Runs for Cookies: Summer time

It is so arduous to consider that summer season is over. I solely wrote just a few posts; the time glided by so quick. It has been an emotional summer season for certain, and I believe that is because of a whole lot of the adjustments round my home recently–Noah shifting out, Jerry’s drastically totally different work schedule, Eli graduating highschool, each of the youngsters working full-time (with Jerry, no much less!), our automotive state of affairs, and another issues. I am nonetheless attempting to get used to it.

Fairly than completely overwhelming myself by attempting to “catch up” right here, I believed I would just undergo my photographs from the summer season and attempt to write about some key issues (or simply random ideas). I really haven’t got a whole lot of photos! Since I have never been running a blog, I drastically decreased the variety of photos I have been taking. I want I had taken extra, if just for my very own recollections.

Anyway, right here goes…

*Keep in mind after I wrote about how I used to be FINALLY rising Asian pears after most likely 10+ years of attempting? I used to be so excited! Effectively, I went out to have a look at them someday and so they have been simply utterly gone. Vanished, in a single day. There wasn’t even a hint of them left. I formally hand over. I hate getting my hopes up yearly after which being disenchanted, so I’m not even going to consider it anymore. I am going to simply proceed to purchase them after I see them someplace and luxuriate in all of them the extra.

*I bought a brand new rug for the lounge. Thrilling, proper? Haha. The opposite one was undoubtedly worn, however it was additionally a pet hair magnet. Joey appreciated to lie down on it and even vacuuming every day, it was ridiculous how a lot hair gathered. I bought this shag rug and I adore it! I used to be frightened it could be arduous to wash, however it vacuums simply.

*My pal Sarah came over from Arizona and I went to her mother’s home to see her (and her husband and children). A pal of mine had informed me a couple of enjoyable, sneaky factor to do in random places–stick a pair of googly eyes someplace inconspicuous. I introduced some with me to Sarah’s as a result of I believed her children might need enjoyable discovering a spot to place them to “prank” their grandma. They selected to place them on their faculty portraits–haha! They have been SO excited for her to note that they may barely maintain of their giggles. When grandma observed, she discovered it hilarious.

*Luke and Riley came to visit and wished to play with the skeletons. I could not consider one thing extra boring, however they cherished them! Riley even danced with one. (By the best way, I would like to put collectively a submit of skeleton Halloween decorations once more this yr. I am unsure how many individuals are nonetheless studying my weblog, however in case you have any skeleton ornament photographs to share, you’ll be able to electronic mail them to me and if I get sufficient for a submit, I am going to compile them when it will get nearer to Halloween: Katie (at) runsforcookies (dot) com.

*I did a LOT of stitching this summer season. Like, most likely a very irregular quantity. But it surely’s helped with all of the emotional stuff I’ve had occurring. I actually love making baggage, however one can solely have so many baggage… so I branched out to different issues. I must do a completely separate submit (or collection) of these initiatives, though–there are too many. The cats completely love the whole lot to do with my stitching. I even constructed a bit of shelf to go on the windowsill within the stitching room and Duck sleeps on his mattress there after I sew.

*My brother had his annual July get together. I requested Luke if he would drive me round on his little… side-by-side? I do not know what to name it. It is smaller than a side-by-side, safer than a four-wheeler. Anyway, he drove me across the property, which was enjoyable. I informed him that I would wager if he would give individuals a trip from their automobiles to the yard, he may earn some suggestions… and he sighed and mentioned, “I have been driving individuals round all day and I simply need to benefit from the get together!” I believed that was hilarious–he’s seven.

*My dad despatched me this textual content (out of nowhere) and I believed it was actually candy. The highest of it’s lower off, however it’s that big magnet that was on the aspect of our Ragnar Relay van in 2013 (when the From Fats to End Line documentary was filmed). There was a magnet for every individual on our staff and this one has been on my dad and mom’ storage fridge ever since.

*I painted the “craft room” (since Noah moved out, I transformed the additional bed room to my craft room). I used leftover paint from Eli’s room and I used to be so certain I would have sufficient… however I ran out with only a small a part of the wall left. I did not need to purchase one other gallon if I might assist it, after which I discovered a nearly-full gallon of the aviary blue paint that I used for the pantry. I used that as a substitute, and I adore it! It seems so vibrant in there.

I additionally eliminated the carpet (it was significantly SO gross–I did not even need to share a “earlier than” photograph). Jerry put in the plank flooring. It nonetheless wants some cabinets and issues on the partitions, however I am going to simply try this over time. I made do with what I already had, together with a makeshift desk constructed from merely setting a large board over a few small nightstands. It isn’t fairly, however it works!

*An image of Jerry and the youngsters at work. They’ve totally different jobs inside the plant, however they nonetheless see one another so much. It nonetheless feels so odd to me that all of them work in the identical place! (The children solely plan to remain there for a yr whereas they save up cash and work out what they actually need to do.)

*I went of my first airplane flight since 2019. I used to depend on wine to get me by flights (I hate flying) however since I stop ingesting in 2021, I simply needed to white-knuckle it by the flight. Fortunately, the flight was tremendous quick… I simply flew into the higher peninsula to go go to Jeanie and Shawn. The airport I flew into was completely TINY. This image is of your entire airport! 

It rained your entire time I used to be there, however I solely went so I might go to with Jeanie and Shawn, so the rain did not trouble me. And I really misplaced seven kilos, hahaha. My being vegan, Jeanie thoughtfully requested what I would like from the shop. I used to be solely going to be there for 5 days, so I selected a really minimal menu: Larabars for breakfast, peanut butter toast and apples for lunch, vegan “hen” nuggets and apples for dinner. I did not really feel disadvantaged in any respect and it made me understand simply how a lot my night snacking was hindering my weight reduction. (I gained again the load after I bought residence, sadly, however I have never gained any extra.) It was a great, stress-free go to!

