Continuing to Organize 04.5.2009

So, it has been a few days past a year of living in a home we actually own.  Well, God actually has me remembering that the bank owns it until we pay it off, but nonetheless it’s still considered ours in the legal sense.  Never thought I would still be organizing a year later, especially after the Unexpected Paid Summer Vacation last year, ie the paid leave of absence to find another job.  But one year later, I have finally managed to get my craft room working.  That’s right folks!  You can actually walk all the way in, sit down at the sewing desk, and SEW!  It’s completely amazing.  I still have shelves to saw, paint, and mount for my bins and bins of fabric.  I’m hoping to get that done by the end of this month.  The yarn is almost all in my cubes, and even the top of my storage cabinet is organized and looking cute.  I promise pictures at a later posting.  And I honestly wish I had taken before and after pictures to show the true miracle that has happened.  I just can’t believe I actually got it where it is now.  Since I got the sewing part working, I decided to celebrate with some sewing.  It’s been a long time since I’ve actually wanted to sew, mainly due to the tiny alterations business I had on the side 2 years ago to supplement the detestable pay at Cheaply-Made Clothes/Expensive Prices Store (the name has been changed to protect the guilty).  So I pulled out my old T-shirts that are being held still for a memories T-shirt quilt.  I have to take a quick detour to say that the following ideas and such are due to desire to increase frugality and has nothing to do with going green.  For a better explanation why, see bottom of post.  Anyways, I cut every bit I could into lovely rags to use rather than expensive rolls of paper towels.  Since I knew this idea/system would not work unless I had some easy way to deal with the dirty rags between washings,  I then got out some cute coffee themed cotton and left-over muslin and sewed up a neat laundry bag to hang on the inside of one of the kitchen cabinet doors.  I used some wire I found in the basement to tie up plants and made a casing around the top and up the side seam to hold the bag open, thus making it extremely easy for DH to use.  And of course, myself – the Queen of Lazy.

In other news, the seedlings are looking fantastic but they will have to transplanted quite soon.  Since I’m starting to feel lazy, this may involve ripping out the dead herbs from my shallower pot, and transplanting them in there until the garden is plowed.  I’m looking for easy at this point.

** Explanation – Yes, I know that Green is in right now.  Everyone’s doing it, and most feel you are a big evil corporate monster for not following the ways of Green.  But let me explain myself.  I’m all about conserving, but because it’s responsible, it’s cheaper, and it’s what my family has had to do for generations.  Only 2 generations before me were family members living in a two room shack, and 3 generations ago they were living through the Great Depression.  Of course, too much hoarding can cause a clutter problem, so I have been able to overcome that and know when to keep and when to toss or give away.  (Thanks Flylady!)  But it is also because I see things in a very strong scientific way.  I know I know, I hear you now.  “But that’s why Green is important!  Scientists say so and they are studying the problems of climate change!”  First, on carbon dioxide, the list is very long of why there is no worry there.  First, it’s very very important for us to have carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mainly so plants will continue to replenish oxygen into our atmosphere.  Second, let’s look at how much is actually in the atmosphere.  In terms of percentages, carbon dioxide makes up 0.0383% of our atmosphere according to Wikipedia, which highlights at the bottom that the source of that is the NASA Earth Fact Sheet which was updated April 19, 2007.  The Fact Sheet is in parts per million, rather than a percentage but Wikipedia has it calculated as a percentage.  Even if it was increasing, its increasing on such a teeny tiny scale that the difference would not be noticed compared to the rest of the atmosphere.  Second, on climate change itself.  This doesn’t scare me either since the Earth’s climate has been changing between hotter and colder periods since the beginning of time.  We have went through several Ice Ages and Heat Ages.  This is not a new phenomenon, and unless dinosaurs had coal burning electricity plants, the climate changes that happened before and after their existence had nothing to do with CO2.  It’s just the way this beautiful planet is.  Hopefully I won’t end up with a bunch of nasty comments on this post, but this explanation is based in fact.  If you have further questions, feel free to contact me.

