Category Archives: Thoughts on a ________

Friday 12-29-2023

David Zinn Art
Giphy

I’m hoping that someone will show up for Lunch Bunch today. No one has called or texted, saying they won’t be there, so we’ll go and hope for the best. Getting older is sometimes the pits. It’s harder to keep on top of things, remember what day it is and what that means for your plans for the day, remember details, remember to check or use your phone, set timers so you don’t lose track of time doing something else, feeling creaky some mornings, and more.

Lunch Bunch as been celebrated for over 25 years now. The challenges above brought into question whether we would continue trying to meet once a week. We agreed we wanted to try to continue. Here’s hoping someone will be there today.

I have an overflowing set of shelves devoted to things I have listed for sale in my Etsy shop, HandmadeHavenByLinda. This afternoon I’m going to try to reorganize the shelves so that I can find things more quickly. I also want to consolidate space so that I can add some things to the site.

I received the latest paperback J.D. Robb In Death series book two days ago. I finished reading it last night. I’ll have to wait 6 months to a year before the new one, Random in Death – which comes out in hard back in January, will be offered in paperback. I may experience withdrawal. :0)

Spacecraft

I received the two sizes of thin rectangular wooden pieces I ordered to use with my wood burning tool, so I have officially run out of excuses not to go up to my art room and get started. I’m still fighting feelings of intimidation, but am finally getting to the point I feel ridiculous. When I start laughing at myself, it’s time to go try to learn something new.

I hope that this is a good day for you, that you stay warm and dry, and that you inject some fun into your day.

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Dashed Hopes

My hopes have been dashed once again because I didn’t win the lottery last night. I could have figured out a lot of good things to do with whatever would be left of the $700 million prize after taxes….

We’re leaving to go for my husband’s haircut and to get the mail in a minute. That’s the excitement for the day. Be still, my beating heart. :0)

Actually, I AM thinking seriously of trying to overcome my intimidation over experimenting with wood-burning. All is set up upstairs. My drafting table is cleaned off. My protection gear is right there. Some wood scrap is ready, plus some blank plaques we made a long time ago. I’m supposed to get some thin wood rectangles in two sizes today, I think. I’m out of excuses, so….

I received the latest paperback in the J.D. Robb In Death series yesterday and dove right in. It’s like coming home. I finished re-reading all 56 books in the series just recently in preparation for the new addition. Then, when I finish, I’ll probably have to wait 6 months to a year for the newest – that is released in hard back in January – to be released in paperback. Did I tell you that I love this series? :0)

We did NOT get ‘rain and snow showers’ over the past two days, and for that I’m very grateful. I would be happy with ONE pretty snow that leaves immediately and call that a great winter.

Enjoy your day.

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Good Morning!

cutigers-@cutigs1 on X

We are home from running errands, since we did NOT get the rain and snow showers that were forecast. We used the opportunity to get the mail, drag our trash can back up where it lives, buy $10 worth of lottery tickets (:0) and replenish our groceries. We’re about to eat some lunch.

We have discovered a wonderful thing at the grocery deli. They call them ‘bowls.’ There’s a mashed potato bowl and a mac and cheese bowl. Both are topped with chicken tenders and cheese. My husband prefers the mashed potatoes and I prefer the mac and cheese. We brought those home to enjoy.

The sun is shining right now, though there is still an impressive bank of clouds. I don’t who will be correct in the weather forecasting wars. I really hope my computer, which didn’t mention any precipitation at all, is the one who’s right.

I hope you’re having a wonderful day. I’ll write more later.

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It’s Tuesday 12-26-2023

Cutigers – @cutigs1 on X

I’m having a hard time getting my act together this morning. I have no excuse. I sat down at my computer with a cup of coffee and POOF! the morning is almost completely gone and I haven’t written a thing on the blog yet!

I’m trying to remember that our trash day has been delayed one day due to the holiday and that we’re supposed to gather trash TODAY and put it at the bottom of our driveway for pickup tomorrow.

