Sparkly, shiny and fluffy and strong.

 First off, npmckay, Happy Birthday! :) 

Now then. Husband was going to be gone for the day, and I decided that the floors were going to be cleaned in the kitchen. Winter leaves them a mess at the best of times, and since I have barely been able to do a lick and a promise... It wasn't good.  The floors were dark tan, not white. (The last owner chose that color, NOT ME.) 

Finally found a place that carries the cleaner I use, and so I got out my scrub brush, mop, and copious amounts of elbow grease. Spray, let it set for a little bit, scrub like crazy, then rinse.  I did a small section each time so I wouldn't manage to scrub myself into a corner. 

Poor Ding was having her own concerns, another stupid bird was in the chimney again. You'd think with a cap and screen around it, they wouldn't be able to get in. But there's always one dip rod... 

Ignoring the scratching (bird), and meowing (one of the few times Ding is vocal), I was working up a sweat, when Doctor A showed up.  

I met him out front, and he was worried. I told him to give me a moment as I was out of breath.  He then started quizzing me if that was normal, was I having any pain, was being out of breath doing this chore normal? 

After assuring him, yes, I was using it like cardio, and with my arms doing a lot, I breathe hard! He finally decided I was okay, and left a message for Husband. I wished him well, and continued on. 

More scratches, more meowing. Meh. 

Had a bit of lunch, put the now clean rugs back, got dusting finished, a few other chores, and cleaned the kitchen.  

Scritch, meoooooow! Sigh. 

Decided that things were about as tidy as I was going to make them, and sat down to rest and knit.  

Not unlike a gumball from a machine, pop, out came the bird into the stove, where Ding could see it through the isinglass. And the bird could see Ding. This never goes well... 

Quickly, I shut all the blinds, open the door wide turn off all the lights, throw Ding on the bed and shut the door, and release the bird to fly out. 

The bird was extra stupid this round, it flew around the living room before it figured out where the door was. No bombing missions in the process, thankfully. After it left I shut the door so something else didn't fly IN!

Ding was very unhappy with no bird, until I gave her wet food (gooshy food, we term it). She decided that was acceptable, and though she still checked the stove, she settled down quickly. 

Husband thought the house looked terrific, was pleased I could deal with the bird myself, and we were both exhausted, sitting quiet most of the evening. 

***

So, I did finish ONE book in January. I tried to read through The Help. Don't know what was wrong, other than it made me angry, but I couldn't finish it. I hope it doesn't dissuade others, the author does characters well, and description of place... But I just disliked some of the characters, and it just made it hard for me to finish. I think maybe I might try it again sometime, but I want to read something else. 

So I turn to something fluffy. Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman. (Yes, Mom, the pun was intentional.) It is a very short book, with patterns, so I also have The Physics of Superheroes by James Kakalios.  I already peeked at that one, looks like it might be a fun read. 

And hopefully we will have the ground hog not see his shadow, for six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, it will be only a month and a half until spring! (Hee!)

; )