A visit to the chiropractor requires a big adjustment

I heard Chris get up and get ready for work. I stayed in bed for what seemed a long time, in and out of sleep. But when I got up, it was only 7am. I sewed two patches that had been lying on my sewing machine for yesterday (oops). Then I turned on the router. I washed the remaining strawberries and put them on a cookie sheet in the freezer. Then I melted a cube of lemon in a quart of water. I drank it while listening to the next episode of Bible Health Secrets: don't eat scavengers, Egyptians were dying of modern diseases, purchasing the DVD's today helps Eyes For India – a doctor who performs hundreds of cataract surgeries a day for $75 each (includes transportation and three days of care for the patient). Cloven hooves allow parasites to enter the animal. Rest is important. One woman said that learning to keep the Sabbath as a day of rest saved her life, less stress.
I went out back to check on the plants. The peace lily had too much water, so I took the plastic pot out of the ceramic one so it could drain. The small plants from Lowes were dry so I watered them. Then I got dressed and left a little early for Dream Maker. The store was closed, however Melissa said to meet her there. There were men working on the parking lot so I parked where they said, then sat on the porch to wait. Eventually she drove up a driveway on the other side of the store. Why hadn't I seen it? She must have come in the back of the store. She opened the front door to let me in. She showed me to her room. All I needed to take off were my shoes. I laid on the bed and she sat at the head of it. She held points on the back of my head, then on my feet, then on my hands. It was some sort of energetic warm-up to running my bars. We talked about what 'running the bars' meant. I think there were 30+ of them and she held sets of them for some amount of time. She was able to name them as she 'ran' them. I thought it would require concentration on her part, but we talked the whole time – over an hour. She said my 'hopes and dreams' bar was especially active. We did some Access Conciousness statements during that time, too. She said I might feel dizzy later or have pains appear in my head, but nothing happened. I paid afterward and went on to quilting.
Lunch was over when I got there, and ladies were leaving. A few stayed a bit longer, but by 2:15 I was alone, working on the red project. I stayed till after 2:30 then cleaned up, put the iron and mat away, then packed my stuff and headed out to my car. I went to see the chiropractor. He told me stories from his dating history. Eventually he got around to asking what hurt. I told him my neck was tight and that I was grinding my teeth and chewing on my tongue. I said something must be out of alignment. He told me to see a dentist and get a night guard. But then, he muscle-tested points on my face and neck. He had me lie back and he gave my head a sharp twist. I hate that grinding sound! And the feeling of danger! It was a big adjustment – the biggest one I have had so far according to him. I did not feel like clenching my teeth anymore, so I guess it worked. I also mentioned insomnia, but when he said where he would put the needles, I decided that it wasn't so bad after all.
I paid at the front desk, made an appointment for Wednesday (at his request) and went home. Chris was already there, but still changing his clothes from work. I sat at my laptop and caught up on e-mail. I listened to one interview. The speaker mentioned making magnesium water out of carbonated water and Phillips Milk of Magnesia. He said there was a recipe on his site.
When the talk ended, I went for a walk. Then I put a bowl of beef and soup and mushrooms in the toaster oven. I wore a sock of cold rice around my neck and read e-mail until it was ready. I listened to an interview until Chris' phone alarm rang. We watched Lucifer, then an episode of Inspector Lynley. I took my evening supplements and Chris made his sandwich. Then I typed up my blog so I could go to bed.
* This is what Dinah was working on. *