A new year of gardening 03.29.2009

So, I started some seeds last Sunday.  Cherry tomato, cucumber, and lettuce.  I already have a ton of seedlings.  As in the warmest day this next week, I’ll probably need to transplant them to bigger pots.  I’m hoping to stagger my crops so I have a continuous harvest through late summer to fall.  I will also have to look in how to preserve my crops at the end of the season, since I plan on having a super abundance.  It may seem crazy but I’ve actually been quoting scripture over my seeds and garden.  There are a lot of scriptures in the Bible where God promises to multiply crops and the fruit of the land of those who worship Him.  The fact that most of my seedlings sprouted in 3-5 days rather than the 7-10 on the packet seems to be proof that these promises most definitely are true.  In mid-April, I plan to have my grandfather bring his bigger tiller and till my garden up.  I did a soil test last weekend as well, and found that my pH is about 6.0 and that there is good phosphorus and nitrogen in the soil.  It may be a little low on the potash but I’m really not sure what I can do to correct that.  It’s been raining a lot this year so the soil should be softer.  This is going to be an awesome garden.  The plants that I haven’t started early as they don’t require it are peas, spinach, onions, hopefully garlic, and a section for herbs for cooking and medicinal purposes.  Hopefully I can actually get seeds for the herbs I want.  I’ve discovered some local garden expos and plan on going to those to look for good deals.  I can’t wait for the warmer weather and get this garden started.

Rock Climbing 101 03.29.2009

So, I found out what kind of bug I had.  Bronchitis.  Talk about nasty, I literally thought I was going mad at one point.   I finally got over that and was gearing up to get to working out again, when something happened yesterday.  I took a Rock Climbing 101 class at Fire & Water, and I have been so excited about this for weeks.  I went through the class on knots, safety, and the history of climbing, learned a lot and did really well.  Then I got suited up in a helmet and harnass and went second to this really experienced guy.  I got about a third of the way up the easiest wall they have, which is a 5.4, and my left knee went out.  Looking back I realize I actually handled it really calmly, since I couldn’t let go to put it back in place.  I did get it right back in, though I’m not sure how, and they let me down.  Luckily I was toproping, so it wasn’t like I had to climb down.  I’m hooked on climbing, both so I can get up that wall, beat this challenge, and also because it’s really intellectual to see where to go next, which to grab next, what would work best.  So the dilemma is how to climb, and keep climbing, and not have to worry about my knees.  My first step is to talk to a doctor I work for to see if they make a flexible knee brace that will allow me to climb but also keep my knee in place.  I want to have a doctor order it for me so my insurance will pay.  Then it’s going to be, from what I can tell, several months of intense training.  I need to strength train my legs, upper body, and my wrists and hands.  I need to do some serious stretching to get some flexibility back.  And simply to try climbing til I get it.

I have my thrummed slippers half done, as in I have one done.  I will start the second one this Tuesday.  The felted slippers that were supposed to go on the outside ended up too big after felting.  I have the idea to cut the sole from that slipper and stitch it to the bottom of my thrummed slipper to add padding and protection.  Started a lace shawl last night.  I really just felt the need to knit some lace.  I’ll probably set it aside for a few weeks though so I can hopefully work on my felted bag and my mom’s capelet.

Various sundries 03.15.2009

So, a list of some various sundries:
1. The Schedule - The planner is helping.  I confess that I haven’t been looking at it every day, and unless I do, I won’t come to depend on it.  In terms of simplifying, my schedule does seem to be opening a little.  I’m currently not singing on the praise team for the forseeable future, which I have  to say is nice.  I now have my Thursday nights open.  That gives me Tuesday and Thursday nights, every other Saturday, every Sunday afternoon really. 
2.  Currently fighting a very nasty bug.  Taking some very high powered anti-biotics and it is helping but I haven’t been this sick since high school, and it’s been at least that long since I’ve taken anti-biotics.  So much for any cleaning or accomplishing anything because I’m just happy to be able to breathe.
3.  I believe that the Right’s accusation that Pres. Obama has no diplomatic experience has been proven true.  Plenty of people who support him say that the fiasco with the exchange of gifts with PM Brown is not a big deal or is good because we don’t apparently want to be in good standing with Britain.  Let’s not forget that PM Brown can now go to his top CEOs in his country and tell him to stop trading with the US.  Don’t export goods, stop importing goods or parts.  He can tell them to get them from China or Japan.  I don’t think most people know what that will do to our economy.  Let’s also not forget what message it sends to our other allies.  Of course, Obama could simply be snubbing Britain in order to kiss Iran’s rear. 

