tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295037642024-03-18T22:00:58.221-05:00SoulComfort's CornerRita's Ramblings: a basically house-bound woman in Fargo, North Dakota blogging for friends, family, and anybody who finds it interesting. I talk about art or craft projects, my grandsons (Ian and Liam), the weather, movies, books, health, and whatever happens to be going on in my life. Welcome!Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.comBlogger2490125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-10599223488852783402024-03-18T05:00:00.001-05:002024-03-18T05:00:00.136-05:00March 18, 2024 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Good morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">First of all--Dagan is home and doing well. When they had him down there they really checked everything they could. They've wanted to study him for some time, had their chance, and ran all kinds of tests on him for those three days. He had a liver ultrasound, heart catherization, x-rays, pacemaker checks, lungs checked out, CT scan...I'm not sure what all else. He had the two surgeries--the heart cath on Monday and the pacemaker replacement on Tuesday. They kept him overnight on Tuesday and he got okayed to return home on Wednesday afternoon. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah did both the school runs for the boys on Thursday and Friday so Dagan didn't have to drive and could just rest and recover. (She usually drops them off and then Dagan picks them up.) They are all feeling better, Leah said, and Dagan is doing well.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Tonight and Tuesday night Leah is picking me up about 4:30pm so I can stay with the boys while Mama and Daddy go to school conferences for Ian and Liam. Will be so much more convenient when I am living there, eh? :) In fact, Leah said she is contacting the drywall people this week. Nice! The sooner my place gets done the better.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Meanwhile...I lost my internet completely Monday night. Tried everything. Nothing worked. Gave up and went to bed. But it was back when I woke up Tuesday morning. Found out later that it disconnected my cell phone from my internet, too, but didn't reconnect automatically when it came back on. Now I know to check that if it ever happens again because they were charging me all day. Luckily we're still on the unlimited family plan--whew! But Leah has been planning to change that because we don't normally use much extra "away" phone time. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Funny thing was when I lost only the laptop--as you may recall from my last post--it was over the daylight saving time change...so it never automatically changed my time on the laptop. But when I lost the internet altogether...when it came back the laptop suddenly had the correct DST time. Glad! I thought it was going to be wrong till fall and then be worse wrong come the fall change--lol! I have no clue how to change the time on my laptop. But it fixed itself when it was dead the second time--ROFL! </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, it was an ordinary week for me doing all the usual household stuff...but stressful. Even though I wasn't there, I was mostly focused on Dagan's surgeries, of course--plus the internet issues--and the usual blogger issues, lol! Miss Allie was happily watching the birds on the patio.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6t6013xzyLpkXrkvzfRs1NtZZ8PxchAXyhaXNPRKDMCSUWebYEyjQFJNsx-SpoxNcehpElV1veb8E6mxT-VmQeT5PIFLNlV1HmrDa8IkU9e29vUu2qBu34N1D98K_fUwJJySKPUpGsWKslksGvLiJYQT-QSEDVVzlxJCcSdKocjwAgx_i8UY/s4080/PXL_20240317_171512503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6t6013xzyLpkXrkvzfRs1NtZZ8PxchAXyhaXNPRKDMCSUWebYEyjQFJNsx-SpoxNcehpElV1veb8E6mxT-VmQeT5PIFLNlV1HmrDa8IkU9e29vUu2qBu34N1D98K_fUwJJySKPUpGsWKslksGvLiJYQT-QSEDVVzlxJCcSdKocjwAgx_i8UY/s320/PXL_20240317_171512503.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Didn't look happy with me disturbing her by calling her name for a picture--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAzKk7383Ax83-7hLbbp91_hiU0RhCI6ZTjH2Y7Ml7OLdD0iUmPMOmQZpRvDgqx-x5hJtoJQMuXNGiUu_nVlHWW14eTPwX5DhUFtwyyH-MpkYzJpNy3SnexVm2vJYht_4c-3E8qjUTgBqQ1-zAH4nBnoJUFcMdOwrxpDP6fYrCW6x0t4H3WkI/s4080/PXL_20240317_171520950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAzKk7383Ax83-7hLbbp91_hiU0RhCI6ZTjH2Y7Ml7OLdD0iUmPMOmQZpRvDgqx-x5hJtoJQMuXNGiUu_nVlHWW14eTPwX5DhUFtwyyH-MpkYzJpNy3SnexVm2vJYht_4c-3E8qjUTgBqQ1-zAH4nBnoJUFcMdOwrxpDP6fYrCW6x0t4H3WkI/s320/PXL_20240317_171520950.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It was 65 degrees on Monday. Sunday we had a teeny bit of snow and it was 22 degrees for a high. Can you see the little bit of snow gathered by the planters.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmR2jLp6vp2bg84xM3PY9WkDJDP-d2FQtbW7Kr5fl9V7YTrt7d8etKC4G3k-zy7puv4NCOx07rh2658Pp4IFDiXbPFKyoRbXEdR0BpHFCVD_BVQEfqY7dE5OAlzb3kV6LcvCFsga70zLLZDssxEj0lkqobRnEO9T9sXJRpUGUod_dlZFfyd7Y_/s4080/PXL_20240317_173955948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmR2jLp6vp2bg84xM3PY9WkDJDP-d2FQtbW7Kr5fl9V7YTrt7d8etKC4G3k-zy7puv4NCOx07rh2658Pp4IFDiXbPFKyoRbXEdR0BpHFCVD_BVQEfqY7dE5OAlzb3kV6LcvCFsga70zLLZDssxEj0lkqobRnEO9T9sXJRpUGUod_dlZFfyd7Y_/s320/PXL_20240317_173955948.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The crazy back and forth weather continues. </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie has decided she doesn't like sitting in the chair next to me at the table anymore. Too noisy and bright light, I suppose. Now she knows the new routine and what I am up to at the table. (Which she discovered is quite boring.) She moved to the living room chair for a couple of days...but then ended up right back in her favorite spot...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNFmiP7FPXgub5HAozVhjqK8Q9MIvvO0Edmq3KXJWfXHrzeJLj00nHdWYXu04hfGDBWSRz9DfwMCTzRKNuc7mGsM-_zb-MTltoWqMZBilg3VS3st_xzAf6wV39L73UCYwGYisoqcPLBCN2VTRjU7i_HQ4aHyNDkL9BNFtl3NKEiiOelYNtdkQ/s4080/PXL_20240317_183757210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNFmiP7FPXgub5HAozVhjqK8Q9MIvvO0Edmq3KXJWfXHrzeJLj00nHdWYXu04hfGDBWSRz9DfwMCTzRKNuc7mGsM-_zb-MTltoWqMZBilg3VS3st_xzAf6wV39L73UCYwGYisoqcPLBCN2VTRjU7i_HQ4aHyNDkL9BNFtl3NKEiiOelYNtdkQ/s320/PXL_20240317_183757210.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...in the darkened bedroom where she can really conk out all afternoon in peace. LOL!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_AkTaeBfzUUl5kaiU4_iQWmj5abcmbkaeT-kvOWmZI8kUhbJ7R4uiGny8Boo6LtkjPDdPI7kN1kYIHbuDpn9CznJl64TmGpHPAFaxo4iTlZKAQCP9zDOYUH24n_FQCGrdNzbEJDSQvP1sQ5of-1LINrrOAX79AnClpxIQzaJtTVhAKHBRp_j/s4080/PXL_20240317_183819642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_AkTaeBfzUUl5kaiU4_iQWmj5abcmbkaeT-kvOWmZI8kUhbJ7R4uiGny8Boo6LtkjPDdPI7kN1kYIHbuDpn9CznJl64TmGpHPAFaxo4iTlZKAQCP9zDOYUH24n_FQCGrdNzbEJDSQvP1sQ5of-1LINrrOAX79AnClpxIQzaJtTVhAKHBRp_j/s320/PXL_20240317_183819642.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, I am looking forward to spending some time with the boys. Get to see Dagan with my own mom-eyes--lol! Just to see all of them. Keanna comes to clean already on Tuesday again. Seems like the two weeks went by so fast! I've just been glad to have ordinary days...not as totally exhausted and the pain level lower. Well, I should say more ordinary fibro/arthritis days--lol! It's heavenly! Thank you for all the prayers and good wishes. Till next week, my friends. Life is good! :)</span></p></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-10229589429175679242024-03-11T05:00:00.076-05:002024-03-11T12:51:42.458-05:00March 11, 2024 Monday--11:45am<p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Woke up to a dead laptop. Died during the night and so my blog never posted. I tried all the things to start up the black screen but nothing worked.</span></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah texted me to let me know Dagan's liver scan was good and he was waiting to have a heart cath. There had been some emergency surgery so he is all ready and prepped for the cath...just waiting. </span></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah talked me through checking laptop cords and such--which I had already done. Then she told me to hold the start button even longer. (Had held it down like maybe 12-15 seconds and nothing had happened.) I think it took closer to 30 seconds--but up popped back to life! Why she shut herself off during the night, I have no clue...but now I can post the blog I had scheduled. And you know more than you would have. So far, so good on Dagan's tests today. Surgery is tomorrow afternoon. :)</span></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Good morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I saw the bigger covey of partridges on <b>Monday</b>, so I figured we were in for some cold weather again.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK1ME2wOtiv7Er1t-HpkzGHDFbmaggR6JPwz-RrCnNRbKVUmcSUKh5aKfqNDjg14FCRSc_RIhTPhyo1cFFN_BBNzTMSqfNvooJQ17G_MneVRkd4pRxb3ObJgFZNYDvfI0_ijthYUFjhJCrsFxFEssOrrCDzlROk_rKlXovPIqAc68ObQWFqbZ/s4080/PXL_20240303_234011298.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK1ME2wOtiv7Er1t-HpkzGHDFbmaggR6JPwz-RrCnNRbKVUmcSUKh5aKfqNDjg14FCRSc_RIhTPhyo1cFFN_BBNzTMSqfNvooJQ17G_MneVRkd4pRxb3ObJgFZNYDvfI0_ijthYUFjhJCrsFxFEssOrrCDzlROk_rKlXovPIqAc68ObQWFqbZ/s320/PXL_20240303_234011298.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Yup! Snow on<b> Tuesday</b>.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIriPvE1T7aFBjNC7EE4wDhwjoMaTVjQumcnrDe0yiqytQvIFlM0opLYWZx_w1ca8RMrUw8vDWl4U7NlnqEp9tInrBK0NGkgOfk9s7lQnIZoS_GU3CwWFtQE3gBsWd0B6YEDIUCQrm00Mmoly_9T2FTeE58jlB4raIFOQmDeKrUCGlLxQqRx2/s4080/PXL_20240305_183151901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIriPvE1T7aFBjNC7EE4wDhwjoMaTVjQumcnrDe0yiqytQvIFlM0opLYWZx_w1ca8RMrUw8vDWl4U7NlnqEp9tInrBK0NGkgOfk9s7lQnIZoS_GU3CwWFtQE3gBsWd0B6YEDIUCQrm00Mmoly_9T2FTeE58jlB4raIFOQmDeKrUCGlLxQqRx2/s320/PXL_20240305_183151901.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Since there weren't blizzard winds with it, I took a picture both ways from the patio.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wbSisqIpAwpG0AYI9JuRaIEW2nutsXq25IsQPGg2Br58gGeeZse4gBoEt-Im5npWQm4XClFMeuaUomNuIHW_SDzuPjeBXY7OJQKklHwKxCTXZBaMRQ-K3OQcWOnkpRdXrTn6C4Ic7xyqdd3pzYZDdO4teHD3ujIrBnK5mVQpIdtC8s2RqX5b/s4080/PXL_20240305_183810318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wbSisqIpAwpG0AYI9JuRaIEW2nutsXq25IsQPGg2Br58gGeeZse4gBoEt-Im5npWQm4XClFMeuaUomNuIHW_SDzuPjeBXY7OJQKklHwKxCTXZBaMRQ-K3OQcWOnkpRdXrTn6C4Ic7xyqdd3pzYZDdO4teHD3ujIrBnK5mVQpIdtC8s2RqX5b/s320/PXL_20240305_183810318.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here you can see the tree where the sparrows and small birds hang out waiting for seed (or just in-between meals--lol!).<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpdOT4g7rHOG8Pderl5gm8zh1SxoVzyef2X_-hwAyaG8ImVQ1xLvd1wSsA4M-7dQeDz3FANbir0dXd40NEsuP2GZ1xpGF3jrvaiBondH27IsmnfehY73Pj8bYO0eFyuemRcdeyBn1f0AeAIC7WmNgubN9grIYFvfLkot_DVwLYwZqAsEY6O9-/s4080/PXL_20240305_183817561.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpdOT4g7rHOG8Pderl5gm8zh1SxoVzyef2X_-hwAyaG8ImVQ1xLvd1wSsA4M-7dQeDz3FANbir0dXd40NEsuP2GZ1xpGF3jrvaiBondH27IsmnfehY73Pj8bYO0eFyuemRcdeyBn1f0AeAIC7WmNgubN9grIYFvfLkot_DVwLYwZqAsEY6O9-/s320/PXL_20240305_183817561.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I put out some extra seed. (This was covered in about 15 minutes.)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeyVA9KWNrRVvZ-ZSqsHqrrSBw6uLryoYHq8ZPCc_pg9KiS4bBXn-E9HNt5OE7HRcmzIrdHQdhfc8wrZgtCK9pzMmUJCZOBkPHeTu9Phme0JNVNTPgF1Npg6mByZwoRC-C7iKLKCpncKnIesiKFKHSeFBSoZxNPVy7uy-XTNk5A-TD5fkW8Jy/s4080/PXL_20240305_183832164.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeyVA9KWNrRVvZ-ZSqsHqrrSBw6uLryoYHq8ZPCc_pg9KiS4bBXn-E9HNt5OE7HRcmzIrdHQdhfc8wrZgtCK9pzMmUJCZOBkPHeTu9Phme0JNVNTPgF1Npg6mByZwoRC-C7iKLKCpncKnIesiKFKHSeFBSoZxNPVy7uy-XTNk5A-TD5fkW8Jy/s320/PXL_20240305_183832164.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie came over from a nap to watch what I was doing, of course.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNTQ9Qk5ht1gr3hLLVUIzbFTpDwQgHYOxcBGEWxAs33C6t1wXC-PWhWRD7ccN3NlmqnrxV-c3w_z9Yk86KNZOL3QPmrgoKUq4j3Rqy5irybo4BUweAvhMW3HZOUnFoCeR3VwFmwNo7tkw_KFfnShs9Tfau3qG-Bg1MgeF8E1AQPqg9FB3Y2JV/s4080/PXL_20240305_183840925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNTQ9Qk5ht1gr3hLLVUIzbFTpDwQgHYOxcBGEWxAs33C6t1wXC-PWhWRD7ccN3NlmqnrxV-c3w_z9Yk86KNZOL3QPmrgoKUq4j3Rqy5irybo4BUweAvhMW3HZOUnFoCeR3VwFmwNo7tkw_KFfnShs9Tfau3qG-Bg1MgeF8E1AQPqg9FB3Y2JV/s320/PXL_20240305_183840925.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The snow that was supposed to last for just a couple of hours lasted several hours...and the world was white again.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfjyAgj4rJ7zcUaWCqo4ql3cB5SchgV80fB5IZHUZbvtF99MeJ8KdnZN3KmyLM5EIZc3E1JaV-ecajO-fucIEwmw-tPCYhsYF5CKp5IR-DFKAejXDO8RI0CobBfG3EQT5wr_nGLkEUuUXdFbkkF-jbsp_k4UAckBhw0GteLXvCI-lxyYw9aHh/s4080/PXL_20240305_190501038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfjyAgj4rJ7zcUaWCqo4ql3cB5SchgV80fB5IZHUZbvtF99MeJ8KdnZN3KmyLM5EIZc3E1JaV-ecajO-fucIEwmw-tPCYhsYF5CKp5IR-DFKAejXDO8RI0CobBfG3EQT5wr_nGLkEUuUXdFbkkF-jbsp_k4UAckBhw0GteLXvCI-lxyYw9aHh/s320/PXL_20240305_190501038.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VxlOGeIz9LI" width="320" youtube-src-id="VxlOGeIz9LI"></iframe></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, briefly. Very briefly. </span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Believe it or not this was the very next day. Brown again. Extra seed uncovered. I didn't have to put any more out for almost two days--lol!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWssZ1Emj06wwu1g5hSm-CD2Euc1qZ90yFh2fkU675lR4tGQbNaSa5uE9ChqMgUCgmN4hQsKSi_27kLM_ef2ZEUztxH58WAoGGiazi9wNETFqefDuL0YSYL0ivBsAfwUjNaLRaHTMSGd1KoHNZRs5pjA2JvdGpneobB-_FGErAH_iGBD1SY0M/s4080/PXL_20240306_220821617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWssZ1Emj06wwu1g5hSm-CD2Euc1qZ90yFh2fkU675lR4tGQbNaSa5uE9ChqMgUCgmN4hQsKSi_27kLM_ef2ZEUztxH58WAoGGiazi9wNETFqefDuL0YSYL0ivBsAfwUjNaLRaHTMSGd1KoHNZRs5pjA2JvdGpneobB-_FGErAH_iGBD1SY0M/s320/PXL_20240306_220821617.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Keanna drove through the snow to clean on Tuesday. Dagan dropped off a couple grocery items and brought in some bird seed for me. He was coughing some and sounded winded. Told him he needed to let his doctors know he'd been sick in case they wanted to postpone...or at least give them a heads up if they didn't want to wait any longer on his pacemaker. He didn't think he needed to. Leah talked to him, too. So he called on Thursday and got the okay to drive down if he was feeling okay. </span><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">On <b>Thursday</b> this really cheap throw I ordered arrived. On sale for $13 on Amazon. Since my "bedding" is nothing but neck pillows and throws...thought this lighter throw would be great. I tossed it on the floor...was going to grab it on my next trip to the laundry room. I was shocked! Look who decided to park herself on the throw!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPbaCrWYkKCZf1sRI0QqAWOe3K0pf9OSgbHQjnATqVyi9VasJzV5el7tDIQ2RH667bwmdh8IPREd1AaliOyFC-t8PByXDL8m_a6QNBszidtY8BpHIJDkuBJTCSid9mzb2WG9sg_s1X1cjeDo771mCo57qOD4emnH2cwNtNtKjD3CE7lJUO3r1/s4080/PXL_20240307_235427992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPbaCrWYkKCZf1sRI0QqAWOe3K0pf9OSgbHQjnATqVyi9VasJzV5el7tDIQ2RH667bwmdh8IPREd1AaliOyFC-t8PByXDL8m_a6QNBszidtY8BpHIJDkuBJTCSid9mzb2WG9sg_s1X1cjeDo771mCo57qOD4emnH2cwNtNtKjD3CE7lJUO3r1/s320/PXL_20240307_235427992.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is the same cat who will not come up and sit with me on my chair when I have a blanket over me. Any blanket. Not one of my throws is acceptable to her. You'd think I had covered myself with an electrified, poisoned, blanket full of tacks. They lie folded and stacked on the floor in the studio all day and she has never set foot on them. Ever. Yet--here she sat!?<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkNKTA79rZFeZEXyewZcyeQIuZF4QTOuQP_edv70iLGLiwTAkJaMuyT0vKjDYjxDdsNPdkvzz2wNUAWmRcchRZgXwVNJwWJvG2kE2YvXbURniUfeoNmA6BLHeAtyHDSbb6gcB7e0F83NYhW3f5CmtDYPaVJ_KdnAvgzCVXi3RfSKPSdOl0Pdw/s4080/PXL_20240307_235505314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkNKTA79rZFeZEXyewZcyeQIuZF4QTOuQP_edv70iLGLiwTAkJaMuyT0vKjDYjxDdsNPdkvzz2wNUAWmRcchRZgXwVNJwWJvG2kE2YvXbURniUfeoNmA6BLHeAtyHDSbb6gcB7e0F83NYhW3f5CmtDYPaVJ_KdnAvgzCVXi3RfSKPSdOl0Pdw/s320/PXL_20240307_235505314.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Cats do not have to make sense. I figured this shocking behavior may well pass quickly. Folded up the throw and set it on the floor where she likes to rest...thinking now she'd surely avoid it like she does the extra cat beds I move around the place--lol!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c2HcAAEf44XraCwgcQ2rRlae8LxYICyXggyv9n0mfy7SX6vQpmLn70_t1bBvw9hrZVLurCWsPv9tt8s3NuXupnWWobzf3bmjMAoa9XeOlzzFgM8ifBEf7jJesfXMt2BrewiF0tNvoRA16tYKbNbLwWy20vsFNxdbIUNyNI7NiDAwd46zEQoz/s4080/PXL_20240310_185425966.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c2HcAAEf44XraCwgcQ2rRlae8LxYICyXggyv9n0mfy7SX6vQpmLn70_t1bBvw9hrZVLurCWsPv9tt8s3NuXupnWWobzf3bmjMAoa9XeOlzzFgM8ifBEf7jJesfXMt2BrewiF0tNvoRA16tYKbNbLwWy20vsFNxdbIUNyNI7NiDAwd46zEQoz/s320/PXL_20240310_185425966.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Couldn't catch a photo of her parked on it, but she has been there a few times. Almost like she didn't want such embarrassing pictures of her out there on the internet. She'd skedaddle when I went to get my phone to take a picture--lol! Guess I may be giving up my new, super cheap throw--lol! Well, for as long as it still interests her, anyways. If I wash it and it smells different that may change her entire attitude, though--lol!<br /></span><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Whenever I go down to the front door to check my mail...well, there is still a good-sized Santa sitting outside the door of the guy who lives next-door to me. It's a cute enough Santa with glasses...but it <i>is</i> March, after all.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4TSRpJdZeMCojN48nHtZbOMvMHrIn-C0YqmW_rbyG9EEmVXDOHDuJNct-A0p6app21E1ZcmKAt3YQ9Qs9c_it2RMXnLE_0JNOkbLL13ZCqGGLy75CLmBlEBOcI-3crvt3m5M9_TC8t_4QV2Qlm_yOPpZ21QPIjexVSU1I8yTPlbmEmCRC0w5/s4080/PXL_20240308_233600606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4TSRpJdZeMCojN48nHtZbOMvMHrIn-C0YqmW_rbyG9EEmVXDOHDuJNct-A0p6app21E1ZcmKAt3YQ9Qs9c_it2RMXnLE_0JNOkbLL13ZCqGGLy75CLmBlEBOcI-3crvt3m5M9_TC8t_4QV2Qlm_yOPpZ21QPIjexVSU1I8yTPlbmEmCRC0w5/s320/PXL_20240308_233600606.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Usually when Allie hears me say I am going to check mail she'll drag herself out of bed to make sure I make it home okay. Miss Allie does have abandonment issues, as you know.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXUcZPJloN7zliy02hO1liC_GUfzAbxERsax-MwJKZAmZFd0m_POVX3OMAV86Pdql0lu-a_dHPSGTGVy3Y3GChHAhzsTebVUMGkpXgktUUH2Q78VGM2ciD0OYZtCP90EqyQ9iTAOa-UsP8ALEIbkMklOxzDSvvb6MRSyjUGRwy1oXXWWzt0Wy/s4080/PXL_20240308_233708776.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXUcZPJloN7zliy02hO1liC_GUfzAbxERsax-MwJKZAmZFd0m_POVX3OMAV86Pdql0lu-a_dHPSGTGVy3Y3GChHAhzsTebVUMGkpXgktUUH2Q78VGM2ciD0OYZtCP90EqyQ9iTAOa-UsP8ALEIbkMklOxzDSvvb6MRSyjUGRwy1oXXWWzt0Wy/s320/PXL_20240308_233708776.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, our brown winter persists. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapUtldqdwoXkkLfcDZdkqbgp5gsWHWdURxcfg6ELjJIwOdNpbzNLfc-OipQVbaUdqyvRKL85i1UqRMkfSVkd1sajxRzdUnX18uCIdvSUUx4y7UKWf1t6hxcZoVQ0gG62ebOLxXvykusqN1lPh_TCBTmh5CLmSYgFwV1Q1YudhjBF-z0ALR1wB/s4080/PXL_20240310_003838552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapUtldqdwoXkkLfcDZdkqbgp5gsWHWdURxcfg6ELjJIwOdNpbzNLfc-OipQVbaUdqyvRKL85i1UqRMkfSVkd1sajxRzdUnX18uCIdvSUUx4y7UKWf1t6hxcZoVQ0gG62ebOLxXvykusqN1lPh_TCBTmh5CLmSYgFwV1Q1YudhjBF-z0ALR1wB/s320/PXL_20240310_003838552.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I actually heard Canadian geese overhead on Sunday! Beginning of March! Spring doesn't usually really arrive up here till sometime in May. If I didn't know better I would think it actually <i>was</i> spring up here. We're supposed to be in the 50s and even low 60s this week. Bizarre! </span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dagan and Leah drove down to Minneapolis Sunday. Leah's brother, Aaron, is staying with the boys and will bring them to school, etc. Dagan has the pre-surgery stuff on Monday, surgery on Tuesday, and post-surgery stuff on Wednesday. All goes as planned, they will be driving back on Wednesday.</span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Once a Mommy...always a Mommy. I will relax when the surgery is done and he's back home. I wish I could be there in the waiting room with Leah. I'm sure most of you know what I am talking about. Thanks for every good wish, prayer, and healing thought. Till next time...</span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Oh goodness! Caught her! LOL!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiCRgbWta19OQl6xOQ5uP-Z2ZHFWGmESyfNcsah_T-QjYaKaHW420VjcabmmLuLAGjSfQ6QGO4y-uyjotJvKTDk1OqkNXRKcG_uUWMmjaWdctaht3tIzJ3mZjplA8ae54ny9S94aJtaAteDovwupW7Wh6cIBqnsUz1rnXL57FYE8DZbGSPlIE/s4080/PXL_20240311_024715449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiCRgbWta19OQl6xOQ5uP-Z2ZHFWGmESyfNcsah_T-QjYaKaHW420VjcabmmLuLAGjSfQ6QGO4y-uyjotJvKTDk1OqkNXRKcG_uUWMmjaWdctaht3tIzJ3mZjplA8ae54ny9S94aJtaAteDovwupW7Wh6cIBqnsUz1rnXL57FYE8DZbGSPlIE/s320/PXL_20240311_024715449.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-25998176463806971472024-03-04T05:00:00.001-06:002024-03-04T05:00:00.131-06:00March 4, 2024 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good morning!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Monday</b> it was 60 degrees and sunny! Had the patio door open a good part of the day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunRypjAv3i1LRDiYDICCDuprOhzSURW7AoRIa9BL4aS3H4eONHVyhp48U0TjZIIGRDBHwvwK-r2H87q4WkiPHSHb-k8RGYamUVgJFvJw1e_jsmd_gaxFKVQzVuF7dWUygb1gmUZXx82YI8-273YHqhvtEazoFrlpmA84CR_Aa6ur3IAY8eMqo/s4080/PXL_20240226_203725271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunRypjAv3i1LRDiYDICCDuprOhzSURW7AoRIa9BL4aS3H4eONHVyhp48U0TjZIIGRDBHwvwK-r2H87q4WkiPHSHb-k8RGYamUVgJFvJw1e_jsmd_gaxFKVQzVuF7dWUygb1gmUZXx82YI8-273YHqhvtEazoFrlpmA84CR_Aa6ur3IAY8eMqo/s320/PXL_20240226_203725271.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday</b> morning woke up to a blizzard with 35-45 mph winds.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2CWWpGdIfSzk46ETbCBoWS5kbwau4Bllkp7gtCHPjTMwJns5wxr7TBYiZRYQBXx2PCSkouLTWcLo0HEMWrBSwQWb36cx-M5bL9cK0i_-31nluwjSd6riIbrOctwbYfIYeoIgfk3N6PXuP27ot50LLZ3ZJQS19Xy5mqQ1cZJwJLyHYdKfa2qf/s4080/PXL_20240227_153221692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2CWWpGdIfSzk46ETbCBoWS5kbwau4Bllkp7gtCHPjTMwJns5wxr7TBYiZRYQBXx2PCSkouLTWcLo0HEMWrBSwQWb36cx-M5bL9cK0i_-31nluwjSd6riIbrOctwbYfIYeoIgfk3N6PXuP27ot50LLZ3ZJQS19Xy5mqQ1cZJwJLyHYdKfa2qf/s320/PXL_20240227_153221692.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I shot a little video. What crazy weather!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DIF5ECpUnA4" width="320" youtube-src-id="DIF5ECpUnA4"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As soon as I put out some seed a few juncos came out from the bushes behind one of my planters to grab a bit to eat.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdnae2DLynF_QJPw_IL7OxKwxPB2CKSVJIvR83isgIfh4xuhJc3VI_-vLDYl1yDtTiDH5vf6iYNQFHDUbpkHYsvyGNHxRv7O5DNEtagwA6qToZJL15m7nThfNOWPLJuW6zBOMmugI3xlKYJquKcUUnCgTNAozDMyyGR62hUyFTJP6nkQXILVL/s4080/PXL_20240227_153335447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdnae2DLynF_QJPw_IL7OxKwxPB2CKSVJIvR83isgIfh4xuhJc3VI_-vLDYl1yDtTiDH5vf6iYNQFHDUbpkHYsvyGNHxRv7O5DNEtagwA6qToZJL15m7nThfNOWPLJuW6zBOMmugI3xlKYJquKcUUnCgTNAozDMyyGR62hUyFTJP6nkQXILVL/s320/PXL_20240227_153335447.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In just a few minutes the seed was being buried by the gusty snow, but they knew where to dig with their beaks and feet.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxsrawEO_4FqxcSMpgSlYa8uwlyaxLM9qs_rG-LxgWW-5JbJj62OId1qmaSXC0vwPyOzU3OmsmoiUms1fZqEjkMnORVrbQebNAfASg1dShvLgRUf8KG7E6xZZbgjnLlkcB1XkoYnH-J3GjizOuYj6mPyLgDh7MKvdyIw2-YntmNzFa0oA6rY0/s4080/PXL_20240227_153713828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxsrawEO_4FqxcSMpgSlYa8uwlyaxLM9qs_rG-LxgWW-5JbJj62OId1qmaSXC0vwPyOzU3OmsmoiUms1fZqEjkMnORVrbQebNAfASg1dShvLgRUf8KG7E6xZZbgjnLlkcB1XkoYnH-J3GjizOuYj6mPyLgDh7MKvdyIw2-YntmNzFa0oA6rY0/s320/PXL_20240227_153713828.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The smaller birds are always glad to see the partridges arrive because they have bigger feet and beaks to dig with--lol! Notice the bigger flock showed up when the weather got bad.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdv_O6s6Aaz5d1MrceiiFTzg4xtLqLDrsZ3qQHPEnjPbwPHrkW-As2Ihg8hfn0YeCngMOnIDxeZzf1zhQTTJy3zXqCKDRPewU3rdc_NFXxXrUEfQSUWs52UwkuuDKDdAuAvCTT7lAoxXg8Jmvn-ndN09C3aKHBJxzXMqojKXMW-IEcnOivjW4/s4080/PXL_20240227_220524098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdv_O6s6Aaz5d1MrceiiFTzg4xtLqLDrsZ3qQHPEnjPbwPHrkW-As2Ihg8hfn0YeCngMOnIDxeZzf1zhQTTJy3zXqCKDRPewU3rdc_NFXxXrUEfQSUWs52UwkuuDKDdAuAvCTT7lAoxXg8Jmvn-ndN09C3aKHBJxzXMqojKXMW-IEcnOivjW4/s320/PXL_20240227_220524098.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I noticed when the wind was dying down later in the day the two partridges were sitting up on the planter box where that nest-like indentation is. Maybe it is those two?<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv36RwBmNiR4sumwJSmznkUUVZxIRnAFe1yyd089DSvJIQC5dfgdBXxwZggzcK6cNNnfN4J4nz1m94fLYpMTkmqT-21zO5i4u6BmEjnXULcRuqC_w7Oh9BrZnPO5rRlK1gGfzK9t9qwLiyNu3DzlZLQDevhGeSIi-yBxw9oqIcU8exCV5TlX7u/s4080/PXL_20240227_220612194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv36RwBmNiR4sumwJSmznkUUVZxIRnAFe1yyd089DSvJIQC5dfgdBXxwZggzcK6cNNnfN4J4nz1m94fLYpMTkmqT-21zO5i4u6BmEjnXULcRuqC_w7Oh9BrZnPO5rRlK1gGfzK9t9qwLiyNu3DzlZLQDevhGeSIi-yBxw9oqIcU8exCV5TlX7u/s320/PXL_20240227_220612194.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday</b> was really cold still, but roads, sidewalks, and parking lots were getting plowed and schools were reopened. </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So many of my pictures look like this one--lol! The small birds are so flighty! They land and eat a little and then take off to sit in the nearby tree. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xesTM02PUaFhebMAkN-gLUsMXN6Wz5_Hj7koRwhd5Cakh647vi9Rxi3jUZkumkD2PC3gM8lnm1wnfoGEOjE0oulUNqlBTBdMO3yshOOk0GFDCl6XyMx_JakDdnZ3IERtUIH8dYmGcVs2eeKmfGwQ-sjIzl3dqKsm6N6xnuSCA6ZC8hJMKDtI/s4080/PXL_20240227_224032364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xesTM02PUaFhebMAkN-gLUsMXN6Wz5_Hj7koRwhd5Cakh647vi9Rxi3jUZkumkD2PC3gM8lnm1wnfoGEOjE0oulUNqlBTBdMO3yshOOk0GFDCl6XyMx_JakDdnZ3IERtUIH8dYmGcVs2eeKmfGwQ-sjIzl3dqKsm6N6xnuSCA6ZC8hJMKDtI/s320/PXL_20240227_224032364.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They kind of regroup and come right back...but then all fly away again. Back and forth in one big bunch of flapping wings. No wonder Allie (and Annie and Karma) love to sit and watch them.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4J-z3RRgi1bKL2Rx9Mq4UCOO92-Cl9EqBv6YUeU9PD5Dxjo0ap1FGd-hYHCPMIDGkNvsHTS6S7eMOzMvfV8EOSXm08glMMO340Wbc4AtnowIxCULSO2YuzlWhEaFKaeC4f0MIrYNpYDKKyV5lk8Myzy5eUEj-6aaxRxO9_SHb8_dTKEFUhsI/s4080/PXL_20240227_230920895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4J-z3RRgi1bKL2Rx9Mq4UCOO92-Cl9EqBv6YUeU9PD5Dxjo0ap1FGd-hYHCPMIDGkNvsHTS6S7eMOzMvfV8EOSXm08glMMO340Wbc4AtnowIxCULSO2YuzlWhEaFKaeC4f0MIrYNpYDKKyV5lk8Myzy5eUEj-6aaxRxO9_SHb8_dTKEFUhsI/s320/PXL_20240227_230920895.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Once the wind dies down and it warms up a little bit, they calm down and the big flock splits up again.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZLR2ViO1MbNJPatNJ3HizI1Rck0qefLKX7rJwAor9S2AYnswIBYnud3bE2m9Dra_Yex-CTOyrb-2lFege4YWa6OCikr6LXvtciMTRmuU5q016RxZg4L9aa-HGpGYjL8EvhhrM3JkOh6RfVlDvloslE_hGTmT755aZmgj84ARtpt_SRoGCiCy/s4080/PXL_20240228_171949259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZLR2ViO1MbNJPatNJ3HizI1Rck0qefLKX7rJwAor9S2AYnswIBYnud3bE2m9Dra_Yex-CTOyrb-2lFege4YWa6OCikr6LXvtciMTRmuU5q016RxZg4L9aa-HGpGYjL8EvhhrM3JkOh6RfVlDvloslE_hGTmT755aZmgj84ARtpt_SRoGCiCy/s320/PXL_20240228_171949259.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie slept next to me at the table for another day...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaf_h42avwWJnqGZO7QZXq107TpvY74hZuoExOw0hyadvBcGxALzqEOncrejD71fl1gaWe8V76yNqmq0OtEm-Z7jNZ2Y1KOPOHjN7nMCOKQ2qWxSNitxeDtgkSAj8ELdYNmKnoXIqvQGyn6X9_Qtdj6hvFPvg8OOcy57ha-w8TFR6usbkK6rye/s4080/PXL_20240225_195609558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaf_h42avwWJnqGZO7QZXq107TpvY74hZuoExOw0hyadvBcGxALzqEOncrejD71fl1gaWe8V76yNqmq0OtEm-Z7jNZ2Y1KOPOHjN7nMCOKQ2qWxSNitxeDtgkSAj8ELdYNmKnoXIqvQGyn6X9_Qtdj6hvFPvg8OOcy57ha-w8TFR6usbkK6rye/s320/PXL_20240225_195609558.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...but then she decided that it was too light and noisy in the kitchen so she moved back to her favorite spot to sleep the day away...every day since the blizzard--lol! And she does really conk out and relax in the darkened bedroom. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9vX25wbj6sSJGee0zFg-uaYEH91GoOgTI_q40GS0ZbKS2Y1lk8TeBgWAS3ju1I-w9dNBwr8BqugYBHAGWrOKnYQY8m0a-DQBOx8OK1cja_REmTRhJm1fvBuAZqADVRGOjbWSqUumxs0LwghI8PVFIH-CrNYXvundqSETL7T2RTij6HYiwu55/s4080/PXL_20240301_182821638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9vX25wbj6sSJGee0zFg-uaYEH91GoOgTI_q40GS0ZbKS2Y1lk8TeBgWAS3ju1I-w9dNBwr8BqugYBHAGWrOKnYQY8m0a-DQBOx8OK1cja_REmTRhJm1fvBuAZqADVRGOjbWSqUumxs0LwghI8PVFIH-CrNYXvundqSETL7T2RTij6HYiwu55/s320/PXL_20240301_182821638.