This 'n' that

It's cold outside today.  Yesterday also.  This after temps being in the mid to upper 60's.  Go figure.  I call it pneumonia weather.
Getting antsy.  Want departure date to hurry up and get here.  Going to be with daughter in the tropics for 11 days!  Just her, me and a few hundred other people on board ship.  We'll be taking classes while at sea and going on excursions while in port.  Need to find something to keep me busy until departure.  Maybe clean?  There's always purging (getting rid of old clothes, etc.).  Hmmm, what to do, what to do?
 Wish warmer weather was here for a while so I could get some yard work done.  Still have a ways to go on that bush outside (sort of) the kitchen window.  It needs to go.  I'm halfway there in cutting the branches down.  What I could use is a neighbor with a chain saw.  Oh well, will have to do it the hard way, I guess.  At least that would burn off some of the calories I seem to have stored in my middle. 😁
So, what do you have planned for the day?
And remember:  Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Meetings

Yesterday I was at an all day board meeting during which I basically just sat and listened.  Most of it is over my head but every once in a while I would interject a comment or question.  The only reason I'm on this board is because the president of said board wants me to "watch her back".  Most meetings that's what I do if she has to introduce something that may be unpleasant but necessary.  I'm not very patient when it comes to items on the agenda being discussed to death without getting anywhere.  And it's amazing how quickly said item is totally lost while comments or discussion goes in a totally different direction.  That's kinda where I come in.  I'll raise my hand and ask if we can get back to the main point.  Do I get dirty looks?  Sometimes.  But sometimes people don't realize they've gone totally away from what needs to be taken care of.
Today is a continuation of yesterday.  I'm hoping it doesn't last all day again.  I do know that not everyone who was there yesterday will be there today.  These meetings are necessary and, since we are a non-profit, must be done in order to apply for grants and such so we can keep our doors open.  the process is tedious and grant givers are very particular in what information they want.  Key buzz words have to be used.  Certain points have to be made.  So I'll sit there and interject only if I feel it necessary to get us moving along.
Y'all have an interesting day and remember:  losing doesn't mean you should throw a temper tantrum.    It's unbecoming.

Boom!

In the middle of the night I had to get up to answer Mother Nature's call (I've learned to never put her on hold).  I got back into bed and BOOM! along with a bright flash of lightning.  The thunder was so loud I think the whole house shook.  My bed did.  And that was it!  Just that one flash and boom.  Then rain for about 10 minutes, maybe.  It could have rained longer, I fell asleep.  Happily the power didn't go out.  We're supposed to get more of the same later today.  Like maybe just in time for the Atlanta/Green Bay game.  I'll be nice and dry and busy sewing, won't be watching 'cause I could care less (although it would be cool if Atlanta played in the Super Bowl which I won't watch either).  I used to watch but nowadays there's too many commercials and too much talking.  Same with baseball.  The last baseball game I watched was the Dodgers and Yankees in the World Series back in the 50's.  Again, too many commercials and yackety- yak.
Okay on to knitting and sewing on the wet day.  Y'all behave and enjoy the game.  And remember:  it's only a GAME!!

Weather

I'm hoping the weather holds today so I can get some more work done outside.  I believe it's supposed to be up in the 60's which is fine.  There's this one humongous bush that blocks my view of the pond and it has to get a major hair cut.  There's a lot more that need to be done but it will have to wait until consistent good weather.  Right now it's iffy.
I've only planned two trips this year.  One in Febru-ugly and one in August.  That gives me the whole of spring and most of summer to get things done.  Good days will be for the outside and rainy days for the inside.  I really do want to get thing done.  There are days, however, when I just can't seem to get going.  When that happens I get mad at myself for wasting a day.  The I realize that maybe it happens for a reason (which I haven't figured out yet).  I do suffer from depression now and then so maybe that's it.  Anyway we'll see what I can get accomplished this year.  Not sure about a garden, though.  My friend won't be available to help and it's more than I could handle so maybe the soil will remain fallow.  Or I might get volunteers from last year.  I do plan on adding organic matter to the soil so it will be nice and rich next time around.
Y'all have a creative day and remember:  if wishes were wings, frogs wouldn't bump their asses when they hop.

It's gone...maybe

I listened and watched last night.  No soft whirring sound, no soft breeze.  I think it's gone.  Hopefully the open window did the trick and I won't find a bat that died of starvation somewhere in the house.

