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back to the grind
Nov. 13th, 2025 09:05 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
totchipandaAnd telling myself i need to leave. Boss was of course unhappy that I didn't do (task) HER way, ripping pages out of the book and making notes in red pen. Girl, I am never going to do it YOUR way, I am going to do it MY way.
Tuesday was a bit of a wash, I was so tired ALL DAY. I woke up at 1 and was awake past 5, woke up again just after 8 worried I'd slept through my alarm, and spent the rest of the day in just a tired state. Doc appointment went well, his assistant took my blood pressure (141/83) and weight (i peeped the number, I don't have a scale at home to otherwise be aware of it) and then he walked in with my prescriptions and work orders for blood and mammogram. Pressed on my belly a bit, commented that I'd seemed to have lost a lot of weight since the last time (have i? I know I have lost some, others have commented on it and my least flexibly waisted jeans no longer dig in) but as long as it wasn't overly rapid, no concerns.
M and I were going to do her hair, since the coloured mask she was using has been discontinued, but she also spent the day just exhausted, and didn't feel up to rinsing her hair out, specifically. So we ate dinner and watched dancing and I enjoyed being able to knit without my helpers.
Yesterday I woke up just before 7 and stayed in bed for three whole hours before getting up. I started taping the patterns together and cutting out the pieces that I know would be sized correctly. Calcifer helped a lot. I started by taping one row together and putting it aside. My table, specifically taken and set up for sewing, is still covered in piles of fabric and other crafts, and an assortment of vegetables and fruit. Rather than deal with any of that, I worked in the space that was clear, and it mostly worked. The patterns were then loosely folded and put in the closet to deal with at a future date.
Wanted to sew a project bag and found one that I had cut out simply AGES ago. It's also been prepped and is laying next to the machine.
Had a lovely nap after I was suddenly FREEZING and bundled up in sweats, a hoodie with the hood up, AND wool socks. My tummy was mad about all the wheat I'd eaten the day before (the burger was yummy, tyvm) and it was still upset by the time I'd dragged myself off the couch for dinner, so I just made a sandwich. Then I decided to joinrobinsnest mantle sew-along, since that had been on my list and in my pattern stash for close to three years already. I found an oddly shaped remnant of gorgeous bronze poly taffeta in a box, which was just the right shape to cut out one with long front bits and a hood, with enough left to do a heckin' lot of piecing for a ruffle. Started hand sewing it last night bc why not. I could just bang it out by machine, but in keeping with practices of doing nice things while I sink into winter, and not needing the item right away, handsewing it suits me more. It's fine. Considering I cut it out at 7pm and had one front edge and lappet hemmed by 9:15, it's gonna be great.
Dance tonight, musical on Sunday. Hanging out in between.
Tuesday was a bit of a wash, I was so tired ALL DAY. I woke up at 1 and was awake past 5, woke up again just after 8 worried I'd slept through my alarm, and spent the rest of the day in just a tired state. Doc appointment went well, his assistant took my blood pressure (141/83) and weight (i peeped the number, I don't have a scale at home to otherwise be aware of it) and then he walked in with my prescriptions and work orders for blood and mammogram. Pressed on my belly a bit, commented that I'd seemed to have lost a lot of weight since the last time (have i? I know I have lost some, others have commented on it and my least flexibly waisted jeans no longer dig in) but as long as it wasn't overly rapid, no concerns.
M and I were going to do her hair, since the coloured mask she was using has been discontinued, but she also spent the day just exhausted, and didn't feel up to rinsing her hair out, specifically. So we ate dinner and watched dancing and I enjoyed being able to knit without my helpers.
Yesterday I woke up just before 7 and stayed in bed for three whole hours before getting up. I started taping the patterns together and cutting out the pieces that I know would be sized correctly. Calcifer helped a lot. I started by taping one row together and putting it aside. My table, specifically taken and set up for sewing, is still covered in piles of fabric and other crafts, and an assortment of vegetables and fruit. Rather than deal with any of that, I worked in the space that was clear, and it mostly worked. The patterns were then loosely folded and put in the closet to deal with at a future date.
Wanted to sew a project bag and found one that I had cut out simply AGES ago. It's also been prepped and is laying next to the machine.