I’m delighted that the weather forecast changed. We did NOT get the snow showers predicted for last night. Now they are predicted for TONIGHT. The sun is shining brightly and it looks beautiful outside. I’m hoping it will get warm enough in the afternoons today and tomorrow that any snow showers will melt away and be a fond memory almost immediately.

I hope you had a nice Christmas. Some compassionate people wrote beautiful thoughts remembering that there are lots of people who have a hard time during holidays. I hope they made it through and that the coming year is a better one for them. We’re all in this together.

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It’s Raining. It’s Pouring…

Chery Lavarnway-Pinterest

It’s rainy here today. I’m glad to say that because the temperature is a balmy 61, so it’s JUST rain. Starting tomorrow our highs will be in the 40s or maybe to 50, but the lows will be below freezing. I’m really trying to get ready, but I DON’T want it.

I’m trying to avoid or ignore a lot these days. Thankfully, I have a lot to help me –

  • I find things for, and write my blog
  • I listen to lots of music
  • I read a lot
  • I play in my art room
  • I try to learn new things, like the glass etching lately and the coming (I hope) work with wood with my Dremel tool and my new wood-burning tool.
  • I do crossword puzzles on the computer
  • I work outside when Mother Nature is feeling cooperative
  • I watch demonstrations on YouTube
  • I find and try new recipes
  • I dream about my next garden
  • I play with our animals
  • I sleep in my recliner with our cat in my lap
  • I try to keep Amber (our 95 pound yellow lab) OFF of my lap!
  • I make new things to list on my Etsy site
Pinterest

This should be my new photo now. I avoid what I can, stick my head in the sand or ignore things, all in a probably impossible attempt to retain what is left of my sanity. “The world is too much with us…” ~ William Wordsworth.

May today and tomorrow remind us how much we have and how important it is to cherish those we love and do what we can to make things better.

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Happy Friday 12-22-2023

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance - aka “Lunch Bunch”

We plan to have a gift exchange today at Lunch Bunch. I’ve told you that it’s iffy as to whether we continue to try to meet or not, due to health and other issues. That’s really hard after over 25 years, so this will be a bittersweet gathering today. I’m hoping to get some pics on my phone. Right now it’s drizzly, but not actively raining. I hope that will hold until we get home from errands after lunch.

I finally got my drafting table cleaned off yesterday and have it set up now so I can start experimenting with my Dremel and my new wood-burning tool. I have a big piece of scrap wood to play with, my protection gear, and lots of space. I found some wooden plaques my husband and I cut out years ago just waiting. I also have wooden earring blanks, plus I ordered some thin rectangular pieces of wood on which I hope to do signs and wall art. All I need to do now is 1) find the time, and 2) overcome feeling intimidated.

I got really NICE feedback yesterday from a lady who bought a painted vase for her mom for Christmas. I’m walking about 3 inches above the ground from her kind words. :0)

After looking at the weather forecast for the next 10 days, it looks like Mother Nature is planning to officially change to winter, too. The highs will be in the 40s and the lows in the 20s – quite a change. Time to break out the heavier clothes!

Have a happy Friday.

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Wednesday Thoughts 12-20-2023

My guy, Huntley, won on The Voice!!!! My personal favorite of his music so far is his blind audition, “She Talks to Angels.” I’m thrilled for him. I hope he has a long and happy career.

Tofros.com – Pexels

I’m going to hopefully deliver two gifts to friends today, catching up with how they’re doing for a few minutes. Life gets in the way of checking in and spending time the way I would like, so the times together are even more precious.

I was a good girl yesterday, doing the vacuuming and the laundry. Today I’m planning to continue trying to clean off my drafting table in my art room. Every time I even THINK about getting up there, something else comes up and snafus my efforts.

I hope you are feeling great, and have a productive, happy day today.

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“Tuesday, Tuesday…”

D G Wildlife – Getty Images

“Tuesday, Tuesday” just doesn’t have the cache’ of “Monday, Monday” by the Mamas & the Papas, does it.