Sunday sew-day

I woke up early hearing Herberth up and about. After a while, Chris got up. When I heard my alarm go off, I got up. I took a shower and got dressed for church. Chris was eating oatmeal. I made my breakfast while Herberth made scrambled eggs and toast for himself. I was going to read e-mail, but he talked until it was time for him and Chris to leave for the chapel. I started listening to an interview, and reading e-mail. But it wasn't long before I had to leave myself.
I got in my car and headed to the church. It was a lovely sunny day and I had the windows slightly down. When I got to the church, I went inside, carrying the baby blanket for Jennifer. Cecelia gave me the magnesium oil that I lent her. She said the magnesium powder helped, but she would rather have it in a capsule. I gave the blanket to Jennifer and she loved it, maybe because it had owls on it. The choir arrived and we sang through the anthem. Then I hit the restroom.
I sat by Don. Something he said made me remember that today is the first Sunday of the month. So I wrote a check and put it in a pew envelop. Then the service started. The choir did well on the anthem and a lady complimented us during the passing of the peace. John said I had a lovely voice. Don said I was the nicest woman he knew.
After the service, Cecelia said she wanted me to order her magnesium capsules. Mary said she'd make a copy of Lamb of God so I could play it during the service. Then I got in my car and called Chris to say I was on my way to Publix. So was he. I met him and Herberth in aisle 4. We shopped together. After checking out, Chris took the groceries home and I went to quilting with the Renegades.
Usually they are finishing up lunch when I get there, but today I must have been early. Laura offered to share her table with me. So I helped her with her project. Seems they were all working on sort of a rag cathedral window design. No one was particulary emamored of it, but it was a quilt-as-you-go project and our longarmer was taking a leave of absence. So I sewed rows of green circles together while she put squares inside and top stitched the flanges down.
Around 1 or so, we broke for lunch. They were waiting for the lady who was bringing the chicken, but she did not show up. Laura brought some salad with no dressing so I ate a bit of that, and drank the can of coconut water that I'd brought.
When I had made all the rows she needed, I rooted through the fabric piles to find something to coordinate with the backing. I cut strips from it and sewed them to either side of the backing to make it wide enough. Then I pressed it at the ironing board while the others packed up. I folded the top inside the backing and placed it on the pile of tops turned in. When the area was clean and clear of tables and chairs, we left.
I went home. It was quiet because Chris was taking Herberth to Tuscaloosa. So I had time to listen and to read e-mail. I also ate two bowls of salad, and a bowl of soup with beef. When Chris got home, I split open a coconut and ate that. Then I went for a walk. I visited the peony bush blooming in the forest. To my surprise, it was brilliant red. I plucked a bud and hid it in my shirt and walked home. There I put it in a vase with water. I resumed reading e-mail and listening to whatever was playing.
Chris resumed the episode of Inspector Lynley. Then we watched another, which put us at 11pm. He looked up a couple actors, made his sandwich and went to bed. I wrote my blog from scratch, not have jotted any notes during the day. Then I went to bed as well.

Preparing for a guest

I got up at 9:30, not surprising since I went to bed so late last night. I sewed two patches together. Chris was already up and had the router on. I got dressed, then read e-mail and listened to interviews from Bible Health Secrets and then from The Food Revolution. I made and ate breakfast. Chris moved all the plants outside. He brought the large tomato plants from the front yard to the back yard in hoped that whatever is biting them will not find them in the back.
Around noon I headed out, sewing gear in my trunk. I passed a church whose sign said “Flea market this Saturday”. It looked deserted, but I turned in anyway. I went around back to turn around, and there were the people and some stuff. So I parked and went inside. The lady at the table gave me two paper bags and said it was $1 for all I could stuff in a bag. So I went around the fellowship hall, looking at the various items. I threw in some screwdrivers. I found some fabric. There was a sewing box with cheap thread and tiny things. I took that. I found some bulletin board paper. (I don't have a bulletin board, but it is really big paper, bigger than packing paper.) I took my treasures to the front table and paid $2. Then I put them in my trunk.
From there, I went to the Sew Day for the local modern quilt guild. It was out near my church. I drove around the library and parked. Then I rolled my machine and gear to the back door. I waved at the group to let me in, and they did. I sat with them while they ate lunch. Then I set up my machine. There was nothing there for me to work on, so I finished the quilt top from Blanket Daze. It turned out rather well, considering how varied the sizes of blocks were. I gave a piece of fabric from the church sale to Amanda to use for a backing for a charity quilt.
I packed up at 4:30. I went to the dollar store across the street, looking for whirligigs to keep critters out of my tomato plants, but they did not have any. Then I went to Lowes. I looked at all their tempting flowers and veggie plants. I settled for some tomatoes (indeterminates to replace the determinates I got at Publix), a pepper and some petunias. I paid with a gift card. I put the plants in my back seat and went home.
Chris had done the laundry and run the dishwasher. He had cleared a small space at the dining room table for Herberth. I made two salads and ate them. I read e-mail and listened to the rest of the episode from the Food Revolution. They were promoting veganism again. When Chris was done with supper, he put on the next episode of Inspector Lyndley. It was over about 8, so we started the next one and paused it at 8:30. Chris reviewed his route, then left to pick up Herberth at the Birmingham airport. I heated up some beef and beets and mushrooms, while searching the garage for guest towels. I ate while listening to something. Then I walked around the house, picking up things and putting them out of the way. I found our guest towels in the garage, but the matching wash cloths were not there. I looked for them with no success. I put a good tan towel in the hall bath with a not-so-good tan washcloth. I cleared more of the dining room table and wiped it down. I dusted in several places. I moved two sewing machines out of the guest room and cleared the top of the cabinet machine in case he needed a place to put something.
I sat down to write my blog. Chris said they wouldn't return until after midnight, so I just went to bed.

