My heart just melted when I saw this cute little guy.
Things are moving right along here. My husband and son are handling some errands while I hold the fort here this morning. This afternoon a friend is picking me up so we can have coffee and visit. I’m really looking forward to that.
I’m starting to make decisions on what I’m going to take with me. Some of it is easy. No cool or cold weather clothes! No boots, coats, sweaters, etc. Only hot weather clothes, except for the actual flight. I’ll start putting things out later today, where I can see everything.
I’m probably going to wait to call for the oxygen guy to come get his supplies and equipment. I haven’t used it in a week, or at night, or even when we walked so far at the hospital yesterday, so I don’t think I need it anymore, but there is no reason to rush thing, either.
Lots and lots of details left to handle, but our son is handling things calmly and carefully, so we’re in excellent hands.
Are you doing anything fun/exciting/challenging? I would love to hear about it.
I had an appointment with the pacemaker installation doctor’s office today. Our son has a problem when driving long distances, and he discovered that we now have Uber! We drove to the communal parking lot in the space where the main road in Greenwood meets the highway, so we parked there and then called Uber. We had a nice ride to the hospital. I was delighted at how well the man drove and how clean the vehicle was.
We found the doctor’s office without problem. After waiting awhile, the end result was that my pacemaker is working perfectly and should be good for 10 years. I’ll take it!
We then had to walk the entire length of the main hospital through a maze to reach a window with a phone on the wall outside of it. I called and explained that I wanted the meds that the ER people had collected and given to them. I showed my ID and soon had my meds in hand. After walking the whole length of the hospital back to the entrance, I was pretty wobbly, but I only had to stop and sit once, which was pretty good. We called for another Uber and were brought back to our truck.
We did our other errands and brought home a cheeseburger which my husband devoured with great enthusiasm. Since I’m trying to be a good girl, I ate a sandwich our son made for us.
I got an email confirmation from the passport people that they were working on our new passports and estimated 2 to 3 weeks.
Our son is working on where we will live. He is also juggling countless other details, plus taking complete care of us.
Things are coming together now. I’m am starting to get serious about deciding what I’ll take in my one suitcase and backpack. I’ll put it all out and then have our son look at things, tell me what I need to change, etc.
We stopped at our local grocery on the way back from my doctor’s appointment. My favorite clerk, Nina, was there. I told her ‘hello,’ and then ‘goodbye,’ and told her our plans. We hugged each other. She was happy for us, but we’ll miss seeing each other.
My friend Carla is going to pick me up and take me for coffee tomorrow afternoon. She wants to be able to visit and find out what I’m thinking, how I’m feeling, etc. I’m looking forward to the time with her.
I hope that you are doing well and that you’re enjoying some nice weather.
Things are moving right along here in our efforts to move to Thailand to be with our son.
Several years ago our friend Carla gave us a riding lawn mower that really saved us a lot of work. We enjoyed using it, and the mowing of the lawn didn’t stress him the way the walk-behind mower did. It finally developed problems that couldn’t be fixed, so we bought a new one. It’s a nice one with zero-turn radius, and my husband almost grin when he uses it, though mowing the grass around the house is still a stressful proposition for him.
When we decided to move to Thailand to be with our son, it was a no-brainer who the riding lawn mower should be given to. We know we won’t get top dollar for anything in the auction, and we wanted to complete the circle by gifting it to Carla.
We did this yesterday, with my husband driving the mower first down our gravelly, STEEP driveway, then down the road about 2 miles from our house, where Carla lives. She cried. It was a really wonderful moment to return the joy of the gift she gave to us year ago. The mower will be appreciated and enjoyed. A true gift for all of us.
Today we have the auctioneer coming to the house at 11:00. I’m not sure what will happen, other than our signing contracts with him. I’m hoping we’ll get an idea of the plan on the auctions, time line, etc.
We have some errands to run after, and then I’ll continue going through things, throwing sensitive stuff away each week, trying to start putting things out in preparation for packing my one suitcase (still to be purchased) and my backpack that will be my carry-on. (ordered). (I finally had the energy to put all the laundry our son has done for us back where it lives and bring the laundry baskets back downstairs.)
I figure I’ll call the oxygen people at the end of this week or the first of next week to come get all the oxygen and equipment if I don’t need the oxygen at night anymore.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday. You made me feel special. :0)
Today is my birthday. I’m 78. I’m especially happy to celebrate today because I almost didn’t get to celebrate this one. Because of the weird circumstance of being admitted to the ER because of shortness of breath and low blood oxygen, I was in the proper place to have good people there when my heart stopped twice on February 6th, plus the cardiology department who gave me a new lease on life with a temporary, then a permanent pacemaker. So, I’m celebrating today with a super-happy, ear-to-ear grin. If I can find a piece of chocolate cake with chocolate icing, you can bet I’m snarfing it down with pleasure! :0)
Kudoboard
Things are moving at a rapid pace around here on trying to get ready to move to Thailand to be with our son.
Our “emu” planters went to live with some good friends yesterday. They will need a coat of paint and some new googly eyes; but my friend loves them and they’ll have a wonderful home at her house.
I’m still busily canceling things like subscriptions, automatic renewals, automatic orders, etc., plus making lists of things to cancel when we are in Thailand.
We have a busy week ahead, sewing up lots of details, meeting with people, doctor appts, and more, but also have visits with friends scheduled and unscheduled as yet to enjoy.
Our son ordered backpacks for my husband and me to use as carry-ons until we get to Thailand. He will also order a suitcase for each of us, since the only ones we have weigh a ton and are older than he is. The new ones only have to live through one set of flights, so we should be able to get something at a reasonable price. We will each pack one suitcase and the backpack. That’s it. All else we let go.
The auctions may or may not happen while we are here. Our passports should be here in about two weeks, so we’ll be leaving soon after that. I’m concentrating on gathering as much energy as I can for the 23 or so hour trip.
I’m hoping that your life is going well, and that today – especially – you have a good reason to smile.
I should be getting a call back on trying to cancel our house security system. I’ve tried twice, finally managed to leave a call back number after waiting for over 10 minutes on hold. Fingers crossed that they do it this time. The call is supposed to come any minute now.
