So, taking a cue from Carole…

Furniture. Furniture is good, right? At least it’s all positioned more or less where it’s supposed to be. And my spinning wheel is out of its bag!

See? I don’t know when I’ll actually get to sit and spin at it, mind you, but that’s not the point, right? That, and the fact that I’m gaining some floor space is an encouraging thing. Even if my area rug is still rolled up in the corner! (In fact, I’m wondering if it’s going to fit in the room at all … I don’t remember the dimensions of the rug.) I’m sitting in my red chair right now, though, so … definite progress.

And then … yes, I know, this looks like a mess, but in fact, this is huge progress. All the different bookcases are lined up along the wall, just waiting for, well, the books. Because, before you can release the books from their boxes, you need someplace to put them, right?

And, what girl wouldn’t love this? A brand new pantry?

Of course, it came in pieces and needed to be assembled–which is always my job. Considering there were no actual instructions in the box, I did pretty well, huh?

Well, okay, I called the 800 number and they emailed them to me. (You’ve got to love the internet, right?) But, still. We’re really very happy with this. Nice quality for self-assembled furniture, even if the magnets to hold it closed should be a tiny bit closer to the edge, because it doesn’t quite connect to the ones on the door. The only complaint is that the latch/lock doesn’t work–that was the sole set of holes that didn’t line up correctly–there’s about 3″ between the lock on one side and the latch on the other door, but since we don’t plan on actually locking it, we’re okay with that. (And, well, the plastic handles could be a little nicer, I suppose, but so what?)

And, one of my favorite parts? We ordered this from Amazon.com, and since I signed up for the Amazon Prime program, the shipping cost me NOTHING. Every other website we looked at for a pantry charged a minimum of $70 for shipping. So–a $185 pantry with no sales tax, no shipping. A bargain!

And, then, there was this.

You know it’s my birthday. It hasn’t really FELT like one (though there’s no question I’m tired enough to feel a year older!), but still, it is 43 years since I made my debut. My sister came down again, and she, Mom and I went out for coffee. (Well, Mom and I had coffee, I had a cupcake, Mom had a cookie, and my sister had a glass of water.) It was the first time that I’ve been away from Chappy since we moved in, and even though we left him home with his favorite Grandpa, he apparently HOWLED, poor little boy.

On the plus side, he made two puddles outside today. That’s a start!

Here’s what Mom found tonight. The baby bracelets from the hospital. Two for her (one each for me and for my twin Susan), and mine. Which, since I was so tiny (3.1 pounds), was actually wrapped around my LEG because that was the fattest part of me.

It’s a little small these days. But, speaking of birthdays and baby hospital bracelets … my sister’s brother-in-law and his wife became a father again … today! We’ve got another November 6th birthday in the family! Welcome little Joshua.

I got some spinning wool, too, as a birthday present. 24 oz from the Sheep Shed that Mom bought at Rhinebeck. Two in a nice, olive green, and one in a lighter green. It will make a gorgeous 3-ply yarn someday.

Sooner, now, of course, that I’ve found my spinning wheel … if not quite as soon as I’d like.

Okay … really tired now… I’m older, you understand, and it’s been quite a week.

Is it really Friday, already? So soon? Where did this week GO?

• Tags: Family, General • Permalink:Being Thankful // 7 Comments »