“Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.” ― L.M. Montgomery, The Story Girl
This was my father, Jim Wheaton.
My brother and I were raised by two ‘only children.’ My dad was embarrassed to show emotion, having learned early that he needed to protect himself from people getting too close and possibly hurting him. (He fell off a horse when he was 3, permanently damaging his left arm, making it almost useless, and the cause of relentless cruel taunting from other kids.) He defended himself by developing an incredible sense of humor.
He learned to look at a situation as if he were watching a movie. He made himself see the humor in the situation, learned not to take himself too seriously. He learned to make the other children laugh. They learned to look past his disability and accept him because he was so much fun to be around.
He passed this sense of humor and attitude on to us. I learned to appreciate the stories he would tell, the jokes, the puns, the sarcasm he used regularly, the snide comments. Humor became a survival skill that I have used throughout my life. If I can see the humor in the situation, I can deal with it.
He ran a one-man advertising agency in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I grew up. He used his humor in his work, creating ads that made people not only remember and try products of his clients, but earned him a following as an entertaining guy – a celebrity of sorts – on the radio. He billed himself as the “second worst radio voice” (the first being a florist who just read her own words in a scratchy voice as an ad.) He won numerous awards from the local advertising organization, winning an Addy Award for lifetime achievement in advertising.
When I was making a final presentation in my class for a Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist, my theme was skills to build intelligent judgment of advertising claims. I asked my dad to be my featured speaker. I finished my talk presenting my dad, as Jim Wheaton, Advertising man, and the room went nuts, wanting to hear the man behind the ads. He finished his presentation by saying something about the joy of being asked to speak, and “how proud he was of his daughter, Linda Lewis.” The place erupted. They had no idea we were related. I couldn’t speak. This was the first time he had ever said he was proud of me. I knew he LOVED me, but this was a moment that still makes me tear up as I type.
When my dad died, he wrote on a napkin, “Remember me laughing.” It was a long time before I could, but I do. Even though I’m living by myself now in Thailand, a country strange and fascinating to me, I am not alone. I can FEEL him looking down at me, particularly when I’m sticking my neck out – feeling uncomfortable – reminding me he’s proud.
I remember him. I honor him. I brought him here with me in my mind and in my heart. I’ll never feel alone.
We went to visit my husband at the nursing home this morning. As visits go, this was a pretty good one. He seems to be comfortable, and was happy to see us. He made sense most of the time, except didn’t remember that we were in Chiang Mai, and thought the trip here was still ahead of us. He was confused about a lot of things, but not upset. He seemed interested in what we were telling him and liked looking a pictures on our phones.
He pulled out his nasal tube three times yesterday and his hands were in hard plastic ‘bags’ to keep him from pulling it out again. We tried to explain to him that if he eats and drinks enough without choking, they probably will be able to remove the tube. It’s heartbreaking that he will probably never be able to ‘come home,’ barring a miracle, but I’m very grateful that we found a place who calls him, “Pa,” and his nurse thinks the fact he is stubborn is an endearing quirk.
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KinderCare
I’m back to painting the sketches in my sketchbook and having a great time. I’m carrying the Christmas cards I painted so that I can give them out as I see people. The rest will be given when we will go to a party hosted by the family who ‘adopted’ Harvey and me as honorary grandparents. We keep showing Harvey pics of their son and daughter, but he probably won’t see them in person. By the end of the year, I may fill up this first sketchbook. I think I’m making some progress in trying to learn to draw what I see better. I have a lot of fun trying, and I have a 2nd book to start when this one is finished.
