A New Piece of Equipment

I got a new toy. 

Ahem.

I got a new piece of equipment.

I had been operating in a sort of handicapped manner. I was using an older sewing machine that was purchased years and years ago. It was inexpensive and all that I could afford at the time. It has served its purpose and is limping along. The back up option no longer works and sometimes it is a hit or miss if it will zig-zag consistently. I decided that I really would like to upgrade.

I was sort of inspired by Leslie Saeta from My One Hundred Year Old Home. She recently shared about her Craft Room Upgrade and her new-to-her embroidery machine. Now, I have wanted an embroidery machine for years, but like Leslie mentions in her post, they can be a bit pricey and shopping for what I might want was rather confusing. 

I consulted my daughter and she gave me some tips because she has her own small business where she offers some machine embroidered goods. Her advice has been quite helpful to me because she knows me so well and knows a bit about the things I like and would like to stitch up. So, I surfed online and did my research. Then, I trekked off to visit the shop where my daughter gets her sewing machines serviced, Angus Sewing Center.

The gal there was so helpful at showing how to use different machines and explaining what options are available and giving tips for what to use to have the most success. So, I left with a new machine - a new piece of equipment to use in my endeavors. 

(Total aside: The Mister has a full machinery shed with all sorts of hay equipment that was an absolute need for his farming endeavor. So, I am 'justifying' myself at needing an upgrade in equipment sort of like he does when he gets a new piece of farm equipment.)

I brought home a Brother SE2000 Combo Sewing and Embroidery Machine and some accessories. My old sewing machine had been set up back in a dark little corner of my office. I knew that I wanted my space to be more efficient and inviting for my sewing enjoyment. So, as I mentioned in a post earlier this month, I worked on the office to make it better serve its purpose and accommodate for my new upgrade.

My upgrade can be seen there to the left of the desk. I can still enjoy the views outside the window and I have plenty of space to work. I can set needed items on the corner of the desk for easy access. For now that has been the perch for the operator's manual and extra spools of thread while I'm working on a project. 

I'm using the gifted typing table that has my name on it and it works just perfectly. It is just the right size and is sturdy but doesn't have space for me to set a bunch of junk on it when I'm not stitching. The boxes below it are currently holding the embroidery attachment and some of the accessories that came with it. This works fine until I have a better organizational idea of how often I will use them and where I should store those items when not in use. 

There has been a learning curve to using my upgraded equipment. I've already completed a couple of projects and have learned so much in the process. I love the precision that it provides when stitching. I've done some repair work to sew up a few rips. I love the simplicity of the way it fits together when changing out the embroidery deck and the sewing deck. I already love the options it provides for embroidery projects. My first embroidery project was adding a design to some napkins. I learned about the sizes available by completing a couple of practice samples and learned lots more things about the options the machine offers that I will share later. I tried out a couple of fonts for embroidering names and monograms and sizing that it offers for that. Then, completed a simple project for one of the grands to apply what I had learned.

A headband made from an old T-shirt and personalized.

I must say that I am so very grateful to be able to have the time and the opportunity to indulge in such a fine piece of equipment. It is rewarding to create something from scratch and even when a project doesn't turn out as perfectly as I imagine, I am grateful to be able to give it a try!

Today I noticed...A post labeled as Success Tips.

Early voting starts today in our area. Get out there and try to make a difference.

Battle with the Birds

We are in a battle with some birds. 

It started earlier in the spring when a bird or two noticed the mirrors and reflective properties of the window on my truck. They pecked and pooped all over the mirrors and down the doors leaving a big mess that was unsightly, unsanitary, and probably damaging to the paint.

I'd had this to happen before. So, I got a couple of plastic grocery bags, pulled them around he mirrors, and tied them on there. That helped a lot. However, they still would perch on the door and windshield and leave their mark. 

Then, I noticed that there were a couple of birds that had found an opening on either side along the hood near the windshield that is just about the width of my hand. I first saw them climbing out of that opening and flying away. Next, I saw them getting under the hood of the truck; plus, I saw them taking pieces of grass and straw when they went in. There can be nothing good about that. 

