Cute Stone Critters
Filed under Stone/Pebble Art
Tense and Tubby
Things have been challenging here lately, and my reaction to it is to tense up, sleep sporadically and poorly, and ‘scrunch up’ so I hurt all over – being stiff and sore.
My old lady yoga stretches are saving my life. I try to routinely do about 35 minutes of so, just to stretch things out. Lately, I am taking more and more time in my efforts to relax and rejuvenate. It really helps.
I’m grateful to Cat Kabira who makes wonderful yoga DVDs for getting me started. She has such a kind manner, stressing that it doesn’t matter if you can touch your toes or not, or if you cannot fold yourself into a paper airplane in a particular pose. She says that the relaxation, breathing, and stretching as far as you can at the time is what is important. I would have given up almost before I started if I hadn’t been lucky enough to find her on the Sixtyandme.com website.
Now I do my own routine, spending as much time as I need to in order to make up for the day’s challenges. I feel much better after I do my practice.
Filed under exercise, taking care of yourself
Grateful
Friends and family are priceless; but maybe even more appreciated with all we are dealing with today.
When I got to the computer this morning, I had emails from two of my favorite people in the world. I don’t feel as if the day has started without hearing from them. They ground me. We can share anything and everything and don’t have to worry about judgment. And we CARE about each other. If that isn’t priceless, I really don’t know what is.
In about an hour, we will go to Lunch Bunch. Every Friday for over 17 years, we go and share a bite to eat and catch each other up on what has happened during the past week. We share hopes and dreams, help each other through sadness. Our core group remains the same, though Lunch Bunch changes on how many people come each week. I am so grateful I have two wonderful friends who mean the world to me.
When the world is hostile, angry, and dangerous – and we need to be careful about everything we do and say – loving, and having the love and care of friends and family, will help us through to better times. May we all “make our souls blossom.”
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, Encouragement, Family, Friendship, kindness
Progress re Revenge of the Gremlins
I told you recently that gremlins have taken over our home lately. We have had to move from one thing needing repair or replacement to the next over and over and over, all starting when we were iced in for a week and then snowed in for another week last month.
One of the important things was that our generator didn’t do its automatic weekly test. My husband was unable to start it manually, either. Thank goodness we didn’t need it while the weather was so challenging. We recharged the battery that we just bought a little over a month ago and I bought a new air filter, and we made sure the oil was good, but that wasn’t enough. My husband took out the starter motor. We called around and found a guy who fixes small motors, and drove to Ft. Smith – leaving it with him. He called later and said he was unable to fix it, but that he had a new one we could buy.
My husband went back to Ft. Smith, bought the new starter motor. On his way home he had a flat and managed to get to a tire place to buy a used tire to get him home. We ordered two new rear tires for the Vette.
My husband installed the new starter motor in the generator and tested it. It RAN! He left it set on automatic weekly testing. I put the time of 12:20 today for the test on my calendar. I set my alarm so I could open the door and HEAR it start for the test. It was 12:23 when the motor turned on and started the generator!!!!! It ran for 10 minutes and shut itself off.
ONE PROBLEM SOLVED!
We got the two new rear tires and headed for the local tire place, with me following my husband there. They installed the new tires, but told him that he needed new FRONT tires ASAP. So – we ordered new front tires…
While we were waiting for those to arrive, we took the Vette to the dealer in Ft. Smith because the turn signals weren’t working. I followed him there and we left the vehicle, asking them also to look at whatever holds the exhaust system up because it was rattling, and the headlights, which opened up, but were recalcitrant about going back down when we push the button. They called us back, wanting $1200 to fix the exhaust system and they wanted to change the headlights. My husband told them to JUST fix the turn signals. (That entails taking the whole front off the Vette). They called us later that day, so we made a second trip to Ft. Smith to pick up the Vette.) They charged us $211 for the turn signals. My husband says if the exhaust system rattles get louder, we’ll take it to Midas. He will ignore the problem on the lights, since that isn’t a safety issue.
Today we received the new front tires and have now left the Vette at the local tire place for them to put them on. They will call us when it is ready.