Productive day

I got up at 7:30. I cut some nine-patches into 4ths and sewed one back together. Then I spent more than half an hour looking for a pattern to use for Michele's project. I turned on the router and read e-mail. I drank a quart of lemon water. I had some seed crackers with hummus. I copied the insurance form and put it in an envelop to mail to the insurance company. I put some water in a water bottle to take with me. I watered the tomatoes and picked one that something had bitten. Grrrr!
I went to the massage place. I had a book, thinking she might be late. But she was already there, maybe having finished with someone else? We talked about this and that, catching up. I showed her the black pepper oil and deep muscle massage blend that I brought. She added drops of each to her oil bottle. I hope her next client likes it! It was a good massage. Because we caught up first, there was not so much talking. She knows my chiropractor and the reiki guy from Dream Maker. Afterward, I paid her and went back to my car.
Instead of going straight home, I stopped by the little Asian place by the parkway. I wanted a green coconut and they were 3/$5 so I got three. Then I went to Goodwill. I did not see any patterns like what Michele wanted, but found a jacket in similar material and style. I got that. Then I stopped by The Humane Society thrift shop. They had lots of patterns and I picked up 5, two were for me.
When I got home, I checked the mail. I found more tomatoes that had been bitten. Grrrr x 10! I put on today's interviews so I could listen while making breakfast.
I read e-mail while listening. I started taking apart the jacket. Chris came home from work. I ordered the book that Pat asked for. I looked for payment options for the church to use for donations. I looked at the measurements that Michele sent and compared them with mine (probably a mistake).
I went for a long walk. Sometimes I left the road to check on things blooming in the forest nearby. But the appearance of poison ivy was a deterrent. When I got home, I drained one of the coconuts and cracked it open to eat the meat.
I spread out the patterns that I bought today. I compared them to Michele's measurements. One of them was missing a critical piece. One had indecipherable instructions (Vogue). So only one was suitable. I laid it over the jacket that I bought. Although it was a size smaller than it said she needed, it was as big as the jacket, which was only slightly tight on me. I think I will have to cut it down a lot. Using pattern measurements has never worked for me. The project always comes out too big. I just wish she was here so I could try it on her before the final cut and sew.
I started listening to the next episode of Bible Health Secrets. While Chris loaded the DVD for F-Troop, I made a mug of hot bone broth and took it into the living room. We watched the 4 episodes together. Then he put on the first episode of Inspector Lynley. It seemed familiar but I could not remember how it turned out. It was after 11 when it ended. I treated my mole with the baking soda and castor oil mixture. It seems to be healing, rather than going away.
I had written most of my blog post already, so all I had to do was finish it up and get ready for bed.
* This is one of the blocks I cut up. *

