Looking Back on October

This October was a gorgeous month: we had mostly enjoyable weather, and the autumn colors were brilliant and long-lasting.  I love October. . .  As Anne Shirley says, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

Despite this, October was a difficult month for me--hence my disappearance from blogging.  I was unable to stick to my tasks, and did not accomplish much.  I'm trying to ignore that part of the month, though, and focus on the good.

• We finally got the water situation resolved!  We are now on "city water" (though I suppose it's more "county water", or perhaps I should say "pay-per-flush". . . ) and I am ecstatic about it.  No more muddy water when we have big rains, no more lime-y water that cakes on every thing, and most importantly, no more worries about e.Coli.
  
  I expect the first bill will be a shock, and I'll have to conserve more than I have been accustomed, but it will still be well worth the cost!

• Mom's birthday was in October.  She and I celebrated with a mother-daughter day: lunch out and a bit of shopping.  I am so blessed that she lives close by, now.  It is such a pleasure to spend time with her.

• I finished The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery's Autumn Sampler.
  
   I still think the second square is my favorite, I just love those leaves!  Number twenty-two is a close second.
  
  Of course, I adore all the kawaii foods and objects, too.  That is how I found the Frosted Pumpkin--googling for kawaii cross stitch patterns!
  
  My husband settled on number 23 as his favorite, which is also lovely.  Nineteen, too, with the night sky and full moon.
  
  I am proud of the fabric, too.  I used chocolate brown Rit and dyed it just lightly to make the pale rusty color.  I am enjoying making my own fabric colors; I may never buy colored cloth again!

• I took a photo every day in October!  This is a big deal, as I consider photo taking a type of therapy.  Last year, I took a photo nearly every day for the entire year.  I had not done so well up until October.
  
  Here is one of my favorites from the month:

I am trying hard to snap out of my funk, and I hope that in November (another month I love, with my favorite non-birthday holiday) I can do this.  I am thankful for so much; I just want to be able to show it!

Looking Back

I started my week off by leaving my phone on top of the car.  This was the result:

Even though it would turn on, I couldn't use it because it was a touch screen.  I was SO mad at myself!  I picked an inexpensive one this time.

There was construction outside our home this week, and I think it was the beginnings of tapping us into the city water.  I am so looking forward to having this finished. 

The best news of the week: I won a drawing for $115 to PayPal!  My husband is adamant that it is to be used only for me.  I see visions of books and crafting items!

• I did quite a bit of cooking.  I am becoming more adept and less nervous; I even think about wanting to cook, which is totally new.  
• I used this recipe to make the best gluten free biscuits I have eaten.  They tasted like I remember biscuits tasting, though not as fluffy.  I'll be having them again soon!
• Cleaned the bathroom; the tub is the bane of my existence, but I found a new foam handled scrub brush that I like and that doesn't hurt my hand which made it so much easier.  Sadly, I threw away the packaging and can't find it online no matter what I Google.  If I ever find out, I'll write a post in it's praise.
• Finished arranging the dining room/pantry combo.  It still needs a few things done to it, but I'm not ashamed of it now.
• I brought home a new hermit crab to join our colony.
• I have taken a photo every day this week, of which I am proud.  I'm trying to get back to daily photos as I find it so enjoyable and life-giving.
• recycled an old flannel shirt into strips to dry dishes on
• I reinstalled my favorite game of all time, Zoo Tycoon, and have spent many hours playing it.  My husband bought it for my Christmas gift our first year together, and for the past twelve years I have played it for at least a month each year.  I hated the sequel, but this one has stood the test of time!
• Completed the first week and second weeks of the Autumn Sampler.

I still feel like I'm at a standstill in most of my organizing and rearranging projects.  I'll get my husband's help with the heavy things when he takes off next month and hopefully that will get me over this hump.