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My dolphins jigsaw puzzle may be more of a challenge than I can handle. I’m making extremely slow progress on it. The change of my chair to one that rolls around, though, is great. I can now roll up to one side or the other and see better what I’m trying to do. Brian is happy I’m slow because each time I finish a puzzle, he takes a picture of it and orders a print made of it on glass that I put on my ‘statement’ shelf in my living area. He teases me, griping about the cost of the glass prints. I have two so far…. 😛
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Today is ‘old lady yoga stretches’ day. I did my mile walk on the treadmill at the gym this morning, and will spend a good long time (30-45 minutes) with the yoga stretches. I’m adding a couple of new moves to my practice, as Brian has suggested some things that concentrate on my core more. I will also do the Internet balance exercises and may dance a bit, if I don’t run out of time…
Pngtree
I’m finally within about 5 pounds or so of my weight loss goal. I hit a new low this morning (hoooooraaaaaaay!!!!!!) I will see where I am and how I’m feeling with the loss of 5 more pounds and then decide if I want to go for 5 more. I want to be to the place I can maintain my eating, being able to splurge at times without guilt, enjoy getting some jeans that fit (I’ve taken in the waist of the ones I’m wearing three times now), and concentrate on my exercising – working on flexibility, balance and core strength, as well as trying to build up my arm strength.
I love these rugs. It’s hard, however, to decide how to decorate your home (assuming you have spendable income so you can buy what you love.) If you buy a rug like this, it will need to be the centerpiece of your room, with all the other things being solid colors to keep the focus on the rug.
I fall in love with a rug, or a wall hanging or art, and so want the rest of the room to kind of ‘fade away’ keeping the focus on the ‘statement’ piece. I drool a lot, dreaming of what I would like to be surrounded with. Since my income is modest, a lot of these ‘decisions’ are in my head or heart only…
I pre-ordered the 3rd book in “The Lost Bride” trilogy by Nora Roberts after having read the first two. I had waited for the 3rd for what seemed like a long time (was actually about 6 months) when I finally got it!
I immediately started re-reading the first book in the trilogy – “Inheritance.” Had trouble putting it down even though I had read it before. I love the characters and the whole premise of inheriting a haunted house from a family a young woman didn’t know she had, moving to a new part of the country, starting a business and more.
I’m now re-reading book 2, “The Mirror.” I really would like to know these characters – strong, talented, smart young women who have decided to live in the mansion together and tackle the problem of one of the ghosts. The new men in their lives add wonderful flavor and interest.
The third book in the trilogy is called, “The Seven Rings.” I can’t wait to dive into it and discover how this ends.
Nanea Hoffman – Sweatpants and Coffee, LLC. – “Distracted”
I vacillate between reading the news, reading just the headlines, or not reading the news at all. I feel the same about social media platforms. When all this is too grim, filled with too much bad stuff, hate, and stupidity, I take a break from it all.
Priorites in my life –
I read.
I draw or paint.
I puzzle.
I take a walk.
I take a nap.
I exercise.
I listen to music.
I dance.
I look for things I find wonderful that I want to share with you on the blog.
I watch a favorite movie.
I reach out to a friend.
These things remind me not to get “distracted,” as Nanea Hoffman says so well, by all the stuff going wrong.
I’m lucky to have many wonderful priorities in my life that make each day worth living. I can make the world go away “when the world is too much with us,” as said by William Wordsworth, the English poet.
I think it’s a definite survival skill to make a go-to “sanity” list for ourselves and encourage people we care about to do the same, reminding ourselves of all the wonderful things we could be doing rather than stressing out over things we usually can’t control anyway.
“Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn’t people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them?” – Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy
Jamie Scott – @jcsctoan.bsky.social
“The sound of birds stops the noise in my mind.” – Carly Simon
@debmaluk.bsky.social
“As far as our noblest hardwood forests are concerned, the animals, especially squirrels and jays, are our greatest and almost only benefactors. It is to them that we owe this gift. It is not in vain that the squirrels live in or about every forest tree, or hollow log, and every wall and heap of stones.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
@annaquent.bsky.social
“Let me tell you, if you have never seen an agitated squirrel you have seen very little, nor have you heard much, because the sound of an angry squirrel is not to be forgotten.” ~ Joe R. Lansdale
After getting back from the gym, our day had a bit of a scary start –
I was waiting for Brian to text me to join him for breakfast. All of a sudden someone was trying to get into my place! I was worried it was someone drunk who was at my door by mistake. I yelled ‘who is it?’ and it was BRIAN.
