I’m Not Fond of Mice, But..
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, Felted Wool Art
Stone Art 8
This stone art was created by sassidautore.it/Facebook. An article on the art was written by Stefano Furlani, BoredPanda.com
Filed under Stone/Pebble Art
Thighs
I lost half a pound yesterday, so I’m happier today. I also earned a gold star for my desk calendar for doing almost 45 minutes of slow, easy stretches. I’ll try to do that again today, plus add back my elliptical trainer this afternoon.
We go to Lunch Bunch today, so it’ll be great to catch up with my good friends. We were finally altogether last week for the first time since before Christmas. I’m reminded over and over of how rich I am in friends.
I’m still up to my eyeballs in bookkeeping from 2020, tax prep for the CPA, and opening spreadsheets for 2021. My goal is to have that zipped up and ready to take as soon as a few more forms are available.
My husband and I are ‘OLD,’ and so qualify for the Covid-19 vaccine. Sadly, there is only one place doing vaccinations in Greenwood, Arkansas, and they have a waiting list hundreds long and won’t take any more names. They told me to call back in February.
We are having glorious weather for this time of year. Right now it’s surreal outside with lots of fog. This afternoon it’s supposed to get into the 50’s with sunshine. I will try to get out a bit and enjoy it. Tomorrow, Sunday AND Monday are forecast to be rainy.
Have a wonderful Friday. Stay healthy and safe.
Filed under DIET!, exercise, Friendship, Mother Nature, taking care of yourself, Thoughts on a ________
Hold On To Hope
One of my favorite ‘memes’ – or things by which I try to live is, “Today I will not stress over things I can’t control.” I have it printed and up with magnets on the file cabinet near my computer so that I am reminded.
We are submerged right now in all kinds of things we can’t control and it’s easy to become depressed and frightened. There is a lot of fear, hate, and hurtful labels flying around that only compound our negative emotions.
I am reminding myself to breathe a lot. Just one breath at a time, slow and deep. (Yeah. I’m nuts. I talk to myself a lot in an effort to retain SOME portion of sanity. :0) ) I’m doing my yoga stretches in the afternoons – again – s l o w l y – trying to end up relaxed and looser. If I get sleepy, I’m OLD – so I can give myself permission to take a nap, whether to cover up my head and get away from what’s bothering me, or a power nap just to recharge for whatever comes next.
I go to my art room. Sometimes I’m actually productive, but other times I just sit there, clean things up a bit (or a lot), consider possibilities, dream… I listen to music on my MP3 player or on my computer. That always transports me, lifting my spirits. When the weather gets better, I look forward to working in my flowers and my garden. (Now I am plotting and planning which plants will go in which squares in my raised bed, square foot planter veggie garden in the spring. I’m going to TRY to get some plants going on my counter in the garage starting mid Feb or early Mar)
I hope that you have things that help you cope, too. The world is a scary place now and SO much of is made up of things over which you have no control. My suggestion is that you control what you can in your everyday living to insulate and isolate yourself from things while you protect yourself physically and emotionally.
Things will get better eventually. One day at a time. Stay safe and well.
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, Changes, taking care of yourself
New Diet Program
My INTENTIONS are good, but aren’t matching reality lately. My newest excuse for eating the wrong things (and too much) is doing bookkeeping and taxes. I hate them so much that I ‘reward’ myself when I get some of it done. Yes, I could be ADULT and MATURE about it and reward myself with something other than food, but I’M the one who gives myself a gold star on my calendar when I exercise….
I had a really good day on the bookkeeping yesterday, so ‘rewards’ were higher than I deserved. I’ll try to actually finish up for 2020, print spreadsheets and gather things for tax prep today so we can dump them on our CPA soon. :0)
It’s yucky and rainy today, so it’s a great day to have a warm, dry home. I’m still re-reading J.D. Robb’s (Nora Roberts’) In Death series in preparation for reading the newest paperback in the series, so I have a nice session of curling up under my throw in my recliner, heat pad under my back on warm, coffee on my warmer on the chair-side table, and book in hand this afternoon. I’m on #41 in the series. (The newest one is #51. )
We just returned from doing errands. My husband insisted on getting cherry fritters from the grocery store. I got some turkey to eat for any snacks and some salad to go with our dinner. (I AM trying…)
I hope that if you are trying to lose some lard, you’re having an easier time of it than I am right now. Better days are ahead. I’m concentrating on one meal at a time…
Filed under DIET!
