This is one of our mailbox decorations in Arkansas.
Here in Thailand, it’s 73 degrees and sunny! In my former home in Greenwood, Arkansas, it’s 13 degrees right now…
_____________________
I will be painting some of my sketches today. I’m not sure what else I’ll do, other than start getting ready for my housekeeper to come tomorrow. I have such a lovely life here!
_______________________
Rattan Chair I Covet
I discovered that this chair I want is in a hotel. At least I can enjoy looking at it from time to time. I probably couldn’t have afforded it if it were for sale in a shop anyway…. 😩. And I wanted the white cat, too!
I had a very happy surprise yesterday. I told you a while back that Harvey and I were ‘adopted’ as honorary grandparents by a family who is friends with Brian. Now they have become friends of mine, as well, and I’m grateful to them for making us feel welcome. Brian and I got an invitation to share Thanksgiving dinner with them this evening! I couldn’t be happier.
My ‘grandson’ is 4 now and his sister turned 1 recently. I’m taking him a painted sketch, since he is really into dinosaurs –
______________________________
This is one of my new windows installed yesterday. The frames on all the windows are white, so they open up the view to the outside even more. 4 of my windows are now openable, with screens! I’m going to wait until the middle of the day Saturday to have the ‘great open up’ ceremony, giving the outside seal another 48 hours – but then I’m going to open up all my “openables,” (if you’ll pardon the expression) letting lots of fresh air in! I don’t mind it at all that the ‘bucket and towel brigade’ gets to retire now, too.
I’m getting hopelessly spoiled. I now can go out my door and come in again just with a turn of the knob or insertion of my key – just like a REAL door! -AND I now have brand new windows that look great, are openable with screens, and don’t leak. Can you see me grinning from ear to ear? 😁 Talk about having a LOT for which to be thankful!
________________________
Chicago Parent
I finished sketching my group of 25 Christmas cards yesterday, so I’m going to start painting them today. My research shows that a LOT of Christmas celebrations here start around the 19th, so I’m going to try to have these ready and in my carrier to start giving as I run into people around that time. I’ll need to get my paintbrush hot! 🎨
________________________
If you’re traveling to be with family, I hope you have a smooth, safe trip. If you’re already there, I hope you’re giving and getting lots of hugs. Soak up the love and good memories of this holiday and hold them tightly in your heart.
My great morning started with our normal trip to the gym. I’ve told you I’m working on trying to regain my normal sense of balance which took an enormous hit from the anesthetic when I was in the hospital in February. I’m am definitely getting stronger and steadier. I spent my 30 minutes today changing the incline % so my brain and body would have to keep adapting and correcting. Brian said later this morning he thought I was definitely healthier. 👍
___________
We went to visit Harvey this morning. When we first went into his room, he was lying in the bed in an odd position and we thought for a few moments he was paralyzed. Gradually he straightened out. We cranked up the bed a bit so he would be more comfortable drinking the grape no-sugar drink Brian brings him each time. The highlight of the visit was he turned to Brian and said, “I love you.”Needless to say, we both melted into a puddle.
____________
On the way home from the nursing home, we stopped at Index Living Mall. Brian needed a replacement sheet set. I got two extra pillowcases, and we got a frame for the print of a painting we received in the mail.
I just love this. Jon paints these and sends prints every Christmas. I have saved them over the years, treasuring them, but the collection was one of the many things we had to leave behind when we each could bring only one suitcase and one backpack to Thailand.
Here it is – displayed on my mantle/shelf in my living area. I’m so delighted to have a painting I can proudly display with my other treasures. Thank you, Jon!
_________
We topped off the morning by stopping for a chocolate drink.
_________
Yesterday I spent much of the afternoon watching “Dead Poets Society” with Robin Williams. Today I’m doing the prep work for my housekeeper to come clean tomorrow. When that is done, I’ll reward myself spending time between working on my jigsaw puzzle and trying to do some sketches.
I hope you’re having a wonderful day, as well, doing something that brings you joy.
We went to see my husband at the nursing home this morning after deciding that we PROBABLY wouldn’t be hit by the awful thunderstorms that have been causing windows leaking in our condos. We didn’t want to leave our places any more vulnerable than possible, and we were ready with buckets and towels to sop up the water. Happily, we only had a regular rain this morning and none since – yet.
