Chilibean
Heavenly Harvey
I’ve Got Freckles
Who Ate all the Pies?
Monthly Archives: January 2023
Art by Dede Gold
Filed under animal paintings, Dede Gold Art
Sunny, Bright Sunday 1-15-2023
I found this and walked with them yesterday. I was reminded how much I need this by my hips talking to me a couple of times, but I think this will do me a lot of good. It’s short, gets me moving, and I like this mother and daughter.
I also did a careful, abbreviated version of my yoga practice yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks. I have no clue why my right upper arm is hurting, but I’ve decided to try to work through it very carefully and see how it goes. ONE DAY AT A TIME.
I’m also being more successful in NOT eating in-between meals. This week has been a good start. If I think I’m hungry, I’m trying to drink some water and see how I feel later. If I’m STILL hungry, I have some dried fruit to eat. 2-1/2 pounds down for the week.
Our weather is nice today, so I’m planning to at least walk around outside this afternoon. It’s hard to believe it’s January. The high will be around 62!
I’m thinking about at least spending some time in my art room today. I have ideas rattling around in my brain during the day, and am dreaming about them at night, so it’s time. :0)
I hope you’re enjoying your Sunday, too.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Thank You
I love writing this blog. I’m delighted when I find some someone who is creating something that fills me with awe at their talent and with joy from what they have created, whether it’s in music, or art, or writing, or just making me laugh or cry. One of the things that keeps me from giving up is that there are so MANY creative souls who continue to create something special in the middle of our callousness and stupidity. These people shut out the world and create something that speaks to us, makes us feel our better selves, causes us to keep hope alive. I’m so grateful that I am able to find people from all over the world who fill my heart, making me want to share them with you.
The WordPress people provide graphs and charts showing you how many people are following you, how many people look at your posts, how many ‘likes’ you get, comments, etc., and then compare them to the past. I usually just concentrate on the day, trying to provide a variety of posts, hoping that you feel entertained, glad you spent some time with me. Every once in awhile I look at the past, just to get an idea of what has happened since I started.
People follow for different reasons. When they no longer find it interesting, or I send too many posts, they stop following, so the numbers go up and down. The chart above shows the yearly totals of visitors and views, from 2014 when I started until the year just started, 2023. I found it really encouraging to see the difference last year. It makes me happy, but it also makes me more serious about trying to provide a variety of things that will make you feel you aren’t wasting your time or finding me too annoying.
I so enjoy the ‘likes’ I receive, and particularly the comments, letting me know what you think. Thanks for making 2022 a nice year. I’ll try to do better in 2023.
Filed under Encouragement
A Little Bit of Hope
Except for enjoying a surprise brunch at The Waffle House when out with my husband, I’ve been good this week. In fact, when my husband said we should go somewhere out to eat when we found out our friends wouldn’t be at Lunch Bunch yesterday, I convinced him to stay home and make our own lunch – even though it was nice of him to suggest it.
I’m hoping that my new “One Day at a Time” affirmation will continue to give me the strength of purpose to keep my mouth shut, not eating in-between meals or in the middle of the night when I am finding it hard to sleep, and getting back into my exercising daily.
So far this week my scales are still laughing at me, but I AM showing about 2 lbs less now. I’m hoping for 2 to 3 pounds per week, or at least that I hold whatever I’ve lost from week to week before showing more loss. Onward and downward.
Filed under DIET!
Vivi K. Crandall Art 2
Filed under animal paintings, Vivi K. Crandall
Two Special Songbirds
I discovered Jess Glynne when she pranked The Voice Coaches, supposedly auditioning. She completely blew me away. Since then, I’ve found lots of songs she has recorded. I’ve never heard a voice like hers. I’ve bookmarked several so I can listen over and over again. I hope you enjoy her, too.
I found Emilie Fosshaug yesterday when I was taking a break between chores. Her voice is rich, full, and as smooth as butter. I hope she goes far in the competition.
Filed under music
Nichola Theakston Ceramics
Filed under ceramics, Clay Art, Nichola Theakston Ceramics
“Habit”
Practical Psychology
I think I’ve finally done it. Oddly enough, I’m convinced I’ve done it because I HAVEN’T been able to exercise lately and I am thinking about it and MISSING it. YES! You read that right. I AM!