So we will have TWO of the several problems we have had one after the other FIXED – or as fixed as we can afford. :0)
Two remaining problems is that the heater in the shop isn’t working and the garage door opener quit. We have contacted the propane people about the shop heater and we have ordered a new garage door opener. The company wanted around $900 to install a new garage door opener, but we ordered one for $250 and will install it ourselves – we hope.
If you see the gremlins, please catch them for us. We will see if they can be appeased…
Filed under Challenges, Housekeeping - Maintenance
Splurge
We went for a splurge breakfast after I got a blood test this morning at our doc’s office. I hate needles, so the prospect of a really nice breakfast afterwards makes it much easier to act like an adult. :0)
In Arkansas, the rules for percentage of capacity of dining-in at restaurants has expanded a bit. Everyone is still wearing masks and the servers place the diners pretty far apart. They now bring you menus and take your order rather than everyone standing in line to order at the front counter. I felt as safe as one can these days as I enjoyed a truly delicious breakfast.
We saw a dear friend who works at our bank while we were there. She was having breakfast with her parents. It has been ages since we saw her. It was good to be able to wave, exchange a few words, find out she and her family are okay, and see part of her face. (I love it that you can still tell when people are smiling, even when they are wearing a mask.) :0)
My husband and I are in the high risk group for COVID (being old and having other conditions) and we are lucky that we have an appointment to get our first vaccination shot Monday morning. I hope the rate of vaccinations can continue to increase until everyone who would like to receive the protection is immunized.
As far as food goes today, our splurge breakfast will hold us until we have a bowl of the beef stew I made in the crock pot yesterday for dinner tonight.
Filed under Challenges, DIET!, taking care of yourself
Mikaela Bartlett Felted Wool Art – Foxes
Mikaela Bartlett – BoredPanda.com
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, Felted Wool Art
The Joy of Reading Robert B. Parker
My husband recommended the Robert B Parker books to me years ago. I think I have all he wrote by himself. He wrote a couple with his wife, Joan, and others are trying to add to his legacy, but I have collected only his.
I’m enjoying re-reading my collection. I started with his “Spenser” series on which “Spenser for Hire,” the TV series, was based. I’m reading #24 “Small Vices.” My husband can always tell I’m reading a Parker book because I tend to snort or laugh out loud at his dry sense of humor. His love for sarcasm is right down my alley. He uses no filters – just comes out with the stuff you wish you had the courage to say, but don’t.
I find his Spenser character fascinating because he is so self-contained, doggedly hard-working, determined to get the answers he wants, and has the will to do what he thinks is right, regardless of the consequences. His deep love for Susan melts me into a puddle. It is all pervasive and has no limit. It’s forever – and joyfully. Who could resist that?
There are only 40 in the series by Parker. I’m reveling in the world he created.
Filed under Favorite Authors & Books
Hope is Still Alive
The news is depressing. It seems to accentuate the hostility that some have for others who have different beliefs. I remind myself of the wonderful friends and family I have, to look at people as individuals, rather than painting with a broad brush – and not to fall into the trap of labeling people.
There are so many good, talented people in our world. There is such beauty. Sometimes we just have to dig deeper and search harder, while keeping hope alive.
Filed under Attitude, Encouragement, hope
Cravings
I’m weird. (I know. You already knew.) :0)
I think that MOST people crave sweets when they are trying to watch what they are eating. I crave salty things, bread and starches, like pasta, rice, potatoes.
I AM getting better about reading labels, though, and try to get the lower sodium options, or decide not to buy things if they’re loaded with salt. I used to have the table salt right where we ate. I have now moved that. If I want to add salt, I have to actually get up and go get it. I use a bit of salt to cook, but try to use season salt, rather than regular. (It just occurred to me that I could make the “getting-up-to-get-salt” a part of my exercise plan, but I think that’s really pushing it. :0) )
Filed under DIET!, Funny Signs - Humor
Stone Art Critters
Filed under Stone/Pebble Art
Poohisms
Filed under Favorite Quotes, Poohisms
Felted Wool – Furzie
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, Felted Wool Art
New Month – New Chance
My scales are finally beginning to take notice of my efforts to lose the lard.
