Monthly Archives: November 2024
Driftwood!
Filed under Driftwood Art, Jeffro Uitto, When Wood Comes Alive
One Trip, Two Trips…
I’m back.
There weren’t many people at the tire shop when I got there, so my truck got almost immediate attention! I was really happy until they guys were obviously talking, then getting the owner/manager, then coming in to talk to me.
The owner told me that the lug nuts I brought for the snow tires didn’t fit. I went out and looked at the bag my husband had put in the truck and let out a huge sigh. The bag clearly said, “Jeep Lug nuts.” We don’t even HAVE the Jeep and haven’t had it for YEARS now. I don’t even know why we still HAD these.
The guys put things back together so that I could drive back home and get the bag of lug nuts we SHOULD have brought in the first place. My husband came out to the shop when I was still out there, and I showed him the bag he had put in the truck. He was embarrassed. He redeemed himself, however, because he turned the truck around for me, something that I have NEVER been good at, and have only gotten worse at over time.
I drove back to the tire store. This time things went well. Before I left, I made sure I had the bag of lug nuts and the special lug nut that is necessary to either put on or take off our regular Honda tires. (The snow tires don’t need that.) I found it, but not the shiny socket wrench part I was looking for.) I checked again in the store, but they confirmed all they had was in the bag.
I drove home again. I took the bag of lug nuts and showed my husband where they live, right above the tires. I asked him what he had done with the bag of Jeep lug nuts. He had squirreled it into the back part of a shelf. I got it out and found the shiny socket wrench part I was looking for. I told him we should throw the Jeep lug nuts away. He was adamant we keep them. (A fight for another day.)
We got the tires back into place in the shop, the bag of lug nuts where they belonged, and I put the special lug nut and the shiny socket wrench into the bag in the glove compartment.
My husband again turned the truck around and we went to the house. We won’t have to do this again until spring (about mid-March), and now we have a way we might be able to negotiate our driveway and the roads in bad winter weather in an emergency. We agreed (and I HOPE this is still in effect) that barring emergencies, when our driveway is ice or snow covered, we will simply stay home until it melts and things are safe. One broken collarbone falling on the ice and trip to the ER is enough. My husband was telling me that I was overreacting to the danger when he fell. 10 weeks of healing changed his mind, at least then…
Filed under Challenges, Changes
Thursday 11-7-2024
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LINDA’S CRAFTINESS –
One-of-a-kind hand wood-burned and painted wood slice Christmas ornament. 4″ in diameter, ready to hang. I will personalize it for you on the back with the year and a name on the back at no extra charge. Fun to add to your tree or give as a gift. $20.00 with Free Shipping. See it and other Christmas things HERE on HandmadeHavenbyLinda on Etsy.
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ERRANDS –
The snow tires on wheels and their lug nuts are in the back of the truck. I’m leaving as soon as I finish this to get them put on the truck.
I’ll write more when I’m home again.
Meanwhile, I hope you have a wonderful day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
The Doodle Lab
I discovered The Doodle Lab yesterday and I couldn’t be more impressed. Alexandra Lippert offers customized pet/dog caricatures and I think they’re brilliant.
So full of personality and fun. Her clients seem to be delighted with her work for them.
Creative and full of humor.
Alexandra Lippert – TheDoodleLab on Etsy
Pet Protest
Our animals staged a definite protest last evening. They are both having real trouble adjusting to the end of Daylight Savings Time. They were ready for dinner a full hour ahead of time and kept trying to roust us. Every time we said anything, got up, or moved, BOTH of them were up, trying to lead us to their feeding places.
I knew that they seemed to be hungrier than usual lately, but I hadn’t connected it to the time change until yesterday. They must think my husband and I are really stubborn and lazy. They actually looked frustrated and disgusted, even when I TRIED to explain the time change and that they needed to wait an hour.
Finally, I caved about half way through the hour, with Monster Cat herding me toward her bathroom and Amber following us.
I thought my husband and I were having a tough time adjusting to the time change. I think our sweet family member pets are having a worse time than we are.
Filed under Challenges, Changes
Wednesday 11-6-2024
VIEW –
My sister-in-law said it was a shame I didn’t get any photos of the morning view out of our back yard, where I was talking about it looking like someone had spread rolls of cotton between the ridge lines. It’s almost impossible to take pics of this, but I tried. This is for you, Sweet ML.
