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Playing beat the clock with time.....

5/26/2016

2 Comments

 
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Things are pretty hectic for me of late and the blogs have suffered but as soon as the boat is launched both will be back on course.  Pressure to get her in the water is breathing down our necks and after several setbacks it’s looking like we’ll be the last boat in the water. The last one out should be first to go in but perhaps the other boats don’t need as much work as ours.  We are blocking several boats so we will have to be moved to another location still on the ground.  Gregg lowered the frame and cover before he left which meant I couldn’t work on the boat in his absence, and then of course the weather was lousy so they didn’t move her so I could have been working on her the entire time he was away. Gregg left for two weeks to help sell his mother’s house since she moved into an assisted living home and although family duty comes first, for us personally it was the worst time for him to be away.   He was gone and then my eye problem put the brakes on progress as well.  It seems like the devil has been riding us, setting up obstacle after obstacle to get in the way of progress.  

Warmer days this time of year and then of course summer is so short we hate to lose time when we could be reaping the rewards of owning a sailboat.  We should just dump her in the water and do the work next year but putting things off until tomorrow that should be done today is usually a bad pattern that ensures nothing ever gets done.  So we have to do these jobs no matter how much time they take away from playtime.   The hatches were so cracked and crazed that we could no longer see out of them so they had to be replaced.  The teak all needed stripping, the eyebrow all around the cabin and there is a piece in the stern that both had to be done on site.  They are stripped but not varnished, that job should take about two weeks.  There are repairs to the gelcoat and then the bottom has to be painted and the topsides needs buffing to remove the oxidization and then waxed and polished to a mirror finish.  Gregg and friend Chris cut a hole in the boat and recessed the ignition panel so now someone can sit in front of it.  No fun with a key stuck in your back. That still needs a bit of work painting and sanding.  Where Gregg removed the dorade vent teak and hand rails all needs to be cleaned.  The 5200 goop that adheres them is nasty to remove.  The cove stripes need repainting, the wide navy one under the gunnel and then the thin strip of red below it.  These things will really go a long way of bringing her back to some of her former glory.    The other teak in the garage can be done in the evenings after we work on her during the days.  Only the wheel will be needed once we launch her, the rest will come shortly after.

I’ve also been trying to work in the gardens.  The new growth is such that everything is getting almost too tall to clean around.  I run the risk of damaging the plants if I use a rake so it’s all hand pulling. I'm cursing for not winterizing the gardens in the fall to start fresh this year.  I really didn’t want to fuss so much this year with the shop and the boat but I look at the state of things and my poor plants deserve better.  They didn’t ask to be planted so now I have to be their caretaker.  Surely we will entertain this summer and our gardens are always so attractive and colourful it would be a shame to lock our company in the house so they don’t see the poor conditions outside.    We are hoping to have an anniversary party in June for our 25th so the property has to look somewhat cared for or my pride will take a hit.   I would like to do less with flowers and introduce shrubs over the next few years so there is less work as I age.  Summers are always really busy with the shop so if I have sailing and rug hooking that is enough on my plate. 

The weather has also let me down.  It’s sucked for over a week with damp, rain and humidly which does little to promote varnish curing.  I need to apply eight coats on all the teak I stripped so the pieces can be installed back on the boat before we take the cover off, but it takes days between coats in this weather so I’m only at #2, usually it should take 24 hours before the next application.   I’ve been keeping a fire going in the garage to beat back the moisture but it’s not really enough.  I have a fan blowing as well to move the air around but I might as well blow on it myself for all the good it did.  I’m about to go out in the garage and apply coat #3, the humidity has cracked so hopefully the process speeds up a bit, fingers crossed.  It’s looking smart; so fresh and clean and rich with a luscious patina.  Teak is a beautiful wood, not only to look at but work with as well.  I could work in a boat yard,  do this for a living and feel very satisfied. 

I made a quick trip to Halifax Tuesday to the  Specialty Hardwood store to purchase teak to replace a piece that got broken when removing it from the bow pulpit.  Yowsa, it’s not cheap by any means!  A small piece was $52.00!   It was more than I needed so there is a small piece left over for other uses but wow, I wouldn’t want to have to equip the entire boat, why we’d have to remortgage the house!  The piece was only about 8” x 18”! 