The good news is that Harvey greeted me with, “I missed you,” almost causing a meltdown in me. The nasal tube had been removed, and he was able to eat regular food. The owner of the nursing home said she had a doctor look at him before removing the tube, and that he ate a LOT when it was gone. He looked better, though he was really sleepy – probably from eating so well. We left after just a short visit, because he really needed the rest.
___________________
The Telegraph
PROGRESS REPORT: I’ve lost 73+ pounds an 68+ inches from my heaviest now. I’m finally about 15 pounds away from my goal weight. At the gym, I’m concentrating on NOT holding onto the handlebars when I’m walking. This is causing my brain to really work hard, first concentrating on what I’m doing rather than holding on and rather mindlessly putting one foot in front of the other. Secondly, my brain is constantly having to adjust so I don’t lose my balance and fall on my head. I’m watching a video as I walk, and the paths twist and turn, making ME react to stay on the path. I can FEEL that I’m standing straighter and my weight is shifting differently than when I’m slightly bent over holding onto the bars. I’m hoping to retrain my brain and body to improve my balance over time.
________________
Brian contacted the handyman for the building, sending him pictures of the leaks in Brian’s place and mine during the last big storm. The man said he would contact Brian, but it looks like we might have crews doing some resealing next week! It may be that this is a temporary fix to be shorn up later, but I’ll be very grateful for anything they can do to make our problem less intense. Help may be on the way!!!!
_____________________
Today I used my phone for the first time to adjust my hearing aids. When we were in a Grab, being driven to see Harvey, the driver was on the phone with several phone calls. His voice was so loud he made my ears hurt! This is a first since I got my new hearing aids. I got my phone out, accessed the app, and was able to turn the volume down to a level that didn’t hurt! How neat is that!!! (What I didn’t figure out until later was that I inadvertently fat-fingered a toggle icon at the bottom of the screen, turning off the ‘voice boost’ setting that I like and need. When we got home, I found that I needed to turn the volume up again to hear Brian well, and we figured out that I hit the icon, too. We toggle it back on, adjusted the volume, and I’m fixed again. I’m delighted that I can adjust these the way I need (assuming I’m smart enough to use the app correctly….) 🤣
We are supposed to get our passports tomorrow. Then our son will work on getting tickets for the best route he can find for getting us to our destination.
The oxygen company people are supposed to be here today to pick up their equipment.
We have the people who adopted Amber, plus our friend, Carla, who will take Jet, coming this afternoon to buy stuff.
We are trying to get my husband to stick to ONLY eating low carb today and walking with me around the house at least a couple of times, trying to build him up for the trip.
One of my friends brought up an issue I hadn’t thought about – flying with my pacemaker. I researched it, and – though there is no ‘airplane mode’ to switch to, as I do on my phone – I shouldn’t cause any problem for the plane. :0) There also shouldn’t be any problem for ME. I WILL need to alert the TSA that I have a pacemaker when I go through security as I will probably set off their detectors. I don’t have a ‘Pacemaker ID card.’ There was information on creating one online. We are working to request one.
I will probably close down my Etsy site mid next week. So please get whatever you would like very soon.
Sorry to be so late in writing today. We were out selling stuff, and then our son was making backups of the data on our computers today, so I didn’t have access until this evening.
We sold a bunch of stuff today, sad, yet freeing. The things we were selling weren’t appropriate to be sold at auction, so we gathered up stuff, this morning and then again this afternoon, to sell ourselves. We didn’t get home until almost dinner time.
I also had a good friend come and play, “Freezer Dive,” today. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that I can share some of what we have with people I care about. AND I got a couple of hugs.
Things are starting to come together now. I got a good start on figuring out what I’m going to take with me when we leave. The backpacks our son ordered for us arrived today. They are only really meant for the trip to Thailand. He says they sell really good ones that we’ll get when we get settled. We’ll wear these when we go on our walks, buying fresh food from the Farmer’s Market type stalls and things from the mall. They’re meant for us to use as carry-ons, with a change of clothes, overnight stuff, tablets, etc.
He also ordered one suitcase. We’re going to use it for my husband’s packing, and then figure out whether this is a good size or the 2nd one needs to be a bit larger.
Our big errand is to go to the bank tomorrow. Otherwise, I’m going to make decisions on tops – one to wear on the flights, another as a spare for the backpack, and the others to be my main clothes until further notice once we get there and settle.