My husband told me this morning that when he went out to feed Abby, our cat, in the garage this morning, a black cat went running out. So now we have a cat who is probably eating OUR cat’s food, plus a possum, who is eating at least what he can get of the bird seed we keep in there…. We tried closing up the cat door, and our cat expressed her displeasure by leaving ‘treasures’ all over the garage floor, so that is not an option. A continuing challenge…

The only excitement around here today is that my husband has an eye exam. Otherwise, I’m still trying to get my drafting table in the art room cleared off so I can experiment with my Dremel and a new wood burning tool.

The days are whizzing past my head, particularly lately, so I seem to only be getting the most pressing things done. Today it’s laundry, plus vacuuming the first floor tiles (pantry, kitchen, dining area, utility room, and two half-baths.)

I hope that your day is calm and enjoyable.

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It’s Monday 12-18-2023

Canva-Parade

I finally received my protection stuff – goggles, finger protectors, and a mask – yesterday. I’ll work on clearing off my drafting table so I can get set up for experimenting with my new Dremel etcher and my new wood burning tool!

In the meantime, I’ve sold several things from my Etsy site in the past week or so. (I’ve been doing a total rework of my site, trying to make it look as nice as I can, changing my pricing, rearranging my items, adding more, etc.) I don’t know if it’s just coincidence or if more people are able to find my site. Whatever it is, it’s a lot of fun to be filling sales. :0)

I feel as if I just woke up, but the morning is half gone already! I’ll stop with the computer stuff after this for awhile, get our errands and chores for the day done, and then come back.

I hope you’re having a nice day.

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Drizzly Saturday 12-16-2023

Pinterest

I don’t know who the artist is, but I think this elephant is wonderful.

Lunch Bunch was fun yesterday. Kay and Bud were there, plus their neighbor, Cheryl. We had a good time. I reminded Kay about our gift exchange next Friday, but she acted as though we hadn’t already talked about it and agreed. Our waitress asked me as we left. I told her that I had reminded Kay and would remind Patty and Linda at the first of the week, but that I wasn’t sure of anything anymore…

I didn’t receive my wood burning tool protection stuff I ordered yesterday. Maybe today.

‘Something’ other than birds has been eating our birdseed lately. Last night we caught a possum inside the garage in our humane cage. My husband will take care of this later. This is one thing I’m happy I don’t have to do. We relocate raccoons, but not possums.

Women’s Health

Shout-Out to Marsha, MaryLou, and Bill who are all on the wrong side of Mother Nature’s temper this weekend. I hope you all come through the coming bad weather healthy and happy.

Shout-Out to Cathy, who has health issues she is handling with much more grace than I would. I wish you lots of good rest, feeling better, and good results.

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It’s Friday! 12-15-2023

Cheezburger

We’re scheduled to meet our friends for Lunch Bunch today. I’m really hoping we have people show up. If not, we’ll eat somewhere and then do our grocery shopping before the rain is supposed to start this afternoon. We’re in for a couple rainy days if the forecast is correct.

I’m supposed to get the wood burning equipment I ordered today in the mail. I got the tool yesterday, and I’m supposed to get the goggles, mask, and finger protectors today. I’ll at least work on clearing up my drafting table today in preparation for trying to use both the Dremel etcher and the wood burning tool very soon. It looks a bit like a bomb exploded after my work on the glassware lately.

My hair is blowing time is moving so fast! We just started December and it’s half over. I struggle to believe it. I remember counting the days until Christmas as a child and it seemed the day would NEVER come.

I have really happy memories of Christmases past. One particular memory this morning is our family walking to a neighbor’s house singing Christmas carols. (Our neighborhood was two mile-long streets in Tulsa with each house on an acre and a half – 24th Street and 25th Place between Sheridan and Memorial for those of you who might be familiar with Tulsa, Oklahoma.) We would ask the people who came to the door to join us, and would then all walk to the next house, singing. By the time we finished, frozen and smiling, we had quite a group of people. We would gather at our house for hot chocolate for those who wanted it, and alcohol for the adults who wanted, all warming up around our fireplace in the living room. Happy times.

I wish you a happy Friday and great weekend.

