More recycling and the dryer

Several months ago as some church friends prepared to move to Pittsburgh, they told us about a recycling center that took all kinds of things.  I was especially interested to hear they accepted textiles.  So the other day, after donating my bike, I drove up to El Cerritos with ten to twelve bags of old towels, sun-damaged drapes, pillows and stained clothes.  As I drove into the drop-off area, I saw a sign that said, "Styrofoam."  Oops,  I forgot to bring the pieces of styrofoam.  I fully expect to make another trip or two to drop off stuff before we move; I'll have to make sure to check the garage more carefully.

Speaking of the garage, our dryer is out of commission again.  Even though we know it is important to clean out the vent regularly, we let it slide and burned out the fuse on the heating element a couple of weeks ago.  After much effort, learning some new skills in the process, Randy repaired the dryer, and I dried a few loads of laundry.  He bought a brush with handle extenders but was unable to snake his way through the crazy-shaped exhaust duct.  It enters the wall at floor-level behind the dryer then, via three or four right angle turns, it exits the house by the front door about 7 1/2 feet above the walk.  So we hired someone to blow out the vent.  Though he used brushes and a reversible shop-vac, the technician was unable to clear the apparent clog.  He indicated he could put an auger, or screw, on his rod to try to penetrate the probable clog, but if the duct consists of two pieces which have separated, the augur might get caught on an edge and make things worse.  So we decided that was a choice for the landlord to make.  Today our freshly washed sheets hang in the doorway of the green room so the warm breeze can dry them.  And this afternoon the landlord is sending over his handyman to investigate the situation.   REMINDER:  while cleaning the lint screen is a good thing to do, and something most of us do automatically, the exhaust duct leading from the dryer to outside the house also needs cleaning periodically, perhaps every year or two.

The wolf did what?

Yesterday es spent the day with us.  After I practiced a bit at church, I picked her up.  She was ready and waiting for me.  She told me I could change her wet diaper and pulled out the necessary supplies, a welcome change from her frequent protests about diaper changes.  I obliged her, then put her in her car seat.  We went to the park so she could climb on the play structure and run around, then we chose three books at the library and sat down to read them before checking them out.  Ziggy Piggy and the Three Little Pigs, by Frank Asch, provides an updated version of the tale.  The big bad wolf here is strong enough to blow down even the house of bricks!  I don't usually preview stories before I read them to es, but when I came to that part I began to wonder if maybe I should.  The ending was good, though, no tears or pigs for dinner.  We also bought some cookies at Safeway before going back to our house for lunch and a nap, or at least some quiet time in her crib.  She certainly knows how to stretch out the getting-ready-for-a-nap time.  I hate to just put her in bed if she's upset, so I tend to keep her calm by exceeding the number of books I said we would read.  Yes, that may be poor parenting in the long run.  E and ec joined us for supper of baked chicken thighs (one of es's favorites) and vegetables.  Then we played catch with the basketball, or should I say roll and capture, before they went home to see if K had returned from his business dinner meeting.

Another pair is finished

A couple of weeks ago I finished knitting another pair of socks.  The picture may not show it, but the yarn has metallic flecks that sparkle.  This pair is very soft and comfortable.  I enjoyed the feel of the yarn as I worked with it.  And the sparkle is fun.  When I put on the socks, the stripes don't line up but I decided that's OK.

I began another pair the night before I left for Illinois last week and am almost done with the first sock.  This new yarn yields large blocks of color, so I will need to decide if it will be possible to match up the colors, or if they will be random as these socks are.  I find this work very satisfying.  My sister and I went to a shop and each bought yarn for a pair of socks. She likes the first pair I made her and wants more, so I will make her some.

