Author: Aynaria

Adding extra duties while my dad is in a nursing home; Power Washing their home

Aynaria 5 Comments

A few weeks ago my mother mentioned that she wanted to powerwash her home. I remembered a while ago that she had bought a joke of a powerwasher for under $40. I told her at the time, that was not going to do what she’d envisioned, and promptly forgot about that. However, recently she brought up power washing again. I guess she realized what I said about her purchase was accurate? My mother was leaning towards an electric power washer, which I shot down almost instantly. I’ve used them in the past, and while they are fine, I much prefer gas-powered power washers, and so that’s where I began my research.

After a few weeks of watching videos and reading numerous reviews, I’ve finally settled on the WestinghouseWPX Max 3400 PSI 2.6 GPM Cold Water Gas Pressure Washer with Soap Tank and 5. The reviews on the 3400 and the 3200 were great.

It should be here on Friday, and it’s forecasted to be a warm weekend. I pray it stays that way because if that’s the case my parent’s home is getting power washed.

 

Video: Winterizing Your Pressure Washer

 

My father is now in a nursing home, we’re planning to bring him home soon, I’ve been stepping into the role of doing a lot of the “manly” things that he used to do. Grass cutting has been taken care of by me, maintaining my mother’s vehicle, adding air to her tire when it was low. She had mentioned calling the local auto mechanic and having them come out to her house. I told her, “No need mom, I got this!” I learned car maintenance and a lot of other “masculine chores” from my father. I decided at a very young age, that my gender should not automatically mean that I was exempt from any of these things since if something needed to be done, I should know how to take care of that. So yeah… you can add power washing the house to the list.

In other news: Testing out WpDiscuz

I’m testing out a new comment system; wpDiscuz 5. Upon activating, it didn’t appear that the person commenting could leave their URL? Hmm, that can make it a bit of a challenge if you or someone visiting your virtual home wants to check out the person commenting on your website, right? However, after a quick search, I discovered that the feature is there, it’s “hidden” however you can “extend” so the name/url automatically displays. Since I’m used to seeing the name/URL automatically displayed when leaving a comment I opted for “extended.”

Knitted Amigurumi

Aynaria 7 Comments

Saturday morning, I finally finished my nephew’s knitted amigurumi!

I was so happy that I could get this completed in time for their visit. I had planned on having this finished over two weeks ago; however, my father was taken to the hospital on 10/15/21, and so my knitting came to a standstill as I juggled work, being there for my mother, and still being the mom to my daughter. My father was moved out of the ICU at the end of last week, and things are slowly settling down. Because of that, I was able to focus on my nephew’s knitted amigurumi. Thankfully; I’d knitted the majority of the stuffed toy. The only thing left was to finish knitting the legs, which I did yesterday. I presented it to him when he and my brother dropped by the house this past Saturday. He told me that he loved it and is now trying to think of an appropriate name for him. 🙂

In the above picture, I stuck it next to my daughter’s knitted green amigurumi (she named it Izzy) for comparison. As you can see, her’s has received a lot of love over the years. I’m hoping for a slow weekend so that I can patch up Izzy.

VacMaster 215 – Meal Prep

Aynaria 4 Comments
VacMaster 215 – Stock Photo

Yesterday afternoon, I received my VacMaster 215. It arrived a little after 2:00. I was still working, and so I brought it inside and went back to work.

This vacuum sealer has been on my want list since 2017. I’d used them many times at a local Food Bank where I volunteer, so I know they are excellent.

VacMaster 215

The box that it arrived in was huge! Additionally, there was a box inside the box, and it was neatly packaged with thick styrofoam which ensured that the machine was protected.

VacMaster 215 – Unboxing

This machine weighs 83 pounds. I weigh 30 pounds more than the machine; however, although I’m petite, I could pick it up and place it on the island in our kitchen. Who knows, I might eventually purchase a heavy-duty cart for placement. It uses a 1/4 hp rotary oil pump. I added the oil once I’d set it up, and will keep an eye on it and change it when needed. Yesterday evening, after returning from the hospital where my father is, I used the machine. I used it non-stop for a little under an hour.

I must say that I’m enjoying my VacMaster 215, and I’m looking forward to using it extensively today. I’ve already used it on some of the produce from our garden. My one complaint would be that the little booklet that came with the machine did not give many details regarding the suggested settings for the VacMaster; however, I know I’ll be fine. There are a few YouTube videos about this particular brand. My favorite is by a lovely lady named Judy Leach, I stumbled upon her VacMaster videos shortly after she posted her first review, and it’s still my favorite video about this particular sealer.

I plan to set aside a few hours today, going through our deep freezer, and resealing anything that is not vacuum sealed. I’m actually looking forward to this. The machine came with vacuum-sealed bags, and I’d purchased more bags that arrived on Wednesday, and I have more scheduled to arrive later today. I definitely anticipated another round of shortages in the upcoming months, and I’m very happy if that does happen that I’m prepared. Since I’ve always done a lot of meal prep. My parents were and still are amazing role models when it comes to prepping, if there is a shortage, I’ll be prepared.

How do you do that voodoo

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Several years ago, I knit this voodoo doll for my daughter. I’ve made her a lot of amigurumi’s over the years. What’s amigurumi? Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures. She loved that knitted toy so much, that I eventually knit her another one. Nine years later, she still has them displayed on her bed.