I was very comfortable in that store, the smell of all the wood was intoxicating.  Beautiful woods in various colours and graining, I could see sweet hook handles and all kinds of wonderful things turned from them.  Then I spied a lovely piece of Mahogany and a light bulb went off.  The cabin below is mostly in mahogany, it’s out of the weather so teak isn’t necessary.  I always planned to do some carving for the boat and I thought a mermaid twisting around the barometer and the ship’s clock would be a fun project.   Of course all the functional boat stuff has to be done first and then I can play on rainy days when we can’t sail or garden; I’m pretty sure there will be a few.   
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I’m waiting for samples to arrive of cockpit cushion fabric.   I thought navy Phifertex would be nice with a red piping for trim.  I like to be different whenever possible and this will vary from the commonly used white with navy trim.   The boat has a lot of navy on it with the Bimini and Dodger covers and the sail bag but considering the entire boat is an off-white it can use added colour.   And of course, you can’t get more nautical than navy and I think the red piping will be sizzling, dark and rich.  The cushions below deck are all red so it will compliment nicely and be a blend throughout.  The Phifertex is a vinyl mesh with small holes to allow air in to dry easily if they get wet and the sample is to ensure it will cover the foam without it showing through.  That is what the boat came with except it was white with a navy trim and it had been left in the cockpit exposed to the elements and between the wear and tear and the sun beating down on it, they became discoloured and look grungy.   They get walked on as you come aboard so shoe dirt from shore muddied it over time as well.   I plan on storing the cushions below when we are off the boat to maximize the longevity.   Once I receive the sample and verify that it is solid enough to not see the foam through the mesh, I’ll place my order and a local sewer is going to do the stitching.  Some things are better left to the experts.   I don’t have the proper sewing machine or the patience for that kind of work and besides, I have a million other things on the list that take precedence.  
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2 Comments

Crazy, wonderful multi-herringbone!

5/20/2016

1 Comment

 
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Isn't it wild when you come across a piece of wool that absolutely blows your mind? This Multi-Herringbone did it for me.  I loved how it washed, how it felt and how it hooked up.  If this wool was a man he'd be a 10! 

I was sitting at the hook-in a few weeks back without a project and started rifling through my stack of ideas and unfinished projects and found the pattern "Coffee, Tea Or Me" I'd made up eons ago and thought, heck, this is a two nighter project, start it and scratch it off the list.   I did hook it in three days, I'm just slow getting out this blog!

At first I was using orangey/red for the letters with a totally different background, but did a complete switcheroo and decided to go white to match the rug hanging at the coffee station called Cafe Au lait hooked by Adena Clark and this new plaid that came in the mail that week.  

I posted a picture of the wool on FB and it went viral.  Everyone wanted a piece and the bolt we had disappeared faster than if we were at a rug hooker convention.   I ordered more because I wanted it for kits and to stash away a couple of yards for me, after all, ownership should have some perks, but there is more in the shop as well!    

Herringbone has always been my favorite wool and it's in everything I hook.  The texture it creates really takes my rugs to greater depths and this one didn't let me down.  The wonderful varied stripes of colour blended beautifully for the higgly piggly background.  Instead of having a bag of ends to create this purposed look, it comes in one fabric all ready to go. The hit of red is sizzling and I will admit I controlled the usage, placing bits here and there strategically, but the rest was random.  Sometimes it is best to let go and let the wool work its magic and this one should be called Houdini! 

The little mat looks fabulous over the round Cafe Au lait, a perfect marriage for sure.  There is no mistaking this is our coffee and tea station.  Come on in for some Coffee, Tea or Me!   

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1 Comment

Charlene's Celtic

5/17/2016

3 Comments

 
By Guest Blogger Charlene Scott
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I had an enjoyable week at the Nova Scotia Guild Rug School this year held in Halifax, earlier this month.   I did the Celtic Design class with Gail Lambert.  I chose to design my own rug after looking through many pages of illuminated manuscripts of the Book of Kells on the Internet. 

When I saw a small drawing of a lion I knew it was going to be the start of my design.  With the deep chest and narrow waist I immediately thought of my two greyhounds.  So I changed the face of the drawing to make it more like a dog muzzle and that was the only modification for the center. 

I drew inspiration from the other drawings and came up with the large border and corners.  I then printed off a few black and white drawings of my design and proceeded to colour them until I came up with a colour plan I liked.  I then saw Shane at the shop and we got all the colours except the red and green off the shelf.  Then Shane proceeded to dye the green and red as I wanted them; for me the brighter the better. 

Class was great.  The instructor gave us many stories about the history of the Celts and the colours they used in their lives.  She gave many tips on hooking small areas and how to prevent small areas from growing.  That has happened to me many times and the tip was greatly appreciated.  I got my first introduction to the 2 cut, a strip almost as small as a human hair but necessary in small spaces.   

As with most of my rugs, I had the bulk of the colours figured out except for the area between the center and border.  Gail was great and we spent some time trying many colour combinations till we both agreed that the heavy black line with the blue line was the best solution. 

It was a great week as always.  The Thursday evening showing of everyone's projects was inspiring and left me with a couple of ideas for future projects.   
I can't wait till I finish.

Note: The Book Of Kells is believed to have been created c. 800 so copyright wasn't an issue. 

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The Book of Kells is the centerpiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to Trinity College in Dublin City each year. 

Written around the year 800 AD, the Book of Kells contains a richly decorated copy of the four gospels in a Latin text.

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3 Comments

The last word on the subject of eyes.....