Meanwhile, plans for next week include:

• Still need to clean out the tiny closet in the "closet room" and see if I can make it usable, but it needs the door taken off first.  
• still need to measure and plan out what will be needed for the rest of my craft supply shelves
• Still need to reorganize the two kitchen cabinets that are left; this isn't urgent but I'll be glad to have it done.
• Begin to sort out the junk drawer, tool drawer and miscellaneous drawer in the kitchen.  Notice I said "begin". I expect it will be a chore!
• write up my thoughts on Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Maltese Falcon
• It has stayed way too hot, despite being autumn, so my outside activities have been limited.  If the weather is cooler this coming week, I'd like to get outside and mow and maybe trim some branches.
• continue working on the Autumn Sampler

I am thankful for:

• unexpected gifts
• family
• leaves changing color
• Bach
• gluten free biscuits and gravy

Looking Back

I was simply too discouraged last week to have any desire to write about accomplishments, or lack thereof. 

The well situation is still unresolved (in other words, I'm still showering in E.coli water. . . ) but we found out this week that we can hook up to the city's water.  It's going to take much longer than it would to have the UV filter placed on our well, but will hopefully be about the same cost.  I think it will be worth it in the long run.

St. John, enjoying his prized snake skin.

• St. John brought me special gift. . . a snake skin over three feet long, which I assume he found in the basement. He thought it was the Best Toy Ever, and was so cute showing it to my husband that evening. Notice in the photo it was broken into two pieces. I fleetingly wondered where the third tail-end piece could be, assumed he'd lost it playing with it in a favorite place, and promptly forgot about it. Imagine my emotions when I turned back the quilt and found it in my bed two days later!
• completed the Halloween Sampler
• baked delicious banana bread from this recipe (though I used sugar instead of honey and agave)
• made my husband his favorite dessert for his birthday: homemade chocolate pudding pie
• created my own recipe of a chili Bisquick pie/casserole for his lunches
• made a huge pot of homemade cheesy potato soup for my meals (noticing all the cooking/baking I have been doing since the new toaster oven, it's no wonder my jeans didn't fit!)

I feel like I'm at a standstill in most of my organizing and rearranging projects.  Nearly everything needs a help from my husband (heavy work) so I can proceed.  He'll be taking some time off soon, and I'll have to put him to work!

Meanwhile, plans for next week include:

• clean out the tiny closet in the "closet room" and see if I can make it usable.
• measure and plan out what will be needed for the rest of my craft supply shelves
• reorganize the two kitchen cabinets that are left
• finish rereading Breakfast at Tiffany's for the Classics Club
• I also want to get outside more this coming week, since it has cooled down some.  
• maybe make this marshmallow pumpkin pie!
• working on the Autumn Sampler

I am thankful for:

• cooler, Autumnal weather!
• time to read and to cross stitch
• an understanding family
• a new interest in cooking/baking
• cats that play together

Now, for more kitty photos. . . .

St. John is maturing somewhat, but even at 12 months, he still looks like a baby!.  Here is this month's  photo mosaic.  I included a goofball photo this time.

Looking Back

 This was another unusual, off-schedule week for me, as my husband was home sick the entire week!

On Monday, I was still sick myself and my wonderful Mom came over and helped me wash dishes and get meals cooked.  I am so blessed!  We would've been eating off paper towels, without her help--though what we would've been eating, I can't imagine!

On Tuesday, I had to take my husband to the doctor, as he was actually worse instead of better!

After that, the week was a bit of a blur. I did an abbreviated grocery trip, but other than dishes and laundry that was the only weekly chore I accomplished.

I did cross stitch, and finished the first week of the Halloween Sampler.  I had such great results dying the fabric for that project that I dyed the fabric for the Autumn sampler that will be starting soon.  I'm really pleased with it too; it's a rusty color and looks lovely with the colors that will be used.

I made some mutant cookies, but rebounded today with a yummy crustless cheesecake.

I made mashed potatoes last night (there is nothing like real mashed potatoes!) and used the leftovers to make cheesy potato soup tonight.

We're waiting to hear results from the county about our water, and until then are still drinking bottled water.  Seeing as how I drink at least a gallon a day, it's a bit pricey.  Hoping for a clean bill of health on our well, and soon!

I mowed the lawn with our amazing new lawnmower.  I can't imagine why more people don't use a reel mower!

Oh--I did mop the floor tonght! Just lightly, but enough to keep me from having to admit that it was still unmopped!

Hopefully, this coming week will be more back to normal, and I can finally get to this list from a few weeks ago!

