Oct 27, 2020

HEY SPINSTER STITCHER...WHAT'S A THREAD BOARD AND OTHER AND SUNDRY THINGS...


Sorry, Dearies.

I make up terms and throw them around and forget that anybody actually reads my drivel. A thread board is a thingie that holds your working threads. I wish I could take credit for this, but a stitchy sister posted hers on the Instagrams and was kind enough to point me in the direction of The Fat Quarter Shop. Quilters use these to lay out blocks and keep them from sliding all over the place during their planning.

My board is basically a piece of 11x14 foam core from the amazons covered in a piece of felt (also from the amazons), edged in grosgrain ribbon (yup...from the amazons). Lori Holt has EXCELLENT videos on the YouTube that walks you through making these professionally. (Mine are very slapdash, to be sure).

As I'm stitching, I pull a long length of thread from my skein, strip the number of ply that I need (in this case, one, since I am doubling over and using the loop start method), then I wrap the leftover around my fingers to make a circle and then pat it onto the board.

Since I'm using DMC here, I have a pack of the numbered stickers nearby that I use to identify the threads. You could probably use any little piece if paper to do this, and could write the symbol from the chart to make it even easier, but this works for me.

I also purchased 12x16 mesh zipper bags from the amazon to store a working board, since stuffing it into a project bag doesn't work. Here is my board for Eliana:


The second thing I wanted to tell you about is my new tracking gizmo:


The most delightful thing about him is that when I wake up in the middle of the night (which I do frequently), I now know what time it is. I normally have to guess or fetch my glasses and put my face an inch and a half from the clock radio.

Later tonight I'll sit down with the booklet and my phone and learn more about it, but for now it is a really good reminder to get up and move my heiney.

OK. Last thing. I made my vegetable soup and think I just might be a genius based on how good it looks and smells:


Here's how I made it:

Sautee celery, carrots, onion, garlic, cabbage, and mushrooms (all chopped) in olive oil until tender. Add a dash of Lawry's seasoned salt, parsley, and....here's the genius part...three packets of no sodium chicken bouillon. Then, a can of seasoned diced tomatoes, frozen corn, frozen peas, and enough water to make soup consistency and you're good to go!

I bought the bouillon packets to use with ramen noodles/cup o soup. I love those for convenience and a quick cheap meal, but the sodium in them is a little nuts. I think they make other flavors....the brand I had was Wylers.


So that's my Tuesday thus far! My new underpants and toothbrushes arrived, so now all I'm waiting for is some pajamas and a new pair of slippers and some socks, and I can start to physically pack. I've got it down cold: LARGE = clothes and shoes; MED = stitching, books, coloring supplies, and coffee; SMALL = hospital (pjs, sm toiletries, meds); CARRYON = toiletries and nail stuff; TOTE = Stewey, wallet, book, stitching, iPad, phone, chargers, lip balm. The large, medium, and carryon will all go in the car now and when I get the call I will grab the hospital bag and the tote and I should be all set.

Yes.

I have spent ALOT of time thinking about this. If you are a mom, I might refer you to the fact that you probably did the same thing when you were expecting. 

And also yes...I am definitely thinking about writing a book called "What To Expect When You're Expecting A Kidney" because nobody should have to try to figure this out for themselves with menopause brain and a tendency to fret.


22 comments:

  1. Your soup looks delicious and your organization skills are amazing! I've never been able to pack much of anything and do it without leaving something needed behind! Have a wonderful rest of the week!

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  2. How long will you be in the hospital? I can't imagine once the new kidney is securely inside you that you would want to wear anything other than a gown that can get ooey - gooey stuff on it. Maybe a bed jacket to keep your shoulders warm> It's so chilly in the hospitals. But better to be safe than sorry I say. Slip on slippers, I crazy enough, always bring my make up and moisturizer it helps me feel normal ... as i can feel in a hospital bed. Coloring books perhaps for mindless bemusement? And nail polish remover, file, and stuff for a new manicure. We're watching this old blog with eager anticipation Coni and soooo excited!

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    1. I'll be in the hospital four or five days. I actually have a sherpa wrap with pockets and what I call my comfort bag...face wipes, moisturizer, hand cream, lip balm, hair ties, etc. All of the things that will make me feel human in the initial days. Stitching, a book, and coloring are also definitely included!

      The three hotel bags are basically everything I'll need for a month long stay...coffee mugs, sippy cup, loungewear, laundry soap/bag, etc. Both breakfast and happy hour are provided, but I will have a kitchen in which to cook, and the hotel will even do the grocery shopping for me!

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  3. Writing a book about What to Expect When You're Expecting a Kidney is BRILLIANT! You should totally do it, Coni. You could take a serious subject and inject a little humor into it, which would make it a little less intimidating and scary. I can't wait to read it and I don't even NEED a kidney!

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  4. You've totally got this. I'm full of admiration at your packing and preparedness, I've had a fitness tracker for years, and it definitely reminds me to move. Hoping for the best for you.

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  5. Coni, you’re going to fly through this surgery. You have the love and prayers of hundreds of your friends across the world. We got you! ❤️

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  6. Possible add ons for the packing list: Soft cotton knit slouchy beanie (can work as sleep mask too), reading and stitching pairs of glasses, battery operated desktop touch lamp, thermal travel tumbler with soft bendy straws!

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  7. I love reading your blogs :) The soup looks delicious! xx

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  8. It sounds like you have the packing well handled. Your soup sounds luscious. Maybe I'd better stock up on canned broth for winter? Is soup going to be the next hot trend thing from IG and such to cook and run supplies out in stores? Though I guess I could make my own broth.

    Hope you get the call soon so the luggage isn't sitting there taunting you or you start to second guess what you need to take.

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  9. Great packing list Coni! Could you create one for a long stitchy weekend with friends that is more than mine, throw it in a bag, back clothes out of dryer, and go!

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  10. Your packing lists/bag sizes sound super, Coni! Well done on the organization. Your pot of soup looks delicious.

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  11. This is the first time I have written but good luck and thank you for all the laughs Coni from across the pond a big X

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  12. Thanks so much for answering my question about thread board

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  13. You really do need to write that book...

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  14. I think you've got this! Do you need tweezers in one of the kits? Just sayin'

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    1. Oh, you betcha, sister! Tweezers and a magnifying mirror were one of the very first things to go in there...as were wax strips for my mustache! 🙄

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  15. The soup is just my sort. My dad would have called it "slumgullion".

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  16. Glad the soup turned out great!
    Yes, I think it would be terrific if you could write a book. I'm sure if one was already out there, you'd have found it already. But for those following in your footsteps that would be so helpful.
    xxx

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  17. Coni -- I also have a tracker, and here's a hint. At the end of the day, when you have not quite met your goal steps, you can fool it by waving your arm around! (this may also account for the steps it thinks you take during the night when you know you were sleeping)

    I agree that you should write the book. I have been reading e-books almost exclusively for nearly 2 years and love how available they are 24-7, both from Amazon and from my local library. Many of the books I have read this year are lighter paranormal or steampunk romances, much of which are self-published. Something (else) for you to think about, and make detailed notes during your hospital and recovery periods.

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  18. I love your book title! You should definitely write it :) Soup looks delicious!

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