5/16/2016

3 Comments

 
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I’m almost out of the woods although Friday evening things went downhill a bit and it was a bit rough on Saturday at work. So on Sunday and today I'm resting and it’s paying off.  The fluorescent tube lighting at the shop was very harsh on my eye so I had to wear shades all day and in between customers sat in the wing back chair napping.  I’m sure folks walking by the big windows saw me with my mouth agape and possibly drool cascading down my chin, but my pride went out the window since this happened, so all I can say is, I hope you enjoyed the show. 

I won’ be wearing mascara anytime soon.  I’m not going near that eye or provoking any future problems.   It’s not healthy for the eye anyway; they’re the most absorbent parts of the body.  Chemicals seep directly into the shin and are then free to roam around the body helping to weaken the immune system.   I’m putting aside my vanity to heal properly.  No foreign agents in there to mess it about.  I’ll be look like a bulgy eyed preteen for a while. 

I’m practically an albino without makeup.  Only my hands show a bit of colour, the rest of me is potato white.  I have no discernible eye lashes until I coat them black.   They are actually long but colourless so you have to get up close and personal to see them.   My eyebrows are almost faded into oblivion, mostly because they are white from age, but even as a teenage they weren’t prominent to my overall look.  My lips are fading as the pigment deserts them.  If only the red, broken veins on my cheeks would follow suit I’d be over the moon. I’m going to have to get artistic with makeup.  I’ll just paint my eyebrows darker to overcompensate for the bland, pasty skin behind my glasses.  Dig out the bright red lipstick and maybe apply rouge on the cheeks to draw away from my dull eyes.  I’ll look like a Nonagenarian whose failing vision prevents them seeing what’s in the mirror, those painted old ladies at the church social we always smile at and promise ourselves we’ll never be.   I'm told this is what I can look forward too as I get older; oh goody, flat boobs, sagging arse, thinning hair, wrinkles and purple veins cascading down the back of my legs wasn't enough!
 
My left eye still isn’t opened as wide as the good one, perhaps I’ve weakened the lid with all the dope I’ve been squirting into it.  Drops for lubrication, drops for infection, and drops to keep my lid from fusing to my eyeball that could rip off the new growth on my cornea.  Apparently the diagnosis is something called “Spontaneous Corneal Abrasion”.  Sound perfectly delightful right? Apparently my eye dried out through the night and the lid stuck to the eyeball and when I awoke and opened it, a tear resulted.  Blinking throughout the day abraded it and voila, pain and suffering.

Apparently the new skin on my cornea is very soft and can be easily ripped off again so now I am on drops for my eyes for three months at bedtime until it hardens and can withstand the eyelid rubbing up and down.  The drop burns like hell fires and coats my eye leaving blurriness throughout the day.  I’ve been reading in bed to calm the brain and slide into sleep and I learned after the first application not to take the drop until the book is closed because then I couldn’t focus on the print.  Of course, turning out the light and then popping the drop in sure is startling when the acid like liquid coats my eyeball.   Not anything that promotes sleep by any means.  I was also given a drop for daytime but my eyes are not dry.  I can feel the moisture when I blink, I can see it in the mirror.  I hate taking anything medicated or not natural to my body so it’s a struggle.  I haven’t been to the drugstore in years and now I have four prescribed bottles of drops under my belt.   The stuff isn’t cheap either.

Anyway, this afternoon I’m feeling much better so hopefully I’ll go to work tomorrow without having to wear shades and this will be behind me and I’ll never have to talk about my eyes again. Although I will admit, this incident has chipped maybe 4% off my angst.   I’m able to talk about it now with fewer quirky hand motions and hair pulling each time.  Charlene commented how well I was handling it all on Saturday when a customer came in and asked how I was doing with my problem.  There’s hope for me yet!  

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Boat Delivery from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia

5/15/2016

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Newfoundland to Nova Scotia Catalyst II delivery, approximately 1200 km.
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Getting underway at Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club.  The people were warm but the weather was cool.  A thumbs up to all the Newfoundlanders that helped. 
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South coast of Newfoundland, sunny but cool, full'n bye on course me son. 
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Peter's jury rigged system for polishing the diesel fuel.
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Gregg rocking the boat by pulling on the halyard to wash the debris out of the fuel tank while polishing the diesel.
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We finally got our hands on the offending plug!
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All smiles now, the engine works!  Terry, Gregg and Tom Kelly, diesel mechanic. 
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Navigation old school style.  
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Hung up on the man-made reef under Seal Island Bridge.
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St. Peter's Canal
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Two Nonsuches rendezvous off Canso.  Chris and Tina in "Felina"
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Sunrise at Owl's Head, early morning rise for the last leg to Mahone Bay and home. 
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Mahone Bay at last!  On the right, Tom, the guy who kept the journal. 
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Ruby missed daddy Pete.  She got the first hug!  
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Big cockpit, large welcome home! 
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FOR SALE

5/13/2016

1 Comment

 
We are selling a second hand Bliss Cutting Machine with a #4 blade that is in mint condition....very little use. Cuts the wool like a knife through butter.
Comes with instructions, wrench and original box for $200.00.
Pick up at the shop or it can be shipped (you pay shipping)
We are selling this for a friend so Cash Only or Cheque (this sale will not going through my business)
Grey housing, built in 1988.
Call if interested 1-855-624-0370.

