Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Observations on Cleaning House

Good Evening Humble Readers...

I hope that you all have been keeping well.  I haven't been around much for the last few days, and I am woefully behind on reading and commenting.  I will attempt to get caught up in the next couple of days.

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Sunday was a restful day, for the most part.  Church, lunch, then grocery shopping.  The danger of living across the back lane from a small grocery store is that you can go for weeks without doing a 'real' grocery shop.  I only bought what we needed (ok, we didn't need the dulce de leche ice cream) and it was still ridiculously expensive.  And why is it that when you spend a chunk of money on groceries, no one follows you home to put everything away?  That should be part of the price shouldn't it?

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Monday and Tuesday were big time cleaning days.  Check out the Mission Impossible page for an update on my list.  We haven't made as much progress as I had hoped, but the house really is looking much better.  We have already made two trips to Va.lue Vil.lage with stuff we don't need anymore, and we have yet to hit the storage room and the second bedroom.  Two laundry baskets full of books, a set of dishes, an old crock pot... lots of goodies.

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Why is it that cleaning the kitchen takes the longest to do and looks like you made the least difference?  I spent all day yesterday reorganizing cupboards, cleaning behind the stove, washing walls, and it hardly looks different (until you open a cupboard anyway). 

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When I was cleaning out the kitchen cupboards, I was struck by a few thoughts.  First up, never again will I keep my tupperware containers separate from the lids.  I know it takes up a lot more room, but it will save my sanity in trying to figure out what the hell was happening in that cupboard.  I seriously had an avalanche of tupperware.  Second, why don't all companies that produce canned goods design their cans so that they stack nicely (like the soup ones do).  I am sick of tomato paste cans falling all over the place.  Lastly, when corriander seeds spill in your spice cupboard, you are going to be cleaning them up FOREVER. 

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Today, we took a break today and I took the most glorious nap.  It was wonderful.  This afternoon, I had an intake appointment with a chiropractor.  Have any of you moms had chiropractic treatments during your pregnancy?  I'm hoping that it will help with my sciatica.  The doc was really great too, altho I had my first ever 'are you sure you're old enough to be a doctor' moment.  He was a young'un!  One interesting thing he noted when doing the initial exam... he had me stand on two scales (scary!), and he had only ever seen one other patient who was 100% balanced like I was, and that it was especially surprising given my size.  Hmm, who knew?

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I dragged my Beloved to the craft store today.  I picked up a shadow box... one that I had planned on getting ages ago.  I have some things that are reminders of our angel girls (some pressed autumn leaves for Emily and a Christmas ornament for Olivia), and I have wanted to frame them nicely for ages.  I came across them again when I was reorganizing the bookshelves, and got re-motivated.  Hopefully this weekend I will be able to get it assembled. 

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At the craft store, I also picked up a ball of pretty green yarn and a pair of knitting needles.  I learned how to knit when I was in junior high, but haven't done any in decades.  I tried to teach myself how to crochet a couple of years ago and it went very badly.  I was afraid that I wouldn't really remember what I was doing with the needles, but it has come back pretty quickly.  I started knitting a baby blanket and I've gotten about a quarter of it done.  My tension needs work, and I think I dropped a stitch somewhere back near the beginning, but I'm enjoying it.  I don't know how to do anything fancy, but I really wanted to make something for the Halfling. 

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Pregnancy Update:  Not much to report.  I have had a few panicky moments over the last few days.  My symptoms really have faded away, except for the fatigue and occassional constipation and water retension.  I have caved and have ordered a doppler.  I should get it next week.  I am almost done the prometrium.  Another couple of days I think. 

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We have had a drastic switch in our weather.  Yesterday it got up to 28 degrees (that's celcius)!  And yet we know that we aren't out of the woods yet for snow.  May long weekend is coming and it always snows sometme around May Long. 

7 comments :

  1. I like the idea of someone following you home from the grocery store to put everything away. It would make the trip so much nicer.

    Are we going to get to see the blanket you are knitting?

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  2. I knitted two scarves, and thought I could move on to socks. I've got about 2 inches of the sock knit, and it's so messed up. I would be better at knitting if I knew how to fix my mistakes! I should really get back into it.

    I want to get a doppler too! You'll have to post some info on yours once you get it.

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  3. Everytime I am at the grocery store, I always hope the Take Home Chef will be there. I want someone to pay for my groceries AND come home and cook for me. LOL! I don't mind putting everything away.

    Still can't knit or crochet. My tension is too tight. But I did learn to tat and should probably do that again soon before I forget!

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  4. I learned to knit first and HATED it. I crochet like a mad woman now....case in point, spent $53 last night on yarn for my sister's baby layette. Oh, boy. I have storage specifically for yarn, books, and hooks. LOL. Please post a photo of the shadow box when it's completed, if you are comfortable sharing it....I would love to see it....

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  5. Wow, I'd love to see pics of the shadowbox, please post it if you feel comfortable!
    I never had chiro while pregnant, I did have constant physio though (neck/shoulder issues). I went almost every week because I couldn't use the normal cream I used for that problem and it really helped me. My doctor never believed I had sciatica though, and it was mild so got better on its own!
    I have ALWAYS thought that about cans. Great minds, hey, LOL!
    If you got to the point where you feel you need the doppler-good choice! I'm sure it will be reassuring for you :)
    Take care

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  6. Baby is the size of a peach now---how amazing! :)

    Kudos to you for the massive cleaning you and your Beloved have been doing.

    Can't wait to hear more about your blanket...I've always wanted to knit or crochet, but just don't seem to be able to master them.

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  7. At 13 weeks your symptoms should be disappearing, so that's all normal. :-) I am sooooo excited for you leaving 1st tri behind!

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