dianec42

Random things in the house

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 23:16:25 GMT

Mr Diane and I are going ahead with the basement renovation. It will be done in 2 phases because we have far too much crap. I'm pretty excited.

I FOUND THE MISSING PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS. The instructions, and indeed the envelope and (wildly misfolded) original tissue pattern, were somehow UNDER a loose Ikea shelf that I've been using for swap space in the craft room. Jeeeeeeeze Past Diane. Thanks a lot.

I am SO looking forward to getting enough random shit out of that room that I can organize my own stuff on the shelves. (Hey, a girl can dream...)

edit: Now if I could just find my f'ing meter stick...

comments

Doing my sewing homework

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 22:44:20 GMT

Researching fabric shopping options in London, also dragging out my tried-and-true pattern for floral shirts and working out yardage (metre-age?) for Liberty Tana lawn's weird width.

Giggling a bit at notes from Past Diane on the pattern.

Now if I could just find the instructions for that damn jersey knit top pattern I was so thrilled to buy in person!

comments

Adventures in fused glass

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 21:17:43 GMT

I call this piece "I Scream":

comments

A few things I've learned this week

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:43:29 GMT

in no particular order:

* When fusing glass, it may be tempting to kiln-wash the kiln floor and fire stuff there instead of using a shelf or (literally) burning through thinfire paper. DON'T DO IT. Something will stick eventually and then you will be Very Sad.

* Our lovely dry basement is, in fact, not 100% dry. The foundation has a couple of cracks, which we knew about, which have been sealed. They need re-sealing. No basement contents were harmed.

* Toy Town Stained Glass in Winchendon MA is a very dangerous place to shop.

* My doctor's office uses an AI note-taking program called Abridge. After 5 minutes of web-searching and careful contemplation, I have opted out.

* I love shopping in Manchester, VT, but holy hell do I hate driving there during tourist season.

* Late July is just about the worst possible time to be shopping for skorts.

comments

More concert fun; plus, One does not simply "go to the beach" in Rhode Island in June

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:49:33 GMT

We saw Devo at Foxwoods on Saturday. Holy cow! If you get the chance to see them, GO. They have absolutely still got it.

It was a little over 3 hours' drive. In a stinky loaner car because the ICCU on Alanis(*) went pop(**).

I think this is the first time I've ever been TO Connecticut instead of just driving through it. Heck, I didn't even know until I bought the tickets that Foxwoods is in Connecticut and not Massachusetts.

Then we decided we wanted to go to the beach. For background, we drove across the country 3 years ago - twice! - but stopped in Vermont and still have not made it all the way to the Atlantic. Using the logic of, "It's RIGHT THERE!" we decided to correct this shortcoming.

Unfortunately, one does not simply "go to the beach" in Rhode Island on a nice Sunday in June. Not unless one wants to pay $20-30 for parking, which we did not. (Having recently returned from Hawaii where the beach is just freakin' FREE, this left us rather annoyed.) I guess we'll go back to plan A and sneak into New Hampshire on a Tuesday in the middle of winter or something.

We consoled ourselves with Dunkies and a visit to Bay State Perennial Farm where we filled up the back of the stinky loaner with native(ish) plants. Because we can never have too many plants.

Putting gas in the loaner car was weird. I'm happy to be out of practice.

(*) "Isn't it Ioniq"

(**) Unfortunately a common issue. Good news, Hyundai have admitted it's a problem, and by the time I got around to posting this, the car is fixed and home again.

comments

I finished ANOTHER thing!

Sat, 30 May 2026 13:50:25 GMT

I finally finished Upon A Star, by PigeonCoop Designs, from the book Cross Stitch In The Forest. It took me a little over a year; I work on many projects at once, so this is pretty fast for me. The confetti stitches were SUCH a pain! I used a sharp embroidery needle so I could weave the tails through the weave of the Aida fabric.

comments

Stitching progress

Mon, 18 May 2026 19:19:16 GMT

I did a (very) little bit of color on Art Nouveau Autumn:

I made good progress on Upon A Star. I'm on the home stretch!

comments

Road tripping and stitching

Sun, 17 May 2026 11:55:19 GMT

I went to the Celebration of Needlework in Nashua NH, which was lots of fun. It's basically a cross stitch con; I go for the shopping and socializing. OF COURSE I picked up a new project. It was nice to see everyone.