• clean out the tiny closet in the "closet room" and see if I can make it usable.
• measure and plan out what will be needed for the rest of my craft supply shelves
• reorganize the two kitchen cabinets that are left
• write up my thoughts about Nineteen Eighty-Four
• research for a new vet
• I also want to get outside more this coming week, since it has cooled down some.  

I am thankful for:

• Mom's help
• my husband finally feeling well
• only being lightly ill
• cool autumn breezes
• chai
• small victories
• colors
• fresh, crisp sheets
• Wednesday noon Communion

Pretty Miss Lizzie

Looking Back: Woah! Whatta Week!

Some good things this week:

• The cutest thing was LizzieLouLa loving greasy cut short beans!  (Do you have them in your part of the world?)  They have always been my family's favorite green bean, and Mom's did well this year.  I was eating some and Lizzie wanted to smell.  I didn't expect a cat to eat a green bean, so I had no trouble pretending to share.  She ate it, and another, and had four pieces the next night!
• First hot tea (or any hot drink for that matter) since about mid spring; huzzah for fall weather!  I love hot tea, especially chai!
• The new autumn/Halloween fragrances from my favorite small business arrived this week.  They are Frosted Pumpkin (smells like pumpkin bread and yummy vanilla icing), Full Moon (my favorite of this season; smells like mulled apple cider), Zombie Brains (smells like Granny Smith apples) and Poisonberry Cider (smells like blackberries, cranberries and spices) and they are all great.  I highly recommend checking out this little shop; I guarantee you won't be disappointed.  I've bought jewelry, lip balm, perfume oil, perfume sprays and buttons from her and have loved everything I have gotten. (And, no, I'm not getting any kickbacks; I just love these products that much!)
• I am working on the Frosted Pumpkin's Halloween sampler, and I wanted a grey fabric.  Since I couldn't find anything I wanted, I tried dying the fabric.  It was my first time using Rit and it worked beautifully!  I used the "pearl grey" powder, and stirred it for about six minutes.  It's a lovely, light purpley grey; just perfect for what I wanted.  I don't have any photos yet, but I will by the end of this coming week.

Some bad things too. . . 

• Our well water began to taste bad on Monday, so we're drinking bottled water as we run some tests.  Seeing that I drink at least a gallon a day (measured out to be sure, because my body needs that much), it is rather expensive!  Happily, most of the tests look okay.  The pH is extremely high, as is the hardness.  The latter is no surprise, but I'm going to have to research what to do for both.  The worrisome thing is that the bacteria test we did didn't give us a certain result either way.  We're going to have to find another, more specific test.  Extra prayers about our water situation would be so appreciated!
• Our oven completely died on us at the end of last week!  After some thought we decided to buy a larger toaster oven for now. We got a Oster Designed For Life Extra-Large Convection Countertop Oven for under $100 at WalMart.  It is fantastic.  It holds a 9 x 13 Pyrex with no trouble at all!  I think this is going to be a wonderful addition.  I'll write up a review after we've had it a while, but thus far, I actually like it better than our oven.  This might not turn out to be as bad of a thing as it could've been.

Woah! Whatta week!

On Monday I my husband was home and I didn't do much.  I made a few breakfast and lunch things for him, did the laundry, we played mancala (I won 2 out of 3) and then I cross-stitched for a while during the evening.

Tuesday became grocery day, since Monday was a holiday.  So, I went to Kroger (it's always worth it to go to extra stores if they have cheaper items), Walmart (shopped, and had the oil changed), the bank, and had a short visit with Mom. By the time I wrestled all the groceries and that huge toaster oven into my hatchback, I had a massive migraine! If it hadn't been for the hatchback, I would've never succeeded!

Wednesday was noon Communion, which I love; wonderful way to pause and reflect mid-week. After church, I had to stop by Kroger again (I had forgotten my almond milk!), go to FedEx to send back that horrible printer, and go by Walgreens for prescriptions.  Luckily, I had packed a lunch (Celiac and borderline diabetes will teach you that, if nothing else), but I still had a migraine again long before I got home.

On Thursday, things got odd.  My husband stayed home sick!  In the past 12 years, I can only remember him taking five or so sick days--he was terribly sick with a chest cold!  Of course, my schedule was totally off with him home.  I tried to be quiet so he could sleep, which kept me from doing usual chores.  I made him veggie soup, and made myself a big pot of macaroni and cheese (thank heavens I did, as you'll see later), and seemed to spend most of the day in the kitchen.  Then, I coughed all night!

