SHEs Organized

Okay ~ I've had that "ruffled cardigan from a Tshirt tutorial" bookmarked for some time because it's cute, but haven't had the chance to try it. That one uses just 1 shirt, though, because it's short. My class supply list says "bring 2 solid color short sleeve t-shirts, your size or 1 size larger if you want it loose." I found 2 shirts at WM in the men's dept, a surprisingly pretty purple color in F of the L brand which should wash nicely. They were $5 each so I have invested $10 in fabric to make a jacket. If the jacket doesn't work out I can reuse the cotton fabric to make pajamas or tank tops.

But I'm hoping the jacket will turn out to be nice enough and easy enough that I can do a demonstration for my sewing group. I will ask the instructor for permission, of course.

Ivy ~ I'm sorry you have to wait so long for the septic company to send someone out to empty your tank. What a sweetie your Dgrson is to want to help you do some cleaning.

((Kathryn))

Nancy ~ Would you have any luck asking for cloth diapers from friends or church? Even if for "cloth diapers" you ended up cutting up an old flannel sheet? Would hate to see you spend money on those if there is a chance you won't be watching that baby much longer.

hugs K.

Hugs back at you Cathy. At least now you have a diagnosis for your dad.

Don't forget to use us as a sounding board as you work through all this.

Pain meds are helping. Dh is in bed listening to the game. I bet if I can get into bed soon, I'll go to sleep quickly listening to his game. I'm just updating my mp3 player now with stuff to listen to if I can't sleep through the night.

Dang - have to have the a/c on all night. Smoke-free hotel so people are smoking outside the door which is right outside our room. Not that the a/c helps much since the fan sucks the smell into the room anyway.

Thursday -- I walked
Friday had stiff and sore calf mussels .
washing - 1 load
I walked Darcy as well. He cooperated by not pushing to move when I was squatting for PU duty. Left hand can cooperate for non weight baring things like bag opening. (and buttons)
We walked slowly by for maybe an hour. Then I picked up dog carp in the drive and yard. Most was a neighbours dog who has taken to coming over 's contribution. My dog mostly buries his under leaves under a leafy tree. And he had no back log when we walked so he had been using his outdoor running lead time to advantage.

Today Saturday - its neighbou'rs 18yo's last full day at home before he leaves for the navy. I can see him helping with our Indonesian neighbours/ waters. Those seas are busier than ever with refugee boats . His mother is Indonesian, and he has spent time there too. They came in for me to sign his passport application. I've known the family for 14 years. maybe a year longer than that. I've previously signed passport papers for the family as well. I guess these are his first as an adult.
He mowed my yard, his dad helped with the edges. Mostly it was sticky chick weed seed so I'm glad to see it mowed. The sister indicated she was still up for dog walking. Maybe we could go together.


My eldest is 38 today. I rang early - luckily - they were shortly due otd to dgs's rock climbing.

Kathryn - I'll be thinking of you on this trip. I hope you can enjoy family time.

Harriet - Sending hugs and kind thoughts for you and yours. Thank you for sharing your fathers funeral day with us. Its interesting that your fathers friend would speak differently from how your family would speak. And that it was allowed.

For all of us who have lost fathers, we revisit our memories too.
My family down played much of my fathers life too. I arrived home and the eulogy was already prepared. It was brief. I couldn't begin to make suggestions. After the service someone said to me - that my mother was a private person - that summed it up. Tears and emotion were not allowed either. It seemed.
Dad left suddenly too. No one had expected his passing. Though later we found he had tidied farm things (tools organised, shed emptied, and a disused dip emptied of rusty dump stuff and filled with rocks), taught dm to do things he normally did (fill the car with petrol, read the stocks and shares reports), and told dd he was never going to be a great grand father - though her baby was due in weeks at the time. So maybe he had an inkling no one else saw.

My arm - sore at shoulder site, bruising and sore still around elbow, sometimes in my wrist; also top left of my left breast near underarm. I think that's where I landed on my cereal bowl. Or maybe its just its tension at the arm / shoulder problem. with practice I can get my arm fairly straight, Just doing a marathon of arm curls to my shoulder. I've just been taking paracetamol for bedtime lately, and allow the ebb and flow of aches at other times. I have tried to keep the torso part of shoulder muscles working too. and stretch out my back. What is really needed is more lunges. Too much sitting around I think. Time to get back to daily walks, and calf stetches.

Midday looms. I've missed the bus to change library books. Entertained neighbours visit in my pick flannellette pjs covered in white bears. Oh well. I'm needing to accept life as it comes today. I did do readings and wrote a prayer. An item today was to perform act of love for a neighbour. Maybe that was the passport. They did one for me with the yard - then wouldn't accept payment. Though It may be a ramadam offering where they are called to be helpful to those in need. the girl didn't want pocket money to walk dog either. Still to do for me is - a good deed without getting caught. That means no bragging when its done. I will need to watch for opportunities for that.

ok. go get dressed before midday. I have 15 min so it will be a rush - buttons take time.

to Kathryn - you need our law that says no smoking closer than 12 foot from a business doorway.

Remember to breathe
when
in pain
grieving
resting
living
thinking
meditating
doing.

Our out breath
can be a prayer
so say the psalms.
I believe that.

Breathe out
and the prayer
you have not formed
into words to call out
is heard.

Breathe in
and know
the prayer is heard.
The Lord is near.

Repeat

It takes no thought
to let it flow
though sometimes
we hold it in.
Stagnating
in our pain.

Then remember
Breathe
and
Continue.

Its been a while since a prayer poem came out just like that.
I love the Thich Nhat Hanh poem/meditation "Breath" Its guaranteed to calm me.

Yes Harriet - I don't often drop names in here. My puppy is now 13. An old man Mr Darcy. Independent of thought. Sometimes bossy. Caring and determined. His latest thing is to get on my case if I have not washed up and it is getting late. That I eat is another of his concerns. I used have a cat who would insist I eat. I told Darcy about AlfieGato and he took on that role. after a bit. Sometimes its annoying.