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Thursday Thoughts 12-14-2023

Our son’s friends had a birthday celebration for him yesterday. Their son wanted to blow out the candles. After, he said, “More, please,” so they lit the candles again… :0)

BeChewy

I’m leaving in a bit for a massage. My body is already saying, “Ahhhh.”

I’m not sure what else is in store today. I’m hoping that my creative juices kick in and that I can play in my art room this afternoon.

Happy day to you!

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Hump Day Thoughts 12-13-2023

Gfycat

Happy Birthday to our son today! He is halfway across the world from us, with a 12 or 13 hours time difference, so I sent birthday wishes to him last night, the beginning of his birthday there. He said his whole life is a celebration, and so wasn’t doing anything special for his day.

You’ll be pleased to know (or is this annoying?) that my guy, Huntley, made the finals in The Voice last night. The final competition will be Monday, Dec. 18th with results announced on Tuesday, Dec. 19th.

No Cry

I just bought my Christmas present – a wood burning tool, goggles, finger protectors and a mask. Between my etcher and the wood burning tool, I should be able to experiment to my heart’s content with new handmade stuff for my Etsy site. :0)

We have a quiet day here today, nice weather and no errands. My husband will drive down to see if we got any mail later, plus check to see if the trash people picked up our trash yesterday. We’re hoping they were just later than usual and that I won’t have to call them to schedule a pickup.

I hope that your hump day is a pleasant one, and that you’re having a great week.

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Tuesday Thoughts 12-12-2023

Colourbox

I’ve been trying to find out the results for the voting for the Top 4 on The Voice from last night and I can’t find any. I want to know if my guy Huntley made it to the finals. ARRRRRGH!

On the good side, I was sitting at my computer last night when an order came in from my Etsy site for three things – a painted tote and two painted signs. We’ll take them to the post office soon. :0)

It’s cold right now, but it’s supposed to be nice this afternoon.

Can’t beat this for a Tuesday! Have a wonderful day.

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Monday 12-11-2023

Canva-Parade

It’s 8:30 here. I’ve been up for over an hour and I’m still trying to wake up. I don’t have any particular problems – just can’t seem to get my act together.

I’ve been trying to find some YouTube videos demonstrating using a dremel tool on wood with the idea of making some different wooden earrings and more. So far, I’m finding a lot more on wood BURNING and wood CARVING than wood ETCHING or ENGRAVING. And the wood etching I’m finding are mostly LASER etching, while I would like to do it by hand. I’ll keep looking.

Anti Martina-Getty Images-istockphoto

I THOUGHT I ate normally yesterday, but I gained a pound. I also got a good amount of exercise, going up and down the stairs with the laundry, changing sheets, etc. I must have eaten lead. UGH.

Pezibear-Pixabay

We actually had frost this morning! It’s still 34 right now. I’m trying to get my head around the winter season, but I’m having to work at it.

I hope that your Monday goes as smoothly as possible and that you manage to find and share a grin or two.

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Thoughts on Sunday 12-10-2023

123RF.com

I’m not feeling as much of a slob today as I have been.

Yesterday I finally finished the vacuuming – including whisk-brooming the stairs, then sneezed repeatedly for about half an hour before I could then vacuum the foyer beside the stairs. :0)

Today I’m changing sheets and doing the laundry. One would AL-most miss the fact that I’m a slob.

I’m trying to get upstairs to my art room today to start playing with trying to etch wooden earrings. I have in my head designs I’ll make with the Dremel etching tool and then stain and varnish the wood on the earrings. I haven’t seen any earrings like this, but I don’t know if it’s because no one else likes the idea or…

I’m still smiling because Malou, a thoroughly appealing and very talented singer, won The Voice of Germany this season. Something about the way she sings draws me in, makes me hang on every word, and makes me FEEL. I’m really happy for her, and hope she enjoys a bright future. NOW, if I can just get Huntley as winner of The Voice in the U.S., I won’t be able to wipe the grin off my face all winter.

I hope you’re having a fine Sunday.