In my former life, The fact that I’ve not been able to continue my ‘however-many-days-in-a-row’ streak and continue putting starts on my calendar would have caused me to give it up. My current feelings are more mature (yeah, I know – hard to believe), but I’m simply looking forward to feeling good enough to be able to do a session of yoga. Each day I’ve been closer, and this afternoon might be the time I can do it again. And also, hopefully, when I’m able to do that, I’d like to start with my alternating warm-up and weights videos one day and elliptical trainer the next again.
I’m writing this day down on my calendar because it’s hard to believe that I’m not having an out-of-body experience or something. It doesn’t MATTER that I haven’t been able to keep up my ‘streak.’ I won’t even keep track of it anymore. The IMPORTANT thing is that I’m doing ONE DAY AT A TIME.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE – I just received a text from Patty, Linda’s daughter. She said that Kay had called her and said she was sick and wouldn’t be at Lunch Bunch today. Patty is out of town and said that Linda wouldn’t be there, either. I told my husband that Lunch Bunch was called off for the week. He said, “We could still go to the Waffle House.” I thanked him for the offer, but told him (again) that I was really trying to eat right and that when we had a chance to do that, we should, and that I would rather just stay home today and eat our normal lunch. I managed to NOT eat anything in-between meals yesterday, had bought some dried fruit to eat if I DID eat between meals, and that I was trying to take one day at a time, eating right and doing my exercises.
It’s funny. I’m older than dirt, but am just NOW starting to act a bit more like an adult. :0) The question of how long does it take to build a habit varies a lot from person to person. The answer for ME is around 172 days – at least on exercising. The ‘habit’ of eating right is just in its infancy for me, but I won’t count.
Kris Carr On Twitter
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, Changes, character-building exercises
Quilts of Darlene Determan 2
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, quilts
Cold Friday 1-13-2023
It’s 28 degrees F. right now – not really that cold, but the wind is blowing and it FEELS really cold, particularly after the springlike weather we’ve been enjoying. The cold front came through and thankfully the storms didn’t cause any damage here. I’m full of gratitude that we’re good here. My heart goes out to the people suffering from the vagaries of the weather.
Source Unknown
I may actually get up to my art room today. I have some ideas rattling around in my head that I’d like to try. :0)
My husband is a happy camper today. Yesterday he was finally able to delete the program he didn’t want on his computer and replace it with a version (after trying 3 different softwares) that does exactly what he wanted it to do. We are both relieved.
jackandfriends.com
I’m starting to think about plans for the square foot garden in the spring. I’ll get out my diagrams of where things were planted last time and start figuring out what I would like to plant, how many plants, and where to put them. A gardener is always plotting the next planting.
Cesar’s Way
We’re due to meet our friends for Lunch Bunch today. Last week my husband and I were stood up. No one came or called to tell us they weren’t coming. It turned out that all were sick. I’m hoping that everyone is feeling good now and that we’ll see them at lunch today. I’ve tried to call both of them, but neither of them is good about checking their phones…
I hope today is a good one for you.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
A Bit of Progress This Morning
Clipart Library
My husband has been having a computer problem. As I understand it (only a relative term), he wants to delete a program on his computer and replace it with another one. The computer won’t allow him to do this. It says my husband doesn’t have ‘permission.’
He finally got on chat with Microsoft support and wanted me to type for him. (Since his strokes, he really has trouble, so this is an easy thing for me to do. The guy on chat asks a question – my husband dictates an answer – I type it. It becomes more troublesome as we go, though. My husband gets frustrated when the guy asks for something that doesn’t make sense to him. I type whatever my husband answers, and then the guy on chat gets confused. Things escalate. To say this becomes ‘stressful’ is an understatement. My contribution is to keep my mouth firmly shut and do or type what my husband says, trying to remain calm.
We got to the point where the Microsoft guy was saying the problem was beyond his scope, then my husband asked if he could help us add another user. He did that, and we thanked him.