On the way there, I stopped at A FABRIC STORE !! (New England Fabrics and Decorating in Keene NH.) I did not buy any fabric... this time. I did buy a copy of the New Look pattern I've been unwilling to pay +100% shipping for, which was delightful. Then I scored a great pair of cargo shorts at the LL Bean outlet. On the way back I went to Wonderland Yarns (Brattleboro VT) and got a project bag and some medium-sized clips for sewing projects. Massive success all around.

I got some stitching done (Upon a Star and Art Nouveau Autumn). I'll post progress pictures at some point.

comments

... and boy are my arms tired

Fri, 08 May 2026 12:31:10 GMT

Mr Diane & I just flew back from a week & a half in Hawaii.

While we were away, spring has f'ing SPRUNG. The trees are in leaf, the forget-me-nots have taken over the meadow, and the rhubarb is bigger than I am.

I'll write more when I'm less jet-lagged and more caught up.

comments

The first greenhouse sank into the swamp...

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:26:59 GMT

Kidding. It was taken out by a very large and enthusiastic pine tree. But who can resist the Monty Python reference?

This week, Mr Diane & I built the new greenhouse, from a kit (Planta Sungrow Urban). Thank you insurance for paying for the new kit, if not for shipping. We needed to do a new road trip anyway.

Planta claims this kit can be built by 2 people in 8 hours. HA HA HA HA HA. Maybe the base kit with no extensions; and maybe IF those 2 people are tall, half our age, know EXACTLY what they're doing including where all of their tools are, AND aren't constrained by things like very close retaining walls outside and raised beds inside the ruins of the old greenhouse.

It took us four and a half days. We are somehow still speaking to each other.

Here's hoping this one lasts more than a couple of years. To be fair, it's built like a freaking tank. And let us not forget to honor the previous one for its sacrifice (THANK F*** IT WASN'T THE REAL HOUSE).

Phew, I'm exhausted just writing that. Time to go do all the other things now.

comments

Did some stitching

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:26:25 GMT

I finished all the outlines on Art Nouveau Autumn! I then tried to start the colours and promptly did a section with the wrong shade & had to undo.

I finished the moon on Upon A Star, and started some trees on the left side. There are still 2 stars to do, once I have enough trees done to have easy reference points.

comments

Sewing

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:22:22 GMT

I made the prototype skirt. Made some notes. Generally a good result. This pattern is a go!

I need to learn that it's okay to race through prototypes. It doesn't need to be perfect; heck, it doesn't even need to be good. It just needs to prove the fit.

Now I have a brand new Nerd World Problem: I know what pattern I want to use to make the top. It is an older pattern so it's available only as paper, not PDF, which honestly is fine by me, except for a slight distribution problem. With Jo-Ann out of business, where to buy paper patterns?

The answer is, apparently, buy the pattern online and pay the same amount again for shipping. SIGH.

Time to spend some time researching equally interesting patterns that come as PDFs, and see which terrible fate is slightly less terrible.

comments

I actually sewed yesterday!

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:50:47 GMT

As in, I got the sewing machine out and test-stitched some fabric for a test project. Yes, I'm feeling testy.

Some wag once made a pie chart of how one spends time when sewing, with actual "making stitches with the machine" being maybe 5%, the rest being things like pressing, cutting out, pinning, and swearing.

I would add to those: searching the house for things you know you own; rearranging the clutter to actually reach those things; changing the needle and presser foot; winding bobbins; finding a spare spool of thread when you run out winding the first bobbin; swearing at the sewing machine instructions because you can't remember how to actually do any of these things; and most of all KEEPING THE CATS FROM GETTING INVOLVED.

Might need a more detailed breakdown of the swearing wedge of the pie chart...

comments

And now for something completely random

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:37:09 GMT

I just had a Facebook comment liked by Edgar Winter. Yes, the rock star.

Well, I thought it was cool.

comments

Happy Second False Spring!