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have done laundry and used the table to fold clothes and towels right there in front of her...and she barely opens an eyeball. It's her peaceful haven. I don't spoil it for her by talking to her at all when I'm in there. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I hope she finds a spot like that somewhere after we move. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The rest of the week--I worked on coloring the birthday cards. It looked like this for three days in my kitchen.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vmnydkiNxbiOIcmr4oIkSTUPt4qku29vrgTl0Wv9vlbd3CLz6AN2viO7SnFLoOOy-6MVzg64u0PUm2LnioecTtCCdGrN_zI7OZ8SnhkxNBfNl8HfFyXIq9_Evpa8e5ur0Rysc3KA0fO-UNBfUsTkNObEiNa-RmFh-Wqb8sco-3fBlDuXmns-/s4080/PXL_20240301_212452912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vmnydkiNxbiOIcmr4oIkSTUPt4qku29vrgTl0Wv9vlbd3CLz6AN2viO7SnFLoOOy-6MVzg64u0PUm2LnioecTtCCdGrN_zI7OZ8SnhkxNBfNl8HfFyXIq9_Evpa8e5ur0Rysc3KA0fO-UNBfUsTkNObEiNa-RmFh-Wqb8sco-3fBlDuXmns-/s320/PXL_20240301_212452912.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I rotated colors for certain parts of the stamps and colored them assembly line fashion...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaahC_gSQj7Ta49O3FtWEjzkaiynrEuKSLnFhSGq3qFYSg_nS1-UYB9oGs4IR-fPI_L53bhkcBPv5Zeh50Bg8u2PbxiSd5btrI50WSRBBKz_uzYFrt756RphZyUvmlHHqK671u2T85FkztMAPnMsddqSybH2fvf3_3G1Wgqqfr__Y_wKXEl0K/s4080/PXL_20240301_212509314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaahC_gSQj7Ta49O3FtWEjzkaiynrEuKSLnFhSGq3qFYSg_nS1-UYB9oGs4IR-fPI_L53bhkcBPv5Zeh50Bg8u2PbxiSd5btrI50WSRBBKz_uzYFrt756RphZyUvmlHHqK671u2T85FkztMAPnMsddqSybH2fvf3_3G1Wgqqfr__Y_wKXEl0K/s320/PXL_20240301_212509314.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...so none of the cards have the exact same color pallet. I finished them all while watching YouTube videos. (Like the Goulet Pencast you can see on my laptop there...all chat about fountain pens.)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YxBn_w6RXhSNvy5HNFlUYIQXQmCutIFRgOq2nCqy65cIKB8vE-a8ISKomw2ELnhCV5hECfyrWwpQV_AxDQ0uT62IbIEa5DK_6YKmPM-iNc9Q0QYaqJcQaMGhrJTC2PSqonl6iMGdlRnDexEvpSRTr1kJH-q44QjfNZn4Y98DTPRFclxyfAe2/s4080/PXL_20240301_212518706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YxBn_w6RXhSNvy5HNFlUYIQXQmCutIFRgOq2nCqy65cIKB8vE-a8ISKomw2ELnhCV5hECfyrWwpQV_AxDQ0uT62IbIEa5DK_6YKmPM-iNc9Q0QYaqJcQaMGhrJTC2PSqonl6iMGdlRnDexEvpSRTr1kJH-q44QjfNZn4Y98DTPRFclxyfAe2/s320/PXL_20240301_212518706.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It did warm up by Wednesday, as they predicted. So--we are right back to brown grass, as you can see. Almost 50 again today. Bizarre!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluJspabDnY5oUQ89JBgEwej34i2VyNICk4J4ETuOLdGs657tWL_cl9tDL0qF9ZDXYhfDUlWEGd9BHCb7ib4VqCPAkmlrn4peW27qhoiTonJAnOO52utp_tyW5gICG9lhyUazb_N0x-DdMA3wzVPI8BY3MASjRF4e9BPhygGSPtZDczJbjjocN/s4080/PXL_20240303_184457337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluJspabDnY5oUQ89JBgEwej34i2VyNICk4J4ETuOLdGs657tWL_cl9tDL0qF9ZDXYhfDUlWEGd9BHCb7ib4VqCPAkmlrn4peW27qhoiTonJAnOO52utp_tyW5gICG9lhyUazb_N0x-DdMA3wzVPI8BY3MASjRF4e9BPhygGSPtZDczJbjjocN/s320/PXL_20240303_184457337.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have been enjoying my peaceful weeks with no pressure to finish purging and packing. Been baking, cooking, doing laundry, tweaking my rollie carts, puttering, writing letters, and grateful I didn't catch what McFamily (and so many others) have been plagued with this winter. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I got a few pics from back on February 24th...one of the times when they thought they were all getting better. This cold/cough/flu whatever people call it (but not covid) just hangs on and on. I think since Leah also did get covid on top of this she is taking a long time to heal. She had bronchitis, too, along with the sinus infection. Ended up back at the walk-in clinic Friday after work. Her bronchitis is gone but the sinus infection is still a problem. Another round of anti-biotics for her. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah has had asthma since she was little. It hadn't been a problem for years, but the smoke from Canada set it off this past summer...and asthma may have something to do with it taking longer for her to shake this. But Ian is still coughing some, too. Liam still has the head congestion but is getting better. Dagan is doing okay--thank goodness. They need to all get well! Dagan has his surgery in one week.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, the frustrating thing about this cold is that you might feel better for a while and then feel worse again...in cycles. Plus it can turn into bronchitis or pneumonia or sinus infection. I keep hearing of people being sick for weeks and months with it...all over the US at least. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, as I was saying--these pictures are from when they felt better back in February.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKbzsxX4PzR7s-yLzj_bJkkpmHXMh69jCte6wwfyJiDkTuCzqzYLkt_kKKugSbtx6XhoVOIUovkocplwUlq87tJ9JzfC829lt2hsTC-9cpXeiGuJceSiuvi4dNDY8yJOOBeOF53ucs85a51bcnt4537pd8u_S480IDkeLkEAn8mzySM_4MYZF/s4080/PXL_20240224_030745717.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKbzsxX4PzR7s-yLzj_bJkkpmHXMh69jCte6wwfyJiDkTuCzqzYLkt_kKKugSbtx6XhoVOIUovkocplwUlq87tJ9JzfC829lt2hsTC-9cpXeiGuJceSiuvi4dNDY8yJOOBeOF53ucs85a51bcnt4537pd8u_S480IDkeLkEAn8mzySM_4MYZF/s320/PXL_20240224_030745717.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They had been to Kobe's Japanese restaurant. They have a great Koi pond!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGEWoVwx3HN4h4sIpxJQQfp-q7QX-iUnd1osmdkgAI4uQ9667ZEkYc4c1bDyLSXLh3LGyz8PNSiOqchCuq21TbpF_tO08sRbg3VgMnCsBxpEK14nEgZGsHpH2VXixCoytGm492diLLG5V61Vd4loXwRXxkMMSrW5Bmrvj4a3itPAHmWZl6h0l/s4080/PXL_20240224_030811189.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGEWoVwx3HN4h4sIpxJQQfp-q7QX-iUnd1osmdkgAI4uQ9667ZEkYc4c1bDyLSXLh3LGyz8PNSiOqchCuq21TbpF_tO08sRbg3VgMnCsBxpEK14nEgZGsHpH2VXixCoytGm492diLLG5V61Vd4loXwRXxkMMSrW5Bmrvj4a3itPAHmWZl6h0l/s320/PXL_20240224_030811189.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here's a selfie of Leah, Ian, and Liam in the living room by their picture window...showing our brown winter.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ts0AkAL5GWtKPWlu26Fj7R_byl8y1X-Gep8KrSo42jLR52QNfBI32btzLIe6AI6N4XEFULO4_d0w7hr8HeRflNWhj7w8TZ7URxnR08TGbMCAluXFnR4ezLkIZLX2_TiWghrREejx3PT1qKpuLMf1BijfSwvMwpKbX8ryB__D-MqSMP9t5WQT/s3840/PXL_20240224_155300671.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ts0AkAL5GWtKPWlu26Fj7R_byl8y1X-Gep8KrSo42jLR52QNfBI32btzLIe6AI6N4XEFULO4_d0w7hr8HeRflNWhj7w8TZ7URxnR08TGbMCAluXFnR4ezLkIZLX2_TiWghrREejx3PT1qKpuLMf1BijfSwvMwpKbX8ryB__D-MqSMP9t5WQT/s320/PXL_20240224_155300671.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Liam working diligently on making something--can't recall what this is called or what he makes with it (bracelet?)--but you use small rubber bands and weave them together, I believe. He was very intent on his project.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP-_wNY4Cs__a1R4u-nNir0OVGAnRVsSc1XBujz4GxHGcx8XfKLjPAxluQLcqVrF2OG5VNy2GPyxyUDiEUY4pXlMSKc-xo_6LdfGoLGJmt0_I8vNqqbVcgGCzjXIdn3okeXjYSmKHtwVY95Cdoa98jBEjva1FjR7rP7OmaP8ELLaZy_b67i2V/s4080/PXL_20240225_233607278.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP-_wNY4Cs__a1R4u-nNir0OVGAnRVsSc1XBujz4GxHGcx8XfKLjPAxluQLcqVrF2OG5VNy2GPyxyUDiEUY4pXlMSKc-xo_6LdfGoLGJmt0_I8vNqqbVcgGCzjXIdn3okeXjYSmKHtwVY95Cdoa98jBEjva1FjR7rP7OmaP8ELLaZy_b67i2V/s320/PXL_20240225_233607278.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, that's about it from here. Hopefully McFamily will all feel lots better by the end of the week. They're on the mend and Leah is on another round of anti-biotics. Me? I don't have any plans at the moment but to work on letters, do the usual household chores (and grateful that I can do them pretty easily now--whoohoo!), and hopefully do something extra this week. Not sure what that might be yet. It is just wonderful not to be feeling every day like I am behind the eight-ball, as they say. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Have you had crazy weather? Do you or anyone you know have this crazy cold/cough/flu thing? (I do know a few of you have.) Do you have plans for the week? Till next time... </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">*hugs from Fargo*</span></span></p></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-40242846822315640092024-02-26T05:00:00.001-06:002024-02-26T05:00:00.136-06:00February 26, 2024 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Good morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">If it is a sunny one, I hope you are enjoying it as much as Miss Allie is. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAgwHvpEhlz9NnSijKpRKX7MADDYzyn6QTXFsn1CRxStVneNWoJoQRry6BwEgunQ8SIAJmiHupsU2zO9txXWueTXKOZCiZC7OickOCcyMBMJijocuWv7dNrHDBQu_axDoB_2fB_jcxjySSqRcf6X3meLVTuxl5Bwt5DQctv_23J_f_6jcIzV8/s4080/PXL_20240219_173344811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAgwHvpEhlz9NnSijKpRKX7MADDYzyn6QTXFsn1CRxStVneNWoJoQRry6BwEgunQ8SIAJmiHupsU2zO9txXWueTXKOZCiZC7OickOCcyMBMJijocuWv7dNrHDBQu_axDoB_2fB_jcxjySSqRcf6X3meLVTuxl5Bwt5DQctv_23J_f_6jcIzV8/s320/PXL_20240219_173344811.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">She's my chunky monkey! Karma was a fat cat, too. I had one other chunky cat years ago whose name was Chakra. Chakra and Allie refused/refuse to eat anything but dry cat food. No canned food or people food, either. Miss Karma ate both dry and canned cat foods and a very tiny little select bit of people food. They never seemed to eat in excess. Probably genetics. Some of us are born to be chunky. Like me--lol!</span><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, <b>Monday</b> was Presidents Day. Dagan and Leah were off work and the boys were off school, so they did some grocery shopping while the plumbers were working at the house. Liam had an appointment with his speech therapist in the afternoon. They asked Ian if he wanted to stay here with me. Yes! So Ian and I had a few hours of a Gramma Day!! He showed me how he could draw 2D shapes vs 3D shapes. I let him try out some mechanical pencils and a couple types of erasers from Gramma's drawing supplies. We measured my apartment in comparison to my new one. (Tape measures are such fun for boys but scare cats--lol!) Finally Ian introduced me to a new cartoon show he likes where the kids have dragons. Was a fun afternoon!</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> Tuesday</b> Keanna came to clean. I did more cooking and baking and laundry. But every day I have been up at the table and this wasn't a one-off for Allie!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi3L3bnYj886vyFTJrUdu6hVADkvlmkqzUJNYy4nFgZjb8FFGPVNIW9ciffhcc_2WsAJ7KUdFf6ZlzWs83fX2Z0aNbLY-TTlyPrkDDXFxAIns2iVkA52wurzEjjng8o2JNbQ_oeo9fQvkgvwQuions1MDPIFMk23o9MZMiewet28yGssfPVjx/s4080/PXL_20240219_182838605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi3L3bnYj886vyFTJrUdu6hVADkvlmkqzUJNYy4nFgZjb8FFGPVNIW9ciffhcc_2WsAJ7KUdFf6ZlzWs83fX2Z0aNbLY-TTlyPrkDDXFxAIns2iVkA52wurzEjjng8o2JNbQ_oeo9fQvkgvwQuions1MDPIFMk23o9MZMiewet28yGssfPVjx/s320/PXL_20240219_182838605.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie is up next to me every day.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfnqUg6DmJkO2oV5gPkYXv-Ou-NIlt-nt1rbcjZgBEpOUN0Jh68c-ZK1rmB4UW-WQi38GlKUUGx3hnfBvx7rQd3hSSd7DR3yTsEewtiSzJpbDKaKVGttvHoSUtvkvgyTOwqcppJtqP1g8fQ7cndunLnQucZFAySmnSXplZKYHWAcdXrmBxZ3g/s4080/PXL_20240221_174835751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfnqUg6DmJkO2oV5gPkYXv-Ou-NIlt-nt1rbcjZgBEpOUN0Jh68c-ZK1rmB4UW-WQi38GlKUUGx3hnfBvx7rQd3hSSd7DR3yTsEewtiSzJpbDKaKVGttvHoSUtvkvgyTOwqcppJtqP1g8fQ7cndunLnQucZFAySmnSXplZKYHWAcdXrmBxZ3g/s320/PXL_20240221_174835751.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Totally relaxed and sawing logs after while.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UYuC4D08Prf8zpRGJnW9uF8XIrdyF4B6SZs8orGYNFj02GgaGSwTlSFYWSmQMQWBlHQLVAvc4ORVDrZtFjVAfrHu7mi3_G7h13piKRyuDzqLNaZbjJHWhF1FWRYzNEIOhApa-eZiqmgsSjH0_WcrTSfdAL5FC0YtZm_-Ksn25HLrlA3WT65l/s4080/PXL_20240221_194813936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UYuC4D08Prf8zpRGJnW9uF8XIrdyF4B6SZs8orGYNFj02GgaGSwTlSFYWSmQMQWBlHQLVAvc4ORVDrZtFjVAfrHu7mi3_G7h13piKRyuDzqLNaZbjJHWhF1FWRYzNEIOhApa-eZiqmgsSjH0_WcrTSfdAL5FC0YtZm_-Ksn25HLrlA3WT65l/s320/PXL_20240221_194813936.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Happy cat. Happy house. ;)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJ2592SIU3svO9lWM9VJqA5Vgp_vgr9HfNdJAhBFU-_4EPSieu3ADdW3vdwaJAKgFVs7LfIMrLPBgE58AuSibv5h6xEIkUjXADYbOdEFYXimwR7zvrDiyr65UmJ2WuVEC54C9qE2Gsvj5nKVnhlVxuzHrdIVhsH4rEmBjliWJUcScj5uIN1KU/s4080/PXL_20240221_195308196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJ2592SIU3svO9lWM9VJqA5Vgp_vgr9HfNdJAhBFU-_4EPSieu3ADdW3vdwaJAKgFVs7LfIMrLPBgE58AuSibv5h6xEIkUjXADYbOdEFYXimwR7zvrDiyr65UmJ2WuVEC54C9qE2Gsvj5nKVnhlVxuzHrdIVhsH4rEmBjliWJUcScj5uIN1KU/s320/PXL_20240221_195308196.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Something has been making a nest in one of my planters. Pretty good sized. A partridge? A rabbit? I'm kind of thinking a rabbit. But it could be the two partridges I still see coming to eat, I suppose. If they are brave enough to try to spend the night here. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa-J-gIo-cdZBnjMjq-saWFveFOsfYQ72fsoC4iwFfgZ4ElL_wb23Z7KDsJupOjMwb3Y4fyKuOVvi_gnAxYrsk4fCyGctjHJ8Vqq1guKQkAORzs2oPIVwdEBIKpUCMXcDQODaD_PxaPH9qt5XaNa-g2da92fKfr8uEoktb6JyL3gikRbEOUNX/s4080/PXL_20240222_170313950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa-J-gIo-cdZBnjMjq-saWFveFOsfYQ72fsoC4iwFfgZ4ElL_wb23Z7KDsJupOjMwb3Y4fyKuOVvi_gnAxYrsk4fCyGctjHJ8Vqq1guKQkAORzs2oPIVwdEBIKpUCMXcDQODaD_PxaPH9qt5XaNa-g2da92fKfr8uEoktb6JyL3gikRbEOUNX/s320/PXL_20240222_170313950.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I've only caught a glimpse of the two partridges together. As you may have noticed, no pics of partridges the past couple of weeks. I am kind of afraid they are off nesting somewhere. I've not seen the bigger covey of six. Only the two that come together. Last year there were the two that came all the time and never disappeared to nest. I figured they were kind of the left-overs--lol! Two boys or two girls that didn't have mates. I only see the two come, but one of them is the limper so I know it is the same two. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They very often are coming when it is too dark to get pictures anymore. I hope they don't all think it is spring and are off nesting in February! Who knows? And it is always possible with this crazy spring weather that they could be right and I am wrong...but I think we could still have snow any old time. Not sure how things are supposed to go in a brown winter with no snow to speak of.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The plumbers were there working for three days and they were done, too! Well, like the electricians, as done as they can be before the drywall is finished. Then they'll be coming back to finish things off...both the electricians and the plumber/HVAC folks.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have some pictures. They're nothing pretty yet, of course, but it is exciting to me to see what's been done. This is the water hook-ups from the kitchen that run behind where the washer and dryer will go in the maintenance room/my laundry room--under the stairs.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFtAg5Y6ShaUYvsB-Jg78vDjvgpdyTsomUKs24FQfoAc3rRt3HWucF6eVyIp-vxNlvxwki-fhtwO6eCJqy0b5b1vCtKaFRZ_qDRMndpheIhwu0doG5Lyh_Y2_08vu3PSDjPqCxlrrw19jPl8fWqvV6_JXqUvU3Ac7vPL-RnlFAjI8QRy4JMPg/s4080/PXL_20240221_002753837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFtAg5Y6ShaUYvsB-Jg78vDjvgpdyTsomUKs24FQfoAc3rRt3HWucF6eVyIp-vxNlvxwki-fhtwO6eCJqy0b5b1vCtKaFRZ_qDRMndpheIhwu0doG5Lyh_Y2_08vu3PSDjPqCxlrrw19jPl8fWqvV6_JXqUvU3Ac7vPL-RnlFAjI8QRy4JMPg/s320/PXL_20240221_002753837.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">From the other side you can see where the dryer vent is. The cats will have to learn to go along under those pipes to get from my laundry room to their cat boxes and the rest of the house. Will Allie be brave enough? I know Blink will be.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdwooNlzQc-vu5i89hCorP2eRmBmDx6081_Kr2TN1NpD86oGZtsix8cwHojVM_iHVI51nUCWTpcDUT5dQ0rSBNyWZCKqo6HW32JOE7FqW8bfqS5gXIUyocqLDTrC8ztsRvlmKWxK2a3NYWP6s7YWgk9wZxZfR93HGSVHQt82ql1noJFDBh4kt/s4080/PXL_20240221_002931087.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdwooNlzQc-vu5i89hCorP2eRmBmDx6081_Kr2TN1NpD86oGZtsix8cwHojVM_iHVI51nUCWTpcDUT5dQ0rSBNyWZCKqo6HW32JOE7FqW8bfqS5gXIUyocqLDTrC8ztsRvlmKWxK2a3NYWP6s7YWgk9wZxZfR93HGSVHQt82ql1noJFDBh4kt/s320/PXL_20240221_002931087.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My shower walls and floor are in!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JMicQpLz3snnOjsy_RSYQq6DxYdTTgpsXb7iFRlFhyrs1yODiFGWlUbWp-EyWY8wOgzFExZ4ylsvHU0rIe2zBvGIYVJi1Me7-I0cYb9Gd6wEL6gRNI2ojx0DYmxML4T7jdimS7sqd9MbRxSMPhVkXYSdCmvKYBckWAnv1nA7KvuFBF5Tdg8p/s4080/PXL_20240222_045128454.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JMicQpLz3snnOjsy_RSYQq6DxYdTTgpsXb7iFRlFhyrs1yODiFGWlUbWp-EyWY8wOgzFExZ4ylsvHU0rIe2zBvGIYVJi1Me7-I0cYb9Gd6wEL6gRNI2ojx0DYmxML4T7jdimS7sqd9MbRxSMPhVkXYSdCmvKYBckWAnv1nA7KvuFBF5Tdg8p/s320/PXL_20240222_045128454.MP.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Doesn't look like much yet, but I think it is very pretty fake tile.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclqh3-kDlX46QBzI7drGlv4Lp5U5ae2FoKe0FSjw72Zyg4S2Bwm_VApYqAn6II3P9GBsSV-l9MpUHHGxed6XFa4YvhOwjcwPLpc4gyJ9QXlcnj2239KjNR0e_YyHyAXklYOTG4hI1BsuFAoEZvNV05EzYdOE-or1lELSIkeR2CBmZ3VnVEH4G/s4080/PXL_20240222_045144133.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclqh3-kDlX46QBzI7drGlv4Lp5U5ae2FoKe0FSjw72Zyg4S2Bwm_VApYqAn6II3P9GBsSV-l9MpUHHGxed6XFa4YvhOwjcwPLpc4gyJ9QXlcnj2239KjNR0e_YyHyAXklYOTG4hI1BsuFAoEZvNV05EzYdOE-or1lELSIkeR2CBmZ3VnVEH4G/s320/PXL_20240222_045144133.MP.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Behind the right side of the shower--the wall that is shared with my studio.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TmPFa0ulNwYG0VPLzzcPr2IMAT3o8ioYMLSUKhtykoFeG7SJxYk37nxgt_4r8dQJHGdk1VIPjtZ9dfgNImitSrbRVZf6JExQty6DuRnb-ax_ey3KGmLrPSxgJE4uYPfU41ROtZJGcPLpWADjV_TZ0oCkJQEDhRcanEDlmAlY2S3RlI7N6nNn/s4080/PXL_20240222_045157626.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TmPFa0ulNwYG0VPLzzcPr2IMAT3o8ioYMLSUKhtykoFeG7SJxYk37nxgt_4r8dQJHGdk1VIPjtZ9dfgNImitSrbRVZf6JExQty6DuRnb-ax_ey3KGmLrPSxgJE4uYPfU41ROtZJGcPLpWADjV_TZ0oCkJQEDhRcanEDlmAlY2S3RlI7N6nNn/s320/PXL_20240222_045157626.MP.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There were all kinds of pictures of stuff in the ceiling--lol! Metal tubes, silver crinkly tubes...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGrleP11ePKEOic89Zfm-q9IO7r9fRO2mTeNALEQum5IAvFXvJ2CvPM_E7a8_ZV7wFzYHWbKPOhvsewA4GDLACSubUufl3Ydw1mi68GtQOlVQcnR7D5Du7jYpydsPkh5EEwIfDayqL2eA6I8dRDXar-8eqjbdTRCN-fiJyUk4nKaUCpiFfHpc/s4080/PXL_20240222_045223203.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGrleP11ePKEOic89Zfm-q9IO7r9fRO2mTeNALEQum5IAvFXvJ2CvPM_E7a8_ZV7wFzYHWbKPOhvsewA4GDLACSubUufl3Ydw1mi68GtQOlVQcnR7D5Du7jYpydsPkh5EEwIfDayqL2eA6I8dRDXar-8eqjbdTRCN-fiJyUk4nKaUCpiFfHpc/s320/PXL_20240222_045223203.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...white tubes, grey tubes...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAomkAQo6uqKR6HYYSenXK6Bo-YC5460tWTQXGQAFPozIvhfKBpzko5ppYD1GHF-AoA2uoECWTgq7peCt8ppUD_XcQ4ktMlWgDCeUlge-byFCylX9_KMvxG59iN9JvmjMdMYf48o8B1oFKhaAPYpiFew0AMhWUMGLd8iq4MMhwrcjhtpvSaK2y/s4080/PXL_20240222_045252686.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAomkAQo6uqKR6HYYSenXK6Bo-YC5460tWTQXGQAFPozIvhfKBpzko5ppYD1GHF-AoA2uoECWTgq7peCt8ppUD_XcQ4ktMlWgDCeUlge-byFCylX9_KMvxG59iN9JvmjMdMYf48o8B1oFKhaAPYpiFew0AMhWUMGLd8iq4MMhwrcjhtpvSaK2y/s320/PXL_20240222_045252686.MP.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and vents.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTWVlUtyiP7TCFul1WP-lhJb2_RwU_-bIIR5v_hdXSBZ90hBUHd0COXD6Hyh5m3XFo6-2w-SPY0Fc0SDeqOYMrFMMzMmqpqsDq5DTg4oVi3t1tdLhUpIvKuFHHkZGKDJc3LploT3FxAO44nun-vYblpkAdRff4LcvYngtHkr4tNLaRrdmBA4A/s4080/PXL_20240222_045320078.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTWVlUtyiP7TCFul1WP-lhJb2_RwU_-bIIR5v_hdXSBZ90hBUHd0COXD6Hyh5m3XFo6-2w-SPY0Fc0SDeqOYMrFMMzMmqpqsDq5DTg4oVi3t1tdLhUpIvKuFHHkZGKDJc3LploT3FxAO44nun-vYblpkAdRff4LcvYngtHkr4tNLaRrdmBA4A/s320/PXL_20240222_045320078.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This shot is from the living room looking at the wall where the kitchenette will be. The doorway to the left will be my apartment door. The doorway to the right goes into the maintenance/laundry room. The washer and dryer will be tucked under the stairs. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5WeFZ6Uz8slD76Xwhi7icDuiWRZCd5ddLZ2TEJne0T7JCcl5AFRoc-3GxaXlCssRfCkYeTybZ69vKfR2QSW-GNqMDTVpkT2v71RZw2WmnXBZysOisJ-ArM6kNMN3YKJ-wEWyhsacdXmVaQucg7ikr3RB2wpqe2sSlCAvzNRCZNCwDvW4bvQ4/s4080/PXL_20240222_045342879.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5WeFZ6Uz8slD76Xwhi7icDuiWRZCd5ddLZ2TEJne0T7JCcl5AFRoc-3GxaXlCssRfCkYeTybZ69vKfR2QSW-GNqMDTVpkT2v71RZw2WmnXBZysOisJ-ArM6kNMN3YKJ-wEWyhsacdXmVaQucg7ikr3RB2wpqe2sSlCAvzNRCZNCwDvW4bvQ4/s320/PXL_20240222_045342879.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So--lots getting done. Next will be the drywall people, I think. I haven't heard from Leah about when they might be scheduled. We're working around the dates we just got for Dagan's pacemaker replacement surgery (March 11-12) down in Minneapolis. They decided to just do the replacement and not the open-heart surgery to replace the leads and move his pacemaker pocket to his chest. Glad.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dagan hasn't had major heart surgery for like 30 years! Pacemaker replacements and minor surgery, but no open-heart surgery. Since it is kind of a mystery to his cardiologists as to why he has done so well all this time (was never expected to live in the first place--lol!)...well, kind of feels good to leave well enough alone for as long as possible, you know?</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He got his first pacemaker when he was about 12 after a life-saving surgery that his heart wasn't crazy about cooperating with how they had altered it once again. Barely beating at all--too weak and tired to sit up. So, he had another surgery to have a pacemaker installed. He was so young that they couldn't put it under the skin on his chest. They had to put the pocket down under his rib cage in his abdomen--where it's been ever since. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Those two surgeries really did change his life! He'd never been well more than two months in a row for 12 years. He got to be more like a regular kid after that. (Not that I didn't treat him like one.) But after the pacemaker when he ran a fever...he just ran a fever. He didn't turn blue/gray and become semi-conscious (because he went into crazy arrythmias) until I could get his fever down. We'd laugh about how much easier it was for him to be sick when he did get sick after that. He could go months and months without catching something or another. Usually respiratory illnesses. It was a whole new world.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">His last pacemaker replacement was only about two years ago, but his battery is dying already. Pacemakers usually last more like 8-10 years. Which means the leads are probably getting old and shot. And when they cut his pacemaker pocket open last time there was so much scar tissue...he didn't even bleed. Which is why they will need to move the pacemaker pocket to his chest one day. They didn't think that cut would heal up last time, but it did. We're hoping they can super glue him back together this time, too. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So...any good wishes or prayers in Dagan's direction would be appreciated. If anyone is a proponent of prayer and healing thoughts and energy sent, I am. Dagan is living proof. (I think recently I may even be living proof, for that matter--thank you all.) We are hoping everything will go smoothly...and maybe this pacemaker will last longer than they expect. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, meanwhile...</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You'll laugh! Best laid plans...again. I keep thinking I am going to get finished with the birthday cards...well, I did get the envelopes all stamped and addressed, but still don't have the cards colored. So they are still not finished--lol! Other projects keep bumping them down on my to-do list. You know my to-do list has to be pretty short and I have to reevaluate priorities every day. Well, since I can now get up to the table for a length of time every day...reorganizing my rollie carts jumped up higher on the list.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijZ7TayznkivtHxyUlsT5Wyhs2Lw5CyW79FG0kYNTBtqV2vU4zYLj3fI06vpId4oEq9WYWftNaTN84zFplSznMib_i6xSVHLkUpL6QjuYOCsejHtUE_xjYD704oyFYfzwc1kss5etWRMoq7N4Al45eYG5iPfQnzbET5tsamZMqpj2BRWSNS-r/s4080/PXL_20240225_195727080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijZ7TayznkivtHxyUlsT5Wyhs2Lw5CyW79FG0kYNTBtqV2vU4zYLj3fI06vpId4oEq9WYWftNaTN84zFplSznMib_i6xSVHLkUpL6QjuYOCsejHtUE_xjYD704oyFYfzwc1kss5etWRMoq7N4Al45eYG5iPfQnzbET5tsamZMqpj2BRWSNS-r/s320/PXL_20240225_195727080.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I've been moving letter writing and journaling supplies over on to these two rollie carts off the kitchen. Doing things like testing all these old VersaMagic chalk ink pads was one of them I just finished on Sunday. They used to fill this container, but a lot of the ones I used most often and the lighter ones were too dried up. No refill inks for these little cats-eye pads, either. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aTGXFYK4cUFjavYrMZ4cRuCdMZH6rG3ZyePR64CGdJWvcgSmYUp5be2yNdAbBw9xESPO1hRw2rggY_upU7dALprtNCuwF73jC2RZWX513u79HY0THyBjQiPz0zpfOY2zA9PptNbp1Y_4L2UrdKuhQep3H3syT0sk8EZ6oex9kd0-YLAsAJVJ/s4080/PXL_20240225_200352809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aTGXFYK4cUFjavYrMZ4cRuCdMZH6rG3ZyePR64CGdJWvcgSmYUp5be2yNdAbBw9xESPO1hRw2rggY_upU7dALprtNCuwF73jC2RZWX513u79HY0THyBjQiPz0zpfOY2zA9PptNbp1Y_4L2UrdKuhQep3H3syT0sk8EZ6oex9kd0-YLAsAJVJ/s320/PXL_20240225_200352809.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They are the best for stamping in letters and journals because they don't bleed through the paper. I bought them years before Covid and cancer--and they haven't been touched for probably close to four years. Let's say these do still work. But the ones that work the best are the darkest colors. I have a feeling more of them will be tossed as actually try to use them (out of frustration--lol!) but I was trying to save as many as I could. Actually was surprised any of them still worked, to be honest.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Little projects like that are what I have spent the week doing with any energy I have for "extras". Another one this week was making beef soup/stew in the crock pot again. (One of my favorites.) <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ofuHwXkkuDjYlxcRu25zCQcMWSB5XcEcbXiA-awjyCl4JWlIkmQefoDegjP-eYbdnY01-Y0pbth7m1fQN614kIr3jRJN1_8P9V9Yk-1pPPTX6xlZ4E9JfAy_lPfnprMGCU_ziNgIBCdJyopgDOuZrlGnP_hbb1gNP8l7ymwMzWtLYuB0UAZJ/s4080/PXL_20240225_195758973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ofuHwXkkuDjYlxcRu25zCQcMWSB5XcEcbXiA-awjyCl4JWlIkmQefoDegjP-eYbdnY01-Y0pbth7m1fQN614kIr3jRJN1_8P9V9Yk-1pPPTX6xlZ4E9JfAy_lPfnprMGCU_ziNgIBCdJyopgDOuZrlGnP_hbb1gNP8l7ymwMzWtLYuB0UAZJ/s320/PXL_20240225_195758973.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie has been wanting more time with me whenever I AM over in my chair now--ROFL!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7doCLCpD39aAd61jZQoJk6lE9t4VRbsbN9LtG7UJmo33RUe8xOSk1rHPEIW9IQ8EDn8v8CSkNLZATYgzo1E4Gj-cCy3ZE6pSXSm2iwW7v-8Xb0swc4KAayr7cuMPP4fhkaB4GXquQFbvXWZrV6E5n6uZ-llqA3OGMgcOK1sOnyAgWpoTEBZN/s4080/PXL_20240224_003248119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7doCLCpD39aAd61jZQoJk6lE9t4VRbsbN9LtG7UJmo33RUe8xOSk1rHPEIW9IQ8EDn8v8CSkNLZATYgzo1E4Gj-cCy3ZE6pSXSm2iwW7v-8Xb0swc4KAayr7cuMPP4fhkaB4GXquQFbvXWZrV6E5n6uZ-llqA3OGMgcOK1sOnyAgWpoTEBZN/s320/PXL_20240224_003248119.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And I am delighted that Allie is conked out next to me while I am typing here at the table.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxksj_UAgYEMrfUZnmleM_jmQ3UpMUDezspY63TZZJZ5mISFVqInvCVUWRNThwPFot-4ynHLNTvmNH1VM7mI10JAH86buVP_hRoUqPMYvEPCMYu545G72rGnlFCU9rBnTqCFGfKYvOsT1Sfq_5d_oB_SAocD9IEJ02eTyHK2fetxpYXu6LYtA/s4080/PXL_20240225_195609558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxksj_UAgYEMrfUZnmleM_jmQ3UpMUDezspY63TZZJZ5mISFVqInvCVUWRNThwPFot-4ynHLNTvmNH1VM7mI10JAH86buVP_hRoUqPMYvEPCMYu545G72rGnlFCU9rBnTqCFGfKYvOsT1Sfq_5d_oB_SAocD9IEJ02eTyHK2fetxpYXu6LYtA/s320/PXL_20240225_195609558.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">OMGoodness! Just looked on my phone. Predicted to be 61 degrees today--and snow showers tomorrow morning! Could get an inch of snow. What did I tell you--lol! Says will stay cold through Wednesday (below freezing) and then back into the 50s by Thursday! Just bizarre! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, have a really good week wherever you are and whatever the weather. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Just...thank you. Thank you. :)</span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-76282573767625114902024-02-19T05:00:00.001-06:002024-02-19T05:00:00.134-06:00February 19, 2024 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">First of all, the boys wanted to show me their Valentine boxes they worked so hard on.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDBsM3M8CzEjgCkwp8cduc6-Pbcm4iQeOltLF-TTbQ65qCQNsgcQhn9GcYwkrGZiCmWjvv6v5M_LZSFXR7lJoWIwlCzZQnw15KBvuLy-jwiDafxI9qmb7BcXW9Vmd3wKoTL_gXtMFxWzJNPaMPV3mmUYeJ_CDr04M8-Y63jCyKkR9uZGEZD0m/s4080/PXL_20240210_231650363.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDBsM3M8CzEjgCkwp8cduc6-Pbcm4iQeOltLF-TTbQ65qCQNsgcQhn9GcYwkrGZiCmWjvv6v5M_LZSFXR7lJoWIwlCzZQnw15KBvuLy-jwiDafxI9qmb7BcXW9Vmd3wKoTL_gXtMFxWzJNPaMPV3mmUYeJ_CDr04M8-Y63jCyKkR9uZGEZD0m/s320/PXL_20240210_231650363.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishBhyRlyUw_3Mbpe_idH9e4bAFVSEq0ye6lKZHG6GsKC7R1lnsEEOuna44aWfltkrZCLEgaxTS-HXgSGnwghey4_srSiLVdWo7friFXV4UiDziSzZGC8WTYTG__-EEYMy4C1hghtnUhlLs9P_bf0CTNJIFO_T0ipZn2zJXFIG3x4WNuNnkxPr/s4080/PXL_20240210_231658062.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishBhyRlyUw_3Mbpe_idH9e4bAFVSEq0ye6lKZHG6GsKC7R1lnsEEOuna44aWfltkrZCLEgaxTS-HXgSGnwghey4_srSiLVdWo7friFXV4UiDziSzZGC8WTYTG__-EEYMy4C1hghtnUhlLs9P_bf0CTNJIFO_T0ipZn2zJXFIG3x4WNuNnkxPr/s320/PXL_20240210_231658062.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPKGc_W-SwVKv48wVCatG82x6R90aR-JAfgsU6oTCGHkPFdQGZh8YRa4HR_2e6jkoP7cV1-QJ-VThwSAshyphenhyphenujSjmk7nuvZ7p8fH_5G7qiCIAmskfzn3l1VFG561aIN1s8hgLSbNW7jqtzjOYcJoxT21OvYG2nTv151wMNSgMIwrX8b09i44zH/s4080/PXL_20240210_231736760.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPKGc_W-SwVKv48wVCatG82x6R90aR-JAfgsU6oTCGHkPFdQGZh8YRa4HR_2e6jkoP7cV1-QJ-VThwSAshyphenhyphenujSjmk7nuvZ7p8fH_5G7qiCIAmskfzn3l1VFG561aIN1s8hgLSbNW7jqtzjOYcJoxT21OvYG2nTv151wMNSgMIwrX8b09i44zH/s320/PXL_20240210_231736760.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I loved that Liam wanted to make sure he showed me every single side of his Valentine Box.</span></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5pTk55YUV-r83xpRJ3Ew7zwuNLmnaLkDxB5PCY50HfO_c4in9jMRx8lHqWgj_yujLIYN1ae21BkxUElkWwfVQhPP5naSg6gNW7Ln0Fsga2JE4wmkhhkAmWUXj7qE4Yd_7XJZHCL47t4J0fCUgtuOvBfNMYp7V8I9LQbQZwVspJY9ojzjujPA/s4080/PXL_20240210_231146518.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5pTk55YUV-r83xpRJ3Ew7zwuNLmnaLkDxB5PCY50HfO_c4in9jMRx8lHqWgj_yujLIYN1ae21BkxUElkWwfVQhPP5naSg6gNW7Ln0Fsga2JE4wmkhhkAmWUXj7qE4Yd_7XJZHCL47t4J0fCUgtuOvBfNMYp7V8I9LQbQZwVspJY9ojzjujPA/s320/PXL_20240210_231146518.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCzudyQQFxNVQs1Ae71zRP60lpZAtfcWU6zXSzOdxPJfHJxspdaF-khzXZO5hg0HSaKSX360ZSaQyl0TUIrIWKjVodceOrYKNYjJBuDaqBdOeXgHLwyh0crbbJA-mHbFoifkLiIZ9v5W7eBkwTvbpxZjfQvz0-utcEOcXn21YSyPlowM3wRBq/s4080/PXL_20240210_231155528.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCzudyQQFxNVQs1Ae71zRP60lpZAtfcWU6zXSzOdxPJfHJxspdaF-khzXZO5hg0HSaKSX360ZSaQyl0TUIrIWKjVodceOrYKNYjJBuDaqBdOeXgHLwyh0crbbJA-mHbFoifkLiIZ9v5W7eBkwTvbpxZjfQvz0-utcEOcXn21YSyPlowM3wRBq/s320/PXL_20240210_231155528.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9iNZNd3prrd_uufKToG5H88EHM6q7YN8XS8_H9wJ22UfZAnRP-c3EM58cNxmceHgGof1t12zGIRk8rTOUjrWfM94WkpFMengZcs-n42U7l90t1qDZBA4XSszRxYmpkpjFzbQErMbUBt2ZtUS3wloPexHHghyphenhyphenEqzzXwr1O42cNR9FY964nrNw/s4080/PXL_20240210_231215976.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9iNZNd3prrd_uufKToG5H88EHM6q7YN8XS8_H9wJ22UfZAnRP-c3EM58cNxmceHgGof1t12zGIRk8rTOUjrWfM94WkpFMengZcs-n42U7l90t1qDZBA4XSszRxYmpkpjFzbQErMbUBt2ZtUS3wloPexHHghyphenhyphenEqzzXwr1O42cNR9FY964nrNw/s320/PXL_20240210_231215976.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe71M4KvX66tVrHTYUcE5LwxRvClYBLZ_mGGMW3aqylDPPN_Y6accG3T56OIM2IdgXcp5iXutHIUzCDliJPGqb5iaM0M95fC4u3uch_UwsuWxOaKY7D8XvpErCek-TbhThR7UW8mbKNIEdkcZmR3jx6Csz4_s4eiykWviGtlTxULIHuylxcIsf/s4080/PXL_20240210_231221827.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe71M4KvX66tVrHTYUcE5LwxRvClYBLZ_mGGMW3aqylDPPN_Y6accG3T56OIM2IdgXcp5iXutHIUzCDliJPGqb5iaM0M95fC4u3uch_UwsuWxOaKY7D8XvpErCek-TbhThR7UW8mbKNIEdkcZmR3jx6Csz4_s4eiykWviGtlTxULIHuylxcIsf/s320/PXL_20240210_231221827.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQVgFXaAT9b-PCWT-Fw8Niv4HFYvAo8JYlfagFVo4ymoDca7_1ML4qN9L9Tpfdq_mqb-Mruz0Z8NBzjU1tol-LiwrNObUyNyChzdaGhOwkATn4ockINwdo0HmjWtRMlnMF8M0W2YYymIdOWi8WtYjXxkt2QJgYP52NbcqpSqr9h6HtaRrtNFO/s4080/PXL_20240210_231236678.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQVgFXaAT9b-PCWT-Fw8Niv4HFYvAo8JYlfagFVo4ymoDca7_1ML4qN9L9Tpfdq_mqb-Mruz0Z8NBzjU1tol-LiwrNObUyNyChzdaGhOwkATn4ockINwdo0HmjWtRMlnMF8M0W2YYymIdOWi8WtYjXxkt2QJgYP52NbcqpSqr9h6HtaRrtNFO/s320/PXL_20240210_231236678.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He even had Mama make a little video to show me his secret buttons for opening and closing it--lol!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aTb7Uytdtvg" width="320" youtube-src-id="aTb7Uytdtvg"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Gramma loves those little videos. :)<br /></span><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The finished valentines looked like this on the front. The name of the classmate (covered with an eraser, of course) and then their signature. I am delighted that Ian is learning cursive! He is really enjoying it, Leah said. (I think Gramma needs to send him a card with a note inside--in cursive!)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLNZg0FtHnFjn4sMAYvjkp3WUPBR_nUCIYHWIGUCdpKZfLFQhiiPL9kiX1If9xg58yjt4ZjujrHuEX_B1I1O_F16WGClnf1dClSb5yidKENLa1JPWkXAlSQNBuVgjKaHtNEaFegpr7ZQ-3frQHxwrqMprQ_79M911L09goNtgh2wendoHfEU5/s4080/PXL_20240212_041631110.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLNZg0FtHnFjn4sMAYvjkp3WUPBR_nUCIYHWIGUCdpKZfLFQhiiPL9kiX1If9xg58yjt4ZjujrHuEX_B1I1O_F16WGClnf1dClSb5yidKENLa1JPWkXAlSQNBuVgjKaHtNEaFegpr7ZQ-3frQHxwrqMprQ_79M911L09goNtgh2wendoHfEU5/s320/PXL_20240212_041631110.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The backside seals with the little flaps.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFVQz7EZfeUV6U8WoKVLgtVIhFA4A7NVfVSvqnBYn6k3NqG0GmVF7rZ2GM1VjfICI2pNOL4Jc6XoNcDMwXTOe2fWSNYcYSrPIqSV-yjyV43KmqylZKtRbeq5PVd2hjtxEOkYKHuahYzRBJR79wjKfhf5zi4QoWFUC3sfRkwEMlOBHLz_pjOv1/s4080/PXL_20240212_041640662.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFVQz7EZfeUV6U8WoKVLgtVIhFA4A7NVfVSvqnBYn6k3NqG0GmVF7rZ2GM1VjfICI2pNOL4Jc6XoNcDMwXTOe2fWSNYcYSrPIqSV-yjyV43KmqylZKtRbeq5PVd2hjtxEOkYKHuahYzRBJR79wjKfhf5zi4QoWFUC3sfRkwEMlOBHLz_pjOv1/s320/PXL_20240212_041640662.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The card inside with the taped on crayon.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetnHJ6wLRPfcmDmVOi0FAhBIApA0TURwNPsBjCkYSgIU9M3W43ajPMdS5xAYXCX-PsH5Wplb467ZZ8lVie-EL65IaIq1sQkggsVK4bjetyIkngj2aG4gI6dZCSonQwXvZLr9kZR3rcVtZ059JLrXTTrMp4MbnXcWKh95LdnTRox9L0y-D_sji/s4080/PXL_20240212_041656511.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetnHJ6wLRPfcmDmVOi0FAhBIApA0TURwNPsBjCkYSgIU9M3W43ajPMdS5xAYXCX-PsH5Wplb467ZZ8lVie-EL65IaIq1sQkggsVK4bjetyIkngj2aG4gI6dZCSonQwXvZLr9kZR3rcVtZ059JLrXTTrMp4MbnXcWKh95LdnTRox9L0y-D_sji/s320/PXL_20240212_041656511.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They can remove the card and color on it.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXGSPEPW9knwmFQEq90_HsnRny5NcenkNI-KjycNN96S6K30hpl7wZcCLz8Wx-qYHtdrNeGhnZXipzcK7Re7jKu9__6_k4f1d9SatC4205LAgbTutzCQtWJPsDDyOO8tCfTiZAV4Ia2gn6Qqs53ODnYKJKUuJCPOb9jel6rupvyHploQVGomi/s4080/PXL_20240212_041707565.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXGSPEPW9knwmFQEq90_HsnRny5NcenkNI-KjycNN96S6K30hpl7wZcCLz8Wx-qYHtdrNeGhnZXipzcK7Re7jKu9__6_k4f1d9SatC4205LAgbTutzCQtWJPsDDyOO8tCfTiZAV4Ia2gn6Qqs53ODnYKJKUuJCPOb9jel6rupvyHploQVGomi/s320/PXL_20240212_041707565.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ian wants to try something else next year. (Who can blame a young man who is learning cursive, right?) Liam might want to do the crayons again. He's not sure. We have a long time before next Valentine's Day. And my studio will be available with all kinds of choices. ;)</span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, what a week! Leah got even worse. Ended up in the walk-in clinic again beginning of the week. She had a sinus infection. Got put on antibiotics. They had thought it was just this lingering cold/cough they all got--but Liam got worse, too. So they all went to the walk-in clinic...I think it was Wednesday night after work. Turned out Liam had sinus infection and an ear infection...and Dagan also had a sinus infection. No one but Leah ever had covid, though. Ian was okay--just the tail end of the cold/cough and nothing else. So, three of them are on antibiotics. Everybody is finally starting to get better. Goodness! They have been sick for weeks! What a winter they've had so far.</span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Myself? I have been just fine. (knock on wood) Just really taking it easy in low gear. I know that by spring things will pick up and be busier and busier, so I am kind of resting up before the move. ;) In fact, I realized that the only pictures I took all week were of Allie--lol! Some weeks I don't have any or almost forget her--but this week she is the star--lol!</span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">She has enjoyed being up on her chair again. I think she realized she could lie there and keep an eye on the birds--lol!</span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7VlTdUlOMPp79G5lV5MMiNTi07zwWdf-VZSOYwzBkMPL2Vvw4nQX5vVwvFTca3l4IXDeFBU4PzSaMwyaZZQc_gsLNPLhAg7qCjYRQqozGq_ngnjxjkQtNOqrn0ReiRdYrvqk-elKziJoEAFoWOCn1o2LehyphenhyphenU4GemQOI-hJ5obr3aSLZK5KLJ/s4080/PXL_20240211_202740823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7VlTdUlOMPp79G5lV5MMiNTi07zwWdf-VZSOYwzBkMPL2Vvw4nQX5vVwvFTca3l4IXDeFBU4PzSaMwyaZZQc_gsLNPLhAg7qCjYRQqozGq_ngnjxjkQtNOqrn0ReiRdYrvqk-elKziJoEAFoWOCn1o2LehyphenhyphenU4GemQOI-hJ5obr3aSLZK5KLJ/s320/PXL_20240211_202740823.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQdu41PkMlpgu2SaOxEH9Aw2-32R4BFCUU03mq4JKh_Z9ii3v5HJ2hRJUdo8o7R6oSDD49U0L4yHViiJMStjmvOlmeRjxiBU55ETMy7aL24iMvTlY1RjccS1-pF7JExaoOofArXeM44k4SdeeYdNsmxY7HW8U-MEjt9gqptpZSAba-IKhPs2A/s4080/PXL_20240211_202833699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQdu41PkMlpgu2SaOxEH9Aw2-32R4BFCUU03mq4JKh_Z9ii3v5HJ2hRJUdo8o7R6oSDD49U0L4yHViiJMStjmvOlmeRjxiBU55ETMy7aL24iMvTlY1RjccS1-pF7JExaoOofArXeM44k4SdeeYdNsmxY7HW8U-MEjt9gqptpZSAba-IKhPs2A/s320/PXL_20240211_202833699.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I was busy with all the usual puttering about...making food, doing laundry, dishes, bringing the trash out, wrote a couple of letters, and I even swept the patio again. Yes...in <i>February!</i> Were cold for a couple of days and now back to spring weather. Going to be in the 40s for over a week, they predict. Possibly low 50s! The snowstorms have gone out to the northeastern United States. I heard they could get near a foot of snow in places...and we have brown grass.</span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But Miss Allie is not used to me being up at the table here for periods of time every day. She started to pace around and cry...a lot more..this past week. Cats! She doesn't really enjoy change very much--lol! She hasn't liked me being up at the table for long periods of time, but this past week it was totally stressing her out.</span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You may remember back when I normally spent my days at the table and was up and about every day that both Karma and Annie would curl up in a chair with a cat bed on the top right next to my chair at the table. Well, Allie was not keen on that idea at all. I tried different chairs and different cat beds...no go.</span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Finally on Sunday I may have discovered the secret. The sound of me scraping a chair across the floor was a problem. She doesn't like loud noises...even more than Shy Annie!! Would run away. But when I picked the chair up and set it down gently...got her favorite bed with the hunk of old memory foam underneath from "her" chair...picked her up and put her in the bed...well, this time she stayed! You can see her ears are back. She wasn't feeling comfortable or happy...but she stayed. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yhsdkm47u_nxPu8NXwmA9QKbTVCkOHKWTVUQgClbrNbPyD6fZduLuAgPadBHp9zFffOiPpcZKT6YD8D3K4aMv933DPL8cDdQ89e9nV8sH9nbA-EevSdmIOaiT9maD1c0TQ6Y7mzJgXug2QQhfI_CUGui11Vrw0-IZqYajwA7hqXCKF1VnQd4/s4080/PXL_20240218_200912355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yhsdkm47u_nxPu8NXwmA9QKbTVCkOHKWTVUQgClbrNbPyD6fZduLuAgPadBHp9zFffOiPpcZKT6YD8D3K4aMv933DPL8cDdQ89e9nV8sH9nbA-EevSdmIOaiT9maD1c0TQ6Y7mzJgXug2QQhfI_CUGui11Vrw0-IZqYajwA7hqXCKF1VnQd4/s320/PXL_20240218_200912355.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;">Maybe she finally figured out all her crying and drama wasn't going to get me back in my big comfy chair in the living room where she thought I belonged. No loud scary chair scraping. It is a comfy cat bed, after all...and she wanted to be near me. I think she finally she gave up. I</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;">t took a good half an hour or so, </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;">but she relaxed...</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuOLsWcdGcdv0W7zjbVq6ecgvMu2eytTGJnrYw5ntfrkKhM_pmGY4ZeoUo0xw74zl4ypibpYCyQqh8I1_ehpUW5fDhbb4amqJrzosQS_FMy5FbioX6X0DuxdP0-XQmFBh_MwFQGz4GZqh-mKDAKrqkIjCisGCVMR72LFq5WQTSp3o8uMeE4ea/s4080/PXL_20240218_214109221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuOLsWcdGcdv0W7zjbVq6ecgvMu2eytTGJnrYw5ntfrkKhM_pmGY4ZeoUo0xw74zl4ypibpYCyQqh8I1_ehpUW5fDhbb4amqJrzosQS_FMy5FbioX6X0DuxdP0-XQmFBh_MwFQGz4GZqh-mKDAKrqkIjCisGCVMR72LFq5WQTSp3o8uMeE4ea/s320/PXL_20240218_214109221.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...completely. Sound asleep! Making dream noises--lol!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAP2519yt7cF-BPLKlHG78n7HpAU3JRkkuBqmRkch8MkhDON8YdAreQ9RpTQTbHAmnS-wd1Ofd0Fnkqh3K7SCNWsyKDqzthyphenhyphenRK8JTJJXQr2J9zcHCT5E_B8qadEKJtGJPZULJ4f2tMLlxAiAdwglimhvfLt03KPGKSS0LlX8sJfZOZTydbuoLC/s4080/PXL_20240219_000746616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAP2519yt7cF-BPLKlHG78n7HpAU3JRkkuBqmRkch8MkhDON8YdAreQ9RpTQTbHAmnS-wd1Ofd0Fnkqh3K7SCNWsyKDqzthyphenhyphenRK8JTJJXQr2J9zcHCT5E_B8qadEKJtGJPZULJ4f2tMLlxAiAdwglimhvfLt03KPGKSS0LlX8sJfZOZTydbuoLC/s320/PXL_20240219_000746616.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Now will this be a one-off? Who knows? I will do the same thing each day--lifting not scraping the chair across the floor, get the comfy bed, and hope for the best. Cats are so annoying when they pace and cry--lol! And it is so silly! Allie wouldn't normally even see me all day long because she'd usually be sleeping in the cat bed up on the table in the bedroom. I guess she just can't relax to sleep in there when I have changed my routine for the first time since she came here--lol! Got to keep an eye on her human. Maybe once she gets used to this new routine she'll be happy to sleep all day in the bedroom again, eh? So funny! Cats! They often make no sense at all. Gotta love'em.</span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, that's how the week went over here. Hopefully McFamily will be feeling lots better now this coming week. Already they're seeing improvements. <i>The plumbers are coming today!!</i> They think they might be able to finish in three days!? We'd be thrilled if they can finish this week. Keanna comes to clean on Tuesday. I am working on the birthday cards. The week will fly by, I expect.</span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;">What is the weather like your way? Is it pretty normal? Is February flying by for you, too? In this crazy world I am glad all I have to deal with is a weirded-out cat who wants to be near me because she thinks something is wrong with me because I am not acting like she expects me to--LOL! </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;">Hey, maybe that is why she came back to sleep more in the living room on her chair, too! Trying to figure out why I am not acting like she has been used to. She thought it would pass...but it hasn't...to the point she couldn't sleep and she started to pace and cry the last week when I was up at the table. Non-stop! Could be. My life is getting better and her life went to h-e-double-hockey-sticks. It is all perspective, right? ROFL!!</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Giggling up here in Fargo. Have a great week! Till next time...</span></span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-80275451265312735702024-02-12T05:00:00.001-06:002024-02-12T05:00:00.251-06:00February 12, 2024 Monday-5am<p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Good Morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, plans changed on my priority list. Since Leah was getting worse and was sicker than anyone else in the house and couldn't make it to work on Monday she went to the walk-in clinic Tuesday morning and discovered she had covid for the second time. They took the boys out of school and Dagan came home from work. Nobody else tested positive. Since she had been here and cut my hair on Thursday and she started getting noticeably sicker on Friday I tested myself, too. Negative. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-zqxBDwTC9Wp-FnyMn4MNsio8pBYQce8AqWs3uaJgElb8HzHHfwpYLJflmVTuDuWF20XU3qN3SD-lwlnHFCXel6R1-bRznCCY2ii_Lsm0TsmJbpKYsFi6fFVUYgvwQX404sy7SDipiCKYQAP5aXG3qfRiWldQxWDtYhF_TL1D3vn6RBYLFh7/s4080/PXL_20240206_174747644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-zqxBDwTC9Wp-FnyMn4MNsio8pBYQce8AqWs3uaJgElb8HzHHfwpYLJflmVTuDuWF20XU3qN3SD-lwlnHFCXel6R1-bRznCCY2ii_Lsm0TsmJbpKYsFi6fFVUYgvwQX404sy7SDipiCKYQAP5aXG3qfRiWldQxWDtYhF_TL1D3vn6RBYLFh7/s320/PXL_20240206_174747644.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Both Dagan and Leah can work from home, but Leah was too miserable to do that for a couple of days. I think they are all going to be back at work and school today now. But--meanwhile--Valentine's Day was descending upon the grade school whether Leah was sick or not--lol! So, plans changed. :)</span><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Those of you who have been around a long time would have seen the Valentine's Day heart crayons Leah and Ian made...was it four years ago? Before covid, anyways. I thought they were the most unique Valentines I had ever seen.</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Before Leah got really sick she had found some of the leftover envelopes from back then that Ian had used. He wanted to do the crayon hearts again...so that had been her plan...to come over and die cut out more envelopes for Ian and Liam.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tWKP6DwtqDWLABGaxHdf8EudBLWuH_dRHNk9WR_Qqlrh9LJ4mBU8TOATJSboYkRMhyf8ufNgn0MvZjmTDEt6nDH3pYu3V5ONwd0_wPenYHeTkUGd3xh_PrFNNMJJ8mOVuOfU1Tpw9b2VpLKxHatwZ0XNIDNgGw6ehQfOrjKabfRodDDeib3k/s4080/PXL_20240206_004329880.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tWKP6DwtqDWLABGaxHdf8EudBLWuH_dRHNk9WR_Qqlrh9LJ4mBU8TOATJSboYkRMhyf8ufNgn0MvZjmTDEt6nDH3pYu3V5ONwd0_wPenYHeTkUGd3xh_PrFNNMJJ8mOVuOfU1Tpw9b2VpLKxHatwZ0XNIDNgGw6ehQfOrjKabfRodDDeib3k/s320/PXL_20240206_004329880.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ian was fine with keeping to the pastel-colored ones he already had. Liam wanted yellow envelopes. Current favorite color, I think. ;) Luckily, I hadn't packed away any of my cardstock, so I had enough pastel cardstock for the rest of Ian's. </span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bXOOaDRk15DlO8lXJEcniGR4Pc5s8gOkt2OB5El9X46wsIgl8R1KzKU6BFiM6fdlpfL06cosyt_FmekpclFxIqxHRweHOn7JxhFCbTpIG-GsyuWFbTpIlF-eyuSNxJTDGOjuFXf2_n5yeLUAbORfI6CaxYfoc0z1HNBCpW_7HKEg-ESOcyds/s4080/PXL_20240206_003751453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bXOOaDRk15DlO8lXJEcniGR4Pc5s8gOkt2OB5El9X46wsIgl8R1KzKU6BFiM6fdlpfL06cosyt_FmekpclFxIqxHRweHOn7JxhFCbTpIG-GsyuWFbTpIlF-eyuSNxJTDGOjuFXf2_n5yeLUAbORfI6CaxYfoc0z1HNBCpW_7HKEg-ESOcyds/s320/PXL_20240206_003751453.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Between Leah and I we had enough shades of yellows for Liam's. </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I located the die set and...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRQXLML5bsCYgSxu7FYwhr8cavdD2iunBY6nmVPQqCsJYfb66szAnwGnr7w4Wtzwe8M25fXMxswQd0czE4ZYeu_fjziI8pvn_IAJ0m0-OyOwBA6IYSGoMAkNp8sYHx7ZcAJJxcckWr2L0xa4xBEaf46t6hngP5NXXajJeDDasUjhE_GJJIeZh/s4080/PXL_20240206_003956097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRQXLML5bsCYgSxu7FYwhr8cavdD2iunBY6nmVPQqCsJYfb66szAnwGnr7w4Wtzwe8M25fXMxswQd0czE4ZYeu_fjziI8pvn_IAJ0m0-OyOwBA6IYSGoMAkNp8sYHx7ZcAJJxcckWr2L0xa4xBEaf46t6hngP5NXXajJeDDasUjhE_GJJIeZh/s320/PXL_20240206_003956097.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...got started cutting out Ian's envelopes.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL4Fgm5RvuysO1Pkr6FLM4M9GkgbDFsXUJWd4TcpWsJKmAEPKk_O08CgLKExyXT9KPiTCihMAgM4ewbB4batZI_x_YXsrhtkJh2iciHCCFMv4VfXdOJowLS8IjeF4pOl_rAkICLXI4D358AEbBWCB6xoOZuRtyGtMkkWBQ_p1TzcHqYEX2gxq/s4080/PXL_20240206_013139299.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL4Fgm5RvuysO1Pkr6FLM4M9GkgbDFsXUJWd4TcpWsJKmAEPKk_O08CgLKExyXT9KPiTCihMAgM4ewbB4batZI_x_YXsrhtkJh2iciHCCFMv4VfXdOJowLS8IjeF4pOl_rAkICLXI4D358AEbBWCB6xoOZuRtyGtMkkWBQ_p1TzcHqYEX2gxq/s320/PXL_20240206_013139299.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But the die was getting so rough that the paper stuck and was hard to remove. Any of you crafters who do die cutting will know how that can happen. As you can see on the purple one that it was getting so difficult that it was starting to tear the paper.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDL3gNTT-PD7wHsYPRiNh_G81g39hIZKAd7o_cP96Aa6tv4bPzbihxE_KIQU1SOoyY5Lu8ReeyIC-L1KXvzwa8gHdeJlIP4N1CDvQIYUXTB_NtKHz5_ZLdk4PABJ-A1WoEZkBKU7tep7-l8Yiq_xsbp4AehMPBHGRrMwnlDmqbWzLcE6Q7dFs/s4080/PXL_20240206_014804149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDL3gNTT-PD7wHsYPRiNh_G81g39hIZKAd7o_cP96Aa6tv4bPzbihxE_KIQU1SOoyY5Lu8ReeyIC-L1KXvzwa8gHdeJlIP4N1CDvQIYUXTB_NtKHz5_ZLdk4PABJ-A1WoEZkBKU7tep7-l8Yiq_xsbp4AehMPBHGRrMwnlDmqbWzLcE6Q7dFs/s320/PXL_20240206_014804149.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Searched around but I either had packed away what little bit of waxed paper I had left or had used it up. Turned out I needed not only Leah's yellow cardstock but also some waxed paper. (If you run the die through a couple of times cutting waxed paper it puts just enough wax on the die to help the die release the paper easier...at least for a few times--lol!) So Dagan was sent off--masked--to pick up some wax paper and bring it to me along with her yellow cardstock.</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is what the die plate looked like before I even started cutting Liam's 24 envelopes--lol! This plate got tossed after I finished. You crafters know why it's always good to have extra sets of plates on hand. ;) <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgoskHLqHjfBCPux0qxkdETtJTPG3AqlQYaA3_amxWaC3xCyZRm66OLvgLX-sXo2_6hiLT8EMXH27Jog9eg78atCeiUDUv0vHiYdtzShA2TYLAv5mZ8qeUZ5xIP-t_JIaniEaXjyNjioloaOxFh09WiRKa5Hrm7gTMFkFv1I5vbMVaZeS1SfN/s4080/PXL_20240206_015045008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgoskHLqHjfBCPux0qxkdETtJTPG3AqlQYaA3_amxWaC3xCyZRm66OLvgLX-sXo2_6hiLT8EMXH27Jog9eg78atCeiUDUv0vHiYdtzShA2TYLAv5mZ8qeUZ5xIP-t_JIaniEaXjyNjioloaOxFh09WiRKa5Hrm7gTMFkFv1I5vbMVaZeS1SfN/s320/PXL_20240206_015045008.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Also--to be on the safe side because of the covid I cancelled Keanna for cleaning on Tuesday and Leah cancelled the plumbers for Wednesday. Now the plumbers will be starting on Monday the 19th and Keanna will just come in two weeks like normal.</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Meanwhile--I had to take a picture of this! So silly! That one bottle of fountain pen ink was all that was in this big Amazon box! No padding of any kind--nothing. Good thing it was wrapped well with bubble wrap. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumdMgxtY7D00EJJyHvipSgbkn9fnwVymq4sQdB0DgiaBs5pFFbs34ei50HUCjgSeeuI4iXzL0lWGT2R7iQtTPg9HgDTWj_w9mcTa_l6WhmhBPWfp5zNf0tCUzGddFdxcxsHjbb9sRYE9koyJvSe2XH3Y9FjSNzVEbX_8Pr8YQyXiyNNY2LgWv/s4080/PXL_20240206_181736317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumdMgxtY7D00EJJyHvipSgbkn9fnwVymq4sQdB0DgiaBs5pFFbs34ei50HUCjgSeeuI4iXzL0lWGT2R7iQtTPg9HgDTWj_w9mcTa_l6WhmhBPWfp5zNf0tCUzGddFdxcxsHjbb9sRYE9koyJvSe2XH3Y9FjSNzVEbX_8Pr8YQyXiyNNY2LgWv/s320/PXL_20240206_181736317.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">None of any of this mattered to Allie. She just wants her food, litter box scooped, cuddling when she is in the mood, and for me to feed the birds for her--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmFFSgETOmQLsKrV5LyZgK2bB5Ebos9soDhxwndr7lXWWaBlydCgaqhlSxylY5KsCvWQgjXWR8hEoi2_byQ9OAuBlSx_nP7ArPPt4VeyU3b8ydZDL-t1Akap6Zklhov5CM29pLlr5ll-FZZT_kHsDFx4Maxd2lj4IMHxzr4lA0OZtn7ZAvEZ8/s4080/PXL_20240207_223928445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmFFSgETOmQLsKrV5LyZgK2bB5Ebos9soDhxwndr7lXWWaBlydCgaqhlSxylY5KsCvWQgjXWR8hEoi2_byQ9OAuBlSx_nP7ArPPt4VeyU3b8ydZDL-t1Akap6Zklhov5CM29pLlr5ll-FZZT_kHsDFx4Maxd2lj4IMHxzr4lA0OZtn7ZAvEZ8/s320/PXL_20240207_223928445.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I managed to locate on my laptop (rarely ever go "inside" of it-lol!) the card that goes inside of the Valentine envelopes where Leah had stored it...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDszCPimxbR45DZYn3sY5-nUy7ldGQoKlhV5m-pgAQ-wSWT0UI5qPu-lOWyKAQfO0Rxr31N4off3OFx8WQPkLatzOSrtnJWeTcS0cC0bsnlkC_KUCOLpIH1fp9qaGfe9hpVlCIRMB7HbyRW4mnkLCqH7j-bRHzFTxsmPw-e2CNjs2gc7A1nfD/s4080/PXL_20240208_161738842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDszCPimxbR45DZYn3sY5-nUy7ldGQoKlhV5m-pgAQ-wSWT0UI5qPu-lOWyKAQfO0Rxr31N4off3OFx8WQPkLatzOSrtnJWeTcS0cC0bsnlkC_KUCOLpIH1fp9qaGfe9hpVlCIRMB7HbyRW4mnkLCqH7j-bRHzFTxsmPw-e2CNjs2gc7A1nfD/s320/PXL_20240208_161738842.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">... and printed off what they needed. They use rolled up washi tape to attach the heart crayons to these cards.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4b6J9CIfronSPsGfOT6eUrI06wH2noV1DxRKbD_gpbKELXRibDnLkrqJZH-VoID7U1w7S8Vf64VZDIznpjTLADLWNotCJL0FRSJbge5LGOj3g760yqZ8nKB6ngJYCETzmcVnwYCIPvUArTJwKa6ge-hHEXf2IMS05Stf732o0J45rVQkKihD/s4080/PXL_20240208_162437900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4b6J9CIfronSPsGfOT6eUrI06wH2noV1DxRKbD_gpbKELXRibDnLkrqJZH-VoID7U1w7S8Vf64VZDIznpjTLADLWNotCJL0FRSJbge5LGOj3g760yqZ8nKB6ngJYCETzmcVnwYCIPvUArTJwKa6ge-hHEXf2IMS05Stf732o0J45rVQkKihD/s320/PXL_20240208_162437900.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I also sent home with Dagan some plain washi tapes for the boys to have.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWSX3uGY9Ndk-c5_INgS7KIBQpiFdhjTY39lkz2FwvBYDr81Z8kEgwG5S_NHEYYGCwv96lkVkdhxyEDGJJCMIS3aknq6jlaStrW0KBgizTMOlCd6hEycANfz2oH036ETA-l9jhKTHWCT690MH6t5UcoLmq998Fjv1HlwT_NFzA25cE0YbO2mu/s4080/PXL_20240208_181935940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWSX3uGY9Ndk-c5_INgS7KIBQpiFdhjTY39lkz2FwvBYDr81Z8kEgwG5S_NHEYYGCwv96lkVkdhxyEDGJJCMIS3aknq6jlaStrW0KBgizTMOlCd6hEycANfz2oH036ETA-l9jhKTHWCT690MH6t5UcoLmq998Fjv1HlwT_NFzA25cE0YbO2mu/s320/PXL_20240208_181935940.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I find I rarely ever use my plain washi tapes. I use printed ones to decorate paper for letters but never seem to go for the plain ones. The boys will gladly use these up, she said. I have some more for them, too, after they do.</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Could tell the birds knew bad weather was coming. Windy, drizzle turning to ice and then snow on top of that. I put out extra food because they come more often and gobble it down.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlDYPcyyxdDA3IX9izOTh9WQ7YJ_ic3SHqWmspDcazuq3pYVk5QmD7Ux5pwjJ4oYLhb5cHbspvN2GsvqQ76-akUFCQgHRng9EXoHvOX778WU7osuddII1Gq2sU41QJTSyqd-wCnC8GkaMaUZjmDmQS6M_tBGIbcDwFe7SAwdrSfgUVB63jzhR/s4080/PXL_20240208_221906455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlDYPcyyxdDA3IX9izOTh9WQ7YJ_ic3SHqWmspDcazuq3pYVk5QmD7Ux5pwjJ4oYLhb5cHbspvN2GsvqQ76-akUFCQgHRng9EXoHvOX778WU7osuddII1Gq2sU41QJTSyqd-wCnC8GkaMaUZjmDmQS6M_tBGIbcDwFe7SAwdrSfgUVB63jzhR/s320/PXL_20240208_221906455.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I was thinking how smart some animals can be. As soon as these partridges can scrounge around to eat what they normally would eat (whatever they find in the brown grass and dead weeds in the fields) they go eat that before they come for a handout. Probably healthier for them. But as soon as it gets really cold where they need more fuel to stay warm or it snows or there's an ice storm...they are here several times a day. I can go from a cup or two of seed a day to eight or ten cups a day. This being such a generally brown winter, they mostly came when it was below freezing for so long and when we had ice. Even with the little snow you see on the lawn--they will dig with their feet and beaks to get to the grass. If I toss seed out on to the grass they will go out on the lawn to hunt down the seed out there first before they come to eat so easily right there on the patio. I have tested that theory out--lol! Smart partridges. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F-dSuT5Q8L-NJNvRGGJHf1HFQt3u2ZwvU1fSuydlI0aUwW1HldZHrfGDGTLQTQ34Riz0Z59Rk8FnCrKSWGO45iAhMGZXs8aglTDoGjlbuGw5DNDzJkxwMMtLCZK7FO654X2HhGXfOOrs6Mp9sg9j0T8BM99HTcoCNCQssRqb6aUEy6IVZBe4/s4080/PXL_20240208_232448554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F-dSuT5Q8L-NJNvRGGJHf1HFQt3u2ZwvU1fSuydlI0aUwW1HldZHrfGDGTLQTQ34Riz0Z59Rk8FnCrKSWGO45iAhMGZXs8aglTDoGjlbuGw5DNDzJkxwMMtLCZK7FO654X2HhGXfOOrs6Mp9sg9j0T8BM99HTcoCNCQssRqb6aUEy6IVZBe4/s320/PXL_20240208_232448554.