Voodoo Doll – Knitted Amigurumi Doll

Two weekends ago, when my brother and nephew were visiting us, my nephew saw one of my daughter’s knitted voodoo amigurumi’s (I made two for her) and said that he liked them. I told him I would make him one. I hunted around for the appropriate yarn; however, I did not find that anything that was superwash wool, and so yesterday I logged onto Michael’s and ordered Paton’s sock yarn. I was happy to discover that they had a sale; buy one, get one free; because of that, I purchased eight skeins of yarn. Does ut take eight skeins to knit one voodoo doll? Of course, it doesn’t; however, the cooler months are always a fabulous time to knit socks, don’t you think?

I’m looking forward to an afternoon of hanging with my daughter while knitting the voodoo doll for my nephew. He’ll be here this coming weekend. I’m hoping to have it finished by that time.

In other news

I finished my first full week of simply working/without training. I must say it feels great. There’s still so much to learn; however, I’m surrounded by a fabulous boss, wonderful teammates, that it makes the career change transition much easier.

Blooming Tea Flowers

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Besides water, herbal teas are what I consume most. I drink them several times weekly. Hot or cold, they’re always a welcome addition. I’m a member of a tea forum, because of that, I’ve become interested in blooming tea flowers. Some of the ones I’ve seen remind me of small kelp balls, and when hot water hits them, they unfurl to reveal a beautiful flower. While looking at them, I quickly realized that I could easily make those myself at home with the various edible flowers and herbs that I grow on our property, and I look forward to doing just that next year. However, until that time, I do believe that I will try some of the tea blooms myself.

This morning, I ordered this lovely glass teapot, and I’ll receive two tea flowers along with the teapot. It should arrive tomorrow morning by 8:00 am.

The description says,

GIFT SET INCLUDES TWO BLOOMING TEAS. The Celebration Teapot comes with two Teabloom jasmine-infused blooming tea flowers – also perfect for loose-leaf tea, teabags and fruit-infused waters. As a gift for a special person – or yourself! – this is a tasteful choice that shows how much you care.

I cannot wait to get my glass teapot and to try out the blooming teas for myself. This evening, I received two different tea blends from Tiesta Tea; Blueberry Wild Child, Loose Leaf Blueberry Hibiscus Herbal Tea, and Lavender Chamomile tea. My daughter and I tried the Blueberry Wild Child tea, and we adored the deliciously fragrant tea. We loved the delicate taste and the floral sweetness of this blend.

I’m looking forward to having another cup soon. I’m also looking forward to my much-loved hibiscus tea petals. I order them in bulk. That should arrive tomorrow morning also.

Say Hello to Bengie

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About three weeks ago, we introduced Bengie, an outdoor stray cat, into our home. After one night, he realized what that square box with pellets was and used the litter box without any issues. Then, my daughter got the idea to add a bit of potting soil into the box, and a light bulb went off, and he was using the box as an expert.

Bengie and knitted ball

This past Saturday, I knit him a wool ball which I stuffed with sheep’s wool, catnip, and a noisemaker. I’m thrilled to say that Bengie loves the ball and has played with that and a few other toys I purchased for him. I got the idea to create him a knit ball made out of wool because he was drawn to the wool blankets that I’ve made. When I had one near him, he came over to me and started kneading the blanket with his paws. He peered at me through half-slitted amber eyes, and his little motor (purring) increased in volume.

Work is going well. I’m in week nine of training. I have one more week and then will finish training. I received recognition in August for my job performance. It wasn’t expected; however, I do appreciate the recognition. I enjoy my job, and it’s nice to work for a company where management truly values its employees.

In other news

I took an unexpected day off of work today. Funny how that works since I work from home; however, I knew I would not be up for training since I’m not feeling well. I still feel a bit under the weather; however, not as bad as I felt earlier today or the weekend. I’m trying to get as much rest as possible. I think I’ll be out one more day and should feel well enough to return to work on Wednesday. I don’t particularly appreciate missing work; however, I know I would not have accomplished much if I were in training today. There were a few people out a few days last week because they weren’t feeling well. Since I work remotely, I didn’t receive anything from anyone in my class. I suspect it might be that I reacted to something since the symptoms mimic what I experienced several years ago. In that case, as I guess with this one, It just needs to pass entirely out of my system.

Small Commercial Insurance: Learning the lingo

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Today, I took unexpected time off of work due to unforeseen circumstances. Since we’re working remotely, I reached out to my facilitator, and boss via Microsoft Teams and filled them in on what was happening. Later today, I discovered that I could pop into work although it was only for 2.5 hours. Flashback to my prior job, there is no way I would have even worked, if I was going to be out of the office. I imagine I would have felt the same way if I was working remotely also. However, the environment, my boss, and my team make it all worthwhile. I had my weekly 1:1 sessions with my manager. I must say that I’m truly appreciating the hands-on approach she has with us during our Onboarding. There is so much to learn, and it’s nice to bounce ideas off of her and get to know her more as a person. Once week 10 hits, I won’t be meeting with her weekly.

There’s still a lot to learn, and I’m doing my best o understand the insurance lingo used when talking about the various coverages that my department works with. I’m working with the Small Commercial side; Workmans Compensation, General Liability, Auto, and all the extras like additions like BPP, COI, Umbrella, fraud, and many other additions that a small business owner can have.

In other news…

Today I was drilling holes in this pot. This terra-cotta pot came with a plant that was planted inside a plastic pot. This lovely container served as the cachepot.

The plant’s leaves were a bit crispy in its feel. This is a plant that I purchased last week. However, giving the plant a long drink of water, and draining well, has brought the leaves (almost) back to normal.