walk out to the mailbox today,

I did stitch on a sampler last night and did a little more on it this morning.  Then this afternoon, I began another Christmas ornament. I plan to stitch on it a little more this evening.  I mainly found ways to stay cool inside…still pretty hot out there. We did get a little rain last night…but hardly enough to count.  There is a very small amount in the rain gauge…around 2 tenths of an inch.  At least we got a little.  Rain drops have been pretty far and few between!  Seems like it is either feast or famine when it comes to rain.  

Stay-At-Home Thursday

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The Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada…beautiful snapdragons!

I have had a pretty laid-back day…not much happening…I guess I kept my house company today…or vice versa!  I did get the latest Christmas  ornament finished.  I gave myself a little break from Christmas stitching and stitched for a while on one of the samplers I have underway.  I am trying to decide what I’ll stitch on this evening.  I think it will be a "stitch and a cooking show on TV" evening.  I have spent quite a bit of time working on the Sunday School lesson today so I’m ready to sit back and relax…give my brain a rest so I will be able to finish the lesson tomorrow.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Wednesday Wanderings

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I don't think that I have posted the above photo before.  I took it at the Butterfly Garden in Victoria, Canada…rows of butterfly chrysalises. 

Today I didn't wander too far until it was time to go to Bible study this evening.  I’m later than usual getting back as a couple of friends and I visited while their husbands were at choir practice.

Nathan stopped by today to return the items they had borrowed from me to take on their trip.  Sounds like they had a really nice trip.  I talked to Kathy for a few minutes after Bible study tonight and sounds like she enjoyed it, too.  

My day has sort of been devoted to Bible study…this morning I studied for the Sunday School lesson for this week and then this evening had Bible study at church.  I got a pretty good start on the Sunday school lesson and then this evening enjoyed being just a student in the Bible study! 

I took time this afternoon to do some reading on my book for the Cottey Bookclub and also stitched more on a Christmas ornament,  I’m hoping to get the ornament finished this evening…then on to another!  

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! 

Tuesday Return

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Nathan and Kathy travelled through the night and this morning to get back on TN soil a little after noon.  I imagine it will be a bit hard for them to return to reality and imagine that they are a bit jet lagged.  Long day yesterday, two long flights and a three hour time difference, plus an active week cruising/touring around Alaska had adrenaline flowing…and I can vouch for the fact that when you get home that adrenaline stops flowing and you pretty much stop, too.

I did take Elijah to the dentist this morning.  But they only xrayed him and told him to come back tomorrow to have the work done…so not much need of having an adult with him for that appointment.  But always glad for a reason to get to visit with a grandchild!  He wqs heading back home to his school work.  He is a senior this year.  He is dual enrolled at Motlow so will be taking a college math class ad an English class.  He hopes to be able to get all his requirements to graduate done this semester.  He said that then he will be able to concentrate on baseball and his work.  Always busy!

At the Bookclub meeting this past Saturday, we added a couple of books to our books to read over the next few months.  I already had one of them checked out so I have been reading that so I will get it done before it will be taken back into library cyberspace.  I didn't think that I was going to like the book, but it it turns out that I am enjoying it.  So I have spent more time reading than stitching.  I am also teaching my Sunday School class for the next two Sundays so I have been working on that, too.  

It was slightly cooler today…the heat didn't take my breath away as much as it had over the last week. I think that maybe the humidity was a little lower today…that can make a difference.  Tonight's overnight low is supposed to be mid 60s…so that helps at least with the start of the day.  I knowthat summer has left us yet…but perhaps little hints that Fall is on its way?

I need to get back to ornament stitching.  I’m almost finished with another one.  I took a break from stitching for both reading and preparation for some upcoming ornaments.  I have pulled the floss for three more and chose fabric…that way I will be ready for some new starts once the current ornament is finished.  I also got my stitching straightened up…it was strewn all over the place.  I got the card table cleared off and now it only has a stack of finished ornaments on one corner of it.  I also put away floss from other projects that I have finished stitching and the floss that Joy brought back that she had borrowed for a cross project that she did.  Stitching happening all over the place…in one form or another! 

The kitchen got a little attention today, too. I had casserole dishes that were clean that are stored on upper shelves.  I wait until there are several to put away so I don't have to make too many trips up and down on the stool!  Safety reason over laziness…at least I tell myself that!  

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! 

Heat Wave Supposedly Ended 36 Minutes Ago!