Had a lovely nap after I was suddenly FREEZING and bundled up in sweats, a hoodie with the hood up, AND wool socks. My tummy was mad about all the wheat I'd eaten the day before (the burger was yummy, tyvm) and it was still upset by the time I'd dragged myself off the couch for dinner, so I just made a sandwich. Then I decided to join
robinsnest mantle sew-along, since that had been on my list and in my pattern stash for close to three years already. I found an oddly shaped remnant of gorgeous bronze poly taffeta in a box, which was just the right shape to cut out one with long front bits and a hood, with enough left to do a heckin' lot of piecing for a ruffle. Started hand sewing it last night bc why not. I could just bang it out by machine, but in keeping with practices of doing nice things while I sink into winter, and not needing the item right away, handsewing it suits me more. It's fine. Considering I cut it out at 7pm and had one front edge and lappet hemmed by 9:15, it's gonna be great. Dance tonight, musical on Sunday. Hanging out in between.
(no subject)
Nov. 10th, 2025 08:01 amtotchipandaWeekend was rather delightful. I was very glad to get home and just spend my days in silence. Watched my weekly shows and paid a nice man to bring me dinner. Woke up in the middle of the night with an unhappy tummy, but at least it was the weekend so I could sleep as long as I wanted the next day.
Saturday was mostly lumping around. I washed a pan of dishes, scooped the cat box and swept the kitchen floor. Meals were very much "suggestions". It was chilly in my apartment so I, wearing my tank top and booty short-pajamas, put on the banyan I sewed in July and absolutely loved it. It was the perfect weight and kept me warm and swirled delightfully around my ankles. 11/10 good sewing decision! Do need to figure out the closure situation, I used a length of wide double-faced satin ribbon that had previously been worn as an Edwardian belt, which was fine but occasionally too tight around my middle.
I finished knitting my rainbow cowl. I had set up a "home theatre" with the antique laptop, projector, and gaming headphones to watch Next to Normal on the wall with Trick, so casting off said cowl took a hot minute. I needed better light. I'd won yarn chicken with a couple meters of yarn left, which ended up being the PERFECT amount to actually cast off with eyyyyy. I have about half of all the colours left, and another skein of the main colour. I wonder what else I can make hehehe. I also stitched the hem of the shirt dress and marked the buttonhole placements. Then I put that machine away, but did I pull out the machine that can do buttonholes? No, I did not. I pulled out the shiny Brother now that I have belts for the variety of belt-driven pot motor machines that I have. It needed a good dusting, and they all need oiling. I had too much assistance to do much more.
Sunday was even lazier. I had to go to the store to get coffee cream, and also picked up sandwich meat, bread, cheese, chips, and then found a turkey breast in the meat section! Yesss I can finally have my Thanksgiving dinner almost a month later! I wound up some new skeins of yarn for other projects (defending them all from Calcifer) and cast on the mystery knit-along. Had a nap. Did make the turkey and really really hope I did it right, but it was also a lazy kind of day bc I hadn't planned for it so I only made mashed potatoes and the tiniest amount of gravy. Started watching the Witcher S4, and surprised immediately by how easily Hemsworth fit into the role. It helped that they spent the first 10-15 minutes reprising the greatest hits of the first three seasons with him in those scenes.
At work today and like, there's no one here lol. Including my boss!! So it's gonna be a more relaxing day than normal. Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment and plans with M (since DWTS is still happening), but lots of my own time, and then all day Wednesday :D I taped together 1 partial pattern together yesterday (again with the helpers) so obviously need to do more. Hmm maybe I can do that on M's floor tomorrow. We shall see. Need to make some decisions!
Saturday was mostly lumping around. I washed a pan of dishes, scooped the cat box and swept the kitchen floor. Meals were very much "suggestions". It was chilly in my apartment so I, wearing my tank top and booty short-pajamas, put on the banyan I sewed in July and absolutely loved it. It was the perfect weight and kept me warm and swirled delightfully around my ankles. 11/10 good sewing decision! Do need to figure out the closure situation, I used a length of wide double-faced satin ribbon that had previously been worn as an Edwardian belt, which was fine but occasionally too tight around my middle.
I finished knitting my rainbow cowl. I had set up a "home theatre" with the antique laptop, projector, and gaming headphones to watch Next to Normal on the wall with Trick, so casting off said cowl took a hot minute. I needed better light. I'd won yarn chicken with a couple meters of yarn left, which ended up being the PERFECT amount to actually cast off with eyyyyy. I have about half of all the colours left, and another skein of the main colour. I wonder what else I can make hehehe. I also stitched the hem of the shirt dress and marked the buttonhole placements. Then I put that machine away, but did I pull out the machine that can do buttonholes? No, I did not. I pulled out the shiny Brother now that I have belts for the variety of belt-driven pot motor machines that I have. It needed a good dusting, and they all need oiling. I had too much assistance to do much more.
