Last Wednesday the dove came hoping for food as I watered the plants. I didn't quite get it in the frame of the photo against the jacaranda. Even though it had rained the day before it doesn't take long for the sunflower to droop.
Although I didn't mention it last week (there was enough gloom without it!), for several days I had been getting continual pop-up notices whenever I opened my email, telling me my Exchange password was incorrect. I don't use Exchange regularly, but for a Sydney University Alumni account I use as a back-up, and for messages from my website. I couldn't fix it. I eventually emailed the Sydney University Alumni office.
I then went into the city to pick up jewellery repairs - two favourite necklaces are now wearable - then on to Nordic Furniture to discuss the furniture I've ordered. My concerns were addressed when I discovered the shelves are adjustable, allowing me to have two decent book shelves and one very narrow shelf that would take bigger books lying horizontally.I also settled on polished, non glossy Tasmanian Blackwood.
On Thursday I had a reply from Sydney Uni alumni - saying others had reported the problem and giving me some links to FAQs which in no way helped. Then Microsoft emailed - since I use this account for my office software. Microsoft instructions worked on first go! It seems this problem was caused by the adoption of two step authentication, which requires a reset. I had to reset on each device I use, but did it quickly and easily.
There were only two of us at Pilates. Martine had prepared a few new exercises for me. Afterwards I treated myself to a late lunch of Grilled Atlantic salmon and salad at the Queen St Cafe - and a lime milkshake.
Late in the afternoon, there was a lot of bird noise, indicating the Noisy Miners were around. Most were hidden in the leaves of the trees, which are now very dense.
One was perched high on the top branch of one of the trees. It appeared to be a young bird - almost a fledgling but had certainly found its voice.
At the same time the sunflower had recovered and was looking splendid in the afternoon light. I used my DSLR for these photos and discovered a few photos from late September that I had not processed, including several of lorikeets enjoying the buds on the same trees before they developed into flowers and leaves.
On Thursday night I finished the embroidery on the second fridge magnet. On Friday morning I stitched on the felt background and added the magnet. I'm very pleased with these. They are hard on the hands and I am not planning to make the other two in the kit, using the plastic canvas.
I might, however, try on either Aida or tapestry canvas. I do have plenty of magnetic strip!
On Friday I also emailed our Strata rep to find out about plans the Strata has for services using scaffolding. It doesn't look as if it will help me with the possible roller shutter repair.
On a more positive note our solar panels are now operational and we received stickers to put on our electricity box.
Susan and I both knitted our way through Sit'nStitch. There was plenty to talk about.
Saturday was the last JEMS meeting for the year - and the Christmas breakup. There were seven JEMS there, three tutors and lots of food. They made Christmas angels with beads, wire, a crystal and ribbon. At the end there was a group photo and promises from everyone to be back next year. A lovely rounding of the year.
Niamh managed to fit in a milkshake on the way home - our last for the year. Anthony cooked some excellent patties and chicken for dinner. They had been spreading another load of mulch to their front garden all day. It's looking great.
During the week one of the Lagartera booklets I had ordered arrived and I have been playing with a couple of motifs from it. It's mostly counted satin stitch, requiring concentration (spot the 3 missing stitches in the photo!) and very effective.
I've got a few ideas for using it. I also checked the Guild Museum and found it holds an example, so I think we will be able to hold a productive workshop next year to meet Maria's request.
I also received the forms to fill out for my two Certificate Course Workshops next year,. The first one is in February, which means I need to have the summary and requirements into the Guild’s December newsletter. In order to list requirements I needed to prepare the kit - print the pattern on to Sulky and finalise and organise printing of the workshop notes so I can calculate kit costs. That took a few hours on Sunday, along with some food preparation and packing away the trundle bed ready for the technician to access the roller shutter controller easily on Monday morning.
I was well prepared, but, alas, I had it wrong. I waited for the call to give me the specific time. At 11.30 I rang - to discover the appointment was for
next Monday! The fault, I think, was mine. I had been very stressed about the problem, and the appointment. Oddly, the misunderstanding, far from adding to my stress, seems to have alleviated it. Perhaps the efficiency and empathy of the staff member who answered the phone gave me confidence, or put my fears into perspective. Either way, my heart is lighter. Altogether I got a lot done on Monday while waiting - put away the remains of numerous projects - threads, patterns, notes, fabrics. I went to the supermarket, to Create in Stitch and to Officeworks to pick up the printed notes for the workshop. I also prepared the text and photos for my Christmas card this year. I tried printing it at Officeworks and then Snapfish. Officeworks predict a week longer to deliver, so I have ordered with Snapfish. Another reason to feel light-hearted.
I had a discussion with Taetia at Create in Stitch about a class they have advertised for February next year - two Saturday's with Di Kirshner teaching Christine Bishop's Birdcage Etui. I did
Christine's class for this at BATB in October 2014, finished one panel and the scissor fob but have not progressed it since then. I've been thinking about it recently and would like to finish it. Unfortunately, the second day of Di's class is on the same day as the Certificate Course Viking Workshop. I may be able to do the first day of the class and join one of Di's Stitch and Chat mornings to finish it. Or just stitch it. It's time has, I think, come.
Nordic Needle have a downloadable pattern for it. Today I put together the kits for the February Viking Embroidery workshop and wrote the notes for the next Guild newsletter. I have to pick up 18 pieces of wool flannel from the Guild on Thursday and hopefully a few skeins of Appletons wool and the kits are ready.
This week I booked in for a Moderna vaccine in early January, following the advice of my nephrologist. I later discovered only Pfizer can be given as a booster and Moderna requires some proof of immuno-compromise. I have left a message for the nephrologist to find out how to proceed. Our borders opened today and there is a fair bit of apprehension. I have now linked my vaccination status to my SAGov check-in App, the first of the new requirements.
In between organising the kits I've been reading Louise Penny's A Fatal Grace - a great treat. Sally Coulthard's book arrived today. It looks as if it's going to be a winner - so I'd better get on with Louise Penny.
