Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Tuesday-10am

Okay--grab a cuppa!  Loads of pictures, but I doubt there will be that much chatting because I am still really shot...but oh so happily content.  As you know my family was arriving on Saturday and the new chair was arriving on Friday.  
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The transformation!  
New chair and little brown end table in place.  (Now you can see how small my "baby" recliner is next to a normal sized chair--LOL!) 
But before all that I was finishing up details...like hanging all the rulers in the studio under the light switches--perfect spot!
Handy dandy metal 3M hooks from Leah years ago. 
Another regular 3M hook to hold the hair dryer next to the art table. 
Found a perfect spot for our big craft turntable--on the taboret--tada!  Then it doesn't take up half of the new little black craft table. 
Dagan and Leah came over Friday night after the chair and end table were delivered.  The delivery guys had put the controls on the left hand side of the chair and the cord wasn't long enough to bring over to the right hand side--which made no sense because it was on the right hand side at the store?  Well, Leah checked and they had caught the cord when they installed the back of the chair.  
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So Dagan and Leah took it back off and we moved the cord to the right hand side and Leah took some pictures of the smushed cord.  [And I just realized when I found this picture that I haven't called Slumberland to inform them.  It works fine now but down the line it might effect my warranty, you know?  Told you I am spacey-tired--still lost in fibro fog.]
They rearranged the furniture for me so that now the red end tables are on the far ends of both chairs and the new brown end table is in-between them.
That needed to be hooked up, too.  Do you see the cords coming out of it there on top? 
Well, there's a flap so that all my charger cords can be plugged in under there (cell phone, tablet, Kindle).  So cool!!  (Not sure why the photo came out sideways--you'll have to tilt your head.)
Karma has taken over my little chair for the most part.  But I now have two comfortable chairs for the first time--whoohoo!
Karma loves that she has more room to lounge between my legs on the footrest of the new normal sized chair, too.  And there are no gaping holes in this footrest for her (or Ian) to fall through, either. 
Also on Friday the Amazon order came.  I have something new to show everybody over at Elizabeth's for the T-Stands For Tuesday group!  TaDa!!  A new little electric tea pot for water and a Bodum pour over pot--big enough that I can make a couple of my big mugs at a time.  (Which usually does me for the day and I just reheat in the microwave.)  I got to make Mom some pour over coffee when she was here on Saturday.  :)
The Bodum came with a metal filter, but I still have to use a paper one inside of that mesh one to keep out the sludge--LOL! 
I got a little shoe mat for the entryway... 
...and a very, very cheap humidifier--that Leah said they have and I had best put something under it because water will splatter everywhere and drip right off that table--and to only run it when I am keeping an eye on it because the automatic shut-off is a joke.   
I haven't used it yet.  Been still too tired and sore to deal with hunting around for water catching stuff--LOL!  But I will try it out soon because it is so dry I am already getting a tiny bit of bloody noses and I have not yet even turned on my heat once.
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Turned out Saturday afternoon before the Johnson Clan arrived Leah was putting up the last two pictures for me.  My first mixed media wall art (rainbow colors) was hung right outside the studio...
...and the poinsettia from the watercolor class I took at the Plains Art Museum a dozen or more years ago went in the hallway. 
Do you sense a love of color even then?  LOL!
Well, the family arrived and spacey me totally forgot to take pictures.  But so did everyone else!  Renee and Kathy brought me a few mementoes they saved from when they were emptying out Mom and Dad's Minnesota trailer (that my folks were selling before the accident).  A NordicWare cookie press!!  I had one just like this and when Dagan was little we made spritz cookie every year with it.  Sweet!  Now I can maybe make some with Ian, eh?
And there was this old yellow-taped box...
...of tartlet pans in six shapes.  I seem to remember Mom just pressing a plain dough into these and we ate them like cookies.  No filling or anything--but they were crusty, buttery good.
I forgot to ask what this actually was that Mom knitted.  I didn't take it out of the box till later on.  Had thought it was a throw, but it is long and narrow.  But not narrow enough to be a winter scarf--and it's heavy and thick.  ??  I'm sure they'll tell me.
For now, I just draped it over the curio cabinet in the bedroom. 
The other item was a book.
Shakespeare Complete. 
Believe it or not, Mom used to sit me on the tall stool in the kitchen when I was around 8 or 9 years old, read me Shakespeare, and then quiz me--LOL!  She'd read a passage and then ask me what I thought it meant...or ask me what I thought this or that word meant?  Then she'd explain.  Sometimes I had a pretty good gist of what was going on, I guess, because she'd be so pleased if I got it right (or close?). 