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Friday 12-8-2023

Jinnytty – Tenor

I had a text on my phone this morning that Linda’s son, Jeff, from Florida, is here and will be bringing her to Lunch Bunch. HOOOORAAAAAAY! It’ll be great to see both of them. I don’t know yet about Kay and Bud, but haven’t heard from them.

The big storm that was forecast for the weekend is breezing past us today. We’ll only have some spotty showers and some colder temperatures, rather than the wind, rain, possible snow, and flying hairballs previously predicted. I’m not complaining AT ALL! :0) I MAY be able to get outside and work in some planters this afternoon. Win/win.

Huntley

I’m newly in love. His name is Huntley and I’m hoping he will be the winner of The Voice soon. I think his voice and style are distinctive and I love to watch and listen. I hope you like him, too.

depositphotos

Yesterday I got my exercise for the day vacuuming. It usually isn’t that strenuous, but I noticed that the vacuum hadn’t been getting under the furniture in our bedroom the way I would like, and so took a whisk broom up there. I started using it and was APPALLED at all the ‘stuff’ that came from under the front edge of my husband’s armoire, my bureau, and close up to our bed and built-in bookshelves. I vacuumed after that and was thoroughly pooped when I finished.

I wish you a happy, fun Friday.

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December 7

Medina County Veterans Service

Time and Date

We honor those who died here in 1941, and their families.

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Thought for a Wednesday

My glassware etching project is finally finished. I’m beginning to get a feel for the Dremel and the new diamond bits now, and my brain is busy thinking of things I can try to make for my Etsy site.

The redo of my Etsy site is ongoing, but the main thrust is done for now. I’m reading articles on suggestions for more and will do the ones I can figure out ASAP.

Our weather is still good, with the high due to be 60 this afternoon, but ice and snow are a possibility this Saturday and Sunday! I’m not ready for this!

I’m eagerly awaiting delivery of the latest paperback, “Payback in Death” in the J.D. Robb series. It is released Dec 26th, so I’m hoping for delivery soon after that. I finished rereading my whole collection yesterday and started a Grisham book last night.

We’re leaving in about half an hour to do errands. I have a boring list of to-do’s that I really should get to today (:0)).

I hope that you are having a pleasant day wherever you are today, and can schedule some fun in.

magichat-pinterest

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Tuesday 12-5-2023

Grab Your Coffee/FB – m.lovethispic.com

It’s sunny and 39 here right now. Not really THAT cold, but it sure SEEMS like it. The fact that the weather folks are saying we might get ice or snow this coming weekend adds to the feeling.

Chef John’s Buttermilk Biscuits – AllRecipes.com

At my husband’s request, I’m going to make some more biscuits today. I’ve only done it once before, but they were edible, and my husband really enjoyed eating some with butter and jelly, so he asked last night.

MakeMyLake – Etsy.com

I’m coming to the end of my glass etching project. I’ve learned a ton and finally found the etching tool I can use the most comfortably. Last night I found a diamond bit that worked well for me. I’m starting to get a feel for it now and look forward to using the etcher/engraver on other things in the future. I think the sample above done by MakeMyLake on Etsy is really pretty.

There is 17 pounds less of me this morning. A good start. Here’s to making it to 20 off.

I hope that you’re enjoying a really nice Tuesday.

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It’s Monday 12-4-2023

I Can Has Cheezburger?

I just texted, called, and sent carrier pigeons to all those involved, and it LOOKS like the Lunch Bunch group will do our regular Christmas gift exchange on the 22nd! Trying to reach people has become a real challenge, so I was surprised and delighted to be able to contact everyone this morning.

Sadly, it looks like Lunch Bunch – a really special event for every Friday for over 25 years now – seems to be coming to an end. My husband and I go every Friday, but have been stood up so many times lately it’s starting to get on our nerves – mostly because if LB isn’t going to meet, we would really prefer to eat a late breakfast at The Dari, but the timing is wrong for that. Time will tell, but our Christmas celebration may be the end of it.

