Decision!

20 March 2026 05:08 pm
koshka_the_cat: Beach! (Default)
[personal profile] koshka_the_cat
I held up the skirt pattern to me again. Floor length. I don't want to deal with taking a foot off of it, so I'm using the Melisandre/linen skirt pattern. It was exactly where I thought it was, neatly labeled 30s scalloped yoked skirt. I pinned the yoke pieces to the base, and pattern! I'm going to add a half inch to the side back pieces because the linen skirt does like to unsnap, but that's not worth a mockup.

Much easier!

More progress!

20 March 2026 04:00 pm
koshka_the_cat: Beach! (Default)
[personal profile] koshka_the_cat
The left shoulder on the sweater is growing, and I wound the second 450 yard hank of lace weight yarn into a ball.

The 30s dress bodice is almost done. I have to hem the sleeves and finish the neckline binding. The pattern calls for facing the sleeves, but that was too stiff.

As expected, I needed to tweak it a little once I sewed it. It's too long waisted in front and I opened the sleeve seams a little more. It's basically a kimono sleeve, but it has a seam at the top and the sleeve is open over the shoulder.

I'll do the hand sewing tonight and start the skirt tomorrow. If it gives me any trouble, I'll just use the seahorse skirt or the 30s Melisandre/linen skirt. That one does have flare that the seahorse one doesn't. I don't think it will give me issues though, even though I did notice it has straight edges where the original drawing of the layout has curves. We'll see...

(no subject)

20 March 2026 07:45 am
totchipanda: (Default)
[personal profile] totchipanda
I got nothin' this AM. I was full-ass awake until 330 AM. I tried to sleep just after midnight, lasted 10 minutes before realizing that I was really heckin' restless and just gave up. I'll sleep when I sleep. Which was 330. I managed to drag myself to consciousness at 6:50. Heckin' tired, yo.

Hoppin' mad all day yesterday. I put one thread into the cross stitch and otherwise just let myself rot.

Thank fuck it's nearly the weekend. I have Things To Do (tm) but I can't wait to turn into a mushroom and only interact with people BY CHOICE.

Progress!

19 March 2026 07:36 pm
koshka_the_cat: Beach! (Default)
[personal profile] koshka_the_cat
I cut out the 30s dress bodice! I hope it fits as well as the mockup did...

I also finished the back of the lacy sweater! The neckline is bound off and I'm working on the left shoulder. Of course, there's a lace peplum that's sewn on, but the body of the back is done.

Wrapping up a Thursday

19 March 2026 07:52 pm
rolanni: (Default)
[personal profile] rolanni

And! The caution tape trick worked for the second day in a row.

Unlooked-for side effect: my next door neighbor saw the tape and got in touch to ask if my door was acting up again, because -- caution tape. I explained. I think Chewy owes the cats one more box, so we'll be doing this again tomorrow, though with different caution tape, because I unfortunately did not hide today's tape, Rookie managed to tape himself up with (thankfully) the painter's tape and by the time I caught and untangled him, the caution tape was a loss.

For those following along at home -- it looks like the book I'm finishing up now will be scheduled for Spring 2027, month of release to be determined.

Back to work I go.
#
Well. I did finish the WIP. I did not print it out, because I still have some housekeeping to do -- notably trying to tidy up the section headers. So, that's for tomorrow, and then print out and read.

In other news, Google tells me it's going to snow tomorrow. Wunderground begs to differ, predicting rain tomorrow and snow on Sunday-into-Monday. So, I guess we'll see.

I had been kinda lookin' for a day when I could scooch down to an oceanside somewhere, being as I will be shortly be a Free Woman, but it's looking like the first day without any shenanigans planned is next Friday. Well. I can always finish my poor, neglected glass project.

Or, yanno, bake bread? I could bake bread, people! And -- cookies, and muffins, and -- Good Ghod -- the sky's the limit, here.

*deep breath*

...a brief break to feed the tiny, starved, and abused kittens I rescued from a Mean Writer Lady who never fed them or brushed them or fed them or played with them or fed them...

I really don't know how people can be so cruel.