He had texted me on our usual phone app, but I had not answered and had not appeared as usual. He got worried and came to my door. He discovered the extra key he thought worked on my door DIDN’T. I knew he thought I had done something to my phone that caused the problem.
We had breakfast and then he looked at both our phones. I’m kind of doofus and was afraid I had it set wrong somehow. It turned out that the problem is in the APP, not ME! It wasn’t sending audible signals as it always does. Brian is trying to figure out the problem and see if he can get it fixed. Meanwhile, I will get a VISUAL signal if I’m at the computer, or I can check manually about the time he usually texts for one reason or another and get a message that way. I hope it gets fixed quickly, as we rely on it.
It is on the maintenance guy’s list to change the locks on Brian’s door and mine, and they will have the same key, so at least we will be able to get in and out of each other’s doors, if needed.
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We are having a quiet day today. Brian will work at home until he has to get out of Khun Nong’s way when she comes to clean his place. He’ll work at the cafe and then bring dinner here.
I’m planning to finish blog posts, and then puzzle, paint, and read. 🙂🧩🎨📖
These images are collected and presented by Hidreley on BoredPanda.com
I really never thought I would describe a bat as “Cute,” but this one proved me wrong.
I love the curmudgeonly look on the man’s face, offset by the tennis balls on his cane, the handful of happy balloons, and the smile on his dog’s face.
I did 3 more Christmas cards, just in case. I have one more person on my list I haven’t found yet. The rest are for people I SHOULD have listed, but didn’t or who might be at a Christmas gathering of some kind.
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I’m enjoying the ‘great window opening’ at my place this afternoon. It’s 82 degrees and slightly overcast today. It’s a wonderful day for opening up, airing out, and enjoying the beautiful weather. The cross breeze is really energizing and I’m loving it!
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I got a haircut this morning, so I’m looking less like a dandelion-gone-to-seed than I was. This man does a good job. He’s getting the fact that I only want to quickly wash it in the shower each morning after my workout and blow it dry. No rollers, no styling, no gels, no spray. Just clean hair that looks like someone had a plan.
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We’re having some trouble getting around the past couple of days. There is no holiday as such happening now. The tourist season is in full swing, but it has been since around the first of November. I’m not sure what’s going on, but we’re having to build in more time to get where we’re going, since we have to wait longer than usual to get a GRAB.
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The visit to Harvey yesterday was pretty good. He seemed to like the picture I painted for him. I was going to replace his birthday picture with the Christmas picture, but his nurse insisted I just add the Christmas picture to the wall. She indicated that I could cover the whole wall with pictures in time if I wanted to. Is she a wonderful person, or what!
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I hope that you’re having a fun day wherever you are, that you’re safe from ugly weather, and that you’re surrounded by those you love.
Garry Cleveland Myers, illustrated most recently by Leslie Harrington, Highlights for Children Magazine.
“Goofus and Gallant is an American children’s comic strip appearing monthly in Highlights for Children. The comic contrasts the actions of the eponymous characters, presenting Gallant’s actions as right and good and Goofus’s as wrong and bad.” ~ Wikipedia
My son, Brian, labeled me “Goofus” this morning, when I opened his door to leave, running the door into my shoe for the gazillionth time. This has been a long standing joke, where we keep a tally of how many days I have gone WITHOUT hitting my foot. I was back to zero this morning when he labeled me.
Goofus does everything wrong and is the typical mischievious boy. Gallant is what we used to call, “Goody Two Shoes” – doing everything he should do and more, making everyone else look bad.