More on all this when I actually feel better.

Electricity 02.28.2009

So, the grandparents are coming today.  One of them will be incredibly helpful by helping us redo some of the wiring in our basement, which is not at all safe right now.  I think the angels who have been camping out here in droves since we bought the house to prevent a fire would possibly like a little break.  The laundry room light, for instance, was wired with tiny 1-2 in pieces of bare wire that the previous owners had saudered together.  Not to mention that the entire basement is on 1 fuse and only 1 fuse.  The other grandparent will probably try to get on my computer, and she’s not very computer savvy, and will probably yell every 5 minutes for us to come and watch some “funny” video on youtube.  Notice that funny is in quotes there.  Because Austin and I have a very dry, British sense of humor, and she doesn’t.

Back to the current dilemma of the schedule from the Seventh Circle of Hades, after I wrote that blog post, I went to bed and snuggled up to my DH and told him about it.  He has been thinking the same thing as well, that something has to give.  What, he doesn’t know either, but he has been really trying to figure something out as well.  At least I know with both us on board, something will happen.  Any time I’ve tried to get something through (like my massive declutter a year ago) without him being on board, it gets bogged down and causes some tension.  As long as there is hope, I can keep on til we find a solution.

Blogging challenge 02.26.2009

Over at Reclaiming the Home (Rav link), they have set a blogging challenge.  Blog every day until the end of March.  Not only to set the habit and help us all be better friends to our blog but to also stir those creative juices.  I mean, afterall, this is more than my vent, and back when I posted all the time, I covered my crafts, my life, and my loves and really enjoyed it.  Currently this challenge brings to mind something I’ve been pondering a lot lately.  My very busy schedule.  Currently, my schedule actually means that I have Tuesday nights off every week, Thursdays every other week and sometimes on Saturdays.  Considering how involved we are at church, that takes up Sunday mornings, every other Saturday afternoon, Monday nights, Wednesday nights, and every other Thursday night.  Then there’s going to martial arts/workout on Friday nights.  Working 40 hours a week.  I sometimes wonder how I got to tomorrow so fast.  But I’m beginning to feel the first tinges of burnout.  I really really need to simplify things in my life and slim down my schedule.  That seems to be a lot easier said than done.  With church activities, especially in leadership, you have a nagging feeling that if you step down from something, somehow you’re letting everyone down.  I’ve been praying a lot about this lately.  I currently am being attacked by some nasty nose crud and I can’t help but wonder if it’s due to the fact that I simply am run down physically.  Of course, some part of my mind tries to cook up some daydream that when I’m a SAHM and all, somehow the schedules will be calmer and simpler, but that’s simply not true.  I just won’t be driving to work and work can extend longer since work is at home.  One thing I used to do in college would be to make a color coded excel schedule sheet, very visual, so that I could see how my time was blocked out.  I’m going to try and do that now though I think the results will probably scare me.  Plan to post on my progress tomorrow!

Single’s Awareness Day 02.14.2009

So, today is Valentine’s Day.   Another Hallmark® Holiday, as in Hallmark created the holiday in order to sell cards.  But don’t tell the Saudi’s about that part.  Apparently it’s a pagan feast.  Anyways, I say even as a married person, I don’t like this holiday.  Afterall, it’s yet another day that everyone expects you to spend money.  And honestly, even if you aren’t single who hasn’t felt the sting of a co-worker or friend getting flowers or chocolates and not getting any yourself.  To me it’s just a waste of time.

On a better note, I did at least get yarn today.  DH even went in the store with me and claimed me as his wife!  Miracles do happen!  I got some fabulous bamboo/wool blend for an entrelac scarf and a skein of sock wool.  I love that sock yarn does not count towards the stash.  Because I may not need another scarf, I will always need socks.    I also bought Trauma Center 2 at Circuit City, as the company is going out of business and had everything on sale.  But yarn and games are always good.  Earlier in the day I actually worked on my sewing room.  I’m really excited because I finally have a plan for the room, which includes a very comfortable rocker in order to knit away from the tv when I need to.  As I make progress, I’ll take pics so there is a before and after.

