Anger management

I will be the first to admit that there are days when I should be enrolled in anger management training. However, I will say that it's not because of what I do - it's what others do to me. Within the last two weeks, I received SIX requests for information on my personal travel plans from the same person. I'm past the point of caring if anyone else knows.  

I asked why they needed to know that information, and the answer I got was lame. I decided (spitefully—I admit it) that I wasn't going to provide that information. It had no bearing on any other dealings we might have, and in my mind, this person was just being nosey, as usual. It goes a bit deeper than that, but I'm not going there this morning. 

When I was asked a sixth time yesterday, I lost it! You would think that if I haven't already answered the question, the asker would give up! Nope - try a different way, and it's still the same question. I really don't care that I embarrassed myself in front of someone else. But I really do need to learn some witty comebacks, not angry outbursts. 

I have been provoked on many occasions, and I don't react the first time, nor the second, nor the third, but continued digs get to me, and I lash out, especially when I perceive them as intentional. 

What typically happens is the culprit does it in a place where other people are around. The first instances might be quiet, but as the situation escalates, others who don't know the background end up feeling very uncomfortable, and I don't blame them.  

So—the bottom line is—if I don't play the game or I don't answer your question, STOP! It's as simple as that. What I dislike is the INTENT that is often behind these incidents. I feel (I could be wrong) that the person intentionally provokes me and continues to escalate their actions until I lash out. It's happened multiple times with different people. 

The question is how to deal with this? I have to go back and explain the backstory to the others present and tell them why I lashed out, so they don't think they need to walk on eggshells around me. And I have to face the culprit to explain that I don't want toxic people in my life. Or at least, I minimize my contact with them. What it does is heighten my distrust of those people. Sigh...........

Oh well --- that is life. Now to find some witty comebacks! Just walk away!!!! Just walk away!!! Perhaps I should talk to a counselor to get all the anger deep within my soul for these instances out, and then I can let it go! 

Yes -- that was more personal than perhaps you needed or wanted to know, but you know what? I'm tired of hiding the crap that gets dished out to me! My first step is to say that I will make any incident public (without naming names) to ensure others realize this behavior is unacceptable and borders on bullying. We must make it stop for everyone! I have been a target of bullying my entire life, and I always kept it bottled up inside. I'm not going to do that any longer. 

And now onto happier things!!!!

I have the name of the pattern that we saw yesterday. Remember the rose?

English Roses

 

The designer is Eileen Bahring Sullivan (The Designer's Workshop). The pattern is called English Roses, and it was published in 2000. So if you think freezer paper paper-piecing is new, it's at least 26 years old! Thanks for the information, as I had forgotten to look it up. 

Before I forget, let me tell you the app story. I was at the library yesterday, and they have an app that lets you stay on top of your loans right on your phone. I don't think I have that app, but I should download it. WAIT -- I lied. I do have the app on my phone. 

The library app

 

But this isn't about the library app, it's about the app for Tims. I typically don't go to Tim's, only when I'm away. I know - I should be searching out the small cafes, but it is convenient. When I went in to get a tea with my two laundry baskets zipped together, there were two people at each of the two order kiosks. This was when I was at the retreat. I could have gone to the counter, but at that location, everyone seems to use the in-store order kiosks. 

It was obvious from their actions that both pairs were struggling with how it works. Good grief—I wasn't going to wait while they learned how to order at the kiosk. So I opened the app, placed my order, got my order, and was on my way out as one pair was finishing their order. The other people were still there. 

While I'm not a fan of ordering online like that, I'd much prefer to order in person, so I may start doing that in the future! 

And as they say -- there's an app for that! There's an app for everything these days!

Yesterday wasn't my most productive sewing day in a long time. I had Monday sewing, but I also had ultrasounds for both knees. Let's hope that I don't have to go further than that step to figure out what to do with the knees. My next appointment isn't until the end of July. 

But I learned two things yesterday, and I suppose these are things that we may or may not subsconsiously know, so bear with me as I explain. 

I walked to the clinic, which I know sounds like an oxymoron - you have trouble with your knees, yet you walk to the appointment. My knees don't hurt all the time, and I'm really trying to find preventive measures to keep them from getting worse. And yesterday was a good day for my knees! As I waited at a stoplight for the light to change, I realized that when the countdown appears on the other side for pedestrians, the audible beep is timed to it. Each beep is one second. Now I've seen and heard those signs hundreds of times, but it was only yesterday that it clicked. DUH!!!!