I told Harvey this morning that Brian was insulting his mother. Brian immediately defended himself, saying he wasn’t insulting me – he was merely chiding me for not paying close enough attention in my apparent war with his door…
I’ve referred to it now a couple of times and call myself, “Doofus” rather than “Goofus,” thinking that is really the more apt description. I’ll get Brian back, though, so he may be wondering how I’ll do it –
We are going to visit Harvey at the nursing home this morning. Brian is taking some grape drink and a pineapple pie (Harvey’s current favorites) and I’m taking the Christmas picture above. I’ll replace his birthday picture with this one.
I also painted this sketch yesterday. I’m really enjoying the new chair Brian got for me. It’s really comfortable. I scoot around a lot, reach for things, move things around as I sketch and paint, then refine the sketches. The chair is wonderfully comfortable and makes my time in my alcove even more enjoyable!
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My jigsaw puzzle is coming along slowly. I’m having a good time working on it when I can make the time. I especially love being able to leave it out ready to work on, rather than having it ‘bother’ anyone to have the ‘mess.’
I’m also delighted that I’m safer and much more comfortable since I moved the old art alcove chair to be my puzzle chair and we got rid of the older wooden one. I can actually roll around two the two sides of the puzzle now. It makes it easier to see that I don’t have the piece I need and say a couple of bad words… 😜
Brian has dubbed me “Goofus” of the “Goofus and Gallant” cartoon series that appears in Highlights Magazine for Children. I had never heard of it and so looked it up this morning. I’ll explain more in another post. Suffice to say that I’m loving this part of my relationship with our son. He insults ME and I tease and tickle HIM. We have so much fun
December 5th Jade was born and our family was complete. (You can see Harvey holding her while I feed Brian.)
Two months later I came home from a night class at the community college to find all the lights on at my house and my in-laws’ car in the driveway. I entered to find my in-laws on the couch, saying, “She’s gone.” I ran to the nursery to find the room empty. Harvey wasn’t there, either. In shock, I sank onto the couch, numb. My inlaws said Jade had died and Harvey was at the police station. Brian, then 2, came into the living room dragging Jade’s blanket. He took it to the trash can, threw it in, and said, “Broken.”
My in-laws, trying to do something to help, told me they had gathered up everything of Jade’s and put it away. Harvey was at the police station answering questions. They told me Harvey said she was crying. He did everything he knew how to do to get her to settle down for the night. The next time he checked, she was gone. Jade had been taken by the police to the coroner’s office. As I walked around, there was nothing of her left anywhere. It was like she was a figment of my imagination. I knew I was going crazy.
The acronym is SIDS. (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). I hear it and I fall apart. Jade was perfect. She had just gone for her two month check up and vaccinations the day before. How could my daughter be ‘perfect’ one day and die of SIDS the next, according to the coroner’s report, still seemingly perfect? Our pediatrician actually came to the house and cried with us.
Both Harvey and I seriously considered suicide. Harvey was afraid I would hold him responsible for her death. The pain was so great we couldn’t breathe, much less take in food, drink, or be even reasonable parents to Brian. We were all hurting so badly it seemed there was no other way to make the pain stop. Finally we quit feeling sorry for ourselves and kept living because we had to help each other through it and raise Brian.
Jade would have been 45 today. What kind of a woman would she be? I’ve speculated a lot about that over the years. I HOPE she would be kind and generous, like our Brian. I HOPE we would be close to her, as we are with Brian. Most of all, I HOPE she would have had a happy life, feel fulfilled as a person, found things she loved to do, found people she cherished, maybe had children…
When this happened I felt a cannon ball had been shot through my body at short range. That pain never leaves. As I have seen in others who have also suffered a great loss, we learn to live anyway. Somewhere deep inside of all of us is a part that hopefully doesn’t give up – that rises up and becomes stronger, helping you do what you have to do, what you need to do, and hopefully – finally – what you WANT to do again.