I have a bat

I have a bat in the house.  How it got here I haven't a clue.  It presented itself night before last as I was eating dinner.  The only reason I know it's here is that I saw it.  They make no noise when they fly unless you are very close and hear the almost silent flutter.  I opened the front door hoping it would fly out but no success.  Unfortunately my tripod cat got out without me knowing it so she spent the night out on the front porch.  I never saw her get out.  When she didn't come running when I doled out treats I knew something was off.  When I went out on the porch and rattled the treat container I heard her small meow come from under the grill cover.  Poor baby, she didn't know what to do, so I picked her up and brought her back into the house.  I don't think she'll do that again.  Last night the bat appeared again, flying around trying to find a way out.  I opened the east facing window, and took off the screen, left the window open hoping it would find it's way out in the moonlight.  Sigh, I don't think so.  I finally fell asleep with soft whirring sounds as it flew around the room.  Actually I won't know until tonight.  I'll keep the window open again if I hear/see it but won't be able to when we get rain.
A few years back, as I was putting on my waders, I felt something quite uncomfortable in the right boot.  When I took them off I discovered a small dead bat in it.  Now how it got there is anyone's guess.  I leave the waders hanging on a hook on a 6x6 post in the basement.  How the heck did it get in the house, never mind inside the boot of my waders?  I can only wonder.  As to the present guest I can only wonder there also.  All windows have screens and are closed as are all the doors.  The dampers in the chimneys are closed as well.  I rarely open the front door at night, except to let in the cat.  One of those things called damned if I know I guess.  I really hope the guest will find it's way out tonight if it didn't last night.  There's nothing for it to eat. I don't want to find a dead bat anywhere in the house.
Any suggestions out there?
Y'all have a loverly day and remember:  normal is just a setting on the dryer.

Today

Today I am going to finish a quilt come hell or high water (there's a saying to look up HJ).  It's only a wall hanging but I want to get it finished so I can take it on my trip next month to show the lady who designed the pattern and taught the class a while back.  Daughter has appointment with Chiropractor so I may be watching Sprout.  Then this evening I have a meeting at the gallery.  A busy day.  The kind I like.
So, what are you doing today?

Projects

I have a number of projects I would like to finish.  Most of them have to do with quilting, or should I say, kits I need to complete.  Unfortunately, I'll start a project, get to a certain point, get tired of it and put it "away".  Some time usually goes by before I get back to it.  Meanwhile I have likely started another project.  Sigh.  I'll be going to a retreat the end of February and have been assembling projects that need finishing with hand sewing.  I don't like hauling my machine and all the things that go with it.  Not to worry, I have plenty to keep me busy the 4 1/2 days I'll be in the  mountains of NC.
Quilting isn't the only area where I have unfinished pieces.  I also make baskets and I have two that are trying to call my name.  I see the bare bones every time I go down to the basement to work on doing laundry or sewing.  I keep telling myself I really need to get them done.  They would make great gifts.  Just haven't had the drive.  Hopefully I'll get them done some time this year since I don't plan to travel as much.
Do you have any UFO's?
Y'all have a productive day and remember:  today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday.

Baby, it's cold

Baby, it's cold outside!!  Got up to 11 degrees outside.  Thankfully the sun is supposed to shine and it's going to get up to about 32.  Wow!  Last week we were in the 60's.  Go figure.  Many people make the assumption that it's always warm in the South.  Not so.  Even Florida gets cold.  I've been in Miami when it was in the 30's.
My electric bill is going to be on the high side for this month.  Heat pumps are almost worthless when the temps get below freezing.  Heck they just can't keep up.  This keeps up and I'll light a fire in the fireplace tonight.  Going to my grandson's birthday party today will be interesting.  I'm not sure the kids will play outside considering.  Have never been to this particular home before so don't know how big it is.  I don't do large groups of kids.  The noise!  Which is probably why I won't go to my granddaughter's birthday party in a couple of weeks since it will be at Chucky Cheese.  Way too many rug rats and noise!!
Am feeling the air coming out of the vents right now and it isn't even tepid.  I'm told that the way heat pumps work is that they take the heat out of the air. (simplified explanation)  What??  It's 11 degrees outside.  Where's the heat in that?
Guess I'll go take a nice hot shower and put on some long johns.  At least I know how to dress in these temperatures.
Y'all stay warm.

It snowed

Woke up to about 2 inches of snow.  This was after it snow, warmed up, then snowed again.  It's melting now and will probably continue until it freezes tonight (oh joy).  It's pretty at first, isn't it?  Just glad I don't have to go anywhere today.  Doing some knitting and sewing instead.  At the moment the sun shines brightly.  Let's see what tonight and tomorrow bring.  I'm supposed to go to my grandson's birthday bash at a friend's house.  Giving a ride there to another friend who won't drive if the roads aren't perfectly clear.  Geeesh.
Y'all have a loverly day and remember:  snow is a four-letter word.

Snow?

We're supposed to get snow tonight.  Hmph.  Here, the first snowflake causes major panic and all the milk and bread disappear from the store.  School will let out 2 hours early today, even sooner if it starts to snow earlier.  It amuses me since I used to live up North and dealt with winters and snow up there.  We have so many people that have moved here from up North that you would think they could handle a bit of the stuff.  To be fair, the road departments really don't have enough of the right equipment to clear the roads quickly.  They're getting ready, though with brine mixture, etc.  Me?  I'd rather a snow storm than an ice storm.
At least I have a 4-wheel drive truck so if any of my neighbors need help....
Y'all stay warm and remember:  he who dies with the most toys...is still dead.