Friday, November 16, 2012

Friday-8:30am

I'll post the challenges first so my fellow participants don't have to scroll through the minutia of my life to find them.  ;)  
The Zendala Dare this week.
Since I am still tail-end sick and totally drained, I couldn't really concentrate to do anything fancy--just my own doodles. 
Very simple.  Mostly just felt like coloring with my Copic markers--LOL!
At the Artist's Playroom the challenge this week was Christmas.  Since I need to come up with something for Christmas cards soon for this year, I got out all my paper.  I had an idea for using paper piecing and Stickles to make Christmas ball ornaments. 
I didn't like it--at all!  Am embarrassed to even post this but at least I contributed this week.  Back to the drawing board.  I'm not feeling very creative right now--sorry, Jennifer. 
The snow laden clouds drifted off, but it stayed very cold the first half of the week. 
I made it out to the garage on Monday to retrieve this big white Rubbermaid tub.  Icy walking and biting wind of one degree windchill.  Made two trips, actually, bringing out both my floor fans for the winter.  Scrubbed the tub out to be ready for the big bag of kitty litter. 
Monday the big can of flake fish food arrived... 
...along with the 40# bag of litter.  [Saving boxes for Dagan and Leah who are moving tomorrow--but they haven't come to pic them up yet.  Maybe won't need them?] 
The unnecessary item I ordered for me was a letter tray.
I wanted it on the cabinet behind me when I am sitting at the craft table.  I keep papers on top of there all the time now and if they fall down behind the cabinet...I am screwed!  I have a terrible time trying to retrieve anything that falls behind there.  Almost impossible for me to move it with one good arm...so now I have a kind of paper corral.  ;)
Miss Karma's unnecessary item.  Another cat bed!  
Karma has loved me moving her bed around the apartment, but she also expects her bed to magically be next to me on the love seat whenever she decides to keep me company.  I thought that if I had another bed she would actually like and use that the problem would be fixed, right?
****
Well, Miss Snoopy Pants wanted nothing to do with it.  She wouldn't go near it or smell it or claim it in any way, shape or form.  That's why I put it up on the loveseat.  If she wanted to come and sit by me...well, she'd have to confront the new bed.
****
She stayed in the old, familiar bed by the cold porch door.
But late in the evening she missed my belly rubbings enough to jump up on my footrest, lay across my leg, stare at the offending object, and complain loudly long enough to determine I wasn't actually going to move it--LOL!  She acted like it was going to jump up and bite her, but she finally gingerly made her way into the bed--and discovered--it wasn't too bad!  She was a bit nervous and needed a lot of petting and belly rubbing...
...and constant contact with me... 
...but she figured out it was safe, if not a bit more awkward for sprawling purposes.   
Karma's kind of semi-adapted, but I don't plan to switch the beds for quite a while because I want her to get really used to this one.  She's kind of being forced to use it by her overpowering need for evening company at the moment.  All day long she sleeps wherever her blue bed is and avoids the new brown one.  I told you Karma thinks I am mean--ROFL!
****
The next thing I plan to change on her is to replace this dreadfully stained, old, flat, cream-colored bed that she uses as a placemat.  I just washed this a couple weeks ago--gross!  And she's worn spots down to the mesh fabric base.  I plan to buy a brownish one that won't show the kibble stains so much.  I think she'll have a much quicker time adapting to that, though.  I hope.  Cats.  You never know.
On Wednesday Caroline helped me bring the bedroom window fan down the hall to the storage area and bring back some computer paper.  I also grabbed the dirt bucket so I could plant poor, beleaguered Karma some new cat grass. 
She is still loving her air mattress, though.
So I decided to let her keep that packaging for a while. 
Until she tires of it or the air slowly seeps out of it, whichever comes first. 
I did write up some notes and a letter for The World Needs More Love Letters.  Is kind of odd writing to people you don't know, but it is always uplifting to spread some positives.  They decided to hold some kind of 12 days of love letters thing from Dec 3-14 that I signed up for, too.  I dang well should be feeling back to my normal by that time, right?  :) 
****
  I can hardly wait until things work right again.  When I am feeling "off" it is like my hands and brain don't quite connect properly--LOL!  The scissors don't cut right (even when you're not coughing), the pens and markers have a mind of their own, the Stickles won't flow, the glue stick runs out...well, I bet you know what I mean.  Karma thinks her life is a bit off, too, with the alien cat bed--LOL!  I am sure things will be put to rights again soon.  This week was better than last week.  Next week will be even better.  :)
****
I hope all goes well with Dagan and Leah's move to their new house.  I thought maybe I'd have a tour video for you today, but not sure they've even had time to do one.  Last I heard, they close today and move tomorrow, so who knows.  At least it is warming up to the low 40s during the days now again.  :)
****
Stay well, everybody!  If you don't like to write letters--tell somebody you care about what they really mean to you.  In person, on the phone, email...just tell them they are special to you.  Life is too short!  :):)
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Today I couldn't decide on a quote.  Love too many.  Settled on three.  ;)
****
"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat."
Mother Teresa
_____
"Spread love everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
Mother Teresa
_____
"They might not need me; but they might.
I'll let my head be just in sight;
a smile as small as mine might be
precisely their necessity."
Emily Dickinson

33 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

hope the young ones have a successful and smooth closing and move!

glad karma's accepting the new bed. what a stinker.

stay warm!