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What A Wonderful "Wool"

5/12/2016

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I awoke this morning early, uncharacteristically early, and decided to get up instead of melting back into the warm sheets.  The sun was shining so brightly through the open blinds that I grabbed my sunglasses to protect my eye and crawled out of bed.  I set my feet on the warm floor, still toasty from the fire burning throughout the night from the living room wood stove directly below.  It’s always wonderful to wake with a sense of cozy comfort; it sets a mood for the entire day.

I took the pups outside and was struck by how absolutely beautiful our part of the world is.  The fuzziness in my eyes is clearing and everything appeared luminous and sharp.  There is so much strife in the world that it’s difficult to comprehend when everything is turning green and lush around me, daffodils, like little bursts of sunshine smiling from the garden.  The harbour glistened like diamonds, brilliant and flawless, cut to perfection.   A boat was coming in, a tiny little cape, a sweet traditional vessel with good bones.   At 7:00 AM, traffic is already quite heavy for the folks going to work.  

The air is fresh and crisp, with a purity that’s so wonderful to breathe in.  It certainly feels good to be alive.  It certainly is good to be able to see.  My recent eye problem sure made me appreciate sight, to be able to see my life and everything around it, is something denied to many.  Up till now I took it for granted, and probably will again as the memory of the past few days wears away.   

I’ve been off all week because of my eye so I’m excited about work today.   I have two new designs, one that is ready and the other in progress and Deborah has one as well. There is nothing like a new designs to boost excitement.  Someone came into the shop yesterday and asked for an old car design and Deborah whipped it up as easily as 1-2-3.  She’s an amazing artist and we are so lucky to have her.

I got sidetracked with my limited edition monthly designs due to personal obligations so I’m behind but there will be more special days for moms in the years ahead, it’s not like we had one shot at it this year and now it’s over.  Besides, every day should be Mother’s Day!  I’m still going to hook this one.   I would have started it last night but my eye strains easily so I’m avoiding staring at things. 

I’m setting all the finished pillows together in a row and they look spectacular with only the three so far so I can imagine the impact all 12 will carry.   Of course I still need to go back and do a January to complete the set. 

Trying to get the boat ready over the past few weeks was stealing all my evening time and hubby and I work until midnight or later in the garage getting things ready for the launch.   So much to do and time is passing quickly.  We really want to spent more time sailing this year than working on repairs, so once she kisses the water, there should be nothing but fun on the agenda for the entire summer. 

I was totally struck by the beauty and serenity of the shop yesterday when I went in to say hi in the afternoon.  I was away since Saturday, just the right amount of time to see it with fresh eyes.  You know when you go on vacation, once you return your house always has a different feel.  You see it as if for the first time.  Well that’s how I felt with the shop.  I absolutely love my store.  Walking into it every day is like getting a big colourful hug.  It’s never work to be there, I am so blessed.  “It’s A Wonderful Wool” 

My Mother’s Day pattern is all about the pretty.  12" x 12" of fantasy florals, fun leaves and funky letters.  The O is a heart that worked very nicely into the flow of the writing of the word.    I’m going to try something different this time and outline everything in white wool.  I’m using the bundle “Beach Glass this time.  The soft pastels will have low contrast with the white for softness and a look I’ve not tried before.  We’ll see how it goes.  I can see it in my mind’s eye but how it comes together in reality could be a different story, if not I’ll switch gears, rip it out and start again.   I’m thinking a delicious pale salmon for the background. 

The Dad’s design for June shows all the manly stuff guys love and do.  Robust tools and sports equipment should cover the testosterone vibe.   That will be done in steely tones, for strength and ruggedness.  I’ll try to finish that pattern today. 
Have a great day everyone. 



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Sunday Run by Deborah Sweet   15" x 19".  Can be viewed on Deb's page by clicking this link: http://www.encompassingdesigns.com/deborah-sweet.html
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Eye'm feeling better!

5/11/2016

4 Comments

 
I’m feeling much better today but yesterday morning started out rough.  I awoke to more scratchy pains in my eye, and after hoping for more improvement my mood was sour.  I had to tape up the eyelid to keep it off the ball to manage getting ready for my appointment with Dr. Tom without crying.  I’m a tough old bird but that kind of pain is mean.  The light sensitivity was much better but I still hid under the black grocery bag as the morning was sunny and bright and I didn’t want to stress my vision. 

You would think after the positive experience the day before I would have been more comfortable with whatever might happen yesterday but a phobia has deep tentacles and pretty much guaranteed there would be more foolishness. Luckily he assumed there would be more of the same and was ready for me. 
 
