Monday, February 24, 2014

Update on Progress

Feed Sack Totes: A Great Way to Recycle
This past weekend had it share of ups and downs. First for the down: My radiator blew. It was sort of my fault and sort of not. We noticed the clip for the fan (the fan is electric) was broken when we were replacing the water pump. We should have taped it to ensure its connection, but we didn't. Anyway, I was waiting for someone so we could leave for a weekend trip. While waiting, I left the car idling. Evidently the fan had disconnected and the car overheated. The next thing you know, steam was pouring out from under my hood. $145 later, I have a new radiator installed and need to purchase a new front grill. Yes, my luck was doubly bad when the hood release failed. In order to get the latch open, we had to bust in through the front grill. Replacing that part should be another $100. Meanwhile, my Jeep has a big, black smile.


For the up, I spent most of the weekend chilling at my house and sewing. I finished the curtains that will go under the kitchen cabinets and began converting old feed bags into tote bags. They turned out great. I have 10 or so more bags waiting to be used, so I have plenty to keep me busy. I will never run short of tote bags! The best part about using old feed bags for this purpose is that you can spray them out with a garden hose. They will come in handy for all kinds of purposes. I will be doing a video DIY on how to make your own this week and get it posted so you too can make your own tote bags. 
The Easter Bunny Would Be Proud

I have also begun packing my house. Packing over time makes a move that much easier. I have been saving copy paper boxes from work and have already packed a dozen or so. I started by focusing on things from the kitchen that I don't use every day. Decorative nick-knacks were all washed carefully before being wrapped in clean newsprint I purchased at U-Haul. It feels good to begin to see progress on culling that which I don't need and that which I want to take. It is fun imagining each item in use in the Shouse. 

My friend went out and took a video of my property for me. There is an old mobile home on the site that is going to be hauled off soon and I wanted to make sure of where the well and septic were in relation to the building. She and her family wandered around the site taking video which gave me some really good information. I am glad to have two particular concerns answered: first, I have mailboxes and second, the well has concrete poured around it, making building a pump house easy enough (even thought the concrete is not very thick and has a crack). I am also sure that the well opening and pipes are obvious enough so that no one will hit them with a vehicle while removing the old mobile home. Here is the link to the video of my property in case you would like to see it. I would like to point out to all those who have not been to Oklahoma, not all of Oklahoma is flat prairie without trees. I have big, gorgeous trees that will provide divine shade in the summer and protection from the wind in winter. Oh to listen to the sound of the wind through trees again!

This week I would like to accomplish a couple more sewing projects. I have two quilts to finish up so that I can send them to the quilter (ya, I don't do that by hand. I have no time, nor space, nor patience for hand quilting) and I need to trace out the blocks for my next embroidery project. I plan to finish up the seed bag totes as well. I also plan to record a podcast (sorry it has been a while) and get some more packing done. 

So there you have it. The update may not be very exciting, but the progress I am making makes me feel very good. 




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