Shelly said...

You could write a very enjoyable book just on the adventures of Karma. I love the different looks on her face - too funny! We can only imagine the depths of her annoyance.

And I think your Christmas card is great- certainly nothing to be embarrassed about! You've got the talent, girl-

Furry Bottoms said...

I love that Karma is showing her personality! It looks like she kinda likes the new bed though... she's so settled into it. It is hard to give up something you've become used to though, so can't say I blame her!!

I need to ask about the fish flakes. Do you use them for art projects or do you actually have fish?

Dana said...

The letters project—what a great idea! I'm going to check the link.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Hey! Glad you are a bit better..pooor Karma..you have messed up her entire world with that new brown bed! You have been busy even if you are sick..I like the oranges and yellows very fallish kind of zendala.
The letter project sounds interesting I am going to check out the link now. Have a good weekend:)

Beth said...

Good luck with your kids on their move. I hope you get totally well really soon.

Karma is so cute!!

Anonymous said...

"This week was better than last week. Next week will be even better." If only everybody felt that way!!

Funny in My Mind said...

Karma has the idea by finding a warm sunbeam. I must have been a cat in another life.
Wow, it is cold there, wherever you are. We have had cold nights but 60's for the daytime.
I always marvel and how creative your art is and how much you accomplish.
I hope this next week brings you family and good weather and no sickness!
Can't wait to see the kids' new house!

betty said...

I like your Christmas card! Very creative! Same with your Zendala design; that was colorful!

I like Karma's new bed; they are such creatures of habit; I'm sure it will take a bit until she's totally comfortable in it, then you won't be able to get her out of it.

I'll have to check out that love letter site. I have written in the past letters to an elderly lady through Senior Angels (a division of Chemo Angels) and wrote to two soldiers through Soldier Angels plus wrote to a few other soldiers along the way. From what I hear, it is a great moral booster to hear your name called out in mail call if you are in the military so that's why the organization was started to get people to adopt a soldier so to speak, write to them weekly and send a care package monthly.

It wasn't hard to write to them even though I didn't know them. Having a silly dog like Koda was good because he always was doing something funny I could write about. I'd send articles from our local paper of fun events, etc. The hard part was you had to keep the letters upbeat, you couldn't write about hard times you might be going through, etc. Wouldn't you know it, the time I did my letter writing was a very stressful time for us all with the kids and their teenage problems, but I still managed to find interesting things to write about.

Hoping the move goes well for Leah and Dagan!!!

betty

Anne's tangle blog said...

The zendala you made (being ill) is very, very nice. I like your stories about Karma and recognize a lot from all the cats I ever had, but especially Tedah, the cat I have now.

Darla said...

I like this weeks art work. Karma has so much personality. Funny how she avoids the new bed. Hope the move to the new house goes well.

Darla

Currie Silver said...

this shows you are little by slowly [mayBE in your opinion TOO slowly] coming back from BEing sick.

I actually like your Christmasy stuff. You have inspired me to get more into the JOY of simply colouring or pretending to DO my own form of Zentangle... I did present it to the kids this week and actually both the teachers are men and they were quite happy with some samples and ideas they could take back to school.

you surely steered me right!!
xoxo

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

That is one spoiled puss! Bleubeard wants you to adopt him. I read to him about how Karma acted to the new bed and he declared he was more than willing to try it out. Actually, all he said was "MEOW."

Love that Mandala, and I actually LIKE that Christmas card. You are too hard on yourself.

Felicia said...

Just wait Karma! If you like the new bed wait till you try out the new litter! Bennie and Sophie think you will LOOVEEE it! lol

Boooo on the snow filled clouds! Pretty though!! So far its been my kind of Winter ( yes technically not winter but still) Cold but little to no snow. I can handle it! LOL

I like the card! I think it turned out really good!! I always look at my cards and go man it looked so much better in my head LOL d

Have a super weekend!
*hugs*
=0)

Molly said...

beautiful mandala! and i think your ornaments are quite festive.

i can't seem to get my cat to stay in a cat bed at all. no matter how many cat beds or toys or pieces of furniture meant for him to climb, he manages to find his own places (usually right in my lap) to call his own. :-)

Janie Junebug said...