I’m going to try everything on to be SURE all are good before they go in the ‘take’ group. Only summer stuff, except for the flight day. Our son says the airports, restaurants, waiting areas, and even the planes sometimes, are cold, though the airplanes may provide a blanket.
This is a big transition for me. I’m the one who buys two of everything – one to use and another as a backup so I don’t run out. This is a good exercise for me in learning to be more minimalist, and take only what I need. (I did admit, though, that I’m taking a small teddy bear to bring ‘home’ with me.) Our son smiled and said that was good. I also said my husband should take his little bitty pillow that he prefers, plus a couple of extra pillow cases, in his luggage, as that will help him sleep better and be a comfort to him.
Just a reminder – HandmadeHavenbyLinda, my Etsy site, will be shut down soon. If you would like anything, please make your decisions as soon as possible so we can be sure to get them mailed to you before we go.
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 really love the creativity shown here, plus the expertise putting it together. I think it’s wonderful.
Our ‘excitement’ for the day is a trip to get our mail and my husband’s haircut appointment. Be still, my beating heart. :0)
On the to-do list today is monitoring our irrigation system. I had my alarm set yesterday, but then went up to my art room. I didn’t think about it until yesterday evening, right before dark. SO – I have the alarm set NOW for the hair appointment, and when we get back I’ll set it AGAIN to go out and see what’s going on with the watering at 3pm.
The reason I messed up on monitoring the watering system was I was upstairs in my art room making this wood-burned piece that I listed on my Etsy site, HandmadeHavenByLinda yesterday afternoon.
I’ve gotten lax on doing my yoga stretches lately, too, so that’s on the list today as a priority, too.
Happy Independence Day! I hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends.
We’re having a quiet celebration here. Due to the excessive heat warning and then the threat of thunderstorms later this evening and into the overnight, we’ll cook our cheeseburgers inside. We still hope our wonderful neighbors down in the valley behind our house will give us a beautiful show as they make their own festivities.
I just went out to gather ripe tomatoes. We didn’t have many, though the plants themselves are still looking okay. The minute I walked out, sweat started spurting out on my forehead. And that’s at 9am, BEFORE the excessive heat warning that starts around noon and lasts until around 9pm this evening! I’m hoping that if we can get past all the dangerous heat, the tomato plants will be happier and more tomatoes will ripen. The suckers I started inside are still not perky, but they’re still alive at this point. One day at a time on this experiment. I’m hoping to move the survivors to the garden planter mid July.
Although in OUR eyes, our driveway is a delight to behold now – after scraping and shaping and spreading of good gravel that is used on the roads around here, plus the huge trimming of branches that were threatening to grow together across the driveway and make it impossible for us to drive down – some people are still having some traction problems.
Yesterday I drove down to get a package that UPS had ‘delivered’ – putting it on the ground behind the trash can that lives in a spot almost at the bottom. I had noticed someone had trouble the day before, leaving a hole in the driveway gravel where a tire spun. I put the smaller shovel we have in the truck and took a few minutes to pull the gravel back into the hole as best I could, given my strength and the heat. I did a reasonable job.
PBS-Shutterstock
Michael Remillard, of Tangles Hair Studio in Greenwood, performed a miracle once again, transforming this women who looked like a gone-to-seed dandelion into ‘someone-who-had-a-plan.’ We enjoyed visiting and catching up, and it was time for lunch by the time I returned home. I got our mail and dragged the trash can back up to where it lives to the side of the driveway.
This morning my husband was in his recliner in the living room when I came downstairs. He had already been out working in the shop on the drink holder he’s making for me on the lathe. I again thanked him for thinking that this would be a good thing to help protect my cold drinks from Jet, our cat, but more than that – I thanked him for doing a ‘doable’ chunk on the project, which is quite labor-intensive, AND coming in before it got too hot in the shop. I don’t care if it takes him a year to make it. I just don’t want him to risk a heat stroke.
Women’s Health
Shout Out to ML, my SIL, who suggested a squirt bottle of water as added ‘Jet control.’ This, and my rolled-up newspaper, are gentle attention-getters for the cat, and she hasn’t bitten me or sampled a drink on my table in a couple of days now. :0)
I’m down 31.2 pounds as of this morning, so I seem to have found a workable combination for my ‘losing-of-the-lard’ project. Tonight we’ll celebrate the 4th with cheeseburgers – with bun for my husband, chips and baked beans; Mission Net Zero Carb tortillas and no beans or chips for me; deviled eggs and some ripe tomatoes for both of us.