Second blanket

I got up before the alarm went off. I cleared my sewing table of strips and squares. I rolled up the banner project. Then I sewed two small squares together. I turned on the router and started putting ingredients in the bread machine while it warmed up. Then I deleted some e-mail and started an interview on heart health. The speaker was against all dairy products and saturated fat. Definitely vegan. Still listening, I spread out the fabric for the second baby blanket. I cut a 32 inch square and used a CD to round the corners. The interview ended and I moved to the Bible Health Secrets episode 2. That was mostly about why we should take health advice from the Bible. One man said that fruit was the first food in Eden and that when we got kicked out, we had to grow vegetables. He jokingly said vegetables were part of the curse. I know someone who would agree with that wholeheartedly. When that was over, I listened to a podcast on dehydration. She said that the water inside fruits and vegetables is better and more hydrating than water in a glass.
I finished the baby blanket and took a pic of it. Then I folded all the leftover fabric. The smell of strawberries caught my attention so I pulled them out of the fridge. How I could smell them from there, I don't know. I washed a handful in a bowl. It was a little early to break my fast, but water is allowed on fasting days and I wanted the water inside the strawberries. I also ate a fat bomb and cinnamon to stabilize my blood sugar. I ate a few and froze the rest. Then I made breakfast.
After breakfast, I took the insurance form and headed to the car. I noticed that the tomatoes needed watering so I did that before leaving. First stop was the gas station. I put 10 gallons in my car. Then I went to the bank to deposit the insurance checks. Finally I went to quilting. Pat reminded me of the book I promised to order. I spread out all my red panels and Leanne helped me lay them in some order. Then I started sewing them together, trying to keep any one seam from going all the way across. I sewed until only two people were left. We packed up and headed out.
I stopped at the Acupuncture store on the way home. There were policemen in the parking lot. Apparently a man drove his car into the acupunturist' car. The lady doctor called the police, who said it wasn't their problem. But then she explained that the man was either drunk or on drugs. So the police came. She told me the story over and over. I wondered what reaction she was looking for. I think she was nervous about calling the police because she had never done it before. I assured her that she had done the right thing. Then I explained what information was needed on the form and the man wrote it in the blanks. Then, as we were chatting, the drunk man in the parking lot was arrested and a policeman came into the acupuncture store. So I took my leave, and went home.
I checked the tomatoes for blossom end rot, and saw that a squirrel had taken a bite. Sadly, I noted that there were no flowers on the plants. So no new tomatoes are forming. I went inside and greeted Chris who was sitting at his laptop, fuming at the Facebook app on his phone. I checked my e-mail and had a bite to eat. I read e-mail and had another bite to eat. I got a call from Melissa at Dream Maker. We set up an appointment on Monday morning to have her run my bars. Don't ask me to explain it 'cause that's why I'm going – to find out what it is (and see if it helps).
Then I went for a walk. It was after six and the roads were relatively free of traffic. It took me about half an hour. It was almost time for my skype call. I searched my computer for the Emotion Code list, but it was easier to find online. I left it up and signaled my tapping buddy. Soon we were in conversation. This was her week so I used the list to try to find her core issue. I am not sure we did, but it brought up stuff that was worth working on. We finished about 8:30.
Chris and I sat down to watch Enterprise. The first episode was ok, but in the second one, Trip died. And that was the series ender. :( Chris made his sandwich and went to bed. I got dressed for bed, then sat down to write my blog post. My massage therapist texted me that she had an opening for tomorrow so I took it. Now I am going to post this so I can hit the hay.
* With this done, I have no excuses not to start Michele's project. Or so I tell myself. *

Spreadsheets are done

I got up soon after the alarm went off at 7:30. I had been awake for what seemed like a long time. I sewed two pairs of squares into a four-patch. Then I turned on the router. I swished while printing out the last of the spreadsheets. Then I read e-mail until the niacin kicked in. I trimmed one side of the yard and did my exercises. I meditated and tapped. Then I cleaned the hall bath. I cleaned the kitchen while listening to an interview, then cleaned the master bath. Afterward, I swept the floors. I made up two weeks worth of supplements. I also cleaned up somethng that had spilled in the fridge.
I left at 1:39 for Huntsville Sew and Vac. I was meeting Beverly there. I was a few minutes early, so I walked around the shop lookng at fabric. I was hoping for some Footprints in the Sand fabric, but the lady said that was years ago. I selected some batiks for the stained glass project. Beverly arrived and met me in the fabric room. She handed me the money I had inadvertently left on her table yesterday. There was a basket of panel fabrics. I looked through them and picked out one. Beverly helped me try to match it with some possible border fabrics. Then she got a panel for herself.
It was after three when we separated. I went home, got the mail, and had a drink. Then I went to Deam Maker for some Reiki and craniosacral work. I also wanted to sign up for a bars session, but the lady who does that was busy. Ron worked on my feet, my back and my cranium. He said there was more release today than in previous sessions. He also said I could help the release along by rolling up a towel tightly and placing it under my neck at night, but only until it started to get uncomfortable. That sounded reasonable to me.
When I got home, I made a mug of bone broth and took some supplements. I read e-mail for a bit. Then I fixed my hair and took the baby blanket and went to choir. When I got there, I put the spreadsheets in Ron's box. Then I dropped off the anthem from last Sunday. I handed a bag with the baby blanket to Jennifer. She was very pleased with it. Another lady asked me to hem some baby sleepers with the feet cut off. I told her I couldn't do it until June so she asked someone else. Choir practice went well. We only have three Sundays left to sing.
After practice, I drove home. I started cleaning off my sewing table so I could get started on Michele's project. But before I was done, Chris had Enterprise cued up on the Netflix website. So I sat on the couch and we watched two episodes. Well, they were horrible, taking place in some alternate universe where Starfleet members kill each other to get ahead. So I told Chris we should watch a third episode to get the dark images out of my mind. And we did. But that one turned out to be a 'to be continued'. Arrrrrrrgggggghhhhhh!
I sat down to write my blog while Chris made his sandwich and looked up a couple of characters in the episodes. He went to bed, and I followed when I finished the post.
* This is a quilt pic that I took on Monday. *