Though I vary on eating between meals, my basic program remains the same. I am eating healthy individual portion frozen dinners prepared by good people at either REAL FOOD or STU’S CLEAN COOKIN’ in Greenwood. The ingredients and amounts are listed on the meals. No unpronounceable additives or preservatives are used.
Otherwise, a sandwich or tuna salad, sugar-free jello, and olives or grapes for lunch.
Now that our weather is finally warming up, I don’t dread spending time on my elliptical trainer in the garage as much. I’m trying to do 35 minutes on it three times a week and my yoga stretches every day. I’m doing pretty well at that, even though I have missed days due to helping my husband fix all the stuff that is falling apart around here lately.
I gave up on my efforts to start seeds. I got some messy sprouts, but all were trying their best to die, so I stopped. My title as ‘Serial Seed Killer” remains. :0( Happily, some plants are available locally. I’m trying to decide if I should go ahead and plant things, even though our average last frost date isn’t until April 5th.
I hope that today is a good day for you.
Filed under Attitude, DIET!, exercise, Gardening, Square Foot Gardening - Raised Beds
Mikaela Bartlett Felted Wool Sculptures
Mikaela Bartlett, BoredPanda.com
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, Felted Wool Art
What You Think
Though it’s on my wish list, we have very few quiet days around here.
I’ve told you that things are falling apart around here lately. We are having to jump from one thing to the next, sometimes trying to juggle several things at once, trying to keep our heads above water.
We are waiting for our propane supplier to call us – hoping that one of their delivery people can stop by the next time they are in our area to help us get the pilot light lit for the heater in the shop. I’m assuming that because my husband can’t do it this time, it needs something replaced. We are in a good holding place on this problem. Everything is turned off. We don’t HAVE to work in the shop, and the weather is gradually getting warmer anyway.
I told you that my husband ran over something in the road on the way back from Ft. Smith last week, resulting in a flat and our having to order two tires. The turn signals quit working and the exhaust system is rattling now. The wonderful Vette designers made it so the whole front of the Vette has to come off to work on – or change – the turn signals. We are planning to take it to the dealer in Ft. Smith tomorrow and leave it with both problems to be fixed. THEN, when the tires arrive, we will take it to the local tire place to have the new tires mounted and balanced. Hopefully, that will finish THAT project.
I THINK that is the last of the series of things we have been dealing with the past month of so. (Knock on wood) I’m very glad to be enjoying the LAST day of February!
I saw the local hardware store is selling veggie plants! I may break down and get some. The seeds I started may one day finally be strong enough to go out in the garden, but I’m not depending on that. The plants are calling to me. L- I -N -N- N—- D- A! WE’RE W- A- A- A- A- I- T- I -N -G F O R Y O U !!!!!!!! :0)
Happy last day of February. I hope it’s a fun day for you.
Felted Animals by Megan Nedds
Megan Nedds – The Woolen Wagon – Etsy.com
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, Felted Wool Art
Minus Sugar and Carbs
Just kidding. :0)
My husband has Type II Diabetes, so we cut out as much sugar as possible several years ago. That, along with medication, is keeping his blood sugar at a good level. He really had to work to do it. He LOVES sweets. He even calls ME “Sugar.” I’m really proud of him that he is building good habits. He does splurge, but we monitor blood sugar twice a week and pay attention to it.
We had two places start up in Greenwood this year – REAL FOOD and STU’S CLEAN COOKIN.’ Both provide individual serving frozen meals that are HEALTHY and DELICIOUS.
Today I’m cooking a chuck roast in the slow cooker, but most of our days are built around having one of their frozen meals, or the ones I make from the leftovers we have. We have a sandwich or tuna salad for lunch, and we try not to eat much in-between. It seems to be working for us, albeit slowly.
In these days when we need to be particularly careful about our health (we are in the high risk group for COVID) it just makes sense to also eat as healthy as possible and try to lose the lard.