Update – after countless transfers to another department, a man was finally able to cancel our account and give me a confirmation #.
I will finally get my much rescheduled haircut tomorrow morning. I look like a much-used dandelion gone-to-seed and maybe stepped on now, with my hair going every which way, with no plan in sight. This will be my final haircut with our wonderful hair stylist. I will tell him we are moving to Thailand, and invite him to freezer dive after work or on the weekend to give him more of a thank you.
I will soon shut down my Etsy site. It’s sad to do this, leaving a lot of stuff here at the house that will simply be auctioned off, but it’s one of the many things we’re ‘letting go.’ If you would like to take a look and see if you would like to order something soon, the Etsy site is HandmadeHavenbyLinda I’ve had a wonderful time making things for the site. Our spare bedroom has been a fun place to try to learn new skills. I look forward to finding a class or two in Thailand where I can watch what they’re doing and maybe start a whole new chapter!
Our son MAY have a line on a condo for us in the same building where his is. He contacted them yesterday and expressed interest in putting money down on the condo. All my appendages are crossed that we can get this one. It’s light, airy, and has plenty of space. The kitchen area is a little small, but we’ll be taking walks to get fresh stuff, or having it delivered, or even prepared for us.
Some of this is easy. We are giving a lot of things away to good friends. We have always tried to be proactive and stay stocked up in case we get stuck up here on top of our ridge line for one reason or another. In lots of cases, we did a lot more than we needed to…
Some things are more difficult. They connect to our image of our ‘self.’ Like my husband’s gun collection, the tools we’ve worked with for years in our shop, making our yard critters, mailbox decorations, etc. For me, closing down my Etsy shop will be the end of an era, and a piece of my identity. I have found, though, that when we get settled in Thailand, there are groups that get together to make art! I’ll be exposed to new people, new techniques, and maybe open up a whole new chapter on my art, too.
My friend Shelia gave me some good advice. She said it helped her to save some treasured things that mean home or comfort so that you in effect carry your home with you wherever you go. I have a really small, soft, teddy bear that has had a place on the shelf to my right for some 37 years as I type and work at my computer. He will go in my bag to indicate home and bring me comfort if things feel strange. My blog – and being able to get back to it after the move – will be my other treasure. Our son has promised to save our data from our current computers and build each of us a laptop as soon as possible so that I’ll be able to get back to you. He knows how important this is to me, and I’ve promised myself not to bug him overmuch about it, but I assure you this will happen just as soon as we can make it happen. (We do need to find a place to live and get settled a bit first).
The hardest thing for us will be our animals. I called our vet, who has cared for our animals and us for as long as I can remember. I explained our situation and asked him if he was in a position to help re-home them. We want them to have adopted families who will treasure them as we have, and give them the best possible life. He agreed, and I sent him pictures of Amber and Jet (aka as Monster Cat.) I also told him we have extra food, toys, and a cat tower that will go with them.
Thankfully, we’ll be able to keep up with friends and family via our phones. We will need some type of SIM card to transition from here to Thailand, but that shouldn’t be a big deal. I’ll be able to receive and send gmail, messages, etc.
We are busily handling lots and lots of details each day. Trying to get our belongings down to one suitcase and one backpack each will be quite the challenge. Our son has promised to guide us, and I’m relieved we’ll be handling this journal into our future together.
I’m trying to do a bit each day in our efforts to get ready to move. Most of the details will be handled by an auctioneer who has a really good reputation and has worked in our area as long as I can remember.
My task lately has been to go through a four-drawer file cabinet to see if there are things that should be destroyed or saved or left for the auction company. Added to the task is the stuff we got from our safe deposit box at the bank.
I think I’ve finished going through the files. I’m still trying to make my way through the pile that is now on my desk. I will try to finish that today.
One of the nice things that is happening is that as I tell my friends we’re moving, I’m inviting them over to either freezer-dive, taking whatever they would like, and/or giving them things I think they would like. It makes me happy to give people I care about a bit of a boost. :0)
Our son is trying to help us clean up our habits, otherwise. I’ve been snacking like a fiend on Ritz Crackers like they won’t be made anymore. Actually, I don’t know if I’ll be able to get them in Thailand or not, but that isn’t the issue. The issue is eating between meals and I need to stop that – particularly eating things like crackers. Our son is cooking us some really nice meals, and I’m going to redouble my efforts to hold my eating to those.
My husband is ignoring all that, of course. Last night he had a bad night. We were up over and over with him being sick. So we talked to him when he came downstairs this morning about letting his stomach rest, and eating sicky food today. So what does he do? He got a jar of jelly and a knife and proceeded to eat the jelly straight from the jar. We have thrown up our hands now and he will do what he will do.
Our son has researched and found some supplements that he thinks may help my high blood pressure, so I’m embracing that change. Hopefully in time I will regain my strength, continue to lose my lard, take the new supplements, and resume my exercise schedule once we recover our general health and then recover from the grueling flight schedule to Thailand.
We will all fly together and we only have to do it once, so I am gearing up for that.
It’ll be amazing to ONLY pack things appropriate for the summer. In Thailand they have summer, wet summer, smoky summer, and more summer. That will be interesting to get used to. :0)
I love this photo. To me it means that the possibilities of the path ahead are endless, full of opportunity, wonderful changes and chances to reshape our lives.
I am definitely feeling stronger this morning. I still can’t sleep flat on a bed without panicking over being able to breathe, but I spend some time up there each night, staying as long as I can, then finish the night downstairs in my recliner with the oxygen. It’s working for me, and hopefully I won’t need it much longer. I’m already going the whole day without the need for oxygen, so am hopeful this part of my recovery is well on its way.
With all that has happened over the month of February, I was surprised to see that I finally reached my interim weight loss goal of 5o-pounds-less-of-me-than-there-was-before. I don’t recommend doing it the way I have, but I’m happy, none-the-less. I’ll continue using MyFitnessPal.com to track my progress, making new goals for daily eating (once I figure out what they are), but I’ll be concentrating on heart-healthy whole foods, lots more fruits and veggies, etc. I’m setting my next 5-pound-increment goal and will see how things stand once I’m fully recovered.