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, they kind of warn me before I even check the weather--lol! Yup--we had ice to snow again.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDDtvM_fBxyjhu4n8GS3kR8YCWu9GJSpTE4ywSJELnvdwdn1mrB0gM-PXb5VkQT0ORbE97sy_Sy8D2ESyernDWSpEXiKK4xvttMaXYZ5xmWcliwaCRFpj-bb7xHO4xV2Y6PzI6J19k2oje4P8oIjNP-fFYUpm_lS5-gdg9_7p-1jaVPyJViQr/s4080/PXL_20240209_151744126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDDtvM_fBxyjhu4n8GS3kR8YCWu9GJSpTE4ywSJELnvdwdn1mrB0gM-PXb5VkQT0ORbE97sy_Sy8D2ESyernDWSpEXiKK4xvttMaXYZ5xmWcliwaCRFpj-bb7xHO4xV2Y6PzI6J19k2oje4P8oIjNP-fFYUpm_lS5-gdg9_7p-1jaVPyJViQr/s320/PXL_20240209_151744126.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I must say the flock of 30-40 sparrows/small birds are great opportunists, though, and will come all year round if you want to feed them--lol! They are quite charming...and flighty nervous. (We do have some kind of small hawk around here I see occasionally.)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGleDd2k52JiHYd04cMr3i4iEEmahuh8-ioEkH6i6eLUyTW4FENU8cKzX_tdIlUemlt2BFS6C4FwQJRcBM396TfrmqFuaIi3jHChHGjr51cKq0KeZmNFTr7Y72Uoo5Z-H5oPMM88o3z7ugbrxsQL6oNz6O_nRPsVgF0Rq-a_cNN5RqYSXW6Lt/s4080/PXL_20240209_215009980.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGleDd2k52JiHYd04cMr3i4iEEmahuh8-ioEkH6i6eLUyTW4FENU8cKzX_tdIlUemlt2BFS6C4FwQJRcBM396TfrmqFuaIi3jHChHGjr51cKq0KeZmNFTr7Y72Uoo5Z-H5oPMM88o3z7ugbrxsQL6oNz6O_nRPsVgF0Rq-a_cNN5RqYSXW6Lt/s320/PXL_20240209_215009980.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">While I finished cutting the envelopes, Allie was on "her" chair. It wasn't a one-off. See her ears are back from being disturbed. How did she know I was silently taking a picture of her? Psychic? <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ak9jMS1Qhr9a0wsllEEPCYaTMTjjLMTaNuWw-_b-GMIs8PXKDiYFOWtanQGExRpY3JqmpHjSNXsHreXkAxK4Xi-pWKkvp0I7R1uW3OkfNoQWK4uLcGt19CdMAHa3B-ohpd0wWRG2QgKEnjA3BnPLfs6HrMArXEa37w7-YZiJAFqNGZNzVWnB/s4080/PXL_20240211_000103353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ak9jMS1Qhr9a0wsllEEPCYaTMTjjLMTaNuWw-_b-GMIs8PXKDiYFOWtanQGExRpY3JqmpHjSNXsHreXkAxK4Xi-pWKkvp0I7R1uW3OkfNoQWK4uLcGt19CdMAHa3B-ohpd0wWRG2QgKEnjA3BnPLfs6HrMArXEa37w7-YZiJAFqNGZNzVWnB/s320/PXL_20240211_000103353.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Miss Allie has apparently gotten used to these wood pellets being mixed into her litter. Has at least started to bury her business again, anyways. But in different spots and not all at one end of the box like she always has done. She might be just looking for a new spot without the lumps--ROFL! Good luck, Allie. ;)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-p7HkjDDQwtGO18lU6KnK_eYbkn1IYeGOELAhxRVoeIguhUAr0tajnwmScPHRivUUQRpMFHaga2yu_OmzgP4jouov9XV4IQ2RooSYOZdqt4x5bBSsHt1N-yeVQG_bwAMwrg0nFVv5nyDH78qPDIrOG7bYe5UMcBsmdwsQcRlZSAqdKE8VQ7i/s4080/PXL_20240211_202642853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-p7HkjDDQwtGO18lU6KnK_eYbkn1IYeGOELAhxRVoeIguhUAr0tajnwmScPHRivUUQRpMFHaga2yu_OmzgP4jouov9XV4IQ2RooSYOZdqt4x5bBSsHt1N-yeVQG_bwAMwrg0nFVv5nyDH78qPDIrOG7bYe5UMcBsmdwsQcRlZSAqdKE8VQ7i/s320/PXL_20240211_202642853.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I really hope this will work and we can switch her over to the hardwood pellets before we move.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjLtxbWq_gHOFkO7Z4SDHHHq8BoFsPmRmVtbdgyhznX-b5d-rzsH3xgFi1Tq_Z-OMo0z6kzS6aSJ1er3pubQUiyTgpfV414w4L9KLOWk93aN7IgiyFAldr9vAy0ynYYbLeWf1DD-Ec8mOZSJMX09MtliVXoRMauErXC0_KOJsv0pBmX7CPnJq/s4080/PXL_20240211_214831826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjLtxbWq_gHOFkO7Z4SDHHHq8BoFsPmRmVtbdgyhznX-b5d-rzsH3xgFi1Tq_Z-OMo0z6kzS6aSJ1er3pubQUiyTgpfV414w4L9KLOWk93aN7IgiyFAldr9vAy0ynYYbLeWf1DD-Ec8mOZSJMX09MtliVXoRMauErXC0_KOJsv0pBmX7CPnJq/s320/PXL_20240211_214831826.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This huge bag is so much less expensive than the bags of kitty litter. But it must feel so weird to them on their little feet--lol! Blink switched over no problem. But Blink was a lot younger. We'll see how it goes with Allie.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M5zTz5fdiEWkkaRMnefZCoCjQd59eN6nRFQO1J-uu3Jj6-9z6VjWHER0g3ACZ1gHiCHH0ywjhomfofNcxFij8tT-otCwIaqB3doC8ZaNaNiZVEcfhdtwczfnV4cRfiYZeSHSDAsDxfM1x-8nbK_LHurtmHWo_9l5mum_-Ai3l8bJtZDb3QB9/s4080/PXL_20240211_214850966.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M5zTz5fdiEWkkaRMnefZCoCjQd59eN6nRFQO1J-uu3Jj6-9z6VjWHER0g3ACZ1gHiCHH0ywjhomfofNcxFij8tT-otCwIaqB3doC8ZaNaNiZVEcfhdtwczfnV4cRfiYZeSHSDAsDxfM1x-8nbK_LHurtmHWo_9l5mum_-Ai3l8bJtZDb3QB9/s320/PXL_20240211_214850966.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Well, luckily Ian already had his bookboard fair at school before covid happened. This was his poster...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QvVy7dMHjsr8LIPfY1xXGByUd_Xtz-1d3_1np-CKD5FQL2CzA1AuY4TYJxJKdx9I5JcdGd1pEzy5Il7_1zFnNhtubovfQckm93g1pBJwMf3KnJ-OxccTeM6HzaqrHAOszw1aoFJmBaMeMtaU-cwX9O3n9f7-Oe7hXVOfYJjdhpj4k8NkFVAl/s4080/PXL_20240131_024644086.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QvVy7dMHjsr8LIPfY1xXGByUd_Xtz-1d3_1np-CKD5FQL2CzA1AuY4TYJxJKdx9I5JcdGd1pEzy5Il7_1zFnNhtubovfQckm93g1pBJwMf3KnJ-OxccTeM6HzaqrHAOszw1aoFJmBaMeMtaU-cwX9O3n9f7-Oe7hXVOfYJjdhpj4k8NkFVAl/s320/PXL_20240131_024644086.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...from this book titled <u>What Kind of Book Am I?</u> <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnvOZeJIL4yBJhhgCbVHXSXOX8xIeFTt4PmGqVBtgAk5JYgCFaNVX78xk9jUwPsO2QU-y8U7RDkKBO2ljJs4CS22GeQTYAoJaLz2HSVznD2b7nEUT4FLEHtUZ3tFX0QOku13ITPpJ7T-wt9vNzrcNjtkmluLiR7P4YgvQPFY-qKj3Sy1A5_tf/s4080/PXL_20240131_024703484.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnvOZeJIL4yBJhhgCbVHXSXOX8xIeFTt4PmGqVBtgAk5JYgCFaNVX78xk9jUwPsO2QU-y8U7RDkKBO2ljJs4CS22GeQTYAoJaLz2HSVznD2b7nEUT4FLEHtUZ3tFX0QOku13ITPpJ7T-wt9vNzrcNjtkmluLiR7P4YgvQPFY-qKj3Sy1A5_tf/s320/PXL_20240131_024703484.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He decorated a shirt to wear with it for the fair.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5LhwZwR3oTJtElnERHtawSk4l72rfu9KemFm-wREn6jlCzZZ3BLYSx3wDdCuhQrHFuGOMrmUr6hFFLK_jffRtPSAuzWjZWlsKKeSY1RAuUtUpuwuw3nefp32-aUPJ_forRaG5_65n-wigpnGTXgs4Vd63T2NqU6KCq-8g1VI6Ut8sOFA0La0/s4080/PXL_20240131_024713763.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5LhwZwR3oTJtElnERHtawSk4l72rfu9KemFm-wREn6jlCzZZ3BLYSx3wDdCuhQrHFuGOMrmUr6hFFLK_jffRtPSAuzWjZWlsKKeSY1RAuUtUpuwuw3nefp32-aUPJ_forRaG5_65n-wigpnGTXgs4Vd63T2NqU6KCq-8g1VI6Ut8sOFA0La0/s320/PXL_20240131_024713763.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">His bookboard all finished. This was taken up in their schoolroom at home.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO9UOgPvRl7eMuAU6w1mY1RiPBybwtF1XXyAeiR825yHdN4lQz7Jr5jS_k9kPhM48dTIqxY3IIniaAiR_va6y655tPuAAdzFOIZmtLTlXPUuJ2EC_U4B3-Sc8YJvAtJc7DoD0ReEAPAQoKvrnhT6eVKvLBSNkig_REv8T58_4aYLrnabw0Y9-/s4080/PXL_20240131_024800659.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO9UOgPvRl7eMuAU6w1mY1RiPBybwtF1XXyAeiR825yHdN4lQz7Jr5jS_k9kPhM48dTIqxY3IIniaAiR_va6y655tPuAAdzFOIZmtLTlXPUuJ2EC_U4B3-Sc8YJvAtJc7DoD0ReEAPAQoKvrnhT6eVKvLBSNkig_REv8T58_4aYLrnabw0Y9-/s320/PXL_20240131_024800659.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And here he is at the bookboard fair in the gym. Nice job, Ian!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QUca0SuDa9s5S3rKOzb_OKlRkswr5-dsJzCRgRc7ZCS68vj2uy_RuQeVv-de8iPoKGtiYtj76mKrohFTiIw4z7fz8m0YqMgtL9ZTJ4EdHESsQbZ_Hfc4yAT6fghWlwr0AHB-N6O6DZ0EajLL2YlutHAeO2xmIkhRwqLnKr5cqzHsKd3zgWkY/s4080/PXL_20240202_143356022.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QUca0SuDa9s5S3rKOzb_OKlRkswr5-dsJzCRgRc7ZCS68vj2uy_RuQeVv-de8iPoKGtiYtj76mKrohFTiIw4z7fz8m0YqMgtL9ZTJ4EdHESsQbZ_Hfc4yAT6fghWlwr0AHB-N6O6DZ0EajLL2YlutHAeO2xmIkhRwqLnKr5cqzHsKd3zgWkY/s320/PXL_20240202_143356022.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They also spent time up in their old schoolroom working on their Valentine's boxes. (Note: those bookcases that go around the corner and along the wall are the same Billy bookcases I will have on one side of my studio when I move.)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-Uo5xYEdNVFSeuQJZoitfgLT_mQHmwPYh_SowY2k0A2gEs9PfnruquOFDfOyBzmQyjWyHGeJydjkCTEIO5lF6lMMH9sFWJRPsoGdrCsFWxU0a8rn1W2gUCL28SQcZk1zS6xsWtp3YXRZz4_beApOnFHpuhPodhzW-HVHCRcVG8Axk2d1JmA9/s4080/PXL_20240206_000217772.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-Uo5xYEdNVFSeuQJZoitfgLT_mQHmwPYh_SowY2k0A2gEs9PfnruquOFDfOyBzmQyjWyHGeJydjkCTEIO5lF6lMMH9sFWJRPsoGdrCsFWxU0a8rn1W2gUCL28SQcZk1zS6xsWtp3YXRZz4_beApOnFHpuhPodhzW-HVHCRcVG8Axk2d1JmA9/s320/PXL_20240206_000217772.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here they are working on addressing and signing all those Valentine's.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNhonpvpZMG3t9UY1Wl94mhxkmeUkrgdcnLgaZL94tEJVX-TCLJJ9k_j9yXSay806p00MqwmTnZV2Y0T7s4DCzvO9xJOUqZqHcISb6kFckeP9GZ7Uoq5EidSA1uuKIz4XfTLdZe-DXKG7rmcbXI0C02FN8TNUhCrgE9RaT-fa7GmDHA31xSRP/s4080/PXL_20240210_004026987.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNhonpvpZMG3t9UY1Wl94mhxkmeUkrgdcnLgaZL94tEJVX-TCLJJ9k_j9yXSay806p00MqwmTnZV2Y0T7s4DCzvO9xJOUqZqHcISb6kFckeP9GZ7Uoq5EidSA1uuKIz4XfTLdZe-DXKG7rmcbXI0C02FN8TNUhCrgE9RaT-fa7GmDHA31xSRP/s320/PXL_20240210_004026987.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah had a brilliant idea! She used some washi tape to create lines for the boys to follow on their envelopes.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDakhC2mVfp0y4HK4k6dTeWwaPWZa4q0QOga6o_Oo1prmdNN8MQxko4RfGucqv7qxd7yaLP8PF8d7cquYbu5cIRW2392jcMUha6PVdUiz4X_kiniPELmzuGUaenXl8LxK8mbTQM_sq2RnEKnBBNoiaTTiGYsnqsWFPIMzxYvEpQoMm7YX9oox/s4080/PXL_20240210_022600254.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDakhC2mVfp0y4HK4k6dTeWwaPWZa4q0QOga6o_Oo1prmdNN8MQxko4RfGucqv7qxd7yaLP8PF8d7cquYbu5cIRW2392jcMUha6PVdUiz4X_kiniPELmzuGUaenXl8LxK8mbTQM_sq2RnEKnBBNoiaTTiGYsnqsWFPIMzxYvEpQoMm7YX9oox/s320/PXL_20240210_022600254.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Since it is washi tape it peels right off easily when they were done. The boys really appreciated having lines to follow.</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The crayon hearts are so cute!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_s_Z_P7wNViPm-XhO8-5KRirsuXAz_MIfmyITOn8IjBV-vViDTx9gjabEYubWscVCyNcAp8vBv9qhNthfOT5-iM4faWjvjpefCuku-8cwUsN7ccgQlUilsDT1P7O2IKhPOypF9nGHvpfxhDoxiI3YOeqqpGPt-ke5yscZCFR5VldiB5R-scM/s4080/PXL_20240210_195314369.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_s_Z_P7wNViPm-XhO8-5KRirsuXAz_MIfmyITOn8IjBV-vViDTx9gjabEYubWscVCyNcAp8vBv9qhNthfOT5-iM4faWjvjpefCuku-8cwUsN7ccgQlUilsDT1P7O2IKhPOypF9nGHvpfxhDoxiI3YOeqqpGPt-ke5yscZCFR5VldiB5R-scM/s320/PXL_20240210_195314369.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijj3jHrrcd2yx4vgrlGdCylp9wtQd6BJJG6SgzPEaW0ZLKsbuMdS-450j-CWJZq4huFZU2GMuL8tueoBMPB3THAt29UBmh7iXlgvIEXsi-mVw6I1ro_WEuq7-e90SQMBBagzZC65ILAtneBFFlO_dREJKB6H2XQRf1iCS_R6k1H0_SCo78U-LH/s4080/PXL_20240210_195332975.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijj3jHrrcd2yx4vgrlGdCylp9wtQd6BJJG6SgzPEaW0ZLKsbuMdS-450j-CWJZq4huFZU2GMuL8tueoBMPB3THAt29UBmh7iXlgvIEXsi-mVw6I1ro_WEuq7-e90SQMBBagzZC65ILAtneBFFlO_dREJKB6H2XQRf1iCS_R6k1H0_SCo78U-LH/s320/PXL_20240210_195332975.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here's one taped to that inside card.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXv3LdKjVRvA5leXzGbJv63ofp4PA4i5b94OkSynTrHebJAkF5Ic49L-RDha59PBX9C8xZG0FAAOXJTpJfwotyRLn3NLxGSVJC_J7aq7YDFK8uLdFeSG9ZM9Z3WHFggvrt8RnuB6EYkekbGCgXdwNDC-fKCuMVYeaBBuJNpTmqujRt2wVqErh/s4080/PXL_20240210_200653021.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXv3LdKjVRvA5leXzGbJv63ofp4PA4i5b94OkSynTrHebJAkF5Ic49L-RDha59PBX9C8xZG0FAAOXJTpJfwotyRLn3NLxGSVJC_J7aq7YDFK8uLdFeSG9ZM9Z3WHFggvrt8RnuB6EYkekbGCgXdwNDC-fKCuMVYeaBBuJNpTmqujRt2wVqErh/s320/PXL_20240210_200653021.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They make them by using some silicone candy molds.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxc7jZlIxvOs18zuC0YmG_RtRFloi5_0MsLyTFs0oqggywVN8wopfc_UdgMJw0m9SuGhScmgE81vtiN1a2FROPVabhvNS_sdZMjedmraG53viBvoaPHe_I0WGrVvYyl3HWSYZJiH4o9mH6-UcE_8zmGPQL-QrpW0lseJ8g_UrrqPt25XF-fgB/s4080/PXL_20240211_222218147.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxc7jZlIxvOs18zuC0YmG_RtRFloi5_0MsLyTFs0oqggywVN8wopfc_UdgMJw0m9SuGhScmgE81vtiN1a2FROPVabhvNS_sdZMjedmraG53viBvoaPHe_I0WGrVvYyl3HWSYZJiH4o9mH6-UcE_8zmGPQL-QrpW0lseJ8g_UrrqPt25XF-fgB/s320/PXL_20240211_222218147.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They break up crayons into pieces and put them into the molds. Then they put the molds on a tray and put them into the oven to melt them down. When they are cooled off they just pop them out. Easy peasy!</span><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah forgot to get a picture of the finished Valentines or their Valentine boxes. She's still not feeling great but maybe she can get them for next week...for posterity. ;) That's kind of my entire blog--like a letter with pictures--for posterity--lol!</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So now this week--the priority is working on the birthday cards--lol! Life is slow in my world. But it is such a nice place to be. Allie and I say bye-bye for this week. Till next time. Thank you so very much for stopping by!! :)</span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-29156938473561734382024-02-05T05:00:00.001-06:002024-02-05T05:00:00.129-06:00February 5, 2024 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Another very short post this week. We had fog many days the past couple weeks. One day it never lifted all day long!! This was a day we had some sun peeking through.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFaz8ZgofsxpSJP3w-o80GfGcVwLMJcqg48tQIEkzOjzF6aiciPOGxzkmhUxkyMs-2wxuFW3eiWrCSOUGnl4bXyrbhreOYV_5LKKqwxT2gJyFqk9jsSLdyAFnOG8JwpnZMO2pYPeGj8FO0vVm59AzQjaaRiuHMhrZt2H8P9nEQy2PQMOx2MPh/s4080/PXL_20240129_164224828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFaz8ZgofsxpSJP3w-o80GfGcVwLMJcqg48tQIEkzOjzF6aiciPOGxzkmhUxkyMs-2wxuFW3eiWrCSOUGnl4bXyrbhreOYV_5LKKqwxT2gJyFqk9jsSLdyAFnOG8JwpnZMO2pYPeGj8FO0vVm59AzQjaaRiuHMhrZt2H8P9nEQy2PQMOx2MPh/s320/PXL_20240129_164224828.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Going to be a brown February for a good while. We've been in the mid-40s and looking at the same till mid-month. Might even hit 50! Even the birds are here less often.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7g4PdYmPfWgtfpCq9TYKm65GG_bT71SjrLUfrhmPXsotWRIZ9S8SVI95iJgENt49G42R5xsElqmJNb_7Sj09-CM04rPlYWCrqxaUqGDiNOyw9_XhEyBdOuoTDikV5pJYkwOSKYPDyy3ebkIVXFkLNYrvbTaiQOXRrkBaEIpDKJ_gwO7DKRiD/s4080/PXL_20240202_181701526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7g4PdYmPfWgtfpCq9TYKm65GG_bT71SjrLUfrhmPXsotWRIZ9S8SVI95iJgENt49G42R5xsElqmJNb_7Sj09-CM04rPlYWCrqxaUqGDiNOyw9_XhEyBdOuoTDikV5pJYkwOSKYPDyy3ebkIVXFkLNYrvbTaiQOXRrkBaEIpDKJ_gwO7DKRiD/s320/PXL_20240202_181701526.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Miss Allie was actually up on what used to be "her" chair. She lost interest in that spot ages ago.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrOaw96dQ6TWsgqXVqv2esfIQhBOlrPbHHrl-wrIEfmG82dOsiwec6y7WOXxz5s6X9w3SOTrxHAKZi7b7kYO0pnBsQxPfWH_d6YsKzl1nNOThjPNUCu8619ssvDUpJcqM6D5JnQKDiQ7M4MXPiL4tpZf4WWNGWZo4bCTKc66EQn_1e-yDtqqb/s4080/PXL_20240203_024540392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrOaw96dQ6TWsgqXVqv2esfIQhBOlrPbHHrl-wrIEfmG82dOsiwec6y7WOXxz5s6X9w3SOTrxHAKZi7b7kYO0pnBsQxPfWH_d6YsKzl1nNOThjPNUCu8619ssvDUpJcqM6D5JnQKDiQ7M4MXPiL4tpZf4WWNGWZo4bCTKc66EQn_1e-yDtqqb/s320/PXL_20240203_024540392.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So very long ago I had to get pictures. Her favorite spot is her cat bed in the bedroom on the table by the window...for months and months now. So far this was a one-off--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QcCJhremdVJprSyaTHCvqqHr79Wo4gzGz0TpoSZDXlRjZPCwRB8nKLydSuAGsmha4TX8rKJb5m46xAebBQteLmCRAwlMW5EIIWFTC6_VThgtR0t5u2kxrawfD9QHJDS_-tlugpCn_U9tSbliWmsQjVQD1tdUQtnY_HVcl-iyU5s3mc4XQwbT/s4080/PXL_20240203_024555875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QcCJhremdVJprSyaTHCvqqHr79Wo4gzGz0TpoSZDXlRjZPCwRB8nKLydSuAGsmha4TX8rKJb5m46xAebBQteLmCRAwlMW5EIIWFTC6_VThgtR0t5u2kxrawfD9QHJDS_-tlugpCn_U9tSbliWmsQjVQD1tdUQtnY_HVcl-iyU5s3mc4XQwbT/s320/PXL_20240203_024555875.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, I ordered a little red wire egg basket for my eggs. Love it so much! Will be so handy for after I move to carry eggs down to my apartment. ;)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHySUKht4opEZ6bxTKA7t1jAL9f6zyVbyqPTlPNx2ZK8jzw2webRBBFCIQRnflYtakhRnd8AxVgRNa4SZhqUxD3J1LLshHapd55XUm7wzKdsNzLJ3dewmINKSyOF9E-NJlQfthi0cq6P6aGjpxksFLPOd0aYK4GFV0j6N5U6aaR_1ZB54XDKK/s4080/PXL_20240203_194856827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHySUKht4opEZ6bxTKA7t1jAL9f6zyVbyqPTlPNx2ZK8jzw2webRBBFCIQRnflYtakhRnd8AxVgRNa4SZhqUxD3J1LLshHapd55XUm7wzKdsNzLJ3dewmINKSyOF9E-NJlQfthi0cq6P6aGjpxksFLPOd0aYK4GFV0j6N5U6aaR_1ZB54XDKK/s320/PXL_20240203_194856827.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div><div>BTW--for those who asked me about it...the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Scandinavia are the only countries where eggs are kept cold before and after purchase. In the US it is illegal for egg companies to <i>not </i>wash the eggs and keep them chilled.</div></span><span style="background-color: white;"><div><br /></div><div>I researched it a little and the main reason eggs have to be kept refrigerated is that washing the eggs removes the protective coating they naturally have that keeps them from becoming porous so that they don't absorb bacteria. Once they are washed they must be kept refrigerated to keep down bacteria getting into the now more vulnerable eggs. The thing that is the main problem with eggs is salmonella. But even with companies cleaning the eggs with soap and hot water (I didn't realize they even used soap!) we still do have some cases of salmonella in the US. Over 100,000 a year, I read. </div><div><br /></div><div>But in many other countries unwashed eggs are out on the shelves like this grocery in the UK.</div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPuUB0lGnsT6pJDq4-iJOiHED5nQMADnhk_UYnuXaAEnZcuIABUbAKFQItzTsHrC8yWweW_G1iy1ooTRujbvTjZDexCjqEaOtQR677lqSGxd2Uv4sP5f_bx4lItMAlzlW_xtlHcFbT1ya7P5NrheUya0QOBkHe-imBLZ-8puD9Nq5c5T9XUtz/s475/eggs%20for%20sale%20in%20England.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="475" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPuUB0lGnsT6pJDq4-iJOiHED5nQMADnhk_UYnuXaAEnZcuIABUbAKFQItzTsHrC8yWweW_G1iy1ooTRujbvTjZDexCjqEaOtQR677lqSGxd2Uv4sP5f_bx4lItMAlzlW_xtlHcFbT1ya7P5NrheUya0QOBkHe-imBLZ-8puD9Nq5c5T9XUtz/s320/eggs%20for%20sale%20in%20England.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><div>Since our eggs come from a private local family farm with free range chickens, we can keep ours out and they should be good for up to 50 days, I read. They say 20 days for store bought refrigerated eggs, but I have certainly kept them longer than that. Anyways, makes me feel quite European--lol! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I had another apartment inspection Thursday morning. This was the annual one from Federal Housing. He didn't expect me to still be here. Neither did I--lol! But things are moving along now so I certainly shouldn't be seeing him again. ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>The electricians were there last Monday and Tuesday. I guess they finished up in like a day and a half! Trent had been almost done with that part. And now--believe it or not--the plumbers will be coming this Wednesday through Friday to do all the plumbing and HVAC. They may finish in three days but may not. I expect they'll be back the following week, because they're doing all the plumbing from scratch and finishing the HVAC. It's bathroom, kitchenette, washer and dryer...a lot to hook up. Plus they are doing a few things for the house, too. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is all so exciting!! Now it feels unreal in a different way--lol! ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>It still upsets me when I think about that inspector being so mean to Leah that he made her cry. He even threatened her with the police. Leah had made inquiries before they started and was told to go ahead and have an inspector come later. You get told one thing and then another. I am soooo glad the contractors will deal with all the red tape and be responsible for that now. She couldn't get a straight answer about Trent working on the build anymore either. Bureaucracy!! Anyways, we won't have to worry about that end of things anymore. And the build is moving along--so far--faster than expected. Nice!! </div><div><br /></div><div>With the crazy warm weather we've been having (mid-40s every day) I worry when I see partridges showing up in pairs. I hope they don't think it is spring already!</div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOazgfLyfnRlrjLJWCJwUO05lqDbO7UDqinBcrwZONPviol4hcYmD94psf4JllSh5sK3tWlLdNQwW3QqE6cKJiYLoX1ze82goJIoiJLktmrvFKhhH5J9J8iiGLBzadRGw-0whaOSFKq31BfIWxjlP99GqnKVt59WreSM93rF-UKhqDiK24pyi9/s4080/PXL_20240203_233111201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOazgfLyfnRlrjLJWCJwUO05lqDbO7UDqinBcrwZONPviol4hcYmD94psf4JllSh5sK3tWlLdNQwW3QqE6cKJiYLoX1ze82goJIoiJLktmrvFKhhH5J9J8iiGLBzadRGw-0whaOSFKq31BfIWxjlP99GqnKVt59WreSM93rF-UKhqDiK24pyi9/s320/PXL_20240203_233111201.jpg" width="241" /></a> </span></div><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I was working on letters again. Finally caught up with the entire 29 I owed. Done and dusted! Have a new one to answer, but I should be able to keep up now, though. Feels great! </span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I always have something else on my list, as you know--so next is to get back to the birthday cards. Need to color the rest and address all the envelopes. That is the next project on my priority list. </span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Oh, and Leah came over Thursday night to cut my hair and drop off some wood pellets. They use the wood pellets for Blink's litter box. Way cheaper and can't be dragged all about on their feet so easily, either. So, the plan is to slowly add a little bit to Allie's litter box and see if I can gradually get her switched over to the pellets before we move. With cats--well, you never know, do you? Just been sprinkling about a cup on top and been mixing them in so far. When I scoop quite a few come out with the rest...so I add a little more. Just keeping it like that for now. I can tell Allie doesn't really like the chunkier feel of them in her litter by the way she's changed how she's using the box (doesn't want to bury her business like usual). But <i>she's using it</i>. When I tried this with shy Annie she immediately pooped right outside the box on the floor--making her opinion crystal clear--lol! Fingers crossed. Cats are so opinionated. ;)</span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">McFamily was sick again...or still. I have heard of people from all over getting this cold that lingers for weeks where you might think it is gone for a few days and then it is right back. (It's not covid--and they did test, just in case.) Sounds like what McFamily has been dealing with for a couple of weeks. Everyone else is pretty much better except for Leah. She might miss work today she told me. I still haven't gotten it. *knock on wood* Fingers crossed for not getting that, too. </span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Too many crossed fingers to type--ROFL!</span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, that's it from here for this week. You have a fabulous week! Till next time. :) :)</span></p>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-14732885379228153542024-01-29T05:00:00.001-06:002024-01-29T05:00:00.139-06:00January 29, 2024 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good morning!<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This will be one of the shortest blogs for me--lol! I realized I didn't even get a picture of the partridges this past week. Only a flock of sparrows. I shouldn't say "only" because I thoroughly enjoy seeing them, too.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrr7St3Z6AxHAEFFjei2UeBjG3Dq-QOlPj8_OBgWlu4IlttzGRRxoyrZvgZob9HuABAIAFObLs4NGq_5Z8gWStqeeP3sJwQ1IKEtlLkohtEp4F2wqhcUr0Hs9WGLrf4N-x3wBG9ZdbpxeaSsg_DtHR4J2D0ktX8ifkWvJ2zc9Zg_ZxmS6cl6OX/s4080/PXL_20240122_214057346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrr7St3Z6AxHAEFFjei2UeBjG3Dq-QOlPj8_OBgWlu4IlttzGRRxoyrZvgZob9HuABAIAFObLs4NGq_5Z8gWStqeeP3sJwQ1IKEtlLkohtEp4F2wqhcUr0Hs9WGLrf4N-x3wBG9ZdbpxeaSsg_DtHR4J2D0ktX8ifkWvJ2zc9Zg_ZxmS6cl6OX/s320/PXL_20240122_214057346.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We had some more freezing rain and drizzle. I have never seen this before, though!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpLTIOGXyrN0voYP-zr28vsYj_HxzgBmBtopuiZwl2OugX6e2T-hmjGzLCAjj7iI1trqSXqchnsHkzKbXuevS-YbJiLO-5UN6CiCdfr8qEOAYqYzKtjRHjqjroaXoBalBDugki1rybkEltAqSmM3Ku1-710kjWud1u4zX9mPKr4uBE0EzB8uX/s4080/PXL_20240124_180511887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpLTIOGXyrN0voYP-zr28vsYj_HxzgBmBtopuiZwl2OugX6e2T-hmjGzLCAjj7iI1trqSXqchnsHkzKbXuevS-YbJiLO-5UN6CiCdfr8qEOAYqYzKtjRHjqjroaXoBalBDugki1rybkEltAqSmM3Ku1-710kjWud1u4zX9mPKr4uBE0EzB8uX/s320/PXL_20240124_180511887.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I got a really good picture just because he stopped, parked, and left for a while. Must be a way to hard-brush off ice? Have any of you seen this attachment before?<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5-jJd1UuRpKqsCiX3dy4Zb9UyHiDK0w_XXFFyXTXyWfe4BbgkcQ3vvncBa1XZRPsIPVzSOiWv0MEUBEw7K_Im_KHeHGpRUnmtV319tKRWSJS1YNbJxYRvj9spI9vzXokoo0iWu_o4vgvRM7QbCTTP24rBkCtJNojdjNoos5y1H89rnVUjuPC/s4080/PXL_20240124_180530230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5-jJd1UuRpKqsCiX3dy4Zb9UyHiDK0w_XXFFyXTXyWfe4BbgkcQ3vvncBa1XZRPsIPVzSOiWv0MEUBEw7K_Im_KHeHGpRUnmtV319tKRWSJS1YNbJxYRvj9spI9vzXokoo0iWu_o4vgvRM7QbCTTP24rBkCtJNojdjNoos5y1H89rnVUjuPC/s320/PXL_20240124_180530230.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I spent the entire week catching up on my letter writing--whoohoo!! Which is why I don't even have many pictures. I was immersed in my paper chats with many of you! A pleasant way to spend my time, for sure.</span><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dagan dropped off some farm fresh eggs on Friday! Leah gets them regularly from her chiropractor's farm. (You may remember when McFamily went to visit there and the boys got to hold chicks.)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hEdl6l2wpePbAHwKjDTxpFTHf0XR0jVVE0faf187-j2yqr34CRgOwo3JC6CMg4AiATHclnGlo5j9k7jk29bmvOG2033A9cWBlX1alJAP-pRNVE4hNMLEbrnOLpth6F51Fyo0Q4VZCzD_uONxr1KOd7MsYrIR49SsaUsOhyf0sqH5rjPRkudj/s4080/PXL_20240126_203442065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hEdl6l2wpePbAHwKjDTxpFTHf0XR0jVVE0faf187-j2yqr34CRgOwo3JC6CMg4AiATHclnGlo5j9k7jk29bmvOG2033A9cWBlX1alJAP-pRNVE4hNMLEbrnOLpth6F51Fyo0Q4VZCzD_uONxr1KOd7MsYrIR49SsaUsOhyf0sqH5rjPRkudj/s320/PXL_20240126_203442065.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am excited to be getting fresh eggs now, too. They are straight from the hens so you can keep them out on the counter if you don't wash them. </span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I didn't even have a picture of Miss Allie, either. So I knew right where she would be--lol! <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7FS_10fvoiCY2JOcTZkeD2s3Pp7eAF5dhBgDndveZ-WoYojJCfK7t5oMKs_q3FAfS4d566qY2Clx2fSGbj26Qg_O5s5_59qBou9Z5KZgqu4S2ETWoXDgCR44FtoqFW88KcVwwnSAIxOTvCmyPo9tnGlN0afN1LJwxKO51Z4-pEronV8L9HKD/s4080/PXL_20240128_182622727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7FS_10fvoiCY2JOcTZkeD2s3Pp7eAF5dhBgDndveZ-WoYojJCfK7t5oMKs_q3FAfS4d566qY2Clx2fSGbj26Qg_O5s5_59qBou9Z5KZgqu4S2ETWoXDgCR44FtoqFW88KcVwwnSAIxOTvCmyPo9tnGlN0afN1LJwxKO51Z4-pEronV8L9HKD/s320/PXL_20240128_182622727.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Napping in her bed on the table in the bedroom under the window. She closed those eyes again before I even left the room--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxkyrY9rGY8oZdeA3S_F0tQ0dCEy-ccH7Lloqq4lQ52AZo0lWmiZmww8ZWM7lrCzIbwnfFF3_DPsPizu3AoIDH4Q8wy2dqSAHvvJp7WDhKW_uPUdS_pUe73hBJdeSzv10JLfAGRvu7XJ_3qn38aMA6RpXVIyPWI7QNYwjTUtP_PlXn0HuVipR/s4080/PXL_20240128_182612377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxkyrY9rGY8oZdeA3S_F0tQ0dCEy-ccH7Lloqq4lQ52AZo0lWmiZmww8ZWM7lrCzIbwnfFF3_DPsPizu3AoIDH4Q8wy2dqSAHvvJp7WDhKW_uPUdS_pUe73hBJdeSzv10JLfAGRvu7XJ_3qn38aMA6RpXVIyPWI7QNYwjTUtP_PlXn0HuVipR/s320/PXL_20240128_182612377.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This does not look like winter to me. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYy-tecWTtxymZMLnuOwb_VZKjvSqABR7BKq1x4jT8LXO5n6ZvAjceRCf6wgziHCTZq-XPESOL-SOSSMiKXH7IyDRITRWnT38xoXBBgaLeuSV-Yy0qLJ3eyIvyIUtxVsSV9_70XoIk-ZAcZp2-ELPdpXPfsmRx4JvBjFTirzSyLcj0Oh-7WvI/s4080/PXL_20240128_182655114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYy-tecWTtxymZMLnuOwb_VZKjvSqABR7BKq1x4jT8LXO5n6ZvAjceRCf6wgziHCTZq-XPESOL-SOSSMiKXH7IyDRITRWnT38xoXBBgaLeuSV-Yy0qLJ3eyIvyIUtxVsSV9_70XoIk-ZAcZp2-ELPdpXPfsmRx4JvBjFTirzSyLcj0Oh-7WvI/s320/PXL_20240128_182655114.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Brown grass in January?! Nope. Some people love it. I do not. Am glad to have the endless ice melted, though (which I do not like). But I would prefer the beauty of snow drifts and winter white. *sigh*<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, I am down to six letters left to write! <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6kPBxKQxOmpsp8dAqlJTBCdmUXGI2kv_IYXQ9EBu_AGANa8kJiezmxARowOuiv8Zte2GEvKSOm03Y-j5AoTj9skd32e3Gd_U2N8PWk23xdsDx8Am_dpZ5HhMfYbBuq4oaiHRfnOBRx4rTaWfH_mougq9f2R5ePLhh9ze4xwQQxv5V0V4bu-P/s4080/PXL_20240128_190548402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6kPBxKQxOmpsp8dAqlJTBCdmUXGI2kv_IYXQ9EBu_AGANa8kJiezmxARowOuiv8Zte2GEvKSOm03Y-j5AoTj9skd32e3Gd_U2N8PWk23xdsDx8Am_dpZ5HhMfYbBuq4oaiHRfnOBRx4rTaWfH_mougq9f2R5ePLhh9ze4xwQQxv5V0V4bu-P/s320/PXL_20240128_190548402.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Hope to finish those this week and be all caught up...and then not be as slow to respond next time. ;)</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">McFamily is getting over the lingering cold, cough, sore throat thing but all doing much better. I haven't gotten it so far. Fingers crossed. </span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I've actually made it up to the table every single day this last week. Sometimes not till afternoon, but I gave myself a rule that I have to do my daily journaling at the table. Some days I have been up there longer than just doing my journaling (letters!) and others my back was ready to quit<i> before</i> I got there--lol! But I still journaled at the table. Doesn't sound like much but it's an accomplishment for me. Being at the table again...pulling up that rollie cart...was like greeting an old friend after a long absence. So nice! Hard to explain. Makes me feel like I really am going to get back to normal, you know. Makes me smile...even if it was a pain sometimes.</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Another thing that makes me smile...the electricians are supposed to be over at the house today! They said the end of the month and they are showing up when they said they would! Whoohoo! Can hardly wait to get pictures--even if it will be hard to tell much and it will look pretty much the same--lol! I haven't seen it for a long time.</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Told you. Short and sweet this week. Was busy and got over 20 cards and letters in the mail! We made it a smidgen above freezing Wednesday and Thursday. Then by Friday you could feel it was warmer and the meager amount of snow we had melted into the yard. Supposed to be in the 30s and occasionally in the low 40s for the next couple weeks maybe. No snow expected for a week or more. Brown lawn time into February. Oh well. There's some crazy weather all over and we're okay here. So I shouldn't complain about brown grass. At least the critters won't be freezing. Till next week, my friends. </span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">*love and hugs* </span> </div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-74104202008768650742024-01-22T05:00:00.001-06:002024-01-22T05:00:00.146-06:00January 22, 2023 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Been another week below freezing. The past couple of days the wind has been pounding even louder against the building. I am glad the partridges feel comfortable enough to settle in to stay once in a while. They sit up on the planters or sometimes hide in the bushes next to my patio. Not so far to go for their next meal. ;)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtWrq8BIrv5rSVdWWyhqti6IcNOxXjeqlaxANBy2m7HHQziQFFtdcaOMoGzmalPDJ4NkQcldDK_p3VCc9lFlhdvvzQzpxIBrecKrJpZIBznt7QJP-ZYU8bOUPg7cxV7tKp8-aCeuIyGmRhHa9lAKvZQT3OR7P8HQFXyXn2KEXqhNZ8evXeYO8/s4080/PXL_20240115_200112840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtWrq8BIrv5rSVdWWyhqti6IcNOxXjeqlaxANBy2m7HHQziQFFtdcaOMoGzmalPDJ4NkQcldDK_p3VCc9lFlhdvvzQzpxIBrecKrJpZIBznt7QJP-ZYU8bOUPg7cxV7tKp8-aCeuIyGmRhHa9lAKvZQT3OR7P8HQFXyXn2KEXqhNZ8evXeYO8/s320/PXL_20240115_200112840.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Not enough snow to burrow down into to protect themselves against the wind, so they do look fluffed up twice their size to keep warm. Really do enjoy seeing them every day.</span><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Just in case you're interested, I still am changing my shower curtains about every two weeks. Still is such fun for me.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUje7lAoDu3bfaT6SqNEJc3wYOXH-oABdPwh4PXs7Iwiv2nFx9r8O0jOfYFIC4rVS47p7qcUx4cH3vMTE0xX3dfnSHX9ZH_kW9YvRLhrveWdP46P6RExUdaQhl8qdvXZnvR_ngyV0VhmljXb4_R-IUvAxGzsQjtT1qFPc2CdrZFuFYyZc73jRp/s4080/PXL_20240117_040133341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUje7lAoDu3bfaT6SqNEJc3wYOXH-oABdPwh4PXs7Iwiv2nFx9r8O0jOfYFIC4rVS47p7qcUx4cH3vMTE0xX3dfnSHX9ZH_kW9YvRLhrveWdP46P6RExUdaQhl8qdvXZnvR_ngyV0VhmljXb4_R-IUvAxGzsQjtT1qFPc2CdrZFuFYyZc73jRp/s320/PXL_20240117_040133341.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Miss Allie still sleeps away the afternoons on her favorite cat bed up on the table in the bedroom. Been good cuddle up and snooze weather, that's for sure.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsNz2rEfPL4OI5CT0BpaID18ILOLfqBuPvTWzAgcizRXgi3c-kU4guLRQL3VGjjM2uPnWuietsGCe7rqpXIbKQ8a_kJx_hVl592kjdhuNvYzfcAba0D1t1gRLHu_rZl-kppen9Pas-GVt9TuR4c0TDpK0K3m6OxsraS3336WwfXu5dzAPGs1q/s4080/PXL_20240117_040149961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsNz2rEfPL4OI5CT0BpaID18ILOLfqBuPvTWzAgcizRXgi3c-kU4guLRQL3VGjjM2uPnWuietsGCe7rqpXIbKQ8a_kJx_hVl592kjdhuNvYzfcAba0D1t1gRLHu_rZl-kppen9Pas-GVt9TuR4c0TDpK0K3m6OxsraS3336WwfXu5dzAPGs1q/s320/PXL_20240117_040149961.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This past week I have slowly gotten all the cards and letters owed all set up...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mre33jpdmehYSOR7cEK6LCINWrggVefkyJc-N2rF_p23iCbd3NXvYSfBGcue5tmuf4oMVtsC91OFQJOoczQVG2cLNDxAL6p75-LyWWkYoAUyiMkyeVMDFsSb9Ec-v2KIjSXXam6g3MNZHY07wXYi7wDbXM7z0XZk8Dx0PqRK7VMxEOU1ucs2/s4080/PXL_20240118_031225771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mre33jpdmehYSOR7cEK6LCINWrggVefkyJc-N2rF_p23iCbd3NXvYSfBGcue5tmuf4oMVtsC91OFQJOoczQVG2cLNDxAL6p75-LyWWkYoAUyiMkyeVMDFsSb9Ec-v2KIjSXXam6g3MNZHY07wXYi7wDbXM7z0XZk8Dx0PqRK7VMxEOU1ucs2/s320/PXL_20240118_031225771.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...with all sorts of clips to hold each one together.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9of4WUAYrG6L3YHO8JC1bTNjuZBR6HnTJbuCWLgeY1EzhpQYLXoMuS4YEjNd1KMs0rzdN7JH9W9QhGMpDk6x_cIsDGJffZXbfQdF2EoWpEsGGoEerwc9H811v6_V94osr-lxqj_rhHeKw3ZIz4LQ9Yvp1Ey50_8v3HgKHDt02veZ0dr0ArGb_/s4080/PXL_20240118_031234184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9of4WUAYrG6L3YHO8JC1bTNjuZBR6HnTJbuCWLgeY1EzhpQYLXoMuS4YEjNd1KMs0rzdN7JH9W9QhGMpDk6x_cIsDGJffZXbfQdF2EoWpEsGGoEerwc9H811v6_V94osr-lxqj_rhHeKw3ZIz4LQ9Yvp1Ey50_8v3HgKHDt02veZ0dr0ArGb_/s320/PXL_20240118_031234184.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They are finally ready to go. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjZKZJbJcNQgFBBZ6TPYWKRGK8uLt0OiX1kql-vfALXMtPcz06j0IY1-SRfLyjx2q9UbjTnMbee6SHoFxMUYoZCSNCiV9iNcgQIQ4Eh19thYvVBkWmiB2nxD2hNlTPFmJFGodFxyDZf3eeQcVLM3pvAXS_mp1tx2hgD5vr5XoFyhst2jBW2nW/s4080/PXL_20240118_031242363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjZKZJbJcNQgFBBZ6TPYWKRGK8uLt0OiX1kql-vfALXMtPcz06j0IY1-SRfLyjx2q9UbjTnMbee6SHoFxMUYoZCSNCiV9iNcgQIQ4Eh19thYvVBkWmiB2nxD2hNlTPFmJFGodFxyDZf3eeQcVLM3pvAXS_mp1tx2hgD5vr5XoFyhst2jBW2nW/s320/PXL_20240118_031242363.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Yes, I know how slow I have been. After pushing myself for the past year to do all that P&P...well, since I <i>finally</i> basically finished...been in collapse mode. And it is marvelous! Has hindered my card and letter writing, though. Sorry. Plus it is freezing out and that the cold air runs along the floor...so that you want to just hibernate under a blanket with your feet up and get lost in a good story on the screen--lol! </span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Despite that, I have given myself an arbitrary rule that I have to do my journaling up at the table. Unless I am sick-sick or having such a horrible day I can't manage it at all, of course. So, I have actually been up at the table every day since Tuesday, I think. Progress in those small baby steps. :) </span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I've been randomly doing pages in the 365 Days of Art book, too. I knew I'd never do a page a day and that I planned to just have fun with it whenever I could manage...so it is nice to be playing in there, too.</span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There is big news on the apartment build. Was dangerously cold to get together for a confab at Dagan and Leah's so we had a video call with the three of us and discussed the new issues. Long story short--it was decided that we would have the rest of the apartment finished by contractors. The electric people are probably going to be here the end of the month, they said. We'll need to hire a HVAC/Plumber company to finish those. Leah had already talked to someone about doing the sheetrock/drywall. The cabinet company will be ready to go when the walls are done and they will also put in the carpeting down the stairs to the basement after they are finished installing the cabinets. Oh, and the drywall people will paint everything with the light tan/cream color. Dagan and Leah will paint the accent walls. </span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So--it may still take a long time--as it can with contractors--but it will be done by licensed professionals, so we don't have to worry about getting in trouble with the City or County and (since they both work with him) Trent won't be in any trouble, either. (Not that he seemed bothered by it all, Leah said.) Anyways, that is the new plan.</span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My plan to not give my two month notice until it is finished remains the same. There's a ton of IKEA furniture to put together and I still have a lift chair to buy and we have things to sell...things like that. So, I'll let you know what is happening as I find out. Meanwhile--I am worn out and happy to be done with the P&P on my end (except for little things that don't even need to be done before I move). </span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This past week all of McFamily was sick with a sore throat-runny nose thing. This time Dagan had it first. But they were all doing fine by the weekend. </span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Myself--besides setting up the 29 cards & letters--laundry, dishes, crock pot stew, baking...general puttering...watching videos, good shows and some movies. A quiet, wonderful week... <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhB4lICZiKCngG56VDcnT3z75XzPjLbm-ujYnOL8G4nbH8H4sZWMrqNGfbaf6-T2r70sy35JWv9IWESsL-VC__X3fhGaFQovDTGyW4tjZhVwicW3jIRfSXH0KIJdzPYYHxzgjea9-ac-myphsfwnzW5ZzlpHHoeWwimmH8VtnarYW-cXd3ebOo/s4080/PXL_20240118_211110808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhB4lICZiKCngG56VDcnT3z75XzPjLbm-ujYnOL8G4nbH8H4sZWMrqNGfbaf6-T2r70sy35JWv9IWESsL-VC__X3fhGaFQovDTGyW4tjZhVwicW3jIRfSXH0KIJdzPYYHxzgjea9-ac-myphsfwnzW5ZzlpHHoeWwimmH8VtnarYW-cXd3ebOo/s320/PXL_20240118_211110808.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...with all the visitors to the frozen Critter Cafe.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9hyphenhyphenzNkHXW8p3HPb2jmDR62aZ1TRqwWe94h5Hb55LXEsNhFXZmFmE13tf-NHw0iY6m8q8sKaBAhrBDGRWGzCXEDpH8s5pHkgvBEFxDfgv3PRyoGnSWE6DyTOgL0ewdtYdAGQ1gBD-1FkTRjPuaYq2lxnt40R2oQ_otbyEn21pDZ7RjZcG6hAg/s4080/PXL_20240118_211139921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9hyphenhyphenzNkHXW8p3HPb2jmDR62aZ1TRqwWe94h5Hb55LXEsNhFXZmFmE13tf-NHw0iY6m8q8sKaBAhrBDGRWGzCXEDpH8s5pHkgvBEFxDfgv3PRyoGnSWE6DyTOgL0ewdtYdAGQ1gBD-1FkTRjPuaYq2lxnt40R2oQ_otbyEn21pDZ7RjZcG6hAg/s320/PXL_20240118_211139921.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You know I will miss them when I am gone. The limper is still with the group but the hopper...haven't seen it. :(<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE-GDeThU6NjZGgiX8RNkxQ2eUqxbCUvKZzFL80vGuKdhValO0RxJ_kXGLcnXU8ccijkgquOwUGMvVwRd0UGdxxhi9btUV9LwuGWt2htH3yHfdzwGkgm1ftWuz43JqpsNeuBsBuKjmcrWwh7wH0nPWrXU1pD5jFLAETpb-jSexCnwk7YxoMJo/s4080/PXL_20240121_182409642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE-GDeThU6NjZGgiX8RNkxQ2eUqxbCUvKZzFL80vGuKdhValO0RxJ_kXGLcnXU8ccijkgquOwUGMvVwRd0UGdxxhi9btUV9LwuGWt2htH3yHfdzwGkgm1ftWuz43JqpsNeuBsBuKjmcrWwh7wH0nPWrXU1pD5jFLAETpb-jSexCnwk7YxoMJo/s320/PXL_20240121_182409642.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This weekend McFamily went to Sky Zone in Fargo. They brought with the next-door neighbor boy, Nash (who spends a lot of time at their house--he's the one with the trampoline in his back yard). Leah said there were a lot of other kids there, too, from the neighborhood.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuM4qUmAj1-kYw-QmyYk41evZjm6jwVDwvtQMI_M7Ood69TodUIdQ1y0O11rBTteO3dou9E1SxCSz8af3rsuaiuDXbxBHpzVNS4TETm7zYJ7q3nRXyShhEksHIhQ2IdLV-kuBQb9Dq-X8kPEFOfYxupxYj9nn4k7DEsW5tJX1AC1MeUilhxmpU/s4080/PXL_20240120_202414638.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuM4qUmAj1-kYw-QmyYk41evZjm6jwVDwvtQMI_M7Ood69TodUIdQ1y0O11rBTteO3dou9E1SxCSz8af3rsuaiuDXbxBHpzVNS4TETm7zYJ7q3nRXyShhEksHIhQ2IdLV-kuBQb9Dq-X8kPEFOfYxupxYj9nn4k7DEsW5tJX1AC1MeUilhxmpU/s320/PXL_20240120_202414638.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There are four really short videos to show you (and Gramma) what there is to do at a trampoline place--lol! </span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This does not look easy! Trying to jump up from the trampoline onto a ledge--no thanks. Not too many kids could do it. Here's Ian taking his turn to try.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KfzzbuUz7pc" width="320" youtube-src-id="KfzzbuUz7pc"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is Liam jumping from trampoline to trampoline across this whole room.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5D9Blp1nCEI" width="320" youtube-src-id="5D9Blp1nCEI"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Liam was pretty nervous about jumping from the platform on to that squishy mess below. It took him a long time but this is the video where he finally took the leap.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mEeO7cceymw" width="320" youtube-src-id="mEeO7cceymw"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ian doing a twirl jump off the platform. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fR3FW1D7F8Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="fR3FW1D7F8Q"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Goodness! It's no wonder they need employee spotters all over the place there--lol! What a fun place, though. The boys enjoy going there--like they do the rock-climbing-wall place.<br /></span><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Oh, and this was something called the hurricane. A few of the boys stood inside and I guess they get swirled or blown with air.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCnbMU-q5ZQFwv5wMMt1mdhI6JUhpJ0KvjOrgAq2PVRZyceFROJ4AXnA7cBVoIesVnB4xkEG9mpKJxozOMx77O_mc6DNOacyg7EYok-Oq2KKcjrSZ2s8A_9hoH_17GqbL6fZpRPbAtxhxxxpFMmSk4S_pwcS8UhncdXTRnJMXYZfAXyCAV2cZ/s4080/PXL_20240120_213248761.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCnbMU-q5ZQFwv5wMMt1mdhI6JUhpJ0KvjOrgAq2PVRZyceFROJ4AXnA7cBVoIesVnB4xkEG9mpKJxozOMx77O_mc6DNOacyg7EYok-Oq2KKcjrSZ2s8A_9hoH_17GqbL6fZpRPbAtxhxxxpFMmSk4S_pwcS8UhncdXTRnJMXYZfAXyCAV2cZ/s320/PXL_20240120_213248761.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Nash, Ian, and Liam--all were thirsty boys when they got back to the house--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMB7dNMERcpONm7aA39Uvthj6o1BV2wI6DhEQUos3cbb2ZK1EYiyD1ohne4Ig_0lfcFxrM7o5kbHCioONGx_f6BbW0zExG0MAqS5QS9SRUxWMwpMNTcBnfA0m9dtz2BWBPbCceOWnS4r_UvprsgWGmxXxQv8JFwG-sYRbwWdEdxrTNaDPs9o0/s4080/PXL_20240121_000059864.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMB7dNMERcpONm7aA39Uvthj6o1BV2wI6DhEQUos3cbb2ZK1EYiyD1ohne4Ig_0lfcFxrM7o5kbHCioONGx_f6BbW0zExG0MAqS5QS9SRUxWMwpMNTcBnfA0m9dtz2BWBPbCceOWnS4r_UvprsgWGmxXxQv8JFwG-sYRbwWdEdxrTNaDPs9o0/s320/PXL_20240121_000059864.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My "Rita" snowflake arrived for next year! So, I will have a tree ornament and Allie and I will have stockings next year. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpazcJ57SJynoz_14tisejF0faAbt_DPeKG1zJ8ViV8mtyHsewCUytYGQoud7SC_fYduDZv8Qo_aHU1nYkERRfvcoDSx1qVdOCrYgD-fSpwoWslJnngujHv5elTfAxxFtsQk184y-kP2GeLGYozle6J0rm-fqEEo4l6RrmMEOxXvGZ0PQ37XQ-/s4080/PXL_20240121_040826921.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpazcJ57SJynoz_14tisejF0faAbt_DPeKG1zJ8ViV8mtyHsewCUytYGQoud7SC_fYduDZv8Qo_aHU1nYkERRfvcoDSx1qVdOCrYgD-fSpwoWslJnngujHv5elTfAxxFtsQk184y-kP2GeLGYozle6J0rm-fqEEo4l6RrmMEOxXvGZ0PQ37XQ-/s320/PXL_20240121_040826921.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We are supposed to finally get above freezing by Wednesday. It will feel like spring--lol!</span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">To all of you waiting to get snailmail--may take longer than usual (already has) but I like to take my time with each paper chat, as you know, and I am just not moving fast. Moving again, but not fast--lol! For once I am not slow because I am feeling totally miserable (well, I was sick-sick for over a week there), but because I mostly feel like a hibernating bear who just wants to curl up and stay put where it is warm and safe--lol! The cold may be making me more achy, not sure, but I am pretty much back to my usual 3-4 on the pain scale most of the time so I can handle that. Thankful for furnaces, cats, the internet, coffee, snailmail, and all you wonderful people!! Life is good! See you next week!! :)</span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-84920990253545979852024-01-15T05:00:00.001-06:002024-01-15T05:00:00.156-06:00January 15, 2024 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good Morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This picture I just took shows you how many spoons I had this past week--lol! Exactly as it was a week ago--lol!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnN68tfsw0Kd-PB0NUlaSO04N3obgYUedcN1-ZKc-62BIYoZgnmqlLHTX_BgU3eUubyy3s-977NobkSIWNQ4njGZoXxY6mcbSuKjIEaAloOYVRnk9nyzUKEAERLTCaY6pWa8YJA0wU5x9PCiJv9hIA_bLNO04_CpYtW_wWuxHWYvm11a2DNRq/s4080/PXL_20240114_202959243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnN68tfsw0Kd-PB0NUlaSO04N3obgYUedcN1-ZKc-62BIYoZgnmqlLHTX_BgU3eUubyy3s-977NobkSIWNQ4njGZoXxY6mcbSuKjIEaAloOYVRnk9nyzUKEAERLTCaY6pWa8YJA0wU5x9PCiJv9hIA_bLNO04_CpYtW_wWuxHWYvm11a2DNRq/s320/PXL_20240114_202959243.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I guess I don't bounce back very quickly. But never fear...I haven't been sick-sick. Just draggy and tired. I'm back on night hours for sleeping and awake days though now...so...that's progress. I managed to keep up with laundry and dishes and meals and such...just no extra spoons. I apologize to those I owe Thank Yous from Christmas. They will be coming first. Cards and letters will be coming, too.</span><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My other two small knives arrived--with their red handles! (Already nicked myself--not used to sharp knives--lol!) <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC7MpBMm6tJDMlSR1l3gJgOzcXwDRtovvKFb0xR1dUcHNh0Dv4kIUAQpRUcDbbJ8IkBPygW3vV6iZnVLFccrehULMLdaNdbfJlZrr2fYCWK5GEEhzd6rhaAXQFO5rCZNrgqaiXBkLxHGIORGrItBMjvUZM0ViD7KJS8NSjvViFujyspO_gbJI/s4080/PXL_20240114_203035136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC7MpBMm6tJDMlSR1l3gJgOzcXwDRtovvKFb0xR1dUcHNh0Dv4kIUAQpRUcDbbJ8IkBPygW3vV6iZnVLFccrehULMLdaNdbfJlZrr2fYCWK5GEEhzd6rhaAXQFO5rCZNrgqaiXBkLxHGIORGrItBMjvUZM0ViD7KJS8NSjvViFujyspO_gbJI/s320/PXL_20240114_203035136.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I don't think I ever showed you my new GOOD humidifier. Not spraying white stuff all over the apartment! Hurray! Easier to breathe, too. :) <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17HaI7zTYV5QUSyjL59WBDuwabz3L7YYIXyyAy4cHK8A1frqhaGSLvUU36sGo89P6KGo_LMUBWF14qMxQvAv10wDy3VVIUijyveaksO33JBhsl6eqXaLJfVIZO-7KbjWZFPvNGHRLa-cJjYH9WnXz255u56s1mYlkzLj0U8GXRQi2UgrJRHsx/s4080/PXL_20240111_233224107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17HaI7zTYV5QUSyjL59WBDuwabz3L7YYIXyyAy4cHK8A1frqhaGSLvUU36sGo89P6KGo_LMUBWF14qMxQvAv10wDy3VVIUijyveaksO33JBhsl6eqXaLJfVIZO-7KbjWZFPvNGHRLa-cJjYH9WnXz255u56s1mYlkzLj0U8GXRQi2UgrJRHsx/s320/PXL_20240111_233224107.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I never did show you my new coasters I bought myself for Christmas, either. Always have two of them nearby for my coffee and water Yetis.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPme2_PmIA4W90Qn4fLbKKT6qMl_ZgfxlxDsjrepEXkQhhIi5rrkqUUZcVpP1zUA6auLyp-R5S8z8jmKHQzWvYrJWXXVTpfhWD-A9ipGwnICQYjyP_0od0GjSNDdNM-ucI68j2K25UZSgebuC2xVtWmgBAIVHRy_-rPckbPtkUIsCF-phexm7/s4080/PXL_20240112_052037852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPme2_PmIA4W90Qn4fLbKKT6qMl_ZgfxlxDsjrepEXkQhhIi5rrkqUUZcVpP1zUA6auLyp-R5S8z8jmKHQzWvYrJWXXVTpfhWD-A9ipGwnICQYjyP_0od0GjSNDdNM-ucI68j2K25UZSgebuC2xVtWmgBAIVHRy_-rPckbPtkUIsCF-phexm7/s320/PXL_20240112_052037852.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here's the other two ceramic coasters on the far end table by the patio door where the boys sit when they come over. Did you guess when you saw all the colors? I've had these in my Amazon "save for later" cart for over a year--lol! I do love her crazy cats.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzdZT2fkOXPlC4lOh45fZITHey0PNZC_wfW1Mb83rNYUU4ytx1ck1FrLeyZh9mVZH-8vbXo_jcCf28ERXbWlCh1M-afGcseCxhgqohyphenhyphen2Jra7uy_ArtOBiJ9vbEY5vABCiejaCfXSWa1AqWQRl8-yoWstPwAIbbMTAHZyXYK_1rYjlzLzHF9oP/s4080/PXL_20240111_233059669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzdZT2fkOXPlC4lOh45fZITHey0PNZC_wfW1Mb83rNYUU4ytx1ck1FrLeyZh9mVZH-8vbXo_jcCf28ERXbWlCh1M-afGcseCxhgqohyphenhyphen2Jra7uy_ArtOBiJ9vbEY5vABCiejaCfXSWa1AqWQRl8-yoWstPwAIbbMTAHZyXYK_1rYjlzLzHF9oP/s320/PXL_20240111_233059669.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It's been one cold week. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC0GKhMy7PbP9eNfscxHag6FSxmwiL8F_woimJdNEi6kQAq0fFDNcG4MxkvJGLHvyKneyrJSfjgJy0XldQQJ1058tSl5MDvNEZXJHQV14lWgbWkuiCAKFR23aRMD4YaohJ-uufqWb9AhNTbjsR9qq-AyyMTJj9aLpaLC9rZYb4Wzzt6IvL1hQ/s4080/PXL_20240112_225923073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC0GKhMy7PbP9eNfscxHag6FSxmwiL8F_woimJdNEi6kQAq0fFDNcG4MxkvJGLHvyKneyrJSfjgJy0XldQQJ1058tSl5MDvNEZXJHQV14lWgbWkuiCAKFR23aRMD4YaohJ-uufqWb9AhNTbjsR9qq-AyyMTJj9aLpaLC9rZYb4Wzzt6IvL1hQ/s320/PXL_20240112_225923073.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We had a blizzard Friday night. More wind than snow...but it plastered splatters of snow all over the patio door from top to bottom. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfbbkWV37GAAz3no2mNKVuUtTdugnyYxLhrZ5j6e29EAwMrF7NF-gET7mgaDj79NPJf7Epw3RLYzB8Bb2NN1RlgKUHzNT9KgE-d8zp_-TQNbWxecl6p5U3Rnavx2pCtLRJ-JB7_sc6iPRZq0otBOb4kwQ1hJQQ2ZyHvl7JVB-jEJuF7HbxhBv/s4080/PXL_20240113_162057273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfbbkWV37GAAz3no2mNKVuUtTdugnyYxLhrZ5j6e29EAwMrF7NF-gET7mgaDj79NPJf7Epw3RLYzB8Bb2NN1RlgKUHzNT9KgE-d8zp_-TQNbWxecl6p5U3Rnavx2pCtLRJ-JB7_sc6iPRZq0otBOb4kwQ1hJQQ2ZyHvl7JVB-jEJuF7HbxhBv/s320/PXL_20240113_162057273.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie loved it! Perfect for a bird spy.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhti6H4J9tr-DmDT1FJz_ituOKphSTIWJ9waAmr9fTFDvp1-97zusgCiQfM_4A_idOmQx7FOt3HiJxVZMPmlyEH414ivJvpzinhbGDpkMgbUMsIptaQVECmq86yQYWWRiB5emEduluHlbGpKcioj6IHXoAI-A5I0KJt7JpqPlGnqp2HXuLwuyo7/s4080/PXL_20240113_162114871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhti6H4J9tr-DmDT1FJz_ituOKphSTIWJ9waAmr9fTFDvp1-97zusgCiQfM_4A_idOmQx7FOt3HiJxVZMPmlyEH414ivJvpzinhbGDpkMgbUMsIptaQVECmq86yQYWWRiB5emEduluHlbGpKcioj6IHXoAI-A5I0KJt7JpqPlGnqp2HXuLwuyo7/s320/PXL_20240113_162114871.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBGsQc4FmGWfnijUcLBw9EDS4w3kW6Hb97mkmnuLAQcq1rHArQSkIwE7rf0SoabPmxjH1FJnXSGtwo_6kUzTw1MPSQCsABsRgHewzQeKAJK3YqwTM5PozwuiOKIfa4kYA-hX9buq0kiaBsOu5QSGXnMsRPO9FGMuK7JPTKn2EHgyLuHpLniZj/s4080/PXL_20240113_222036369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBGsQc4FmGWfnijUcLBw9EDS4w3kW6Hb97mkmnuLAQcq1rHArQSkIwE7rf0SoabPmxjH1FJnXSGtwo_6kUzTw1MPSQCsABsRgHewzQeKAJK3YqwTM5PozwuiOKIfa4kYA-hX9buq0kiaBsOu5QSGXnMsRPO9FGMuK7JPTKn2EHgyLuHpLniZj/s320/PXL_20240113_222036369.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A couple of hours later some of the snow was disappearing. Not from warmth of any kind (it was -14F with -32F wind chill)...from the force of the wind gusts.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7_NL5zOz03BrQbpzr24jDaK7ug-d8JnwcF5EtLGab0TA1PLgR99uc9nOgXSKs68qRWNm7DskdLDrZLshaknlmNMCmq2J-P0cftF4iXlZ4w2ohSZH8_g4XlotZU6LBLU1Vij9TJHv13bbJPs4F_q9OGKjvcW3g_CsK6c-Hau_uhql9caHZ4jV/s4080/PXL_20240113_181122474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7_NL5zOz03BrQbpzr24jDaK7ug-d8JnwcF5EtLGab0TA1PLgR99uc9nOgXSKs68qRWNm7DskdLDrZLshaknlmNMCmq2J-P0cftF4iXlZ4w2ohSZH8_g4XlotZU6LBLU1Vij9TJHv13bbJPs4F_q9OGKjvcW3g_CsK6c-Hau_uhql9caHZ4jV/s320/PXL_20240113_181122474.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie spent most of her afternoon naptime watching the freezing, hungry birds at close range. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LjEFN-cwVjx4n1IYcQ2uQv1BF9zzqykJg-ugbxm0W3JkmiV8yfE6-x0Sfvg3P2FnyGfINI2GMeSFehE0Srx4uPL3THprXjhkNySY359rXmp-Klgyzm4mw0tMbXRyOgJqLF9wPAt4lGa4JGgF1wvnsbzsrQmCW4ho5-nqHDLYqy5jpHiugQx1/s4080/PXL_20240113_181139938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LjEFN-cwVjx4n1IYcQ2uQv1BF9zzqykJg-ugbxm0W3JkmiV8yfE6-x0Sfvg3P2FnyGfINI2GMeSFehE0Srx4uPL3THprXjhkNySY359rXmp-Klgyzm4mw0tMbXRyOgJqLF9wPAt4lGa4JGgF1wvnsbzsrQmCW4ho5-nqHDLYqy5jpHiugQx1/s320/PXL_20240113_181139938.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When it is awful weather like this I am putting out some seed 3 or 4 times a day. I don't put out too much at a time because it gets buried quickly by the wind blowing the snow around. They can dig for it--and they do--but I like to make it as easy on them as I can since they look so cold and hungry.</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sunday the morning sun made the last of the snow fall from the patio door, the wind had died down enough, and the critters had packed down the snow enough that I could put a good amount of seed out for them.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcPwtG9WlYPg_UARCudICoD6fXuB45gqN-kT6GI78NHfFvikewFIcH46bVYTOe4tsKiYVyvuSw8GNFr0V0-OZ6o5KRgiGzuss-kKQosTC74sTftftI9RIhEIMZ1vH5pzzWs38Ps96XSxq2gV0xs_O3l2IXVkLUQ9v5wLZN1ND0xhCj2uStWa-/s4080/PXL_20240114_143952522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcPwtG9WlYPg_UARCudICoD6fXuB45gqN-kT6GI78NHfFvikewFIcH46bVYTOe4tsKiYVyvuSw8GNFr0V0-OZ6o5KRgiGzuss-kKQosTC74sTftftI9RIhEIMZ1vH5pzzWs38Ps96XSxq2gV0xs_O3l2IXVkLUQ9v5wLZN1ND0xhCj2uStWa-/s320/PXL_20240114_143952522.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You can see that rabbits come during the night if you enlarge and look at the footprints. There's nothing left come morning.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictr6tGcEz2qw7YoQaw3Gq_CrhMPkV9jcTCmssT9MBzo5QKdYLwRPdUeilFcaO5mWLfsSincO5KlB28awTm7uCWDJZMT_G-dc6NQaq7gEcXpBYEK4Y35KkhYGZccuPZKl7xwJpD2iKJgTk3IUkiH4XM2qdiBNvqwWwJtGt89ZMx_ZIzYjGoNcu/s4080/PXL_20240114_144008295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictr6tGcEz2qw7YoQaw3Gq_CrhMPkV9jcTCmssT9MBzo5QKdYLwRPdUeilFcaO5mWLfsSincO5KlB28awTm7uCWDJZMT_G-dc6NQaq7gEcXpBYEK4Y35KkhYGZccuPZKl7xwJpD2iKJgTk3IUkiH4XM2qdiBNvqwWwJtGt89ZMx_ZIzYjGoNcu/s320/PXL_20240114_144008295.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We've had wind chill warnings for a couple of days. Not going to let up any time soon, I guess. They're not predicting double digits <i>above</i> zero all week long. Saturday our high was -6F. Today our high is supposed to be -3F. Windchills are terrible....could be as low as -55F. Supposed to be colder in most of the US. Wherever you are...whether you are dealing with cold or heat...may you be comfortable and safe. Till next week, my friends. :)</span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-69719966340963948022024-01-08T05:00:00.001-06:002024-01-08T05:00:00.129-06:00January 8, 2024 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> 2024 Greetings!</span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Last we chatted it was New Year's Eve. Feeling motivated, I finally got all the letters and cards sorted for setting up to answer. Picked out some store bought cards and was ready for the next step--addressing envelopes. More than usual this Christmas...so many, in fact...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcYl4tvCfz2GDEgV8ZGt3vW9OCa5GxK8MUYdncGg0oaTVLKP6bnvBTt-GOYRWRLjQRF5Ch2G3BLK4D8Sdd2oMyUW4wzh7RQkPqO-CVe6WbZE1OTowAqZ5HboaXYM_bjKZSDXHSxE5_3MDd1rAaWpe_U8pI0BzDJRwVHmhlhuKadKRJZC2ewXN/s4080/PXL_20240103_235722028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcYl4tvCfz2GDEgV8ZGt3vW9OCa5GxK8MUYdncGg0oaTVLKP6bnvBTt-GOYRWRLjQRF5Ch2G3BLK4D8Sdd2oMyUW4wzh7RQkPqO-CVe6WbZE1OTowAqZ5HboaXYM_bjKZSDXHSxE5_3MDd1rAaWpe_U8pI0BzDJRwVHmhlhuKadKRJZC2ewXN/s320/PXL_20240103_235722028.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...I decided I had to gather clips to hold them together...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0rNNtNtqi-Cq2XfVCAXt78mJiciQcWiA2VsQvRkuJavP0Ibiiv4YMfe8ADHu_xgLCm0dTaH3SCZ2prJGjTnICdjtb2SDbMOk5Si4EBEJse1wjgqv2LlPGwKAYbAJqkMz2PZ9dCNW-J_Khs1nLe0CEOIWH9afFVo8AI1C8c43ZXfiDdyGHuIy/s4080/PXL_20240103_235728167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0rNNtNtqi-Cq2XfVCAXt78mJiciQcWiA2VsQvRkuJavP0Ibiiv4YMfe8ADHu_xgLCm0dTaH3SCZ2prJGjTnICdjtb2SDbMOk5Si4EBEJse1wjgqv2LlPGwKAYbAJqkMz2PZ9dCNW-J_Khs1nLe0CEOIWH9afFVo8AI1C8c43ZXfiDdyGHuIy/s320/PXL_20240103_235728167.