I recently bought what is advertised as a ‘barefoot’ tennis shoe. After three full days of wearing them, I’m sold. I’ve been having discomfort, trying different shoes in my closet and then taking them off halfway through the day. I have NO inclination to take these off. They are extra wide, with lots of room for my old toes. I’m not sliding around in them or feeling pinches or wearing on places on my feet. I can really ‘forget’ about my feet!!!!
I have just ordered a second pair as a backup and also a pair of their ‘winter tennis shoes’ which are fur lined for warmth and waterproof.
Both are advertised as ‘barefoot,’ “zero drop,” ‘wide toe box.’ One is under the brand Joomra and the snow boots are under HiGropcore. I read a LOT of reviews before buying the pair I’m wearing now, and read more, particularly for the winter boot design. I feel almost as if I’ve won the lottery. I bought them through Amazon because if I find the new pairs aren’t as advertised, I can return them easily.
DripWorks.com
I’m going to test our planter box irrigation system today, if I can make myself go out there. I’m not really sure why I’m being so recalcitrant about this. I’ve actually gone out and watered the two tomato planters by hand with the hose, and filled watering cans to water the elephant ear plants in three different places in the yard, but for some reason, I’m putting this off.
I guess I’m afraid we’ll get into a never-ending ‘death struggle’ with the system, not being able to figure out what’s wrong, with my husband refusing to quit, even though we’re about to pass out in the heat.
Maybe I can ‘sneak’ out there, turn it on in the front manually, and see what happens…
I’ve read that the 2nd Sunday in June is officially Children’s Day, but I think every day should be. I just LOVE this by Greg Catarino.
Summer is truly coming to Arkansas now. The incredible rains seem to be past us and the high temperatures are pouring in with accompanying heat indices. Yesterday I think the heat index must have said, “Suitable for frying.”
The “Hot Man” mailbox decoration we made above could be up the rest of the summer.
Gardener’s Supply
I weeded three flower planters yesterday. I would have stayed out longer, but the sun was shining VERY hard and my skin just couldn’t handle it. I’m hoping to get back out today to continue getting the weeds under control. We’ll see how long I last.
Today is driveway day!!!!!! I got the notice yesterday that the Senior driveway guy will be here any time now to start work on repairing our driveway. I hope that they can get the job finished today, in that the rain is supposed to start overnight and continue all day tomorrow. We have had a badly rutted, extremely bumpy driveway for a LONG time now, trying to find first, the finances; and second, the people, to repair it.
I just watched in amazement as Joe Comer, Sr. BACKED the dozer up to the top of the driveway and then started back down. Better HIM than ME. :0) I think the plan is that Joe Sr. will get the driveway reshaped and then Joe Jr. will bring loads of the good kind of chat that the road people use, that has two sizes of gravel for better adhesion, and then Joe Sr. will spread that. SO EXCITING! IT’S HAPPENING!!!
______________
Amber
We had Amber’s bed in the dining area, getting her farther away from where Jet, our new cat, sleepS in the back bathroom. Two nights ago Amber got into the pantry and got into a bag of dog food…. This morning my husband had to deal with the aftermath. I have the dog bed cover in the dryer now.
Amber and Jet are definitely reaching detente – though it’s still fragile. As long as Jet is nowhere close while Amber (or we) are eating, and as long as Jet doesn’t freak out and scratch Amber, we seem to be okay. I’m getting lots of practice holding my breath, but things are still going amazingly well for an older cat and an older dog trying to co-exist.
______________
Jantec Neon Products
Yesterday I scooted down the road before my haircut to check out a new sign saying, “Meat Market.” No one was there and it obviously wasn’t open to the public yet, but Michael, my wonderful hairdresser, said a partnership Is going in, with one guy doing a smoked meat market and another guy opening a BBQ restaurant next door. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Britannica
I was a real sloth yesterday. I had been up twice during the night before admonishing Amber, who was barking, to be quiet. Then I was up to pee, because I’m old, slathering myself with arthritis pain cream to make the pain go away enough to rest.
As a result, I almost fell asleep while I was getting my hair cut! I warned Michael that I was trying to nod off, and asked him to not take it personally. He laughed. I got my errands done after that, made us lunch, and then took a good nap in my recliner. I got up, spent some time on my computer, and then I was back in the chair taking another nap. I did this a THIRD time in the evening. When we went to bed, I worried that I might have trouble sleeping, but dropped right off and slept most of the night.