_____________

Otherwise, we just finished driving our trash down to the bottom of the driveway for pickup tomorrow. Since we were driving down, we got our mail and changed our mailbox decoration. This is “Pepe Le Pew and Penelope.”

This afternoon I’ll start packing the elephant ear planter full of leaves. I’ll do this every day until I can get a good, thick blanket over the plants. I also plan to work on the glassware etching.

I hope you’re having a really nice day.

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Productive Day

Tenor

I’m feeling a bit smug because I FINALLY had a thoroughly productive day yesterday after several sloth days.

Gardener’s Path

I dug out all of the iris from a planter in the back and redistributed them to planters in the front. I need to finish weeding the back planter today in preparation for using it in the spring for tomatoes. I’m moving my raised bed, square foot garden activities to the side yard planters this spring, limiting the garden to lettuce, spinach, and tomatoes. Besides weeding, I’ll do clean up from yesterday, plus work on the planter in the front that has our elephant ear plants.

I tried my new Dremel last night. It’s a rechargeable cordless model, so I had to charge it for over two hours before using it. It came with only one bit, but I was able to use one of my other diamond bits, putting it in myself with no problem! The design of the Dremel allows me to use it pretty comfortably. It’s also much quieter, so I don’t grate my teeth while using it. I think this one will work beautifully, allowing me to finish the glassware. I’m already thinking of other projects for the Dremel. :0)

My husband has been grousing because the turkey is gone. I cooked another turkey breast yesterday, and told my husband dinner tonight will be turkey sandwiches. He’s been smiling ever since.

I also finished the first round of totally revamping my Etsy site. This includes creating a banner, new logo, lowering prices, then renaming the items so they will supposedly show up better when people are putting in search terms as they shop. This is a work in progress, and I’m just getting a good start on things I see others are doing.

Since we’re having stellar weather and our high is supposed to be in the 60s this afternoon, I’m hoping to have another productive day. I hope that YOU do, too; OR that you do something FUN. After all, it’s Sunday!

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Gray Saturday 12-2-2023

Good morning!

It’s gray and raw and 46 outside right now, so I’m using the morning to work on my Etsy shop and write blog posts. I’m HOPING that it will, in fact, get to the forecast 58 degrees this afternoon.

Gardener’s Path

I’d like to pull the iris out of one of our brick planters in the back and distribute them in two other planters in the front. This will free up the back planter for a downsized square foot planter garden in the spring. My plan at the moment is to use an 8 foot brick planter for lettuce and spinach and two other square brick planters for tomatoes. All already have Mel’s Mix in them and will be ready for planting.

My husband insisted that I buy a Dremel glass etcher at Walmart yesterday. If it doesn’t clearly show how to change the bits, I’ll try to call the company. The new one will allow me to continue my work on the glassware today. The one I got from our shop is too large for the work I’m doing. My hands are strained just trying to hold it, much less trying to do anything with it. Fingers are crossed that this one will work for me.

I Should Be Mopping the Floor…

My To-Do List is beyond daunting at this point. I TRIED to feel good about doing one thing from the list each day, but the list is growing exponentially and I just feel guilty about all the things I SHOULD be doing. I may just throw it out and start a new one, listing the things I NEED to do THIS WEEK…

I hope that you’re having a nice Saturday, doing something that brings you joy.

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Tuesday 11-28-2023

Posted by Ariaa – @AriaaJaeger on X

Just had to share this. This festive mouse made my heart melt.

The sun is shining. It’s supposed to get almost to 60 this afternoon. Nice.

Our wonderful plumber called and said he is planning to come Wednesday or Thursday to install our tankless heater replacement. It’ll be really good to not have to ‘wonder’ if we still have hot water or not, or if the unit will reset or not.

The tankless has been a good thing for us. We used to run out of hot water when we had a regular hot water tank. The tankless takes a bit of time to get hot, but then we have as much as we would like. Luxury!