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...since I don't even have enough notepads to set them all up--lol! (29 of them.)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjxVUz1G-HPS9ZrhlYDITvYZ6SnaM5NRNO9gp325oxy1K1QPVfSfQBM7otFwrPVCihDHL53jHg3i9oLFY4rPnETbvCnIDB5PdyYtrDkGJchjWB7LXKUoIn1XH4cRLzyLPIVr31tOLVikibHB8fPLC5kjxJlOEPHhyOM146u4_YQSTyJoiIKOZ/s4080/PXL_20240103_235745567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjxVUz1G-HPS9ZrhlYDITvYZ6SnaM5NRNO9gp325oxy1K1QPVfSfQBM7otFwrPVCihDHL53jHg3i9oLFY4rPnETbvCnIDB5PdyYtrDkGJchjWB7LXKUoIn1XH4cRLzyLPIVr31tOLVikibHB8fPLC5kjxJlOEPHhyOM146u4_YQSTyJoiIKOZ/s320/PXL_20240103_235745567.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I got that far and figured I had best stop and think about making my list of goals for 2024. One of my goals is to read four paperback books I have had around for some time. I had loved Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth series (not so much the series they made for TV--even though I loved some of the actors)...years ago I bought the three books of his Century Trilogy but have never read them.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV9tOKon-CVc1KU8zWYfn562AR2C2YFye3IGoKQJbPQrYjaH60rquAMDoMsvlNLMe68QjDsXaHAW9fYvuz5pIiMfdsjMcyxlhAVF4BOkdpgXZSKwVjSjoopZxZKM6pqBzXPU2EF-NvrhubuCXce_5LueeqrZ2ILYE9IPKWOL26SkWUGmE3C0v/s4080/PXL_20240103_235543427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV9tOKon-CVc1KU8zWYfn562AR2C2YFye3IGoKQJbPQrYjaH60rquAMDoMsvlNLMe68QjDsXaHAW9fYvuz5pIiMfdsjMcyxlhAVF4BOkdpgXZSKwVjSjoopZxZKM6pqBzXPU2EF-NvrhubuCXce_5LueeqrZ2ILYE9IPKWOL26SkWUGmE3C0v/s320/PXL_20240103_235543427.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Plus I have a book written by a lady who lives on the canals in England on a narrowboat...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfmOn0Tb8tMnlhdcU6gsAhkjQ4LdI5ncforiFkFTAEZjlaNv1EeH2slsE_k-wsHalnHI9DMT2PIHEbQ0oGex79ZMiXb5kWL8NjhyphenhyphencpvoGpmlZmBVJF8hrKZIDT8vaMF8TXOjxU0x4X59NhTo2NSp_qL2TMG78AImbbXswevdoe_eKgwYQi8S6/s4080/PXL_20240103_235601269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfmOn0Tb8tMnlhdcU6gsAhkjQ4LdI5ncforiFkFTAEZjlaNv1EeH2slsE_k-wsHalnHI9DMT2PIHEbQ0oGex79ZMiXb5kWL8NjhyphenhyphencpvoGpmlZmBVJF8hrKZIDT8vaMF8TXOjxU0x4X59NhTo2NSp_qL2TMG78AImbbXswevdoe_eKgwYQi8S6/s320/PXL_20240103_235601269.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...that is almost as fat as the other three--lol! (I follow some narrowboaters on YouTube and one of them recommended her book.) While I have been sorting and downsizing I rediscovered a large magnifying glass I have used to read since my eyes have gotten so wonky with the macular puckers.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0lmUIej9BhQVg15jqEwVMWNBXrkG4AfVJh6JhOLNDwu7eNHSIzygYX6jWyIgWRm20hZAJ7x1mZ71V5lT0diIq_vTBMkK4XZBnpvSEWAd68oPHd97J6lRtZibm8WkCTfLwsz89iRyOsiZvhBOc2BKlNn2CnToJrJHhY4qJlJbZOuucNs0jwNE/s4080/PXL_20240104_210528390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0lmUIej9BhQVg15jqEwVMWNBXrkG4AfVJh6JhOLNDwu7eNHSIzygYX6jWyIgWRm20hZAJ7x1mZ71V5lT0diIq_vTBMkK4XZBnpvSEWAd68oPHd97J6lRtZibm8WkCTfLwsz89iRyOsiZvhBOc2BKlNn2CnToJrJHhY4qJlJbZOuucNs0jwNE/s320/PXL_20240104_210528390.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I also found another magnifier that magnifies one line at a time, I guess--that I haven't actually used before.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWevcMq_uhpzSBkzZlLPMBt9Xk1rPOMs4eoCv3tmky6M1yYGFC0x0na0ZjhvYl292GFQS5vNfO-di43OLmx4Ut4NePY1T0FLa7wxW1TsRvbyK5_EDgKCrKh04aSKWG2W984SHuB9BuxQUg-cxVSS0Ya9a9aKXobiN9YdwygigbRT6O8Iw4QKG/s4080/PXL_20240104_210557431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWevcMq_uhpzSBkzZlLPMBt9Xk1rPOMs4eoCv3tmky6M1yYGFC0x0na0ZjhvYl292GFQS5vNfO-di43OLmx4Ut4NePY1T0FLa7wxW1TsRvbyK5_EDgKCrKh04aSKWG2W984SHuB9BuxQUg-cxVSS0Ya9a9aKXobiN9YdwygigbRT6O8Iw4QKG/s320/PXL_20240104_210557431.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, that is my challenge. Attempt to read these paperback books this year. If it is too hard on my eyes and gives me the bad headaches--then I should donate them.</span><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My second goal is to get back to being up at the kitchen table every day like I used to. Well, almost every day. I have always had some quite bad days, but that's beside the point--lol! Before this cancer ordeal I used to be up every morning to do my journaling at the table and I would spend most of the day working on things there. Wrote most of my letters there, too. So...step one is to get back in the habit of doing my journaling every day at the table again. I was so miserable for so long I couldn't have done that if I wanted to, but now I am having better days more often and want to gradually get back into that habit.</span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Every day I am in my bullet journal first.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsm9dzaegQtGqjeV8u3dIMhb5ld6MKeALeOCdAC9pcFNRb7wacblo5ABtGSAsmilC8wNlcLInao_tgb96Z8hq-Tipamil_AHRX5CCzki-15onwoikB0nKNKpxii1CyFeHTkrG1hAu2819AyNnbKyoiIu2o9l1UwGt66Yr_R0d5nGsYdE09IEJ/s4080/PXL_20240104_213046343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsm9dzaegQtGqjeV8u3dIMhb5ld6MKeALeOCdAC9pcFNRb7wacblo5ABtGSAsmilC8wNlcLInao_tgb96Z8hq-Tipamil_AHRX5CCzki-15onwoikB0nKNKpxii1CyFeHTkrG1hAu2819AyNnbKyoiIu2o9l1UwGt66Yr_R0d5nGsYdE09IEJ/s320/PXL_20240104_213046343.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">That is mostly check lists, to-do lists, appointments...that type of thing. Learned to use a FriXion erasable pen in there--LOL!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVGHhb8SUy3aCoC5qiHhyphenhyphen7so-qWN1e567qQda-ivqNTufPfKsAK5XmYiInXWiwIhH5XKHM0L7GRXPVOSlpUKdyuo0hzvoUJPqdr3pHqTDriYK5n2Uzjpdlr-knV99nrU-xP6KZnLpf6cTzqQ2tiLR9Cyg0Fcow9P1xuQmwP5NZqPBRAHGtV87/s4080/PXL_20240104_213118823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVGHhb8SUy3aCoC5qiHhyphenhyphen7so-qWN1e567qQda-ivqNTufPfKsAK5XmYiInXWiwIhH5XKHM0L7GRXPVOSlpUKdyuo0hzvoUJPqdr3pHqTDriYK5n2Uzjpdlr-knV99nrU-xP6KZnLpf6cTzqQ2tiLR9Cyg0Fcow9P1xuQmwP5NZqPBRAHGtV87/s320/PXL_20240104_213118823.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Then I get out the fountain pen tray I am currently using...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEict4btsVTvH3H8m4_3B_HL46UwP-i6SB3Jd41HtqrrDPsUhHBRLq01XoOvBYzwRATImpJ62zQg4AlaY1L889ZCuHfgqYUH-RjNyiP_1n_w8b9e3OOKTRPg9W9TH2NZQIno2brojxToI14HlhwDFtzcKRDqMFCOpdkE5ympRyTP27zqUaeRnG6x/s4080/PXL_20240104_213423293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEict4btsVTvH3H8m4_3B_HL46UwP-i6SB3Jd41HtqrrDPsUhHBRLq01XoOvBYzwRATImpJ62zQg4AlaY1L889ZCuHfgqYUH-RjNyiP_1n_w8b9e3OOKTRPg9W9TH2NZQIno2brojxToI14HlhwDFtzcKRDqMFCOpdkE5ympRyTP27zqUaeRnG6x/s320/PXL_20240104_213423293.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and work in the five year journal.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAaTgxOUdKw4Z4Z5A-H6ZntqVzjVxFgOsVPOZyNc9qFOGtTw64lnlmvfG1RQyrBdV6NFXMeOW0ILP8DXtNQpR6HPRVFMU3G0xuim0CqKWHqLV1VHP-ffU7DZOEkN7DZtwMPj911C1OYZLB09VAH4raOJR1OMybUkUZG3Kots023pN0jtEeda5/s4080/PXL_20240104_213056017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAaTgxOUdKw4Z4Z5A-H6ZntqVzjVxFgOsVPOZyNc9qFOGtTw64lnlmvfG1RQyrBdV6NFXMeOW0ILP8DXtNQpR6HPRVFMU3G0xuim0CqKWHqLV1VHP-ffU7DZOEkN7DZtwMPj911C1OYZLB09VAH4raOJR1OMybUkUZG3Kots023pN0jtEeda5/s320/PXL_20240104_213056017.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I keep track of the weather and when I have slept and the basics of the day. (Those are rub-ons on that front cover page.)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RNzMd3pyAD06zNKREh8SklrdSh9Xg8F1i5vUdix2GqVGB86Y9K5OJiMI5Txy2mVrz3Z1E8q9S1G9TiwQbKR-pdYloB71QMx-cwgxyBKv7MtE_ggOpnVwYriM8jX3oyLi4UUTAJ3f9GNAY8PyQXqWcuzctqSezUVsf1Y4il-cLsEjWR3tYHPG/s4080/PXL_20240104_213146182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RNzMd3pyAD06zNKREh8SklrdSh9Xg8F1i5vUdix2GqVGB86Y9K5OJiMI5Txy2mVrz3Z1E8q9S1G9TiwQbKR-pdYloB71QMx-cwgxyBKv7MtE_ggOpnVwYriM8jX3oyLi4UUTAJ3f9GNAY8PyQXqWcuzctqSezUVsf1Y4il-cLsEjWR3tYHPG/s320/PXL_20240104_213146182.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Finally my writing journal.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFksoFLiigZhHmv7uy2hmXVh8oA1V6mQo9ZZLZJeO42HuXMo4WeUVfumZuIedCd7_JCo9lBgtH1EFRqrEqNOQS-sQ_JpyuIn_3klyJ226_5BKEWRjXSGFhHRZVMxj3OqC0eEq5oHz5x8hbrzB2aUNPLmOGpirsQ94Xm4Uyuw2x4RYIVmrFkQxB/s4080/PXL_20240104_213100203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFksoFLiigZhHmv7uy2hmXVh8oA1V6mQo9ZZLZJeO42HuXMo4WeUVfumZuIedCd7_JCo9lBgtH1EFRqrEqNOQS-sQ_JpyuIn_3klyJ226_5BKEWRjXSGFhHRZVMxj3OqC0eEq5oHz5x8hbrzB2aUNPLmOGpirsQ94Xm4Uyuw2x4RYIVmrFkQxB/s320/PXL_20240104_213100203.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I write about what is going on or whatever I am feeling. Could be a couple paragraphs or a few pages.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTaAm8eUWjjBpoP9JS8_UtrjCM4D3I8x2byuGFSrtxMpw5YiaAoZk0cHnCZ4hBvbQLa_XgkRajQUTyOWTVPfZTFNuORRU7nLSf9oFRn8fyN4I6ddsyxY2Ovyhicy6c-BcJHmID231wSYGsBcM-i98FWgEufhfQtQP_T17BnL_AWlFW9F3EQpA/s4080/PXL_20240104_213337199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTaAm8eUWjjBpoP9JS8_UtrjCM4D3I8x2byuGFSrtxMpw5YiaAoZk0cHnCZ4hBvbQLa_XgkRajQUTyOWTVPfZTFNuORRU7nLSf9oFRn8fyN4I6ddsyxY2Ovyhicy6c-BcJHmID231wSYGsBcM-i98FWgEufhfQtQP_T17BnL_AWlFW9F3EQpA/s320/PXL_20240104_213337199.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have a few stickers on the inside cover pages...here's a couple of them.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeX8juJD5CwseQ2Z95M3KrmP3CXaMa6qHFU9N7pXORbE4blJdOncwPjtgmpunTwPiJvejDsf7vDPY7xXXtThQ-7OtPfdhdRDYz4DFlLFbtk4TkwCjl_BXUtdoQIgJ7VSMxBn8h-RkEMf6XCU3lIlck5FCLLiXQcl75u-uyi12eyqFoPkKjS0D/s4080/PXL_20240104_213412618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeX8juJD5CwseQ2Z95M3KrmP3CXaMa6qHFU9N7pXORbE4blJdOncwPjtgmpunTwPiJvejDsf7vDPY7xXXtThQ-7OtPfdhdRDYz4DFlLFbtk4TkwCjl_BXUtdoQIgJ7VSMxBn8h-RkEMf6XCU3lIlck5FCLLiXQcl75u-uyi12eyqFoPkKjS0D/s320/PXL_20240104_213412618.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There have been times over these past couple years where I was so out of it I didn't remember to journal (or have a spoon of energy) for days at a time. Thankfully that has passed. But now my goal is to get back to writing in my journals at the table again...a habit I have gotten out of these past two years. Been writing everything in my chair.</span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Then--since I didn't sign up for Wanderlust this year--I decided to try out this workbook called 365 Days of Art. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gbil7o4k-QmKCcmjkVFutaub_uTzQ_tMU1l102y64jMDo1XnaM-XqwKPykUr8P_jEl58-BwD61Zj_kW2mHhReT6nlqrdSzx6jIdEtYedfmMs625TDYsMp09qeFOiUPNS-DjYxEUEzWyZXK1ovH-v6_nEP8AdKhUhIPaoO3AJrIt8eZtkmJ1h/s4080/PXL_20240104_210955202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gbil7o4k-QmKCcmjkVFutaub_uTzQ_tMU1l102y64jMDo1XnaM-XqwKPykUr8P_jEl58-BwD61Zj_kW2mHhReT6nlqrdSzx6jIdEtYedfmMs625TDYsMp09qeFOiUPNS-DjYxEUEzWyZXK1ovH-v6_nEP8AdKhUhIPaoO3AJrIt8eZtkmJ1h/s320/PXL_20240104_210955202.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I had started on the first, of course. Use color to make a pattern, it said. Then there were blobs of color on the next page and the first sample on making them into critters. I didn't get to that second one for a few days...but I had a good reason.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmlPYLHsf1OFAmh4yE2mGZZKbj4icVe9H3HZR-0ZplUz4IJh371Ol1i4XcGHiLS9O8RnPxq-XEZpGuPME8mlbR2SEpHLGm06j8Wt1q9_O2oKW8Agp45pEHn_PsAaZCj0yVIvGobgMjytCOE4rmczpErUhF_H2JH1hSfCjdN-6O3pzgILPWpxC/s4080/PXL_20240103_042829502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmlPYLHsf1OFAmh4yE2mGZZKbj4icVe9H3HZR-0ZplUz4IJh371Ol1i4XcGHiLS9O8RnPxq-XEZpGuPME8mlbR2SEpHLGm06j8Wt1q9_O2oKW8Agp45pEHn_PsAaZCj0yVIvGobgMjytCOE4rmczpErUhF_H2JH1hSfCjdN-6O3pzgILPWpxC/s320/PXL_20240103_042829502.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What I like about the book (more than I ever expected) is that there are just all these prompts that are usually easy and even silly by the looks of them. Things you can usually do quickly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK78WQcPSLoeuln8eB46azTKyNIYFB1BHnKp4k_9a_VY3ntrk3bKgGiwB7dWEmlx3qwjlKtLR_k4m2bNlRGR2IvbHpA75R134AEPH2xxENAE-43jlzHkSj7kfy6q38Y87YvplhzvrkjtSDni2tFQUbM76jvaz8E56eqUg3ID-EwCMqi5oS-8Jw/s4080/PXL_20240104_213623475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK78WQcPSLoeuln8eB46azTKyNIYFB1BHnKp4k_9a_VY3ntrk3bKgGiwB7dWEmlx3qwjlKtLR_k4m2bNlRGR2IvbHpA75R134AEPH2xxENAE-43jlzHkSj7kfy6q38Y87YvplhzvrkjtSDni2tFQUbM76jvaz8E56eqUg3ID-EwCMqi5oS-8Jw/s320/PXL_20240104_213623475.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What's cool is, there a page spread in the front of the book where you can cross off which prompt you have done!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxS6yr-bONlMD7hxo03ehjqISVn0NbG1iTO9A9H6ej98jyttyUHDifuOVC5Z1mXUQHrPrFQw2OG1O33XSqCCnBmJDoa9TNLfMddYkzvTryhzEWeQ-PW61j3jHCg3hUkMqEtfCaYb9W-vD0C80O8D0eB582PJlnF1e0EhejxQK5wWtcYiFBMvV/s4080/PXL_20240108_005821341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxS6yr-bONlMD7hxo03ehjqISVn0NbG1iTO9A9H6ej98jyttyUHDifuOVC5Z1mXUQHrPrFQw2OG1O33XSqCCnBmJDoa9TNLfMddYkzvTryhzEWeQ-PW61j3jHCg3hUkMqEtfCaYb9W-vD0C80O8D0eB582PJlnF1e0EhejxQK5wWtcYiFBMvV/s320/PXL_20240108_005821341.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So you don't have to do them in order and can do whatever you feel up to that day. (Because some do take a little more effort than others.) You don't have to feel bad if you skip on a bad day. Or you could do more on a good day. </span><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I needed something super simple, no pressure, and adaptable. My goal for 2024 is to get in the habit of spending time at the art table almost every day, too! </span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, spending time at the kitchen and art table almost every day (realistically, I will always have bad days) and to try to read the only TBR books I have left...or donate them. Not big goals. Well, big to me--lol!</span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Why didn't much of anything happen this week with those goals? I got sick Monday night. Luckily, I had already done banking and gotten my rent check down to the office, so I was okay to get sick--lol! This was painful stomach cramping and vomiting bouts for going on for three days...and then just exhaustion, nausea, and feeling cruddy after that for a couple days. But for the first few days I was definitely keeping this ice cream pail close by!</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-719a8uvmLVXzxg5HzWNwAoCvkx3yn_T1k-knq4AX1yE2nOchpQeHvGbMkpWXhM6bruETJhp0HqWVd3TfV1Lw5qxlMG73hn9-c7OJM6Fov4GjM8m7_pP7boRrtDCEbM4b-5wKG1X2yER9yeZtROYFbdkvUr5rM6gVCVicWlB1Ff7ousQtZ1d/s4080/PXL_20240104_213810855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-719a8uvmLVXzxg5HzWNwAoCvkx3yn_T1k-knq4AX1yE2nOchpQeHvGbMkpWXhM6bruETJhp0HqWVd3TfV1Lw5qxlMG73hn9-c7OJM6Fov4GjM8m7_pP7boRrtDCEbM4b-5wKG1X2yER9yeZtROYFbdkvUr5rM6gVCVicWlB1Ff7ousQtZ1d/s320/PXL_20240104_213810855.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie kept a close eye on me.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXX_YglSKUECxsjMMu1_b6tfJpePBOFR_7JAl38uj5eDM1hUdqz31Pp1FmXT_4GY9oJiPDPVqUVJ_OimL-TDdsqiSWqJiSYQ6mT_DB49eI_5Uv3h8zmHpECcByH_OgVIxXRHMuAVS_UNzliujlKig2Q4EgjX0EJKqdnT03evLRGSb_kAyxEZEG/s4080/PXL_20240104_210652598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXX_YglSKUECxsjMMu1_b6tfJpePBOFR_7JAl38uj5eDM1hUdqz31Pp1FmXT_4GY9oJiPDPVqUVJ_OimL-TDdsqiSWqJiSYQ6mT_DB49eI_5Uv3h8zmHpECcByH_OgVIxXRHMuAVS_UNzliujlKig2Q4EgjX0EJKqdnT03evLRGSb_kAyxEZEG/s320/PXL_20240104_210652598.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, I kind of lost the week. Just been watching a lot more shows and YT videos--lol! Was feeling too cruddy to even work on letters much at all. Had previously started a letter and managed to finish that--but setting up all those letters I owe? Well, they are still sitting right there on the table where they were last Monday--lol! Just getting laundry done and some baking was plenty enough for me. </span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I'll catch up now this week. Gradually feeling better and getting my hours back to being on days. (I was sleeping at all hours and a whole lot for a while and it has thrown me off kilter, of course.) It wasn't really bad--although the stomach cramps were pretty bad while they lasted--just tolerably sick and exhausted. On the mend the past couple days.</span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">On to something fun this week. This month my exciting purchases were knives--lol! No lie! Some of the knives I had were from when I was first married to Dagan's dad--so they were like 50 years old! Wooden handles that would almost give you splinters. And I had some hand-me-downs and odds and ends I have picked up over the years. A mismatched conglomeration of knives...that Dagan and Leah have even sharpened for me a couple of times. (They didn't like trying to cut with them, either--lol!) They'd just get dull again in short order. My set of steak knives had been used for things they shouldn't have and some had the tips broken off. </span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Better knives--another thing I had been researching and planning for...got a set of steak knives (note the rounded tips--lol!)...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzTT2IWoqMyYktcqi9VRnf0O9_n9g2wjdFzxEiXZ-FkdCrxMFSJenFvHVtDtvfUrGb_clfEXO53f2RJ6vEk-JI855iGkOEUWb5RRXN94PXcLNejg1LgM_Kfj0vHN6z_fPvHBmBI5gz3P82F43vPCJNr_-Vp6McPgqbp6Wt7RK1xtvsb0nkZNb/s4080/PXL_20240106_070640868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzTT2IWoqMyYktcqi9VRnf0O9_n9g2wjdFzxEiXZ-FkdCrxMFSJenFvHVtDtvfUrGb_clfEXO53f2RJ6vEk-JI855iGkOEUWb5RRXN94PXcLNejg1LgM_Kfj0vHN6z_fPvHBmBI5gz3P82F43vPCJNr_-Vp6McPgqbp6Wt7RK1xtvsb0nkZNb/s320/PXL_20240106_070640868.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...a really nice chef's knife...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IkIuuAftfmRgnTzHpa2wq9_qwY4if3M9EdiWdDLdDSeXthqSllqvpFVQnimZSdm_w4g5EF1kKTKn4ux2TEAAcuK-0Ye1KlJB0JPmygCHrY88Y9lP08aMYs2AIi-9quiW-5H05xTv1mkDMVgi-6VerRUfgUx6iw1ePeMJDIaWUEVVFVUlO9XP/s4080/PXL_20240106_070649883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IkIuuAftfmRgnTzHpa2wq9_qwY4if3M9EdiWdDLdDSeXthqSllqvpFVQnimZSdm_w4g5EF1kKTKn4ux2TEAAcuK-0Ye1KlJB0JPmygCHrY88Y9lP08aMYs2AIi-9quiW-5H05xTv1mkDMVgi-6VerRUfgUx6iw1ePeMJDIaWUEVVFVUlO9XP/s320/PXL_20240106_070649883.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial;">...</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial;">and I still have a set of a paring knife and a small utility knife coming. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial;">They're all by Victorinox. And that is all I am going to have, I think. Three knives and a set of steak knives. Downsizing my knives, too. :) You can see by my bent plastic utensil holder that I want to buy a new one of some kind after I move and know the exact dimensions. ;) </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I didn't think I could get this excited about knives. But when the new chef's knife came I had to try it cutting up some baked chicken breasts--and OMGoodness! A world of difference! I didn't have to saw away at it--LOL! Sooo nice!</span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, I am grateful that I am feeling on the mend. Hope to get more done this coming week. </span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The boys made it to Home Depot this Saturday. So funny! They made Home Depot semi-trucks!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxS4ots9d6ECZrLTmMcHt-LJ8s67c3icnNExrNaFupBhylJDDMbxkWLwjVXZyv_knibROIsxmWQWZZ9zl4y6Rtzyu_ubKNtKwNDXD9JYEiTgOTsRw4oo_Lfl5F_6AR3Mm8n67LylIrgbPJFKh4SO2Tf-7YqBBKkjcC5VpL4_WtO00_t97N_oEg/s4080/PXL_20240106_172048594.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxS4ots9d6ECZrLTmMcHt-LJ8s67c3icnNExrNaFupBhylJDDMbxkWLwjVXZyv_knibROIsxmWQWZZ9zl4y6Rtzyu_ubKNtKwNDXD9JYEiTgOTsRw4oo_Lfl5F_6AR3Mm8n67LylIrgbPJFKh4SO2Tf-7YqBBKkjcC5VpL4_WtO00_t97N_oEg/s320/PXL_20240106_172048594.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Daddy was helping Ian with something on his. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmVVBKYsY3blMH03_2m0M_l5S_COJ0ovGpYyx4DJs0V_1NTVb2I3iBB4ZoGchDD2ULcYn5MOy401j1Y1ICZhkiJLTmRJxp5Z8wf0RdNmf7jqr9k_8lefrdsOF5Ia0RxbNNCLH5vJEEWL3Ibg4C7U8toGBK4gvd7s5r1ks5gMf-dD-dfdZ4GzM/s4080/PXL_20240106_172107674.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmVVBKYsY3blMH03_2m0M_l5S_COJ0ovGpYyx4DJs0V_1NTVb2I3iBB4ZoGchDD2ULcYn5MOy401j1Y1ICZhkiJLTmRJxp5Z8wf0RdNmf7jqr9k_8lefrdsOF5Ia0RxbNNCLH5vJEEWL3Ibg4C7U8toGBK4gvd7s5r1ks5gMf-dD-dfdZ4GzM/s320/PXL_20240106_172107674.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I asked Leah why Ian's truck was white and he didn't paint it the bright Home Depot colors?<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaazQ-4_GzqYsvJdurIJB4SDUAtLJ5Hdrskfy-FfcuPP1aOayUrL4MUnhM1JIIoIXZTA7HQlG4U9sp93DgTMPVITASmYjJPtMeda_ncJg_24O-Y-RMsUDqDkQhDgPkRZNYiVNpYEqUZki7M05GCzGsv-hBZEM325RSteaHdunLri5oMOK62DcY/s4080/PXL_20240106_175426247.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaazQ-4_GzqYsvJdurIJB4SDUAtLJ5Hdrskfy-FfcuPP1aOayUrL4MUnhM1JIIoIXZTA7HQlG4U9sp93DgTMPVITASmYjJPtMeda_ncJg_24O-Y-RMsUDqDkQhDgPkRZNYiVNpYEqUZki7M05GCzGsv-hBZEM325RSteaHdunLri5oMOK62DcY/s320/PXL_20240106_175426247.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">She said Ian told her that the "real" semis he sees on the road are usually white and he wanted his to be more realistic. He's obviously not seen a Home Depot semi--lol! I like that he wanted his to look realistic, though. :)</span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sadly, Leah told me that Liam got sick and threw up in bed Saturday night and that Ian had a sore throat. I was worried I had given this to Liam, but she doesn't think I gave it to him because it sounds so different. My cramping went on and on and on till I finally threw up and felt better in a little while...for a while...but then it started again in a few hours...over and over again for 2 1/2 to 3 days. Liam's was sudden, but he did feel better after he threw up. Ian has a sore throat--none of us has a sore throat. Both the boys have been fine ever since then. </span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I think I might have gotten mine when I visited the clinic for so long, but who knows? Just so much stuff going around everywhere. That time of year. And now with the boys in school and Leah working her new job at the office...just going to be more sickness getting picked up. We figured that. I'm just glad the boys are doing fine. I think maybe I should still wear a mask when I go to the clinic. ;)</span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, that was my week. Feeling from briefly-randomly-terrible to just cruddy-yet-tolerable to finally just sleepy-drained but recovering. Now, a new week...a new year (feels like 2024 is just starting for me--lol!)...and I will work on incorporating my goals...as soon as I have more spoons--ROFL! Till next week, my friends!! </span></p></div></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-8288559582631570962023-12-31T22:00:00.001-06:002023-12-31T22:00:00.130-06:00New Year's Eve Sunday--9:45pm<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Happy New Year!</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This week went by quickly. When Keanna came to clean on <b>Tuesday </b>even she was shocked to see the hallway! LOL! I haven't seen this hallway since I moved in. Had two bookcases on the right hand side and later another short bookcase, too, under the coat hooks.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfoj0v-P1dRGZCVJxBjBqXlaLjKA9mOaHurtDtK88HZSu3s1rVhLLEL9Yp1Jn3rAXZzYcOwxKSFqvWmNTw1xyPZ0jWEc2FH5nrXQS-pvJuUSYfGyqz-SGb9N2KJc1aLCeMhk59y0asVDF-AXZftWNI9dXwwefUav-Fx936nBF0WjQtRDrG7kJ/s4080/PXL_20231226_045924255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfoj0v-P1dRGZCVJxBjBqXlaLjKA9mOaHurtDtK88HZSu3s1rVhLLEL9Yp1Jn3rAXZzYcOwxKSFqvWmNTw1xyPZ0jWEc2FH5nrXQS-pvJuUSYfGyqz-SGb9N2KJc1aLCeMhk59y0asVDF-AXZftWNI9dXwwefUav-Fx936nBF0WjQtRDrG7kJ/s320/PXL_20231226_045924255.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As suspected, Allie is a bit freaked out and unhappy, but she just paws more at the boxes in the living room. </span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A few things ended up in the studio closet which had been completely empty. But not much.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl121lqh1yNJXqlJeOKpvArYWPeYhueLxgdoilK2O8HdYgQZnQjWezBLr7-K2HpXTpax3-XiL0m85GOQng3aGdAXQISQApUYClnZ9wCddXZBHSp-DDLj3VZ6_XQEuy7O9vZFppQIT2188Och0p_db1IdAd06EPDdQzyInAkn-W8X3t-a-AF8S-/s4080/PXL_20231226_045942094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl121lqh1yNJXqlJeOKpvArYWPeYhueLxgdoilK2O8HdYgQZnQjWezBLr7-K2HpXTpax3-XiL0m85GOQng3aGdAXQISQApUYClnZ9wCddXZBHSp-DDLj3VZ6_XQEuy7O9vZFppQIT2188Och0p_db1IdAd06EPDdQzyInAkn-W8X3t-a-AF8S-/s320/PXL_20231226_045942094.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The U-Haul wall is about full. But I am about done pre-packing, anyways. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_YcYIWDO3j2G0P9etg-t4lekphAT72z19yvyGI54St6OKZQ1B9cbotehPLLuXatUwtVuhecSM486Gwok9cNvq4i2MEoyOk9BK0fPggOskeYforADOHFjVkMHd8oRnfjYPaNRiFP6wzKpgVvpo5bw1K9InDjGISOHpSU_K2eSdkQToVCpYpJ3/s4080/PXL_20231226_193520864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_YcYIWDO3j2G0P9etg-t4lekphAT72z19yvyGI54St6OKZQ1B9cbotehPLLuXatUwtVuhecSM486Gwok9cNvq4i2MEoyOk9BK0fPggOskeYforADOHFjVkMHd8oRnfjYPaNRiFP6wzKpgVvpo5bw1K9InDjGISOHpSU_K2eSdkQToVCpYpJ3/s320/PXL_20231226_193520864.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am down to this one full box to purge from the hallway (filled with small empty containers) and the hall closet (which I have already more than half emptied. Small stuff that I do not feel badly about procrastinating on for a while. I am a tad bit exhausted. :)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUONADofM7FoSf16jQ5ardp4Gt9tEm6lhhjY-1FXxCiNtwF2e0hF6aPibOzX-lzxS2MchIY5At3reR95TEQRvar23Qe9E0zSsrafMKxOFVRF-Y1jJpDF9ScT7Zspo2kw39gzATmkE2apsyRhBvKIZ3dCj0iw6jiTg1eldL2U8pi3SAHddzmY5/s4080/PXL_20231226_193540303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUONADofM7FoSf16jQ5ardp4Gt9tEm6lhhjY-1FXxCiNtwF2e0hF6aPibOzX-lzxS2MchIY5At3reR95TEQRvar23Qe9E0zSsrafMKxOFVRF-Y1jJpDF9ScT7Zspo2kw39gzATmkE2apsyRhBvKIZ3dCj0iw6jiTg1eldL2U8pi3SAHddzmY5/s320/PXL_20231226_193540303.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This was the last load of donations in the pantry that went to the garage.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCg_GqSmLkLWWTS0uCHhdC_Vg1v6NjOs5-g0liH6Xv3J2_duFg-ZeytlNWRbACJbjhb5h9goDphUij_vvZWGBcdgzWFV_vXv9iY-ACHEKBOxyYaR68eCQTPzswp-jpXkf_DCFtfEP3Yl86xgJgT536wAjpbqdaDGJUIJMcVI0vTPNbrBSsHEd/s4080/PXL_20231226_193551101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCg_GqSmLkLWWTS0uCHhdC_Vg1v6NjOs5-g0liH6Xv3J2_duFg-ZeytlNWRbACJbjhb5h9goDphUij_vvZWGBcdgzWFV_vXv9iY-ACHEKBOxyYaR68eCQTPzswp-jpXkf_DCFtfEP3Yl86xgJgT536wAjpbqdaDGJUIJMcVI0vTPNbrBSsHEd/s320/PXL_20231226_193551101.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Was warmer briefly--enough to melt a lot of the ice. Critter Cafe was busy.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_yssx1EYLTb-S4immzj5lCzoH77HEQwutX3mUWZBgTzQTqR701jwY2MkiNphyphenhyphen4Us3jhK-2k3o1ZcZVeHaG8IIJYeZaL1aU78g4lq87QvAXGGd7rXZ8uzYY4vYXSH1_Jbae3Db5g2EJtvogQLIrdgxbDYJJuPpAicEAxft-0arfO6gShmRTdB/s4080/PXL_20231226_222345061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_yssx1EYLTb-S4immzj5lCzoH77HEQwutX3mUWZBgTzQTqR701jwY2MkiNphyphenhyphen4Us3jhK-2k3o1ZcZVeHaG8IIJYeZaL1aU78g4lq87QvAXGGd7rXZ8uzYY4vYXSH1_Jbae3Db5g2EJtvogQLIrdgxbDYJJuPpAicEAxft-0arfO6gShmRTdB/s320/PXL_20231226_222345061.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The ice storms over Christmas were awful. We got a thin bit of snow covering all that ice.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD01a9C0hd42KqEhrzVt8pi3m5pkouYqd9UExF0XoF5YYNqfZZwOeyz6fdA2kkigaCOFMg55Ruysm33Ok6zym-dLGx_nXzljcIhvcsSCHsOWOXaIhaZSHPEt0SFQLwjPvXmf80l4tnJjdSZqBceLbcVFVHKCWP4BexvEhkkqhBSAbgDqbQGNbH/s4080/PXL_20231227_165106594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD01a9C0hd42KqEhrzVt8pi3m5pkouYqd9UExF0XoF5YYNqfZZwOeyz6fdA2kkigaCOFMg55Ruysm33Ok6zym-dLGx_nXzljcIhvcsSCHsOWOXaIhaZSHPEt0SFQLwjPvXmf80l4tnJjdSZqBceLbcVFVHKCWP4BexvEhkkqhBSAbgDqbQGNbH/s320/PXL_20231227_165106594.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The plows scraped away as much of the ice as they could.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRCSWeaG6o5IO-cgeD1g7jQ6Kz95wwCbqXN5VKZ7NoLZoJkYbcnWsIwEarx47nPGGnQiuAPmLv6h9s7C4gTPwNCWrfGZFjIR5wacqTFUWB7am-fqtjnKX80W8SIW-44XTAxFYm1fm8klbb1ZZVNFwvx-XS6aTJjVJtMhEGj5XtQ7nhBjkrPxI/s4080/PXL_20231227_165136123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRCSWeaG6o5IO-cgeD1g7jQ6Kz95wwCbqXN5VKZ7NoLZoJkYbcnWsIwEarx47nPGGnQiuAPmLv6h9s7C4gTPwNCWrfGZFjIR5wacqTFUWB7am-fqtjnKX80W8SIW-44XTAxFYm1fm8klbb1ZZVNFwvx-XS6aTJjVJtMhEGj5XtQ7nhBjkrPxI/s320/PXL_20231227_165136123.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie watching mealtimes at the Critter Cafe every day. One of her favorite pastimes.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaouNyGEmKe4hXA7RGTelSb0L5kjLY50804epuHgAVAbHg1_h1c_XjhLQdayb5fvCpZmJUU4JJyqYBFTRtuRARrG1qHCiW90APsOGDJgnP1ESAolVxWZEq6zTSxEXe1rwWKHOk4AcRKVMYi4SZQQN2cDUcvU5kGDIhKl7N8x3t1T7WM3t0JmV/s4080/PXL_20231227_165208950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaouNyGEmKe4hXA7RGTelSb0L5kjLY50804epuHgAVAbHg1_h1c_XjhLQdayb5fvCpZmJUU4JJyqYBFTRtuRARrG1qHCiW90APsOGDJgnP1ESAolVxWZEq6zTSxEXe1rwWKHOk4AcRKVMYi4SZQQN2cDUcvU5kGDIhKl7N8x3t1T7WM3t0JmV/s320/PXL_20231227_165208950.