I didn’t get anything accomplished yesterday. I’m trying to switch to ‘work-in-the-yard’ mode or ‘cleaning mode’ in the house today, since we won’t be able to leave the house until the driveway is done. So far, I’ve only changed the wash to the dryer and gotten another cup of coffee.
I saw this this morning, loving it. I couldn’t find an artist’s name or other credit – not at all unusual on Pinterest – but there WAS a discussion going on as to whether this was actually created by a person or if it were AI.
I’m kind of ambivalent about the whole question of artificial intelligence. I don’t like that it is being used evil-ly to gain money by duping the ‘audience,’ stealing credit for an artist’s work, being used to manipulate public opinion for nefarious reasons, versus something like this, where I equate it – if it IS, indeed, AI – with the same creativity I give people credit for when they create something on the computer, rather than actually painting on canvas. It’s still very creative, and I still love it for the creativity and skill.
It will be a challenge, increasingly, to determine what is real and what is not – and checking sources will become paramount before we take any action.
I told you a while back that we discovered, after taking our sweet Abby to the vet, that she has a large, inoperable tumor on one kidney, plus numerous other problems due to being 13. Some people have asked how she is.
I’m happy to say she is holding her own. The tumor and the problems resulting from that will only get worse, but so far, she seems to be doing amazingly well. I bring her in daily when I can make time to sit and hold her. This is our ‘cat-loving-time’ and we both enjoy every minute.
It’s amazing that, as much time and love we have shared over the years, Abby has never been a cat who PURRED. She looks very happy when she is petted, but she is silent. Since our new-normal, she has suddenly decided to be a more normal cat. I can FEEL her purring, and sometimes I can even HEAR her. It’s wonderful for both of us. She is still eating fine and doesn’t seem to be in any pain.
“Lone Sandpiper” – MaryLou Lewis
My SIL is driving home today from a few well-deserved days at the beach. She’s been kind enough to share some pics of sandpipers and gorgeous sunrises so we can share in her vacation vicariously. I’ll have more to share tomorrow. Safe trip, ML.
Things are quiet so far this morning. My husband slept in and is just now trying to rise and shine. :0)
Britannica
I’m starting to get excited about the eclipse Monday – since we’re supposed to be in the path where we can see the total eclipse – though the weather forecast said it will be partly cloudy with rain coming before and after the actual eclipse, and they don’t know if it will be too cloudy to see it or not. Frustrating! Whatever happens, I’ll be outside to see what there is to see. We have our special glasses and my camera ready to grab.
My hopes have been dashed once again because I didn’t win the lottery last night. I could have figured out a lot of good things to do with whatever would be left of the $700 million prize after taxes….
We’re leaving to go for my husband’s haircut and to get the mail in a minute. That’s the excitement for the day. Be still, my beating heart. :0)
Actually, I AM thinking seriously of trying to overcome my intimidation over experimenting with wood-burning. All is set up upstairs. My drafting table is cleaned off. My protection gear is right there. Some wood scrap is ready, plus some blank plaques we made a long time ago. I’m supposed to get some thin wood rectangles in two sizes today, I think. I’m out of excuses, so….
I received the latest paperback in the J.D. Robb In Death series yesterday and dove right in. It’s like coming home. I finished re-reading all 56 books in the series just recently in preparation for the new addition. Then, when I finish, I’ll probably have to wait 6 months to a year for the newest – that is released in hard back in January – to be released in paperback. Did I tell you that I love this series? :0)
We did NOT get ‘rain and snow showers’ over the past two days, and for that I’m very grateful. I would be happy with ONE pretty snow that leaves immediately and call that a great winter.
Our son’s friends had a birthday celebration for him yesterday. Their son wanted to blow out the candles. After, he said, “More, please,” so they lit the candles again… :0)
BeChewy
I’m leaving in a bit for a massage. My body is already saying, “Ahhhh.”
I’m not sure what else is in store today. I’m hoping that my creative juices kick in and that I can play in my art room this afternoon.
For some reason, I have to keep checking my watch to confirm what day it is. It seems like Saturday. I don’t know why.
Frontier Waste Solutions
When it IS Saturday, we have a ‘date’ with some dumpsters at the Sebastian County Road Department, where we can take the stuff we’ve been wanting to get rid of (with some restrictions, of course) between 7am and 2pm. HOORAY!