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:04:45 GMT

The first crocuses and snowdrops are blooming! I couldn't get a good snapshot of the snowdrops. Here, have some croci:

The shaded bits of the yard are doing their best to pretend it's not 70 degrees out:

It's going to be cold and wet again in a few days so I'm enjoying this while I can.

comments

Habits, atomic and otherwise

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:54:06 GMT

After seeing numerous recommendations, I finally got the book Atomic Habits from the library. As is my way, I have made extensive notes and am trying to apply it to everything in sight.

I have also been giving some thought to changing habits in retirement. Some existing habits bear revisiting: for example, did you know, Mr Diane & I have been getting up at staggered times... which is a remnant of when we only had 1 bathroom, over 20 years ago. Some new habits are also available now, such as doing grocery shopping on a weekday or ACTUALLY WORKING ON THAT DAMN QUILT.

One habit I've successfully tweaked: I had been lifting weights twice a week (doing basically the same 2 at-home routines I came up with during lockdown) but recently started struggling to get it done. I decided to simplify and make it totally boring/mindless: I stole a short list of exercises from an NPR article in January, took out a couple that I hate, added in some more upper body and should PT exercises, and have been successfully doing this routine THREE times a week since the beginning of February.

It'll be interesting to see what else I come up with. March is utter chaos, so I'm keeping my expectations low. Maybe the chaos will shake some things loose in my brain and open up new possibilities.

Needless to say this is the year I officially ~~gave up on~~ took a break from bullet journaling, and now I actually understand how habit tracking is SUPPOSED to work so I may need to start again.

comments

I got back to the slightly harder cross-stitch WIP

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 20:57:24 GMT

I had stalled out on this one due to poor light and hating confetti stitches. Yesterday I cranked through all but 2 of the stars and much of the shading on the moon.

Pattern is Upon A Star from the book Cross Stitch In The Forest.

comments

Crafty misc

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:51:59 GMT

Progress on art nouveau autumn:

I found my crafting table! The sewing machine still works and so do I. Of course, then I found the quilt scraps and got distracted:

The aforementioned Cutest Crochet Book:

comments

Feral February, day 1

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 12:53:44 GMT

Yesterday I texted with Mr Diane a bunch and did a workout.

Forgot to call my mom this week.

Today so far I tried to sleep in. The cats let me get an extra half hour in, although that did include dresser gymnastics and a certain amount of duvet acupuncture.

I've awakened to surprise snow. Must... get... into... town... If nothing else I still owe Claudio's kid a postcard.

Edit: Cleared driveway and my car. Made it to open knit at the yarn shop and showed off the Wizard of Oz/Wicked crochet book I got. Bought, wrote, and sent the postcard. Holy kamoly it's too cold to be doing any of this.

Edit edit: Called Mom.

comments

Feral February, day 0

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 23:37:42 GMT

Today I:

* scored 2 lawn tickets to Paul Simon at Tanglewood in June
* drove Mr Diane to the airport for yet another not-fun family thing
* had lunch at the mall & determined that
** "Albany spicy" is about the same level as "Diane spicy"; and
** mall ramen is pretty decent if you set your expectations appropriately
* went shopping:
** investigated duvet covers at Macy's & took some pictures to show Mr Diane
** exercised my Comic Timing Super Power, Pants edition and scored a pair of black corduroys for like 20 bucks(*)
** bought some magazines and a crochet book at Barnes & Noble
* by which time I accidentally ended up having to drive home through Albany rush hour which is thankfully also pretty mild.

(*) the ONE PAIR of black cords in the entire Macy's; in my size; on sale; fit perfectly; and I HAD A COUPON. The cashier didn't even know they had cords in stock. I'm pretty sure some of these magazines cost more than the pants.

Nimbus is very happy with his Macy's bag. I'll try and get pictures.

Tomorrow will be more yarn shop adventures, and turning on the oil heat because yikes is it going to get cold here. I am unsupervised for the next 6 days. Fun!

comments

Leaving the house

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:24:30 GMT

Borrowing a page from a local introvert friend: Without some outside impetus, it honestly does not occur to me to leave the house.

Luckily, yesterday I was planning on going to the 2:00 open knit/craft session at the local yarn shop, and the aforementioned friend texted to say she was going to the 5:30 session. My brain defaulted to "go out, come back, go out again" when Mr Diane sensibly pointed out I could just go out and stay out.