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Renee remembered me telling her that story and brought me the book.  Mom stood here in my kitchen and remembered reading Shakespeare to me...but didn't remember quizzing me on it--LOL!  I had to laugh because she was probably a natural teacher.  (I have noticed that I am with Ian--and I was with Dagan, too.)  She must have been because I passed all the tests to enter first grade at a parochial school when I was five (had to be six to be admitted to public school) and I had never been to kindergarten or gone to any schooling or kid's groups.  Funny how even when you are older you discover traits where you are like your mother.  ;)
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Anyways, we were here at my place for a couple hours and then caravanned over to McFamily's (road construction--had to go a back, round-about way).  Renee's boyfriend, Joe, is allergic to cats.  He did okay at my place, but I had shut Karma in the bedroom, the place is brand new, and Caroline was just here to vacuum.  Dagan and Leah have two cats--but they have a gorgeous deck and patio so we could all sit outside together on the deck.  And it was suddenly and inexplicably in the low 80s on Saturday and Sunday (40 degrees when I started this blog)--so it was a beautifully perfect day!  Hardly any wind, either, until evening (which progressed into the previous two days of severe wind warnings).
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We were all so busy visiting that nobody remembered to take pictures until it had gotten dark and Leah had built a fire in the fire pit and we had all moved down to the patio!  No lie!  In my more severe fibro fog and with enough back pain that I had to go inside for a while and rest in their recliner--well, I totally forgot both my camera and my cell phone at my place.  Duh!  But Leah took some pictures when we were settled in around the fire.  (Renee took a couple, too, that she put on facebook.)  
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These are Leah's.
Blaine & Kathy (brother and SIL) and Dagan holding Ian.
Dagan & Ian, Renee (sister) and her boyfriend, Joe. 
Renee, Joe, Mom, and Me. 
Then right before everybody left Leah got some pictures in their entryway.  Here's the posed one--LOL!  Mom, me, Blaine, Kathy, Dagan, Renee, and Joe. 
Mom and I chatting on the bench. 
(She told me earlier she knitted that sweater she's wearing, BTW.) 
Mom and I watching... 
...all four of them on their cell phones figuring out how to navigate all the road construction to get back to the motel--LOL! 
You know we only have two seasons up here, don't you?  Winter and Road Construction.
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Oh, and I got permission from Melissa (Ryan's wife) to swipe this off of her facebook.  Melissa posted a picture of Mom and Ryan dancing!  (Ryan is Blaine's youngest son.)
I saw it because she tagged me and some others for the photo so I got an email.  Truth--I'm really lost on facebook, but I always get emails if anyone comments when I post my blogs on there so I do know that, at least--LOL!  I had a couple people ask me to post my blog on there, so I figured out how to do that, anyways.  :)  Just so you know--I am on facebook, but I am not "on" facebook--LOL!
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Whew!  Was such a week!  Mom's having checkups with doctors, etc, now this week to make sure everything's okay for her to fly back to Florida on the 18th to be living on her own down there again.  She's still weaker than she was and can be a little shaky walking--especially when tired--and has to take stairs really slowly (so do I).  But she's doing really well under the circumstances and one can't blame her for wanting to go home and be independent.
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The wind picked up Saturday night...
...and we had wind advisory warnings out Sunday and Monday. 
Karma watched some bits of trash and tumbleweeds dancing around in circles in the green grass outside the window for two days.  We had some rain, too.  Pretty wild Cat TV.  But this morning we are back to light winds and sunshine.
The new craft gadget has not arrived yet.  USPS 2-day shipping that was supposed to be here Saturday--LOL!  In fact, I just checked online and it says it was delivered in the postal locker today...so I shall have to hobble down there when I am done chatting with you.  ;)
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But--YES, I am finally all moved in!  
DONE!  DONE!  DONE!
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I have been doing nothing else (except daily living stuff) for over five months (as you all well know) so I keep thinking I have forgotten something or there is something else yet to unpack.  There are a couple things Leah will still install--but nothing that needs to be done right away.  We are ALL on R&R, I tell you!  :):)
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The family visit was great.  I am breaking in my fabulous new chair.  I've been catching up with the new TV shows I can watch online (Chromecast is awesome!) and when I am done with those I have been saving the latest season of The Walking Dead for a gory Netflix marathon--ROFL!  I couldn't even focus to write a letter for days and am way behind on emails, too.  I will recover and catch up with everyone...and get into the new studio...eventually.  Zombie-women move slowly, you know.  ;)  But this zombie-woman smiles...and laughs!  :):)
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I am off to check the mail.
Have a fantastic week!
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Laughing is the shortest distance between two people.
Victor Borge