We’re having a beautiful day today, sunny and 76 degrees.
These light-weight hand-painted wooden teardrop-shaped 2″ dangle earrings will help you celebrate fall in comfort and style. $13.85 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy
It’s hot. We’re under our daily ‘intense heat warning’ designation. We’re just concentrating on getting outside either fairly early in the morning or just before sun sets, spraying ourselves with lots of mosquito repellent before venturing out.
TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF –
Olya Smolyak-Getty Images-iStockphoto
Lynn Moody gets my vote as the best massage therapist ever. If you’re in the Greenwood/Ft.Smith/Hackett or surrounding area, give Lynn a call at 479-629-7601 and see if she can schedule an appointment. She really listens each time I come, makes my concerns a priority, finds places I didn’t even know were sore and fixes them, and leaves me feeling relaxed and relieved. We also share hugs because we’ve become FRIENDS over the years, as well, and truly care about each other. Absolutely priceless.
HANDMADEHAVENBYLINDA ON ETSY –
Tote – “Block Quilt” Hand-Painted, One of a Kind – Orange, Rose, Blue, Yellow, Green and white blocks decorate BOTH SIDES of this 13″ x 13″ x 4″ gusset-bottom tote. Really happy, colorful tote is accented with raised white decorative border reminiscent of Hostess Cupcakes. YUM! $19.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. Contact me at lindawlewis1@gmail.com with questions. Click on the link to take you to the tote on my website.
VICIOUS SCALES –
Anti Martina-iStock
I must be ingesting lead lately – My scales are staying where they have been or showing I weigh MORE. All this is while I’m trying to
watch what I’m eating
eat more fiber
drink more water
move more
It’s demoralizing, but I’m firm in my resolve to ‘keep-on-keepin’-on’ and that soon I’ll show some good news on the scale or with the measuring tape. Maybe my clothes will get a bit looser. Stranger things have happened…
Enjoy your Thursday. As soon as I write a couple more posts for the blog, fold the laundry and put it away, I see a nap in my future. :0)
Earrings – Dangle/Wire – 1-3/4″ Purple, Turquoise and White Round 3D Light-Weight, Painted, Wooden – $13.95 with FREE SHIPPING to contiguous U.S. – Questions? Contact me at lindawlewis1@gmail.com – Want to purchase? HandmadeHavenByLinda – use the link.
WONDERFUL HAIR STYLIST –
It’s such a pleasure to deal with someone who –
Knows what he is doing
Listens
CARES
and is a friend
I have all that in Michael Remillard, owner/stylist of Tangles in Greenwood, 40 Town Square, 72936. 479-996-6366. My husband and I call him the miracle worker. My husband says Michael “heals” him. I’m delighted that I look as if “someone has a definite plan” when he finishes with me.
Vecteezy
TRYING TO GET MEDICINE FOR MY HUSBAND – and aftermath –
It looks like, after hours on the phone and jumping through hoops, plus a bit of begging, I have found a source for the medicine my husband needs, and have ordered and arranged payment for it. The next thing we’re waiting for is an invoice in my husband’s email. I’m more relieved than I can say. He NEEDS this medicine. Due to the donut hole in medical insurances, it has become totally unaffordable. My doctor’s office finally took pity on me, agreeing to provide a paper prescription. The pharmacy has accepted it and it looks like we’re in business with a price we can afford. WHEW!
AFTERMATH –
The surprising thing at the end of this was that our American Express card payment was declined. That’s the only card this place accepts. Yesterday I was too tired to deal with it, arranging for them to send us an invoice which I’ll pay with an e-check. Today I called American Express, getting the message ‘all is fine. Please try again.’ I did, and got the same decline. Tried to go to our account online, but when the site came up, we got a message saying the card had been canceled. I finally talked to a lady on chat who said it was due to inactivity. I ended up applying for a new card. Happily, I could do it online, was accepted, and two cards will be delivered on the 31st.
Steve Liptrot Photography – Getty Images
OUR MARRIAGE IN A NUTSHELL –
I hugged my husband before leaving to get my hair cut this morning. I said, “You mean everything to me. Take care of yourself.” He hugged me back, saying, “I would die without you – – Don’t die.” This man makes me angry, frustrated, melt with love, and laugh in the space of one exchange. (I’m still threatening to call our man with the backhoe to dig a hole in the back yard for him, but we are totally addicted to each other at this point.)
