Stairway to heaven

I'm not sure when I got up because I went straight to the laptop to do an internet search. When I came up for air, it was a little after 9. I did my exercises at 10, but it was after 11 when the juicing started, and noon for breakfast. In that time I listened to another interview from the ReThink Pink summit. The theme of the summit is that breast cancer PREVENTION needs a LOT more attention, and that the cancer can be (and has been) reversed without pharmaceuticals and radiation. There was another audio on the effect of subconscious agreements about money and relationships.

Sometimes I feel like I have to earn the right to sew by doing housework. So I used the Kirby on the steps into the basement. Then, to make sure I did sew and did not go back to my laptop, I got a bucket of hot soapy water and washed the steps from top to bottom. I had to sew until the steps dried. The blue lace blocks were the lucky objects of my attention. I came upstairs when I heard Chris come home, wondering how it had gotten so late. But he was let out early and it was only 3:45. We talked a bit, then I went back down to sew the half blocks together and to trim them. I turned to the fish quilt. I got a few pieces sewn on it before Chris announced that the sweet potatoes were ready. I came up to eat one while heating curry in one of the oven-safe Korean bowls. I listened to another interview, and then we watched 2 episodes of Inspector Lewis, and Chris went to bed.

By golly it's fixed

I slept later than I intended. I woke up thinking about last night's episode and wondering how the pieces fit the story. When I got up, it was almost 9:30. I dressed and took the recyclables to the curb. Then I read e-mail by my HappyLight and swished. I watched an interview with a doctor who said that the body's self-repair mechanism only works during the relaxation response. She recommended tapping to relieve stress. I performed my exercises. I knelt on the cushion and got very little water out, so I placed it near the heating vent and resolved to return it to the couch tomorrow.  I saw the recycling truck go by followed by the mail truck. So I was surprised to hear the doorbell ring. It was Bob's son-in-law coming to fix the garage door. I let him in and led him to the garage. But then I returned to the warm upstairs. I read some articles and when I noticed the time (noon), started the juicing process. I ate a slice of aloe, then started making breakfast. Darren rang the doorbell at 12:35 to say he was finished and leaving. I finished eating the first part of breakfast, then meditated, using my relaxation response to absorb nutrients and self-repair. I checked the garage door and did not see the patch. But the holes in the ceiling were patched with paneling pieces. There was another piece that looked like it might fall down any time. Bob told me he did not do preventative maintenance. I wanted to stabilize the wood around the screw with a flat piece of metal. I found one out by the heating unit, left behind during the installation. I tried to put a hole in that piece with a hammer and nail, but it was too strong. I found a piece of wood and a longer screw with the same thread spacing. I screwed it in place, as best I could, but it seemed barely sufficient. I searched through my bin of lace for the closest thing to battenburg. I took a pic, and went upstairs to download the pic. I finished the second half of breakfast, and listened to an audio on estrogen imbalance. Raspberries and dark cherries were recommended. I took my laptop downstairs for another audio while I put all the laces back in the box, and continued work on some blue lace stack-n-whacks. When the audio was over, Chris was home and eating supper. I ate my supper and looked at the mail – a quilt magazine. We watched Streets of Fire, something Chris got from Netflix that he remembered from his youth. Then he prepared for the morning and went to bed.

*  These blocks look better on the screen than in real life   *

Some flowers are better at arm's length

When I got up about 8, the first thing I saw was the check lying on my laptop, so I got dressed and took it out to the mailbox. On the way I dropped two bags of recyclables in the bin and put some things on top of my car (because it was locked). Then I read e-mail. One article was about the high level of pesticides on cut flowers, and sickness among florists. So there's a downside to smelling the roses, unless you grow your own. I started a loaf of bread for Chris. I cleaned the countertop under the flour and oatmeal. I did the 3-D and chi gung exercises. I juiced carrots, celery and zucchini. Then it was time for breakfast, reading e-mail as I ate. I washed my comb with boiling water, and put another pot of boiling water down the drain. It seemed to help the flow. My laptop was being uncooperative so I used the desktop to play an audio, but when it stopped, I did not restart it. I ate some olives, and then cleaned the shelves in the area where we keep food in jars. I went outside to get daylight and pull seedlings, but came in when my hands got too cold. I called Sharon and was able to leave a message about getting the garage door fixed. I knelt on the cushion and got wet spots on the towel underneath. At least the wet spots are smaller than yesterday. I finished the audio on the desktop. While I was there listening, I used Electric Quilter to design a bunch of virtual quilts. I searched the house and fabric area for battenburg lace for MaryAnn. Nothing. I tried to replace the filter in the shower, but the filter would not come off. I had some supper, and meditated. When I realized that it was 6:00, I called Chris to find out where he was. He was at a going-away party. I reassembled the shower head to take a shower. It seemed odd that I needed 90% hot water to 10% cold to get a hot shower. Is the water heater slipping up? Chris came home after I was dressed and checking e-mail. He had no trouble getting the old shower filter off and putting the new one on. I grabbed my choir folder and tablet and went to church. It was really cold outside. We sang through our pieces and some new liturgy. The tablet came in handy. When I got home, Chris was not ready to watch TV yet, so I checked my e-mail and wrote part of my blog. Then we watched an episode of Inspector Lewis where he is thinking of retiring. I stayed up to respond to Michele's post and Chris went to bed, hoping I would join him.
*  this is the arrangement from the quilt group for Barbara's funeral  *

