Math and Chocolate.

I have been bugging quizzing Husband on how to figure things out for the trailer.  I have to limit the trailer to 1800 pounds (or less), for several reasons, not the least of which is that I want to be able to use my small vehicle to carry it.

"You need to figure out how much the plywood will weigh."  He then explained how.  This would have been great, except for the fact he told me right as I was falling asleep, having also been sleeping badly, so I am more than a bit rummy of late.

Soooo, this morning I asked him to explain it again.

He did.

I didn't get it.

I told him what I was going to do, and he told me I was over thinking it.  Gee, like that is a surprise...  (Considering that about a week or so ago,  I was trying to figure out how to plant my garden with the square foot method, and the garden plots are round...  I even came up with A=πr2, driving myself nuts for a bit, until I figured out I didn't really need to worry about the "extra space".) He explained the concept again, and I told him that I was still clueless.

He worked, and talked, and saw my blank expression.  Finally, he looked at the bag of chocolate squares he'd bought me for Valentine's Day, and had given to me a bit early, and took them out.  He methodically laid them out in a rectangle, and yet again, re-explained the concept.  I repeated what he said, then he gave me another simple example, I figured it out, and he seemed pleased. (I now think I should be able to figure out the rest, as soon as I get the sketches finished.)

I then told him that he was going to have to figure the round upper part of the trailer, I was having a hard enough time with the square parts.

He said he could show me how.

I shuddered, and said no, he could figure it out, I wanted to get the weight correct.  He chuckled, and then commented, "Well, even if you don't build this trailer, at least you are learning something."

Chocolate as math.  If this had been available when I was going to school, I might have become a math major!

SECOND post of the new year... eep!

So much for getting off to a good start with my blog.  Hmph.

I have been doing "stuff" for which I can blog, though.  I have been working on a "selfish" project, I am making simple garter stitch squares for a blanket, with the fancy name of "100 Square Afghan".

I have 21 random squares so far, that's why they sort of clash at the moment.  I just grab whatever scrap skein that is close and start working on it.  I also am using a rather unique set of needles...

 Yes, they are chopsticks.  Take a pencil sharpener, point the end a bit more, a little sandpaper for any rough spots, a dab of nail polish on the tips for making it a bit smoother, and a rubber band finial, ta da!  (And for any knitters out there, they are very close to a US #8.)  And very nice to knit with.  I am going to make a few more.  In fact I have some that I've made up but not used yet, that are more of an oval, I want to see how they do...

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In other news, Schrodinger is fitting in.  This is her, finding a favorite bird watching spot...

Why does she have a collar on, you ask?  Well, two reasons.  We are training her to be on lead when we take her outside.  With no front toenails, she is not armed.  And she has surprisingly taken to it pretty well.  I think it's from being raised around dogs her whole life, she doesn't know it's not a 'cat' thing...  :)  She loves going outside to visit Rudee.  She, however, hates Buzz with a passion... Odd little thing, which can make outdoor trips eventful, if nothing else.

And the second thing?  Well, we have to put a leash on her IN the house sometimes, because:

She tried to eat the blinds. I tried repairing them, she then ate the repair tape off the blinds... While eating more of the blind!  (She is more chewing and tearing them up, I haven't seen her actually dine on the blinds, but I don't want to take chances, we are keeping her away from them, and eventually getting some vertical blinds.  We suspect she just wants to see out.)  This has led to my Husband's nickname for her, Miss Chevious...  Except for when she was a bit gassy, she was then dubbed Hellstinky.  Husband is nothing, if not creative!  I even nicknamed her Dingus, when she acts up.  She seems to take this is stride, putting up with humans like us seems to not bother her too much.  I am pleased with how my Husband has been with her.  He always said he isn't much of an animal person.  

Don't you believe it...

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I won an award for volunteer of the year from the Sheriff's Office.  It was a ceremony in front of a large group of deputies and volunteers, and I had to stand up front while my doings were pronounced. I had this suave, casual, "panicked deer in headlights" look going on, I am sure.  I was pleased to be recognized, but I have trouble in front of groups.  At least I didn't have to speak! (Except thank you!!)

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And I have been working on cleaning out my craft room.  It has become a storage room for just anything, so I have been really ruthless about sorting and throwing things out, (2 large bags of paper and trash, so far).  I sorted all my spinning wool, which was a good thing, I had some that was, uh, not so good, and I had to toss it, along with some anti-moth doings for the stuff in with it...  You know you are a spinner, when you have to check if you have enough room in your freezer - because of wool!  Husband has become somewhat inured to this, I ask him to get a bag of peppers, or some such out of the freezer, he just looks at it oddly, and gets the aforementioned item.  

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I am also planning on building a trailer.  Mostly to see if I can.  Husband has said he will stay out of it, unless I specifically ask, or do not have the technical skill to do something.   Or if I have something built wrong to the point of being dangerous.  I figure that works.  Right now I am in the 'cost and weight analysis' part.  I want to make a vardo/gypsy style wagon that will be small enough for me to use with my tiny truck or jeep.  It will be more for summer stuff that I go to, but who knows, if I get a wild hair to go be alone with my thoughts, it could do that, too.  I will probably have it more "modern" than a lot of vardos, it will have fan vents, and solar chargers (the plan anyway), and will be able to be extra "dry" storage for things in the winter, if I do it right...  We shall see what happens.  So far, it's been doable, but I haven't been out to see what is available in real life, it might just frighten me to death!  

And, I am looking at the veggie p*rn for this year's garden, getting things set up for some chicks later in the season, going to meetings for the Neighborhood Watch, among other things, and generally just staying busy!  

With any luck, I will have at least a couple more blogs this month, one a month is much less than I want to do!  Oh, and messymimi, thank you for the lovely card!