It’s 77 degrees F., dark and rainy here right now. We have the doors open to welcome the cool breezes. We’re not supposed to be threatened by flying hair balls, so we can simply relax and enjoy the rain. AHHHHHH :0)
______________
LOOK WHAT I DID!
Painted Container with Lid – Hand-Painted, One of a Kind – Glass – “Stained Glass” – $41.99 with FREE SHIPPING in the contiguous U.S. – lindawlewis1@gmail.com for more information. HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy.
____________
ART ROOM
Pixabay
I’m starting to dream about the Christmas presents I want to make for my friends this year. I’m thinking of etching some glassware with initials plus some other decorative stencils with some free-form dremel additions in-between. I have no idea, really, how to do this, but I’m having a great time in my dreams… :0)
_________________
Yesterday’s harvest
My main spring garden was a complete bust this year due to the wonky weather. The spinach turned yellow and the lettuce started bolting way too soon. I’ll get that cleared out in time. Meanwhile, the tomatoes are doing well.
“Dorky Dogs” – Liucija Adomaite and Justinas Keturka – BoredPanda.com
We’re having a quiet day here so far. That’s good because the stress level here has been higher than we would like for a couple of weeks now.
Rheem Tankless Water Heater
This has been wonderful. We’ve had ours for several years now and never had a problem. Now we have a ’13’ code. On the net it says that means “water heater has buildup of lime deposits, or air intake or vent exhaust opening may be blocked, or vent pipes may not be connected properly, or the gas shut off valve is not fully opened, or gas service has been interrupted, or LP gas is running low.’ If we check all these and the code is still showing, call service tech for service.
I’ve decided that there is little that is a better wake up call for me than washing my hair in the sink with stone cold water. I did have the option last night of taking a cold shower and THEN washing my hair in cold water this morning, but decided I could simply skip that for one day.
Dyson – Amazon
Hopefully, we will receive the battery pack part we ordered as a replacement for the part that is not working in my cordless vacuum today, AND that it is the correct one, AND that the vacuum again works after we get the part in. I really like this for vacuuming the tiled parts of our first floor. It’s so quick and easy compared to the full-sized plug-in version. I’ve gotten spoiled. :0)
Comfortaire Selenia
We didn’t hear anything from the mattress lady yesterday. Hopefully she’ll contact us today with what we need to do to tackle the problem of the failing air pump on the bed.
I finished the weeding in my raised bed square foot garden recently. We took two heads of lettuce to our wonderful hairdresser when we went for my husband’s haircut. He was very pleased, and I so enjoy sharing the wealth. I’ll probably harvest another couple of heads today. I’ll also start emptying the 2nd failed planter box of the Mel’s Mix today. I’m putting the soil alternative in big trash cans, as the mix is expensive. We aren’t in any rush to build replacement planters, as we have plenty of space to plant whatever else interesting that we find in town, but I would like to get this phase of the garden project finished.
My painter’s water bowl is still on my side table beside my computer. My days are whizzing past my head they are going so fast. It seems I barely start the day and it’s over. I will try again today to at least get it up to my art room, if not try it out. Such a thoughtful gift for my husband to get for me. :0)
I hope that you have some fun projects going on, and that you are not too adversely affected by the bad air quality caused by the wildfires in Canada. We MAY get some rain this afternoon and this evening. That would be nice.
I’m hoping that June will be a wonderful month for all of us. Mother Nature has decided that summer has begun here in Arkansas. It’s hot in the afternoons with high humidity now, causing us to keep the house closed and turn on the a/c. I hope we’re not finished with spring yet, but I’m having to adapt my time outside already so I don’t boil like an egg out there.
I only put in one session of weeding yesterday. It was simply too hot for me yesterday afternoon. I think I told you that my spinach was already bolting, so I pulled all those plants out. This year was a bust for spinach after I was SO happy to find a whole flat of great looking plants. The weather was totally wonky, going from cool to too hot and back over and over, plus severe weather rains, hail, and flying hairballs. The spinach just finally gave up, sending shoots up into the air in surrender. Now I’m trying to save the head lettuce. The first step is the weeding, and I’ll try to get more of that done this morning.