Breast health

I woke up before 8 but went back to bed for a short snooze. I was imagining working on the Linus quilt, or the fish quilt, but knew that when I got up, I would be reading e-mail. And that is what happened. I used my HappyLight. I did my 3-D exercises. I sat on the cushion to squeeze more water out. I called Sharon about the garage door, but I got voicemail and her box was full and not accepting messages. I was washing veggies to juice when I noticed black birds with red chests fighting to drink water that collected in the chair seat outside. So I put a plastic container of filtered water on the picnic table. I went on with my juicing watching for them to come back, but they didn't. Then, when I looked up from cleaning up afterwards, there they were, but they were having trouble leaning over the edge of the container. So I traded it for a plate. But the birds never came back (as far as I noticed). After drinking the juice, I fixed breakfast. Before I ate it, I remembered to do my chi gung exercises. I ate half of my breakfast, and watched an episode of TQS. The guest used a special ruler that allows her to cut triangles, diamonds and hexagons that all fit together. I thought it would be really helpful, so I clicked on the link, but it was $17. It seemed like a lot for this small diamond of acrylic. Then I listened to an audio on women's health. I learned that 93% of breast tumors had a root canal on the same side. What smoking is to lungs, wearing a bra is to breasts x 4. Breast massage was highly recommended. While listening I was able to sort the recyclables and hopefully remember to put them out on Thursday. I also wrote a check. I found a valentine card from MaryAnn, which probably came yesterday. I went downstairs to find fabric to finish the Linus quilt. It took a while to find something that looked right for sashing. Then I had to find lookalikes for the ones I was running out of. The time seemed to stand still until I realized I could hear Chris walking around upstairs. I told Chris about the interview on women's health. He took it well, and showed great interest in helping me prevent breast cancer. After supper I knelt on the large cushion to get more water out. Will this process ever be over? We watched another episode of Inspector Lewis. I found a splinter in my thumb, which is perplexing since I did not rake today.  Then Chris went to bed, but I stayed up to hear another interview about breast health. It mentioned all the same recommendations, including thermograms instead of mammograms, and not wearing bras whenever possible.

* Here are 4 of my Linus blocks.  I think they will look better with sashing between them.  *

Regular Monday sewing

I got up about 8, waking from a bad dream about having had a second child and leaving her in Korea for someone else to raise. I read my e-mail. I sat on the couch cushion to get more of the water out. I read with the HappyLight, and swished with coconut oil. I performed some chi gung and 3-D exercises. The doorbell rang and I rushed to put my robe on before opening the door. It was the bug man making his monthly rounds. I juiced non-cruciferous veggies. I made and ate half of my breakfast, using up the last of the maca powder. I took my supplements, and I packed my lunch with seaweed and nut cheese. I searched for teal fabric in my sewing room, but did not find it. I put other fabric in my box, and carried the box to my car which already contained my sewing machine. I drove to the church, and the ladies started setting up for lunch. Maryann made chili and I ate a bowl of it and then my lunch. I worked on blocks for the Linus quilts. I squeezed 18 blocks out of the fabric I had. It was almost 5 when I packed up. Rebecca left a bag of Linus fabric, so I took it with me for safekeeping. I left it in the car so it would not get too comfortable in my house. Chris was talking to Faye over Skype on my laptop. So he gave it over to me and had his supper. I finished my breakfast while talking to Faye (and Kevin). Chris brought in my sewing machine from the car. After I hung up with Faye, I had a bowl of the curry. Then we watched an episode of Inspector Lewis. Chris soon went to bed. I looked up IFF to see if it was a real insomnia disorder, and it was. Then I search the web for places to buy schisandra berry powder. When I found something affordable in price and shipping, I ordered it. 