He went into work on Friday, and I had a last-minute, urgent appointment that morning.  Before I left the house, I knew I had his cold.  After the appointment, I had to wait a long, long, long (well over an hour) time for Walgreens to fill a new and important prescription.  I stocked up on more chest cold medicine, went home to bed.  He barely made it a half day, and came stumbling in shortly after.

From that point until now, we've both been too ill to even stand for long periods of time, let alone cook or clean.  I'm so grateful for those meals I cooked on Thursday!  My darling Mom has answered my cry for help and is coming over tomorrow to help me clean the kitchen and prepare some food.  My husband is going to see how he feels in the morning before deciding about work.  How's that as an end to a week that started so well?!?!

At this point, I really can't imagine doing anything this coming week.  If I do, it will most likely be the things I wasn't able to accomplish this past week due to all the running around and being sick:

• mop the kitchen floor  (Yeah, I know.  By now, I'm hardly even bothered by it anymore.)
• clean out the tiny closet in the "closet room" and see if I can make it usable.
• measure and plan out what will be needed for the rest of my craft supply shelves
• reorganize the two kitchen cabinets that are left
• write up my thoughts about Nineteen Eighty-Four
• research for a new vet

I am thankful for:

• Mom and her willingness to help
• drinkable water, even if I have to buy it
• St. John the Great Lizard Hunter
• Lizzie the Nurse Cat
• how good it feels when a migraine goes away

Looking Back

This week has been an odd one, getting used to Jack being gone, and trying to get back into good routines.  The past two weeks were filled with much worry over JackJack and affected me more than I realized at the time.

Both of the other kitties have adjusted well to Jack being gone.  They, too, knew it was time.  I'm surprised at how much more peaceful our home has been this week.  That shows just how restless he was from pain and stress.  Knowing that has been confirmation of our decision.

I was so exhausted by Wednesday, after the vet on Monday and grocery shopping on Tuesday, that I skipped the noon Communion service.  I always feel a bit empty for the rest of the week when I do that.

This past week I:

• made delicious oatmeal cookies from this recipe
• moved three of four bookcases into our closet room, and began filling them with clothes
• added another three-drawer rolly thingee to the closet room and filled it with clothes from the dresser
• filled the empty dresser drawers with blankets
• began to organize my craft supplies and photo props on shelves my husband built for me
• read two books and listened to two audio books
• baked my favorite crustless quiche, using tomatoes, broccoli, cheddar and fresh herbs from Mom's garden
• began and finished The Frosted Pumpkin's Greetings from the Beach pattern

I think the pufferfish is my favorite.

A layer of cheese on the bottom makes a type of crust.  

Next week I would like to:

• Mop that blasted kitchen floor; it keeps getting bumped to the bottom of the list.
• move the last bookshelf to the closet room
• get all the clothes and blankets into their new places on bookshelves
• not miss a day taking photos (I've only missed two days this month and that was this past week)
• reorganize the kitchen cabinets, if Mom has time to help

I am thankful for:

• the support of friends and family during our difficult time with our vet
• books to read and the time to read them
• recipes that I can use successfully 
• a toaster oven to use when the big oven goes wonky
• a husband that will build shelves for me
• that touch of autumn in the air

Looking Back: Jack Dempsey Edition

big yawn

I haven't written a look back of last week yet, and don't plan to do so.

Work was accomplished, good things did happen, goals were met, but it was all overshadowed as we watched our JackJack become more ill as the week progressed.  This illness, of body and mind, culminated in our decision to have him put to sleep yesterday.

sweet, sleeping face

It was a tremendously difficult and painful decision that was made monumentally worse by a trusted and liked vet who, because she disagreed with our decision, was rude, cruel and unprofessional.  As a result, our final moments with Jack Dempsey were spent in a room wrought with tension and stress.

For that reason, Jack feeling emotions other than love and peace as he looked at us for the last time, I am struggling to be able to forgive our vet.  I told my husband last night, that I didn't want to forgive her; which isn't totally true of course.  Unforgiveness will hurt me, not her, in the long run.