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I got home from prayer meeting a little before 7pm…and the temps had started coming down…of course, they would come down at that hour anyway…so not sure yet if it is cooler or not.  But when I went to prayer meeting around 5:30pm it was still in the mid 90s.  I saw it get as high as 97° on my car thermometer when I was out getting my hair cut and then running an errand….a silly errand, I will tell you about in a moment.  When I left church, it was 90° and by the time I got home it was in the upper 80s and now it is 84°…maybe temps are coming down.  Tomorrow the high is "only" supposed to be 88°.  My Alexa upstairs isn't the new and improved so she can’t tell me heat index…so I don't know the feels-like temperature.  Anyway, we supposedly have had a "cold" front come through or one is supposed to come through.  We will see if tomorrow feels a little better outside than it did today.  It was a HOT day.  

My one errand of the day sort of had me rolling my eyes.  I decided last night to order some mouthwash that I use that sometimes Walmart has and sometimes doesn't…so decided to try Amazon…exact same price as Walmart…so why not.  It was to be delivered today before I had planned to be out and about…so that would save me a stop at Walmart.  Well, around 10am I got notified by Alexa that my package had been delivered…so I headed to the front door to go get it.  The mailman had brought it to the front porch and left it in one of the rocking chairs.  So far perfect until, I glanced a second time after I opened the door…the box was ripped open and I could see the bottle sitting inside the open box…so I thought, "at least the bottle didn't fall out!  Then I picked up the box and found that it was soaking wet…reason that it was opened the way it was.  And, the box was very light…a full bottle of mouthwash should NOT be light!  I then pulled the bottle out of the box and it was light as a feather and not a drop left in it. 

I went inside and got my iPad so I could report my delivery failure to Amazon.  I decided that I didn't want to risk the same thing happening again so decided that I would just ask for a refund.  The only way I could get a refund was to return the defective product.  So after my haircut, I went to the UPS store and returned an empty bottle.  In the past I have been told to keep products that were fine just not what I had ordered…but this time the box and empty bottle had to be returned.  I did as I was told and my refund has already been given to me…so all's well that ends well…I guess!  Just seems like an unnecessary trip! But Amazon got what they asked for! And, I had an outing that I hadn't planned on and still don't have my mouthwash as I just couldn't face Walmart at that hour of the day!

Nathan and Kathy are on the last leg of their journey…sort of…they have gotten to Anchorage…and, fly out midnight Anchorage time (3am TN time).  They are seeing a few sights in Anchorage before heading to the airport  3 hours before their flight. The Anchorage flight takes them to LasVegas.  Then a flight from Vegas will get them back to Nashville and they will hopefully show up in Tullahoma sometime after lunch tomorrow.  Makes me tired to think about all that traveling.  Their ship docked in Whittier, Alaska early this morning.  Then they had to shuttle to Anchorage about 60 miles away.  Their shuttle had to travel through a one-way tunnel that is about 2.5 miles long.  This one way tunnel is also a train tunnel…they had to wait on a train and maybe other cars before they could have their turn.  I had heard about this tunnel and know that they line you up according types of vehicles, I think and the lines take turns going through…and of course you have to wait for cars, trains, etc. coming the other direction.  It took a while before they got their turn.  But in the wait they got to see a glacier and at some point on this shuttle trip, they saw beluga whales.  So sounds like an interesting trip!

I get to be a parent substitute for Elijah tomorrow.  He has a dentist appointment and has to have an adult accompany him…guess I qualify?!?

To be continued!  Be safe! Be well! Be cautious.  

Sunday Alaska Favorite Photo

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Another Hot One!

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This looked like the cool photo for today!  I felt like we needed another snowy photo to counteract the heat of today!  This was taken by either Melany or Wade with me in the shadows attempting to capture the snowy landscape from the train.  

I had my Zoom Cottey College Alum Bookclub today.  We had a pretty good group plus the author of the book and his wife.  We had a lively discussion and enjoyed spending the time together sharing and picking each other’s brains!  I always look forward to this Saturday in the month.

I haven't stitched much today…instead tried to do a little organizing of my stitching projects.  They had gotten a bit spread out here in the family room.  I still have more to do, but the chaos has been settled just a little.  

I’m not sure how much stitching I will get done this evening as I am pretty sleepy…may end up dozing with needle in hand.  While choosing tonight's photo, I kept seemingly doze and my finger would land on the photos I was choosing from and multiples would be chosen…then I would have to shut down the photos and start trying to chose…again.  That happened several times before I finally got to the one I had decided I wanted to use tonight.  Obviously I didn't take tonight’s photo since I’m in it…guess it is Melany's! I haven't heard from the Alaska travelers today.  They had a busy day planned.  They were docked at Icy Strait Point/ Hoonah.  They were planning to learn how to cook salmon this morning and then this afternoon were going whale watching. I hope the excursions were good ones for them!