I moved where I had the truck parked in our back yard. I went around the side of the house and parked it on the concrete slab near our basement entry. I washed the mess they had made off of the hood, windshield, mirrors, and doors. Then, I opened the hood and began looking for where they had stashed the grasses and straw pieces. I could see a bit or two down in between the windshield wash fluid container and the battery. So, I tried poking my hand in there to pull it out. I could not reach it. I took sticks and long tweezers and all manner of pokey things to try to wedge the bits out but could not reach it all. I felt down under the fender well of the tire and saw some grass sticking out down there. So, we discovered that they were trying to build their nest between the plastic container where the battery rests and the plastic that protects the motor from mud being slung up by the tires. The Mister took the hose and flushed out what he could and we pulled some from the fender well and hoped the move would do the trick. It did not.

At this point, the Mister was on a mission. He found some old socks that I had banished to the rag bag for him to wipe grease on at the barn. Those old socks got stuffed into the openings at the windshield to block the bird entryway.

The next morning I glanced out the window and there was a bird hopping round on the hood of the truck. It would peck at one sock and then flitter over to the mirror and look at it and squawk. Then, it would skip over to the other side and peck at that sock and squawk. I smiled thinking that we had deterred them and they would soon find another nesting spot. 

Then, that afternoon I noticed the bird had come back and had brought a friend. They perched on the hood of the truck. Then, flew under the fender well and perched on the tire. Next, one would disappear under there and then the other would do so. After a bit, they would come out to sit on the tire before flying away only to return a little while later. Outmaneuvered!

The Mister is determined not to be outdone. I looked out the window earlier and noticed that the Mister was hard at work. He is tenacious. He whole-heartedly intends to win this battle with the birds. 

We have a whole farm here where they could nest. There are trees all around the place that would provide wonderful perches for their home. We are trying to be humane and considerate but our patience is growing thin. 

A Bit of a Chuckle

I was scrolling the other day and paused to read one of those screens that look like words or wisdom. The message made me laugh out loud.

(Please know that I am not advocating nor proposing violence. It just struck me as funny to think about!)

Wise Words

When I see a quote from Morgan Freeman, I can hear his deep, gravelly voice.

Just 3 Things | #25

I don't ever want anybody to think I might consider myself an athlete because that is something that I never have aspired to be. As an adult, however, I have always battled carrying too much weight. At my recent check-ins with doctors I made a decision that dropping some pounds and getting healthier is something that I intend to focus upon. The Mister says he is prepared for me to be a bit grumpy until this focus becomes a habit but he will try to be supportive of my efforts. So, I will be spending a bit of time on the stationary bicycle and a few minutes each day working through my exercises and stretches. Look out!

- What I've Been Reading -

Flipping through my James Farmer books a while back inspired me to check out his newest edition. I got my hard copy of Home Again at the middle of last week and have been reading and analyzing each photograph. It makes me wish I had more rooms to decorate. I want to borrow and adapt so many of his ideas. It is one that will join Farmer's other books that roost on our coffee table that I frequently pick up and gaze through for inspiration.

I've especially enjoyed seeing the updates to his own home. It is comforting to know that sometimes even a decorator gets something wrong or has a life that evolves and things need updating to better fit his current needs. I like the concept that our homes are a living, breathing part of our lives that evolve over time and serve us.

I'm trying to work more movement into my days. So, I'm performing a series of stretches and exercises in my daily schedule. I decided to reward myself by listening to an audio book while I'm doing some of this movement. I'm not as good at listening to a book as I am at reading. I catch myself not listening far too often. Then, I need to back up and re-listen to a chapter or two. I'm currently listening to Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera. I borrowed it and am listening via my Libby App. Why did I choose this book? Well, it was the first audio book that popped up in Libby that was available. So, I borrowed it and went outside to take a stroll. Years ago, I used to love listening to books as I drove. I was enrolled in graduate school and had thirty-forty minute commutes to class. Later, I had half-hour or hour commutes to different schools where I worked; so, I listened to books on CD. That was back in the day when places like Cracker Barrel allowed you to borrow and swap out recordings. Oh, the good old days!