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LINDA’S CRAFTINESS –
Hand-painted one-of-a-kind 8.5″x4″x24″ memory box. Thoughtful gift to ‘purple lovers,’ people who love to save things that might get lost if not lovingly stored. $15.00 with Free Shipping. See this and other memory boxes HERE on HandmadeHavenbyLinda on Etsy.
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ELECTION –
We’re feeling kind of bleery-eyed after staying up to watch the election returns. I was up a full hour earlier than usual this morning, needing to get up and join my husband, who was already downstairs. I’m hoping the people in our country can now calm down and try to solve our many problems together.
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WINTER PREP –
Not sure what plans are for the day yet. Since it’s November, we need to start getting to things on our prepare-for-the-winter list. One of those things is to get the snow tires on our truck. My husband and I have always done this ourselves. The tires are already mounted on wheels, so it’s a case of just changing the tires and airing them up.
As we’ve aged, though, it’s gotten more and more difficult. Last year I finally convinced my husband that we should get the tires and lug nuts into the back of the truck and that I would drive to the local tire place and ask THEM to change the tires for us.
It’s enough for US to get each set of tires in and out of the truck. I just called and they can do it for us tomorrow, so one of today’s chores is to get the tires and lug nuts into the back of the truck so I can take it tomorrow.
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Enjoy your Wednesday.
Wondrous Watercolor
Filed under Watercolors I Love
When I Grow Up…
When I grow up, I would love to be able to do wood-burning like these two beautiful examples.
These are both done by masters. I’m awestruck.
Filed under When Wood Comes Alive, Wood-Burning Art
Good Morning 11-5-2024
VOTING –
We will probably not know the results of our national election tonight. We may have to wait until the end of the week or longer. It’s hard when our country is so divided. Emotions are high. Tension is high. I hope that everyone votes and has their voice heard.
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LINDA’S CRAFTINESS – 8″ X 12″ hand wood-burned and painted sign that encourages you not to waste a minute of your precious time. $24.99 with Free Shipping. Use this link to see this and other wood-burned gifts on HandmadeHavenbyLinda on Etsy.
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WEATHER –
We had some pretty strong storms with LOTS of rain, thunder and lightning. (We’ve gotten 4.10 inches in the past 24 hours.) We don’t think we had any damage, and for that we are really grateful. Greenwood is under a flood warning until mid afternoon and it is cool and wet now. Nice day to stay inside (unless you need to get out to cast your vote).
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Filed under HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy, Thoughts on a ________
More Terrific Driftwood Art
Weighing Weather and Other Matters
The jury is still out on what’s going to happen with our weather. So far, we got some impressive storms overnight with lots of lightning, more rain this morning, but nothing severe. The forecasters are still saying we’re in for some rough rides this afternoon and evening, but right now the sun is shining and we have the doors open to receive a nice breeze through the house. Go figure. If it continues like this I really have no complaints.
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I just got the makings of keto chili in the crock pot for our dinner tonight. Yesterday my stomach kept telling me my throat had been cut and I was super hungry all day and evening. I ended up eating some extra deli ham plus some almonds, the result of which is showing almost 2 pounds more on the scales this morning. The scale showed its true snarky side, laughing at me as I grimaced in guilt. I’m HOPING I am mainly retaining water and will shed the “gainage” in a day or two, but who knows.
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I just ordered a new blood glucose monitor kit which should arrive soon. We’ve had our current one since my husband was diagnosed as a Type II diabetic several years ago, and it seems like it has gotten wonky, reading higher on both of us, even though we’re being very careful about sugar. We’re hoping that the new kit will help us decide if we need to basically take a fresh look at EVERYTHING we’re eating and drinking, even though we’ve been reading labels. I’ve been logging everything on MyFitnessPal.com, as well, and I know my sugar has been kept way below ‘acceptable’ levels, but my confidence is shaken.
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We discovered that our entertainment center clock should have been placed in a window in order to receive the signal to change when Daylight Savings Time ended. The problem is, if it lives in the window, neither one of us can see the readout. I’ve ordered this one –
It’s colorful, with large bright numbers and the reviews said it would be easy to set. The possible problem is that I didn’t carefully check how large the clock itself is. It may be too small for our purposes. It’s always SOMETHING…
I hope your Monday is being good to you.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Monday 11-4-2024
Beautiful combination of steampunk theme and digital art. I see more details the longer I look at this.
