Spring Challenge 2024

The Spring Equinox was late last night 3/19 at 11:00pm EDT, so now it's time to work on the spring challenges.

Figure out Spring trip logistics
Work on trunk quilts
Knit socks
Knit new cardigan pattern
Take items to Goodwill
Sort winter gear

Decided to take a break from the scarf, if I feel like knitting the tote with it and the yarn is in the living room. Think it's been taking too much of my knitting time and I want to do some lighter stuff. Priority is finishing the one quilt I will deliver in late April, then will focus on two I'll give to BiL and SiL this summer and then the ones for my sisters for Christmas.

Any plans or just the usual spring cleaning/de cluttering and seasonal chores?

Make up for last year and sort stuff, take to Goodwill, etc. Also sort some of the extra Restaurant equipment, including some stuff we got to sell from a school that shut down, so I can reimburse myself for stuff that the restaurant has needed.

Trunk quilt? That gave me a good laugh thinking of a quilt made from Swim trunks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ToomuchStuff

Make up for last year and sort stuff, take to Goodwill, etc. Also sort some of the extra Restaurant equipment, including some stuff we got to sell from a school that shut down, so I can reimburse myself for stuff that the restaurant has needed.

Trunk quilt? That gave me a good laugh thinking of a quilt made from Swim trunks.

---

Don’t push yourself, my friend.. The “ stuff” will be there next year, too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ToomuchStuff

Make up for last year and sort stuff, take to Goodwill, etc. Also sort some of the extra Restaurant equipment, including some stuff we got to sell from a school that shut down, so I can reimburse myself for stuff that the restaurant has needed.

Trunk quilt? That gave me a good laugh thinking of a quilt made from Swim trunks.

---

Attended a free virtual class on dealing with fabric scraps. One of the things was a trunk (boot if you're in the UK) quilt. It's a blanket you keep in the trunk of the car, just in case you need it for covering a seat to protect the seats from wet or messy people or pets, spur of the moment picnics, or source of warmth if stuck in traffic.

Sounds like a great plan, remember to pace yourself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hana

Attended a free virtual class on dealing with fabric scraps. One of the things was a trunk (boot if you're in the UK) quilt. It's a blanket you keep in the trunk of the car, just in case you need it for covering a seat to protect the seats from wet or messy people or pets, spur of the moment picnics, or source of warmth if stuck in traffic.

Sounds like a great plan, remember to pace yourself.

---

Ah,

My mother made me an afgan for that. I used it when awaiting a delivery at the restaurant that was supposed to be a night delivery. Our normal guy texts us and lets us know approximately when he will arrive, two other drivers, don't, and just show up, and I slept there one night waiting for them, only for them to show up at 7am and say (are you ready for us?), when there notes said call with time.>8)

Thanks for starting the thread, Hana. I have a substantial list and should experience no boredom whatsoever during the upcoming season, ha!

• Arrange eye exams and new glasses for DH and myself
• Start seeds for annual flowers
• Build a new, larger spice cabinet
• Polyurethane some worn areas on steps
• Paint bookcase
• Sand, prep and paint rolling pantry unit that we built last year
• Have hand rail for bedroom stairway installed at long last (I have carpenter from kitchen work lined up to do this next week!)
• Master one healthy recipe
• Research/check out 2 - 3 facilities so we're a bit more prepared when/if Mom ends up needing to be placed
• Wash windows, screens, curtains and shades (yearly recurring)
• Regular misc seasonal recurring stuff: put out hoses, hammock, plants in ground, containers planted, storm door panels changed to screens, change over bedding

Figure out Spring trip logistics started
Work on trunk quilts ongoing
Knit socks 30% done
Knit new cardigan pattern need to find the pattern
Take items to Goodwill done
Sort winter gear not yet


Started looking at the logistics of our spring trip, will finalize this weekend. Keep on working on the trunk quilts, sewing lots of blocks, will assemble the April gift blanket next week. Working on the socks, and looking for the cardigan pattern, it's not in the binder where I keep the knitting patterns. Think I put it with the yarn. Took 3 bags of stuff to Goodwill yesterday. Thinking about putting away some of the winter gear, mainly the winter coat and fleece lined jeans.

Where are you going for your spring trip, Hana, or is that part of what you are figuring out?