This week I also started the book that I really wanted to read by Elin Hilderbrand. Remember back in volume #22 of Just 3 Things I decided that I needed to read the first two books in the series before reading the novel that was promoted several places on social media? I'm now reading The Perfect Couple and I have a difficult time putting it down. So, I guess I am like the social media hypers. I'm enjoying it, too! 

- What I've Been Watching -

The Mister and I have been tuning in to The Rookie. What enticed us to watch was the little blurb about the series:

John Nolan, the oldest rooking in the LAPD, uses his life experiences, determination, and sense of humor to keep up with rookies twenty years his junior.

Now that we are seniors, having the opportunity to see others adapting and adjusting to interactions with those younger is truly something with which we can relate and enjoy seeing how others are doing it. There are multiple seasons, so we have gone back to the beginning to see the earlier episodes as well as the current ones. There isn't really anything scary that comes out in this show, so the entertainment factor is good.

The series is a shoot-em-up cop show but it is not so awfully graphic and gory. We have enjoyed getting to know the characters and some of the situations these police officers encounter are purely entertaining while others are hitting a bit too close to home and show the worst side of folks. Generally, it is something we can watch and not worry that we don't follow the story line because most of the episodes are self contained and not a continuation where we are lost if we missed one.

- What I've Been Loving -

One of the things I am most grateful for this week is having leftovers. On Easter Sunday, most of our children and grandchildren came for lunch and the big Easter Egg Hunt. We served a Barbecueterie Board from Witt's Barbecue as our meat. It was an offering of four different meats. In our case, we doubled up on pulled pork and ribs and also had a selection of pulled turkey, smoked bologna, and smoked chicken breasts. We had leftovers as usual. So, all week long the Mister and I have enjoyed different meals because of the different options. One night we had barbeque sandwiches. One night we had ribs and leftover corn, beans, slaw, etc. One night we snacked on bologna, cubed cheese, and a variety of crackers. Tonight it is smoked chicken, mac n cheese, and I will toss a salad. I think everybody left our house with a full belly on Sunday and we have certainly enjoyed the week off from cooking up something new and haven't been wading through the same-old, same-old either. 

Since I had a check-in with my heart doctor and the Mister has been busy with some of his cemetery management duties, it has been kind of nice to be able to take a little time to rest up as well. Again, love having time to call our own. I've taken time to put myself through a bit of exercises and stretches and nursed an ankle with Achilles Tendonitis. 

So, this week, I guess I can say we have been loving leftovers - in a good way!

On the horizon I've got some volunteer work on my agenda and I want to spend a little bit of time on some sewing projects. Hope your weekend is a good one.

Easter Egg Hunt

We hosted our annual Easter Egg Hunt this past Sunday. Eight of the grands came and brought along their parents. We shared a feast and lots of yakking. Then, some of the crew hid eggs and the younger grands hunted them. For the first time, I just sat in the rocker and watched. I didn't snap a ton of photos or point out overlooked plastic eggs. I just sat and enjoyed watching. 

I always love how they all are chomping at the bit to get off the porch and scoop up the brightly colored eggs that are scattered all over the yard. They run right past some to get to others. It was a wonderful afternoon that I think everybody enjoyed. The Mister had the grass manicured and everything outside waved with springiness. 

We always start off the big hunt with a photo on the front porch steps. This year, I posed with the grands instead of standing at the foot of the steps and snapping the photo. 

Some of the adults meander across the yard pointing out overlooked eggs and peeking into baskets. Other adults sit or stand on the porch and look out over the festivities. Tradition sort of requires that when somebody finds a golden egg they shout it out and hold it up in the air. Golden eggs have special prizes of money inside. The colorful eggs have candy, tiny puzzles, stuffed toys, tiny rubber duckies, compasses, dominoes, and such inside. 

After the eggs are harvested from under shrubs, beside fence posts, between the roots of trees, and nestled into the grass, everybody sits down and empties the treasures out of the plastic eggs and into their baskets, buckets, or bags. The empty eggs are stored away for use next year and the treasures are counted and examined. Then, the swapping and bargaining begins.

The photo above shows an intense swapping and bargaining session in progress. I wonder who walked away with the best end of the negotiation...