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Recognized in Skagway

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Imagine being more than 2000 miles away from home and hear your name called out from a truck that is passing by!  Nathan and Kathy were walking down the Main Street in Skagway, Alaska this morning and Nathan was recognized and someone called out, "Hey, Nathan!" I mentioned that Melany, Wade and I had tried to see one of the shipowners in Skagway…a young man from Tullahoma…someone who Melany and Nathan had both babysat for years ago.  He hadn't gotten into his shop when we were there.  But this morning, Nathan and Kathy's timing was perfect…he was driving by on his way to work.  He told them he would park around back and open the shop for them.  I’m sure they had a good visit!  Barrett is the proprietor of Bearhead Studio in Skagway.  He is a renowned nature photographer…been published in National Geographic…I believe that he has also done one of their covers.  

Here's a photo Melany took inside his studio so you can sort of see some of his wonderful photos. I would have loved to pick his brain about photo techniques!  If I were younger, I would love to go on some of his group photography trips off into the Alaskan and Canadian wild…but for that I will admit to being too old and decrepit! But I can still wish and enjoy his photos!  

Today has been another hot day here in TN.  It was 91 when I went to and from the grocery store with a heat index close to 100.  The heat zapped my energy for some time after I got home.  I’m glad that I didn’t  have to stay outside for very long and that it only took two trips to get my groceries into the house.  A good day to stay in and stitch and read.  I have done a little of both of those and a little picking up around the house and emptying the dishwasher!  I’ve done more sitting than anything else!  I did manage to fit a nap into all that sitting!  It has definitely been a lazy day of summer!

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Heat Advisory Still in Effect

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Very important to share another Alaska photo to remind us that it can be cold.  This day when we were in Glacier Bay National Park was very cold.  The temperature dropped noticeably when we entered the icy waters.  I know that the temperatures in Alaska are high right now.  Nathan was wishing yesterday that he had taken more short sleeved shirts.  They are in Juneau, AK today.  We did not go to Juneau so I can't post one of my photos.  Nathan was looking forward to visiting the only United States capital city that you can't drive into.  You have to fly or take a boat to get to Juneau.

This hasn't been a day of being too active…even in the house.  I have stayed in rooms that have fans blowing to make it seem cooler!  I napped in my upstairs recliner with the ceiling fan going.  Right now I am in my downstairs with a little oscillating fan blowing.  

I did venture out one time today.  I headed to the church to work in the library for a little while.  I needed to pick up the book that we will be discussing on Saturday with the Cottey Bookclub.  This time it is sort of my job to lead it since I suggested the book.  But I am taking an easy out…not having to worry about what we will say as the author and his wife will be joining us so I’m giving them the lead!  We've just been sent out the link to the Zoom meeting…I have received it, as have the authors…so we should be good to go Saturday morning.  Also the Alum Association posted another "advertisement" for it that showed up in Facebook this afternoon. Now to just sit back and let Saturday Zoom time get here.

The other reason that I went to the library was to do a little maintenance.  Both Donna and I have been out of pocket the last couple of Tuesdays so there were a few books to check in and out and shelve.  So I did that while picking up the trilogy of books.  We discussed the first in the trilogy last year and this time will be discussing the 2nd…perhaps next year the concluding book?  The three books are Paperboy, Copyboy, and Manboy by Vince Vawter.  Paperboy was an honor book in the Newberry Awards some years back.  They are very good books about how stuttering affects a child, really throughout his life…but there are MANY other themes and topics addressed…it is semi biographical…growing up in Memphis, TN in the 50s and 60s. Good reads for any age.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Happy 26th Anniversary, Nathan and Kathy

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Several who read the blog were there for Nathan and Kathy's wedding in Statesboro, GA, 26 years ago.  Many moons and suns have risen since that momentous day!  

Here they are today:

Can you tell they are on a special trip? Can you tell where they are? Next photo is a hint…I took the next photo on June 3, when I was standing almost the same spot…at least near…the same shoreline at least.

They are off on a special trip for their anniversary…Alaska!  Today was their first port of call in Ketchikan, Alaska.  They had a great time exploring.  They even FaceTimed me when they were watching a stream with lots of salmon in it and there was a bear attempting to catch one.  Later in the day they sent me a video of a bear actually catching one.  This trip is doubly special to them, as they had an Alaska cruise planned last year for their 25th anniversary, but due to Joy getting a bad concussion they had to cancel it.  So the fact that they can go this year is doubly good since they were able to plan the trip since Joy is well enough for them to leave her in charge of kitchen duties while they are gone.  Sounds like they are having a great time…no rain today and it is quite warm…Nathan was bemoaning the fact that he didn't bring very many short sleeved t-shirts…never know in Alaska what the weather will be.  They will continue in a northerly direction…perhaps it will get cooler for them.  Another reason that Nathan was really looking forward to this trip is that it is a return trip for him to Alaska. 