My wheels are gone

For the first time in 44 years I do not own a bicycle.  When I graduated college I found a position teaching English at my hometown high school.  I lived with my parents and two younger brothers.  My sister graduated college early and also returned home.  After a few months I decided to move into an apartment.  I did not yet have a driver's license, so I bought a bicycle to help me get around town.  It was an AMF three-speed, a lovely blue green color.  Soon I realized how nice it would be to have a car, and when my brother wanted to sell his Ford Maverick I bought it.  Then I studied and passed my driver's test.  But I kept the bike and continued to ride it on occasion.  When I married it moved with me.  Later I bought a child seat for the back and as time passed transported all three children on it.  Eventually they each had a bike, but I rode along with them to school until the youngest was old enough to ride by herself the few blocks to school.  And I suppose that is when I stopped riding on a regular basis.  For many years now it has been hanging on a hook in the garage.

Yesterday the bike came down from the hook, and an era ended.  I donated it to a shop that repairs bikes and sells them.  The owners provide an opportunity for volunteers to repair bikes and to help people learn to fix their own.  I thought about getting it cleaned up and riding it again, but I knew I was not likely to ride when we move to our new neighborhood if I haven't ridden here where we have dedicated bike paths.  So even though it hurt a bit, I decided to let someone else benefit from the bike.  I hope the next owner enjoys riding it.

Filling the dumpster

Once a year each customer of the local waste management company is entitled to a free bulk pick-up, so E scheduled one.  The 2-cubic yard dumpster was delivered last Thursday and will be picked up this Thursday.  We are allowed to set three bulky items (appliances, mattresses, furniture, etc.) beside the bin.  Sunday afternoon Randy and K took a load of stuff from our house over to theirs, including my college footlocker, two old stereo speakers, and a desk.

Yesterday I went through the papers and other items I had removed from the footlocker.  Most of the cards we had received when we married were placed in the recycling bin, as were planning sheets from a semester of teaching American literature.  Two inflatable pillows went in the trash, but I kept the Wheaton pennant, at least for now.  I also kept three scrapbooks made after glee club tours and a couple of journals.  Still to be decided--a stack of our wedding invitations.  Yes, I know, I don't need them, so they will probably hit the blue bin in a day or two.  But not yet.

Seven weeks left

ec is nine weeks old today, which means E's maternity leave (and mine) of sixteen weeks is more than half over.  I am currently visiting my dad for the second time during my break, and one more trip is planned for next month.  We are so grateful for the recent test results showing no signs of cancer.  I want to quilt at least one more quilt and do more writing before I resume childcare.  And recycling things is very near the top of the list, too.

I enjoyed talking wedding plans with Sarah this past weekend.  The big day will be here before we know it!  Liz ran in a race Saturday morning, returning to E's with terribly muddy shoes from the Tilden Park trail.  I joined es and her parents at Trinity for an Easter fun day celebration with crafts, singing and egg hunt.  Dena and her two grandchildren came as well.  Then we all went to Dena's for pizza and dyeing of eggs.  I liked seeing es have fun with the older children, and I think they enjoyed her, too.

Easter Sunday morning was full of rousing music--handbells, trumpet, organ, voices--as we celebrated the Resurrection.  Randy and I met Liz at Dena's for dessert late in the afternoon.  It seemed somewhat strange to me knowing Liz was in town but not staying with us.  It reminded me of times Randy and I went back to Illinois and stayed with either my folks or his; we had to make an effort to spend time with the other family.

Legalese

Monday I spent time catching up on my bookkeeping so I could prepare the end-of-year 2016 figures for our taxes.  That's right, we are just now doing our taxes.  I also read through the draft of our co-ownership agreement, making notes for our HOA meeting.  Tuesday morning I practiced for the Good Friday service and for Easter morning.  After lunch I read through the proposal from a contractor.  We ate supper at E's, followed by the HOA review of the two documents.

This morning I will attend the genealogical society meeting.  The speaker will discuss alternatives to the 1890 census; most of the census results were destroyed in a fire, leaving a large gap for those trying to track families.  After lunch I will shop for groceries.  Sarah arrives tomorrow, so I want to straighten the house a bit, and tonight is choir.  Another busy day!

What's in the bag?