I’m so grateful that our son dropped everything to come take care of us. He has done all the cooking, cleaning, shopping, laundry, etc. since he came home. He has been truly wonderful. We are more and more able to enjoy our time together as we feel more like ourselves. I’m sorry that it took my husband and I falling apart at the same time to have him home, but I can say that we’re cherishing every minute together. He is coming up with all kinds of things that are good for us, in food, drinks, and vitamins, so I’m embracing the changes.
I hope that things are going well for you, too. Reach out to those you love and let them know how much they mean to you. There are no guarantees for any of us, and time is of the essence.
I finished this raccoon yesterday and listed it in my Etsy shop. If I start to feel better, I’ll see what trouble I can get into in my art room this afternoon or evening. :0)
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I called the store where we bought the fridge just a minute ago to ask what they suggested on getting the transparent plastic film off the stainless steel. The man who answered was very nice. He said he didn’t have any magic bullet, but that HE started at the outer corners and pulled inward toward the center of the fridge. He also suggested that we use the Allen wrench that came with the fridge to take off a handle on one side and see if that helped. These suggestions, plus continued use of the hair dryer, might yield some good results.
The throat spray I’m using to numb the back of my throat seems to be working better today than it was yesterday. I’m not in as much discomfort. I took aspirin and used the spray this morning. Hopefully, if I can arrange a bunch of rest during the day and sleep better tonight, I’ll be my usual sassy self soon!
I’m hoping that I can report still more progress on my computer tomorrow, plus progress in whatever is leaking on the second floor.
This has been a super challenging month for us. First we studied our finances and decided to order a new computer for me. My husband of course wanted to build me one, rather than get one that was essentially ready to use. We’re closing in on being able to do the switch from the old to the new very soon.
Second, my side of our air mattress failed. We had to buy a new bed. It will be delivered February 26th. Until then, I’m sleeping in my recliner, on the sofa, or in the guest room.
Third, our ice maker on the fridge died. That resulted ‘somehow’ in the freezer below failing, as well. The tech came and went yesterday, unable to fix it, can’t get parts for it or a new ice maker. So we drove to Ft. Smith, to Jarry’s Appliances, and bought one that is much like the one we have loved here since 2006. To our astonishment, it could be delivered yesterday after 4pm. Then she called, asking if they could come in 30 minutes! We had eaten a quick lunch and then I cleaned out the failed fridge, stashing everything either in the pantry fridge or the pantry shelves. The delivery came, the guys took the old fridge, and then the clean up began. I had to mop the floor because the old fridge had been harboring water from the ice maker, I guess. Then we moved the stashed food to the new fridge.
We are still trying to get a plastic transparent coating off the stainless steel. We’re tackling it with a hair dryer, but I’ll call the lady at the store this morning and see if there is some better method.
Finally, when we were leaving to go look for a fridge, we saw a water stain on the living room ceiling. :0( I called our plumber and he will be here sometime today to see if he can find and fix whatever is leaking on the 2nd floor. And then, we’ll need to do something about the stain…
I am hopeful that nothing MORE will happen. I thought the saying was, ‘bad things happen in 3’s….’ We’ve had more than our share.
To add injury to insult, I have a sore throat now. I’m not running a fever, but I feel as if I’ve been run over by a truck. I’ve been taking aspirin and spraying the back of my throat with a ‘soothing spray’ that is supposed to numb the soreness. I’m also sucking on sore throat lozenges. I’m resting as much as I can, hoping I can throw this off. I really can’t remember the last time I had sore throat or flu-type symptoms. I didn’t need this. :0(
Enough griping. The good things are –
The computer changeover is almost finished. I’ll have a new faster computer with Windows 11 and won’t have to worry about Microsoft not supporting my operating system. Once I learn to deal with the things that are different, I should be a very happy camper.
We are in the position, with a lot of juggling and decision-making, to HANDLE the failing of things all around us. We’re slogging through, getting new things installed or scheduled, old things taken away.
The rain yesterday was RAIN – not winter stuff that would have snowed us in again.
I think if I can rest enough, I will feel better soon from the sore throat.
I have a warm, mostly dry house, the plumber will be here today, so that fix will be handled in time, as well.
My husband and I are pulling together in all this, helping each other make the decisions, balance the load, handle the details.
I hope that you are able to handle whatever is happening in your world in a way that makes your life better. I wish you strength, resolve, and a supporting hand.
The appliance technician is due here between 8 and 9 this morning. Fingers crossed that he can repair the ice maker, order parts to fix it, or order a new one for us, rather than our having to buy a new refrigerator. I am having my husband handle the service call for many reasons. Fingers crossed things go well.
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5 News
This is our weather map this morning. If you look right in the center, you’ll see Fort Smith. Greenwood is just south and east of there. We’re due for 2 to 4 inches of rain before the rain stops and are under a flood watch. We’re on top of our ridge line, so we don’t have to worry about flooding, but the tech may have trouble getting through Greenwood. I am glad it’s RAIN, rather than sleet, freezing rain, ice, or snow.
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I finished the raccoon wood burned and painted piece last night. I’ll post a pic of it later today or tomorrow.
I hope that your day is wonderful. “Arise, Go Forth, and Conquer!”
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, a bit exhausted, but hopeful that things will be getting better reasonably soon.
We’ve had an avalanche of ‘things’ to deal with – trying to get my new computer set up, having to buy a new bed due to the failure of my side of our air bed, and worry about the possibility of having to buy a new fridge. Money has been flying in all directions and things are a bit stressful.
BUT –
The set up of my computer is progressing, inch by painful inch, thanks to the relentless work of my husband who keeps at things and finally figures something out, rather than tossing the whole computer out the window – at least figuratively – if I were dealing with this by myself. I stay and work with my husband as long as my nerves can take it, and then I excuse myself to go do something else for awhile, over and over during the day.
We drove to Fort Smith yesterday morning so we were at the Sleep Number Bed place when they first opened. 45 minutes later we had ordered a bed. That’s the good part. The poorer part is that the soonest they can deliver it, set it up, and take the old one away is February 26th. So I slept in my recliner part of the night and on the sofa the rest of the night last night. I feel lucky that I have a choice of doing that or sleeping in the guest room until we get the new bed.