Each year I research the latest in regard to SIDS. They don’t know much more about it today than they did when Jade died. At THAT time the experts said it was important for the baby to sleep on their stomach to prevent choking from throwing up. Now they suggest the baby sleep on their back. There was the question about whether the vaccinations had some link to SIDS. They say not, though I have trouble believing that. A study in Australia links SIDS to serotonin abnormalities in the brain. No one really knows much – and how hideous is that.
I can’t hold a young baby without crying. I can’t go to a funeral without falling apart and becoming the center of attention. It hurts when someone asks about my children. When I tell them about Brian, they ask, “Is he the only child you have?” Well – NO. There is Jade. I am afraid when I see young babies or pregnant women. I keep my mouth firmly shut because the odds are against women or their babies having any problems. I no longer attend funerals. Our minister said, “Jade was born, lived a little while, and died.” I can still feel her in my arms. I hope we meet again in the future.
Christmas in Chiang Mai: Shopping, decorations and holiday cheer.
“The best way to get in the festive spirit in Chiang Mai is, without a doubt, by visiting one of the malls. Chiang Mai has several large malls, and during December, they go to town on seasonal lights and decorations. Chiang Mai’s malls are some of the best shopping destinations in the country, containing a vast range of Western and local shops. For example, you can find almost all the same things at a Western mall, so they are an excellent destination for Christmas shopping. Here is a rundown of the Chiang Mai malls most worth visiting.
1. Maya Mall
Maya Mall is one of Chiang Mai’s best destinations for shopping and dining, located on the intersection of Huay Kaew Road and Nimman. In terms of decorations, it probably takes the prize for the best in the city! The huge Christmas tree in front of the mall, as well as the lights and decorations, make for a great picture opportunity. Sometimes, they even have fake snow. As you enjoy a spot of shopping, you’ll hear all the Christmas hits being played throughout the mall, but if you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a Christmas carol session performed by a local choir. Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center is open daily from 10 am-10 pm and can be reached easily on a bike or in a taxi.
2. Central Festival Mall
In the competition for the biggest Christmas tree in Chiang Mai, Central Festival Mall might just be the winner. Although a bit out of the center, this mall is still easy to reach – and very worth a visit! It’s the biggest mall in the city, and is located about 15 minutes northeast of the old city. Like Maya Mall, it contains the big brand names, but you’ll find even more of them here. In addition to this, its food court and supermarket at the basement level are much bigger than the dining area at Maya, with even more choice.
3. Central Airport Plaza Mall
Another mall worth mentioning is the Central Airport Plaza Mall, due to its truly unique atmosphere. It boasts a massive Christmas tree in the center of the mall, and has a great Christmas shopping atmosphere – you can even find Christmas elves here!
It is one of the older malls in Chiang Mai, and contains a mixture of some high end shops along with plenty of smaller and more thrifty stores. If a pair of jeans or a sweater for under ten bucks sounds good to you, this is the place to go.
Central Airport Plaza Mall definitely feels more authentic than some of the more modern malls and has a unique Thai touch, especially within the traditional food and craft market on the ground floor.” ~ PM Tours
I went for my massage. My therapist was back and I received a fabulous massage. I gave her the Christmas card I painted for her. She smiled and seemed very happy. The other massage lady was busy with a client, so I’ll check back later to see if I can give her her card then.
After my massage I went out to the garage of the building and gave the garage attendant his card. He seemed quite surprised and had tears in his eyes as we bowed to each other. I then found the lady who brings us chairs when we have to wait a while for a GRAB ride. She is also one of the housekeepers in the condo building. She took one look at her card and hugged me!