So! Tomorrow Sarah will arrive in the morning, and I will retire to Steve's office to straighten out the header problem, and then I will make the lunch I had planned to make today, but I was writing, so I ate a TV dinner outta the freezer instead, and print out a book.

And on that note -- g'night. Everybody stay safe. I'll check in tomorrow.


rolanni: (Default)
[personal profile] rolanni

Thursday. Cloudy and cold. Another Chewy box incoming today (Thank you, Chewy, for breaking the Mega Order up into multiple deliveries). Caution tape with affixed message in place across the front steps.

Slept well. Tali was on bed duty last night, and Tali makes for a definite Presence, pressed up against one's side. She also has a nice, deep purr. Breakfast will be the second half of the Farmer's Market Asagio Cheese bagel (Note To Self: STOP buying Maine bagels*. You know they will break your heart. Buy bread. Buy cookies, cake, pie. But not bagels. And if you buy rolls, stop expecting them to be hard, even if they look like hard rolls.), with cheddar cheese melted on top, with a side of grapes. Lunch will be black beans, and leftover pork, and, oh, I dunno? canned tomatoes? and whatever spices seem good. I should have leftovers from whatever that turns out to be, so yay.

Today, she said, boldly. Today! I will finish the WIP. I need to buff, polish, and shine the last two scenes, then I will Print Out the Whole Book, and tomorrow, or maybe Saturday, I'll do a complete read-through. Barring the discovery of any Catastrophic Holes, which this is why we do the read-through, it will be ready to file a flight plan with the tower.

Once it's gone, I can fall on my face (REMINDER: place pillow before falling).

What's happening with you today?
_____
*Exception to the Rule: Sunrise Bagels, which requires me to get up early and go out to buy them, but that's a Me Problem, not a Them Problem.

Today's blog post title brought to you by Cake, "Short Skirt, Long Jacket."  Yes, again.


*yawn*

18 March 2026 06:28 pm
koshka_the_cat: Beach! (Default)
[personal profile] koshka_the_cat
Even vacation days need naps. I'll start the dress tomorrow...

Halfway

18 March 2026 04:27 pm
atherleisure: (Default)
[personal profile] atherleisure
I’m halfway through the decreases for the ankle on my stocking. I’m making rapid progress, too rapid, in fact. My hand is a little sore from too much stiff knitting these last few days. I had been trying to do ten rows per day this week, but I’m going to give that up the next couple of days. I had a crazy idea I might be able to finish this stocking by Pt. Townsend, but I think that’s probably not tenable.
rolanni: (Default)
[personal profile] rolanni

The cats' Chewy order, which is large and heavy is due today, delivery by FedEx. I have made what preparations I can.

#
Wednesday. Sunny, windy and cold. As previously mentioned, I have taped caution tape across the front steps with a sign on it for FedEx, so maybe they'll put the delivery in the garage this time. Fingers crossed.

Another night full of bad dreams and sleeplessness. This is getting to be a habit. Cats are doing what they can but... Firefly is putting in for backup and I don't think we can get backup, really.   No, especially not a dog.  I think we're full up. I also think it would be better if the world weren't, in some places literally, on fire.

Today's days plan is to occupy the comfy chair in my office and sketch out the scenes that need to still be written to finish the book.

Granting, it's not much of a plan, but it is my own.

How's everybody doing?

Dictated to my phone

Today's blog post brought to you by "The Wellerman," which I had forgotten I knew, until it came up on a mix, and I started to sing along...  Here's Nathan Evans singing it for you.


Sign

17 March 2026 07:17 pm
koshka_the_cat: Beach! (Default)
[personal profile] koshka_the_cat
I made my sign for the next No Kings day today.

I knit a little.

I tried on my 30s dress muslin again. Maybe I'll start it tomorrow...

St. Gertrude's Day 2026

17 March 2026 08:35 am
rolanni: (Nicky)
[personal profile] rolanni

What went before: Still raining, but not pouring. We are this evening expecting, say the weatherbeans, the following: WIND, FOG, FLOODING. Tomorrow, it will be partly sunny, starting out at around 53F/12C and loosing heat throughout the day, until nosediving into the teens tomorrow night, reaching a high of 33F/.5C on Wednesday.