Tomorrow the appliance tech comes to see if our ice maker in our fridge can be fixed. Since my husband is very opinionated on the subject, I have asked HIM to handle the service call. I will simply write the service call check and we’ll decide what we need to do. I really hope we don’t have to buy another fridge.
SO – computer/bed/fridge and the money flies. We are having to scramble a bit to handle all this, but thankfully, we will be able to.
Creating Art at the Children’s Museum
I used one of my ‘step-aways’ from work on the computer yesterday to listen to some music and work on the raccoon in my art room. He may be almost finished. I’ll decide today. It’s been fun to concentrate on trying-to- make-him-look-like-a-raccoon instead of all the REAL WORLD stuff around here. :0)
I need to get some exercise in, too. I haven’t done any since we started trying to set up the computer. My regular routine has gotten lost in the demands of everything else.
I hope that your days have been filled with fun and interesting things.
Yesterday went by in a blur for me. The morning went well. We did our errands, had our dental cleaning and exam appointments, ate lunch out at a place we hadn’t been for at least a couple of years, and then came home.
We fought with setting up my new computer some more, making some progress. Last night my side of the air-mattress-type bed we have developed a serious leak. I ended up sleeping in a ‘hole’ almost directly on the board that supports the mattress. We have replaced the air pump and repaired another leak, and we’ve had the mattress since 2006, so we’re going to go to Ft. Smith today to see about replacing it. We’ll shop to replenish grocery supplies on the way home from there.
The tech who MAY be able to repair the ice maker in our fridge is due here Thursday. Fingers crossed that he can repair what we have.
The past few weeks have been pretty stressful, so I’m feeling lucky that I have things I can do to ‘take me away’ mentally and emotionally for a bit. I will make a point of taking breaks and restoring equanimity when I feel the need. Money is flying in all directions with little choice, so I’m looking forward to things calming down in the very near future. Fingers crossed.
It’s 30 degrees F. right now, but the forecast is for 51 this afternoon with sunshine. WOO HOOOOO! I like it.
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Vanessa Ruffes on X
Our truck bed is all packed. I put the donation bags for the Veterans Thrift Store in the back yesterday and added the trash bags this morning that we’re taking down as we leave. I will call the thrift store in about half an hour to make sure they’re open and accepting donations today so we don’t get any bad surprises. We go for our semi-annual teeth cleaning after the donation.
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Shutterstock
I’m a wuss about going to the dentist. I still have bad dreams the night before. I probably would be toothless by now if it weren’t for a promise I made to my husband years ago. He loved to ride his motorcycle then, but kept riding it without his helmet. It wasn’t against the law, but it really worried me. He finally said he would promise to always wear his helmet if I would go with him to the dentist every six months. He no longer rides his motorcycle, so doesn’t have to honor his promise, but my promise is still active.
My mom died of oral cancer several years ago. My wonderful dental hygienist checks me for oral cancer first thing so that I can relax a bit more during the rest of the exam and cleaning.
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Intel
The work on getting my new computer setup continues with slow, but steady progress. I think we have most of the hardest things done now. One more big thing that I know of, and then it’s a matter of transferring data. I’m taking my time on this, trying to be SURE all is good and tested on the new computer before we make the changeover.
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Montgomery Child Care Association
I haven’t been up to my art room in a couple of days. I started a raccoon, but he remains on my drafting table, waiting for attention.
I hope that your day is filled with sunshine and hope.
Happy Sunday morning! We are happily back to normal winter weather here in Arkansas, and I couldn’t be more grateful. It’s supposed to get to 51 here today. We may get some rain, but nothing that will freeze. HOORAY! :0)
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I’m a bit closer to my current interim weight loss goal this morning. I found a snack that I can eat without guilt – Tillamook Country Smoker Zero Sugar Original Smoked Sausages. 0 grams carbohydrates. 0 sugar. Gluten Free. It’s a bit high in sodium, but I’m not worried about it. I’ll try it today.
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iStockphoto
We are making slow progress on my new computer. The hardware is all in. The computer is working. Windows 11 is installed. The computer now recognizes that it is connected to the Internet. My husband is trying to get things set up and is duplicating a few basic things from my current computer to the new one. It is making him fight for every inch, but he is determined to get it all set up. I keep trying to get him to actually enjoy the project, since we aren’t in a hurry, but he has always tackled stuff like this as if his life depended on it. It’s just in his DNA. I’m trying to give him space, not make TOO many stupid suggestions, and celebrate the wins with him.
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iStockphoto
Tomorrow morning is when we have a LOT of stuff to do. I’m going to put our Veterans Thrift Store donation (twelve 13-gallon bags of clothes, shoes, etc.) into the back of the truck this evening. Tomorrow we’ll gather our trash and drive it down to the bottom of the driveway as we go. I’ll drag the trash can down to the road, fill it up, then check for mail before we go.
We’ll drive to Ft. Smith and leave our donation, then drive across town to our dental cleaning appointments. Then we come home for a late lunch.
I’m delighted that my husband is being cooperative about needing to take the truck, rather than drive the Corvette, a thing he usually insists on when we go to Ft. Smith. We may get to the dentist without my having my hair scared off by his driving. :0)
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Pinterest
I am trying to learn how to make special ‘pins’ to display on Pinterest to promote things from my Etsy shop. It’s complicated, and so I get overwhelmed pretty quickly, but I think it’s definitely worth learning to do. I’m trying to figure out how to do it a bit at a time, get the software I need to do the pins, resize my pictures to meet the standards, and then follow the directions. If I can get ONE pin done successfully, then I will be able to create more from time to time, hopefully increasing the traffic to my Etsy shop.
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Zhyrzng Bohemian Fairy Flower Pot Decoration-Walmart – (this one wasn’t available, but I ordered two others.)
I wrote a post last week about wonderful fairy flowerpot decorations that Walmart offered. After a comment from one of my wonderful readers, I went online and actually ordered two of them. Happily, I’ll get one the first week in Feb, and the second one the following week. I’m so excited to receive them!
