Year End Update 2024

 

December Journaling

1.     Church. Made a giant pretzel plushie for my new son-in-law at his request, for Christmas.

2.     Working on my homework for Thursday’s Bible study, then we’re off till January. I’m glad, it’s a busy time of year. Also, our friends coming over to help with our dishwasher. It was repaired; the motor was changed out, or the bearings or something, but there was a leak in the hose which my husband tried to fix, but he needs help, so we’ll feed our friends and play cards with them. My poor daughter, her VIA train to Ottawa took 10 hours instead of 5 so she had to take a sick day to sleep.

3.     Pain clinic, housekeeper. Finished a long, pocketed scarf using the drunken granny stitch.

4.     Made three ear warmers. Made Thai green curry chicken with rice and veg for dinner.

5.     Bible study. Took my mom for a liver test called a fibroscan, but the office was locked, no communication.

6.     Baked for tomorrow; a dessert called Christmas Crackle. Went to the Old Mill Restaurant and Banquet Centre for the TBS President’s Christmas Gala. Our church had a table of ten.

7.     Church Christmas Gala, but I wasn’t feeling the greatest.

8.     Church, only in the morning, because of the busy weekend. A woman at church went into labour; first baby. We went to play cards and have pizza at J and E’s house along with others.

9.     Chiro this morning. Got another idea for a book, a legacy journal. I wrote most of it today. That young woman had a baby boy, 8-1/4 pounds, named Leonidas.

10. Went grocery shopping with my mom. Then recorded two crochet tutorials for youtube. Began and finished my daughter’s crocheted yoga mat strap for Christmas. Wrapped some gifts to put under the tree.

11. Recorded another tutorial. Took my mom to a doctor’s appointment. Prayer meeting in the evening.

12. Going to self-publish a book on amazon.

13. Making a budget. Baked an eggnog bundt coffee cake and some mac and cheese to freeze. It’s my sister-in-law’s birthday, 55.

14. Attended a Christmas service at a retirement home with many people from our church and our former pastor to support and visit a 98-year-old lady who lives there now who used to attend our church. Brought her some ginger snaps.

15. Church, but I stayed home because I had a bad skin reaction to waxing yesterday. I have a bad rash on my face. I hope it will go away soon, and not leave scars. Trying to avoid scratching it even though it is so itchy.

16. The rash is improving with sauna, gold bond lotion, and Benadryl. Crocheting some Christmas ornaments: red stars and 18 dark green trees made with the puff stitch, which can be a garland. Also making a red touque.

17. Taking my mom to a liver test. My face is clearing up.

18. Trying to learn how to use book bolt but I’m neither a designer nor a techie, so it’s frustrating.

19. Went to buy a star for our tree.

20. Going to Hamilton to watch the grandkids since they have a PA day.

21. Housekeeper. Friends coming for dinner and to play cards.

22. Church, with refreshments after the evening service.

23. Got bloodwork done. Preparing for Christmas eve. Our daughter bought a new vehicle. Our other daughter and new son-in-law arrived.

24. Christmas Eve or Finnish Christmas.

25. Hosting the family for Christmas dinner. We got a new fancy coffee maker.

26. Clean up, the family left.

27. So much laundry.

28. Writing e-books, print on demand through Amazon kdp.

29. Church, my husband preached.

30. Went for a physiotherapy treatment. Grandkids overnight. They love their sauna. Taught my grandson how to make a stress ball.

31. Finished a dark brown pleated crocheted skirt for a child, a mauve lined bag, and a mega sized goose. New Years’ Eve spent at home, which I like.

Busy season

 

November Journaling

1.     Getting my Covid shot. Made a cream coloured scarf with the new waffle pattern I just learned. I also made a second cinnamon coloured teddy bear. I love it, it looks so old-fashioned. They take some time, so I’ll charge $25-30 each for them.

2.     Cooking and baking today for a new time of refreshments after the evening service tomorrow.

3.     I made devilled eggs, smoked salmon appetizers two ways, tuna sandwiches, nachos and three layer dip, and banana cake with brown butter frosting. It was a hit, everything went. I learned the waffle stitch and made an ear warmer to match the scarf I made. Also made a cup cozy and a micro pumpkin keychain.

4.     Endocrinologist follow-up appointment. My T4 levels are normal but my TSH is very low. My body needs to start producing its own thyroid. She is adjusting my thyroid medicine. But no underlying problem, she says this can just happen. Made salmon, cilantro-lime rice and stir-fry vegetables for dinner. Made six watermelon coasters.

5.     Housekeeper here. Getting ready to stay at my grandkids’ place for two nights to help out. Working on my Bible study homework. So different when I’m not the teacher. It’s the U.S. election today. However it turns out, I hope there is a smooth transition of power. We take it for granted here, but considering how the last one went…

6.     Since our daughter’s house was put up for sale, they are stayed at a friend’s condo so the place would stay clean. As a treat she offered the kids pop tarts and watching tv. Robin said, “Wow, mom you’re being so nice to us. You’re like Mimi.” I guess I’m the gold standard for spoiling. We had ribs and hassleback potatoes for dinner.

