Wherein I was actually productive

So, there was this:

Add 30 years and a few cats and you have this:

Remove wicker and hardware and you have this:

Add fabric, glue, and hardware and you've got this:

Ferry to Canada

Ferry to Canada

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Harsen's Island

Harsen's Island

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Ore boat

Ore boat

Trying out new phone. Views from Algonac

Trying out new phone. Views from Algonac's boardwalk

Test

Test

I named 43 US states in 10 minutes

not too bad. would have had 1 more if i could have remembered how to spell it.

Park Project - Phase 0

This is a photo of the park area after the house was demolished, the concrete rectangles removed, and the walking path and new parking lot were constructed. I didn't get to design the layout of the path, but I set the grades and I designed the parking lot.

Park Project - Before

This is an aerial photo of the park from 2005. The site is bound by Taft, Pointe Tremble, Ester Green and Lakepointe roads. The buildings on the east side are the Township's offices and the Police Station. The house in the center has been demolished, but the garage is still there. I'm not sure what the west side of the site was used for, but I think all those little rectangles of concrete were spots for campers. There is one rather strange building still standing in this area. It's 20' by 30' and it's gutted now, but I think there used to be 2 bathrooms in it. I'm guessing it was an office and public bathroom for a campground.

I knitted a sock!

They are for my sister who is 6'2" and wears a lady's size 12 shoe. She's a Children's Librarian and a fan of Harry Potter so I made her a pair in Gryffindor's house colors. I used KnitPicks' worsted weight Swish yarn. They were done toe-up using the Judy Becker Magic Cast-on and the Andersson heel.

nap time

This is Bailey. We're adjusting to life without Chloe. I'm doing well, I can think about the stupid/funny/weird stuff Chloe used to do and smile instead of sob. Bailey is acting strange, though. She never used to meow, but now she meows quite often to get my attention. She used to be very aloof, but now she wants to be with me all the time. I don't get it. She and Chloe weren't exactly cuddle buddies. In fact, Bailey would have a hissy fit whenever Chloe got too close to her. Does she miss Chloe's company, or is she happy to have me to herself now?

Chloe

Chloe is the cat who was in the Christmas photos before. She died Tuesday night. When i got home, she dashed outside as soon as the door opened. It was warm, so i just let her go and opened the doorwall so she could come in when she wanted. later that night I went to lock up and saw only Bailey in the living room. I opened the front door to see if Chloe was sitting on the front porch as she didn't always think to check the side door to see if it was open. Turned out she was in the field across the street, and when she heard the door open she came running home. Unfortunately, a car was driving down the street just then and it hit her. I ran and picked her up and carried her over to the lawn. She was alive, but only barely and she died a few minutes later. I had her for 12 years. my sister found her as kitten. someone had abandoned a pair of kittens by the side of the road. Sarah heard them meowing when she was on her way to school and brought them both home. we ended up keeping one and Sarah gave the other to a friend of hers. I'm having a little bit of difficultly dealing with it, both the shock of seeing her die and missing her. I went into work yesterday and managed to keep it together most of the morning with just a few discrete bouts of tears, but by the afternoon i was so tired from the effort and ended up having to go home early. Today was better, but i still get choked up now and then.

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Looks like someone is moving house.

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My new cubicle

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Looks like christmas is officially over

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mystery critter in my seafood soup. mmmmm delicious mystery

second christmas

My Aunt, bless her heart, has some strange ideas when it comes to buying gifts for my sister and I. First we have this:



It's a rock. With a cat painted on it. A pet rock if you will. Cute, but not what one would call useful.





25th anniversary cabbage patch kids. bought from QVC I think. She got 2 sets of three and gave 2 dolls each to myself, my sister, and her (my aunt's) son. again, cute and even nostalgic, but what am i supposed to do with cabbage patch kids?



A shirt. Cat shown for size comparison. But see how it's all wrinkly and textured? because it stretches out!



awesome! not.



OK, this is actually useful, if i can remember that i have it. I drink a lot of tea and often have to fish string less tea bags out of my mug



luckily my cousin hasn't inherited his mother's gift giving gene and got me something I can really use.

There is a long standing family history of buying my sister and I the same items in different colors. here is my sister modeling her fabulous shirt:

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Don and buddy taking post Christmas dinner nap