I hope you’re feeling great this morning. I started to turn over in the bed and then looked at the clock, startled to find it was already time to get up. I’m trying to wake up fully now with my coffee beside me.
NewEgg
My husband finished putting the computer hardware together yesterday and Windows 11 is installed. We’ve run into a snag in that the computer isn’t recognizing it is connected to our Internet. I’m emphasizing that we are NOT in a hurry and for my husband not to feel that he’s in the middle of a “death struggle” trying to get it to work. He reminded me he’s ALWAYS been like that…
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I finished this in my art room last night and will list it on HandmadeHavenbyLinda this morning under “Hand Wood-Burned Gifts.” I also started a raccoon. :0)
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Coach Glitter aka Tiffany Lee Bymaster
The “closet/bureau/guest-room-closet clean-out” project is finished! I ended up filling twelve 13-gallon bags full of clothes and shoes that we’ll donate to the Veterans Thrift Shop Monday morning. I feel good that (1) I will pass on a lot of things someone else might be able to wear and enjoy, (2) that I found so many things that are now too large for me to wear! :0), and (3) that, although I really hate to try on clothes, particularly when they turn out to be STILL too small (these were limited to the next size down in jeans), I got the project done, doing a session each day, not giving up until I finished – a character-building exercise for sure.
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Face Book-Saldana&Associates
I hate this time of year because I’m the one who gets us ready to take our tax stuff to our CPA for processing. I used to really stress out. Now it’s just a big annoyance. I converted to spreadsheets that I keep on my computer. I make myself process our tax stuff at the end of each month now, so that I can finish up the spreadsheets quickly at the end of the year and gather the supporting documents.
Our CPA sends us an organizing booklet each January. I groan when I see it, because it still means a lot of hassle required. I’ll get started on the booklet today. Sigh. :0/
I hope you don’t have to go to work today and that you make this an enjoyable day, with at least a smile or two.
I’m feeling good this morning. I was pooped last night and so went to bed early. I feel much more rested today.
Veterans Thrift Town – Fort Smith, AR
I will finish gathering things today for the Veterans Thrift Town donation Monday. It feels good that my gently used stuff might be of use to someone else. I have lots of bags, and I have to admit that PART of the push to finish this project right now is that our teeth cleaning appointments are in Fort Smith Monday. My husband always wants to drive his ‘Vette when we make the trip to Ft. Smith. (He has always driven it too fast for my comfort, but now he really scares my hair off. In any given situation, when I would put on the brakes, he hits the gas.) Since I have so many bags to donate, they won’t all fit in the ‘Vette, so we’ll need to take the truck. :0) I know, it’s a bit devious…
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Sunshine House
I’m having a good time in my art room. I’m working on a bear with a heart for Valentine’s Day, and am thinking about a raccoon after that. The working hard in my closet/bureau/guest room closet and following that with playing in my art room has been a nice combination for me.
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Transparent Solutions
We are supposed to get the hard drive for my new computer today. That means my husband will be finishing up installing the hardware today, and will likely start the installation of Windows 11 on it. Hopefully, that will go well. Fingers crossed.
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I hope that today is a good one for you, full of love and fun.
Our weather is getting back to ‘normal winter’ for us now, and I’m really happy. We had to drip water last night, and will probably need to keep doing that, but we don’t have to drip it ALL DAY now. Our water bill will probably be breathtaking. :0( I hope you’re safe and warm wherever you are today.
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demaerre-Getty Images/iStock photo
I will finish my “closet/bureau/guest-room-closet” clean-out project today. One thing just led to another as I made my way through my long-neglected closet. Monday we will take the bags of clothes to the Veteran’s Thrift Store when we make the trip to Ft. Smith for our teeth cleaning appointments.
I’m getting more ruthless as I go. I kept a lot of things for a long time because they were large enough to go over my girth. Now that I’m being more successful in losing my lard – albeit very slowly – I can look more to whether I actually LIKE something. This is a huge change, resulting in a really good-sized donation for other weight-challenged folks like me. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to find so many things that are TOO BIG! :0)
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This is my latest wood-burned piece. I used pastels for the colors. I like the long oval shape of the wood with the natural edges. I listed it on Etsy last night in my HandmadeHavenbyLinda shop. Next, I’m doing a bear with a heart for Valentine’s Day. :0)
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Crucial
We are waiting for the hard drive for my new computer to be delivered. I have told my husband that I am not in a hurry on this. I want to be sure that all the hardware is compatible, that the Windows 11 operating system doesn’t have any big problems, that the software I use all the time is actually functioning on the new computer, and all my data has been transferred correctly before we make the official switch. He is more antsy than I am, but I’m concentrating on it being a fun project for him, rather than causing any stress.
Karin de Haas via Carmen Gloria Negrete Fuentes-Pinterest
I’m still smiling after looking at this. Karin is really on my wave-length, filling me with happiness, making it rise up and spill over.
First Cry
I finally got up to my art room yesterday and worked on my wood-burned squirrel. He’s coming along, but he’s difficult for me. I’m TRYING to give a suggestion of hair or fur. I’m not sure if it will be successful or not at this point, but I’m having a good time.
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I was going to make chili last night, but my husband requested I make beef stew, so I got the makings into the crock pot early. It turned out well, and was great comfort good for our really cold weather. It’s 19 degrees F. this morning, and the high is supposed to go above freezing this afternoon – the first time in several days. HOOORAAAAAY! Our driveway is clear, so we’re free to come and go now, but it’s really been frigid. Maybe if we all sign a petition, we can get spring early this year.
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Sustainable Baddie
My ‘clean-out-my-clothes-closet’ project expanded into an also ‘clean-out-my-bureau’ project. I finished the bureau yesterday and can see the light at the end of the tunnel on the closet clean-out finally. I think one or two days more and it’ll be under control.
