Catch Up

It is Monday.  It is raining and it has turned cold.  At least, to me it is cold.  The low last night was supposed to be about 45 and the high today is supposed to be 48. Not sure what happened to fall but it seems winter has bullied it's way into our lives a little early.

So, I haven't been up to much, really.  Trying to tame the beasts known as Messy House and Moving Boxes.  It appears that I am winning.  It is a slow battle but I am determined.

I have been spending a good deal of time in my craft area.  I inherited all of my mother-in-law's art supplies -- and they are plentiful -- as well as my father's supplies -- not quite as plentiful -- but it all needs to be organized and I have been working toward that goal.

I have also been  under a lot of stress lately so I have been turning to crafts to help me deal and escape.  I decided, after unpacking lots and lots of craft supplies, to turn back to doing some card making.  The fiddly nature of the  process forces me to concentrate on just that and not on other things.  So, I thought I would share some of the things that I have been doing.

I am new to this and I don't pretend to possess the sophisticated skills that many of the card makers possess.  But, it is fun, it satisfies a bit of desire for creativity and it is useful.  So, on I will go -- at least until I use up some of these supplies which will probably take about 25 years.

Saturday 9

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Unbreak My Heart

Welcome to Saturday 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme! 

Saturday 9: Unbreak My Heart (1996)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Songs like this are enduringly popular in part because each of us has had our heart broken. Give us the name of a heartbreaker from your own life.

There were two -- Charles and Michael.  It is a toss up as to who was the best heartbreaker -- they were both pretty stellar in that department.

2) Toni Braxton sings that "nights are so unkind." What did you do last night?
 "Blindspot" and I surfed the net looking at cardmaking sites.
 
3) While this song has Toni singing the blues, in real life her love life is happier. Now aged 50, she's engaged and has been sporting a diamond on her left hand. Do you believe that a bride is ever too old to have a big wedding?

I think a bride can have whatever sort of wedding she wants.  I had a fairly large wedding but I wanted a small, intimate wedding.  I was quite taken by the description and photos of Barbara Bush's wedding last week -- very nice.  But, I was also taken by the few photos I saw of Princess Eugenie's wedding yesterday -- I loved her dress.

4) Growing up, Toni Braxton's parents severely restricted how much TV their children could watch each day. Ironically, today Toni and her sisters participate in a reality TV show on the WE-TV network, so TV cameras are a big part of their daily adult lives. What TV show do you try not to miss?

I always watch "Days of Our Lives" and have since 1975.  Recently I have made it a point to never miss "This is Us".

5) She is prone to dry skin and applies Kiehl's Hand Salve to her hands and arms throughout the day. Tell us about a product you're brand loyal to.

I use First Aid Beauty and MooGooUSA

6) Toni admits to being "a bit of a germaphobe," and always maintains a supply of hand sanitizer and wipes. What is always on your shopping list?

Not really a germaphobe but I think I should be so I am going to try to remember to carry hand sanitizer with me.

7) While she is not shy about her body, and has worn revealing outfits on the red carpet, Toni Braxton refused a 2011 offer from Hugh Hefner and Playboy to pose nude. What's the last thing you said "no" to?

Ice cream.  I said no to ice cream.  

8) In 1996, the year this song was popular, Mattel introduced a Star Trek Barbie and Ken set. Have you ever fantasized about space travel?

Uh,no.

9) Random question -- Would you (or did you) invite an ex to your wedding?

No.

 

Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend!

Sometimes I Think I Am Losing My Mind .....

I have been going through a bit of a stressful time recently.  My husband is having sleep issues and my mobility has been not- so- good for the last year with a lot of pain and clumsiness.  I am not sleeping well for sure so maybe fatigue is the problem and not that I am getting trippy.

However.......

We moved into this house just about a year ago.  It is a comfortable house and works well for us even though it needs some work that we are gradually getting done.  It isn't behind a wall with a security gate but I haven't felt unsafe here at all.  I haven't heard odd noises or sensed odd things until the other day -- twice it seems like I have seen something move out of the corner of my eye.  It is like a white blur.  The next day I walked into the bathroom and found a penny laying on the floor.  Finding things on my floor isn't anything new -- I could vacuum and sweep every single day -- but a penny, on the bathroom floor, out of nowhere.  It struck me.