And when the technician was doing the ultrasound, I asked questions. They now have machines that warm the gel BEFORE they apply it to the area to be scanned. That's neat! But why the gel? It appears that ultrasound waves require a liquid to function. Without the liquid, you would get a black image. And filling the bladder before abdominal ultrasounds? The urine helps conduct the waves and move the organs into specific positions for a better view! 

And there you have it --- two things I learned yesterday!

As I walked back, I walked alongside this new building. I wasn't impressed with the quality of the materials on the undersides of those balconies. The building is NEW, and yet it looked like the material had cracked in several places along the bottom! It's all cosmetic, but still!!!

Looks like shoddy work on the underside of the balconies

And while I was at the library, I spotted this knitting book. Yikes!!!! I think I'll be leaving that behind! 

Knitting anyone? 

But speaking of knitting, I found my book tucked into another bag of knitting. Oh - I guess I need to address that someday. I had a quick glance and didn't see the binding method I used, but I'll check again. And I have to set up a Zoom with someone who can help me. And I'll go back to the person who got me involved in this project, and hopefully, with all those resources, I can figure it out. And once I do, then I MUST get the afghan done so I won't forget again!

I found my knitting book.

It was a nice day yesterday, and Lexi was out sunbathing again! She likes to lie with her head askew, and how can that be comfortable? 

MOM -- I'm soaking up the sun

Murphy is just happy and will lie anywhere where stuff can cling to her fur!

MOM - I'm just so happy you are home!

Our gardener guy was here while I was away, but I find he didn't get all the weeds like he usually does. It wasn't in bad shape because I had already been out doing some weeding. No worries, I did some more weeding and then took care of five bags of mulch. It's pretty thick in some places, but I'm OK with that. 

One mulched area

This is the place where Murphy likes to lie down. Hopefully, the mulch will prevent that from happening, but I'm not holding my breath. The creeping vines love this bed, and the roots are very hard to get out. I'll have to keep an eye on it. 

The next area with mulch

I cleaned more muck out of the pond, the filter, and the motor. There are so many pine needles about 3 inches long, and they get through any filter. A total nuisance, but a fact of life in our backyard. 

And of course, Murphy was up to her old tricks. There is one ball in the pond. 

Ball One!

And then there were two because I wasn't cooperating with her! Intent!!!! That dog throws the balls in with intent! 

MOM -- I can play bob the balls in the pond!!

And after all that was done, I headed for the gazebo. I need to put the frog back in its rightful place by the pond. 

My quiet place

The lilacs are in bloom, and they smell wonderful. I could have sat outside all afternoon, but I had other work in the house. I don't even remember what work it was, but I'm sure it was something important. But by that time, I probably had to get to the grocery store to buy something for dinner. 

The lilacs are in bloom.

I managed to get all those half-square triangles trimmed that I didn't at the retreat. These are now back in the retreat bag, and I'll finish sewing them at the next retreat. 

The HSTs are trimmed.

I'm making great progress on clearing off the cutting table - slow and steady, and trying to find a home for everything! 

More progress on clearing the cutting table

I also managed to draft the pattern for the dog quilt with the panel. There are now three more dog quilts to sew together. One has the panel, but will need coping strips so the blocks fit. That was drafted in EQ8, and all I need is to find some fabric. Then that goes in the bag. Those will get done at the next retreat, along with sewing more scraps. I'm working my way through this, and all will be good examples for my upcoming scrap class starting in the fall. 

By the way, I have settled on the classes for the fall!!! I just need to work them into my calendar, and then I'll post them. I've tried to find something for everyone and tried to accommodate the choices I offered. So yes, there is more than one class. There are more than two classes, but several are short. I'll try not to keep you waiting too long, but I won't be taking signups until later in the summer. And please don't plan to take everything!!! Just because -- take it because you want to learn something or do some of the projects, but I think we are all over the act of just signing up for everything. 

WAIT --- I heard a really funny thing the other day. We are all familiar with FOMO (fear of missing out). But here's a new one to embrace - JOMO - the JOY of missing out!!! I love it!!!!! As I was walking home from the library, I overheard a man walking in front of me talking about FOMO to someone, and I got a chuckle. It's not just quilters who have FOMO!!!

And oh my -- it doesn't take me long to get into trouble. I have volunteered to work with the Canadian Jigsaw Puzzle Association! I know -- that didn't take long. We are chatting back and forth via email to find something for me to do. It won't require a lot of work, but it helps me to get connected with the puzzlers!! I'll keep you posted because I think it's going to be fun and won't take long. 

Well, on that note, it's time to get moving. I have a bunch of wedding stuff to do today. By the way, I got what I needed done yesterday, but I need a follow-up today. So that's on the agenda, and a quilt has to be quilted today as well. 

Have a super day!!!!!

Ciao!!!!