This project was brought on by a real problem I was having finding things that fit. My closet was jammed with several different sizes, due to my fatness (and then some success in losing the lard) and I had just stuffed a few new things in as bought, rather than trying to make any sense of things. I was pulling out something that was still too small, something that was suddenly too large, or things that just looked bad before finding something reasonable for the day. Enough was finally enough, no matter how much I hated going through things, trying things on, etc., and finally gathered the motivation to GET THE JOB DONE. Being able to see the end of the project finally feels good.
My husband and I have our semi-annual teeth cleaning in Fort Smith Monday, and we will also take all the bags I have collected to the Veterans Thrift Shop and donate them. (This also gives me extra motivation to get up there and finish the job before Monday so the donation will be ready.)
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Mental Floss
I had to apologize to my sister-in-law this morning because the cold wave that started here several days ago got to North Carolina and dumped snow and ice and frigid temperatures on her. She has to walk her sweet dog in it, and both came home from the morning walk cold, with snow, ice, and the salt people had put down to prevent slips and falls all over their feet. Since we’re finally getting above freezing this afternoon, hopefully I can soon send her melting and warmer temperatures!
I felt good, sharing a virtual hug with the sweet girl and her dog, and wanted to share it with you.
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Getty Images – Prevention
My computer said it was 7 degrees F. this morning. The thermometer in the window said 10. I will be super glad when this frigid air moves on and we get back to what is normal for our beautiful state. We are staying warm and no pipes frozen. This is supposed to start getting more normal Thursday. Stay warm and dry, everyone!
I didn’t get much done yesterday, so I’ll try to make up for that some today. I’m going to get the makings of Keto Chili in the crock pot soon, so we can enjoy that this evening. I’m planning to do a session in my closet, and hopefully get up to my art room this afternoon.
I want to be this lady when I grow up. If she doesn’t win THIS time, maybe NEXT time…
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I just had to tell my husband that the CPU he was hoping would be delivered today probably wouldn’t be, due to this being Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Day. He was NOT a happy camper.
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Declutter in Minutes
My daily sessions in my closet are definitely starting to show. (We are ignoring the fact that the closet has needed to be cleaned out now for several years now.) We are just concentrating on the fact that it’s getting better daily. Yesterday I started cleaning out my cubbyhole shelves, and that spilled over into one of my bureau drawers. It’s all resulting in a good, strong clean-out with a hefty donation to the Veterans Thrift Store the next time we go to Fort Smith.
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Appliance Care
I deep-scrubbed our stove top yesterday, running all the parts on top through the dishwasher while I concentrated on the rest of the top. My husband was in the Marine Corps, and came away with several rather unfortunate phrases he uses to this day. One of them is the highest compliment Marines can pay to a job of cleaning. He looked at the stove top when it was all back together and pronounced it, “Shining like a diamond in a goat’s ass.” (If you’ll pardon the expression.)
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Golden Road Arts
Due to all the work in the kitchen and the closet, I didn’t make it up to my art room to continue wood burning on the squirrel. Hopefully, I can make time for that today.
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Women’s Health
Shout out to Sheila – a recipient of the snow we had recently. I have apologized to her about this inadvertent ‘gift.’ I also apologize to any other recipients.
This wonderful image made me smile. I don’t usually make THIS much of a mess, but it’s sometimes close. :0)
We got a reprieve from Mother Nature. She didn’t give us any more ice or snow and our driveway is finally pretty much clear. We are free to come and go like normal humans now! As for a lot of our country, the cold front barreled through yesterday. Our low was 13 degrees F. this morning, but it’s already up to a balmy 19 – and with our driveway ‘driveable,’ I have absolutely no complaints.
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Photo by Marko Poplasen-stock.adobe.com – Good2Know Network
I started a wood-burned squirrel in my art room yesterday. I’m using a nice oval-shaped piece of wood that has natural edging. I’m looking forward to spending time up there today.
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Adobe Stock
So far, our day is quiet. My husband is grousing because one of the computer parts he needs next for his ‘building-me-a-new-computer’ project doesn’t come until tomorrow. It may not even come THEN, since it’s Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Day, too. I won’t mention that, though. Shhhh!
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Rita Wilkins
You can finally tell that someone is trying to clean out my closet now, after several days of sessions. Yesterday I tackled shoes. Today will be purses and then I’ll start on my cubbyhole shelves. This may finally come together!
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Photo Credit – Andrea-C.-Miller_Shutterstock
I just vacuumed our tiled areas on the first floor (pantry, kitchen, dining area, utility room, and 2 half baths) and gathered an entire dog’s worth of Amber hair. There was a bit of Jet (aka Monster Cat) hair, too, but Amber won the contest hands down. She should be completely bald by now, but she still has a thick, healthy coat of hair. She won’t stand for me vacuuming HER directly, and has little patience for the dog brush, so I’m stuck with vacuuming at least every other day. Good thing she’s a wonderful pet and we love her to pieces…
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Our day here is bright and shiny. I hope yours is, too!
The cold front is coming in during the day today. UGH. We still have ice and snow on our driveway. It was 42 degrees when I woke up. Now it’s 37, so the front is starting to move through. After today, the temperatures won’t go above freezing until Thursday.
We’re going to celebrate our ‘last hurrah’ of being able to get down the driveway by going out before lunch, getting our mail and hitting the local grocery one more time, getting lunch at the deli and some other supplies. Once we come back up, we may be stuck up here for at least a week or more.
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I finished this last night. My art room is one of my ‘escapes’ when the world gets to be too much and I need to relax and play a bit. I close the door – so Monster Cat can’t get in – turn on some of my favorite music, and enjoy clearing my mind and concentrating on trying to make something. Even if what I make ends up in the trash, I come out more relaxed. I’m going to get this listed on HandmadeHavenbyLinda later today.
Hanna Kenakkala-bookwormweb
I’m lucky that I have so many things that bring me joy I don’t have time to enjoy them all most days. I just finished reading “The Villa,” an old book by Nora Roberts, but one I had missed. Now I’m deep into one of the “In Death” series books by Nora/J.D. Robb. I have collected them all. With each re-read, I pick up details I missed before, or stop and enjoy a phrase or two that are so well written that the mental picture she creates is stunning.