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday</b> Dagan and the boys brought me over to the West Fargo Clinic to have my annual checkup with Dr. Kessler. He accidentally came half and hour early and the appointment started half an hour late, so it was a long afternoon but a good one. Was nice to see her and fill her in on what happened over my cancer adventure. She had me stop at the lab so they could check my vitamin D levels because they had been so high a while back and were never checked again. (Results came back and now they are fine.)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Thursday </b>morning Dagan and the boys picked me up. I stayed with the boys so Dagan could go to a retirement luncheon for a lady at work. Liam played a video game. (Minecraft, I think.) Ian and I sat at the table and he showed me the new math for multiplication. He had work to finish--making up 4 numbers multiplied by 3 numbers. Completely new way of doing it--that I wish we had when I was learning! I liked it!</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I noticed a visitor in the tree outside! A hawk had landed to consume whatever it had caught for lunch. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-BhPVpqI7_YeyksG24xAK9UFFDX1GEtpFtCDTzsZ5jbVS-nFsZcirIng3-Sb9F8PIBttNF9MS4EbdP-0PAYqymsq0Jk4hS1sVGK9VwwPa7YRXZIgUfgJHx6RrgYd94uOqQ_YhRkD6FzG8gE1_yPmD0bIKHcdQZ0bdLXQlRdAWhl1nB9jz2yh/s4080/PXL_20231228_191140170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-BhPVpqI7_YeyksG24xAK9UFFDX1GEtpFtCDTzsZ5jbVS-nFsZcirIng3-Sb9F8PIBttNF9MS4EbdP-0PAYqymsq0Jk4hS1sVGK9VwwPa7YRXZIgUfgJHx6RrgYd94uOqQ_YhRkD6FzG8gE1_yPmD0bIKHcdQZ0bdLXQlRdAWhl1nB9jz2yh/s320/PXL_20231228_191140170.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It was one very hungry hawk! Barely took a breath between ripping off another hunk to chow down.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqMVgLvlkWG_dYPBQq-QKtuNOP6LmYOewYJcEVXbkHGyn4QqN-k40RL-CMIGy5c5jLhhIY7mURLRZ242_I0ZEYcO_dC7rvwem1xFRrGuJS8c9079-H69EgvP9ItKyvZsB3jyYjY6bOUKPqzSBjxTf8ECB743yucY9qaEW2IqMnx3Uv0IJgEPt/s4080/PXL_20231228_191337064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqMVgLvlkWG_dYPBQq-QKtuNOP6LmYOewYJcEVXbkHGyn4QqN-k40RL-CMIGy5c5jLhhIY7mURLRZ242_I0ZEYcO_dC7rvwem1xFRrGuJS8c9079-H69EgvP9ItKyvZsB3jyYjY6bOUKPqzSBjxTf8ECB743yucY9qaEW2IqMnx3Uv0IJgEPt/s320/PXL_20231228_191337064.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There was nothing under the tree when it left. Not a feather or fur--so we don't know what it was eating. Tried hard to see. Ian got his binoculars but couldn't tell, either.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyGavJtb3mfse5YktSh-rML4J2w-UbkSPLdD0GNRTMVqSR_pQEQq3FGVhw75FVyz0NcomAE2WJxNmKJlEG8a5pOXmU_2dJdN7rmNEs8Zs8Qo-x08N0gqfy3uY4EZKSvXdvvAEMai8N7MEbXVq8iH9eHVfhnSNvGWY9gmHIEQagJj4GYgAt2JT/s4080/PXL_20231228_191557519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyGavJtb3mfse5YktSh-rML4J2w-UbkSPLdD0GNRTMVqSR_pQEQq3FGVhw75FVyz0NcomAE2WJxNmKJlEG8a5pOXmU_2dJdN7rmNEs8Zs8Qo-x08N0gqfy3uY4EZKSvXdvvAEMai8N7MEbXVq8iH9eHVfhnSNvGWY9gmHIEQagJj4GYgAt2JT/s320/PXL_20231228_191557519.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I got as close as my camera would zoom--and we could not say what the hawk was eating but it was very happy.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PvjScDxZJZtm78d9lIXeqosllWyHE_mmcyE4GpGRSxjDTrQqQEbgp6dz5WcTTCFbhZNgEFR9KuSMAw56SUbP20tLsqA6POA3PZWmdKJcFOGsqJsAPAS2Q4LCLk67hvrPL_62ZbBBj2Q8JfAN8ZWV6bY5TrsBuvPIafzLU2TQOYUtcT1KyCzs/s4080/PXL_20231228_191708588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PvjScDxZJZtm78d9lIXeqosllWyHE_mmcyE4GpGRSxjDTrQqQEbgp6dz5WcTTCFbhZNgEFR9KuSMAw56SUbP20tLsqA6POA3PZWmdKJcFOGsqJsAPAS2Q4LCLk67hvrPL_62ZbBBj2Q8JfAN8ZWV6bY5TrsBuvPIafzLU2TQOYUtcT1KyCzs/s320/PXL_20231228_191708588.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Liam was more interested in his game--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOvCuJnyLNK8cj07v92r9do7isXV-mUbalARZUPEVlJlZIHTnLGn37RFzj__LWhiXhPk99qJcLFLp87qluIqH4-3sXfd1FoC8ZxLrSm0iXJW_ujeCpwjjLxRK1V38w7pjJN1nsKjXPMs5Ck9g1Qp_IzPPZ2yNd6pU5mYAnizv2OaPyU9ytTU8/s4080/PXL_20231228_192142156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOvCuJnyLNK8cj07v92r9do7isXV-mUbalARZUPEVlJlZIHTnLGn37RFzj__LWhiXhPk99qJcLFLp87qluIqH4-3sXfd1FoC8ZxLrSm0iXJW_ujeCpwjjLxRK1V38w7pjJN1nsKjXPMs5Ck9g1Qp_IzPPZ2yNd6pU5mYAnizv2OaPyU9ytTU8/s320/PXL_20231228_192142156.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When Dagan got back they gave me a ride home. I had packages being delivered and we were going to do Christmas after Leah got off work...just too long for me to stay at one time. (I get very stiff and sore sitting in other chairs--and I was already sore from the clinic the day before.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have some pictures from Leah this week. Making Christmas cookies...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3V4V30ic6fHItHG8K_qprgiG3KcK11aO3772W1GFuzXoye9S5c_2Pwx26cn8OyHDJuBCMpE1rUq8k4KH1N10OOlebjKQ58OflGIO22bvC4kiGejcjAta3Ne0z5J6RKEOKquP4x39I_5Ttx3DKVI7G_f6Ld6dLd5lRNqyRCwJRZs3uaPFB6ww/s4080/PXL_20231210_102615834.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3V4V30ic6fHItHG8K_qprgiG3KcK11aO3772W1GFuzXoye9S5c_2Pwx26cn8OyHDJuBCMpE1rUq8k4KH1N10OOlebjKQ58OflGIO22bvC4kiGejcjAta3Ne0z5J6RKEOKquP4x39I_5Ttx3DKVI7G_f6Ld6dLd5lRNqyRCwJRZs3uaPFB6ww/s320/PXL_20231210_102615834.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and decorating. The boys love helping make the cookies.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzj3KJh4Pwz0kgzx4D24Tbs8RcqGczkytRDUszkZ6WvLOill_Qg_y4TI-Um2VqS1fl8yJ0Xv8E6UgUsa0HhEYmStmI7CxsArwcnW_iUCExc6RmvF90xlSpOO0dfsYav7fNGToZ18oukNG91y1JIlLwuulgGcPCk7h_dYbvqQQwnl_L6_joX7A/s4080/PXL_20231210_102627542.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzj3KJh4Pwz0kgzx4D24Tbs8RcqGczkytRDUszkZ6WvLOill_Qg_y4TI-Um2VqS1fl8yJ0Xv8E6UgUsa0HhEYmStmI7CxsArwcnW_iUCExc6RmvF90xlSpOO0dfsYav7fNGToZ18oukNG91y1JIlLwuulgGcPCk7h_dYbvqQQwnl_L6_joX7A/s320/PXL_20231210_102627542.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I always love their outside trees they decorate every year. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZ78EpAihobvgtMFYbxgAcKSltRVizayur2HXgZ7Z4o0XvloTk4Sd3wpAvrX0GsYPlbOGK-p_ZVDOQ2eedS-jqp5ED7m5qHgSEJQ2gqAmV6SQ2esTcSXvDbfGDPIzwvnSl2Q3biwMv094mzVOL3p_7pMegJONr-yguH_2Pl-rbQsQWUll8M7Y/s4080/PXL_20231211_053355632.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZ78EpAihobvgtMFYbxgAcKSltRVizayur2HXgZ7Z4o0XvloTk4Sd3wpAvrX0GsYPlbOGK-p_ZVDOQ2eedS-jqp5ED7m5qHgSEJQ2gqAmV6SQ2esTcSXvDbfGDPIzwvnSl2Q3biwMv094mzVOL3p_7pMegJONr-yguH_2Pl-rbQsQWUll8M7Y/s320/PXL_20231211_053355632.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here's a random video with the boys and Leah singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat in the car.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XHdq7_xLHr8" width="320" youtube-src-id="XHdq7_xLHr8"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The boys wrote out these letters to Santa (forms). </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ian.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqpGhsaN5xNqZtfq1gewsAfaj022xGnOqSi7DYQ_UivxNfqJR-Nlx9ViY7E4zDwuQ0GzDR8feJFdLLNmvlTSjIq_zLT-0LINkk2-37JZirpbv3m9nLEvkvJz8rgu2CD4UrotejB5Ubc6jafwp-e3Tda9hsRNCfQP41tTRBxsJ1rD4A1Ht2_PY/s4080/PXL_20231214_004256214.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqpGhsaN5xNqZtfq1gewsAfaj022xGnOqSi7DYQ_UivxNfqJR-Nlx9ViY7E4zDwuQ0GzDR8feJFdLLNmvlTSjIq_zLT-0LINkk2-37JZirpbv3m9nLEvkvJz8rgu2CD4UrotejB5Ubc6jafwp-e3Tda9hsRNCfQP41tTRBxsJ1rD4A1Ht2_PY/s320/PXL_20231214_004256214.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Liam.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OVuC2lq25suuORRhbHDMYc2yjpZkc9xNKILWAN5Zz6ppCxujyrqMKdra8-xXTZW943NLPVz8JXMJG4hWjJMCNAemWaAbrVFteYF3-4LTD70G6rc-HxQs7TflxUmW0JInWSSb8uqMOnhOXV0x8dGBZAINvvAO3_l_VOQM1CWsbg1S_3TKB3tW/s4080/PXL_20231214_005945667.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OVuC2lq25suuORRhbHDMYc2yjpZkc9xNKILWAN5Zz6ppCxujyrqMKdra8-xXTZW943NLPVz8JXMJG4hWjJMCNAemWaAbrVFteYF3-4LTD70G6rc-HxQs7TflxUmW0JInWSSb8uqMOnhOXV0x8dGBZAINvvAO3_l_VOQM1CWsbg1S_3TKB3tW/s320/PXL_20231214_005945667.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Liam and Santa.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKxegpJGltmkB88wo0Ki01qO2f9b-utSOxgjLO3WxooDJ2hWrLMKIJ9NGY-c_aIPgSs76ciNmcjlQ3Vo1ome71_fSq7p-cTwNca0kqSRBP_papQetlIB_sUUtrlcpW525uazGTm7wFP4M6SmR5z4Gh8gTNW5PF2UX1OvWsacSc9jDQDqEX6wm/s4080/PXL_20231216_003442032.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKxegpJGltmkB88wo0Ki01qO2f9b-utSOxgjLO3WxooDJ2hWrLMKIJ9NGY-c_aIPgSs76ciNmcjlQ3Vo1ome71_fSq7p-cTwNca0kqSRBP_papQetlIB_sUUtrlcpW525uazGTm7wFP4M6SmR5z4Gh8gTNW5PF2UX1OvWsacSc9jDQDqEX6wm/s320/PXL_20231216_003442032.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Daddy and the boys.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYAUMqjgQPoY9xr-OtyNekSlovj8JFuwtHLEsMu5ZzbAWUMQ2MwXcYOyIA5_5LvvNBFquxgYqYKzGzh3eQ1H5p9IXwVQqDBtbVoceh4IFt5AFwrce_XGFN3QCsdjDqFUQ1HzxQVrDQB6tJqpeamy5PfJvktcqo_nTstlf4FyQZ2tHmjVyfo8v/s4080/PXL_20231216_011131098.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYAUMqjgQPoY9xr-OtyNekSlovj8JFuwtHLEsMu5ZzbAWUMQ2MwXcYOyIA5_5LvvNBFquxgYqYKzGzh3eQ1H5p9IXwVQqDBtbVoceh4IFt5AFwrce_XGFN3QCsdjDqFUQ1HzxQVrDQB6tJqpeamy5PfJvktcqo_nTstlf4FyQZ2tHmjVyfo8v/s320/PXL_20231216_011131098.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The boys on the Merry-Go-Round.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdt_Jxs1DZr0L3Ee1YPV67MZaWJZLgNxPlWTYt9cLvLv44CwmwoMkuLBncS0OptxT-yRGyYTOL7mG9GQ49RVgxfGoM9ZQT4j5oodbMr_v_qal2zxKyegUYU4Eaf-7gINznp-SMRxBnR8tbD7ZcDIIcgt_xJDH4vILCczQQh9CG8jA7oPo-4ofy/s4080/PXL_20231216_012053888.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdt_Jxs1DZr0L3Ee1YPV67MZaWJZLgNxPlWTYt9cLvLv44CwmwoMkuLBncS0OptxT-yRGyYTOL7mG9GQ49RVgxfGoM9ZQT4j5oodbMr_v_qal2zxKyegUYU4Eaf-7gINznp-SMRxBnR8tbD7ZcDIIcgt_xJDH4vILCczQQh9CG8jA7oPo-4ofy/s320/PXL_20231216_012053888.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Liam by a fire pit.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-MCKrk5g60kmB6wYn_8M0nTodgAcqvx-27BXbFrcnv2J2a76grYScAv2SjOOwWvdnEYsIxuoOviXRFGrZZhmmLI2JB9ER34skKd8u0W2-uR7moraijPfb-nOJjfQQx_UuqxDFsSa4auKODu7YvrQV9Du1CzhsWd9QLHXlomR7XC-hVkL3yCd/s4080/PXL_20231216_013020832.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-MCKrk5g60kmB6wYn_8M0nTodgAcqvx-27BXbFrcnv2J2a76grYScAv2SjOOwWvdnEYsIxuoOviXRFGrZZhmmLI2JB9ER34skKd8u0W2-uR7moraijPfb-nOJjfQQx_UuqxDFsSa4auKODu7YvrQV9Du1CzhsWd9QLHXlomR7XC-hVkL3yCd/s320/PXL_20231216_013020832.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The boys outside the Red River Zoo.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHMYb56STRxWvRab2ZptV5AXcWkMarJUpMVPI1nxjw5w_zVxdK2oAdtX_xNGLc9mUl71DT50xAJxyHBPnVPKRm3DWoh6SQ3ObjmTXGKeDeMwWWEqMun05NEEW6ABbMuySQA6p211HLtgBPToAfGARfBO31praBGa7Qyfgdd9eXv1cyY7CS7TQ/s4080/PXL_20231216_013308102.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHMYb56STRxWvRab2ZptV5AXcWkMarJUpMVPI1nxjw5w_zVxdK2oAdtX_xNGLc9mUl71DT50xAJxyHBPnVPKRm3DWoh6SQ3ObjmTXGKeDeMwWWEqMun05NEEW6ABbMuySQA6p211HLtgBPToAfGARfBO31praBGa7Qyfgdd9eXv1cyY7CS7TQ/s320/PXL_20231216_013308102.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Their Christmas tree at home.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-ZDLCeBT0LIybp8Wlks-Kj6Zpini4XReG1ygwVJjEKS_agC9VU4eBRRprfMDn__XiJruwBTvrWSWML-Fi81w90wsa7NPxiungMeI100aQbWxHNw8fpDOQqTkT-HBLZqaTYyNLDOw6N_9aBtvhdFfiqDYNO3vhmijOyUFrrOuw5Gevt4vaYnT/s4080/PXL_20231217_104614652.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-ZDLCeBT0LIybp8Wlks-Kj6Zpini4XReG1ygwVJjEKS_agC9VU4eBRRprfMDn__XiJruwBTvrWSWML-Fi81w90wsa7NPxiungMeI100aQbWxHNw8fpDOQqTkT-HBLZqaTYyNLDOw6N_9aBtvhdFfiqDYNO3vhmijOyUFrrOuw5Gevt4vaYnT/s320/PXL_20231217_104614652.MP.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah showed me these wooden snowflake ornaments. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKWC_1gnDyavYv1e9eTZPfKwK-5soeo9d7UZw0Re1GJKgcBPAUUz4QSO56sKOwcFfBM_KBJcS_foJc6qBwzvgIiVfTUJGGwtV-hRk8mEKlwLvWgKPCusbA7mTMM6BZyjlnjdWzv8fOnzFNYMtdFopif_IBCPGBnnLD31_CbY8HrqxZMGa4Vxo/s4080/PXL_20240101_025017136.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKWC_1gnDyavYv1e9eTZPfKwK-5soeo9d7UZw0Re1GJKgcBPAUUz4QSO56sKOwcFfBM_KBJcS_foJc6qBwzvgIiVfTUJGGwtV-hRk8mEKlwLvWgKPCusbA7mTMM6BZyjlnjdWzv8fOnzFNYMtdFopif_IBCPGBnnLD31_CbY8HrqxZMGa4Vxo/s320/PXL_20240101_025017136.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg855Zo_q6V1V3hfFsJZIP2plA8yvslekze00N4dP36eLnsAA-Ems69-1i8l8tF0bAxvfqjLTjZO72WCMU_M9knO3xGmecVUuxsG6jMwi1YTFJ3sPioJhknTTkSbrqlJcAcMQGjdzj93hnxwm1GFKaDz5NHR1KojEBxzzM5k1G2XEG2A-cqhNTx/s4080/PXL_20240101_025024658.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg855Zo_q6V1V3hfFsJZIP2plA8yvslekze00N4dP36eLnsAA-Ems69-1i8l8tF0bAxvfqjLTjZO72WCMU_M9knO3xGmecVUuxsG6jMwi1YTFJ3sPioJhknTTkSbrqlJcAcMQGjdzj93hnxwm1GFKaDz5NHR1KojEBxzzM5k1G2XEG2A-cqhNTx/s320/PXL_20240101_025024658.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I thought--yes, they are very pretty. But she and Dagan said to look closer. Can you see one says Liam and one says Ian! Dagan and Leah each have one, too. Leah asked me if I would like one for next year. Her sister Michal got them each one for Christmas and Leah knows where she ordered them. Uncommon Goods. (I've never heard of that place, but these are cool and I would like one--yes!)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Oh, and Gramma is VERY HAPPY to learn that Ian is learning cursive at Montessori!</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We have had so much fog! One day it lasted all day long. Leah got this picture on her way to work.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrzQdtWn01_Md4uciXSsGIJEnp1SzYDXptH3wVjqwcns8YZo8kBfPURvjjKYA06fHtQtlNU-TfmzpHwIVqDmu_nH7dVg20oVWPn-_GCQ8QVQc5m1qMj3q55qAQPsCWxsR7TckfBkJFYj8BzeOfI3fMztHeNP6pylTzoirokU7KKi0rDKQ4DOz/s4080/PXL_20231222_141743657.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrzQdtWn01_Md4uciXSsGIJEnp1SzYDXptH3wVjqwcns8YZo8kBfPURvjjKYA06fHtQtlNU-TfmzpHwIVqDmu_nH7dVg20oVWPn-_GCQ8QVQc5m1qMj3q55qAQPsCWxsR7TckfBkJFYj8BzeOfI3fMztHeNP6pylTzoirokU7KKi0rDKQ4DOz/s320/PXL_20231222_141743657.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The boys in Christmas chaos--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUBulQwZiY_G4QVmT3WMmEV5L7b4xwS9AEQPPRHwvBDA4RFXnuhKLR_bp135jmxIzjjE6kn1Z8ZWcFopImN4ZStGL4gyVPMsFaM91rjMTChWpQYdy9xIlZ51Xr_POf9DviyvzLmQQg52kdhRs4BptdOXPchwZafbHrLm8iys3G7RLjQs2-7N8/s4080/PXL_20231225_142536204.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUBulQwZiY_G4QVmT3WMmEV5L7b4xwS9AEQPPRHwvBDA4RFXnuhKLR_bp135jmxIzjjE6kn1Z8ZWcFopImN4ZStGL4gyVPMsFaM91rjMTChWpQYdy9xIlZ51Xr_POf9DviyvzLmQQg52kdhRs4BptdOXPchwZafbHrLm8iys3G7RLjQs2-7N8/s320/PXL_20231225_142536204.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here's how thick the ice was in that storm! Looks half an inch or so!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Zhc59MYP9znnmeSzGiC7eSZn0Fgh4IJDleKK5IGnKojnzjJBxXaDoG7Py_GZkGQ0LUMz-4weXHXCHKRfMdvSLnDIe2D4xAT7DSYsMlUyEMbH1-oH-hmFsWOLRWkSduE9usbPNxEqvBfc-7vhjvWVg4Qv3UcZnOGriblUvC9hd2SAcfXRdBta/s4080/PXL_20231226_050633810.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Zhc59MYP9znnmeSzGiC7eSZn0Fgh4IJDleKK5IGnKojnzjJBxXaDoG7Py_GZkGQ0LUMz-4weXHXCHKRfMdvSLnDIe2D4xAT7DSYsMlUyEMbH1-oH-hmFsWOLRWkSduE9usbPNxEqvBfc-7vhjvWVg4Qv3UcZnOGriblUvC9hd2SAcfXRdBta/s320/PXL_20231226_050633810.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Their willow tree sagging under the weight of the ice.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHXBjRmhzWK1bJVZbTSuQojwQwVc4-mxhvYyg5kD4u7_l40hICDw6Mx7GGlmq8-lBHTgsSZa-8aphaED8heEm-TNQf3-_XNmRI9sbxec5EVJpgA93szSxuRb1SAvd5PE7YGdpHPwhHxyxba626MUxG2RuVEIsDL3nJemdXTQMIElj5sL1LR-H/s4080/PXL_20231226_062531026.NIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHXBjRmhzWK1bJVZbTSuQojwQwVc4-mxhvYyg5kD4u7_l40hICDw6Mx7GGlmq8-lBHTgsSZa-8aphaED8heEm-TNQf3-_XNmRI9sbxec5EVJpgA93szSxuRb1SAvd5PE7YGdpHPwhHxyxba626MUxG2RuVEIsDL3nJemdXTQMIElj5sL1LR-H/s320/PXL_20231226_062531026.NIGHT.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">After the ice had melted.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx3aqPnZe2zKVQqHC18qWpNuMbrArAxhvq29Kk9GW_Bu04Ck9Ob7siObf_iqqRVnVHoSnyvmhon3fiHkH2XRyPwCpTSQx8jlNIPsC7UtuB1Yn4QDUlv4_m68nKqorolIOj06ZsU-ctas2s4kLrmItFHHY6dNWQDTpic7MhJksT4IRrHiOI_Hw/s4080/PXL_20231226_192405312.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx3aqPnZe2zKVQqHC18qWpNuMbrArAxhvq29Kk9GW_Bu04Ck9Ob7siObf_iqqRVnVHoSnyvmhon3fiHkH2XRyPwCpTSQx8jlNIPsC7UtuB1Yn4QDUlv4_m68nKqorolIOj06ZsU-ctas2s4kLrmItFHHY6dNWQDTpic7MhJksT4IRrHiOI_Hw/s320/PXL_20231226_192405312.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Huge branch was lost. :(<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9VoClYtJZUlWqjSmiNwKTzgwVgUwztYe8mBUrO9i2bWk7-Ozyt2SdMVGjaf9nkEQeSODfQVyFEdEgQ9xfSI3yVCveTJdLgt9q1LIeyM1__RaEMuLzrZDVsrRVxBFIyXYeTVzsc-7XhQbJfUPGb9nu1jrIX9WjRE7WlKBo2oX6weO9tV7OS13/s4080/PXL_20231226_192427953.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9VoClYtJZUlWqjSmiNwKTzgwVgUwztYe8mBUrO9i2bWk7-Ozyt2SdMVGjaf9nkEQeSODfQVyFEdEgQ9xfSI3yVCveTJdLgt9q1LIeyM1__RaEMuLzrZDVsrRVxBFIyXYeTVzsc-7XhQbJfUPGb9nu1jrIX9WjRE7WlKBo2oX6weO9tV7OS13/s320/PXL_20231226_192427953.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Half the tree top is gone.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6qthrHypI6LyNzwwQRfGj0E_EwZts2je0p044APLOMIlWdP-yEezOh7cPpaHej7xS8-ArdmcodCj5JRvA8NEl7L50LxPqnhrm7PX4OaD-9_dX6q_gZn9_is_ZOqldtynSH70BYe030i17CQUAW5D0KoNiLxl8HJ5wRy029Btpux-A0_DDHY7/s4080/PXL_20231226_192434469.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6qthrHypI6LyNzwwQRfGj0E_EwZts2je0p044APLOMIlWdP-yEezOh7cPpaHej7xS8-ArdmcodCj5JRvA8NEl7L50LxPqnhrm7PX4OaD-9_dX6q_gZn9_is_ZOqldtynSH70BYe030i17CQUAW5D0KoNiLxl8HJ5wRy029Btpux-A0_DDHY7/s320/PXL_20231226_192434469.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah called Baker Nursery where she used to work to ask them what to do. She wrapped it. Supposed to remove it in the spring. Poor tree!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogoNKb2_-Lf1aGYjwlDARlIGCanCv4O8q7HeKUdmnO5kdZ8zZDxFVw9ivZe40PxlUZMwHhs6y6E3p-ZaevHSd6Lihj4WAOeZR54Gi-_39Df_XBHmpBXoe-KS7mcIFUlFF9hMk8U7M31sQohWvx4-gCe-itkkjycfLH_KEQuFK1P_z19kzhHKs/s4080/PXL_20231226_230526150.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogoNKb2_-Lf1aGYjwlDARlIGCanCv4O8q7HeKUdmnO5kdZ8zZDxFVw9ivZe40PxlUZMwHhs6y6E3p-ZaevHSd6Lihj4WAOeZR54Gi-_39Df_XBHmpBXoe-KS7mcIFUlFF9hMk8U7M31sQohWvx4-gCe-itkkjycfLH_KEQuFK1P_z19kzhHKs/s320/PXL_20231226_230526150.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The storm was so bad that we actually had a branch curb pickup around town. Branches only, it said. No roots or trunks. I don't ever remember getting an ice storm for Christmas. It was so bad the sanding trucks couldn't make it up some of the hills. Plus, with all the rain instead of snow we had flooding for the very first time ever recorded in December on the Red River. Times they are a changing, eh?</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, Leah picked me up after work Thursday. We had dinner and afterwards the boys opened their presents from me. This year it was puzzles and books. Oh, and if you watch the video--Liam did not punch a hole in the puzzle box. I must have missed it or possibly Allie stepped on it when it was on the floor for a while. (She is a chucky lady.) Just wanted to make that clear. Maybe Gramma's eyes are getting as bad as her ears?!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YfSiD_M1JaQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="YfSiD_M1JaQ"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Remember Leah asked me if I wanted to have a stocking for next year because she was ordering new ones for them from an Etsy shop? Well, they came in time for Ian and Liam to use them this year.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYImxqzWRZZtKmD1fjyRQsJJrIH5C6b8Zgbsd-ntoEpHFDpYod_LzgxwhK8x4zMIZjmL0DE6D5E8-uYJcxazTC1wG0jE2dLbCAa5UYu1xhtQsoSfzBB-_mJsQW_MK-ATMSu2UXNWRfJ-jzULRH_sQCFyx6rgPdizuKcWPIkbtzzLXQ3PNfFHO/s4080/PXL_20231231_023834920.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYImxqzWRZZtKmD1fjyRQsJJrIH5C6b8Zgbsd-ntoEpHFDpYod_LzgxwhK8x4zMIZjmL0DE6D5E8-uYJcxazTC1wG0jE2dLbCAa5UYu1xhtQsoSfzBB-_mJsQW_MK-ATMSu2UXNWRfJ-jzULRH_sQCFyx6rgPdizuKcWPIkbtzzLXQ3PNfFHO/s320/PXL_20231231_023834920.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Next year there will be stockings up for all of us--and the two cats! lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetyhpty4lEtiDDLMisCEIJVixqZnG_SqoaaBHs5wxfLX0-qZen-Ku8HJxDkU79GKX40k4eSSJqco0h4evThihIeO1rtn06IKMoaW79n1YHsw32CwiFU3gLE27VDFqBI64TYuTSNndSuDl2uXdKN73U5SYjCUD8-T9y87tC-ZpkaESOVeMl9BX/s4080/PXL_20231231_023929536.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetyhpty4lEtiDDLMisCEIJVixqZnG_SqoaaBHs5wxfLX0-qZen-Ku8HJxDkU79GKX40k4eSSJqco0h4evThihIeO1rtn06IKMoaW79n1YHsw32CwiFU3gLE27VDFqBI64TYuTSNndSuDl2uXdKN73U5SYjCUD8-T9y87tC-ZpkaESOVeMl9BX/s320/PXL_20231231_023929536.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Honestly--I have pretty much collapsed since then. Did do some baking and some laundry. But I have mostly caught up on some new seasons, new episodes, and even some Christmas specials of shows I really like and am behind on. Vera, Death in Paradise, Shetland, The Gilded Age, Fargo, Midsommer Murders, Sister Boniface--and I am now on Only Murders in the Building. Got my new Bullet journal set up for 2024 and January is all ready to go.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Today is 12/31/23. Funny--I didn't notice until I read about it online. 123123.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am writing a day early. Just excited for the new year. My New Year's Eve ceremony stuff is packed away. (Thought I would have been moved by now.) I still haven't come up with a word or a phrase for 2024. Might not. But I might at least write up a goal list. I haven't done that for years. I haven't felt near myself for a couple of years to plan ahead at all. But I am feeling more functional and have some spoons again most days. Getting closer to how it used to be with just the fibro and arthritis long ago--lol! My how everything is relative, eh? :)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I basically did finish almost all of the packing and purging of my apartment this year. Only some smaller things to tweak and fiddle with. Nothing big anymore. Nothing I would feel guilty about procrastinating--ROFL! I have a long quiet winter ahead where I can catch up on shows, write letters with more regularity, work on sets of cards, get out my art journals, make mandalas...whatever! Cancer is behind me. (knock on wood) The move is ahead of me. Ahhhh!</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My wish is for everyone to have a better year or at least a good year. For the world to progress in a positive way or at least as positive as it can possibly manage. Spread the love, people! The world needs more and more of it so badly. Be kind to each person you meet. Hug more. Smile more. Tell people what they mean to you. Overflow with gratitude. All we have is right now...this precious moment in time. I am really blessed to be here to greet this new year...this new crazy year...for all the good and the bad of it...we are all lucky to be here. So very glad you are here. Sending love and hugs from freezing Fargo--lol! Till next year! :)</span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-18375990274575166672023-12-25T05:00:00.001-06:002023-12-25T05:00:00.134-06:00Christmas Day 2023--Monday 5am<p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate. Just Allie and I--the usual Christmas. But I was wrong about McFamily traveling to Henning to his dad's. Leah just never took it off the google calendar--lol! They haven't been going there since covid, I guess. They do things with Leah's side of the family in town. Dagan's Dad and stepmother come to Fargo for each of the boys' birthdays, though. </span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I usually have a quiet Christmas with McFamily before or after Christmas. This year it is going to be on Thursday. Dagan is off work the same days as the boys are off of school. He has a luncheon thing he could go to on Thursday, so I will get picked up earlier and spend time with the boys while Dagan goes off to that. Then after Leah gets home we will have our Christmas evening. Looking forward to it. Ian wants to show me how good he is at math. </span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Thursday will be the second day in a row of me being out and about so I will likely be pretty well shot for a couple of days afterwards. I have my annual appointment with Dr. Kessler on Wednesday afternoon that Dagan and the boys will take me to. Oh, and plus Keanna comes to clean on Tuesday. Going to be a busy week in a different way this coming week. :)</span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This past week I was working on the pantry all week. Except <b>Monday</b>--I took that day off from P&P activities. :)</span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday</b> my laptop suddenly wouldn't type anything. The keyboard did not work at all. So, since it was McFamily's night to go to Costco...they stopped by here. It took a good while, but they finally fixed it. Dagan also took out trash for me and they had stopped and traded the bad bag of mealworms for a couple bags of sunflower seed chips at Fleet Farm. </span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah noticed all the white powder on everything--checked what I had ordered and <i>I got the wrong kind of humidifier!</i> Dang it anyways! It <i>was</i> one of those ultrasonic kind. I thought it was the steam heat kind. She said she'd send it back for me.</span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday</b> Dagan stopped by after work and visited a little while before he had to go pick up the boys from school. They got off early because they started Christmas vacation till the beginning of January. Dagan made a couple trips with stuff to the garage for me. More donation boxes. </span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Later that night Leah dropped off my Cashwise groceries. I had emptied the humidifier, so Leah took it with her to drop off at UPS. Then when they reimbursed me with credit at Amazon, I ordered one that heats the water for steam and not that crazy sonic white powder mist...which was getting worse and worse. Obviously, I didn't read the description close enough. I had looked at so many and neglected to delete this one from the ones I was considering. Duh! Anyways, I should get the new one this week.</span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I do make Amazon orders almost every single month. When you have no car and have been housebound for 20 years...Amazon is a true blessing! Online shopping has been amazing. When I was first housebound I was ordering from catalogs. I am so lucky to live when I do. :) </span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, the weather has been so back and forth. Has to be confusing to the critters. It was 45 one day this week!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYGJPD9-1y8gM-Faf-bKQMDAa4Hl1RRyW6xfu61BWbVmEGjSkOMRoxSH2XX1IDV71UoVJ_Zvi5Fpu1ZdmDan1WltIji6uuzr9kWDEvmEOFOMQImLXFhndxqor7zc0wNcItY5OAofMk3Hi2gIL4XQ9-wdQFPCn58m4iu1aDnOHBaw-HDgHyGYc/s4080/PXL_20231219_213153339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYGJPD9-1y8gM-Faf-bKQMDAa4Hl1RRyW6xfu61BWbVmEGjSkOMRoxSH2XX1IDV71UoVJ_Zvi5Fpu1ZdmDan1WltIji6uuzr9kWDEvmEOFOMQImLXFhndxqor7zc0wNcItY5OAofMk3Hi2gIL4XQ9-wdQFPCn58m4iu1aDnOHBaw-HDgHyGYc/s320/PXL_20231219_213153339.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We have had thin layers of snow and rain and some warmer days--just all over the place. </span><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I loved this rippled sky!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-BqTMzVlCJzzjbY7dnKKmxzEHZotMhS7VRacQ-uIUzNFBznseym5mHCZshhGOEE8ad1z-XDnVot5gonaqAuEMSYKoQ5Pv4DjDTsI2es_WnknyeO4Cx9F22gBS0G1W8dkzBcJblOa34uuEAKiilBLFWCn4Oy6oR2P0KuEevzKruwEEl5yFZCA/s4080/PXL_20231220_160232250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-BqTMzVlCJzzjbY7dnKKmxzEHZotMhS7VRacQ-uIUzNFBznseym5mHCZshhGOEE8ad1z-XDnVot5gonaqAuEMSYKoQ5Pv4DjDTsI2es_WnknyeO4Cx9F22gBS0G1W8dkzBcJblOa34uuEAKiilBLFWCn4Oy6oR2P0KuEevzKruwEEl5yFZCA/s320/PXL_20231220_160232250.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Critter Cafe isn't very busy when it's warmer out. They still come, but not like when it gets to freezing temps.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnH9l0i5JCJwBEyayYs7omrUDetlaZ4VgWgDvbbzhkwPm0-u_suAq1V20L-990Q_DsszftNt0_TeBQ2QyKPeyWDkBTJ2xOT-zwxyyDOAJPCMWb3Lid7G__zWZsgxqoDvL9NVH-Flw2P5vfihyphenhyphenY_4u1CFGwWSkl7gH67BPtojK2Aq04zpsxiwO/s4080/PXL_20231220_213021781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnH9l0i5JCJwBEyayYs7omrUDetlaZ4VgWgDvbbzhkwPm0-u_suAq1V20L-990Q_DsszftNt0_TeBQ2QyKPeyWDkBTJ2xOT-zwxyyDOAJPCMWb3Lid7G__zWZsgxqoDvL9NVH-Flw2P5vfihyphenhyphenY_4u1CFGwWSkl7gH67BPtojK2Aq04zpsxiwO/s320/PXL_20231220_213021781.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Leah was here she helped me move the wire shelves farther apart on that back wall when so I could get the rest of the jars up there.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkirvMwIcKk5fhIVYWw4vlp8ObQfB7P1InXX1vPEWU9u69I2uObC-946NY8g43V8ZOgTk1y-fr6b1jq6m-04CGyluKeUqrYyYaDAAlYBWWG7PC3_mci0tpFYlprLmjN97zVNHCKU04iwTUeH02W4FUz8PUobyfYVwCdo8X8pz6ViSlJPzLX-ba/s4080/PXL_20231223_030326120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkirvMwIcKk5fhIVYWw4vlp8ObQfB7P1InXX1vPEWU9u69I2uObC-946NY8g43V8ZOgTk1y-fr6b1jq6m-04CGyluKeUqrYyYaDAAlYBWWG7PC3_mci0tpFYlprLmjN97zVNHCKU04iwTUeH02W4FUz8PUobyfYVwCdo8X8pz6ViSlJPzLX-ba/s320/PXL_20231223_030326120.