38 comments:

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, dear Rita! Hi, Kitty Kat Karma! Well, there you go! You have the place looking great, comfortable and, most importantly, "Karma friendly." :) It really impressed me that your mother read Shakespeare to you at such a young age and then quizzed you about it. She was a great mom to give you a head start. I wonder how many of today's young mothers bother to tutor their children in the great works of literature or anything else worthwhile. I hope your mother's check-up goes well and that she is able to fly back down here and live independently.

Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Rita!

Darla said...

Busy you! What a fun filled post with all the moves and hooks and then family to visit. I'm happy to hear your Mom is heading home and back to her independent living. It is important to maintain that as long as she can.

Valerie-Jael said...

Congrats to you and Karma and your good helpers for getting everything done - you deserve to rest now, it all looks so good and so tidy that I have myriads of complexes again because I still haven't tidied up here! Lovely photos of the family, your Mom looks good, and the cardigan she knitted is gorgeous. Have fun with the new tea kettle and coffee jug, too. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

Anonymous said...

Your mom looks like she's back in the "Land of the Living"!!

Deb J. in Utah said...

Wow that is so awesome that your mom read you Shakespeare when you were little! Mom's who read to their kids are the best. Looks like you had a nice family gathering and your new place looks just wonderful - so neat and organized. Have a great week and as always, regards to Karma and McFamily!

GrandmaG said...

What a blessing that you got to spend time with your mom. She looks fantastic and I'm assuming she doesn't suffer from any dementia. She's a very lucky woman!

Serena Lewis said...

Congratulations on being all settled in now! YAY!

I love the family pics. The visit sounded lovely. Your Mum is looking so well!

Enjoy some R&R now. You deserve it.

A letter is on the way to you...FINALLY!

Serena Lewis said...

For some reason, my iPad plays up when I comment on Blogger. If I delete text mistakes, it refuses to allow me to type anything else. It's like the keypad becomes unresponsive...so frustrating!

Anyway, enjoy some down time. You have the place looking amazing and so wonderful of Dagan and Leah to help you settle in so quickly.

Love and hugs xo

Linda Kunsman said...

Rita I am so happy for you to have everything in order in your lovely place. It is so organized and cheerful and I love that you have some of your art on display. Karma looks like she's settled in very well too:)Love that new electric teapot! And how nice to see your Mom looking well and having a wonderful visit with you all. Happy T day!

pearshapedcrafting said...

What a great family gathering! Glad everything is nearly done - hope you get some time in your new chair soon! Chrisx

Far Side of Fifty said...

You finished! So glad you got to see your family...and I bet they liked your new place too! The wind was horrid and on Monday when it got so cold every bone in my body hurt...must be my residual Lymes Disease flaring up again. Today is better but so it the weather:) Poor miss Karma locked away whilst you had company:)

DJan said...

It's amazing to me that so much has been done in such a short time. In reality, you are WAY ahead of the curve when people move from one place to another, and with so much to move and organize. Your mom looks great and I sure did enjoy the pictures. :-)

Lisca said...

Finished, finito! What a relief that must be! Your place looks lovely, and with that new chair: bliss!
I enjoyed reading about the visits and seeing a few photos. Those of you and your mum are great!
Love your new electric tea pot. Very modern too.
I love the Viktor Borge quote. So true.... (He was a great comedian)
Have a relaxing week in your new chair in your new place,
Lisca

Janie Junebug said...

Tough days here. Can't accomplish everything and now UTI symptoms. Penelope is better. I took her to the vet today for a booster shot and a microchip. I won't say it was easy, but it was easier than the last time she went.

Love,
Janie

Divers and Sundry said...

Congratulations on getting all settled in! You must feel happy and tired now that it's done. Enjoy your pour-over :) Happy T Tuesday.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Yay! All settled in! Great spot for the rulers. Good to hear your mom has recovered well and is looking forward to going home to Florida. Lovely sweater she made!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Wow, putting the finishing touches on a job well done, I am so happy for you. It's been a long road, but you will now be able to enjoy it (just as soon as you call Slumberland, that is). It's a wonderful thing to be finished, isn't it? So happy for you.

Looks like you, your mom, and your family had a fantastic time together. So glad to see that.