Freepik
Listening to music on YouTube allows me to savor old favorites or find new people I think are wonderful. I put on the earphones at my computer in the office and am taken away from any cares I’ve been lugging around for a bit – while in the living room, my husband enjoys another truly awful movie with little plot or acting, but lots of action. :0)
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I hope that you have a fun and enjoyable day. Stay safe and warm!
Today is probably our second, and last, day of being able to get down our driveway and back up again, so we’re going to celebrate by going to Subway to get our lunch. My husband likes a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich and chips. I’ll have a Subway Club Salad. YUM!
This afternoon we have a good chance of rain. That may help the driveway melting some or might cause more difficulty. It has gone both ways in the past. Tomorrow comes the deep freeze, with temps not getting above freezing until Thursday (I think). That means we’re socked in for another week or so.
I’ve rescheduled or canceled our appointments for the coming week, and may have to continue that NEXT week, as well. Did I tell you I’m ready for spring?
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FirstCry
I’m really having fun working on the wood burned owl in my art room. I THINK he’s coming together now, looking more like an owl. It’s so nice to escape to my art room, turn on my music, and lose myself in the joy of figuring out what tool, technique, medium, or color to use next!
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iStock
My closet is definitely showing signs that someone cares now. Today I’m tackling my shoes. I have way too many pairs. I have a group of ‘go-to’ shoes and those will be my core. My goal is to find at least half to donate.
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Park Avenue Appliances
It looks like we’ll have to buy a new fridge. The bottom freezer failed yesterday. I got it cleaned out, and the tech is now scheduled to come on the 30th (assuming he can then get up our driveway) to give the final verdict, but it doesn’t look good. We bought our GE Profile fridge in 2006. We have really enjoyed it, so we will hope to find another we can afford.
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I hope the weather where you are is such that you can get outside a bit. I’m going to make a point of walking around in our yard this afternoon, rain or no rain.
Things are definitely looking brighter here this morning. It’s 31 degrees F. now, but it may get into the low 50’s this afternoon! Woo HOOOO! :0)
We will try to get down our driveway this afternoon to get supplies. We’re due for a cold snap Saturday evening with uncertainty as to rain or snow, so we’re hopeful we can get what we need and get back up to the house.
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Tip-TopBrain.com
I’m still wood-burning the owl piece in my art room. The jury is still out on whether it will look like anything when it’s finished, but I’m having a really good time listening to music while I try the best I can.
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Reddit
My efforts to lose my lard are marginal, at best. I’m redoubling my efforts to write down anything I eat or drink, staying within the guidelines I established on MyFitnessPal.com, and trying to keep my mouth firmly shut in-between meals, drinking more water, making my eyeballs slosh. I really enjoy smiling at my scales, rather than it laughing at me.
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MaidLuxe, LLC
Other than trying to replenish supplies today, I’m continuing my efforts to really go through everything in my closet. I use my usual excuses to avoid the whole thing, and then I get up there, do a session, and feel like I’m making progress. Each day is a fight, but the Productive Side is doing its best to prevail.
Today is one week since we were snowed in. I’m hopeful that we will get enough melting on our driveway to be able to get down (and back up) safely. It would be nice if we could replenish a few supplies before the forecasters are saying we might get MORE snow! Oh, NOOOOO! Arkansas is supposed to have MILD winters!
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Make Expression Art Studio
Otherwise, things are good here. I’m having a lot of fun trying to wood burn an owl in my art room. There is a lot of detail and a lot of shading on this piece. I’m feeling quite challenged and am having fun trying to do the best I can on it.
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I’m NOW hoping that the ice maker tech will be able to get up our driveway by MONDAY now. In the meantime, the fridge we had in the garage died a cruel, quiet death, so we are dealing with that now. We bought a fridge years ago, powered by propane in the case of ‘world disruption,’ but has never been used. We fired it up last night and will see if it actually works. Fingers crossed.
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Lemon8
My closet is definitely shaping up now. I’ll put in another session today, trying to make sense of my jeans this time.
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Reddit
With all my efforts to exercise and lose the lard, my scales laughed out loud at me this morning, showing me I gained a pound. ARRRGH! Trying to keep my mouth shut today – except for talking with you, of course!
The picture above, with the road much more steep and the cars gone, looks much like our driveway.
Day 6 of being snowed in. We have really gotten spoiled, being able to leave the house when we want, schedule our day pretty much as we want. Our noses are now definitely “out-of-joint” that we can’t get out or back up our driveway safely yet.
Wilshire Refrigeration
We were scheduled to have an appliance tech come look at – and hopefully FIX – the ice maker in our kitchen fridge. I called this morning and he doesn’t have 4-wheel-drive, or snow tires, and we needed both yesterday and barely made it back up to the house. So now we have rescheduled his visit for the 20th, hoping that by THEN we have our regular steep driveway back…
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Sunshine House
I’ve started a new wood burned piece in my art room. I’m trying to do a close up of the face of an owl. It’s more complicated that my previous stuff, and I’m having a great time trying to get the tools to do what I would like.
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Lauren Emily Wiltse
I AM making progress in my closet. It’s a laborious thing, trying each thing on and deciding if it’s 1) too small, 2) too big, or 3) doesn’t look reasonable for some other reason, and then what to do about it. I WILL keep going until I have things under control in there. I prefer to do almost anything else, though. :0(
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Hope you are having a sunshine-y, pretty day and that you enjoy every minute.
The Greenwood Schools are open today, which tells me that the rest of the town is definitely thawing out now. We are having some melting too, except our driveway still looks like a ski slope. It’ll be the last to melt.
We’re supposed to gather trash and drive it down to the bottom of our long, steep driveway. I’m going to gather it, but just just try to convince my husband that we should leave it in the garage this time, putting it out for pickup NEXT week.
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Our dog, Amber, has been busily shedding hair all over the place. My husband is taking a nap now, having slept badly last night, so I’m waiting to vacuum until he awakes. There are small tufts of Amber hair moving around over the tiled areas, trying to grab our legs as we walk…. :0)
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Sustainable Baddie
The “clean-out-my-clothes-closet” project is going slowly, but steadily. I rearranged my tops by color, and all my painted tees together, so I can see what I have more easily. Today I’ll try to get rid of more stuff.
