You're Only Old Once

 

I was thinking about this book yesterday after I realized that my home has become a nursing facility over the past few months.

I was sitting in my chair at the time with my new lumbar support pillows that I carry around all day so I can sit comfortably for more than a few minutes. 

I just added this crazy looking thing to my bed pillows because I keep waking up with a stiff neck. It's an ergonomic neck pillow. Then there's the stability balls all over the house. They get a lot of use.

On my nightstand is a new tens unit for my back. It's keeping my glucose monitor, blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter company. 

The thing that really broke me was this. I had to get one after I spent a day thinking I had taken a double dose of my meds because I couldn't remember if I had taken them already. Nothing screams OLD to me more than having to have one of these. 

Except maybe still having The Mister's walker by the tub so I can haul my old carcass out safely. I don't want any falls. I've seen what falls can do especially when you're slippery and wet. No one wants to go out in an ambulance in their birthday suit. I sure don't. 

Are We There Yet?

 

The hardest part of these long commutes is this right here. Pup does not travel well. She pants and frets the whole way up and back. I have to sit in the back with her on long trips or she whines the whole time. I pack pillows and blankets and try to make a cozy spot for us so I can knit but she politely paws at my arm for the whole two hour trip making getting anything done impossible. Thankfully we are done for a few weeks. We go back for another few days in early July.

We usually arrive around 9:30 just after breakfast. I had to laugh at Baby Grand walking around eating a bag of Cape Code Kettle Chips yesterday morning. I remember Daughter's carefully planned and executed organic meals when Big Grand was a baby. The chaos that the second one brings usually puts a quick end to all that. It's suddenly all about survival.

While Baby Grand was concentrating on his chips, Big Grand was working on his new obsession. Legos. Tiny little Legos that make cars and trucks. He spent almost the entire day working on this snowplow.

I coaxed him into taking a break with some kaleidoscopes I had brought. He figured them out right away. Baby Grand kept holding them up to his nose. 

 

Wednesday WIPs: Sockapalooza

 

There's a lot going on in the sock basket at the moment. I've got all the disciplines covered it seems. Double points. Magic Loop. Two on one needle. When you've got this many going at once you've got to break up the monotony. 

The only other thing that got any love this week was Chestnut. I finished that top green section and have headed into another dark brown pattern row. It really pays to have put it in the knitting stand next to my chair because I've been able to pick it up pretty regularly. One round a day really adds up.

TNT: On the Road Again

 

We're doing the long commute to babysit again today and tomorrow but before all the crazy started I managed to sit down and stitch a bit last weekend. The Garden now has a red winged blackbird and a gray squirrel. 

I've got the border box ready for the next squirrel on Patchwork Automne. I keep saying I'm going to put this away until Fall and I never do. 

I moved the hoop and made a small dent in the next block. I do believe this is block number 12. 

The latest Dear Jane, E6, got her borders sewn on. Now I have to figure out how to applique the small squares that are in the corners. 

I also put a few more inches on Funky Flower. I was worried about running out of yarn but now that I'm rounding that last corner I can see I'll have plenty. 

And I'm happy to report my IRS adventure is finally at an end. I hope. I waited 40 minutes for my 8 pm appointment last night to spend about 30 seconds confirming my email address and Social Security number then showing off my driver's license. Immediately following, I could access my IRS account and add my banking info. Now I wait 2-5 days for an update on my refund status. 

A Whole Lot of Baking Going On

 

A bad back and babysitting left Betty rather neglected in the past few weeks. I haven't baked in ages. She didn't seem to mind. 

I was feeling a lot better yesterday so I put her to work. My freezer was empty and since we have another week of kid sitting ahead of us I needed to fill it back up. It's nice to just grab something and go in the mornings. 

I was up early so I had English muffins and bagels proofing by noon.

My new 3 inch English muffin rings worked pretty well. They would have worked better if I had taken the time to weigh out the dough and make them even. Next time. 

My bagel game has improved. No more spots. Using the big oven made the difference. My English muffin game however still needs work. I can't get the right about of browning from the frying step. They are either burnt or too pale. 

While all that was going on I baked two loaves of honey wheat bread in the little oven. I'm using King Arthur's Levain bread recipe and I like that they have you grow the starter you need overnight. That way I can go through all the steps including the cold proofing in one day. 

I also baked two big sheet pans of crackers. I would have had a jar full to show off if I had stopped myself from eating them as soon as they came out of the oven. I started at 6 am and was finished by 9:15 pm. Now I've got a full freezer to get me through the week.