So now my husband is wrestling with another part of the problem intensely, so I’m keeping a low profile at my computer while he mutters at his.
Now I’ll drive down to get the mail and fix us some lunch.
One step at a time…
Filed under Challenges, Changes
More Art by Mike Ramshaw 2
“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” ~ Orhan Pamuk
“Did you know that there are over 300 words for love in canine?” – Gabriel Zevin
“You can usually tell that a man is good if he has a dog who loves him.” – W. Bruce Cameron
“When an 85-pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel sad.” – Kristan Higgins
“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” – Gilda Radner
“A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.” – Josh Billings
Filed under Art by Mike Ramshaw, drawings
Thursday 1-12-2023
Women’s Health
SHOUT – OUT – Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Haaaaaapy Birrrrrrthdaaaaaay, Dear Lau-fraaaaaaaa-in. Haaaaapy Birrrrrrrthdaaaaay tooooooo yoooooou!
SHOUT – OUT – Kay and Bud – I hope you’re both feeling sassy now.
SHOUT – OUT – ML – Hope you hear something encouraging in your search for a new furry friend soon.
ArtemisFiberArt-Etsy.com
SHOUT – OUT – To those who could use a big hug this morning.
______________________
It’s 42 and quite dark and grim-looking this morning. The cold front and storm came through, but we seem to have come through fine. We’re supposed to be at our high for the day now.
Stay warm and safe.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Gill Parker Sculpture 2
Filed under Gill Parker Bronze Sculptor, sculpture
Wednesday 1-11-2023
Gifak.net – Giphy
In the middle of the afternoon I could give this sweet rodent a run for his money on eating. If I, like he, could stick to carrots, that would be good….
A storm with a cold front are coming through tonight to take away the happy springtime weather we’ve been enjoying and bringing back more normal temperatures for January in Arkansas – so a high of about 72 this afternoon and a high in the low 50s for tomorrow – still warm but noticeably cooler.
This poor old body is making a bid to be thrown on top of the heap in the salvage yard lately. I won’t give you a long list of woes, but the latest was this morning with the help of Amber, our dog. I was sitting here typing, and she came over to say, ‘hi.’ I stopped, to turn to pet her, and she flipped my arm up with her nose, making the top of my arm hit the bottom of the countertop my computer sits on. I took off my watch to rub my arm and there is already a small knot coming up, with probable colorful bruise to follow. Hahahaahahaha. My warranty is definitely expired, though I’m hoping to do some yoga this afternoon.
I wish you a very happy day.
Filed under .gifs I Love, Thoughts on a ________
Voting?
Sent by my friend, Marsha
“Put your right foot in,
Take your right foot out,
Put your right foot in,
And you shake it all about….
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor
Vivi K. Crandall Art
Filed under animal paintings, Vivi K. Crandall
Tuesday Thoughts 1-10-2023
It’s a nice Tuesday here. We’re actually having ‘spring’ this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon before a cold front brings winter back Wednesday night. It’s sunny and 36 now and is supposed to reach 72 this afternoon – in JANUARY! :0)
Since my Lunch Bunch friend Kay hadn’t answered my phone calls, and my email to her was returned, I got concerned and we stopped at her house at the end of our errands yesterday. She answered the door, thank goodness. She and her husband have been sick, but are finally doing better, she said. When I was sure she was all right, I asked her to please check her phone once a day, just in case someone was trying to reach her. She answered that her phone didn’t work right, but didn’t want to take it anywhere to be looked at. She told me she had stopped using her email address. I pointed out that this left carrier pigeons as the only other way to reach her and she smiled. The important thing is that she’s okay. She may, or may not, remember to call me if she’s not coming to Lunch Bunch in the future…
We really enjoyed a brunch/lunch yesterday at The Waffle House. We tried a Sausage, Egg & Cheese Hashbrown Bowl. I enjoyed watching the chef cook our food. I almost felt we were at Benihana. When we were served, I complimented him. The meal was delicious and a real treat. We’ve only eaten there once before since they opened in Greenwood. (They are pretty expensive and we eat too much.)
I’ve been enjoying watching some demonstration videos of various painting techniques. They are getting me excited about trying something new in my art room. Maybe today.