I’m in a bit of withdrawal now that Iam Tongi won American Idol and there are no new performances each week. I really enjoy watching him perform. His latest is a single, “I’ll Be Seeing You.” He will also be performing in the “Beach It “ Country Music Festival at 2:40pm June 23rd, so that gives us something to look forward to.
source unknown – there is a credit at the bottom left, but I cannot read it. Sorry.
Yesterday I finished emptying out the broken wooden raised bed square foot gardening planter. Today I’ll use our flat-bottomed shovel and see how much of the Mel’s Mix I can save from the ground under the broken box.
I think I told you that on closer inspection, ANOTHER box is due to fail imminently, so I’ll start emptying that one out, too, and we’ll make new bottoms for both when we can. Luckily, these were the two planters I had not filled with head lettuce and spinach, so no problems there.
I’m hoping to spend at least a couple of sessions outside today – one on the planters and the other on weeding the remaining boxes. The last few days have caused an explosion in weeds and I need to get things under better control.
It’s hard to believe, but it’s not raining. It’s cloudy and 49, but nothing is falling on us. The wind isn’t blowing. No flying hairballs. Just cloudy, cool, and quiet. I’ll take it. :0)
My new veggie plants are looking happy this morning. It’s supposed to start warming up a little bit each day, so when it gets more comfortable outside, I’m planning to prep the brick tomato planters.
We’re planning to have a quiet day today and stay home. Tomorrow, we have Lunch Bunch, and then we’ll hit Walmart for groceries and then see if we can find some good tomato plants.
My brother-in-law sent a video to my husband this morning of their new dog, Jasmine, fetching a toy and bringing it back to him. Our Amber will go fetch a thrown toy, run it back to you, but won’t give it to you. She teases you with it, and when you ask for it, wants to play tug-of-war with it, or decides to shake it to break its neck, dancing away from you. I got her to do it once, but that was it. Jasmine is already doing better than Amber.
I ordered three books from a new author to be sent to my Kindle recently. I just tried to access them and had trouble getting the Kindle connected to the Internet. My husband is looking at it now, trying to help me. Fingers crossed.
inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com-photograph not credited
Good morning! A more ‘regular’ summer day here. A definite relief from the record-breaking intense heat warnings or flooding downpours. Downright boring!!!!! :0)
Kidadl
Since I felt good yesterday afternoon, I started making the Christmas cards my dear friend asked me to make so she could send them to her friends. She liked the ones that I just finished, but she understands that I can’t make the same thing twice, soI’ll try to come up with something similar.
Lawford Mead Primary School
I’m still jubilant that our trash is GONE. I HOPE that one day I can almost take the trash being picked up on trash day for granted, but that certainly is not yet. I’m hoping that this was an awful glitch in the system and that it won’t be repeated anytime soon. Meanwhile, I don’t have to drive down, armed with another leaf bag, prepared to spend half an hour gathering the trash that has been strewn all over the place by animals overnight. Hooray!
40 Aprons
I told my husband that my plan was to make a huge tuna casserole for tonight – enough we can enjoy it tonight and have several individual serving meals for other nights. He liked the idea. :0)
House Beautiful
I checked to see if we had any ripe tomatoes. I told you earlier that the large planter of tomato plants was done. We still have a couple of plants in the ‘niche’ planter tucked in beside the house and porch. There are green tomatoes, but nothing ripe now.
Tenor
Today is DAY 27 of my daily yoga practice.
The Spruce Eats
A shout-out to Susy and Bobby. I hope they enjoyed every bite of their steak breakfast this morning. You’re both in my thoughts.
I just went out and took a walk around the yard, taking pics to share with you. Alas, my battery died on my camera, so I need to let it charge before I can get the pics off the camera. Later.
Madison Gardens Nursery
I’m hoping the weather will be cooperative on our going out today to buy flats of flowers to plant. The deck planters are now ready. My husband is interested in finding some ‘hardy’ for the three concrete planters we have that are not on the irrigation system, too. I would love to get some pretty flowers in the pots today. Fingers crossed.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
I must have eaten ROCKS yesterday. I gained two pounds and I was good! UGH. I’m keepin’ on keepin’ on, but picture my grim, determined, disgusted face as I say it. I KNOW all the reasons it can happen – water retention, too much salt, changing fat to muscle, that I shouldn’t weigh every day, ya, ya, ya. These are the days it is the hardest, since it is SO hard to get the weight off and so very EASY for it to come back on. I’ll have my whine with cheese, please. :0(
creativeartworksblog 