He froze my eye which brought immediate relief but that was short lived when I overheard the dreaded words, contact lens.  For me they have always been taboo.   Even watching ads on TV make me squirm.    Somehow sticking a piece of plastic in the eye if off the chart crazy.  Of course a multi-billion dollar industry disagrees, but it ain’t for me sista and I will add this little tidbit....there are a number of optometrists that wear glasses and never use contacts, food for thought?  I like the protection that glasses provide and believe that they make me look smarter, a win, win.  

Once I was told he planned to insert a contact lens my knees started twitching and my feet started stamping the foot rest on the chair and I swear it sounded like I was auditioning for Michael Flatley’s Riverdance.   He told me it would protect the scratched area from further irritation and in theory it’s all good but seeing that little plastic disc coming toward me, perched on the tip of his finger was unnerving.   Anyway, he promised it wouldn’t hurt and he was right, but placing it was not my finest moment.  At one point I automatically grabbed his hand, reached out without realizing it and held his wrist.  It felt like a scene in an action flick, someone grabbing a hand to stop a knife coming at them.  He made a comment that if I tried to stop him he could possibly poke me in the eye.  That kind of took the piss and vinegar out of me, he was able to proceed and the thing stuck to my eyeball as tightly as biker shorts.  Didn’t hurt one bit!  Of course that was followed by another string of apologies about being an arse.  I’m sure he no longer listens.   I am apprehensive about Friday when he plans to take it out.  I'm not sure how he plans to do that.....trying not to think about it.  

I’ve not had to wear the bandage so that’s an improvement.   The redness is still there but he’s given me a steroid for that so now I’m on two drops every four hours.   I’m able to function and truthfully except for the icky reflection in the mirror of my scarlet, puffy lid and eyeball, I’m feeling pretty good.  Hopefully by my next appointment Friday I’ll be right as rain.    Anyway, that’s enough about my eye.....  

4 Comments

Update on the eye...

5/9/2016

13 Comments

 
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​I wimped out this morning after an uncomfortable night's sleep.  I was now more afraid not to go to the doctor than to see him.  I mean, I might be a pain in the arse, but I don't like pain. Hubby made an appointment for Dr. Tom Carton, at 10:00 am.  I was still in bed at 9:00 so there was scrambling in the dark to get a shower, blinds pulled and curtains closed.  The light sensitivity was worse so I had to wear shades and not because my life is so bright.  The sun was shining this morning so we had to close all the mini blinds and the curtains downstairs as well.  Not only was the bad eye sensitive but the right one as well, I guess the nerves are all connected.  The pain felt like I was being punched in both eyes.   So I have to wear sunglasses to keep as much light out as possible and avoid looking at brighter areas. 

So we drove to Lunenburg with me in the backseat with shades on and a Save Easy shopping bag over my head;  no, not the plastic one, those black fiber cloth things.   I felt like a kidnap victim, trying to figure out where the car was.  I certainly felt every pot hole and bad stretch of road more than usual.  The car felt like we were flying so I kept telling hubby to slow down but he was doing the limit or perhaps maybe he was driving fast so we wouldn’t be late, I couldn’t see to tell. Without any reference points a person feels quite lost.   I got a taste of what it’s like to be blind and it’s a scary!    
We all have a thing that unglues us.  For me it's the eyes so I’m scared out of my gourd and insist hubby comes with me for support.   Like a little girl I needed to squeeze his hand but his phone rang and he left to take the call so all I had to grab was the doctor.   He’d already been warned of my weakness by his receptionist so he knew I would be difficult.  With nothing to hold on too for comfort, I groped him several times by the arm and once his chest.  I know full well I’m acting like an ass but powerless to stop.  I can’t even say I’m acting like a child because I’ll bet they’re more brave than me.  Even through the angst, I’m still a clown and commented that I hoped I wouldn’t grab something I shouldn’t and he replied “That might be the best thing that happens today.” How sweet, putting me at ease like that.   It broke some of my tension.  Hey don’t worry, I know him so the joke was funny and perfectly okay. 

He also made a funny when putting drops in my eye.  My head was back preparing for the drops and I’m acting all weird when he says, “Look at your toes”.  My brain is distracted momentarily while I contemplate the impossibly of what he's asking when splash, it’s all over.  Not a bad ruse, probably something he uses on children or big babies like me. 

Hubby finally came back in so I clutched his hand for the remaining exam.  There are no words to describe my silliness over eyes, although it’s not logical, it’s real to me.  I can’t recall anything happening as a child to begin this phobia and I'm not willing to spend the money on psychiatrists to find out.  On the flip side, you should see me in a disaster.  I'm as cool as a cucumber. I would take charge and keep others calm, stop bleeding and do whatever is necessary to save the day, but a hair in the eye reduces me to a sniveling, quivering bowl of jelly.   

