Yet Another Public Holiday

20 Nov

Malaysia is known to have a lot of public holidays. Sometimes it’s nice but sometimes it can also be disruptive, depending on one’s workflow or timetable. Yes, today is a public holiday in the midst of being busy and having a big exam.

For us, it’s disruptive because we are busy. But for M2, it’s a welcome breather allowing her an extra day to do more preparation.

Well, we can’t fight it so we make use of it. It will be a day of carving for me of course. I have completed the second phone holder whale and have two more blocks in the pipeline to continue for this range.

Only left with the varnishing step

Two blocks coming up soon!

Tags: , , , ,

Whale of a Time

19 Nov

Sometimes doing the same thing over and over again can be quite mundane. I am not saying Citizens, Monuments and Gnomes are getting boring but once in a while, I’d like to do something different for variety.

That’s why there are Superheroes, Dinky the dinosaur, Halloween Owl, giant Citizens, a couple of Gnome Homes, an Apeach and whales in the collection. My latest challenge was carving another whale but a much larger one than the four that I have carved.

Larger because it will double up as a smart phone holder as well. The idea came about after a dim sum meal with a girlfriend. I totally had a whale of a time (pun intended) carving this new baby on a glued two-piece Meranti. So much so, I started another one in between some other efforts.

img_5903

img_5886

Hubby’s Samsung A6+ sitting on the whale

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

A Little Scare

16 Nov

Yesterday morning I couldn’t launch Candy Crush Soda on my iPad Mini! Eeeks. I was like “Nooooooo!” my Daily Bonus record is going to be broken. The app kept saying to log into Facebook to continue and when I did, it couldn’t go on. Aaaargh…

I restarted the device and said a little prayer because my record was at stake. Thank goodness, after several attempts, I managed to launch without further problems. It was Day 815.

An unnecessary little scare that was. And today? Without a hitch that I could even play three rounds before the app quit on me! The iPad is dying a slow death.

img_5859

Tags: , , , ,

Treating the Wrist Tendonitis

15 Nov

I finally got around to seeing a physiotherapist this week after consulting the sports doctor last week to treat the Wrist Tendonitis. It looked like the ‘damage’ is not that extensive although the left hand looked slightly atrophic. Gosh.

The tendon along the thumb to the wrist hurt only when probed. The rest and minimal usage has been effective although I must admit I have been carving but being very careful not to aggravate the situation.

Immediate measures to take besides rest are four sessions of ultrasound therapy within a month and regular strengthening exercises which I must do twice daily. And I should continue using the Acupuncture Meridian Pen for added self-treatment.

With these steps and proper care, healing and recovery will be faster. The good news is I don’t have to sit out the year from golf. Then again, with the weather being so wet until year end, I don’t think I am missing out.

For now, I should apply KT Tape to the affected area for support and at the same time protect the tendon from further injury. Otherwise I wear a wrist thumb brace which works just as well.

I am thankful this turned out much better than I had anticipated. Phew.

img_5844

Tags: , , , ,

Let the Exams Begin

13 Nov

Today M2 will sit for her BIG exam – the SPM with the first subject in the morning. This is her final year in high school and all the hard work comes down to this moment.

A month long duration, we will have to endure the anxiety and give her as much moral support as possible. Over the months, she had taken over the dining table with all the revision books and notes, working hard and very much dedicated in her efforts.

All the best, my dear M2; we know you can do it. Let the exams begin!

Tags: , ,

11.11.11

12 Nov

Sunday was a significant day with the date being 11.11. While there was this HUGE Singles Day online sales with record numbers being achieved globally, it was a significant day for us for a different reason. Our beloved Official Pet number one turned 11, hence 11.11.11.

What a journey it has been for us with Rooney, our English Bulldog, official pet, senior citizen of the house and shortest member of the family.

He may have the grumpiest face, the loudest and most insistent bark on the street, the most stubborn streak surpassing even me, I can go on but we love him all the same!

Happy Birthday and stay healthy, my silly grumpy boy.

img_5831

Tags: ,

Embracing Change, Part 2

9 Nov

These days I am wondering if my decision to update to iOS12 was a good one. While I have gotten used to the new iOS now, I think my iPhone5S has not and cannot handle the change or something is not right with the phone. The battery drain problem has gotten worse.

It may last a day if I don’t use it but such a scenario is highly unlikely in this age of constant connectivity. And with minimal usage, it can’t even last half a day. Note half a day!

There was once the battery was down to 54% and I was at the grocery store. One quick snap of a picture and a phone call, the battery power plunged drastically to one percent!!! One percent, how is that even possible with a conversation less than a minute with M2 just to confirm the choice of cereal?

And that wasn’t the first time it happened. Then two weeks ago, the phone had 54% (again) and I was updating some apps. It was fine, the next minute, it dropped to 16%. Something is obviously very wrong.

I was hoping not to jump the gun to wish an early death for my beloved iPhone5S but it looks like now, this decision has been taken out of my hands. Sigh.

I am contemplating whether to just change the battery to resuscitate and save the phone. Hmm… Something to really think about. Otherwise, I may have to upgrade to a newer model sooner than later, something I am not keen to do yet. We shall see. For now, the powerbank is a must have.

Tags: , , ,

Thriving Garden, Part 2

8 Nov

Lately, I have been noticing the staghorn fern in front of the house, something I don’t normally do. And it’s rather exciting to see a new green leaf growing and wrapping itself onto the shield frond. How refreshing it looks! This is despite the wonky wet and hot weather that we are experiencing.

But I now wonder how long will it take before it turns brown. Hmm… I guess I have to watch the fern more closely the next few days.

img_5789

The photos were taken four days apart.

 

Tags: , , ,

Need to Getaway

6 Nov

Maybe I need to get away from the usual routine and life. Stay away from golf and carving, and take out that bikini to wear to even out all the uneven golf tan lines.

I saw a sports doctor yesterday to evaluate the wrist. Thankfully it’s not what I thought initially – Avulsion Fracture and no necessity for an X-ray or MRI. Rather it’s a case of De Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis, inflammation of the tissue on the thumb side of the wrist. Commonly known as Wrist Tendinitis, it is due to overuse.

On top of over usage, it seems that Tendinitis is part and parcel with age, being the dinosaur that I am. Gee, as if I don’t have enough problems already what with the Infectious Collitis and Endometriosis diagnosed earlier in the year. I’m such a problematic dinosaur this year.

But with the weather so wonky these days and M2’s big exam looming closer each day, will we have time for a much needed escapade? Frankly, I don’t think it will be enjoyable with constant wet weather nor will there be ease of mind knowing what’s ahead for her.

It’s a good thing that today’s a public holiday and I am home taking a mini break as recommended by the doctor.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ciabatta No More

5 Nov

I managed to rework the second Gnome Home and am pleased to say that it’s a ciabatta no more! I added more Meranti wood pieces to the top and sides to give it more height and volume.

Then I painstakingly carved and filed down the addition to blend with the ‘roof’ so that the overall look is proportionate to the base. Areas where I couldn’t get it to look smooth, the wood putty did the job.

And after adding gesso to the overall shape, you can’t tell that the whole piece is actually made up of big and small pieces. Once the final touch of colors are added, my Gnomes have another home. Yay.

img_5590

img_5594

img_5628

 

Tags: , , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →