Thursday, April 26, 2018

Thursday-3:30pm

Good afternoon!
Annie is thrilled to have the patio door wide open almost every morning.  We've suddenly been having 50s and 60s for highs!
Do you see what is left of the snowbanks? 
They used to be higher than the garage doors! 
Maybe spring is finally here to stay?
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 Annie was rolling with joy in the sun and breeze.


I should have hit video, but this will have to do--LOL! 
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It won't been too long (mid-May) and we can go to the nursery and buy flowers again for the planters!  Dagan and Leah gave me a gift certificate for my birthday for Baker Nursery where we went last year.  :)  I'm bound to have a day good enough to go pick out flowers by then.
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I've had some days where I have felt better--had some energy--felt more clear headed.  So I get a few things done while I can...and pay for it the next day or two--LOL!  Kind of borrowing against future spoons, so to speak.  ;)  But that's okay with me.  I had none to borrow for a long time there.  
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I put together a few pocket inserts from 12 X 12" scrapbook papers.  This wild one is already inside the cover... 
...to hold the stack of ink/drawing pen/marker/watercolor/etc testing that I did quite a while back on the Leuchttrum paper and some other bullet related odds and ends. 
I had a few bad eye days where I needed the blinds and my sunglasses.  Annie wasn't happy but turned them into secret spy days. 
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Something I have been enjoying this month is doing writing prompts and lettering challenges.  Having just a few minutes every day to be creative is good for the soul.  I wasn't crazy about the writing prompts because they were geared more toward working folk, but I loved copying the quotes challenge (even on days my hands weren't working so well) and the lettering challenge of the month was the names of Broadway plays.  I've just been doing them in my daily writing journal...so I covered up the journaling to show you an example of the quotes and Broadway play lettering.
I decided to search for the actual playbills and try to imitate the lettering they used.  Definitely been a challenge--but the funny (but very creepy) part is that google now thinks I am interested in Broadway plays!
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 Anyways, I decided to look for some challenges to continue on in May and decided that--besides doing a quote or saying to copy and lettering challenges--I wanted to add a daily doodle challenge.  I've seen people doing doodle challenges on youtube.  They are just simple line drawings and don't have to be great, you know?  But it forces you to draw a tiny bit each day.
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So I found some challenges.
I don't mind doing the lettering in my writing journal, but I really didn't think I wanted to do doodling in there.  Probably in my bullet.
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I had already set up my bullet journal for May...so I decided to add squares to the left of each day for a doodle challenge.  Going to try that out, anyways.
That's what I have seen--people using small squares.  
I'll let you know how it goes.
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But as long as my energy is limited, this is a fun way to do a little something every day.  I think it has helped this month...and even motivated me.  One day when I felt better I even FINALLY finished the brush lettering alphabet drills that have been waiting since...what?  January?  February? 
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Little by little I am seeing improvement--tada!  I am not zombie-woman every day anymore.  Knock on wood!  ;)
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Oh, that reminds me!!  Had to send my fitness tracker back to Amazon.  I knew something was wrong the second day when it counted 722 steps in three hours while I was watching TV.  Also, if I got up during the night it could never tell I went back to bed.  It just couldn't determine if I was awake or asleep!  Okay, I know I am not that active, but come on!  And by the fourth day I had apparently died--0 steps, 0 sleep and only a working clock.  Oh well.  I'm not sure if I'll try another one.
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Annie has lazy days, too.  Sometimes she sits in the hallway staring into the bedroom for a long time before she decides to go sleep on my bed.  Maybe she's working up to the jump?
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I didn't see any grouse from the time it started to melt until Monday when two of them showed up.  Only the two young ones have been here about once a day.  The grouse have probably moved out to the fields for laying eggs and such.
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The loud, battling grackles have returned...along with the mourning doves and an assortment of small birds I don't know the names of...all dark colors and cute as can be.
The birds love it that I brought in the water dish from the garage and am now filling that with fresh water every morning.  There is much drinking and bathing to entertain Annie...and me, too.  ;)
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No Gramma Day tomorrow again because Ian has a birthday party to go to!  Last week they were recovering from the trip to Minneapolis and Gramma was pretty shot, herself.  Probably this coming week.  We always play everything by ear. 
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I'm very happy that I seem to be having 2-3 good days a week where I can manage to do something besides get dressed, hang out with Annie, and feed us all--whoohoo!  At least I am getting dressed almost every day now.  
Life is good!  :)
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Happy spring for all of you who have been waiting for the shift.  Or happy fall for those of you way down south on this earth.  Have a good one!!  :):) 
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"Do we really need much more than this?  To honor the dawn.  To visit a garden.  To talk to a friend.  To contemplate a cloud.  To cherish a meal.  To bow our heads before the mystery of the day.  Are these not enough?"
Kent Nerburn