*This utterly freaked me out one morning. I used to be going to place some peanuts within the squirrel lunchbox and to my shock, there was a raccoon proper subsequent to the door! Raccoons are the primary service of rabies within the States and to see them out through the day is extraordinarily unusual. Every time I began to open the door to scare it off, it began to come back at me. By the point I bought my cellphone to name the DNR, although, it was gone. I have never seen it once more.

[This reminds of a comment I got one time. I was out for a run and I saw a raccoon acting very oddly (again, during the day). I decided to call the DNR when I got back from my run (I didn’t have my phone with me). It was gone on my way back. I wrote about it on my blog, and someone who had always been super nice left a comment saying that I should have taken off my shirt and wrapped the raccoon in it and take it to get help. She was so angry that she said she was done reading my blog. Haha! First, I am not taking off my shirt in public unless someone is bleeding out and in dire need of a tourniquet and my shirt is the ONLY option to save their life; second, I don’t want rabies? Anyway, she followed through–I never heard from her again.]

*Jerry and I celebrated our twenty first marriage ceremony anniversary final month. The night time earlier than, we each mentioned we want we would have gotten items for one another (we had agreed to not). At that second, we determined to order one another one thing from Amazon–but we had guidelines: 1) It needed to be next-day supply 2) It needed to value lower than $25. So, we sat scrolling on our phones–it was really fairly enjoyable!–and sooner or later, considered one of us prompt we get one another a Squishmallow. I selected this alien from Toy Story for Jerry (we wish to say the quote from the film typically, “You saved our lives. We’re eternally grateful.”) Jerry selected this little woman from Monsters, Inc. as a result of her identify is Boo! (He calls me Boo. It was excellent.) It was a enjoyable present trade!

*Jerry and I went to Jap Market in Detroit just a few weeks in the past. I all the time love going there! We purchased a ton of produce and made it a mission to make use of all of it earlier than it went dangerous. The cats have been thrilled that I introduced again some cat grass for them. I’ve tried rising it myself, however it by no means seems like this.

*Since Noah moved out, and with Eli possible shifting out throughout the subsequent couple of years, I wished to begin a practice the place now we have a plan for them to come back over each different Sunday for a brilliant informal dinner and one thing small however enjoyable to do. They appreciated the concept, and so they (and their girlfriends) came to visit. We made particular person pizzas after which had a fireplace outdoors. The wheelbarrow was subsequent to the hearth pit and we ended up doing a wheelbarrow race and timing one another. It was so enjoyable!

Then Noah sat on Rose’s lap and I believed it could be humorous if she was his arms to eat his plum and drink his pop. Principally, she put her arms underneath his and made the consuming and ingesting motions whereas Noah could not use his. They really did fairly good!

*My Uncle Ron (my dad’s brother) and his accomplice, Renee, came over from Florida. I hardly ever see them, however he’s so enjoyable to speak to (he is had fairly the life–I’d love to jot down a memoir for him!). He and Jerry went to a Tigers recreation, after which we met up with him and Renee afterward. I want I would thought to take an image with him–I do not know that I’ve a single one. He loves to inform each single individual that he comes throughout, “Hello, I am Ron from Florida!” and he is so personable that individuals love to talk with him.

*I haven’t got an image to share for this one, contemplating the privateness circumstances, however bear in mind how I mentioned I found a primary cousin by way of 23&Me? They have been positioned for adoption and no one within the household knew they existed till I took this take a look at. We had been speaking since January, and final week, they came over and meet in individual! It was actually enjoyable attending to know them and we plan to remain in contact.

*Brian took Luke, Riley, and my dad and mom to Alaska. They’d a good time! Becky despatched me some photos and I used to be certain that Brian had most likely photoshopped this bear into the image… however nope, it was actual.

*I do know I mentioned I am going to do a separate submit for my stitching initiatives, however I’m fairly happy with this one, so I am going to share it right here. I made a quilt! I’ve by no means actually had the curiosity in choosing up quilting (and I nonetheless do not, actually) however after I noticed this sample I could not resist. And it was a easy, newbie pattern–a quilt-as-you-go appliqué method.

I believe my favourite cat is the one within the seventh row, fourth from the left–I do not know why, however I used to be simply drawn to that one.

I realized that 1) quilting will get VERY costly in a short time, even for a thrifty individual like me, and a couple of) it is a lot more durable to do the precise quilting half (stitching the backing to the quilt high) than I believed. I used to be stunned at how time consuming the binding (the orange border) was; it is really achieved by hand in order that the stitches aren’t seen. It took me 11 hours!! I am certain for an skilled quilter, it would not even take half that point. However I really loved that half probably the most out of your entire mission. It was stress-free and I bought to look at like 15 episodes of Evil Lives Right here whereas I labored on it, hahaha.

Right here is the binding. I simply have to point out it as a result of I really feel like I did a great job and the place else can I give myself a pat on the again?

This was an ideal first quilt–there isn’t any intricate piecing and I selected to make the outlines on every cat “scribbly” wanting. It is meant to look odd and a bit of messy, so my mistakes–and there are several–aren’t so noticeable. It has character 😉

Earlier than it was achieved, I swore it could be the one quilt I ever make. And after I completed it, I used to be already taking a look at Pinterest for different quilt concepts! It is type of like racing… whereas coaching for a marathon, you swear it is a one-and-done race. After which as quickly as you cross the end line, you are already planning the following one. Anyway, I really like how this quilt turned out–it’s not an “heirloom” quilt by any means, however it’s enjoyable and undoubtedly suits my persona!