About half an hour my doorbell rang. The nice lady was there, handing me a roll of bamboo full of something I gathered was something to eat. We smiled, bowed and hugged each other again. 🙏🏻
I texted Brian and he came to my place. He thought it was some kind of a Thai desert. We ate it and found it to be wonderful. It had rice, coconut and something else – sweet and delicious. Brian looked it up and sent me this YouTube video of what is called, “Bamboo Sticky Rice” –
She speaks no English, and I speak no Thai, but we had a beautiful exchange nonetheless. I will thank her for her beautiful gift the next time I see her. 🙏🏻
We will leave to go to the cafe soon to get out of Khun Nong’s (my housekeeper’s) way while she cleans my place. I’ll take my sketchbook, drawing supplies, my Kindle, and my sweatshirt. I will give a Christmas card to one of the servers there.
So my day has been a happy one, of thank you’s, Christmas cards, happy smiles, hugs, and more. What a beautiful place this is!
“I always begin a room with the rug; it is literally the foundation of the space. I then go on to the furniture.” ~ Lee Radziwill
Moss Haven Love – Etsy
“I like my house to be unique to me. Sure, I’ve bought plenty of things out of a catalog, but the way I put them together in my home is special. You might have bought your sofa at a major home decorating store, but the rug you found at the flea market is so unique, it takes your room from ‘carbon copy’ to ‘simply yours’ in no time.” ~ Nate Berkus
Rug Bouquet – Etsy
“There are simple, small things you can do that really will impact the space. Things like changing out your curtain panels to something that adds a fresh new feel. Or maybe a smart pattern. Also swapping out an area rug, throws and pillows can be done in no time, and really have a dramatic effect.” ~ Drew Scott
This is my place and I like the way the rug pulls the living area together.
We went to visit Harvey at the nursing home this morning. On the way there, Brian received a text from Harvey’s nurse. It said, “Mr. Harvey said, “I want to see my wife, and I want a pineapple pie.”
I guess that set my expectations up too high because once we got there, although he enjoyed the pineapple pie Brian had brought for him, he only talked about a couple of things – something biting his foot and his wanting to take a picture of whatever it was, and then his wanting to go ‘home’ with us, though he wasn’t at all sure where ‘home’ was. The fact that we have explained that the help he needs is at the nursing home where they have the equipment and the expertise it takes to give him 24 hour care, just doesn’t stick. In his mind, we can simply pack him up, stuff him into a car, and take him to my place. It breaks my heart when he does this. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen often. Most of the time he is content and comfortable, though communication varies all over the place. I was pretty depressed when we left.
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I had given Christmas cards to the manager of the nursing home and Harvey’s nurse. We stopped at the chocolate place and I gave the lady who is so sweet to us a card. You would have thought I gave her a million dollars. Her smile filled the room and my heart. Somehow, two little exquisite chocolate cookies showed up as an extra on our order today…. ❤️
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When we got home I took a card to the lady who runs the laundry, and another to one of the ladies in the office – the one who greets us with a smile every day whenever we leave the building. I will pass out more tomorrow. It really brings up my spirits to surprise people this way.
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Brian told me that it’s a Chinese custom to drink hot water. My research showed – “The Chinese custom of drinking hot water stems from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and historical sanitation practices. It is believed to promote health by balancing the body’s energy, aiding digestion, and expelling humidity, while historically, boiling water was the safest way to make it potable. Today, the tradition persists, with many Chinese people continuing to prefer hot or warm water, often served with a meal. “ I am drinking a cup of hot water as I type this, trying to warm up. 🍵
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The Healthy @Readers Digest
I will do my exercises for my arms with water bottles this afternoon. That will warm me up, as well. I find that doing this one day and doing yoga stretches on alternate days gives me a good balance in addition to my walking on the treadmill.
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I have now tried out my new chair in my art alcove. It really makes a difference. I also worked on my puzzle a bit using the old alcove chair with the cushions, and it’s much more comfortable. My son, Brian, is no longer worried that the older wooden chair won’t last, so I am a happy camper.
