Day 181 of 2023

The curb and our recent heavy rain

 have made an excellent impromptu bird bath.

 

Day 180 of 2023

 

Another quick sock update: 

I am slowly getting back to working on this pair more consistently. 

Just a few more rows 

and it will be time to play catch up with the other sock.  

Progress.

 

Day 179 of 2023

It's not raining and it's more than three hours before sunset. 

This is the actual color of the sky

 as we drive into the smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

 

Day 178 of 2023

I was in the garden today and noticed a lot of these. 

I don't remember ever seeing them before

 so I snapped a picture for later identification. 

After much frustration and then confusion, 

I finally came across a photo that told me that this is the larva stage

 of a Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle 

(what we used to call ladybugs until now). 

Who knew this? Did you all know this? 

Why didn't you tell me?

Day 177 of 2023

Back in May I ran out of time to finish all the sewing items

 I wanted to make for Little E. 

Since then I have forgotten what fabric selections

 were meant for what parts of certain projects. 

Today I confirmed these fabric placements with Little E 

and have them saved in photos 

and with the ever popular "little paper notes pinned on fabric" system.

 

Day 176 of 2023

When I planted this dragon tree today, 

I thought that was going to be the last of my plantings for a while, 

but after I got that done, I noticed that there are two plants in the house 

that really need to be repotted. 

The rubber tree plant behind the dragon tree has a pot that is cracked

 and crumbling at the slightest touch. 

The other plant is at least five feet tall 

and appears to be in a pot that may have been its original. 

I think I can use one pot I already own, 

but the other one will have to be a new purchase. 

I'll be working on acquiring one this week.

 

Day 175 of 2023

I spied some snapdragons out in the wild. 

(Not really wild, but away from our house)

They are always a family favorite.

 

Day 174 of 2023

I made a thing. 

Thanks for sending me the recipe, M.

 

Day 173 of 2023

Old plants meet new pots.

 

Day 172 of 2023

Fireball and GB#5

 

Day 171 of 2023

Sock update: The first colorful stripe is done. 

Progress should be quicker now that I'm not driving out of town every day.

 

Day 170 of 2023

The birds are nesting inside at The Home Depot.

 

Day 169 of 2023

The Old House.

 

Day 168 of 2023

Today Fireball and I were able to see GB#3 run

 in his last track meet of the season. 

We are so proud of him for trying something new. 

He seems to really like it.

 

Day 167 of 2023

I have checked almost everything off my list 

and have contacted our realtor

 to let her know the Old House is ready for pictures.

 

Day 166 of 2023

This week I've been working off a list I made

 of all the things that were left to do in the Old House. 

I try to make these lists as detailed as possible. 

I thought I was going to be able to complete the list by the end of today. 

I miscalculated and will be back tomorrow 

which is my new "pretty sure I can get the rest of this done" day.

 

Day 165 of 2023

Here's a space in the Old House that I'm not sure I've shown you. 

It is the laundry room which is right next to the workshop. 

Those cabinets at the end of the room are huge 

and there is even more storage under the stairs. 

The most fun feature here though is the screened box hanging on the wall 

on the right side of the photo. 

This is the receptacle for the laundry

 that can be put down the laundry chute 

that is in the hallway up on the main level of the house.

 

Day 164 of 2023

The carpet tape I used today was very sticky. 

It took three tries with three different products 

to get these scissors clean, 

but now they look brand new.

 

Day 163 of 2023

On the day that you see the retina specialist and a treatment is required, 

the only thing that can be done is to take a nap

 because it seems impossible to keep your eye open

 due to the pain and the light. 

There was no driving today so after above mentioned nap, 

I decided to sort through the photos on my magnetic board. 

More recent pictures have been selected 

and will be ordered soon to finish up the transformation.

 

Day 162 of 2023

We have brought home some interesting things from the Old House. 

This is one is fascinating. 

It's a city directory from 1953. 

It is a hardcover book. 

It really does have all the information listed on the lefthand page and more. 

 

Day 161 of 2023

Almost done.

 

Day 160 of 2023

The first of my day lilies has bloomed. 

Now it patiently waits for the rest to join in.

 

Day 159 of 2023

Sometimes I just need a little reminder.

 

Day 158 of 2023

Things are getting down to the nitty-gritty in the basement workshop.

 

Day 157 of 2023

It's late and I realize that I didn't take any pictures

 at the Old House today. 

I'm really tired and just want to climb these stairs 

and crawl into bed and go to sleep.

 

Day 156 of 2023

When last we saw my current sock project,

 I was working on step one on the second sock. 

In this progress shot, 

I am about to finish step two on the second sock. 

After just a few rounds and some careful recounting, 

I will be adding another color - the beautiful Bermuda blue.

 

155 of 2023

We are heading for the finish line at the Old House. 

Although we are still a distance away, we can see it now. 

Today's projects were installing new transition strips

 in all the doorways that include the hardwood floors, 

removing the drapes, and continuing work in the basement workshop. 

I hope you aren't too tired of Old House photos. 

 

Day 154 of 2023

I have found the most beautiful and interesting measuring devices.

 

Day 153 of 2023

Here's one thing that could be said about Great Grandpa H -  

he was definitely organized.

 

Day 152 of 2023

The Old House is getting better but it still overwhelms me. 

Nothing prepared me though for the overwhelming gratitude 

I felt when a stranger paid for the gas for my car 

after I had driven over an hour away from home, 

was about to run out of gas and had forgotten my purse, 

which contained my ID, cash and my credit cards. 

I asked if I could send him the money but he refused. 

I am beyond grateful for this gentleman's kindness and generosity. 

The best I can do to pay him back is to pay it forward.