Ah, March. You tease.

The book club has chosen the April book: Theo of Golden, which ought to be interesting, given that the synopsis annoys the ever-livin' life outta me. It will be interesting to see if the author can win me over.

The Cook Unity mushroom pot pie was so good I ferreted out a recipe so I can make my own once I'm off deadline. Speaking of which -- I am now confident of making my deadline, so, yanno, yay.

Also -- I beg pardon to those folks who thought I'd written the poem that is my next embroidery project. Indeed, I Did Not, and it's something that I know so well that it never occurred to me that other people would not have heard of it. The poem dates back to the 800s, and is written in the margins of a book of reflections and/or prayers. Wikipedia can tell you all about it, and give you the other four stanzas, too. Here's your link

And that? Is all I got. Except doing the dishes. That I still need to do.

Everybody have a good evening. Stay safe. And dry.
#
Tuesday. Cloudy, damp, and breezy. We have hit the day's high of 53F/12C as I type, and are headed for 15F/-9C.

Today is St. Gertrude's Day. Hug your cats.

Today, right about now (7-ish am, Maine time), in fact, is also the sixth anniversary of my arrival at Inland Hospital in Bangor in order to undergo a mascetomy. I was one of the last people admitted to the hospital before it closed in the early days of COVID, and it was a tense couple minutes there at intake before it was decided that Steve could accompany me.

Last night was filled with bad dreams, despite all the cats could bring. I believe this morning may call for coffee.

What's happening at your place?
#
Well. The cats have made a Chewy order. I'm glad Firefly has a trust fund. I'm drinking that cup of coffee and wondering if the concept of 'breakfast' is anything I want to entertain at the moment, or if I'll just make another cup of coffee and go to work.

Life is uncertain...


Success!

16 March 2026 07:05 pm
koshka_the_cat: Beach! (Default)
[personal profile] koshka_the_cat
I bought cat toys today, and they like them!


Triple feathers on a wire and a thing with feathers that plugs in and wobbles on its own.

Sid loved the triple feathers so much that he jumped higher than I knew he could, landed on Tom and landed on and crushed a collapsible hut which I had to pop back into shape. Poppy was a fan too, if startled by his lump of a brother.

Will they still like them tomorrow? They are cats...

(no subject)

16 March 2026 07:53 am
totchipanda: (Default)
[personal profile] totchipanda
Ended up booking the blood draw later on Friday, as first the clinic called to schedule another set of scans, and then my doctor's office to book a phone appointment. I was offered Monday, Wednesday... chose today just to get it over with. Sometimes technology is wonderful, my scans were already posted to my health account online, so I was able to review the report. (mumbles soemthing about how a gov't that is actively gutting health care and is basically Mini America shouldn't have access to this stuff, but public health care is great when it works, mumble mumble) Mysterious Object in Lefty Wot Can't Be Identified Immediately, scans to be booked at patient's convenience. So it's not an OMG GET BACK HERE NOW. I'm not surprised, as I always have to do the squish and an ultrasound bc my tissue is dense. If I understand the wording correct (which is of course in medical-ese) I didn't feel a darn thing lol. But the spot in Righty which is tender is there and unchanged.

Woke up Saturday with a HECKIN' sore throat, I was fine breathing but swallowing felt like eating glass. Did a couple threads of cross stitch but mostly laid around moping, playing silly games and napping. Sunday was Mucous City but being upright did calm a lot of it down, and I wasn't swallowing glass anymore. More stitching, more napping, more paying someone to bring me soup bc ahahaha no way was I gonna be able to stand up long enough to make it myself. I HAVE to sort out cat food today though, they are out of dry and will eat my eyeballs if I come home without it. The rest, we'll see.

In good news, i found the prescription for my IUD! Now I can get that ordered so I am ready for April 10th.

Tali's Natal Day

16 March 2026 08:18 am
rolanni: (Default)
[personal profile] rolanni

Monday. Warm and rainy. Today is Tali's 4th birthday. She insisted that we all get dressed up for the occasion and as you see we have done that for her.