Sunday was even lazier. I had to go to the store to get coffee cream, and also picked up sandwich meat, bread, cheese, chips, and then found a turkey breast in the meat section! Yesss I can finally have my Thanksgiving dinner almost a month later! I wound up some new skeins of yarn for other projects (defending them all from Calcifer) and cast on the mystery knit-along. Had a nap. Did make the turkey and really really hope I did it right, but it was also a lazy kind of day bc I hadn't planned for it so I only made mashed potatoes and the tiniest amount of gravy. Started watching the Witcher S4, and surprised immediately by how easily Hemsworth fit into the role. It helped that they spent the first 10-15 minutes reprising the greatest hits of the first three seasons with him in those scenes.
At work today and like, there's no one here lol. Including my boss!! So it's gonna be a more relaxing day than normal. Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment and plans with M (since DWTS is still happening), but lots of my own time, and then all day Wednesday :D I taped together 1 partial pattern together yesterday (again with the helpers) so obviously need to do more. Hmm maybe I can do that on M's floor tomorrow. We shall see. Need to make some decisions!
(no subject)
Nov. 7th, 2025 08:54 amtotchipandaToday's work-related ughs: covid conspiracy theories courtesy of Loud.
Askoshka_the_cat said, it's almost a three day weekend! In Canada, Remembrance Day is a nationally recognized day, so I will be home from work then, and also I took Wednesday off. I fully expect Monday to be relatively quiet, so it's going to be a nice stretch of peace. I actually hadn't really thought of how Monday would be in the middle of all this, but it's good to think about now. Man, it's gonna be almost like a vacation. Ahhhhh.
SO, maybe I can actually get my poop in a group and do some sewing lol. I have more dinner things to make (of what was on the last list, I made 2 of 3). More soups for sure, and I'd like to make some bread to go with it if the room isn't too cold. Maybe some baking.
Sewing wise, I need to tape the patterns together still, and perhaps have a cutting party. It has started snowing today and while I don't expect it to stick around, it does mean I need to look at putting my summer clothes away and get winter-ready. That's also on my radar.
As
koshka_the_cat said, it's almost a three day weekend! In Canada, Remembrance Day is a nationally recognized day, so I will be home from work then, and also I took Wednesday off. I fully expect Monday to be relatively quiet, so it's going to be a nice stretch of peace. I actually hadn't really thought of how Monday would be in the middle of all this, but it's good to think about now. Man, it's gonna be almost like a vacation. Ahhhhh.SO, maybe I can actually get my poop in a group and do some sewing lol. I have more dinner things to make (of what was on the last list, I made 2 of 3). More soups for sure, and I'd like to make some bread to go with it if the room isn't too cold. Maybe some baking.
Sewing wise, I need to tape the patterns together still, and perhaps have a cutting party. It has started snowing today and while I don't expect it to stick around, it does mean I need to look at putting my summer clothes away and get winter-ready. That's also on my radar.
(no subject)
Nov. 3rd, 2025 07:58 amtotchipandaFriday evening was spent entirely in bed, minus the half hour or so I took to make mac & cheese. After, I cracked a can of soda but couldn't enjoy it long as I'd left it on my bedside table, didn't look when I reached over to take a drink, and nearly put a horrid box elder bug IN MY MOUTH!!!!! UGH!! So tired of these fuckers!! My tub is currently a graveyard for these bastards.
Saturday morning I printed patterns. Maybe it would have made more sense to send a couple of them for printing, it ended up being over 100 pages total. Alas. Picked up M for the movie, which we enjoyed (Regretting You, because Mason Thames is our current favourite actor and he is LITERALLY baby (he is 18), we have not read the book and will probably never read or watch another Colleen Hoover adaptation unless someone really awesome is in it), and went back home.
I'd been excited on Friday to reach the end of repeat 8 of my cowl knitting before realizing that it had set up the first block and then said "repeat 8 more times" and DANG IT I had another 42 rows to go. So after Friday evening knitting and a couple rows at the theatre (I dropped the edge stitches on either side of a single row and called it an afternoon when I couldn't really see what I was doing), I finished up the last block, and I WON yarn chicken. I was thrilled, I didn't want to wind up the new skein just to do a couple of rows!
Yesterday I started doing the rainbow colours, and I am currently halfway through the 10 colours. I trimmed pattern pages with the slicer, which took a little time to set up so I didn't slice the pattern willy-nilly like the first time. I am considering bringing the pile of paper to work to make use of larger spaces without kitten help. That's a sometime-this-week-maybe problem. I'd do it at M's place on Tuesday, but she is getting a couch delivered from IKEA so we will likely be putting it together.