LINDA’S CRAFTINESS – This is one of the five hand-painted custom Christmas card designs I’m offering. Package of SIX 5″x7″ on heavy card stock -$19.99 – Free shipping. Customize inner note. Made when you order. See this, details, plus other designs HERE on HandmadeHavenbyLinda on Etsy. Last date for ordering is December 10th.
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We received quite a bit of rain with lots of lightning last night. Today’s forecast is for more of the same all day long, with threats of heavy rain, thunderstorms, wind, tornadoes, and flying hairballs. We may need a boat to take our trash down to the bottom of the driveway today.
We just came back from taking the trash down and getting the mail. The ditch in front of the house is full-to-overflowing and the rain will start soon and continue through 7pm tonight. UGH.
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I hope that your day has something fun in it to make you smile.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
I Love Driftwood Art
Filed under Driftwood Art, When Wood Comes Alive
Adulthood
I’m of several minds about getting older. It may be ‘multiple personalities,’ or dementia, or a combination of both, but I’m split mentally and emotionally so many ways I feel I’m in a ‘sliced-and-diced’ commercial for fancy knives.
One big part of me – the part I’m encouraging – is embracing life, living life to the fullest, finding joy, taking my time to enjoy things, choosing to do things that bring me happiness and peace, learning new things, trying to develop new skills, trying to be as healthy as possible so that my life is the best quality possible.
Another part of me – one I’m kind of hiding from – is having to step up in areas where I feel totally inept, such as figuring out what is wrong with something and trying to fix it, programming new technical things, handling things my husband has always done, but needs help with or total takeover from now. I’m having to really PUSH myself since this is becoming the new normal – that I am an adult and supposedly able to handle much more than I ever have. My main goal at this point is to try to remain calm in each situation that comes up, figure out what I need to do, how to try to work with my husband, how to keep priorities straight, figure out who to call if things go south, etc. I want to cover up my head, escape, ignore – but that’s not possible.
SO – how to deal with my getting older, having changing needs, and helping my husband deal with HIS changing body, abilities, personality, and ego – how to go forward?
- My dad told me something that he lived by and has helped me a lot – to try to stand back and see the humor in a given situation. Many times you have to work really hard to see it, but usually, it’s there. That helps in keeping your cool, keeping priorities straight, and taking things one step at a time.
- Take a deep breath. And another one. Maybe take a walk around the yard, do a session of yoga stretches, use weights to bop around with some nice music and exercise videos.
- Stay busy. Don’t let things overwhelm you. Have projects that will change your focus for a while, using your energies on something you can look at afterwards that makes you feel more in control.
- Do things that bring you joy. For me, that’s spending time in my art room, listening to music, reading, writing this blog, searching for good things that make you smile, walking outside, getting a massage, visiting with a friend.
- Try to be a good communicator. Letting others who care about you know how you feel and really listening to what they are saying, as well as to the person/people who may be a challenge.
We will all face this kind of thing at some point. What do YOU do to handle it?
Paul Szeiler Art
Filed under sculpture, SzeilerArtShop on Etsy
Sunday 11-3-2024
I’m still smiling after finding this, so I HAD to share.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS FOR THE YEAR-
Welcome to the end of Daylight Savings Time for the year. If you’re like me, the only clocks that were correct when you awoke this morning were on your computer, and maybe your phone.
I’ve been wandering around since I came downstairs, resetting clocks all over the house. I won’t get the one in our bedroom until later -until we go to bed tonight. The last ones that will be switched are in our vehicles. I’m going to let my husband change the one in the entertainment center and his watch so he’ll feel a part of things. It was interesting to me that my new smart watch was wrong this morning. I got out the manual, and it referred me to the app I now have on my phone. The minute I accessed that, my watch started buzzing on my wrist, syncing with the phone, and the time was corrected! Amazing.
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LINDA’S CRAFTINESS – “See the Good” is one of the wood-burned signs I’ve completed recently. It’s 6″ in diameter and very light weight. Good reminder for yourself or gift to someone you want to encourage. See this and my other wood-burned signs at this link to HandmadeHavenbyLinda on Etsy.