Also included in today's pictures are the long backyard and my new embroidery project -- the very first one I have designed myself.

The plan today, as it has been for a number of days, is to write. I am really almost done. I really wish that my brain did not helpfully remember everything I've written as garbage that needs to be rewritten 14,000 times.

So far, Cook Unity has been . . . okay. I only had the one unsatisfactory meal. The butternut squash and lentil soup was marvelous, as was the salmon, yesterday. I have Great Hopes for today's mushroom pot pie.

It occurs to me that my cleverness knows no bounds, as I had booked a Rest Week at Old orchard Beach the week before Memorial Day, which seemed like a good idea at the time. However, I did NOT have a Middle East war on my bingo card, and now I'm wondering if I should cancel because it's very probable that I'm not going to have enough gas to get there.

Honestly, this timeline.

So! How's everybody doing?

Tali's Birthday Photo Album


To the Waist

15 March 2026 09:25 pm
atherleisure: (Default)
[personal profile] atherleisure
I spent practically the whole afternoon knitting. I got to the waist on the front of my swimsuit and knit a full inch (20 rows) of my stocking. I just have five rows left before the narrowing begins. After 220 plain rows, narrowing is very exciting.

Spring break...

15 March 2026 06:40 pm
koshka_the_cat: Beach! (Default)
[personal profile] koshka_the_cat
Spring break is so nice. But I'm so excited for cataract surgery that is just want it to be April 7th! And 21st. I'm just reminding myself to enjoy being off work!

Great start!

14 March 2026 08:42 pm
koshka_the_cat: Beach! (Default)
[personal profile] koshka_the_cat
Amy was un town for a game board convention, so I went and we also went to dinner. So nice to see her!

Bathing Suit

14 March 2026 11:49 am
atherleisure: (Default)
[personal profile] atherleisure
I spent yesterday evening working on the bathing suit. I finished the front of the shorts and started the front of the skirt. I'm about halfway through the stripes at the bottom. The shorts took a little more than half a ball of yarn, and I only have three so I might need more. I'll see how far I get with the first one and then decide.

Eyes!

13 March 2026 06:01 pm
koshka_the_cat: Beach! (Default)
[personal profile] koshka_the_cat
My left eye surgery is April 7, right eye April 14. March 31 was the first available, but my retina appointment was the 27th, and that seemed close. I'm sure whatever report he sends to the surgeon will be quick, but waiting a week seems safer. And it's just a week!

I'm missing so much work this semester. Twelve days, at least. Oh well, every one has been needed. My first eye is scheduled the day after staff development day, the second one is during state testing.

I'm getting multi focal lenses inserted and will probably need reading glasses. Between surgeries, I'll wear my glasses with one lens popped out. That will be fun in middle school! Any bets on how many times I need to tell them why? ;)

(no subject)

13 March 2026 07:57 am
totchipanda: (Default)
[personal profile] totchipanda
Boobs: Squished. Just need to book that silly blood draw now. (someone please remind me)

At home, I lazed about for a time, and right around 5pm, when I would normally be getting home, I picked up the cross stitch. I feel like I didn't do much with it even though I spent like 4 hours? Only three threads worth. IDK. I was watching The Pitt, I had a cat, I ordered in dinner, it was fine.

I wanted to go grocery shopping after, since I was already out, but I just couldn't be bothered. So I still need to do that. I will see how I feel over the next couple days, but I can't put it off too long as the cats are nearly out of food!

Do NOT want to go back to my desk next week just to have boss breathing down my neck. Theres a task she's wanted me to take over for months but she refuses to let me have it fully. I'm not pushing it bc I am planning to be out of here much sooner rather than later. Did not hear back from the other company so my search resumes anew. Again.

On Wednesday I cut out the Lucille trousers from the grey wool on the full width as indicated in the pattern. I think I have enough in yardage and offcuts to make a skirt too. So weekend plans are some chores (they need doing, alas) and some sewing, and hopefully get the fabric for K in the wash so I can get that cut out too. And a whole lot of cross stitching!

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