How dare you feel embarrassed by the beauty you create? Shame on you! Rejoice in your artistry. You are so talented.

Love,
Janie

SandeeNC said...

I am glad Karma is adjusting to her new "alien bed", lol Maybe she just doesn't like the color? lol Stay warm! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

Jennifer McLean said...

you've been a busy girl, getting all that done with Karma's help. Absolutely love your sparkly christmas ornaments. you should use that as you christmas card. I'm going to add sparkle to the ones I printed last night, you inspried me.

carol l mckenna said...

Fantastic mandala in the works and I love the Xmas card and of course Karma still the shows with me ~ Glad to see all your creativity and so glad to hear from ~ hugs and to you and Karma ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

Meihsia Liu said...

Love your neat and beautiful doodles. Hope you feel better soon... :)

Debbie Jones said...

I went to the "Love Letter" website...very inspirational. I signed up for the emails and may get involved and write some letters myself! You are such a creative and inspirational person and I sure do enjoy your blog! I also love your kitty. We are a "cat family" but our Mr. Kitty died a couple of years ago and right now we are cat-less. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Anonymous said...

Lovely doodles.

Feel better soon!

Dave said...

The colours of your zendala looked good, and I liked the bauble Christmas card too. Cats are finicky critters huh? I specially liked the small Emiy Dickson poem. Hope you start to feel better soon Rita - Dave

Serena Lewis said...

I like your art pieces, Rita, and I'm glad you posted the card. Too funny about Karma adapting to her new bed...our budgies tend to be like that with anything new added to their cages. I hope all goes well with Dagan and Leah's move.

Btw, lovely and thoughtful quotes.

We've had a shocking weekend with severe storms, one of which lasted FIVE hours! Poor Cody was so distressed, panting and shaking throughout it all. I had to keep the computer off for long periods. Some areas in Brisbane sustained extensive damage. I'm hoping the worst is over for now.

Enjoy your weekend,

Love and hugs,
Serena xo

laurak/ForestWalkArt :) said...

rita, it seems like u still get SO much accomplished, even when you're not feeling so well! your zendala looks GREAT...and even the xmas ornaments!
cute karma...at least she finally gave in and tested out the new bed. but there's nothing like an old worn out one, huh?!! like an old pair of jeans, you just can't get rid of them!

so excited for the 'kids'!! hard work ahead...but SO exciting!!

take care rita!!

Gloria j Zucaro said...

Loving all your cat photos and stories. I love your ornaments and can't figure out what you don't like about them?? Thanks for your comment on my blog.

Dee said...

Dear Rita, you have certainly been in a long spell of bad health. That cold or flu or whatever it is has just settled in your body with it normal fibromyalgia and has disrupted your life. I so glad to learn that this past week has been better than the one before and that you believe Thanksgiving week will be better than this past one. I'm wondering what you are going to do for Thanksgiving. Maybe you'll let us know in your posting for Monday.

Karma, like all cats, hates change!!! Peace.

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh my gosh, Karma is gorgeous! I adore cats and have 3 "boys" of my own. I also like your doodles. I'm your newest follower. Nice to "meet" you!
Cindy @ Art,Books,Tea

AliceKay said...

It's tough getting things done when you don't feel well. Been dealing with a lot of stuff myself.

Loved your zendala. So colorful. :)

Karma looked so forlorn over there by the door, but I'm glad to hear she decided the new bed on the loveseat wasn't so bad.

I hope Dagan and Leah's move into the new house went well, if they moved yesterday. Will check your blog tomorrow night to see if they have.

1 degree windchill....brrrr. Not ready for that stuff yet, but a local weather enthusiast says we're in for a cold December here. He said professionals are referring to it as a "December to remember". He suggested having our fuel tanks full before it hits. Oh boy...I can hardly wait.

Stay warm up there and feel better soon. *hugs*

Queenie Jeannie said...

Karma is such a fun cat!! I'm so glad you include her antics in your posts!

Sorry to hear about not feeling better yet. You really got it good this time, didn't you??? Hugs!

How do you like your Copics? If I recall correctly, you got a small set of bold, bright colors, right? Did you get any more? Suzanne Dean (just Google her), has lists of colors to get for blending practice and when just starting out. Pricey, but I love 'em!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear your feeling off. And I like the Christmas card you made!

stefanie stark said...

The Zendala is beautiful. It inspired me to do something similar tonight. I hope you feel better now and send my best wishes. Get well soon! And thank you so much for your lovely comment!

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

I hope you feel better soon. It's no fun being sick. I really like the bold colors you used on your mandala!