It feels really good to be getting a knitting project done in the next few days. I did a lot of it with cats in my lap, so it IS possible. I'll start adding it back into my evening activity choices.
While knitting earlier in the day yesterday, the cats decided it was a perfect time to chew on either thread or the thread stand. As I looked at my covered machine, I realized that I hadn't sewn anything in like, a month. I did the bulk of my plaid dress on September 30th. I definitely switched out the thread for a mismatched combo of black and grey, though I don't remember why. October was so hard this year. And now it's November and we're heading into The Darkness, and I want to be kind to myself and do a lil hibernating or at least slowing down. Hustle culture is not it.
Saturday morning I printed patterns. Maybe it would have made more sense to send a couple of them for printing, it ended up being over 100 pages total. Alas. Picked up M for the movie, which we enjoyed (Regretting You, because Mason Thames is our current favourite actor and he is LITERALLY baby (he is 18), we have not read the book and will probably never read or watch another Colleen Hoover adaptation unless someone really awesome is in it), and went back home.
I'd been excited on Friday to reach the end of repeat 8 of my cowl knitting before realizing that it had set up the first block and then said "repeat 8 more times" and DANG IT I had another 42 rows to go. So after Friday evening knitting and a couple rows at the theatre (I dropped the edge stitches on either side of a single row and called it an afternoon when I couldn't really see what I was doing), I finished up the last block, and I WON yarn chicken. I was thrilled, I didn't want to wind up the new skein just to do a couple of rows!
Yesterday I started doing the rainbow colours, and I am currently halfway through the 10 colours. I trimmed pattern pages with the slicer, which took a little time to set up so I didn't slice the pattern willy-nilly like the first time. I am considering bringing the pile of paper to work to make use of larger spaces without kitten help. That's a sometime-this-week-maybe problem. I'd do it at M's place on Tuesday, but she is getting a couch delivered from IKEA so we will likely be putting it together.
It feels really good to be getting a knitting project done in the next few days. I did a lot of it with cats in my lap, so it IS possible. I'll start adding it back into my evening activity choices.
While knitting earlier in the day yesterday, the cats decided it was a perfect time to chew on either thread or the thread stand. As I looked at my covered machine, I realized that I hadn't sewn anything in like, a month. I did the bulk of my plaid dress on September 30th. I definitely switched out the thread for a mismatched combo of black and grey, though I don't remember why. October was so hard this year. And now it's November and we're heading into The Darkness, and I want to be kind to myself and do a lil hibernating or at least slowing down. Hustle culture is not it.
[life updates] writing and november weather
Nov. 2nd, 2025 09:31 pmrabbitprintNovember came raging in after a warm October, and I woke up this morning to frost on the windows and a time change that my cats were unaware of, convinced instead that I was intentionally starving them for an hour past breakfast. The heat's already been on for a few weeks, and the chill has settled in to feel cold all day long now -- even with layers -- so I have to reluctantly let go of the season and accept that this will be the state of things for the next five months. The car replacement is thankfully settled (fingers crossed), but that pretty much took up all of October, so I'm only slowly starting to get things back to normal as of this weekend.
I've been working on shuffling around some of my time commitments to free up some hours again; October wrapped up one of my Deep Dungeon groups, so it's nice to have those nights back and the lower stress too. I've also tried to get back into answering the most recent comments -- sadly, the ones that are 45+ days are likely never going to get tackled because of the embarrassment of being so delinquent in responding, but each one means a lot to me.
In terms of writing, I've been working through some pieces at a steady but scattered rate. Chapter 7 for riding home is rolling along, though it hit a hiccup in logistics which I forgot for one particular part of the MSQ. The 4th Legion batch also has a lot of my attention because Lyon's POV is so casual that the narration is easy to play with, so I keep going back to that set. I'm also looking at some of the Gentle Noble drafts still and considering if I can roll some extremely dusty older ideas into that setting instead, since variety would be good; it seems like I have a half-dozen fics about nothing more than variations of Gil pining, but in my defense, the man is well-built for it.
So far, I haven't settled on wrapping up the next draft yet, so that means I've been juggling all the rest in equal measure. Here's the latest progress batch:
* riding home (ch 7) - 5.2k
* [rarepair] - 13k
* G'raha sunbathing - 3.6k
* Hyth & Emet - 7.3k
* IVth Legion Llofii - 4k
It's nice to get a breather again after that car chaos! Sadly, there's not much left in 2025, but I'm making use of the weeks still remaining, and digging into a lot of hot soup.