Filed under DIET!, taking care of yourself
Glynnis Miller Art 2
Filed under Bethany Kerr, drawings, Glynnis Miller
Priority
I’ve been taught that to think of yourself first is selfish. We didn’t talk about it that much that I remember, but somehow I felt guilty even considering what I wanted. Now that I’m older and supposedly wiser, I think that making yourself a priority and meeting your own needs is important, if not essential, to then reaching out and helping others. I admit I’m still ambivalent, feeling a twinge as I typed the last sentence, but I think that when you are hurting, it takes up all the oxygen in the room, no matter how hard you try to move past it and carry on.
I always have a long to-do list. Only in the last several months have I listed my time on the elliptical trainer in the garage and my yoga practice as “priorities” for the day, rather than merely included on the list as “shoulds” IF the time and energy are found when the other things are done. The same thinking has applied to the idea of including some FUN in my day – even if only a little bit of time – done when the ‘important’ things had been accomplished.
Even if it’s “selfish,” I am now actively considering what I want.
I’m considering it a priority to eat right – but to also enjoy any splurges with gusto.
It’s a priority to keep moving, doing ‘regular’ exercises or work outside, or talking a walk, or SOMETHING to make me as strong and healthy as possible.
I’m consciously making time each day to do something that brings me joy, whether it be reading a favorite book, playing in my art room, enjoying the good weather outside, learning something new, reaching out to a friend, etc.
I’m trying to push the ‘shoulds” to the bottom of my to-do list. If I can check one off, that’s great, but not of the highest priority anymore.
I’m working at trying to alleviate stress – something that has been taking up a lot of time and effort lately. A favorite quote is “Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are”. (Attributed to Theodore Roosevelt)
Filed under Attitude, quality of life, taking care of yourself
The Art of Glynnis Miller
Filed under drawings, Glynnis Miller
Flood the World
Filed under Attitude, Encouragement, I'm a slob, kindness
Fingerpainting Joy with Iris Scott
Filed under Fun with Fingerpaint, Iris Scott
Thoughts on a Thursday 2-25-2021
I want to adopt this dog. NOW. I simply melted into a puddle when I saw his little face.
If you’ve been following the blog, you know our generator suddenly wasn’t working. Yesterday we found a man in Ft Smith who could look at the starter motor to see if he could fix it. It turned out he couldn’t, but he had a new one for us. I was asleep when he called, and my husband insisted he would go and pick it up.
I was worried by the time he returned. He said he ran over something on the way home that flattened a tire. He was able to limp to a tire store and buy a used tired to get home. So now we have bought a new starter motor for the generator and ordered two new tires for the Vette. Oh, joy.
We worked on the starter motor most of the remaining afternoon until dark. He was able to get the motor in and running, but will have to tweak it today. He said he had to loosen something to get the motor out that apparently controls the speed of the motor. He will see if he can get that into the proper position today. I hoping this goes smoothly and solves our problem. He really had to work hard yesterday.
I am also hoping for a quiet day so I can get back to exercising. Both my husband and I have been either doing errands quickly, putting out ‘fires’, or working on the generator the past few days, so all routines and idea of a ‘regular’ schedule have been out the window. Instead hot showers, heat pads, muscle gel and Tylenol have kept us afloat.
My mantra is “things will get better.”
Stress Eating
We just got home from a trip to Ft. Smith.
Yesterday we discovered that our generator failed to do its weekly automatic test. It also failed to start manually. We charged the battery we just bought last month, and installed a new air filter. The oil level and quality was fine. My husband took out the starter motor and tested it in the shop. No one in Greenwood works on starter motors, so we found a guy in Ft. Smith.
The traffic was AWFUL. My husband is always complaining about the “Anti-destination League,” who take pride in driving side by side in the left lane with the vehicle on the right, so no one can do anything. They really seemed to be out in force today, causing my husband a huge amount of frustration. His griping and efforts to try to get around the traffic cause ME a lot of stress as well.
We found the motor repair place, left the motor with the man, and started to drive home. We agreed to stop for something to eat. We found a Burger King. Each of us had a bacon cheeseburger and French fries. NOT on our diet! The burger was a burger, but the French fries were magnificent.
We are home now, in one piece. I didn’t kill my husband for scaring me to death over and over, but it was a close thing.
I think I may see if I can just go get the motor – if the man can fix it – by myself.
Filed under Challenges, DIET!
creativeartworksblog 