*  this is Lauri's quilt  *

New meeting place for Renegades

9am came and went, but I did not get up until 9:20 because it was warmer under the covers than above them. I boiled water for breakfast, then put hydrogen peroxide in my ears and swished. I prepared my breakfast and ate it in front of my laptop. After eating half, I realized I needed to leave the house in 5 minutes to get to the choir warm-up on time. I put on my go-to dress, and then pantyhose. There was a run in the front, but I figured no one will notice. I got to church in time to warm up. The choir was singing Merciful God, and he was, 'cause he got me there in time. I went out to get a bulletin and ran into Cecelia, who noticed Chris in church by himself last week. I was sitting in the pew when Chris arrived. Then the pastor made some announcements, one of which was that a movie clip would be shown during the sermon. Chris got up and left. I stayed. The movie clip was of Jesus being presented at the temple and meeting Simeon and Anna. I was struck by how intently the congregation watched. No sermon or choir anthem inspired such quiet attention. After the service, 4 teens were collecting donations for the hungry. Two can were decorated with football team images (Souper Bowl sunday), and two were more bland. I put a bill in the can of one of the general cans and the boy shouted to his friends “I got $10”. So much for giving anonymously. When I got home, Chris was at his laptop. We had a discussion, and then we went for groceries. I got lots of veggies to juice, but avoided all the cruciferous ones. At the checkout, the clerk remarked on the aloe branch. I explained how I eat it and use it. Then it occurred to me that every time I buy one, someone asks about it. When we got home, we put the groceries away. Chris carried my machine out to my car. I drove to the corner church where Mirna goes. I wasn't sure where the Renegade ladies were sewing, but I saw a light on and followed it. Keril set me up with a table near Rebecca. I turned in the teal and yellow top.  Keril asked me to make a backing for it. One lady gave me a long piece of teal fabric. I cut two long pieces off and sewed them together. Then I was at a loss for something to do. I went to the fabric table and sorted through it hoping for an idea. I came back to my seat with a pile of coordinated prints. It came to me to do partial piecing blocks. So I cut and sewed and cut some more. I finished 3 complete blocks before running out of one of the fabrics. I put together as many more blocks as I could with out the 5^th fabric. Everyone was packing up, so I did too. I helped to put away tables and sweep. Isadly I dropped a table on my foot. t was still raining when I got home. Chris had a big pot of chicken curry on the stove. I ate a bowl (very good) followed by some kimchi. I listened to an interview about breast cancer and how diet makes all the difference, but the big cancer research promoters will not report that because all they are interested in is a drug cure. We watched The Virgin Queen, with Joan Collins and Bette Davis. Then, since it was still early, we saw an episode of Inspector Lewis. Chris looked up all of the familiar-looking actors and then we went to bed.

*  This is Keril's quilt.  She used a high-loft batting which really shows off the machine quilting.  She said it wasn't easy to use.  *

Barbara's service

I heard Chris get up early to have breakfast and go get his car serviced. I got up before 8, and started reading e-mail. I came across a video of 3-D exercises designed to promote maximum joint movement. I tried them out. I meditated and listened to audios. I made breakfast. I squeezed the cushion onto towels to get some water out. I even sat on the cushion. Then I took a shower, and dressed in black. It was early yet so I listened to an audio on the tablet outside in the sun. It was a beautiful day. I came in to jot down a few notes for my blog and to stock my purse with tissues. I left for the church at 12:10. I met Virginia and Bertha on my way in. We walked around the tables of pictures of Barbara. We sat in the quilters pew (actually there were two pews of us). Bertha and I shared a hymnal. Some of Barbara's quilts were displayed at the front of the church, as well as the quilts we selected to give to the grandchildren. One of the speakers was Barbara's stepmother. She spoke well which amazed me under the circumstances. Then the pastor spoke, and he was very good. He related anecdotes from the family. In one, Barbara's husband asked her to hem a pair of jeans, and she told him that asking a quilter to hem jeans is like asking Picasso to paint a house.  He also spoke of all the ways she served in the church. 

After the service there was food in the commons area. I moved outside with a few quilters and we talked, enjoying the fresh air. Bertha went back in but I left from there, telling her she could have my cookie. When I got home I finished breakfast, and changed my clothes. I folded two baskets of laundry, then cut Chris' hair. There were two of his shirts hanging on my sewing chair because the arms were too long. So I shortened the cuffs on one shirt. Chris started gaming with the voices. I ate supper, and then shortened the cuffs on the second shirt (third one this week). I read e-mail and drank some tea. I took my laptop in the bedroom to have some quiet while I listened to another audio. When the game was over, I talked with Michele over Skype. Now I am going to turn in for the night.
*  This is the front door way at Carolyn's house.  All the black seemed fitting for this day.  *