The old system required that we install a stainless steel chimney. We paid more for that than we did the tankless system. The new unit requires PVC. My husband talked to technical support this morning, trying to get them to okay the stainless we already had, but they wouldn’t. They also didn’t give a reason. I told him that we just needed to suck it up and get it done. The new one is a Navien, which supposedly will last 20 years – probably a lot longer than WE do…

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Normal – 11-27-2023

Alaska Photography-Getty Images

Cutigers – cutigs1 on X

It’s sunny outside, but it’s 40 degrees F. and we’re due for ‘gusty winds’ soon. Oh, GOOD!

We’re going to go out soon to drive our trash down to the bottom of the driveway, get our mail, and replenish our groceries. That’s it for ‘out’ today.

I have never figured out whether having long weekend holidays makes it easier or more difficult to go back to work. In some of the jobs I’ve had, the work load exploded while I was gone, so it was really hard to face it and I thought it might have been better just to work through the holiday and keep my head above water. Other jobs I had made it so I could really relax and change my focus for several days in a row, a luxury I really loved.

Now that I’m retired, the point is moot. I have the luxury of working like a nut when the mood strikes or lazing like a sloth when it doesn’t. I don’t usually HAVE to be outside when the weather is lousy. I can snuggle between my heat pad and my throw in my recliner and make the world go away for a bit, if needed. How spoiled I am!

I hope that all of you were able to see family and friends during this holiday, get several good hugs, lots of smiles, and some delicious food you don’t normally allow yourself. :0)

Welcome back to ‘normal.’

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It’s Sunday 11-26-2023

cutigers – @cutigs1 on X

It’s 36 and cloudy here this morning. A cold front is coming through and it’s a great day to stay inside, warm and dry. It rained lightly earlier, and I’m grateful we didn’t get ice. I’m not ready for this.

Signs By McDougall

I’m going to try to use this inside day to my advantage, working on my glassware etching. I’ve watched a few etching videos on YouTube that really get my juices flowing. They make it look really easy, but it isn’t. The jury is still out on whether what I’m doing will pass muster as Christmas gifts. I’m having a good time trying, though the process gets to my hands (particularly my thumbs for some unknown reason), so my sessions have to be short. Maybe I can get multiple sessions in today.

This is the ‘cup holder’ my husband made in our shop over the last two days. It’s stainless steel and heavy.

It fits the bottom of the glasses he likes to use perfectly. Now, when the TV tray is jostled, the liquid in the glass jostles, but the glass doesn’t fall over, spilling the drink everywhere. So far, so good!

I’ve been re-reading my collection of J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) In Death books in preparation for receiving the latest paperback in the series, Payback in Death, which I’ll get around the end of December or the beginning of January. I’m on book # 50 now, Golden in Death, and am thoroughly enjoying being in Lieutenant Eve Dallas’ world in the future.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your holiday weekend and are home safe and sound now.

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Beautiful Fall Day

“Autumn Glow”Erika Kocsi – @kocsi_erika on X

I’ve been playing on the computer this afternoon, seeing some beautiful and funny things. I’m planning to go up and spend some time etching the glasses I’m decorating when I finish here.

When I went to our local grocery store, they didn’t have the lunch bowls today. I talked to a lady at the deli, and she said she would make two of them for me while I waited. They have macaroni and cheese at the bottom, then chunks of chicken tenders, then some cheese on the top. We pop them into the microwave to melt the cheese on top. YUM!

My husband finished creating his stainless steel cup holder in the shop. I have to admit it’s quite impressive. It’s heavy and, of course, fits the bottom of the double-walled tall glass perfectly. He showed me by jostling the TV tray the glass usually falls off of. The liquid inside the glass sloshed a bit, but the glass stayed right where it was. There is hope that this is a solution to our problem.

It’s already starting to get dark outside, so no work in the yard today.

I hope your day has been a fun one.

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Saturday 11-25-2023

Tenor

A quick “hi” before I leave for a much-needed haircut. After, I’m HOPING to get two macaroni-and-cheese-with-chicken-chunks bowls from the deli/bakery at our local Harps. This is my new favorite thing, so fingers, and all other appendages, are crossed that they have some today.

I’m hoping the stars will align so that I will get outside to do a bit of work this afternoon. A cold front is coming in, so the high will drop about 10 degrees tomorrow.

