I awoke, not unusually, to the dawn bustle of my cats wrestling and leaping (occasionally landing on me). I decided I ought to get up shortly after I heard a crash next to my head and rightly surmised that my bedside flashlight had hit the floor due to the wranglings of an overgrown kitten. (I do believe it was Curio.)
It was raining, which put a damper on the proposed shooting expedition for the day. As it turns out, it was probably better that way because Daddy had a headache all day. I satisfied myself by taking a few minutes in the middle of the afternoon to rack the bolt on my rifle and squint down the barrel. I am trying to learn how to shoot with both eyes open (or mostly open), so I practiced sighting in that fashion. I probably would have landed lead on paper in the process had I actually been firing, but I doubt it would have been overly accurate.
Instead of exploring the world of guns, powder, explosions, and re-training of eyeballs, I turned to a far more staid pursuit--and didn't get too far into that. I am stitching up a dress (okay, so some folks would call it a "costume") for the Reformation Day event next weekend. Savannah fitted me for the bodice, I cut out and sewed the mock-up...it fit. So I cut out and sewed up the bodice of the actually garment. I ended up taking a little extra out of the arm-holes so I wouldn't be bound under the arms. I am rather picky about stuff being too tight in the arm holes.
Well, anyway, I did not get the bodice actually finished because I did not have the needed metal loops (we'll call them that for lack of a better name). Mama did get them at Jo-Ann's later in the day when she and Daddy went to town for a new dryer...but I'll get there in a minute. I was going to go ahead and make the skirt, but I forget why I didn't do that. I think I wanted to Savannah to help me and I didn't exactly ask her, for some reason, and instead I did something else...which I cannot remember.
But, back to the dryer. Yesterday the old dryer, which Mama disliked to begin with, died. Stinky electrical smell and all. Today, Daddy decided that they ought to go get a new one. So, they set out sometime after 4 o'clock, shortly after I gave up the idea of making myself a narrower wrist brace. We didn't have any velcro that was wide enough to allow much adjustabilty.
While they were gone, I went about prepping for the ousting of Dryer the Elder and the establishment of Dryer the Younger. The long and the short of that was that I cleaned the bathroom and the hallway (to a degree) and shoved the old dryer out into the hall. Abby came to "help" and ended up a bit spooked with the dryer shoving...still, she stuck around with her usual curiosity over odd behavior.
From there I drifted into the garage and widened the path, swept a little, and even beat a few rugs.
When I got done there, I came in, settled down in front of my computer and addresses a business "problem" via a Skype conversation with Savannah. (Yes, we are a little odd like that at times. We live in the same house, but conduct conversations via our fingertips. To be honest though, I didn't actually intend on bothering her very long as I knew she was working on a paper.)
About the same time we'd figured out the solution to the question, she came down to make supper (Mexican salad!), and Mama and Daddy got home with Dryer the Younger and the necessary items to finish my bodice.
I helped with the removal and installation process of the dryers. I even got to use a driver! ;)
Supper was tasty and we ate all the food on the table except for some of the beans. The expression on Mama's face was somewhat humorous...though somehow, I don't think it elicited the laughter that this one did!
It was raining, which put a damper on the proposed shooting expedition for the day. As it turns out, it was probably better that way because Daddy had a headache all day. I satisfied myself by taking a few minutes in the middle of the afternoon to rack the bolt on my rifle and squint down the barrel. I am trying to learn how to shoot with both eyes open (or mostly open), so I practiced sighting in that fashion. I probably would have landed lead on paper in the process had I actually been firing, but I doubt it would have been overly accurate.
Instead of exploring the world of guns, powder, explosions, and re-training of eyeballs, I turned to a far more staid pursuit--and didn't get too far into that. I am stitching up a dress (okay, so some folks would call it a "costume") for the Reformation Day event next weekend. Savannah fitted me for the bodice, I cut out and sewed the mock-up...it fit. So I cut out and sewed up the bodice of the actually garment. I ended up taking a little extra out of the arm-holes so I wouldn't be bound under the arms. I am rather picky about stuff being too tight in the arm holes.