Anyway, I am happy to report that he never once caused any pain more than I was already experiencing.  He froze the eye right away which brought instant relief.  Then he examined it closely and told me there was no longer any irritant hanging around but I had scratches which were causing the pain.  He prescribed an antibiotic drop to be administered every hour to make sure infection doesn’t set in and then I have another appointment tomorrow morning.  All in all I feel better but still suffer light sensitivity so I’ve been napping all day.  My eye is still uncomfortable, I can feel where it was scratched as it moved about under the lid.  I have compression gauze taped over the eye to help it stay in one place so it stops getting irritated as I blink.   I look like a dork. 
I love little interesting tidbits and this one is great for the collection.  Never flush an eye with well water.  Apparently there are microbes in it that will grow around the eye and cause all manner of problems.  Luckily I only used town water at the shop and didn’t use anything except the drops at home. 

We had one little incident.  Hubby accidently grabbed the squirt bottle of eye wash instead of the antibiotic and we didn’t realize it until after the drop was in and burned like hell fire.   There was a lot of foot stomping and loud “OMG’s” until he got the right bottle to cool down the burn.  I think maybe he’s trying to get rid of me so I’ll have to keep an eye on him, if only I had good one!  

13 Comments

A mother of a Mother's Day.....

5/8/2016

1 Comment

 
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My Mother’s Day was less than desirable.  I’ve had better days, even with my legs in stirrups pushing out a 12 pounder 35 years ago.  For me, pain across the abdomen can never out stage the vulnerability of pain in the eye.   Fear of losing an eye or blindness is very potent. I’ll suffer through labour any day and say thank-you very much!

It began Saturday.  A slight irritant under my eye lid that blossomed into a razorlike  stabbing by mid afternoon.  I knew something was up when I hugged Michele Micarelli who had dropped by to visit the shop and tears started to flow.  I joked my eye was sore, I wasn’t crying because she was leaving.  We laughed but I was already worrying.   I don’t like anything to do with eyes.  I’m happy to hide behind the protection of glasses; I dread eye exams, only apply mascara when I’m alone in the bathroom.  I don’t touch my eyes in the car in case of an accident, I tell people, if your throat is cut I'll save your life, but if you have a hair in your eye, I’m afraid you'll have to die. 
  
So when the pain and watering grew progressively worse I was more afraid of doing nothing than worrying about my neurosis.  Hubby got me eye flushing liquid and began irrigating it.  I even managed without fainting to pull up my eye lid and have a good look around.  I’ve never looked at my eyeball with such scrutiny and hopefully I never have to do it again.  I could see nothing but felt the evil’s presence.  I would have taken a picture to post but it's gross  

I believe the irritant was now gone, after flushing with water and drops nothing foreign could last that tsunami,  but it must have scratched my retina so as the ball moved back and forth, the eyelid rubbed it.  I went to bed last night and found a position that didn’t hurt, on my left side with my hand tight against my face so I pushed the skin toward the inner part of the eye.  This morning it felt better at first but with every movement it grew irritated again.  It ruined my mother’s day plans for dinner at Shane’s because I have to hold up my eyelid.   The bottom and lower lid are swollen almost to a slit opening.  I was being respectful and opted to hide so not to put other’s off their meal.  The entire area is red and juicy.  I’ve never felt more unattractive and how was I to cut my tenderloin steak and eat.  I don’t want my son spoon feeding m just yet, that’ll come later when I’m ancient and senile. 

I didn’t feel well enough to go outside so my special day was wasted lying on the sofa, holding the side of my face in such a manner that it pulled the skin away from my eye ball.  I’m hoping all this pulling and pushing won’t stretch the area and create more wrinkles.  The pups, who I must say are very in tuned to my angst, especially when I had a hissy fit about perhaps losing my eye, going blind, or worse, having to go to the hospital, cuddled with me for comfort.   

As CBC radio talked all day of the tragedy in Fort Murray and the thousands of men, women and children displaced from their homes I felt a bit ashamed for going on when dealing with such a small inconvenience.   My thoughts were also for a friend that lost her younger sister in a motorcycle accident. Through the swelling, pain and blurriness, I tried to give thanks for my blessings. Hopefully tomorrow I will be as right as rain, but if not I’m off to see Dr. Tom. 

Happy belated Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.  I hope your special day was all that you wished it to be.  
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A wee bit of Christmas in May

5/6/2016

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Jean Wentzell was in on Saturday to show me her finished "The Night Before Christmas".  We have this design as a bell pull called Up, Up & Away and she requested it re-sized to fit a place on her wall where she alternates seasonal rugs.  No problem Jean, it is always a pleasure having her hook any of our designs that we bend over backwards as far as our spines allow. Jean has been coming to the studio pretty much since I opened my shop doors and over the years, I've designed quite a few rugs for her.  

She has previous hooked Winter Games for the winter season but wanted something specific for the Christmas Holiday.  

I'm hoping you can see the beautiful sky full of twinkles.  Shane died our sparkling ivory wool with a deep blue and it shimmered just like the real night sky full of stars.

She said she found the reindeer a challenge to separate them so they stand out and didn't muddy together but she did a great job.   We love the Stewart Tartan blanket on Santa's lap and boldly hooked mittens.   He really is a little old driver so lively and quick, you know in a moment it must be St. Nick.   

