Still hating my cold

It's mostly morning sinus pressure and a recurring cough. My voice sounds very sexy, though.

Christmas delight bobeches

Christmas was lovely, despite my cold. I spent the afternoon with CD's family and had supper with them. The next day, CD and I drove to my father's house. Turns out, two bobeches for my stepmom isn't enough, her table display uses 5 candles. CD's car was acting up, not wanting to start, so we took my car. Sunday evening, CD, RG, and I went to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

I worked the following week, all three days of it. CD ended up having to work half a day on New Year's Eve but then we went to have supper at Casa san Carlo in Raleigh, with RG. Then JJ sent me a message; his brother died.

JJ decided to go through with the New Year's/late Christmas plans. It took his mind off it and gathered people who knew his brother. His brother was only 39.

To remember what I got this year (my list of things given are in a spreadsheet); a decorative basket with a pierced tin ornament, 3 different spice blends, hand lotion, and a pottery dish from my brother and his family; Dad and my stepmom gave me assorted teas, 2 ornaments, a beaded coin purse, a beaded purselet, and a journal; a candy sled from my stepmom; CD gave me an assortment of books (50 Plants that changed the course of History, Necropolis London, Historic Costumes and How to Make Them, Historic Costume in Pictures, and Authentic Victorian Fashion Patterns), all nonfiction; RG gave me a Hobbit movie soundtrack cd (Battle of 5 Armies); AH gave me an adorable Steampunk hat (that goes on with clips); JJ and LJ gave me a space capsule tea infuser and a T-Rex mug; KL and CL gave me a very nice pair of embroidery scissors and a neat thing to keep/hold them; and A and J gave me a book about Manga CrossStitch patterns.

chocolate sled

Played a couple new games over New Year's. Talked, laughed, and enjoyed myself. My namesake liked her new blanket and JJ was really impressed by the new video card; six of us chipped in to get it. One of the people who chipped in was his brother. Now he and namesake can play the video game I recommended, based on someone else's recommendation. A & J asked for a tatted dragon, in dark teal.

Monday, I asked my supervisor for Tuesday off. Tuesday, I went to the visitation and funeral, and then to the parents' house after. The funeral was a graveside service and oh, it was cold. The temperature was in the mid-30's, and windy. I had a blanket, shared with AH. But that didn't protect the back of my legs. The preacher did a good job, and sounded like he knew CJ. At the house, afterward, as usual, there was lots of food. Since I hadn't had much lunch, I dug into it.

funeral dress (and sweater)

I had directions from two different people and got really confused. I ended up touring the back roads and two different counties for about an hour. Finally, I called CD for help. Turned out, I had turned aside about 5 miles too soon, before I hit a main highway.

Last night, I had my monthly date with CC. We both vented and celebrated. One of her sheep died, and her 20-year-old fish died. RG's dog died before Christmas and well, JJ's brother. CC gave me 3 balls of thread, hand-dyed by her. I can't wait to use them. 

the picture is really washed out, the tin is burgundy

I started Jane's TIAS today, using the same thread. I only have 1 wing of the dragon left to do.

TIAS, day 1

pretty sunset

Neko Atsume

Unseasonably Cool

It's been unseasonably cool the past week or so. The high temperatures have been in the 80s and overnight has often been in the 60s (that's Fahrenheit). See some of cloud and sky pictures I've taken:Trigger warning, there's a picture of a bug after the clouds.

It's also been a bit wet. Last I heard, we're about 4.5" above our normal rainfall for July and more than 6" above normal for the year to date. I guess we won't be worrying about the water table this year.

I found an assassin bug on my leg one day. They eat roaches, etc.

I almost have my pawns for Pathfinder organized. This is how I do it.

Scrapbooking storage case

I start with this scrapbooking storage case. It's nice because it has some very helpful features. 

locking handle

The handle locks closed. The locks slide into place. There are two levels, with the lower one subdivided into several small niches and one big layer for the upper part.

bottom part, just after I opened it

upper shelf, holds the huge pawns and the bases

It's full of pawns

As I mentioned in my last post, I helped run the Pathfinder Society games for Fantasy Gamer Conclave.  Here's my table, all set up for the first game on Saturday. I'm all ready for my players. I ran 3-4 games over the course of the weekend; they were just fights really, not scenarios. But everyone fun and there was roleplaying.

I have been tatting. The rings are Ocean Sunset in Lizbeth 20 with Leafy Greens for the chains. I started out ring and ball then decided I wanted to add a ring 'leaf' to the chains. The picture on the left is me in mid wind from ball to around shuttle to onto my flat shuttle. The picture on the right show the 'leaf'.

Here is a bracelet I made. I need to add findings. 

I ordered threads from Yarnplayer, aka Marilee Rockely. Aren't they pretty. 

This weekend I go see Mom. And on the way back, I'm scheduled to have supper with a friend from high school. She lives in California so I see her every 2-3 years when she's back in the area to visit family.

And someone online showed me this entertaining website picture; group names of fantastic creatures.