Rosa, we're going to Atlanta then Richmond on consecutive weekends. We're attending two events from Thursday-Sunday and trying to figure out what to do on the Monday-Wednesday in between. We both work remote so we will work Monday-Wednesday regardless of options.

Option 1 Atlanta-Home-Richmond-Home, get to sleep in our bed and do laundry easily.

Option 2 Atlanta-Raleigh-Richmond-Home, take a few days to see friends and ask to borrow laundry room during visit

Option 3 Atlanta-Richmond-Home We're friends with the head of the Richmond event so we could stay with him and use the laundry, will be drafted to help with logistics and last minute event planning.

Sent texts to the Raleigh friends and already had the invite to arrive in Richmond early, Need to look at thing and make a decision since we leave 3 weeks from today

Good luck in choosing the best option, Hana!
I did two coats on my bookcase yesterday, but I'll need to do a third.
Carpenter showed up really late yesterday to finish installing the range hood, so he did not get to do the railing. He said he will come back to do it another day, so hopefully that will happen fairly soon. It seems like he is chronically overextended.

We decided to take option 1 for the trip so it will be Atlanta - home - Richmond - home. Didn't want to impose on our friend when he is at the busiest time of year and our Raleigh friends will be out of town.

Found the pattern, it was with the yarn I put aside for the project.

Hana, Don't you love when you have put things together....then look for one part-pattern- and it is right where it needed to be? Always makes me feel clever but foolish for not remembering!

The bookcase is all painted, and the rolling pantry is all prepped and painted.

Update before the trip

Figure out Spring trip logistics done
Work on trunk quilts all blocks done, April quilt done
Knit socks 60% done
Knit new cardigan pattern just started
Take items to Goodwill done
Sort winter gear in progress

Leaving ton the spring trip early tomorrow so here's an update. April trunk quilt is done and ready for delivery which will happen next week. Started the cardigan and finished a sock. Started the second sock and will take it on the trip. Put away the fleece lined jeans and husband will put away the duvet once the cover is washed. Caved in and started the A/C yesterday since it was in the 80s inside and we were both sweating. Of course a storm will hit the area when we're gone and drop the temperature. Will put the rest of the winter gear away in early May.

Enjoy your trip, Hana!
I'm making good progress on the windows.
Instead of visiting facilities, I had Mom evaluated for in-home hospice care (she has declined quite a bit). She isn't eligible yet, but the RN said she is very close and would most likely be eligible for in-home palliative care, so we have an eval for that scheduled for 4/30. We would like to keep her at home as long as possible. When she is alone, she mostly sleeps, so we are fortunate that she is not inclined to wander or burn the house down or anything.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rosarugosa

Enjoy your trip, Hana!
I'm making good progress on the windows.
Instead of visiting facilities, I had Mom evaluated for in-home hospice care (she has declined quite a bit). She isn't eligible yet, but the RN said she is very close and would most likely be eligible for in-home palliative care, so we have an eval for that scheduled for 4/30. We would like to keep her at home as long as possible. When she is alone, she mostly sleeps, so we are fortunate that she is not inclined to wander or burn the house down or anything.

---

oh rosa, I am sorry to hear your mother is entering this end phase of life.I’m glad you and your sister are there to help her through it. You are being proactive! Good for you.

So sorry to hear about your mother, rosa. I hope you and your sister are able to work things out for her.

Thanks for the good thoughts. It's a sucky situation, but at least we have a small but mighty team working harmoniously to support her.

rosa, sorry to hear about your mother's decline. Glad she can spend the rest of her days in a familiar place. My uncle and grandma's doctor decided she needed to go to a memory care since she started wandering and falling during the night.

The April quilt is in the car and will be given to the recipient this weekend. I'll start on the two quilts for BiL and SiL when we get back. Not sure on delivery date since we not sure when we will visit.

I won’t take the test. Any American who assumes they are living lightly on earth is pretty delusional.

Same thing with Americans who whine about the 1%. Americans ARE the 1% worldwide, or at least the 5%.

I'm glad to have taken the test as it served as a good reminder to me that, no matter how well I may think I am doing - I could do better. And, more importantly - I WANT to do better. (Not a comment on anyone else - just a me-thing.)