7.     This condo is beautiful. It is a penthouse apartment in a new building; three bedrooms, three bathrooms. I am sleeping on a murphy bed in the office/third bedroom. I dropped the kids off at school, which is just ten minutes away from here, and I stopped at the grocery store across the street, and joined my Bible study class online. Breakfast for dinner. The youngest grandchild’s report card said, “What a delight to have M in our JK class! She is expressive, loving, and very funny. She often makes me smile or laugh out loud! She always arrives in the morning with a big smile for all of us. M is obedient and respectful, mature and articulate. This week M made me laugh out loud when she firmly suggested to the class, “I just think everyone should stop saying they miss their moms and dads.” (Several of her classmates say this often).

8.     Today I’m watching the youngest. Crocheted a touque with the letter R on it which my middle grandchild claimed for herself. Their house sold today so they are moving on January 9^th. We’ll pay for a moving company to help them out. Then they only need concern themselves with packing and unpacking.

9.     I made a striped scarf, three ear warmers, four cup cozies and a fuchsia and pink penguin out of cheap chenille yarn from the dollar store.

10. Church at a friend’s place in Burlington then lunch with them in Ancaster. Got back in time for the evening service. A very good day. It was therapy visiting our friends since they have known us so long and have been through similar circumstances.

11. Remembrance Day. My husband always gets his tires switched over on this day. I made a baby Yoda for my grandson’s friend, a pink flamingo and a dark purple pumpkin. I posted pictures of our daughter’s wedding.

12. Chiro and massage, it was in the evening, which was strange for me. I don’t like night driving. I do like that my Christian masseuse plays instrumental worship music and I sing the songs in my head. She said some of her patients sing out loud. Not me. Made a scrappy bear.

13. Prayer meeting. Had to use some investments to get on top of our credit debts. Breathing easier now. Made a mauve water bottle holder, phone holder, plant holder cover, and a granny square lined canvas bag. The bags are only $1.50 at the Dollar Tree.

14. Bible study. Finally posted another episode of my podcast; 272 episodes now. Just two chapters to go in the book of Joshua.

15. Seasonal tire changeover for me. The friends we visited last weekend are coming to spend the night and have breakfast here tomorrow before they head farther east to visit their son and his fiancée. It is too much travelling for one day and we have a guest room for them.

16. Women’s ministry breakfast and Christmas cookie exchange.

17. Church. Made another teddy bear, this one in café au lait colour. I love them sooo much!

18. Doctor’s appointment for me, refills on meds, and starting on a med for my high cholesterol. Made another cute corn on the cob.

19. Doing homework. Paid off some debts. Boy, those things feel like a noose.

20. Dishwasher is noisy; getting it looked at today. Made another teddy bear but I placed his ears too high and his neck strengthener moved out of place so he has a floppy head.

21. Our friend Heather had an aortic aneurysm repair today; it was successful and no complications. Bible study. Leftovers for dinner. Making scarves for some of my toys so I can display them along the staircase at Christmas.

22. Christmas dinner at our Pastor’s house. I’m bringing apps: stuffed mushroom caps, whipped feta dip and vegetables, and veggie samosas. The grandkids are coming for one night, but we’re out this evening and my husband is out tomorrow morning. Starting a scarf out of variegated grey yarn in the drunken granny stitch I just learned. Also making a dress for my youngest granddaughter out of the same yarn.

23. Ordering Lion King tickets from my mom for our daughter’s family from her for Christmas. Their house sold; they are moving in January. They booked a local moving company; we will pay for it as our Christmas gift to them.

24. Church. I was on coffee; made Christmas crackle, chocolate chip cookies, and mini carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. My husband is preaching tonight.

25. Friends came for dinner; we ordered pizza. They changed over our taps in the powder room for free. Then we played cards. I’m packed for tomorrow.

26. Went to Hamilton to help out. It was our eldest daughter’s 34^th birthday, so she and her husband went out for dinner. My grandkids are learning to crochet, which makes me happy.

27. Back from H-town. Prayer meeting tonight.

28. Bible study. Hair cut. Bought cookie containers for my daughter. My husband has his work Christmas party tonight.

29. Dishwasher finally repaired; motor changed. Cardiologist telephone appointment for my mom. Daughter coming tonight for three nights. Made another Yo-Da Bomb toy. First flurries, though nothing stayed on the ground. But our friends who just moved to Canada from Venezuela are thrilled, especially their nine-year-old daughter.

30. Finished a dress for my four-year-old daughter, which I’ll give her at Christmas. My daughter bought a turtle.