Friday Friday 01.30.2009

Well, it’s quite early.  Magnus is destroying yet another rope bone I got him.  He’s in a chewing mood and I gave him 3 chew sticks last night that he ate.  No more until tonight.  I need another huge rawhide for him.  Anyways, I have decided to go with paper on my planner.  Over on etsy, I found someone selling planners that had nice fabric covers over them, thus similar to what the Lazy Organizer had for her first planner.  This has many advantages.  1) If the type of planner I get doesn’t work, as in a weekly planner, I can always get a different one to slide into my cover.  2)  It’s much much cheaper since we all know what a huge fabric stash I have and I can go for one of the much cheaper ugly planners since I plan to make it beautiful.  Kinda The Devil Wears Prada only with planners.  And mine won’t leave me in the end.  3)  At the end of the year I can simply throw out the old planner and put in a new one.  4)  Did I mention that it is waaay cheaper than buying an already pretty one?  The cheap part is what I’ve really been pushing with DH and it has been working.  I’ll probably not have to use my allowance on a cheap one, where as I’d have to use my allowance on a $20 one from BAM.  Yay!!  This brings me to my next part, glass bead making.  And because I will have my allowance next week not spent on a planner, I will be able to buy up the few things I need to start making glass beads!  I have my torch, some glass rods and my fiber blanket.  Now I just need to get the mandrels, bead release, graphite shapers and a piece of aluminum to cover the area of the workbench I’ll be working on to prevent house fires.  We all know house fires are bad and I am nothing but a safe pyromaniac!

An awesome service 01.28.2009

So, I’m here at church.  We’re ending up our Winter Campmeeting, and tonight has been awesome!  Right now, our guest speaker is praying for the youth, which is quite a lot of kids.  Just wish everyone I know could be here.  I’ll fill you in more on what an awesome half-week of services it’s been this weekend.  But just so you know right now, how much Jesus loves you.

Untangling my schedule 01.25.2009

OK, so I entertained myself earlier by heading over to one of my favorite blogs, The Lazy Organizer, to peruse any new ideas or tips she may have.  Of course I was checking out her craft room section and got some fabulous ideas to finally dive in and get my craft room functional, after almost a year of being hidden in shame.  It should be a comfortable, warm place for me to craft with plenty of room and safeguards to keep it from becoming out of control messy.  Next I went through her other sections and found myself on her office and scheduling section.  And the evil little voice in my head that I normally ignore because I know that 85% of the time I’m doing my best came out.  And pointed out not only my fetish for having 500 million different planners and ways to track my schedule, but also my inability to actually stick with using them.  It’s like saying I’ll be good and balance my checkbook every week and noting every single purchase in my checkbook, and then after a month, relying on my online banking and never using it.  So what will work for me?

My cellphone is a Moto Razr, and it’s alright but not the easiest for inputting appointments and adding notes.  I have a much older PDA (an HP PocketPC) and it works great, when it doesn’t reset itself and I loose every single thing on it.  That is getting old, fast.  I have adjusted to a bigger purse so I guess a paper one wouldn’t be bad, as long as I didn’t stop using it after a month.  You know, the ones that are a mini-3 ring binder don’t work for me.  Too many sections to play with and usually too easy to ignore the actual date section.  The little pocket ones are too small, and the areas to write in don’t allow for one appointment, much less all the others we have.  Also paper ones are no fun when things change and you try whiting out because you need to preserve as much space as possible.  Plus I don’t want it to look like it belongs to a pickle-faced old crab, ie I want one that is cute or fun or jazzy in some way.  I really really like Outlook on the big PC because it has pop reminders and you can minimize it to the task bar.  Plus you can plan things way in advance, use multiple colors and really see it organized.  But I can’t take the desktop with me anywhere and would have to remember something long enough to get it home to the desktop.  So, as with anyone with my kind of brain, all these choices overwhelm me, and I have no desire to actually find something!  And so, I have decided to create a poll, and get results, and weigh pros, cons, and cost and we’ll see what happens.  To take my poll, simply click the face.