Home in the Hovel

I acquired two pairs of almost new walking shoes, size 13, today for my 'donation' bag. The Roomie complained about his boots hurting so I got on the internet & ordered a pair of boots & a walking shoe from Rockport Canada in the elusive size 14. Since I bought all his shoes w-a-a-a-y back - yeah, back in the days when I had to go store to store looking for them - I knew what styles would fit the big canal barges he calls feet. Rockport was wonderful. I ordered them on Thursday, just before Turkey weekend & they arrived the following Wednesday!!
And they fit so well he can't wait to meet his buddies for coffee in the morning to show them off. He tossed the old beaters himself & gave me all the others that he had stored away in the closet. Woohoo - closet space!! Now for the tee shirts!!

Since I don't have a closet, I decided to do a little tossing myself. I bagged at least half a closet of things both too big & too small - I tend to fluctuate in size - since what I really need is less fussy sweats, leggings & tee shirts these days. Not everything looks sexy with an airhose & tank! Now, if I could only get all his tools out of the back of the kitchen & into the garage .  .  .  .

Trick or Treats - it's just about THAT time again & we have kids on the street again. I was in London Drugs today getting my flu shot & found LARA Bars on sale for $3 a box of 5. I checked out all the options for 'cereal' bars, 'energy' bars etc & found LARA bars with no added sugar, salt or chemicals. They do have nuts - mostly cashews or almonds but a couple have peanut butter so I avoided them. I like them. They have dates, nuts, sometimes fruit or peanut butter but nothing else. I'd say they're a very good option.

Knitting - got a really short hair cut &  now I'm cold!! Found some odd balls of Briggs & Little Heritage in the basket in several shades of Blue. Cast on 100 stitches & have ribbed my way about halfway to a touque. Can't wait to wear it!
Scrappy sock almost has a toe & will probably end up on my foot when it's done. Should look mighty nice in my new white Sketchers with the little fake diamonds on them.

Here in the Hovel

What is it about old bachelors that makes them hang onto everything they ever owned??? No, I am not speaking only about the Roomie but about myself too. Since Summer has flown rapidly - was it only a month or so ago that we were looking for lighter tees & shorts???? I've been trying to pry more junque loose from this little bitty house & toss it.

I have learned not to use the word "donate" too often. If it's good enough to donate then we still  need it! Has anybody noticed how easy it is to toss OTHER PEOPLE'S junk but not your own??? I am trying to set an example but it's tough when almost everything I own is clothing, kitchen stuff or fibre which he thinks is junk. I did persuade him to toss most of his socks. He had two garbage bags full of socks but no pairs. And they're just awful cotton socks that he's tried to mend with wool because he can't find socks big enough. I got on the computer & ordered 8 pairs of socks in size 13 to 15. One bag went out in the garbage the day the socks arrived.
Tee shirts were next, long sleeves. He hasn't thrown anything out yet but the shirts haven't arrived. I bought Caribbean Blue, Yellow, Scarlet, Cardinal, Slate & Navy. I'm so sick of GREY. I figure all the tees will go when he gets that box.
And today, today I went to Rockport Canada & replaced his work boots - he won't throw out his old ones even though they're too heavy to wear, too small for his orthotic & make his feet sore but they're Red Wings that we paid $700 for 20 years ago!!  I also found a nice rubber soled walking shoe for every day for him as well. Take THAT old fart!!!   

Knitting - I have two pairs of socks on the needles - one is a scrappy pair in leftover Confetti/Fabel/Kroy light weight yarns & one is another orange/brown/yellow pair in the beloved Kroy 4 ply. Kroy is my winter sock yarn. It's thick & warm & soft & keeps my old dawgs toasty.
I started a vest for my friend Robert who moves furniture for a living. He lusts after a Cowichan but it would be two warm in this climate. I told him I had some Buffalo wool in one of the bins & would knit him a vest instead. It's dry, dusty & throws off fibres so I've been knitting outside on the porch for short periods. And I also have to get my ass in gear & make myself a hat - I got a women's crew cut & I freeze even in my own office!!