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I hope that your day is going well, that you are safe and smiling.
I’m feeling a bit ‘bleery’ this morning, trying to wake up. A happy thing is that it’s 33 degrees now, and we might get some melting of the snow today. Today is Day 4 of being stuck up here on top of our ridge line. I THINK we’re still sane. :0)
My husband got an email yesterday from the people from whom he ordered the computer, saying the Motherboard wouldn’t be delivered until Tuesday. That seems to have calmed him down – and certainly, me, too! Hopefully, by then, we might be in a much better situation here.
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I painted the covers of two journals in my art room yesterday. The front and back covers are painted the same. The inside is blank manila paper. They are a nice size for throwing in your purse or backpack. I’ll list them on my Etsy site today.
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Amber
I’ve been enjoying our pets’ reactions to the snow. Our yellow lab, Amber, is reveling in running through the snow like a mad thing, smiling from ear to ear. She only stays out for 5 minutes, though, at the most, wanting to come in, be dried off, and rest in her bed.
Jet – Monster Cat
Jet, aka Monster Cat, WANTS to be outside, but her mean Mama says she is an inside cat. She sits on the window sill in the dining area where she can look out onto our deck. She watched the snow fall past the window in great amazement last Thursday, and is reacting now to birds flying around, trying to grab some seed from the feeders.
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Lauren Emily Wiltse
I’m making slow progress on my “clean-out-my-clothes-closet” project. I’m planning to do a session up there today – I’m bouncing between blog posts, exercises, art room, and closet cleaning throughout the day, trying to maintain what might be left of my sanity. :0)
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GE Profile Refrigerator
I think I told you that the ice maker on our fridge stopped working. I made an appt for a tech to come, but then my husband started making unreasonable demands that the tech have everything that might possibly be needed to fix the problem with him when he came. I canceled the appt. My husband finally admitted defeat and the tech is scheduled to come Thursday – assuming he can get up the driveway by then. We’ve been using ice trays and putting them in the freezer of the pantry fridge. We are then transferring the cubes to a plastic bag and putting them in the bottom of the kitchen fridge. That’s a workable solution and I’m delighted. We may have to reschedule the tech, buy a new ice maker, and/or decide to keep going as we are after the tech finally comes and goes.
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My sister-in-law and I email every day to keep up with, and support each other, since we’re each married to a “Lewis man.” We were talking this morning about feeling guilty even talking about things in our lives when so many people across our country are in such dire straights. I think each of us can care deeply, will do whatever we can to help, and have our hearts reaching out to all of them, but we need to keep going, each in our own way, to maintain sanity.
18 degrees F. and 10+ inches of snow on the ground. I am having trouble appreciating this ‘winter wonderland.’ We are completely snowed in for the foreseeable future.
DepositPhotos
I’m worried my husband will get another email telling him that UPS left more packages at the bottom of our driveway, since I know he will insist on retrieving them. Since I don’t want to risk him or the truck, I will then go to Plan B – telling him I will take a trash bag and walk down, retrieving the mail and the packages and dragging the bag back up the hill. I am really hoping right now that the streets are bad enough that the delivery people will delay things…
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Yesterday I had a good inside day. I bounced between writing blog posts and doing my weights exercises, to spending time in my art room, to spending an hour continuing my clothes closet clean-out project, and back again. I also did some reading, listening to music, chair exercises, yoga stretches, and took time for a nap. A good day!
Here’s the latest tee I had to paint due to a stain that was darker and glared at me every time I looked at it. The stain is covered now and I’ll get a good amount of wear out of this tee now. :0)
I did this combination wood burned and painted cat yesterday, too. This photo doesn’t show that the kitty is really sparkly! I’ll list it for sale on Etsy today.
I also found some slim journals I had stashed in my art room and decided to paint two of them. I have the designs drawn and have started painting them.
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NPR
I feel so sorry for the people suffering and dying from the wildfires in California. I really cannot imagine losing everything you have like that, having been abandoned by your mortgage insurer, and probably losing the source of your employment as well, and trying to come back from that. Whole communities are gone, houses, schools, churches, shopping, everything. I don’t know how people can survive something like this.
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I hope you weather this day, facing whatever you are personally dealing with, bolstered by inner strength. May we help each other through these challenges the best way we can, and may things get better soon.
Writing to you on my blog is one of my greatest joys. If I’m not writing a post to you, much of the day I’m trying to find wonderful things to share. I love the communication, the feedback, and the friends I make through doing this. Thank you very much for reading my posts, telling me you like things (or wish I would stop doing others) and staying with me. You are truly one of my blessings.
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We are well and truly snowed in now. It started around 11a.m. yesterday and is still snowing. This picture is of our deck, which is covered with a roof. We have about 6 inches on the ground now with more due before it stops. Adding insult to injury, the temps aren’t going to help much, merely making some liquid on top that will melt a bit, then refreeze over the coming days.
YouTube
Of COURSE my husband got an email yesterday, just after the snow started, saying part of the computer equipment he had ordered had been ‘delivered,’ (meaning left at the bottom of the driveway) and he INSISTED we go down and get it. We managed to get one large heavy box and two smaller ones into the back of the truck and were able to get back up the driveway to our house, but it was a close thing. I think if we had tried it a half hour later, we wouldn’t have been able to get back up. We agreed (I THINK) that we won’t go down the driveway for anything else until things are much safer. (I didn’t have to remind him that his insistence last year before it was ‘safe’ resulted in his broken collarbone and 10 weeks of recovery.)
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Southern Living-Getty Images
I did a first session of cleaning out my closet yesterday. I lasted a reasonable amount of time – for me, with my lack of patience for trying on clothes – and made some progress, bringing down a pretty large stack of things to be included in our next donation to the Veterans Thrift Store in Fort Smith. I’ll do another session today.
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WikiHow
In my work in my closet, I found another tee that had a stain that didn’t come out in the laundry, so I’m painting it. I’ll share the results when it’s finished. It’s funny how my sad behavior of spilling food on plain tees results in fun painting sessions. :0)
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I hope that you’re well this morning and that your day is filled with light and laughter.
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