Figure out Spring trip logistics done
Work on trunk quilts 1 of 5 done
Knit socks done
Knit new cardigan pattern in progress
Take items to Goodwill done
Sort winter gear almost done

First quilt successfully delivered, and working on quilts #2 and #3, not sure when they will be delivered. Finished the socks on the Spring trip. Going to start another pair of socks soon since they're a great travel project and my company's annual convention is at the end of the month. Working on the cardigan by doing a small bit every day, should have it done by end of August at my current pace. Winter gear except my fall jacket is washed and stored. Currently going through a cold snap right now so I'll wash it and hang in the closet once it warms up again.

Today finally DH installed a banister on the stairway from the first floor to our basement. I’ve been asking for it for months, and gave him a deadline of May 1. So he’s only a few days off,

I live for 20 some years in our city house with no banister on the stairs. I’m not doing that again. OK well we still need a banister from our first floor to our second floor, but I think that will happen in the next six months.

The basement bannister was critically since I’m carrying flower junk up and down the steps.

Yes, glad you have the bannister Iris, they are crucial at our age!

Figure out Spring trip logistics done
Work on trunk quilts 1 of 5 done
Knit socks done
knit 2nd pair 30%
Knit new cardigan pattern in progress
Take items to Goodwill done
Sort winter gear almost done

Finished the top for quilt #2 and on a sewing break until June due to my company's convention this weekend and husband's dental surgery as soon as I get back. I'll start pinning quilt #2 to the backing and pin blocks for quilt #3. Still no idea when we will visit the in laws.

Added second pair of socks to the list since I'm taking it to the convention and will use it as wind down time in the evenings.

Think the cold snap is over, going to wait until after the convention to wash and put away the fall jacket. Last Saturday felt more like November than May.

I had forgotten to put it on my list this season, but I did the closet cleanout/seasonal switch yesterday. It only took me about 2 hours, and it used to take me several hours over 2 - 3 days. The slow and steady paring down of excess clothing has really made a difference!

Figure out Spring trip logistics done
Work on trunk quilts 1 of 5 done
Knit socks done
Knit 2nd pair 50% done
Knit new cardigan pattern in progress
Take items to Goodwill done
Sort winter gear done

Husband is recovering from surgery and is still under weight restrictions until his follow up appointment next week. The plan to clean out the invisible closet is delayed. I'll add it to the summer list.

Finished quilt top #3 and need to sew them to their backings. Probably a good sign since youngest nephew wants to buy the late in law's house. He and his wife (she's a vet) have a VA loan and it's subject to inspections and agreeing on a few things. Once those things are set we will visit for a couple of weeks so husband can sign his share of the paperwork and get a decent sized check.

Finished the one of the 2nd pair at the work convention and started the new one, I might put it aside for the Summer trip and focus on the cardigan.

Hana: I hope your husband makes a speedy recovery! In the meantime, you must explain about the "invisible closet" please!

Wishing your dh a speedy recovery! I'm also curious about the "invisible closet". LOL

Rosa and happystuff: thanks for the well wishes. He still has a bit of swelling and looks like he was punched in the nose. Things are going according to the follow up information the surgeon sent us, and he can't lift anything heavier than 10lbs. He has a follow up on Tuesday

In one cleaning blog I follow describes invisible spots ie a closet, corner, room, or space you see so often that it doesn't register as a mess. The past few winters have been so mild that we rarely grab anything from the closet.

Ah, that makes sense. I've definitely had aha moments of realizing that something looks a bit messy or otherwise suboptimal, but it didn't really register because I was so used to seeing it, and things were in their place (although maybe it wasn't the best place).

I finally scheduled the eye exams for DH and I.

I don't know that I am at the "invisible closet" stage of my household. I tend to be someone that deals with what is "in my face". Example - when cleaning out the attic, I would bring several boxes down and plop them right in the living room (or other living space). I would deal with them slowly until I got sick of them being there. LOL.

Final spring checklist

Figure out Spring trip logistics done
Work on trunk quilts 3 of 5 done
Knit socks done
knit 2nd pair 60%
Knit new cardigan pattern in progress
Take items to Goodwill done
Sort winter gear done


Finished the quilts for SiL and BiL, not sure when we're visiting. One of the nephews wants to buy the property and their at the housing inspection stage. Trying to time the visit for the sale so we only have to make one trip so husband will only have to go once to sign paperwork. Finished one sock in the 2nd pair and 40% done with the second sock. Still expect to finish the cardigan in August.