My husband is making a stainless steel cup holder to go on his TV tray in the living room. This is because he has become a MASTER at spilling whatever drink he has at the time. I warn him – he says he’s being careful – and then down the drink goes – all over the carpet – AGAIN. It’s not cute anymore. He worked most of the afternoon yesterday on it and thinks he can finish it today. I don’t know if the plan is to anchor something to the tray table or just put the glass in it. We’ll see and hope for the best.

I hope that today is a beautiful one for you, too.

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The Friday after -2023

Conky Animals-r/midjourney-Reddit

Here I am, up almost 2 lbs since yesterday. UGH. The worst part is that it will take me a week or so to get the regained weight off again. (Sigh. Whine) :0(

That said, we had a really nice dinner and my husband was quite complimentary. He was serious about getting ‘his share’ of the deviled eggs before we were even technically ready to get the plates out. One would think he NEVER gets them. It’s reminiscent of our dog seriously telling everyone who will listen that there has been a HUGE mistake – that she hasn’t been fed in a month!

I was pleased that, when I got up and started to clear, he actually came and helped me put things away and clean up the kitchen – another thing for which I am truly thankful. :0)

I FINALLY got out and weed whacked around the house and under the deck yesterday – something I’ve been flapping my lips about for several days now. I followed that up with the leaf blower, so now we look pretty civilized, for the Lewises. I’ll watch to see if it gets warm enough for me to do some weed whacking in the area behind our shop and beside the garden this afternoon.

Otherwise, I’m planning to just do a bit of this and that today, moving from one thing to the other as the mood moves me. I LOVE days like this, where I don’t have any ‘have-to’s.’ It doesn’t happen often and I cherish them.

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and are enjoying a nice, long weekend off now.

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Wednesday 11-22-2023

I’m pleased that a lot of people are getting at least a long weekend, if not even more days off for Thanksgiving. THAT gives folks a good thing for which to be thankful, if nothing else. :0)

We’re having a quiet day today. We go for a routine doctor appointment today, but that’s it for errands. I’m going to work on my Etsy site some more, making what I hope are changes that bring more people, and that they like what they see when they get there.

I’m also still working on the glass etching project in my art room, doing a bit each day. I’m now zeroing in on the ones I need to finish first.

Since my husband and I prefer the leftovers AFTER the main Thanksgiving dinner, and we’re by ourselves this year, I went ahead and cooked our turkey yesterday and served it with corn and homemade macaroni and cheese. I have finally learned to trust the instructions on the turkey, plus using a meat thermometer, so I didn’t overcook it, making it come out too dry. My husband proclaimed it, “perfect.” :0) We have plenty left for the traditional dinner with the fixings tomorrow, plus turkey sandwiches, our favorite thing, for several days.

My husband and I have never ‘fought’ about traditional things that married people do. We ‘fight’ over what design to cut out as a mailbox decoration next, or what colors to use in painting it. Lately, we have been ‘discussing strongly’ whether to have the heat or the air conditioner on upstairs. Right now it’s 43 degrees F. and we have the heat on downstairs. We have had the air conditioning on upstairs since my husband sleeps better when the air temperature is cold. We finally compromised on the upstairs – turning on the heat, but setting the thermostat at 68. We’ll see how that goes.

Hope you get through Hump Day well!

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Fall Sunday 11-19-2023

Gregorio Catarino Artist – @gregcatarino1 on X

We’re having a nice ‘day-after-quiet-birthday-celebration’ here today. The weather is nice. It’s supposed to rain late this afternoon into tomorrow, but right now it’s a beautiful fall Sunday. I plan to do some weed whacking before the rain starts.

I just had the NICEST phone talk with a good relative/but, more importantly, FRIEND. We haven’t talked in awhile, so I feel as if I’ve been verbally hugged.

We don’t have any big plans for Thanksgiving. If you’re traveling, I hope you have safe travels that go as smoothly as possible so that you can see/hug the people who mean the world to you.

Hope your Sunday is a nice one.

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