Then today the hubs and I were at the neighborhood office supply and I got tired of standing in line so I told him I was going to the car.  I was aware of a person behind me - a female, very attractive and well spoken.  She said hello and asked me how I was and I explained my sore knees and how the weather changing seemed to bother them and we chatted as we walked to my car.  I thought she was going to get in the car next to mine but when I got to my car she asked my name and I told her and she told me hers -- Autumn Joy -- and she asked if she could pray for my knees.  I assured her she could even though I find these sorts of encounters to be awkward but she was so nice and seemed so unthreatening that I wasn't really uncomfortable.  So, she said she would and I thanked her and got in my car completely expecting her to get in the car next to me but she didn't -- she turned around and walked back into the store. 

It all seemed a bit surreal to me -- she sort of came out of nowhere and seemed to be completely focused on me and our conversation and when it ended she just went back in the store.  I don't think she was a store employee -- I didn't see any signs of that -- and I don't really know where she came from but she made and held eye contact through the whole, short encounter.  It felt very strange, indeed.

So......you know what I am thinking, right?

Re-Invention --- of Moi!

Every so often, when I least expect it, I change.  I don't always see it coming, sometimes it is a surprise and sometimes it is like a big weight has been lifted off me.

Right now the biggest change is that I have quit wearing most makeup.  I never wore a lot but as I have aged I have worn more trying to regain my youth.  Ok, you can quit laughing now, it wasn't THAT funny.  It is something that has been coming on gradually.  I have been omitting steps a little more at a time until here I am -- a little eye makeup and  a little lip balm -- bam! I am done.  I love it.  With that said, the skincare routine has been upped which has made such a difference.  I am very comfortable with my decision.

I have also morphed into wearing a formula wardrobe.  I read a blog written by a woman who does this and it makes sense.  Of course, she is tiny and attractive (and has also quit wearing makeup -- yes, her blog influenced me) but her approach is very do-able even if you aren't tiny and attractive.  So, my colors are black, white, gray and navy.  Throw in some splashes of turquoise and red (I love to carry a red handbag) and I am good.  But what makes it different for me right now is I am looking for thin t-shirts.  This is new for me.  I normally wouldn't wear something like that but I have a Girl Scout jersey that is thin and it feels so good so I thought......yeah, a new me!

That isn't all that has changed.  I am finally taking time, again, to do some of the things I like to do -- like card making!  I finally got all my supplies organized and I sat down to make my oldest granddaughter a birthday card.  She has now reached double digits and likes to dance so this is what I came up with.

So, what do you think?  I have another done that I will post at a later date.  

A Bit of a Rant -- Sorry

I watch the news first thing in the morning.  Clearly my first mistake of the day.  However, it is very informative.

Apparently every woman in the world has had some sort of a negative, sexual encounter that has left her scarred and damaged.

Apparently every male is a rapist and has an addiction of some sort.

It seems like everybody has been wronged by somebody else and is looking for restitution -- everything that happens is somebody else's fault and nobody has any responsibility for their own well being.

I don't recognize the world we live in anymore.  Nothing feels normal.  How did we get here and what can be done?

I know, just don't watch the news first thing in the morning.

Sundays at Tiffany by James Patterson

I just finished reading "Sundays at Tiffany's" by James Patterson.  After my last read this was a breath of fresh air.  I would say this book was between fantasy
and "The Devil Wore Prada". 

It is about Jane and Michael.  She is a child, he is her imaginary friend.  He leaves her when she reaches age 9 and the rule is she isn't supposed to remember him. 

Well, she does.  And he does.  And he comes back when Jane is grown.  What happens when an imaginary friend comes back when you are an adult?

It is delightful, a little sad, but a very, very happy ending.

I recommend.

The Plight of Bert and Ernie -- the Final Word

Yesterday evening the breaking news was the Bert and Ernie MIGHT be a gay couple.

There was a lot of deliberation about it and today at noon the verdict was in.

Bert and Ernie have no sexual orientation.  They are puppets.

I have to laugh --  if it wasn't so disturbing to think about what our society is coming to, it might be funny.

Hopefully Bert and Ernie -- or Bernie -- are out of the limelight now and can go peacefully their own way.

Sheesh.

I Don't Believe in Hygge

Last winter I became aware of the concept of "hygge" -- the Danish lifestyle that has no definition but that means cozy, contentment, welcoming.