Wow, you got a great new coffee pot, didn't you? And I've never had a tea pot, much less an electric one. AWESOME. I have a mesh filter for my coffee maker. I use it AND a paper filter together. I found it keeps all the sludge out and makes it easy to clean the mesh filter, too. Thanks for sharing these and your week with us for T this Tuesday. I'm so happy to see your completed forever home. BTW, I'm sorry I'm so late visiting. I didn't think I'd be THIS late, though.

Dianne said...

you sound so happy, even though exhausted. looks and sounds like you had a wonderful family visit, and nice to see the photos. Great new tea and coffee pots and comfy chair-- you are set for the winter! ♥

johanna said...

exhausted and happy sometimes go together... have a great time here!!

Denise Price said...

Hello! Sorry I'm a day late. Sometimes I just run out of time on Tuesdays. But I hope you had a Happy T Day. It looks like you had a VERY happy time when your family came to visit, which is great.

I have never seen a spritz press with a crank handle before. If you use it, will you let me know how it goes? My mom's press has a plunger handle, and mine has a trigger--both of which hurt my arthritic hands. So every Christmas I mix the dough and then leave the pressing to the rest of the family.

Take care and enjoy your finally-unpacked home! :)

Anonymous said...

Water colors are pretty! We bought a couch from Slumberland, had issues, and they were good about fixing everything.
I thought you weren't going to be chatty. Your post is the opposite of mine, I think I have about 15 words. :)

Krisha said...

CONGRATS!! CONGRATS!! CONGRATES!! Your finally "moved in", that is fantastic....your place looks so inviting and comfy.......and so organized.....;0
Sound like you had a great family reunion, love the photo of your Mom dancing.
Thanks for the earlier visit and the comment

froebelsternchen said...

Wow.. you had a super time with your family! Great!
Thank you for sharing this all with us!
Happy belated T-Day !
oxo
Susi

carol l mckenna said...

Congratulations ~ You and Karma are now 'settled in' ~ Amazing the organization you have done ~ it all looks lovely and your family so loving ~ You are blessed ~ xox

Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Time spent with family is so special, well for me it is, yeah you can tell the difference in the size of the armchairs when you see them side by side, you look more settled in now which is good.

ChicagoLady said...

Sounds like you had a very nice visit with your family. I really hope you enjoy your new place!

Anonymous said...

Nice to see you settled in!

~*~Patty S said...

Happy belated T Day Rita.
Great that you're settling in so nicely and comfortably after all of your hard work.
We have the same Bonavita Electric Kettle and I Love it.
So graceful and handy to use.
Lovely pics of you and your Mom.
Happy October.
oxo
p.s. thanks for popping by my Stormy Island T post

Carol said...

Your new place is really looking nice ♥ So glad that you got to visit with all of your family and they could see the new place. Now take it easy for a while ...you've earned it . Just when I thought I was getting better I'm down again. DOn't know if it's a virus or ans UTI of some sort... going to Urgent Care in a bit.

Sherry Ellis said...

Your new chair looks really comfortable!

Zue said...

Looks like you are really at home there now.
Have missed so much in Blogland , so I'll have to do some reading to catch up.
Ian is so handsome, what a darling.
Have a great weekend
Sue x

TammyVitale said...

I love the little cups - my Mom used to make pastry on an inverted cupcake pan. Sometimes I just ate the pastry - which I remember as rich and yummy - and sometimes filled with strawberries and whipped cream. And how fun it will be to create memories with Ian and the cookie maker.

Your new place looks to cozy and I love your view - the sky is amazing!

Congrats on your new digs. I am so happy for you!

Intense Guy said...

Not only are you all moved (Yay!!!!) you have been so pleasantly socialized to the point of wearing out the smile muscles!!

Hugs!

Hilary said...

Wow you've been busy with stuff.. with people.. with life. Good for you. I see you come by your creativity naturally.

Far Side of Fifty said...

No blog this week from you, hope you are okay:)

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

Congratulations on being fully moved in. That must be such a relief. Your mom is a talented knitter. Her sweater is beautiful. Enjoyed seeing a picture of you with your family.

Jenny Woolf said...

Tremendous that you are fully moved in at last. I hope you are now having some well earned relaxation. How tremendous to re connect with all those artefacts of old, and your family get together looks like a real tonic!

I look forward to hear your latest updates, and hope you're not too exhausted to write! :)

Jenny Woolf said...

Oh, that's funny :) I just typed the above then went to my blog and the first thing I saw was a comment from you. glad you are NOT too exhausted to visit :)