26 comments:

Jon said...

"Having just a few minutes every day to be creative is good for the soul" - - I like your quote! Creativity is what saves my sanity....

It looks like spring has finally arrived in your neck of the woods. I'm glad Annie can enjoy the sunshine and an open door. It's warm enough here so I can open the bedroom window for my cats, and they really enjoy it.

BTW - I'm a fan of "The Little Shop of Horrors". Have you ever seen the original movie from the 1950's? (Jack Nicholson was in it - I think it was his very first film).

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Hi Rita - Annie looks very much at home now - and having birds to watch always keeps her alert 'just in case' she might catch one (or whatever the cat world thinks about moving objects). You are doing so much better this past week or so - it is such a relief to be able to work on something you want to do and actually feeling well enough to get something done. Small steps, lots of rest and repeat. Hope you take a few pictures of your cartoon drawings to share once you get going on that. Sending you positive thoughts and virtual hugs.
Joy

Far Side of Fifty said...

Good to see you post and I knew right away you were feeling better! Hope the good streak continues! Annie is sure enjoying the Cat TV:)

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

So glad to read life is good and things are positive in your life right now. Annie looks like she is enjoying herself, too. She seems to thrive in the sun.

I never use Google search because Google tracks your interests. That is why I use DuckDuckGo. (DuckDuckGo.com) They guarantee they never track your searches. You should try it. It is a great internet search engine. I use it for everything.

So good that you are enjoying your doodles. I hope you share a few as they materialize.

Lady Fi said...

You have spring at last! Hurray.

Mersad said...

Annie is simply adorable! Have a great weekend ahead!

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

DJan said...

Annie and you both sure seem to be enjoying the weather! We did, too, yesterday. It was almost too hot! Is it my imagination or is Annie beginning to take on a little weight? :-)

Intense Guy said...

Yay for Spring... I thought it would never come this year!

Your handwriting is getting really fancy! :)

Dee said...

Dear Rita, where do you get your ending quotations from? They are always so evocative and make me stop and consider my life. Thank you.

It's so good to read this post and discover that you are feeling better 2 or 3 days each week. What a milestone that is after the winter you've had. Peace.

Divers and Sundry said...

You and Annie have a great system worked out :) I'm looking forward to seeing your patio flowers now that spring has reached you. I still need to pot my pentas. I love patios! :)

Jenny Woolf said...

It is wonderful to see what a contented cat Annie is now. A contrast from how suspicious when she first arrived. She's realised that life is good! :) Have a good weekend, Rita!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on finally having 2-3 good days a week!!

Carol said...

It must be the change in the weather as I am having more good days finally too. Can't wait to see what you buy with your gift certificate.

Anonymous said...

You always get so much done, even when you don't feel well.
I'm so glad you have been having some good days.
I hope you get to have Gramma days soon.
It is so nice to see Annie blossom the longer she is with you.
xo wendy

TammyV said...

Oh - I see what weather you're having - actually pretty close to ours. Today is 70s because the sun is out but they say more clouds are coming. It's good the seedling and also for digging up the weeds in the garden that I planted last year so I'm not going to complain. Love your lettering and that you're doing a challenge. I have become a BIG believer in challenges - something every day pushes you beyond perfection and your comfort zone. I'm going to try 100 poems in 100 days to keep myself going after NaPoWriMo2018 is over (2 days! I'm really happy that I've made it).

