Summer 2024

Good morning and welcome to the longest day in the Northern hemisphere. Summer begins at 4:50pm EDT so now is the time to work on those summer projects.

Here's my list and will add to it in the future:

Summer trip
Make eye appointment
Cardigan
2nd pair socks
Start on trunk quilts #4 and #5
restart scarf

My eye dr decided to retire and I keep calling other offices about appointments and they don't return my calls. My prescription has changed so I need new glasses, I'll keep trying. The socks and cardigan are leftover from Spring, on schedule for them both. Last trunk quilts are Christmas gifts so I'm going to get as much done as I can this summer since Fall is my busiest job wise and I don't want to end up in a sewing marathon to finish them in December.

Hana: Do you have a Costco nearby? Our local Costco has an affiliated optometrist onsite, and their eyeglass prices are excellent. When I had vision coverage through my employer, it was still cheaper to get glasses through Costco even without using the coverage.

The Costco near me sells glasses, but doesn't have an affiliated optometrist. I contacted 3 optometrists that have shops within a few blocks of Costco via phone, email, and their online portals and no response. Going to find someone in a different part of the city. Getting prescription done at Costco regardless of where I end up optometrist wise.

Good luck in your quest, Hana! Some things seem to be a lot harder than they should be.

Here is my summer list:

• Get handrail installed (this keeps getting carried forward, but look how long the kitchen was on my various to-do lists and it finally got done!)
• Get sump pump replaced
• Get dryer vent cleaned (I hear this is a top cause of home fires and should be done annually, and we've had it done, um, never. So many vent cleaning scammers out there though, that and auto detailing for some reason!)
• Pruning: halesias, callicarpas, boxwood
• Clean up outdoor work/potting area
• Explore reverse mortgage on Mom's house to be prepared for her increasing needs for assistance in the future
• Produce some pottery for fall/winter fairs (expecting to do fairs in Oct and Dec, and want to make some items specifically for selling)

Summer trip dates decided
Make eye appointment in progress
Cardigan 70% done
2nd pair socks done
Start on trunk quilts #4 and #5 in progress
restart scarf haven't started it yet
Housewarming trunk quilt started
knit socks in progress


Have the dates set for the summer trip, and hoping husband can sign the papers to sell the property to his nephew. One of the trunk quilts will be a housewarming gift.

Finished the socks and started on another pair. Planning on finishing the cardigan before the trip, the pieces are knitted, I just need to sew them together.

There's a eye doctor near my dentist, so I'll go in person and schedule an appointment.

Sump pump has been replaced.
Call placed to company for dryer vent cleaning.
Have had two conversations with reverse mortgage lender. Ball is in their court to send me a proposal.
It's been really hot and humid, so not accomplishing much outdoors.

Handrail for bedroom staircase was installed yesterday, believe it or not! We also recently got our cellar door replaced by the same contractor who did our kitchen and front stairs. So now I have two additional tasks on my summer list:
Paint cellar door
Stain bedroom handrail

Dryer is not drying clothes so have to call tomorrow.
Got new car Thursday so need to contact insurance company tomorrow. Small SUV... Hyundai Venue.
Got surprise check in the mail from the county we now reside. No explanation ... so thinking paid too much in taxes when purchased????

Eye exams were done Monday and I picked out new glasses, so all that's left to do is to pick them up once they're ready.

Summer trip dates decided
Make eye appointment in progress
Cardigan done
2nd pair socks done
Start on trunk quilts #4 and #5 in progress
restart scarf haven't started it yet
Housewarming trunk quilt started
knit socks in progress


Summer trip dates are set and we're packing and other preparations. Eye appointment quest continues and will get harder since it's back to school time and August is one of the busiest months. Have an appointment in September, trying for something earlier. Finished the cardigan last night and working on the other pair of socks. Will make that the trip project though I won't get much done since the dogs want all my time and attention. Will finish the housewarming trunk quilt tonight though I don't know the status of the sale yet. Husband asked SiL and received no answer. Will work on the other trunk quilts and scarf after I get home.

I've picked up my new glasses, dryer vent has been cleaned, outdoor work/potting area has been tidied up.
I'm having second thoughts on the reverse mortgage for Mom though. There are no easy answers with her situation, sigh.
I've started working on items for the craft fair in October.
Weather has been too hot and humid to tackle the pruning.

Cellar door has been painted and handrail polyurethaned.
Halesias and callicarpas have been pruned; dogwood still needs to be done.
I've got a bunch of ornaments in progress for the craft shows.

Summer trip dates done
Make eye appointment in progress
Cardigan done
2nd pair socks done
Start on trunk quilts #4 and #5 in progress
restart scarf haven't started it yet
Housewarming trunk quilt done
knit socks 75% done


Back from the summer trip and the property sale didn't happen, not sure why. Husband and SIL told them they have until March 1 to make an offer or it will go on the market. SiL is going to the bank to see if she can get a loan and buy out Husband's share of the house. Housewarming quilt is at SiL's house and will go to whoever buys the house.

Now that we're back home I'll finish the other trunk quilts, have time since they're Christmas gifts. Need to start the scarf since we're past due on cold weather. Managed to do a bit more knitting than I thought while on holiday.

The eye doctor saga continues, I expanded my search and have been told to call back after September 15th.

Summer trip dates done
Make eye appointment appointment made
Cardigan done
2nd pair socks done
Start on trunk quilts #4 and #5 in progress
restart scarf in progress
Housewarming trunk quilt done
knit socks done

Eye appointment is Monday morning and you think no one wants my business. Had to expand my search again and found a place. Almost finished quilt #4, I need to sew the backing. Started the scarf again right now it's 6'7" and I want it to be 12 feet long. Finished the socks thanks to being on hold with different eye doctors.

wowie Hana!