Such a colourful, happy piece.  One that will hang proudly to represent the Christmas holidays on Jean's special spot on her wall. 

To view our large collection of Seasonal Patterns click this link:  
http://www.encompassingdesigns.com/seasonal-designs.html

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Saving pieces of the past...

5/4/2016

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By Guest Blogger Charlene Scott
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Here is what is left of an old, badly damaged rug.  The interesting part is that the beige section is burlap strings hooked on burlap.  Someone gave me the rug and asked if it was repairable.  It wasn't really.  However I could not bring myself to throw away all that work. The Boston sidewalk or inch mat, whatever you call it, represents many hours of work by someone from bygone days.

So I cut off one end and sewed a binding on the cut edge.  The rest was thrown away.  Most of the binding was okay and seemed fairly newish.  I have a sneaking suspicion that the rug end was already repaired as the border kind of disappears. 

I also salvaged the center medallion.  It measures about 10in x 10in.  I sewed it to a piece of burlap.  Hooked a black edge to surround it and then put glue all along the edge so the burlap would not fray.  Then I cut off the excess burlap and glued a wide piece of cut wool all along the side of the medallion.  It will make a centerpiece or a trivet or whatever you would like it for. 

So there will be some further use of this wonderful old rug.  The person who gave it to me is coming to visit soon so I will re-gift these two pieces to her to take back to her home.

Cheers
Charlene


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The work before the play.....

5/3/2016

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I’ve been off last week working on the boat.  And work it is.  I’ve been flat on my back, and on my knees, and on my stomach, crouching and bending like a pretzel to fit in a space not meant for my size.   The winter canvas cover is still on the boat which means the frame is up, making the small area between the life lines and cabin top even more constricted.   It’s like working on the inside of a whale, the bones of its ribs digging in my sides, knocking me on the head or perhaps I’m knocking it considering it’s stationary while I’m moving.  Several times I had a cleat rammed into my back, or a boat fitting in my thigh, oh my!  The wishbone boom is running down both sides of the deck supported by plywood boxes and always in the way.  Several times I’ve tried to stand up in the cockpit and crashed my noggin into the end of the boom and I have an indent in my skull to prove it.   I’ve tenderized most of my limbs and buttocks; even the soft tissue of one of my breasts is sporting a large bruise all shades of the rainbow.  I don’t even remember hitting it but perhaps all the aches elsewhere trumped it.   I suppose the above comes off as complaints but I swear I’m having a friggin ball!  Really!  I LOVE this kind of work!

The teak eyebrow is a strip of wood that runs along the entire deckhouse cabin,   is purely decorative and high maintenance.   This particular piece of teak doesn’t look like it has been stripped in 28 years.   Hubby made a comment that some boats have a painted stripe that’s less work, and I gave him a “talk to the hand motion”, wood trim on the boat is what attracts me, the more the merrier, perhaps I’ll find some spots to add more!  Besides, this is my job, even if it kills me, so let me worry about the teak maintenance. 
  
I have this quirk; I grow attached to inanimate objects and project feelings on to them.  Silly me I know, but it helps me keep my possessions in good shape and there’s nothing off about that.   I swear my car runs best when it’s been detailed, the motor purrs and rides as smooth as glass.   Of course, I know in my head that my boat doesn’t have any feelings, but in my heart, my love for her feels reciprocated, and today, while I stripped her of imperfections the wind was blowing and pushing the canvas boat cover along the length of my body as if it was hugging me, the pressure along my back felt like a massage.  In a delightful way it was comforting, as if she was saying thank-you for the attention and care although this feeling could have resulted from the epoxy fumes drifting up from the cockpit where hubby was working on a repair.   

This year I’ll be doing a lot of stripping and refinishing the wood with Epiphane Varnish and then all it will need is a light sanding and recoat each year to keep it fresh.  Our friend says I’m doing a stripteak and considering I’m dancing around the frame poles with all kinds of gyrations, well I just might have a new career!   
 
Right now the wood is covered with Cetol and it’s become my nemesis.  It was applied carelessly and let build to a clumpy, cloudy, orangey brown that hides the beautiful grain of the wood.  To me, teak is the pearl of wood.  It boosts a patina that makes a gal swoon.   It’s expensive too, so it shouldn’t be draped in a cloudy finish, just like you would never paint a diamond with orange shellac.

Luckily the Cetol is baked on and brittle so the removal isn’t as bad as it could be but it takes about an hour to strip and sand an area three feet long.  Scraping with a card scraper and paint scrapers, takes force to pull either tool along to remove the layers and this is hard on the fingers.   It took a total of 12 hours to strip and sand it all.
 
Half of the teak plugs that cover the screw holes are gone on the starboard side so those will need replacing.  Clean out the old bits, glue in the new plug, saw off the excess and then sand it flush with the wood around it.  No job is simple; there is always something else that needs to be addressed.  I suppose a 33 foot boat has its drawbacks when it comes to maintenance, but like labour pains, it’ll be quickly forgotten after the baby is on the water and the wind is in my hair.  