Stone Art 7
These stone creations are by sassidautore.it/Facebook. The article displaying them is by Stefano Furlani of BoredPanda.com
Filed under Stone/Pebble Art
Hallelujah
A good friend sent this to me. I hope this plays for you. It’s absolutely thrilling.
Filed under music
Thoughts on a Wednesday 1-20-2021
My diet and exercise effort have been sporadic this past week. Until I can get my act together, I won’t see any progress. At this point, I’m just trying not to fall off completely. I feel stressed, and that brings on ‘stuff-my-mouth’ behavior. There are many things over which I have no control. I will try to concentrate on the things I CAN.
I feel happy this morning because I got to chat with our son before he went to bed. There is a 12-hour time difference between Arkansas and Thailand, so it’s a bit of a challenge to have both of us up at the same time. He sounded happy, and that’s all that matters.
Yesterday I stopped by the booth my friend Carla and I share in Rags & Roses Collective in Greenwood to take a few new things and visit with the owner a bit. She showed me a couple of videos of her son doing all kinds of gymnastics with the cheerleaders for a basketball game at school. WONDERFUL! We sold some things yesterday, covering half our rent. Hopefully, this will continue!
I got a haircut yesterday, and two of my best friends in the world thought it looked good!
I hope that YOUR Wednesday is a safe, happy one.
Filed under .gifs I Love, DIET!, exercise, Thoughts on a ________
Stone Art 6
Stone art by sassidautore.it/Facebook. Article by Stefano Furlani, BoredPanda.com
Filed under Stone/Pebble Art
Stone Art 5
Sassidautore.it/Facebook. Article by Stefano Furlani, BoredPanda.com
Filed under Stone/Pebble Art
Stone Art 4
Stone creations by Sassidautore.it/Facebook, shared by Stefano Furlani, BoredPanda.com
Filed under Stone/Pebble Art
Mug Magic 6
Brooke Knippa of AP Curiosities Studio created these wonderful, creative mugs. Robertas Lisickis of BoredPanda.com discovered her and shared her work with us.
Finding the Joy
My efforts to keep hope alive continue.
Things that I have found helpful include –
- Doing one concrete thing on my to-do list for the day.
- Finding something hopeful to share on the blog.
- Playing in my art room.
- Reading
- Listening to music – I have an MP3 player, plus I listen to my favorites list on YouTube
- Learning something new on YouTube, such as a demonstration of an art technique
- Singing (I do this outside while I’m walking around our yard. I used to play the guitar a bit, enough to accompany myself back in the dark ages of folk music. I gave my guitar to our son years ago. I only croak to myself now.)
- Playing with Amber (our 95 pound yellow lab) – I’m trying to teach her ‘throw and bring back.’ She prefers ‘tug-o-war’ and run around the yard in a victory lap, shaking the toy.
- Feeling good about doing my exercises and putting a gold star on my desk calendar when I’ve finished my elliptical trainer and my yoga stretches for the day.
- Consciously mentally listing good things in my life
Life these days is challenging on a whole lot of different levels. If we really try, we can help each other find the joy.
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, Changes
Clean Digs
I finally took the time needed to clean out the aquarium yesterday afternoon, providing a huge sigh of relief for my fish. I was a couple of days late this time and their water and tank really needed my attention.
When I got everything back together – all squeaky clean – the fish checked everything out avidly, noting the differences in decorations, but mainly looking to see if I gave them extra food. They got in the corner, blowing bubbles at me and wriggling their bodies, and I caved, as usual, and gave them a bit extra.
I have decided that the AquaClear system is the best filter system for my 5 gallon tank. I use the ’20’ size. I’ve tried all kinds of things, since I was having to clean out the tank and provide fresh water WAAAAAY too often – my research baldly stated that gold fish take pride in being champion poopers and messing up whatever container they are in.