His sophomore year in college he spent the summer in Alaska as a BSU (Baptist Student Union) missionary.  BSU is now known as BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries).  He is the director of this ministry at Motlow State Community College. So it has been many years since he went and at that time he spent time more in the interior of Alaska.  So their present trip is taking them to a different area of Alaska…mainly the panhandle of Alaska.  Their trip is also different than Melany, Wade's and mine as they are what is known as a one-way (ours was a loop…started and ended in Seattle).  Nathan and Kathy started from Vancouver, Canada and will end in Whittier, Alaska. And, they will fly home from Anchorage, Alaska. They have some of the same ports of calls that we had, but also have some different ones. They are traveling on the same cruise line as we did, but a different ship.  So sort of the same as my cruise…but different!!!

My day has gone well to this point.  I mainly stitched today and ended up finishing another ornament.  So the count is rising of finished ornaments! I have been to Bible study this evening.  We are back on a schedule of things at the church since school has started back up.  

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!   

Whew!!

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I'm going for ice and snow in Alaska for tonight's photo to make me think cool, at least…and remember how chilly and at times cold it was back in the first week of June…in Alaska.  We are under a hear advisory until Friday evening.  I waited till this evening to go out to take my garbage can to the road…but it was still in the low 90s feeling like upper 90s.  All I can say is, "Too hot!" 

This heat makes for lazy days.  I read more in the book I am reading.  I did get the Christmas ornament finished that I made my goal to have finished by the time I blogged tonight.  I stitched for quite a while off and on today and didn’t actually put the last stitch in until around 6pm.  

I did manage to get my last load of wash done today and it is "mostly" put away.  It will take at least one more trip upstairs to get it all put away.  But at the moment my trip outside has zapped my energy from another trip upstairs for at least a little while. I did work a little on getting organized to do some sewing.  But the only sewing I did was to serge the edges of some cross stitch fabric so I can use it for an ornament. My count for ornaments is 13 finished stitching…I think that puts me over the half-way point.  One of the things that I need to do soon is make a list of people I am giving ornaments to and put next to the name which ornament…and see where that gets me.  I feel like I should have more than 13 made for all the time that I have been stitching them this year.  It just shows me how long it takes even for what I thought were more simple than I have stitched in the past. Onward and upward! 😁

I don't have any more ornaments started so that means a decision has to be made as to what to stitch next.  Maybe I will set stitching aside for a while this evening and either stitch on something else that is started or read or…

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Monday…A Hot One!

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Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Today has almost come and gone.  I just got home from prayer meeting a little while ago.  I have mainly worked on stitching a cross stitch ornament…I feel almost like a broken record…it seems like I say that all the time…but with the days and months flashing by in front of our eyes, I had better spend more time on them.  I have gotten quite a few stitched…but I am still a ways away from my goal of 24 or 25.  I am almost finished with the one that I have been working on today.  I am hoping to finish stitching it this evening.  BUT…I am pretty tired tonight.  I woke up too early and haven't taken a nap so my eyes may shut before I can get all the way finished with it.  I guess I will say that my goal is to have it finished before I blog tomorrow night!  

I have a serendipitous story to share!  I have had a pair of dress maker shears for some years that are helpful for old/arthritic hands.  The handle holes are attached together with a stiff vinyl band that assists my hand when cutting…I put pressure to make them close, but as soon as I let up on the pressure they open…thus my hand doesn't have to do the work of opening the scissors…and when cutting out patterns to make garments removing that one motion from the job of cutting makes a BIG difference to hurting hands.  Well, the vinyl band broke some time back and I had been using them as regular scissors since…my hand doing all the work of opening and closing the scissors while I cut out pattern pieces.  I had been trying to see if I could buy the piece that broke, but had found no where to do that.  Plus I had been told that the company had gone out of business.  So I didn't try super hard once I learned that.  Well, the other day when I was looking at something about sewing on my iPad, I got an advertisement showing several different pairs of this brand of scissors.  So I clicked and started searching through their pages of scissors.  And, I found my pair or what looked similar to my pair.  And, I decided that I would purchase them, as they weren’t very expensive and shipping was free.  Well, they came in the mail today…but much to my surprise they were not ones like my scissors or the ones that I thought I had ordered.  They are a different style…BUT…they do have the vinyl piece that attaches to the handles to make them ergonomic.  So now I have a new pair of another style scissors that open on their own when I let up on cutting pressure…AND…I can use the old scissors with the same vinyl piece…so now I have two different style scissors that will help me when I am sewing.  I did make myself a promise that if I bought those scissors that I WOULD get back to my sewing.  So more things to do to fill up my time!

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!