The boat is still on the hard and hubby and I are working on the things that need fixing to so we can remove the cover.  Hubby is doing the heavy duty stuff like locating where the leaks are, we’ve been having drips of water in the cabin;   probably due to a gasket problem in the ceiling hatch but there are other suspiciously loose fittings, like stanchions that support the lifelines, that all need removing and then rebidding.

Right now, he and Chris, our friend and fellow Nonsuch owner, are working side by side, recessing the ignition panels on both of their boats so it’s protected from the elements and comfortable for someone to sit against.  They’ve cut a hole in the boat and fabricated a wood and fiberglass panel to hold the instruments.   It’s really great having a boat bud to work with and of course, Chris has been a Nonsuch owner longer and is a wealth of knowledge.
    
Hubby is going to spend a lot of time fixing things that will never be noticed although very important and necessary, while I’m in charge of the cosmetic stuff; the jobs that will show the results of my labour.  The canvas cover is still on the boat and will be for weeks until we get all the repairs done to the deck, it’s critical to address those leaks before we take it off.  Then joy of joys, we will buff and then wax the topsides of the hull and apply the bottom paint.   
 
The previous owners of our boat, or perhaps the owners before them, used Cetol and didn’t apply it properly.   They slopped it so it dripped and smeared on the white gelcoat above and below the wood.  Each time we rowed out to the boat last summer it was always there, haunting me with its staining, detracting from our beautiful vessel.  Those ugly orange streaks on the white gelcoat made my stomach churn.  Stripping this mess is not for the faint of heart.   You need to have a death grip on the scraper handle until the fingers cramp and the blue veins pop out on the back of the hand like water filled garden hoses.  It’s also important to be careful so the sharp blade doesn’t slip and slice into the wood or worse, fingers.   After the final sanding the teak will need to be bleached and varnished 6 to 8 coats, until I can see my tired eyes in the sheen.  

There are so many things we can do on the boat to spiff her up, like cleaning off the Cetol, polishing the chrome, refinishing the teak, replace the two Lexan hatch lenses that are crazed and cracked, rebed the various  deck hardware, strip the teak dorade vent bases and scrub the heck out of the deck.    Next year there will be more jobs…there will always be more jobs.   Like the buildings we’ve renovated, she’ll end up with one old board left in her and shine like a new penny. 

We not only work on the boat, we also put time in the garage in the evenings.  We are working on the teak parts we could remove and being able to stand up to do the job is a plus.  The hand rails were a potential leak source and of course they are much easier to strip and refinish while off the boat.  Of course they didn't come off easily and one split so we had to epoxy it and tape to hold as it cured. 

I am also still working on the cockpit table, the wheel and the floor grates but these can be done after the boat is in the water whereas the jobs that stay with the boat, above deck, can’t.  The weather is going to be lousy this week, cold and damp with the rain and not conducive to painting so I’m hoping next week plays better. 
  
I’m also using paint stripper on the chrome swim ladder as it is covered in Cetol. Someone painted the teak steps without taking them off first and brushed it all over the metal bars.  What should be a mirror finish is caked with a hard layer of brownish orange that takes several soakings of chemicals to soften.  Paint remover is really smelly and needs to be done in a ventilated area so that job is postponed until after the rain.    
  
After the bright work is finished my job is repairing where we were rammed last year below the gunnels and then painting the cove stripes, one wide navy and then a thinner red.  After this is done then I’ll buff the gelcoat to remove the oxidization and then wax it to a mirrored finish.  I’m learning all these new and exciting things.  I’ll be buying an electric polisher as I don’t have enough strength to hand rub 33 feet on each side.  As an added perk, I’m hoping the vibration will shake loose a few pounds.  

Despite the pain and aches I’m having a ball.  I've always said I was more man than woman, not that women can’t enjoy this kind of work although I haven't spied any in the boat yard helping their hubbies. Hubby calls me a trooper. Really, although I’m stiffer than a cadaver, and have a list as long as my arm of jobs to do, the only downside to owning our boat is not being able watch her sail by because I’ll be in her. I have to settle watching other Nonsuches in the water and there could be as many as five moored in Mahone Bay harbour this summer, it would be a show to get together and do a parade of sail, capturing the wind, riding the waves with their beamy hulls, tall masts and big proud sails, all side by side, heading out to the islands for a day on the water.   What a spectacular sight it would be......


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This is the Teak eyebrow that I stripped.   You can also see the areas where the handrail was removed and those were a pain to clean up as well.  5200 is a great product for sealing, but it doesn't remove easily. 
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Tape was used to hold the split area together after it was epoxied. 
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The heat gun is my new BFF!
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So much easier to work in the garage than under the canvas cover. 
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    Christine Little has been ranked #5​ out of the 60 top rug hooking bloggers by Rug Hooking Magazine!

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    Max Anderson, Australia, recipient of my Nova Scotia Treasures rug.  An award of excellence for promoting Canada through his writing.  
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