I've been working on shuffling around some of my time commitments to free up some hours again; October wrapped up one of my Deep Dungeon groups, so it's nice to have those nights back and the lower stress too. I've also tried to get back into answering the most recent comments -- sadly, the ones that are 45+ days are likely never going to get tackled because of the embarrassment of being so delinquent in responding, but each one means a lot to me.
In terms of writing, I've been working through some pieces at a steady but scattered rate. Chapter 7 for riding home is rolling along, though it hit a hiccup in logistics which I forgot for one particular part of the MSQ. The 4th Legion batch also has a lot of my attention because Lyon's POV is so casual that the narration is easy to play with, so I keep going back to that set. I'm also looking at some of the Gentle Noble drafts still and considering if I can roll some extremely dusty older ideas into that setting instead, since variety would be good; it seems like I have a half-dozen fics about nothing more than variations of Gil pining, but in my defense, the man is well-built for it.
So far, I haven't settled on wrapping up the next draft yet, so that means I've been juggling all the rest in equal measure. Here's the latest progress batch:
* riding home (ch 7) - 5.2k
* [rarepair] - 13k
* G'raha sunbathing - 3.6k
* Hyth & Emet - 7.3k
* IVth Legion Llofii - 4k
It's nice to get a breather again after that car chaos! Sadly, there's not much left in 2025, but I'm making use of the weeks still remaining, and digging into a lot of hot soup.
Happy Birthday Alejandro!
Nov. 2nd, 2025 01:53 pmsuzumeI hope your birthday is just wonderful, Alejandro!
(I figure our seeing Frankenstein together last week the day before Halloween was good enough?)
(I figure our seeing Frankenstein together last week the day before Halloween was good enough?)
(no subject)
Oct. 31st, 2025 08:18 amtotchipandaDancing was *so* good for my soul. I was the first of the former students I knew of to arrive and my teacher was happy to see me. Lots of random people, a friend of a friend or two, but it was really fun and I'm sooooo glad I went. I am, of course, paying for it today, as I have not danced much at all since the end of 2018. One of the other gals I knew said there had been a lot of injuries between then and now (mood). I'll get it back, my body knows what to do (mostly), I just tried way too much with being as out of shape as I am haha.
Yes, I did contemplate staying home. I wanted to dance more than I wanted to stay home.
I did bounce and go to Walmart, where, upon opening my phone, my teacher had messaged me and suggested "getting the band back together". OMG yes please, sign me up. I would love that more than anything. There's classes running again in the city, but HER classes suited me so well and I didn't prioritize it (nor could I, what with being in deep debt) for other teachers.
Eyyy I do not need to go out again as I got everything on my list! Tonight I plan to crash face first into bed for a time, as I was awake 2:15-4am again, and perhaps today is the day I manage to print patterns (i can then trim them from bed). M and I are going to a movie tomorrow, and besides that I don't have a lot of plans. Besides KNIT ALL THE THINGS!! TAPE THE PATTERNS! Maybe cut out the patterns?? On fabric even?? We shall see. I do need to spend some time tidying because I'm pretty sure I need to get someone in to look at the radiator. The kittens knocked a table over and kinda messed up the knob. My room is much chillier than the rest of the apartment. First things first though, open said knob and see if that helps.
Dinner plans for the next little bit:
Yes, I did contemplate staying home. I wanted to dance more than I wanted to stay home.
I did bounce and go to Walmart, where, upon opening my phone, my teacher had messaged me and suggested "getting the band back together". OMG yes please, sign me up. I would love that more than anything. There's classes running again in the city, but HER classes suited me so well and I didn't prioritize it (nor could I, what with being in deep debt) for other teachers.
Eyyy I do not need to go out again as I got everything on my list! Tonight I plan to crash face first into bed for a time, as I was awake 2:15-4am again, and perhaps today is the day I manage to print patterns (i can then trim them from bed). M and I are going to a movie tomorrow, and besides that I don't have a lot of plans. Besides KNIT ALL THE THINGS!! TAPE THE PATTERNS! Maybe cut out the patterns?? On fabric even?? We shall see. I do need to spend some time tidying because I'm pretty sure I need to get someone in to look at the radiator. The kittens knocked a table over and kinda messed up the knob. My room is much chillier than the rest of the apartment. First things first though, open said knob and see if that helps.
Dinner plans for the next little bit:
- Thai curry soup (with bok choy, peppers, onions, chicken)
- Roasted acorn squash with wild rice stuffing
- Chicken and rice soup