The signs of spring

It's incredible how much time it takes to answer emails and type up some information. I ran around the house yesterday, measuring quilts, typing up lists, and gathering all the information required to order supplies for the concurrent show at Quilt Canada. 

Then I sent it off and realized later that it was a jumbled mess - it was legible, but not very logical. Now that I have all the correct (not guesswork) information, I will resend the list, and it won't take long to fix. 

I still have more email to organize - it's incredible how many things there are to follow up on. And of course, the more you send, the more follow-up is required. But I'm on top of it - or almost! 

Then I got a notice that instead of sending a document to someone else, they received a random link. How did that happen? It took a few seconds to realize that I had uploaded the document, but I forgot to copy the link for the uploaded document. So when I selected paste, the computer just uploaded the last link in my clipboard! Good grief, but at least I figured that one out, and it was easy to fix! 

I'm happy to report that I spent a good part of the afternoon sewing, and it was wonderful. I rarely get to the sewing machine these days, which is not a good thing. I have so much to do! I mentioned the other day I had made an error in cutting, but I forged ahead with Plan B, sort of in the back of my head. 

I'm happy to report that I was able to get what I wanted from what I cut. There are a "few" extra seams in there, and I even had leftovers! I couldn't recut the fabric as I had used all I had. 

The leftover from my miscut

So that was good! I'm not done with that project yet, but I've got some time later today to continue. 

Spring is definitely here, and the flowers and trees are starting to bloom. 

A tree in bloom

Pretty flower

And you know spring is definitely here when you spot dandelions! This one was in my front garden! 

The dandelions are back!

The whole world was mad yesterday. Murphy and I were just about to step into the driveway of the gas station when a truck came ripping across the parking lot and flew out of the driveway and across three lanes. I don't think he even saw me. It was a big truck, not a tow truck, but a truck that does towing. You know the ones I mean.

Anyway, this guy hung back at the median and then drove across it and went in the opposite direction. Probably heard of an accident and needed to be first on the scene. 

That happened TWICE more yesterday. As I was STANDING on the corner about to step off the curb because I had the WALK signal, a car loaded with high school students came whipping by. The driver was looking left to see if he could beat the traffic that was about to start. This driver had a red light. I swear, NO ONE cares about pedestrians. It's all about whether they can beat the oncoming traffic. 

And the third time was a car turning into the parking lot of a grocery and hardware store. He came barreling down the turn lane, with no one behind him, so no need to rush. I was two steps off the curb, so he had no choice but to stop. But there are times when you wonder if they will. 

It's absolutely crazy that our world is so car-centric that drivers often don't see pedestrians, bicycles, e-scooters, or whatever. It's a big accident waiting to happen. One must keep on their toes for sure. People -- WHY are you in such a hurry? Life isn't about rushing through everything you do, but about enjoying it. You MUST read that book, Meditations for Mortals! 

Then you have the other side of the coin. Sometimes, when I'm waiting at the corner for the light to change, I try to look in the direction I'm going, so the driver knows where I'm going. However, since many pedestrians do not respect the lights, drivers are uncertain whether a pedestrian is about to step off the curb. 

I remember when I started cycling - one of the biggest rules was to BE PREDICTABLE. Signal and make no sudden moves, as those are deadly, and no one knows what's going on in your head! So I just stay ALERT, which is why it's never a good idea to walk with headphones on or be on the phone!

Which is hilarious, since I had just walked past the library and was in the residential area, about one block away from the library. I typically don't pick up my phone when I'm walking, but I was taking a picture of the blooming trees and happened to check my email, only to see that I had just received an email saying my library book was available for pickup! I'll go back later today!

I also spotted this row of mini Canadian flags, like little flowers growing! 

Yeah Canada!

We are on the last EXIT Game puzzle, and it's a doozy. We've tried different things, and nothing seems to make sense. Hmmm --- we may have to look at a clue. One more time today, and then we look. 

While it wasn't super hot yesterday, it's time to retire the sweatpants. I was so hot after walking the dogs. I put on my shorts and wore them all day. But then my blood was circulating like mad after an excellent spin class. 

Time to dig out the shorts!

I kept the wool socks, though. I love these socks, and although they're expensive, they're worth every penny. I won't buy cheap athletic socks ever again! 

Something extraordinary happened at the gym. I was changing my shoes in the locker room for class when I realized I was thinking about my upcoming stretch session after class. And I was looking forward to it. WHAT? Did I just think that? Yep --- and I stretched for 20 minutes after the class. 

I'm going to sound like a broken record, and I'm going to sound like one of those goodie-two-shoes, but I can't believe how much better I feel since I started stretching. Night and day, and I'm not saying that to get you going, but it's 100% true. Stairs? What stairs? While I'm not running up them like I used to, I'm moving much faster (with caution and a handrail!) than I used to. And the best part? I'm experiencing so many pain-free hours with my back and leg that I'm jumping for joy! 

My legs are STRONGER, and that shows in the distances I'm cycling in spin class. The number is up from what it's been for a long time. I'm back to where I used to be. I feel better, I stand straighter, and well - I'm better! And all it's taken is a bit of stretching and balancing. 

I'm dead serious about not letting age dictate my life. If a bit of stretching a couple of times a week is going to keep me more active as I age, then so be it! It's a small price to pay for keeping my mobility. I refuse to let the ageing process defeat me and take my independence from me! It's going to happen one day, but I'm way too young to be experiencing debilitating ageing effects. 

As I sat at the table, puzzling over the EXIT Game, I needed to keep Murphy occupied. So I hid her ball in the bundle of blankets in her dog bed. It was hilarious to watch her. 

She started by pulling the blankets out of the bed. 

Mom - I'll find it! 

MOM - that's not my best side!

And she managed to find the ball, but it's hilarious to watch. So I hid it again. This time, the entire dog bed got pulled out of the corner. 

Mom - I can smell that ball - it's here! 

She was huffing and puffing after 5 or 6 episodes of fetching the ball. Just throwing the ball isn't enough, as she's too quick and is back in a flash. But this gives her brain something to do. I still get nothing done because I have to watch her, and it's all very entertaining. 

Mom - I know it's here somewhere!

She is also very persistent. When I take a snack downstairs, especially cucumber, she waits patiently beside my chair because she knows I'll throw her a couple of slices! 

Mom - I LOVE cucumber

I needed to clean my sewing machine, wind bobbins, and change the needle. Do you think it was a bit overdue? But I was soon back in business and sewing like mad. 

A bit of lint from the sewing machine

My package for the Trendtex Challenge was sent on April 22. The expected delivery date was April 24. It arrived yesterday! You can't beat that service! I have never (knock on wood) had an issue with mailing any package. OK - that's a lie - I did have a problem with a quilt once when I sent it to the US, and it was the paperwork going over the border that caused the issue, not the carrier. 

But have you heard about all the horror stories from people? Don't you sometimes think that it's karma? Those issues always happen to those who complain the loudest! Or maybe that's just my skewed perception of the matter. 

Well, I'm off to dodge the traffic, get a few more emails done, and then I'm sitting down at the sewing machine and going to sew my heart out today. And I can't wait to get started. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!