So in no particular order, yesterday I:
socialized
had tea
got a TON done on my out-and-about stitching project
went to the library
chatted with my friend who works at the library
am now on HER list for a Friday museum outing Real Soon Now (tm)
told several people about the upcoming Paul Simon concert & am assembling a MASSIVE posse for same
went to the quilting store, chatted with the owner about hand quilting, bought supplies for same
browsed at Goodwill (did not buy anything)
shopped at Ocean State Job Lot (bought a purple sweatshirt and some almonds which I ate in the car)
accidentally happened on a not-normally-scheduled movie night at the yarn shop
petted the shop dog (Winston) lots
had cake
had random potluck foods brought by folks who DID know about movie night
sang along to Wicked For Good

and somehow utterly failed to send a postcard to a work friend for his kid's school (they're trying to get a postcard from every state)

Why am I sitting inside playing WoW again?

comments

it has come to my attention that I am not posting enough cat pictures

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 19:54:41 GMT

For your viewing pleasure, here are Nimbus and Loki enjoying a sunbeam.

comments

The Costco before the storm, and remodeling shenanigans

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 20:42:06 GMT

Last Friday was a very busy day. We dropped in on our remodeling place, then spent like an hour at the local tile & flooring store picking stuff out, and - more importantly - pointing and laughing at things that looked like Q*bert.

Then, heaven help us all, we went to Costco. Right before the big snowstorm. Inside was only normal levels of Costco crazy, but the parking lot (West Springfield, MA) was Mad Max levels of insane. That parking lot needs at LEAST one traffic light and probably at least one rotary. Luckily Mr Diane volunteered to drive at that point, otherwise we might still be there trying to turn left.

Bonus: I saw all "8"s out of the corner of my eye and thought the register had tilted. No, that was our total. Ouch. And that was WITHOUT booze or chocolate. Weirdly, wine now costs less than mixed nuts.

Over the last few days: the bathroom contractor came out and measured for tile; I phoned the schmancy fixtures store and placed our order; we changed our minds on the cabinet colour yet again, and ordered the cabinets and countertop; faffed around on the tile a little more, finalized the tile order, and put down the deposit on that. Oh and we picked out a paint colour. IT'S HAPPENING!

Meanwhile it's still colder than a very cold thing. I've learned things about taking the trash bins to the street after a big snow that I really could have gone my whole life without knowing. Oh well, all part of the Vermont experience.

comments

Snow day!

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:21:39 GMT

Oh my goodness did we get some snow yesterday and today.

Sorry about the mostly terrible shots - most of these were taken from inside because it's been INCREDIBLY cold out. We went out in our snowshoes today and did a walk around the pond.

I was supposed to have a dentist appointment this morning. Hilarity ensued.
8:00 AM: The office (nominally) opens.
8:00: I get a text AND an email cheerfully reminding me that I have an appointment at 9.
8:01: I phone the office. No one picks up, so I leave a voice mail cancelling.
8:18: My phone rings with an unknown number in Arlington VT. I'm bored so I answer it. It's one of the employees, who resourcefully took the appointment list home before the snow started, calling to let me know the office is closed today.

Dear makers of automated text and email systems, I HAVE A SUGGESTION. Howzabout you make a feature that replaces the appointment reminder with "WE ARE CLOSED TODAY PLEASE DO NOT COME IN".

comments

Getting used to the retired life, maybe

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:14:00 GMT

It's been a bit over a month, and retirement is finally (maybe) starting to feel bigger than a massive extra-long weekend. There are still days where we do basically nothing but play World of Warcraft and snooze on the couch; but we're moving forward on the bathroom remodel, we're planning trips, and we're getting out of the house on a fairly regular basis.

Sigh, the bathroom.... it seems like the fixtures know their days are numbered. I never got around to regrouting around the shower; so of course that's now leaking water into the basement. The toilet has gone from "you have to flush it right" to running constantly. Who knows what mayhem the sink will come up with.

The cats are healthy as little horses. The yard is presumably still there; it's under a foot of snow at the moment, with more to come. The EV is cute and zippy and somewhat less efficient when it's f---ing cold.

I still need to set up the craft room for actual sewing. Cross stitch projects and library books continue apace. Here, have some work-in-progress pics.

comments