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Our warm days are coming to an end, which is fine with me,call me strange but I like the change in seasons.

School goes back on Tuesday here for another 10 weeks, Leo is looking forward to that, he does like school.

I am feeling more active like I want to do stuff around the house it is a good feeling

Victoria said...

Fabulous..I love when you share your creative magic..beautiful work, love it all. Yay, the doodle challenged sound fun...enjoy! Aw, your kitty looks so so peaceful enjoying that sunshine..wonderful!such a sweetheart!
Wishing you a magical wkd..thanks for sharing your lovely world.

pearshapedcrafting said...

I was going to comment on your other posts but decided that as I had already attempted to comment on the 15th and failed (think I just pressed the wrong key and everything disappeared) I would just have a big catch up! Glad to see the snow is almost gone now! We had a run of hot weather while we were away but it has turned cold now!
Glad that Dagan's surgery went OK!
So good to see that Annie has settled so well too!
I loved seeing your videos of Ian and Liam - that little shudder of Liam's whilst feeding brought back some memories!! He is so strong and clever and both of those little lads have such lovely smiles! Blink certainly is the calmest of cats!
I love that you have had a chance to play with the Distress Oxides - I haven't tried the glaze yet. Your lettering looks great but the comment about the Broadway plays made me smile! Take care and enjoy your sunshine! Hugs, Chrisx

Greg Prosmushkin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
My name is Erika. said...

I am with Annie celebrating by the open door! Hurrah that spring has finally decided to come our way this year. It took forever to get here, didn't it? Hope all is still going well> Hugs-Erika

Serena Lewis said...

Annie is so cute there soaking up some rays. Cody does the same — he will lie on the tiles near a window where the sun is shining through and has warmed the floor tiles too.

I love the pretty pocket inserts! I bought a floral/bird pocket calendar for two years running and, when I was done with the calendars, I cut off the pretty pockets to use later for collage or to use as pockets in my sketchbooks. They were too pretty to throw away.

Sorry to hear you've had some bad eye days. How are you feeling now?

Nice work on the lettering! I've done little calendar drawings each day on a calendar page with square boxes for each day. It looks so nice by the end of the month when completed.

I laughed out loud when you said your tracker had recorded 722 steps while you watched TV for three hours. Yep — definitely faulty. haha My Galaxy Note phone records my steps quite accurately — that's when I was interested in keeping track. Now I can't really walk much due to it flaring up my hip pain so I've put the fitness tracking on hold.

I am just so happy that Annie has changed so much since her arrival. It warms my heart to see her feeling so at home now.

Nice to see the birdies still visiting. I wonder if the grouse will bring their babies to visit you?

Great that you are finally getting some good days — a good sign that you may be finally getting over that dreaded bug after-effects.

We are currently in the middle of our Autumn — winter starts on June 1st. I'm loving the cooler nights and mornings already. Roll on, winter. :)

Great quote at the end.

Love and hugs xo

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

What a difference a couple weeks makes in terms of weather! How nice to have the sun shining in...the snow melted...and the sounds of spring. Annie looks like she is having a wonderful time in the sun.

That's so good that you are doing something creative as often as you are. I need to get back into doing more creative things again. Miss that.

You had quite the flock of grackles there! So much wildlife comes by your place.

Sherry Ellis said...

So glad you're feeling a little better and are able to get some things done. It's nice that spring has finally sprung.

froebelsternchen said...

Great that you have spring now! That winter were so incredible long, here as well!
So good to see that Annie has settled so well too!
Hugs, Susi

Victoria said...

Wishing you a wonderful wkd! Always lovely revisiting those gorgeous cat pics..so sweet and magical a soul!

Dee said...

Dear Rita, you haven't blogged for several weeks. I hope your fibromyalgia has not kicked back in and that you are just taking a hiatus. And I also hope that you are getting to see your two grandsons a lot and play with them. Peace.