I did some reading about it and the articles I read did create a picture of some ethereal softness and fuzziness and homey-ness.  I don't think that is a real word.

Well, this is Texas and as summer came on the idea of wool socks, hot chocolate and a roaring fire went right out the window.  Now we are on the cusp of the seasons changing so I decided to do some reading -- again.  This time I was looking for pictures.

Not much out there so I decided to look at some real Danish houses.  I went to some real estate websites and looked for houses for sale in Copenhagen.  And you know what --

I only saw two candles.

Two.

Candles. 

I also learned that most countries have something like hygge.  They all have their unique ways of being cozy an welcoming.  Heck, there is even "Texas Hygge" but it is more about getting through the hellish summers and less about being cozy and cuddly in the winter.

So, after exploring some Danish houses I will say -- yes, everything is white.  Danish modern furniture is a real thing.  Everything is very minimal and uncluttered and - well -- Ikea. 

Was it cozy?  Not to me.  Was it warm.  No, but it was bright which I understand is essential during the Danish winters.  Were there lots of little twinkly candles everywhere?  No.  And no furry pillows but I did see one furry throw.

So, I am not sure that I believe in hygge -- I don't think it is any different than what any of the rest of us do during oppressive weather -- it is just a way to make the unpleasant pleasant.

I am going to try burning more candles though.  LED candles -- for safety -- but I am going to see how "cozy" I can get.

Yes, I know -- the houses were staged for sale so the realtor probably told the owners to get those candles all packed up so it wouldn't look cluttered.

I watch HGTV!

One Week in December by Holly Chamberlaid

I just finished "One Week in December" by Holly Chamberlain.

If you want to read a novel about a really dysfunctional family full of secrets and angst at Christmas time this is the book for you.

I was a bit painful in parts.  It actually invoked tears a couple of times.  It was a tad depressing in parts.

But, it ends well. 

I recommend the book as long as you know going into it that there are painful parts.  It is good, though.  Really.

Saturday 9 -- And I don't know why the type is so large

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Teenage Dream

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Teenage Dream (2010)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.


1) Much of the video for this week's song takes place in a convertible and on the beach. How's the weather where you are? Would you be comfortable riding around with the top down today?

 

It has cooled down considerably but it is humid and rainy thanks to a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico

 
2) This video was filmed all around Katy Perry's hometown of Santa Barbara. Amtrak runs through Santa Barbara via The Pacific Surfliner. Tell us about a memorable train trip.

 

 In 1961 we went to California on a train.  My dad had some work to do there and my mother wouldn't fly so going by rail was what we did.  It was fun.  My mother didn't agree.

3) Katy sings that her boyfriend thinks she's funny, even when she gets the punchline wrong. Do you think you're a better joke-teller or audience? 

 

Probably teller

4) Her "teenage dream" lover is shown working out with a heavy bag. When is the last time you visited a gym?

 

Ha! Years and years

5) Katy changes her hair a lot. She's gone from long black hair to cropped blonde hair with stops at red, green and purple. Today, are you having a good hair day? 

 

I never have  a good hair day

6) Katy thinks dimples are "irresistible" and can't help poking a finger when a dimpled friend smiles. Do you have dimples?

 

 No

7) Two of Katy's fragrances (Meow and Purr) are sold in cat-shaped bottles. Are you wearing a scent as you answer these questions? 

 

 I don't wear scent

8)  Katy's favorite dessert is ice cream (specifically Cold Stone Creamery's Birthday Cake Remix). What's the last dessert you ate?  

 

I broke my diet and at a biscotti last night with a cup of tea

9) Random question: How often do you change your bedsheets?

 Once a week.  Monday is sheet day.  It always has been.  Except when I had babies in a crib -- then everyday was sheet day

Christmas Fun!

We have a Christmas Village that we put up every year.  We have used various places for it -- originally it was on a bakers rack that belonged to my mother.  Then, we moved it to a window seat. Then, we built risers to make it multi level and this year we were planning on putting it on two folding tables but I ran across the photo above and thought that looked like a real good idea. Maybe even to be used instead of a tree. 

I have a lot of collectible ornaments from my kids, from places we have visited and some with just sentimental value so I don't know about not putting up a tree but how great is this ladder idea?

I might be convinced to even think about Christmas this early with this idea.