January 5, 2006

• A Year of New

  
  

   

  
  

  It’s only the fifth day of the new year, and I’ve already done three things I’ve never done before.  It’s not quite as good as six impossible things before breakfast, but it’s an admirable start to 2006.

  
  

   

  
  

   First, I crocheted a scarf.  I’m a wretched needle worker with my twisted and missed stitches and failure to count or to finish projects, but crocheting gives me great pleasure.  About a third of the way through crocheting this beleaguered neckwear, I hit my stride and made it look really good.  But, there wasn’t much to be done about the first misshapen third as you can’t easily pull stitches from the beginning of a knitted/crocheted garment. Libby was quite gracious and wore it all evening, commenting on its softness.  Now, I’m on a roll and my wonderful husband is picking up more yarn for me on his way home.  Does anyone want a badly crocheted scarf?  Libby can only use so many.

  
  

   

  
  

  Second, I completed my first Sudoku puzzle. The good doctor loves these little number games, but I didn’t have the patience or interest for them. But, just like crochet, I’ve found them to be a relaxing amusement when taken in small chunks. It took me three days to finish my first one, working here and there when the mood struck me, but I finished it with a great deal of pride and feeling of accomplishment.

  
  

   

  
  

  Finally, I made my first smoothie.  Someone gave us a blender for a wedding present oh-so-many years ago. It’s been sitting in the cabinet in our various dwellings for 15 years, never being used. But, now that I have discovered the joy of the smoothie, it’s finally seeing some action.  I blend a half-container of yogurt, about ¼ cup each of orange juice and milk, some fruit (banana or frozen berries), and maybe some ice.   Although all the kids (save Libby) grimace and wince whenever I drink them, they are truly delicious.   Plus, it satisfies that milkshake craving for less than 300 calories, a big plus for these “watch what I eat” days. 

  
  

   

  
  

  Now, in case you were all on tenterhooks, wondering how we have been getting along without a washer, wonder no more. Yesterday, that amazing man I married said that I could pick out whatever washer I wanted as long as I was reasonable with the cost. I called a few places, and then the five children and I began washer shopping. After visiting a few washers, I decided on a front-loading Kenmore, 3.5-whatever capacity. I liked this washer best of all I saw because it was the largest capacity for the lowest price and also because it had a glass door. When my day is particularly stressful, I load the washer and stand there staring into the tub while it fills with water and begins to swish around. It’s rather soothing.  So, I thought if I had a glass door, on those demanding days I could just sit on the laundry room floor and peer in the little window like a toddler watching Teletubbies.   So, Saturday is New Washer Delivery Day.

  
  

   

  
  

  I’m wondering how much water Garilyn has drunk today. 

  
  

   

  • 5:58 pm
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