Yesterday I played a festive march as the postlude to remind people Jesus entered Jerusalem with cries of "Hosanna" on what is now known as Palm Sunday.  The piece went smoothly.  I bought it last year and learned it for Palm Sunday 2016, so I had to brush up on it, especially about eight measures I find tricky.  But it worked.  One person told me afterwards how it reminded her of Jesus' triumphal entry.  Yes!

When Randy came home after lunch he had a large black trash bag.  Curious.  What could it be?  Eggplants!  Apparently quite a few remained from the lunch at church, and he was given four.  So I decided to make Eggplant Parmigiana with two of them, using a bottle of tomato sauce we had received as a gift a couple of years ago.  Randy and I had sat at the table talking and I lost track of time, so it took a while to start cooking.  While the dish was still baking Randy asked if I was ready to go.  What?  Could it already be time to leave for his choir concert?  Well, not quite, so we each had a small serving of the eggplant before we left.  It was tasty.  We'll see today how it re-heats.

The concert featured a mass by Haydn.  The choir sang with enthusiasm and great expression.  I enjoyed visiting with friends at the reception after the program.

Friday night

"Fractured" is quilted.  I did add more quilting, diagonal lines in the other direction but only half as many, resulting in rectangles instead of diamonds.  After auditioning several pink and turquoise fabrics, I chose a couple of purple/turquoise prints to use for binding.  There's not quite enough of either one so I will probably use equal parts of each.

Yesterday e came over for a while.  We went to the park again, where she played alongside a little boy.  We were surprised to discover part of the climbing structure had been removed.  This week the library was open, so we checked out four books, two of which were about trucks.  After lunch and reading, I put her in bed despite her protests.  But she didn't sleep.  E and ec came over for supper of baked chicken and veggies; K had a business dinner that kept him in the city.

Last night fierce winds and rain blew through the area.  My goodness!  This morning on my way to E's to use her dryer I saw several trees down and lots of twigs and leaves on streets and sidewalks.  As our sheets dried E drove to the Target in Emeryville to get a couple of drapery rods our local store didn't have, leaving both children with me, a test run of sorts for the time E returns to work.

Tonight Randy and I watched "Hell or High Water" as we ate salmon patties and roasted potatoes.  So often lately by the time supper is over and the kitchen cleaned up, it seems too late to start a movie.  By eating as we watched we were done with supper and movie by 8:30, with minimal cleanup to do afterwards.

It's gone!

Last month last month the furnace began making an occasional loud thunk as it kicked on, so Randy decided to check it.  Naturally the alcove in front of the furnace closet had filled up with various things, so he had to clear it out before he could open the door.  One of the items he moved was the wooden high chair given to us by some of his co-workers when Liz was born, used by her and then her sisters.  We had saved it, hoping grandchildren would use it.  But the tray didn't lock into place quite right, though it was much better after Randy worked on it with help from Geoff and Ray.  And the tray was scratched, with the finish worn off.  The strap had disappeared, and a belt was not a good substitute.  So we decided to pass it on to someone who could use it.  Yesterday morning I set the chair on the curb in front of the new house, and within a couple of hours it was gone.

Progress on goals

For 2017 I chose seven goals to work toward.  It's time to check my progress!

1.  Eat less, move more--This is the hardest for me.  In three months I've taken only about 26 long walks, with numerous shorter ones with es.

2.  Read more non-fiction--minimal progress toward goal of 25%.

3.  Blog at least once a week--Yes!  So far this year, 32 blog posts.

4.  Use fabric--I've begun cutting for Sarah's Christmas quilt, and I'm more than half done quilting one of my quilt tops.

5.  Visit Dad--Yes!  I went in March and have another trip scheduled in two weeks.

6.  Visit Sarah and Erik--not yet, but she is coming here soon.

7.  Do things with friends--yes!  Walks with Anita, lunch with Carole, lunch with Linda, retreat with Anita, Scrabble with Dena.

Progress on the house is slow, but we had a helpful meeting with a contractor today.  It looks like we need to scale back our plans.