Saturday, April 30, 2016

Much Better!

So I decided to take the last 4 work days before my surgery as PTO  (time off).   I decided I needed to do some of the things that drive me crazy that don't get done.  I didn't want to look at those things while I couldn't do them...

My 5$ loom has received most of my attention -- here she is!

  Just a little better than she was....

I do still need to get a thread guide board constructed and attached to replace the broken bendy wire version that was there before.  And she never did have a crank on the beam, so I'm cogitating on that, too.

I suppose she now deserves some new heddles and I will research where to get those.  The old rusty ones have been failing on me lately, so it's time.

She's way more sturdy than she was, I think she's pretty square, but will reserve judgement until I get a warp on and get to weaving.  There may be a few adjustments yet to make. 

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out - especially since I didn't take a whole lot of time and didn't try to be perfect with the refinish.  It was the first time I've used a colored stain, so that was a learning experience- Not sure I'm a fan, but I wouldn't do it differently.

Wish it was this easy to rehab me!  LOL

All for now,
JULIE


Sunday, April 10, 2016

Waiting....

Waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting.

Last fall the house went on the market - bad timing for South Dakota.  Seasons, ya know.  Winter, cold, snow....

Now that spring is in sight, there has been some interest, so it's all good. :)

While I've been waiting life goes on. 

Both looms are naked.  No warp, and I'm putting off putting one on!  If I did, I would be too tempted to weave instead of doing the rehab on my 5$ loom.  

Blue is getting a facelift...

Here is the before picture.  When she's done, I'll show you  her after picture.  I'm going for a tighten up, spitshine type of deal.  I didn't strip all the blue paint off, just scraping the loose stuff off, sanding and overstaining her.  I'm all for letting the history show.

Mostly what I need to get is a good tighten and square up for this loom.  I tried to get my ex to do it for me, but his current wife said no - LOL.

While I'm waiting for the house to sell, I've been working lots of hours... As usual!  I am so tired of overtime.  Five years of close to 50 hours a week average and I am worn out.  Tomorrow I have testing and a consult for my left hand for carpel tunnel symptoms, and on my right arm, I have another appointment for a repetitive injury claim from work.  My right arm went on strike last week.  We'll see what they say is wrong with it.

I am so tired, last fall I asked my father to do me a huge favor.  My ponies went to live with my parents.  First time since before I was married that I didn't have my horses out my kitchen window.  I miss them, but I just couldn't bear the thought of the effort it was going to take to give minimum care to the girls this winter.  My dad ( or my brother ) is out every day caring for his cows and calves, and he had an empty lot, so they went 45 miles away. 

No more worrying about frozen water fountains, hauling hay, and protecting them from the weather. 

Here's a picture of Miss Buzz.  She is, as they say, 'prosperous'.



So basically I'm in a holding pattern.  Hard to start new projects, hard to get excited, but I'm keepin' on keepin' on.

All for now,
JULIE