Sep 6, 2011

Yes, I'm Surviving



another week of school. Last week, I had 4 homework assignments, 3 chapters (87pgs) to read, 2 online assignments to post, and 1 paper to write. It was tough, but I made it! The grueling schedule isn't getting much easier: Work, Homework, Sleep. Rinse. Repeat. How many more weeks to go in this semester? Oh yeah... 4 more. That reminds me.. this week is midterms.


CELESTE
She sure has my readers fooled, doesn't she? Looking like she poses all cute and pretty for the camera. Actually, my little snot adorable furbaby hates having her photo taken. She will see me coming and as soon as I put the camera to my face, she will turn her head! I always have to catch her off guard, or use my long zoom lens so that she doesn't know it's her I'm actually photographing, lol. You can see a chronicle of her life HERE. Wasn't she a cute baby??!

STITCHY STUFF
Last week, I finished stitching and beading HOE "Words of Christmas" ornament. All I need to do is finish it into an ornament. No pics -- It's a surprise!

I also got out Blossom Splendor and finished up one page and started another. She now has her other hand and all her hair. The page I'm working on now has a ton of those blue and purple flowers... and lots of confetti stitches.

Other WIP pics can be seen HERE
.

THE HOMESTEAD
Lots of repairs going on at The Homestead. Over the weekend, I had to fix one the shelves in my spare room closet. I built these last year. Unfortunately, it didn't occur to me to put the grain of the shelf perpendicular to the brackets. Even though there wasn't much weight on it, the shelf split right down the middle. Solution? Wood glue and supporting bars underneath.

The best part? New Tools!! Actually, I didn't need new tools. I *could have* used screws and my cordless drill. As fun as that might be, I opted for door #2! I'd been wanting a small air compressor for a while, and Menards had a Tool Shop brand on sale for $50 off the normal price. Yes, I *know*. Cheap! Cheap price, cheap made. For what I'll use it for, it'll do.


It came with a stapler, brad nailer, and finishing nailer. I HAD to try them all out when I got home. I ended up using the brad nailer to fix my shelf. Worked great! OK, so one project down.

Back in May, I bought a new laser printer. I replaced my 17-year old HP laser printer. I've only used the new printer a few times, and it's planting thumbprint size spots on the paper. After contacting Brother (that's the brand, not *my* brother, lol), they emailed me a few things to try. The first one didn't work. The second one involves cleaning the drum... Haven't gotten that far.

What else could go wrong? Umm... Last night, I decided to soak in the tub since my back has been bothering me. As I dried off, I heard the tub draining and then... I heard it stop and the sink started gurgling. Water came up about 1/4" in my sink! Not what I wanted to deal with at 8:30PM! So, off to the store I go to get some clog stuff. Did it work? Nope. At least it's draining... albeit s-l-o-w-ly. I did try the plunger on the sink -- black, yucky stuff came up. I think I'll need to snake it.

Stay tuned for next time...

24 comments:

Pam in IL said...

Hubby has that exact same compressor! He has used it alot and loves the nailers too. Your Blossom Splendor is looking great! My little furbaby, Snickers knows when I have the camera too and always turns away or hides. They sure can get into mischief can't they!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a grueling start to your schooling. Only 4 more weeks to go. I know you can do it. Your Blossom WIP is looking great. You'll be finished before you know it. Great buy on those tools. You don't need to spend an arm & a leg for something that your only going to use once in a while. Sorry about your printer & your plumbing. Hope all works out with them.
Betty in AZ (ILCS)

Sue said...

You are ONE fabulous 'tool woman' LOL..........I really admire you Meari; you amaze me all that you can do for yourself.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, Blossom Splendor! She is looking gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Yay! I'm all caught up on your blog now. :) Celeste is such a cutie. Blossom is looking great, though I didn't see any pics of JG. BTW - I saw JG at the MN state fair last weekend - it won Champion. :) CONGRATS on finally getting rid of J2. Hopefully something much better comes your way soon.

Karin

Unknown said...

Wow, lots of work for your schooling!
Celeste is a diva like my furbaby Lindita lol.
Love the stitching, it is so pretty!

Mouse said...

ohhhh dear to the plug problem .. thing you need some caustic soda crystals down there as well as a snake tool .. love your other tools too way to go girl another thats not afraid to tackle DIY :) love mouse xxxx

Kay said...

Sounds like school is very demanding anymore for you. Your Celeste sounds like my Tamzien, I like to call her my Queen bee Diva because she has that attitude at home all the time with acting like she is miss thing, lol! Blossom is looking beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Had to laugh. We're two of a kind! Last week I bought 3 nailers and a stapler in a set, unused, at a garage sale. Couldn't resist and I needed it badly. Still need an air compressor but my neighbor has one so no big deal.

Judith Truly in OH

Shelleen said...

I am so in awe of you and what you fix around the house.

Shelley said...

Oh I hate drain problems. They are so icky! Hope snaking it fixes the problem.

Good luck on your midterm!

Blossom is looking beautiful :)

Nancy M said...

If the snake doesn't fix it, may the force be with you! Nice stitching progress with your schedule. Brett started back at WMU today. 2 classes plus working close to 40 hours. Hope he is dedicated to getting good grades this time!

Anonymous said...

That is a lot of studying to do in such a short time.

Your stitching is coming along nicely. Celeste is so cute.

You sure are handy with tools.

Marl

Sunshine said...

Celeste is such a cutie!!! I enjoyed seeing her grow up... Great pics!!!
BS is really coming along. Good luck with school, & Happy Stitchin!
PS....You're becoming a regular DIYer...You Go Girl!!!!

Joy said...

Yikes!

Love the WIP.

That new Liquid Plumer stuff that is like two liquids that combine is excellent stuff. We cleaned out the Dyson in the bathtub (big mistake) and majorly clogged the drain. Problem was fixed in a jiffy.

Anonymous said...

You have made such progress from a few months ago on your WIP. She is beautiful.

So is Celeste. She was a beautiful baby. Do you ever give in and let her have people food? I do with my guys so they are over weight.

You have been socked with school work. John has so much he feels like he is overwhelmed. He works through being overwhelmed into being in control.

Tina

Carol said...

Ugh--plumbing problems are the worst, Meari! Sure hope you can snake is successfully and don't need to call in a professional.

If you can't find a new 2nd job in your field, I think you could easily hostess a TV show for women on home repair--I'm always so impressed with all you do (and know!) around the home!

Blossom Splendor is looking splendid--what a lovely fabric you chose.

Akila said...

Just hang on there, am sure you'll fell great at the end for all the efforts :)
Blossom splendor is sooo beautiful. Simply lover her.
Hope your printer and tub are repaired soon

Anonymous said...

Your stitching looks gorgeous and Celeste too.

Oh those tools are great too :)

Tinna

Angie said...

Love the stitching.

Wow what a lot of schoolwork.

Nice compressor, reminds me that hubby has been wanting one.

Patty C. said...

I love your "little snot"
roflol

Anonymous said...

Meari,

Your updates are always the best - congratulations on your mid-terms - I just love Celeste - she is too adorable!

Tara

MaryT said...

Celeste is such a pretty little girl. I had a terrier once named Brillo and she didn't like her picture taken either, she would bark at you if she caught you at it! LOL Your stitching is beautiful!!
Mary Louise in IN

glenda said...

love stitchy updates :)

chrisstitches said...

I'll babysit Celeste....(haha) since my husb won't let me get a furbaby.
Kyle is so big, 8 & in second grade, but is very attached to stuffed dog Spice, our 2 real steers & 12 hens....who are eating lots now...
Chris