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This is actually a lot lighter than it is outside here right now. We’re due for thunderstorms all day today and tomorrow, with flood warnings and possibly severe weather until Tuesday morning. If the rain continues the way it is now, we might need a rowboat by tomorrow to put the trash out. As least nothing severe now.
I hope you’re safe, warm, and dry the next few days. Take care.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Indian Hills – Oh, YES!
Indian Hills Signs – Vince, the Sign Guy
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor, Indian Hills Signs, punny
More Native Earth Gallery
Filed under painted wood, When Wood Comes Alive
Saturday 11-2-2024
Daylight Savings Time ends overnight – don’t forget to set your clocks BACK one hour if your location participates in this. The Arkansas legislature apparently takes up this question every two years. So far, the majority of legislators want to keep it. It comes up again in 2025. Maybe this time we can get rid of it.
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LINDA’S CRAFTINESS –
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WEATHER – I’m hoping for a good series of long, soaky rains. We’re under a burn ban here in Arkansas because things have been so dry for so long. We have a chance to remedy that a bit with rain predicted for today through Monday, some of the storms possibly severe. Hopefully, the ‘severe’ will bypass us and everything will say ‘Ahhhhhh!’
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UNQUALIFIED GO-TO TECH PERSON IN LEWIS HOUSEHOLD – More and more I – the totally clueless tech person here – am being put in the position of solving tech problems. My husband used to be able to figure out everything and FIX things, program things, etc. All of that is changing, and I have to admit, the quality of ‘fixing’ around here is suffering, although I DO figure out key points here and there.
Example – Yesterday I asked my husband if he could help me set up the WII we haven’t used for years. I found it, the associated parts and wires, the other day when I was deep cleaning the entertainment system. Since I’m trying to move more, I thought doing the Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus groups of activities would be a fun addition from time to time. I changed all the batteries in all the parts – THAT I could handle. We had a real problem, though, getting things so that the ‘hand’ that you’re supposed to move on the screen to choose things wasn’t going to the bottom of the screen. I finally figured out that the BAR that the remote is talking to was down too low and so I taped it on top of our TV. Then we had a problem with the sound. Since our sound comes through the speakers, it complicates things. We finally figured things out – together.
Later that evening, my husband was gnashing his teeth that Google wasn’t sending him the email he wanted through his phone. I turned out that he was actually supposed to be looking for a ‘message,’ not an email. Then I taught him how to send a picture from his phone to his email so he could then forward it to our son… ACCCCCCCCK! We need a teenager on loan, please!
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Hoping for a quiet day on this ‘spotty’ rain day (whatever that is.) I wish you an extremely pleasant day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Never Enough Dogs
Filed under Amazing Animals
Cardboard Art
Filed under paper art
Kudos
I think this is beyond amazing for ANY age person. I hope he gets a lot of encouragement about his talent. Winning the competition would be great, but I think a support group’s reactions and some opportunities coming his way would be even better.
Filed under Encouragement, Good in the World, Good Thoughts
Friday 11-1-2024
I love the colors of this, plus I can almost FEEL the scales!
LINDA’S CRAFTINESS –
I found a plain, but cute, denim purse. To me, it cried out for some daisies and 3-D gold accents. This is painted on the back, as well. Nice size – 10″x 6″, and can be carried as a shoulder purse, too. One of a kind. $24.99 – FREE SHIPPING. You can find this, and other painted purses, HERE – at HandmadeHavenbyLinda on Etsy.
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NEW FIND FOR MY HUSBAND – I’ve told you that he has Type II Diabetes, though he’ll deny that, calling it ‘a sugar problem.’ I’ve been looking for substitutes for the sugary things he likes, trying to help him cut out as much sugar as possible. Recently I found a muffin that he MAY switch to, rather than insisting on eating an apple fritter in the mornings. The fritter has 22g of sugar per fritter. That’s awful, but he’s hard-headed. I found Marketside No Added Sugar Blueberry Streusel Muffins. Each muffin has 2g. Yes! Just 2. A no-brainer. He said they were good! Hopefully, he will make this change. Fingers crossed.
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I hope that today is the start of a really nice month for us.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
creativeartworksblog 