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Yesterday I made a card for my son’s birthday. I will give it to him on the 13th. He wants to just forget about his birthday, so I’m determined to celebrate it. I will see if I can get a cake and a candle at the shop near here, and I will give him the card. I will also sing to him, making his excruciating experience complete. 🥳
Still trying to get my head around the fact that ‘Take Out’ can mean food, dating, or murder.
•Dear paranoid people who check behind their shower curtains for murderers. If you do find one, what’s your plan?
•The older I get, the more I understand why roosters just scream to start their day.
•Being popular on Facebook is like sitting at the ‘cool table’ in the cafeteria of a mental hospital.
•You know you’re over 50 when you have ‘upstairs ibuprofen’ and ‘downstairs ibuprofen’.
• How did doctors come to the conclusion that exercise prolongs life, when….the rabbit is always jumping but only lives for around two years, and…the turtle that doesn’t exercise at all, lives over 200 years. So, rest, chill, eat, drink, and enjoy life!
.When I lost the fingers on my right hand in a freak accident, I asked the doctor if I would still be able to write with it. He said, “Probably, but I wouldn’t count on it.
•I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise. But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.
The Ping Fai Festival happens December 20th through the 29th in Chiang Mai in One Nimman Think Park. It is sponsored by the Weave Artisan Society, and runs from 4pm until midnight.
“The festival has a theme ‘The Barn’ and is on every day, 4pm until midnight. There is a ‘Fin Market’ with over 100 stalls showcasing food, clothes, souvenirs, arts and crafts. Live music every night at One Nimman and on the 24th of December there is a special concert with ‘Pause’ starting at 10pm. “ ~ City Now – What’s On in Chiang Mai.
Brian and I may see a small part of this amazing celebration. We are both averse to large crowds, events at night, and loud music – plus this time of the year is the heaviest tourist season. It will also be getting uncomfortably cold starting right when the even starts each day. We may see what is happening right at opening one day while it is still light.
This is the last group of Christmas cards (unless I think of someone else I should have remembered.) I’m going to go through the 25 cards and make the final decision on which card is for which person on my list. I will probably start giving them to people Friday. It’s fun to say ‘thank you’ this way. 😁
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BBC Science Focus – Getty Images
It wasn’t as cold this morning going to the gym. I am not as bundled up now as I was yesterday, though I’m still really enjoying pulling up the shades and letting sunlight flood my place in the mornings. My son, Brian, is telling me to remember I said this when I’m having to leave the shades down until noon to give the a/c a chance to work… I told him that I’m living one day at a time and am LOVING ways I’m coming up with to get warm!
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Brian has been mentioning my “puzzle chair” (above) each time he comes to my place. He is afraid the wooden chair might not be safe, though he did get me some cushions to make it more comfortable. He told me last week he had ordered another chair .
This is my computer chair and he ordered another one like this. It is supposed to be delivered today. If it is, he will come up and put it together for me.
This is my art alcove chair.
The “great chair switch” will happen when the new chair is put together. The new chair will take the place of the “art alcove chair” because I spend a lot of time sketching and painting. The “art alcove chair” will become the new “puzzle chair.” I will add the cushions Brian bought to the new puzzle chair for added comfort. We will put the old wooden chair out in the foyer and Brian will tell the office people it is available. They come pick up things people aren’t using and find good place for them. Did you pay attention? There will be a test later…😜
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Montgomery Child Care Association – Adobe Stock
I have a quiet day today, other than the chair switch. I’m looking forward to finishing 4 thank you cards for Khun Nong, my housekeeper. (I put one out each week) I’ll get the Christmas cards organized so I can carry them in a folder in my carrier to give them to people as I see them. I may take some time to paint one of the sketches in my sketchbook today. FUN!
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I’ve been neglecting my puzzle the last few days, so I’ll try to see if I can make some progress on that today, too. The dolphins and one good sized turtle are waiting to come to life!
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I’ve been reading about some bad winter weather happening across the United States. I hope you are not in the middle of it. Stay warm and stay safe.
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