Prepping the film studio

 Wow, someone mentioned another brand of socks, and they can make the left and the right in different weaves! I'm off to spin class this morning, so no time to post the link. I should do a recap of socks, but if you are willing to buy quality that lasts, there are many brands. There will be no more cheap brands in the future. 

Speaking of cheap, I didn't pay a lot for that extra camcorder, and it shows! But since I have two other pretty decent ones, I set the new one where I need it the least. I'm tempted to buy the new one, but it's so expensive, and I won't use it much. So—just say no!!

I purchased something the other day, and when I arrived home from my walk, the box was on the front step. Yes - as you can see, I purchased it from my favorite online store. I needed it TODAY, and since it's a bit of a specialty item, I decided to bite the bullet and buy it. 

My package arrived

I took it downstairs and opened the box. Good grief—another box. Why could they not have put a shipping label on the original box and called it a day? Oh, because the original box wasn't a standard size for them, and it would likely have caused all kinds of issues in the automated system to get it from the shelf to the truck. Sigh.

A box within a box

I opened the second box, and with some assembly required, it was together. 

A saddle chair

It's a saddle stool with an optional back, but I didn't have a chance to track down a wrench to make that happen. Perhaps there was one in the box? I don't remember seeing one.

Why did I need this? I've been wanting one for at least a year. When I do my live presentations (not a PowerPoint), I use multiple cameras in multiple locations in my film area. There's NO room for a bulky chair, so I've been using a couple of small orange stools, which are challenging because you physically have to move them. I've only fallen off once and whacked my head on the table, but that was during a virtual retreat, so no big deal. 

This small stool will allow me to scoot from table to table easily and quickly. The base isn't huge, so I must be careful not to tip it over, but I can grab any table and use that to assist in the scooting. I tried it yesterday, and it works like a charm. I should have purchased one long before now. 

It took almost all day to get things set up the way I wanted. I did not want to buy any new cables, and I managed to connect all the cameras to the switch box and to power without doing that! The main table is clear, and the samples are piled on the small orange stools under the table, so all is good. 

The film studio is set up for today

I still have a couple of samples to make this morning, and all will be good to go. 

I went for a manicure yesterday. That was an experience. I went to one of the nail places that seem to be a dime a dozen. I didn't have an appointment, but they could take me immediately. The place was pretty busy, and the staff spoke very little English, if any at all. But I got what I wanted - clear polish and nails cleaned up! I should go more regularly to keep the nails neat and tidy since it's not something I like to do myself. Yes - I walked there! 

Did I mention that Miss Muprhy was there helping me? I put this tablecloth on the table, and she just lay there with it covering her face! What a goof!!!

MOM - I can't see! 

I completed some paperwork in the morning, but there is still more to do. After this Facebook Live today, my focus turns to Quilt Canada and anything that needs to be done for that. But I laughed when I walked into the office this morning. This corner looks like a tornado went through. Drawers are open, paper is on the floor (there is only one, so that's good), and the desktop? It's a total disaster! 

My office this morning

At one point, I was looking for a ruler. I couldn't find one in the drawer, although I swear it's there, tucked along the edge. I was about to walk downstairs and get one, and then I glanced at my mouse pad. Good grief—it has an amazing ruler in metric and imperial. Perfect—I measured what I needed, and all was good. That's one of those examples of not seeing the forest for the trees! 

Measuring tools on my mouse pad

A while back, we got some landscaping done in the backyard - just replacing some dying shrubs. We also got a new tap for the water and a new hose reel. It's pretty spiffy, but there is one slight problem. I can't hear the water rushing through the pipe where the tap is located to remind me that it's on! The pond needed topping up, and I turned the water on and then forgot about it. An hour later, I remembered. Thankfully, the pond was relatively low, and all was good. I had tried to set Alexa to set a timer (the ONLY reason we have one in the kitchen), and she didn't understand me as the kettle was boiling. 

The new hose reel

Does anyone use Alexa anymore? It was such a rage when it came out, and I used it for the radio and a couple of other things - answering questions just for fun. The radio sucked and kept cutting out, so I use an app on my phone now, which is so much more stable. And well, Alexa is now used as a timer in our house, and that's it! 

This was my quote from yesterday's tea bag. Am I the only one who saves my tea bag to make more than one cup of tea? I doubt that. I can't tell the difference between the first and second cups. 

A great quote

I love this quote. Yes, we must love and respect who we are today, but I don't want to be the same person tomorrow. I want to learn, grow, and experience life each and every day, which will change me in some small fashion. 

And Miss Muprhy is standing guard at the pond while it is filling up! She is so annoying when I try to relax in the backyard that I've had to come into the house just to escape her nonsense! The barking for attention wears thin after a while. 

Mom - I'm trying to help!

And there she is with her friend, Lulu! She has reached the point where she can meet this dog without barking her head off. Not a peep from her yesterday. I feel bad for Lulu, as her dog parents don't realize how dogs play. They dress her up in ridiculous outfits when it rains. She always had gunk on her nose—stuff that they must put there. And she's always super happy to see me for some love! They take very good care of her - she's meticulously groomed, unlike Murphy, and goes for many walks during the day, but she's treated like a baby! 

Lulu and Murphy

I've been reading this book, which is set in England (Slow Horses by Mick Herron), and I've found it challenging to read. The book's writing makes it hard to understand, the plot just bounced around with no plan, but I persevered, and now I have 9 hours left and 75 pages to go. How will I manage that when I have samples to make? OH - I'll read while they are stitching out. I'll read during breakfast and lunch, and hopefully, I can finish in nine hours. I'm so close, I'd hate to have that ebook disappear right at the end! 

If you want to watch the Facebook Live, it's at 3:00 EDT TODAY. Here's the link to get connected. It's all about decorative stitches in embroidery, but even if you do not have an embroidery machine, I'll be chatting about decorative stitches in sewing mode to get started! There will be lots of fun and hopefully inspiring ideas for you to see. You'll have to copy and paste that—I can't seem to make it live. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1228663985563387

On that note, I'd better get myself organized for spin class. 

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!