Well, anyway, I did not get the bodice actually finished because I did not have the needed metal loops (we'll call them that for lack of a better name). Mama did get them at Jo-Ann's later in the day when she and Daddy went to town for a new dryer...but I'll get there in a minute. I was going to go ahead and make the skirt, but I forget why I didn't do that. I think I wanted to Savannah to help me and I didn't exactly ask her, for some reason, and instead I did something else...which I cannot remember.
But, back to the dryer. Yesterday the old dryer, which Mama disliked to begin with, died. Stinky electrical smell and all. Today, Daddy decided that they ought to go get a new one. So, they set out sometime after 4 o'clock, shortly after I gave up the idea of making myself a narrower wrist brace. We didn't have any velcro that was wide enough to allow much adjustabilty.
While they were gone, I went about prepping for the ousting of Dryer the Elder and the establishment of Dryer the Younger. The long and the short of that was that I cleaned the bathroom and the hallway (to a degree) and shoved the old dryer out into the hall. Abby came to "help" and ended up a bit spooked with the dryer shoving...still, she stuck around with her usual curiosity over odd behavior.
From there I drifted into the garage and widened the path, swept a little, and even beat a few rugs.
When I got done there, I came in, settled down in front of my computer and addresses a business "problem" via a Skype conversation with Savannah. (Yes, we are a little odd like that at times. We live in the same house, but conduct conversations via our fingertips. To be honest though, I didn't actually intend on bothering her very long as I knew she was working on a paper.)
About the same time we'd figured out the solution to the question, she came down to make supper (Mexican salad!), and Mama and Daddy got home with Dryer the Younger and the necessary items to finish my bodice.
I helped with the removal and installation process of the dryers. I even got to use a driver! ;)
Supper was tasty and we ate all the food on the table except for some of the beans. The expression on Mama's face was somewhat humorous...though somehow, I don't think it elicited the laughter that this one did!
That is half of my birthday present from Daddy...
Here's the other half:
Daddy says: "That's bigger than you are..."
Not sure I will be able to shoot it one handed...or maybe only one shot before switching back to the two-handed grip. :D
Katherine also made sure I got a little something (I really wasn't expecting anything, which would have been fine. I have had so many "big" birthdays over the years that small ones are fine.) She is SO good about birthdays and such, unlike her less fore-thoughtful older sister...
Katherine also made sure I got a little something (I really wasn't expecting anything, which would have been fine. I have had so many "big" birthdays over the years that small ones are fine.) She is SO good about birthdays and such, unlike her less fore-thoughtful older sister...
Both Katherine and I collect Norman Rockwell stuff...so it's not unusual for us to pick something up at the Goodwill for the other person. :) She actually gave me the cup that matches this for Christmas last year (I think it was).
Now, just because I like to laugh, and I think those of you reading my blog probably do too, I must share this picture progression of the cake time.
So, here I am, looking like a good girl with my new gun and my (as I was to soon find out) very delicious chocolate cake with rum citrus glaze.
What happens when I don't get the candle blown out on the first try...
I got it the second time around and got goofy...which inspired Mom to order the relighting of the candle...which of course, brought on more silliness...
"I'm gonna shot that flame out!"
And yes, I know it's blurry....but here's the result. :D (That is my five-year-old face...)
So, yes...it was a good day! I felt really, really good (Lyme-wise), I had energy...I got all sorts of lovely birthday greetings from friends (some of whom I know in person, some of whom I have yet the joy of meeting face to face)...birthdays, even simple ones which are not overly different from "ordinary" days, are beautiful. Not only has God seen fit to bring me through another year and open forth a new one to me, but I felt very loved from both my family and friends. So thank-you all for the very lovely day. :)
Keep laughing, y'all!
Keep laughing, y'all!
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