The AquaClear system is a 3-piece system with the large part of the filter hanging outside the tank, giving the fish more room to swim around unimpeded. There is a block of foam, a charcoal filter bag, and finally a ‘bio bag’ that fit together to filter the water. I think I average once a month now on cleaning out the tank – a MUCH better thing than once a week!
I smile every time I go past the tank, with the happy fish and sparkling clean water…
Filed under Family, Housekeeping - Maintenance
Mug Magic 5
Mugs created by Brooke Knippa, AP Curiosities Studio. Article by Robertas Lisickis, BoredPanda.com
Mug Magic 4
These wonderful mugs were created by Brooke Knippa of AP Curiosities Studio. The article showcasing her work was by Robertas Lisickis of BoredPanda.com
Hope 6
Dog Waits 8 Months To Find A Home, Gets Adopted By Caretaker On Christmas
Meet Hiccup, We’ve Given Him A Home For Christmas
These signs of hope were provided by Inga Korolkovaite of BoredPanda.com
Back in the Saddle
“I’m back in the saddle again
Out where a friend is a friend
Where the longhorn cattle feed
On the lowly gypsum weed
Back in the saddle again” ~ sung by Gene Autry
I earned 2 stars yesterday for exercise, so I’m feeling ‘back in the saddle again of daily exercise :0) When I finish getting some blog posts up, I’ll head for the garage and my elliptical trainer. I’m hoping that both the scales and my tape measure will show some progress by the end of the month. One can hope!
Speaking of that, I’m really trying to find good things lately in an effort to not be buried in gloom. My husband was doing a bit of the ‘whine and cheese’ bit last night, and I gave him a pep talk about concentrating on the GOOD in our lives, rather than the bad. He saw my point, particularly when I was able to give him several examples that were personal to us. I really think this is important for our sanity and general health.
One hopeful thing is that we might be able to get the COVID vaccine eventually. I read a thing online saying that people 70+ could start getting it Jan. 18th at one pharmacy locally. I called, discovering that they weren’t taking names to add to their list right now, since the list was several hundred people long. She suggested that I call back the 1st of Feb. to see if they had opened the list again. The fact that we MIGHT be able to be added to a list in the next month or so is good news.
Yesterday I took a bunch of new products to the shop where I share a booth with a good friend. I rearranged everything and am hopeful that someone will take a look, like what they see, and take something home with them. :0)
I hope that you are having a good Thursday.
Stay safe and well.
Filed under Attitude, exercise, hope, taking care of yourself, Thoughts on a ________
Punny
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor, punny
Hope 5
13 Years Ago Today We Found Her Hiding Under A Christmas Tree At Lowe’s. We Decided To Take Her Home “Just For The Night” To Feed And Warm Her
She’s been lying about not being fed ever since.
This Is Cyrus, My Girlfriend And I Adopted Her Today. She Was Surrendered The Day After Christmas For Being “Too Much Dog”
We took our new pup to a park for 30 minutes and played some tug-of-war, and she’s been like this for over an hour. Guess she’s the right amount of dog for us.
I Don’t Have Room In My Place For A Christmas Tree, So My Mom Made Me This Wreath With Built-In Lights And All The Ornaments From When I Was A Kid
Neighborhood Kids Were Using This Lady’s Yard For Sledding Without Asking. She Responded By Blasting Xmas Music Out Her Window, Putting On A Santa Hat With A Beard And Joining Them
Thanks to Inga Korolkovaite of BoredPanda.com for these examples of why we can still hope.
Old
One of my favorite quotes is, “To me – old age is 15 years older than I am.” ~ Bernard M. Baruch
Filed under aging, Favorite Quotes
Mug Magic 3
These super creative mugs were created by Brooke Knippa of AP Curiosities Studios. Thanks to Robertas Lisickis of BoredPanda.com for sharing them with us.
Diet Woes
I learned yesterdaythat, without a doubt. I am an emotional eater. When I’m upset, I can’t seem to stuff in the food fast enough. I’m much too old for this kind of reaction. We didn’t even have anything really upsetting happen – I was just thrown off my new diet and exercise regimen – and I went the other direction with a vengeance.
So – no stars yesterday for exercise and the scales were laughing at me this morning.
I have a nice start to the day. I will do better.
Filed under Attitude, DIET!, exercise, motivators
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