We only have regular stuff to do today. We’ll leave soon to get our mail, get a haircut for my husband, and pick up our trash can on the way back up the driveway.
Have a fun Tuesday!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Trying to Eat Healthy
Sent to me by my friend, Marsha
Two days ago I pulled a couple of salmon fillets out of the freezer. When I thawed them, I discovered I had FOUR, instead of the TWO I had expected. I went ahead and cooked them, serving them with some steamed veggies. I had never had salmon leftovers, so I looked on the net to find suggestions for using them. I hadn’t thought about making a salmon salad, like tuna salad, but I decided to try it. My husband was pleased with both dinners, and I got some other ideas of what can be done with the leftovers, so I’ll probably do it again – on purpose next time. :0)
My husband’s request is for spaghetti tonight. We used to enjoy a large pasta bowl of it with garlic toast. Now we eat in a much more careful manner, trying for moderation, rather than eating what probably amounts to 3 or 4 servings each at one sitting. Now I serve it in small bowls, with a salad on the side and maybe a dinner roll. I divide the leftovers into individual portion freezer containers, ready for us to heat and eat at other times.
I’m building a portion of cashews into my daily calorie count, particularly when MyFitnessPal.com concludes “I’m probably not eating enough” after I list my eating plan for the day.
We’re enjoying our lunches, comprised of fresh fruit, potato salad, a slice of ham or turkey, and maybe some cheese. It’s colorful and delicious.
I’ll get back to my exercising, warm-up and weights exercises online one day and my elliptical trainer on alternate days, plus my session of yoga in the afternoons – once my arm quits complaining.
I’m cooking more, but carefully, and am enjoying the ‘cooking once’ getting several meals out of each session.
And I’m hoping this, along with trying to drink more water, will result in a healthier, sassier me for 2023.
Darlene Determan Quilts
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, quilts
Monday Nose Nuzzle
Titas Burinskas – Roeselien Raimond – BoredPanda.com
This photo makes me happy.
We have a quiet day today – normal chores and errands. I’m still nursing my arm, so I won’t be hanging from chandeliers or trying to leap tall buildings today. Hopefully, things will be back to what passes for normal tomorrow.
I’m still thinking of a segment on 60 Minutes last night. It was about Hans Zimmer, a man who is famous for creating the music for lots and lots of movies. He is 65, full of life and enthusiasm, love for his craft, and simply fascinating. One part of the segment showed Leslie and him at his ‘work station,’ a thing of beauty, with I think 4 or 5 monitors and other control equipment around a keyboard, with a huge screen for whatever the movie was at the time in front of him. He was in total control, the master of his domain.
Our son is playing with this type of thing, trying to incorporate every day or other worldly sounds into music he is creating. I was able to find a URL of the segment and send it to him. I’m eager to hear what he says.
I hope your Monday is a happy one, with lots of nose nuzzling.
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography, love, Thoughts on a ________
Favorite New Years Quotes
Everyday Psych
Nothing is worth more than this day. Goethe
Your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others. Anon
I will give up chocolates totally. 100%. Completely. Honestly….
Years come n go, but this year I specially wish 4 u a double dose of health n happiness topped with loads of good fortune. Have a gr8 year ahead! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
Hope you’ll have a New Year that starts right and ends Happy!
My wishes for you, Great start for Jan, Love for Feb, Peace for March, No worries for April, Fun for May, Joy for June to Nov, Happiness for Dec, Have a lucky and wonderful 2023.
A Relaxed Mind, A Peaceful Soul, A Joyful Spirit, A Healthy Body & Heart full of Love..All these are my Prayers for You..Wish a Happy New Year 2023
Filed under Favorite Quotes, holidays
Gill Parker Sculpture 2
Filed under Gill Parker Bronze Sculptor, sculpture
Embroidery on Real Leaves 2
I’m fascinated. I don’t know what she does so the leaves are strong enough to withstand being embroidered. I love the whole idea, and the fact that she embellishes her work with real twigs or slivers of bark, etc. is the perfect finishing touch. Just lovely.
creativeartworksblog 