Missing money

I got up at 7:30. I sewed two patches together, then turned on the router. I drank lemon water while deleting e-mail. Then I read while listening to an interview. I watched a dowsing video. I collated the recyclables and took them out. I printed out two of the spreadsheets due tomorrow. I got dressed and headed to quilting.
Anita and Susan and Linda(?) were making dog beds while the other ladies chatted. I offered to bring my machine in, but Anita said they needed stuffing more than sewing. I went out to bring in my iron so the other ladies could look at the caddy and see if they wanted to make one some day. Then I started stuffing the pillowcases that Anita was sewing. Susan helped me. We were stuffing them with fabric scraps people had donated for that purpose. But there were strips and partial blocks and Anita said it was ok to take a few pieces, so I did. I got some dark blue corduroy for a project I have been planning almost since I got married. Anyway, once all the pillows were stuffed, I sat down and stitched a bunch closed. We swept up and packed up. Beverly and I agreed to meet at her house. She gave me some money for kimbap.
I went to the Asian store and bought two containers of kimbap. The lady asked me if I could count in Korean. So I tried, but I mixed up the two counting systems. Still, she said I did well. Then I got in my car and drove to Beverly's house. She was inside fixing something for supper later. I put her package of kimbap and change on the table. We went into her third bedroom. I sat on the bed while she cleaned out her closet. I really did not do anything but make comments here and there, but she said she got it done because I was there. Then we went for a walk around her neighborhood. We even talked to one of her neighbors. When we got back, we drank water to cool down and chatted. Then I made my goodbyes and got in the car to go to the farmer's market. But she offered me some flannel to go with a piece of fleece to make the second baby blanket. So I locked my purse and stuff in the car and went back in the house. She brought out the flannel and I chose a piece. Then I really had to go so she could get ready for work.
I took the parkway to Whitesburg and then to the farmer's market. Had the constructioni on the parkway been finished, I might have done it in 10 minutes. It was already in progress. I wandered through the tents. Several places had strawberries, but no one said their's was organic. One stand had no line, so I spoke to the man in charge. He said the gallon basket was $14.00. We talked about what was sprayed on them. I decided it was as good as I was going to get. At least they were fresh. But when I opened my wallet, all my 20's were gone. I could not find my phone, either. I counted out the remaining bills and got to $13. He said he would accept that. So I bought them, but was quite concerned about the missing money – over $300. Since there were signs around proclaiming they take credit cards, I continued down the row. I stopped at the goat farm booth. I asked about goat milk and he said I would have to call and order it for next week. I wasn't sure why I couldn't just say so now, but...I took a paper with the number on it. I must have told him I had no money because he slipped me a small container of goat cheese. So sweet. I took the berries back to my car and headed home, hoping my phone was lying on the dining room table.
I stopped by the bank and took out cash for my appointment tomorrow. I could not wait to get home. I went through the day mentally and realized I still had it when I gave Beverly her change. So either someone broke in and stole it (and I will never see it again), or I dropped it in her kitchen, which means I can get it back, but I will feel really stupid. I hoped there was a way I could get it back without feeling dumb. When I got home, I checked my phone and saw a message from Beverly. She had found the missing money. Praise the Lord! I was composing a text reply when she called. Apparently I had pulled out all of it, counted out her change, put that in my wallet and the rest on the table. She agreed to hold it until tomorrow afternoon when I could come get it.
I ate the rest of the kimbap with kimchi. I ate some tempeh and a few slices of plantain. Then I listened to podcasts while reading e-mail. Then I turned my attention to the spreadsheets.
Chris came home from work after 5. He cut up the beet greens to make soup, then changed his clothes. I printed out more spreadsheets. Two of them needed a list of people currently serving (according to Ron). It was tough to make all the data fit on one sheet. I had worked my way through most of it when Chris told me the soup was ready. I put some in a bowl and sliced up mushrooms on top. It was really hot so I stirred it around to cook the mushrooms. One of the interviews I listened to recently said to only eat mushrooms cooked. They were delicious – a word that doesn't usually cross my mind when I think of beet greens.
8pm rolled around. We watched two episodes of Enterprise. Chris collected the garbage and took it out to the curb. I put clean bags in all the trash recepticals. I asked him to pull out a heavy sewing machine from the closet. I am thinking that the foot pedal on that one will be more consistent than the one I am using now. I sat down to write my blog.
* This is the red project which I sometimes talk about. *