Right now, though, it's too fresh to forgive; plus it's hindering my ability to grieve fully for our Jack, which causes me to become angry all over again.

I'll return to pick up Jack's ashes, pay our balance, and see when St. John's next appointment should be scheduled.  After that, I'll gladly never enter that building again.  The vet felt that after many years as both excellent clients and cat parents, we needed to find another vet--yes she was that angry with us--and so do we.  I will never trust her or that practice again.

Enough on the that, though.  I want to celebrate Jack's short time with us.

at ease in the recliner

He was so sweet and loving, despite having been feral before I found him.  He quickly became a lap cat--well, actually, a squeeze-in-beside-you-in-the-recliner cat, or a sit-on-the-arm-of-your-recliner cat.  He sat on a bar stool at the dining room table with us, never begging, just being a part.  As his illness progressed and he needed the closeness of my husband more, he slept in the curve of my husband's arm, snuggled close.

He loved back rubs, shredded sharp cheddar, canned food with lots of "gravy" and sleeping on the couch.

He enjoyed playing with toys, but his favorite game was to chase the "red bug" (laser pointer), especially if we ran it up onto the recliner.


He knew exactly when my husband was due home from work, and would be impatient for him if he were late.

He was a kind friend to Lizzie and was St. John's idol.

Jack's heart was always torn between his love for us and his wild nature; this eventually led to his mental anguish, we believe.  We were blessed to have him, though, even just for two years.  The pain of losing a pet is negligible when compared to the joy that pet has given.

(Note: Jack's ear was folded back like that because of an untreated ear infection that caused a rupture in the skin, before we found him.  He also had been shot with a pellet gun at least once, as one pellet was lodged inside him, under his front right armpit.  Also, despite being just about a year old when we took him in, he had severe arthritis that made moving around very difficult in cold or wet seasons.  All this is due to the rough life he had as an uncared for outside cat.  If see you an uncared for cat or dog, have mercy on them and try to take them to the shelter.   They are better off euthanized at the shelter than living a life like what Jack lived before I picked him up off the side of the road!)

Be at peace at last, Jack Dempsey!  We certainly do miss you!

sunning in the window

Jack's 2012 Christmas portrait

Looking Back

I am replacing my "Friday Fives" with "Looking Back"; explanation here.

1. Took down the utility shelves from the former office, now dining room and moved them to the basement.
2. Set up new plastic shelves in the new dining room to be a pantry.
3. With Mom's help, arranged the new pantry.
4. Took a photo every day this week!  (Every day this month, so far!!)
5. Completed week four of The Frosted Pumpkin's Summer Sampler.

It is hard to pick a favortie from this particular week, but
it is probably this cranky marshmallow.

1. Homemade (by me, no less) chocolate almond pudding.
2. Made a wonderful crustless quiche with Mom's garden-fresh herbs and tomatoes.
3. A fantastic thunderstorm, enjoyed with my husband.
4. The delicious Indian spiced garbanzo bean dish I made.
5. Excellent close-out deals on craft supplies at Target.

1. The kitchen needs to be mopped even more, now!
   And guess how badly it needs it NOW!
2. Move the pantry to it's new home in the dining room, which requires a first step of. . .
   Done!
3. . . . taking down the utility shelves used in the former office so that the pantry shelves can be put up, which requires a first step of. . .
   Done!
4. Finding a new home, even if just temporary, for the things on the utility shelves in the former office.
   Done!
5. The bathroom needs an extra good cleaning, since this week was otherwise occupied.
   Done!
6. (bonus goal: be less cranky!)
   I think I was somewhat better this week. =D

1. Mop the kitchen!!
2. Move the unused bookcases into our "closet room" so they can become shelving for pjs, tee shirts and jeans, which first requires. . . 
3. Moving out the tiny dresser, which first requires. . . 
4. Moving the hermit crab tank to the larger dresser, which first requires. . . 
5. Taking down the un-sturdy mesh shelving that is currently housing the above (#2) clothing.

One of the photos I took this week; the baker's twine is
"Midnight Blue" from the Twinery.

1. My camera.
2. Recipes I can follow.
3. Cards from friends.
4. Spices!
5. Audio books.

In an effort to reflect more positively on what I accomplish and to plan goals more reasonably, I'm going to start writing out and looking back on my weekly goals.