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I know you probably can't tell really but this was the pantry in progress when I was close to done on <b>Thursday. </b>I finished the left-hand side of the shelves. Every single thing wiped down and rearranged--plus some things tossed and some went to donations, as usual.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6lVN1pb1ne7WCmBkH3HjxqCvcpcLKCLCowdBgkjh4WSrmhHFStT9WOYs1Y1xSHym7rmbe0_UaDesqeelDQnMnauFTkdS0au8eFR5NI5PiIwDhLyRGXpKkNkFqSHUmoPUmK4gHcutlPRYlRP90plwxaJSSLLTt3e9jjyslnwUQ1oYzcEG51hS/s4080/PXL_20231223_030334653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6lVN1pb1ne7WCmBkH3HjxqCvcpcLKCLCowdBgkjh4WSrmhHFStT9WOYs1Y1xSHym7rmbe0_UaDesqeelDQnMnauFTkdS0au8eFR5NI5PiIwDhLyRGXpKkNkFqSHUmoPUmK4gHcutlPRYlRP90plwxaJSSLLTt3e9jjyslnwUQ1oYzcEG51hS/s320/PXL_20231223_030334653.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I also set up my new bullet journal for 2024 on Thursday and did another load of laundry. </span><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Friday</b> I finished the right-side shelves. Moved more things up into the shelves from the bench.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH2ZRgde45MajAj1zjnTF6eW_Wk8ZlbE9G_UfxC4MFoll4TU7cMKJYRZxDiNTul5aCzkSwAmfYJ4kaDDwSoboG5Lgys5FSm-Lhyh9DQp1yQ1SpIbZb1N6BzieqdMRKzTJjKx0029i8iObjMNoA-piGtF9nsv_CosnxmjXY8MTPIdaSTUAFPDM/s4080/PXL_20231223_030342329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH2ZRgde45MajAj1zjnTF6eW_Wk8ZlbE9G_UfxC4MFoll4TU7cMKJYRZxDiNTul5aCzkSwAmfYJ4kaDDwSoboG5Lgys5FSm-Lhyh9DQp1yQ1SpIbZb1N6BzieqdMRKzTJjKx0029i8iObjMNoA-piGtF9nsv_CosnxmjXY8MTPIdaSTUAFPDM/s320/PXL_20231223_030342329.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah came by to drop off the crock pot and she picked up the bench. She has the same black bench in her long entryway so she has room for both of them. They are awesome for shoes, and I will be able to keep my shoes up there, too. We just don't wear shoes inside, so it makes sense for me to keep mine upstairs, too, by the door. The corner looks so empty now! Another donation box started, too.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoDmFWkpeyBSeiPG84dEKe3NQU6w1ddq-WCDuGVW8if2IgqYvKMScFOM3XfMkdi1r3E3m9hMz1N1a1j_h1TM_etO0LFqntvMJhHe3K3_9ab2UcVBSXplpxQZfrVqKX6GDAdr6U2HV88Jf2XayvZPUS4iG9QXYgkg7lARCwCH_eUcBaa_dTJJq/s4080/PXL_20231223_030400482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoDmFWkpeyBSeiPG84dEKe3NQU6w1ddq-WCDuGVW8if2IgqYvKMScFOM3XfMkdi1r3E3m9hMz1N1a1j_h1TM_etO0LFqntvMJhHe3K3_9ab2UcVBSXplpxQZfrVqKX6GDAdr6U2HV88Jf2XayvZPUS4iG9QXYgkg7lARCwCH_eUcBaa_dTJJq/s320/PXL_20231223_030400482.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The birds seem very happy to not have the mealworms-gone-bad anymore--lol! They much prefer the sunflower nuts and chips for fat, anyways.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHUM3vmoeinYeEBpmviEd8airnl7B-9257hnEpPmPSpJYyo0xea_AiifplSlDR-CS5btFRzUKbiP8B13S7Y_PJnW34VkcQH0gYwpHLhsc17_rHrLuQ0ytd1fo9vfdwyiP5Pl5CrTy6I9EsV2QUCWsA6mjYSbQFuNy0bgV8uu9Z5kAlEgqkP1j/s4080/PXL_20231223_213011395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHUM3vmoeinYeEBpmviEd8airnl7B-9257hnEpPmPSpJYyo0xea_AiifplSlDR-CS5btFRzUKbiP8B13S7Y_PJnW34VkcQH0gYwpHLhsc17_rHrLuQ0ytd1fo9vfdwyiP5Pl5CrTy6I9EsV2QUCWsA6mjYSbQFuNy0bgV8uu9Z5kAlEgqkP1j/s320/PXL_20231223_213011395.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Saturday</b> I mostly finished in the pantry. After moving things from the bench and the floor up on to the shelves it looks fuller, but it is still so much emptier than it was--whew!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8IrjtfyqS6DpqcVJpLv_m1Ol5mAhdEz97XIkY58A7uLWPX9dp2HK3Rf8-6UC1xvMo1ZpU0qfC1BXwO-jhJrlLWuxO5TSjOvdVYxLEgmkAhyphenhyphenfNCdj3Nz_dqsn82MBLig9RZqw4BwC9SEF9CmTPRvIrKhRjDGoJRGs2-7jKyyik50rIvQXS3AP/s4080/PXL_20231223_234440972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8IrjtfyqS6DpqcVJpLv_m1Ol5mAhdEz97XIkY58A7uLWPX9dp2HK3Rf8-6UC1xvMo1ZpU0qfC1BXwO-jhJrlLWuxO5TSjOvdVYxLEgmkAhyphenhyphenfNCdj3Nz_dqsn82MBLig9RZqw4BwC9SEF9CmTPRvIrKhRjDGoJRGs2-7jKyyik50rIvQXS3AP/s320/PXL_20231223_234440972.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94aog21vXGH2jokcpjRj7v2Fr5hwaKS8ho-99shHb0OPCKpYPVELoZVm8MwVUPn2wAM0dyB8Vf-i_rIRxaRnARYuOWKzEno2aWHgrTvw2aI6bY-hST5HaI0xfr3XsWIEtxloed057iJt1h1JqElteFwTqR9c-4x6fHj4B9V44QswAWR4VAQF_/s4080/PXL_20231223_234449153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94aog21vXGH2jokcpjRj7v2Fr5hwaKS8ho-99shHb0OPCKpYPVELoZVm8MwVUPn2wAM0dyB8Vf-i_rIRxaRnARYuOWKzEno2aWHgrTvw2aI6bY-hST5HaI0xfr3XsWIEtxloed057iJt1h1JqElteFwTqR9c-4x6fHj4B9V44QswAWR4VAQF_/s320/PXL_20231223_234449153.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Feels WONDERFUL to be done with the last actual room in the apartment!! Whoohoo!!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokJ85-UrD3TB1N5GWFV-1L_0MUj4DTskLE8L_ZtegSbUM8rPS6OxFC1cSafmnBQvqleceudiB_yjLvZF_796s1f_oJxItYoSXWaKelJmja4P2-btOz3Y5W7S3LYL0bNq6X3ypiApZQVzUAr7pUfUAKECV-IQ-NY-rg1btkHx_sO_mRs_CaFKq/s4080/PXL_20231223_234502558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokJ85-UrD3TB1N5GWFV-1L_0MUj4DTskLE8L_ZtegSbUM8rPS6OxFC1cSafmnBQvqleceudiB_yjLvZF_796s1f_oJxItYoSXWaKelJmja4P2-btOz3Y5W7S3LYL0bNq6X3ypiApZQVzUAr7pUfUAKECV-IQ-NY-rg1btkHx_sO_mRs_CaFKq/s320/PXL_20231223_234502558.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Even behind the door was cleared out from several items. Mittens, scarves, and hats went in the wash or donation box.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-uz-4I7syjmjdHGOmhzCimUar8YPZrTok3Ci6_pxctxswxcyQ3v5vzGkO1NdkUDbEitjLMv_Xx6udsGrYtfhuywkfuRay4wNgb__650uV4mRkVZYHe-nFZd8J3O-lHmBpJSykulLnCKDaJBWZ1wfaSMOKK9wRH7DFbLGi-wkrdl7vpWKCAOi/s4080/PXL_20231223_234522791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-uz-4I7syjmjdHGOmhzCimUar8YPZrTok3Ci6_pxctxswxcyQ3v5vzGkO1NdkUDbEitjLMv_Xx6udsGrYtfhuywkfuRay4wNgb__650uV4mRkVZYHe-nFZd8J3O-lHmBpJSykulLnCKDaJBWZ1wfaSMOKK9wRH7DFbLGi-wkrdl7vpWKCAOi/s320/PXL_20231223_234522791.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday</b> was the last load of laundry (with mittens and scarves)...more reorganizing or tweaking in the pantry. Done! Done! Done! :) Exhausted. It is a good thing I am done. I can rest up now till doctor appointment on Wednesday and Christmas on Thursday. Keanna coming to clean on Tuesday is not as wearing. I only have to gather trash and pick the place up--lol! ;)</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We are in for some bad weather apparently. Sunday it rained and rained and then turned to snow briefly later in the day. You can see the white layer on the lawn in the dark.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTRnK4fN9I9_iSCx2OW6mWDzPQobfp9n-BZEa3opS4qbHs2Qvo9_1aPt-82-MAkkYv6RwdQqF4vWm_hqE61CKqjC6yyK2TbQfdD0iD3Whnkxkcf9TLk5-XBdbWOHiREPEB_ghS0tUQIZaaLXXSZe8Vicp0QVUfzzAo-nbPmuLJz569u353tBu/s4080/PXL_20231225_012927280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTRnK4fN9I9_iSCx2OW6mWDzPQobfp9n-BZEa3opS4qbHs2Qvo9_1aPt-82-MAkkYv6RwdQqF4vWm_hqE61CKqjC6yyK2TbQfdD0iD3Whnkxkcf9TLk5-XBdbWOHiREPEB_ghS0tUQIZaaLXXSZe8Vicp0QVUfzzAo-nbPmuLJz569u353tBu/s320/PXL_20231225_012927280.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Today we are supposed to get a second wave with the high winds of the rain, ice, and snow. When you are on the edge with the temperatures they really have to guess as to what might happen. Could be mostly rain and ice and less snow or we could have several inches of snow over that ice.</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Regardless Monday and Tuesday are supposed to be terrible for traveling up here, so I am glad McFamily is not going to Henning and will be nearby in town or at home. They had plans with her sister's family for Christmas Eve but I'm not sure what their plans are for today. Maybe a nice day at home? </span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Before you ask...I haven't celebrated on the actual holidays for a couple of decades. Even if they were at home today and I could go over...well, honestly, I physically couldn't handle being out and about 3 out of 4 days in a row and a visit (Keanna) on the 2nd day. Just dealing with Tuesday through Thursday is more than enough for me--lol! I am really very happy to have Christmas on Thursday. :) :)</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am really excited about the new year. I am basically finished purging and packing in the apartment except for some smaller things. Well, the hallway is next--LOL!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLQZwx9qevKy-oUyX6aQoijUHmZAz4gFB-qCk3tZU6y017GTdmR28YCtg_lFM46X0pa2RRfwfq4tGb4PnroxGsqqBL5h8oCgtc3dqS99FY4sfyXIwfjSWrRFkRsVNjYhB-VtHcZDJiJUsAaGm5Lm9cybX2-Oz1pXCa1B9cE_uJrqu9nkMsZYK/s4080/PXL_20231225_060716979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLQZwx9qevKy-oUyX6aQoijUHmZAz4gFB-qCk3tZU6y017GTdmR28YCtg_lFM46X0pa2RRfwfq4tGb4PnroxGsqqBL5h8oCgtc3dqS99FY4sfyXIwfjSWrRFkRsVNjYhB-VtHcZDJiJUsAaGm5Lm9cybX2-Oz1pXCa1B9cE_uJrqu9nkMsZYK/s320/PXL_20231225_060716979.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I know this doesn't look small. Looks like a total mess. But it is all just empty containers...bins, boxes, tubs...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0vsQSwsNQgUesPD1lfPC0pmlkjzHCWdKW_p3vGun2wijId-7LNksqE_vsCOpj9I22L5wQZ8Xecim5Skwz-pt_vCOu1HO2-c9nUtdTiqOHxDQ7XxOTkgkLVJxmVw3KFKZhAyluOcXLyQ_c3VTPJdD3hWaIUCoDISg-ePpNBxvnOAfbc7-f71y/s4080/PXL_20231225_060730662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0vsQSwsNQgUesPD1lfPC0pmlkjzHCWdKW_p3vGun2wijId-7LNksqE_vsCOpj9I22L5wQZ8Xecim5Skwz-pt_vCOu1HO2-c9nUtdTiqOHxDQ7XxOTkgkLVJxmVw3KFKZhAyluOcXLyQ_c3VTPJdD3hWaIUCoDISg-ePpNBxvnOAfbc7-f71y/s320/PXL_20231225_060730662.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...so it really won't take too long to go through.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHDg9-MJXODMY6VknVEqQ6sI9VF2WlpcHVGvLnerWYKqK-Q0qJC4NrnQ4o_68m4aZEfr7svLP0UtE_FhGobRZ3_VQE_6m-lD8BBnK4g6wS9M3n0WEN6eXdZhbkqfCbNyF-Uu5Wa5M_8Y44ewspY_reNVcQF-N2vCAX2WKA_QRVirRiOjaBgIy/s4080/PXL_20231225_060734877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHDg9-MJXODMY6VknVEqQ6sI9VF2WlpcHVGvLnerWYKqK-Q0qJC4NrnQ4o_68m4aZEfr7svLP0UtE_FhGobRZ3_VQE_6m-lD8BBnK4g6wS9M3n0WEN6eXdZhbkqfCbNyF-Uu5Wa5M_8Y44ewspY_reNVcQF-N2vCAX2WKA_QRVirRiOjaBgIy/s320/PXL_20231225_060734877.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I need to hang onto a lot of it for after I move when I know what I actually need and don't need once I am settled in. I can't know for sure until I am unpacked and putting things away, you know? Some of it I know I can get rid of now, but quite a bit of it I can just pack away. These will be the lightest boxes I have packed so far--LOL! Anyways, I plan to be done with this before New Years.</span><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have been feeling noticeably better since November, so 2024 looks promising! I can finish the hallway and then I am kind of on vacation for the entire winter! I will have been through everything I own in this apartment, anyways. If I go back and purge a little more--that is just a plus--extra. This winter will be all about R&R and art & crafts. That is the plan. Then when the apartment is done (whenever that is) then life will change gears.</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As far as the apartment goes--Leah's new job and the holidays have kept them very busy. We're on the list for the electricians to come and finish that part of the build. They are hired.</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Trent can apparently work on the plumbing and HVAC--but Leah wants to double-check--and find out whether we need to have plans approved ahead of time for that, too. The electricity inspector just did the electrical. That is the main reason why Trent hasn't been over (plus it is the holidays) because they need to find out what needs to be done (or can't be done) so they aren't in any trouble with the city. And, from the sounds of it, the plumbing/HVAC has a different inspection/inspector? </span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The cabinet installation has been pushed to February--and can be pushed again. Can't have those installed until the walls are up and the drywall people (another company) are done with their part. The cabinet company seems very understanding. (I would imagine this happens to them a lot--lol!) After the cabinets are installed, they will also install the carpeting down the stairs to the basement. </span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And so it goes. </span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There...you know as much as I do. Until the apartment is finished and I give my two-month notice...I am basically on vacation--ROFL! But the vacation doesn't <i>start </i>until the new year and I have finished that hallway of containers. </span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie will really miss them. She loves to sharpen her long-gone claws on the edges of boxes. She does it to all the boxes around here. It's probably a good thing she is declawed. Can you imagine how raggedy all these boxes would look by spring--summer--fall?? Who knows when I will move next year. She has even caused noisy avalanches and almost bonked herself good a couple of times! Hasn't stopped her from clawing on those big boxes though--lol! Maybe scares me more than it does her, I guess. :) Silly girl!</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, Merry Christmas! The new year is close at hand. When I talk to you next time it will be the first day of 2024 already!! Wow! I have my tombow brush pens and the birthday cards ready to color. I have many good shows to watch and a lot of paper chats ahead. It may be terrible weather, but it ended up being a white Christmas...or a partially white Christmas, at least. Brown Christmases are rare up here and I find them depressing. Makes me feel the whole world is off kilter. Well, it is...so there's that--lol! A white lawn makes my heart happy. Be safe. </span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I will chat with you on New Year's Day! </span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">*love and hugs from Fargo* </span></div></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-47450258335813840182023-12-18T05:00:00.004-06:002023-12-18T05:00:00.140-06:00December 18, 2023 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Another good, productive week! (Do you hear me knocking emphatically on wood--lol!) Been getting Christmas cards but I have never seen ones like this one I got from<a href="https://dumpedfirstwife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Janie</a>, have you? Like an accordion card. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">Really pretty! </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEn1QhMkc_GuHoKra0yX-gGj3tEta17mAIMGh-50Lt41tScHtPh8Nub_xBRn1N82vNkt2rnDHnd7PMfXkqL6sPW65ETD9fxMXXVdHqFe_Ye5ERgm6gtmhkvYEM9_e_WvQDlG1L14z0yqljSlLH6gkZ8g7UUZOh3-4jHsjoXKCAjrNgs3UlB2U/s4080/PXL_20231211_200336918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEn1QhMkc_GuHoKra0yX-gGj3tEta17mAIMGh-50Lt41tScHtPh8Nub_xBRn1N82vNkt2rnDHnd7PMfXkqL6sPW65ETD9fxMXXVdHqFe_Ye5ERgm6gtmhkvYEM9_e_WvQDlG1L14z0yqljSlLH6gkZ8g7UUZOh3-4jHsjoXKCAjrNgs3UlB2U/s320/PXL_20231211_200336918.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I even got a Christmas card made from a real hand-painted piece of artwork, too, from <a href="https://lindaslifejournal-artlady1948.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Linda</a>. She makes a different painting every year for over 30 years, I believe, and then gets her Christmas cards made with copies of the original painting. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvKcF2QlQYX5AtUi_ep0J3F53VI8LusH6B2akaaPn1PlWIO6EUMkpAOXZQSidwYRHEcDW09WYKmjlDaxWBVVuJvppW9aEpEPBcNV_9m6E2uhWvRD3v-U7ceVyt51MBqZh_UJf5uielj1EZSorOSYeQ3VmxMFQz5Zi9aj5WrDQRMImXZnM7ELr/s4080/PXL_20231218_064133871.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvKcF2QlQYX5AtUi_ep0J3F53VI8LusH6B2akaaPn1PlWIO6EUMkpAOXZQSidwYRHEcDW09WYKmjlDaxWBVVuJvppW9aEpEPBcNV_9m6E2uhWvRD3v-U7ceVyt51MBqZh_UJf5uielj1EZSorOSYeQ3VmxMFQz5Zi9aj5WrDQRMImXZnM7ELr/s320/PXL_20231218_064133871.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Christmas cards are not dead yet! Long live snail mail! Thank you for each and every one I joyfully discover in my mailbox. :)</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Monday</b> I colored another birthday card just so I knew I would be covered through the first half of January. That way I knew I was covered for some 2024 birthday cards for a while so I could work on the pantry without stress. ;)</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday</b> Keanna came to clean. She said for insurance reasons she was not allowed to climb up on a stepstool with more than two steps. So she handed me down what she could reach...which was most of it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZLylr4wN8P2y0PNlHw0Nc0aq90fnZehyphenhyphen8Qtxx3zRhvmTzXtnHEy8eHi-4RGkkO_EGnl8A5_Rcxf7bzsxCYDvos6jUK09OGbMX7SJ1D_rqGYjscsHkUHIZn_Ax0EQ8aO7bFvQrxF8bs_CQJPAd1dBg_16greg1I9meKau2nI-oOQD5pKzldQY/s4080/PXL_20231213_005726251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZLylr4wN8P2y0PNlHw0Nc0aq90fnZehyphenhyphen8Qtxx3zRhvmTzXtnHEy8eHi-4RGkkO_EGnl8A5_Rcxf7bzsxCYDvos6jUK09OGbMX7SJ1D_rqGYjscsHkUHIZn_Ax0EQ8aO7bFvQrxF8bs_CQJPAd1dBg_16greg1I9meKau2nI-oOQD5pKzldQY/s320/PXL_20231213_005726251.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXwUXdehAyz9vFY5XVaSaFEgVVr0PFiT6ofvEHNfEX75qXORbbqvBolbjc1NGdo6O9Nxg99QqW6IXPLNVbVfH625-4IMb33vVTcz5up9ZI3ZwXEENOIc4H0fjVFO06I4KYXOlvK_IwIwOcRopucmUY11ldBA4VtxTtQwzhCpXb-Uma-QoCcCV/s4080/PXL_20231213_005732503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXwUXdehAyz9vFY5XVaSaFEgVVr0PFiT6ofvEHNfEX75qXORbbqvBolbjc1NGdo6O9Nxg99QqW6IXPLNVbVfH625-4IMb33vVTcz5up9ZI3ZwXEENOIc4H0fjVFO06I4KYXOlvK_IwIwOcRopucmUY11ldBA4VtxTtQwzhCpXb-Uma-QoCcCV/s320/PXL_20231213_005732503.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I worked on clearing away and wiping down as much as I could on the table and countertop.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzVm_LIw7pmhpyneGMAsT4C8-7MAX2L7xnQbh8p7HxdUl0x9yEt3t8ZpTW2tWPKeFYxLTRUQtQvuB7y6s1ldKIzwfbgH7qnav81LC7u8_6dGFzJ-Lunip2L_MNPObwLl_qc4K27XttEE_5MQvjSqPN8kaVfuoxyyF_S1z0-46D6mkSI2If3wG/s4080/PXL_20231213_005749810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzVm_LIw7pmhpyneGMAsT4C8-7MAX2L7xnQbh8p7HxdUl0x9yEt3t8ZpTW2tWPKeFYxLTRUQtQvuB7y6s1ldKIzwfbgH7qnav81LC7u8_6dGFzJ-Lunip2L_MNPObwLl_qc4K27XttEE_5MQvjSqPN8kaVfuoxyyF_S1z0-46D6mkSI2If3wG/s320/PXL_20231213_005749810.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It was still cold enough that we had snow on the patio for a couple of days.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAzXTy0lIyCRMz9nUz1g7Je4B9dzzfTe5GT2BfDT_pfNuDir2MRrsoPJ-RP83Xm_vWL4YKlK6UHzD_0eD49z_xa88L6Z4_BhcFbi2LLEKkfurVlVuC24od2H4UnoZURPD1uzojRGlXSraFSNoqmjAedH48IcJj2AwwvJQXJ1AFRfjtVySfomi/s4080/PXL_20231213_183803969.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAzXTy0lIyCRMz9nUz1g7Je4B9dzzfTe5GT2BfDT_pfNuDir2MRrsoPJ-RP83Xm_vWL4YKlK6UHzD_0eD49z_xa88L6Z4_BhcFbi2LLEKkfurVlVuC24od2H4UnoZURPD1uzojRGlXSraFSNoqmjAedH48IcJj2AwwvJQXJ1AFRfjtVySfomi/s320/PXL_20231213_183803969.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When Dagan dropped off Costco groceries later Tuesday evening he used the taller stool and got down the rest of the really high stuff for me.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLwy-BhIvTPUs51gFmjx7tCyA0I67gArBf9a3ZVVQbuaQWS9MyXQ3PjE7EEQWE84Zs0M8ZB0I7sUkySYl1OxAWlS8TgS5ne4guKdc7Cz0NAc4DufHeJQ7d4_AfdSWRHtxN0PYfth_izKy5pmbIahWaulruXkjMIYmIV4lIhu6J3N8jeVNreqa/s4080/PXL_20231214_173131758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLwy-BhIvTPUs51gFmjx7tCyA0I67gArBf9a3ZVVQbuaQWS9MyXQ3PjE7EEQWE84Zs0M8ZB0I7sUkySYl1OxAWlS8TgS5ne4guKdc7Cz0NAc4DufHeJQ7d4_AfdSWRHtxN0PYfth_izKy5pmbIahWaulruXkjMIYmIV4lIhu6J3N8jeVNreqa/s320/PXL_20231214_173131758.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YSxCNBlWbwbrbuCSoKdzAxPpnjYi4uzqZQy8Ms5Jl2sjDInL9Et2-OU4U6yXZ0NXMSlHKkJRLQGZ2IHvkU0625bGzxbe5fW05IQA-6BaDVCDJivzzeNmZFvOOPkK0fdhsXoaYNeSAV7UmzwrCqM733hgEd0jYa6AfLYCMW7DC6mUXvy-_xMu/s4080/PXL_20231214_173136122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YSxCNBlWbwbrbuCSoKdzAxPpnjYi4uzqZQy8Ms5Jl2sjDInL9Et2-OU4U6yXZ0NXMSlHKkJRLQGZ2IHvkU0625bGzxbe5fW05IQA-6BaDVCDJivzzeNmZFvOOPkK0fdhsXoaYNeSAV7UmzwrCqM733hgEd0jYa6AfLYCMW7DC6mUXvy-_xMu/s320/PXL_20231214_173136122.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Then I had all the lower shelves and wall racks to work on after that. (Still working on them.)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9LtyZYHkGcEGWrBLSayX7_OQVRbUQRSVI1TehRiCM0rdLCkFZoOfKZW3N1HU68nCo__gQDd3yqtBKkm8YXfADuPHkWnIspEDKWBqL73PD7le9nybvwZ7XZItiynB61Y_LhceW4ZNG_Hktkb9w2mBCoj039IOrLHShW6WBBbQntIVJxSjMyFz/s4080/PXL_20231214_173142717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9LtyZYHkGcEGWrBLSayX7_OQVRbUQRSVI1TehRiCM0rdLCkFZoOfKZW3N1HU68nCo__gQDd3yqtBKkm8YXfADuPHkWnIspEDKWBqL73PD7le9nybvwZ7XZItiynB61Y_LhceW4ZNG_Hktkb9w2mBCoj039IOrLHShW6WBBbQntIVJxSjMyFz/s320/PXL_20231214_173142717.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTvaQjB4Mf3i9ZR7ug8dlf1KGWetK_Z5WH0z5NvMJs2lz2Ps2o2Qnv00sfboRrhezOYprtDF1CWocK2_kyXxDBZq83Exz7LDrlZqCXoLZloAlPqCdEb9vrWtNzlKl1kJMl3eBuXyiYa02gQ88BbkESrQqt7NZVXLnkOXMxPCaXWHNTnY0cW9p/s4080/PXL_20231214_173146623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTvaQjB4Mf3i9ZR7ug8dlf1KGWetK_Z5WH0z5NvMJs2lz2Ps2o2Qnv00sfboRrhezOYprtDF1CWocK2_kyXxDBZq83Exz7LDrlZqCXoLZloAlPqCdEb9vrWtNzlKl1kJMl3eBuXyiYa02gQ88BbkESrQqt7NZVXLnkOXMxPCaXWHNTnY0cW9p/s320/PXL_20231214_173146623.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday</b> I did laundry, made soup in the crock pot again, and ran the dishwasher a couple of times. Allie just wanted me to sit down so she could snuggle up on the chair with me--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_LZ2lJkD2R5Zi7NTqck6gfPxBZyGDIPfM-LWR3wQgHSgbG1J8u6x1m4XyQxwQnT6yiJDnTuIGac7e7RIDEZMNq4GP-cOpauuA7dek-A_8XbeeI3C02HIDSG1CLl9TZKGIJAEkUtcKkUbAgeF4eXQc51PPRhMSB3TJA6gvhJFup_Es4LpyOsv/s4080/PXL_20231214_173205641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_LZ2lJkD2R5Zi7NTqck6gfPxBZyGDIPfM-LWR3wQgHSgbG1J8u6x1m4XyQxwQnT6yiJDnTuIGac7e7RIDEZMNq4GP-cOpauuA7dek-A_8XbeeI3C02HIDSG1CLl9TZKGIJAEkUtcKkUbAgeF4eXQc51PPRhMSB3TJA6gvhJFup_Es4LpyOsv/s320/PXL_20231214_173205641.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I got started on the jars. I had discovered the colorful plastic jar lids a while back on Amazon and it was time to switch the jars over to their new pretty lids. I started on the wall wire shelves where I keep the majority of them.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5mNJ0YdI4ZaRyl_lORmeacryreBeMpHcrTggUFZMLZvCiQ5-zbZAexreeI5G91DHtrSr_FGgxCAcx8NKJLwVvE8eJ-Tp1NC9x2iCFi5xRM1glXXWJM0t4H-PLf_wpDyvKvefjIlx3uLi-2UyqwiiaknaT5RrGT67Qx9JtPimuy0Dh3NwVJo7/s4080/PXL_20231215_151153527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5mNJ0YdI4ZaRyl_lORmeacryreBeMpHcrTggUFZMLZvCiQ5-zbZAexreeI5G91DHtrSr_FGgxCAcx8NKJLwVvE8eJ-Tp1NC9x2iCFi5xRM1glXXWJM0t4H-PLf_wpDyvKvefjIlx3uLi-2UyqwiiaknaT5RrGT67Qx9JtPimuy0Dh3NwVJo7/s320/PXL_20231215_151153527.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Even some of my rice on the bottom shelf got their new lids.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGgvvxqgoAGEK1i99oiWh4KQo6VvJh9ZiqInDyHZyC_t2UcK2GQICLqBujiKs5tGME9mYU1D4kvKOqVGLJfStmZw-186bUkA0DEGl_d5q_WksPZHOieK2sjlT71vjHTyoHn0vCzIQga94t_NOot0iIQ9zKfOqN0jaQPHvjXpefE3mrs_UqBvN/s4080/PXL_20231215_151232727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGgvvxqgoAGEK1i99oiWh4KQo6VvJh9ZiqInDyHZyC_t2UcK2GQICLqBujiKs5tGME9mYU1D4kvKOqVGLJfStmZw-186bUkA0DEGl_d5q_WksPZHOieK2sjlT71vjHTyoHn0vCzIQga94t_NOot0iIQ9zKfOqN0jaQPHvjXpefE3mrs_UqBvN/s320/PXL_20231215_151232727.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am parting with boxes of jars! Already had sent at least one big one (might have been two) off for donations many months ago.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAo4EfewVnH4NZUtnZK1RdMOCVAJb2CsSD8PRljNo8dwQKDy4HKBYTF9Hz866V8EN0MnWzwoOyUwKVEy5KWB3H8XoB8Il90lnsRknRDKMo2ZUujI1P0rP5cSxcaNlFy6XH857dHZhFpd5TLWmOfNKeCYPjRN20OSrf868XJC4VatH0l7EzF2b/s4080/PXL_20231215_151248332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAo4EfewVnH4NZUtnZK1RdMOCVAJb2CsSD8PRljNo8dwQKDy4HKBYTF9Hz866V8EN0MnWzwoOyUwKVEy5KWB3H8XoB8Il90lnsRknRDKMo2ZUujI1P0rP5cSxcaNlFy6XH857dHZhFpd5TLWmOfNKeCYPjRN20OSrf868XJC4VatH0l7EzF2b/s320/PXL_20231215_151248332.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Let's just say I have a lot of jars and I do love my jars. Been using them for storage since I left home and got bugs in boxes in my cupboard in the second place I rented. It was jars and Tupperware for me after that--lol! Most of the Tupperware went by the wayside after a few decades, but the jars remained.</span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">That stack to the left are the bins for my new studio wall unit for the new place. They just never got moved to the garage. Next to that is another box of donations topped by my old blue speckled roasting pan.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VVMIByTP5t5aOhWvGaLJQ_M7iHV5Ou8IOjBGm2pO0-rGRP2AtYtc9iy2rUIzgS-p0lz4tq7s1wq78s3qH7w6LLx7jlRuMJN2SXBB_JVkFbbuLGwCpFcsOBXORdDQAgJ3OU89Bgyk4bHh9QQTFuTZz3Zcx-znSrCJdMQGO4wOGyInAgPBNebe/s4080/PXL_20231215_151259802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VVMIByTP5t5aOhWvGaLJQ_M7iHV5Ou8IOjBGm2pO0-rGRP2AtYtc9iy2rUIzgS-p0lz4tq7s1wq78s3qH7w6LLx7jlRuMJN2SXBB_JVkFbbuLGwCpFcsOBXORdDQAgJ3OU89Bgyk4bHh9QQTFuTZz3Zcx-znSrCJdMQGO4wOGyInAgPBNebe/s320/PXL_20231215_151259802.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am slowly saying farewell to so many things that have been with me for decades. The jars, though...seem to be harder. I spent days running jars through the dishwasher and sorting and deciding which ones to keep and which ones to let go of. I'm mainly keeping a lot of the really old ones and some newer practical ones for storing coffees. </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie knew I would work for a while and then rest for a while. Baby steps. She'd wait for me sometimes by my chair--lol! If she didn't give up on me and head for bedroom table crash-time bed...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21-sg1bcMwT7lR3qygZSacnloxF8BOAVoZk-Q43C-vA97xMc8ptoNtXiw9C3PXhg6iDuyaPau5zqAPSclX7pj2-F21RKjGM8HMwXxiH-iJ9poDpiVhyphenhyphennSZqq0ij7wYuyJkBUuM801nRNF3vAtoN0sc6hesl6f8fu5KPi2PjshHdr9SDyWrisc/s4080/PXL_20231215_151340511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21-sg1bcMwT7lR3qygZSacnloxF8BOAVoZk-Q43C-vA97xMc8ptoNtXiw9C3PXhg6iDuyaPau5zqAPSclX7pj2-F21RKjGM8HMwXxiH-iJ9poDpiVhyphenhyphennSZqq0ij7wYuyJkBUuM801nRNF3vAtoN0sc6hesl6f8fu5KPi2PjshHdr9SDyWrisc/s320/PXL_20231215_151340511.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...or go snooze under her spa lamp--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib31nmIGr9BcObCSiBKuhQju5F_JZ57QWoM_byU6PLPkcvd_GDyLyJlCECZ0wZDtlHneiv8XdA3J06qcDd7q4DmRZr9dLmyTYjxhYEV_5H6Pk4R7TwNzpMZeQrYkjqEYZQtsdevJ3R45qlx-lxF4msWH_Tyzj030hNTHzzaFVpIj6sB8sLaAwD/s4080/PXL_20231215_155939584.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib31nmIGr9BcObCSiBKuhQju5F_JZ57QWoM_byU6PLPkcvd_GDyLyJlCECZ0wZDtlHneiv8XdA3J06qcDd7q4DmRZr9dLmyTYjxhYEV_5H6Pk4R7TwNzpMZeQrYkjqEYZQtsdevJ3R45qlx-lxF4msWH_Tyzj030hNTHzzaFVpIj6sB8sLaAwD/s320/PXL_20231215_155939584.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Thursday</b> Leah picked Liam up from school for a dentist appointment. It was the day all the kids in his class were making gingerbread houses. They sent his home with him, though, so he worked on it that night.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HO1oVYahG9THxy25Uk0t3wcvKNM3immYX-13HMVsgq49608edlNT1NKLwfUj5korFwOTcv5ZmTaPQnxWuzpdv_EFVcxr9HlfEc1KaAG5AFoJvy_TJF446eotxZJrkb_8UDPZR5XhRchtdoBYF4i7wqZm9G-X99EOQbQCSwBzBQHQUqYXjM5U/s1599/6575754200599953409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1599" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HO1oVYahG9THxy25Uk0t3wcvKNM3immYX-13HMVsgq49608edlNT1NKLwfUj5korFwOTcv5ZmTaPQnxWuzpdv_EFVcxr9HlfEc1KaAG5AFoJvy_TJF446eotxZJrkb_8UDPZR5XhRchtdoBYF4i7wqZm9G-X99EOQbQCSwBzBQHQUqYXjM5U/s320/6575754200599953409.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He was very proud of it and did quite a good job. Gramma got sent pictures.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4kA9i2wTKuyiwMGrqLyqIhlnLorzj95F4hhvOVERB6cqHrJ1FddyhtUQnGO1N48x-sawdDIISct6DMog_z8bl1gUKvLfbSecHj7vN03-h_gNunzHNNSh8jPFFLXM1gMlmS0UzGMVI-2ALVggZ-BmMHnySfsP_Nyeywx4geMIx7iCIezSkT1e/s1599/8908048198201229169.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1599" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4kA9i2wTKuyiwMGrqLyqIhlnLorzj95F4hhvOVERB6cqHrJ1FddyhtUQnGO1N48x-sawdDIISct6DMog_z8bl1gUKvLfbSecHj7vN03-h_gNunzHNNSh8jPFFLXM1gMlmS0UzGMVI-2ALVggZ-BmMHnySfsP_Nyeywx4geMIx7iCIezSkT1e/s320/8908048198201229169.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Friday</b> I did laundry again to get to the bath towels and such. (It is so nice to be able to do the laundry and get it all put away the same day...I know I have said that before but it is those little things I am soooo grateful for...even if I don't do more than one load a day--lol!) </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I swept the patio. It wasn't a windy day for once so I could put out another scoop of mealworms from this big bag I got with the bird seed from Fleet Farm. They blow away easily and I wanted to double check because it didn't look like the birds had been eating them--at all! Highly unusual. A different brand, extra stinky, and the bag was open when Dagan picked up the order, he said. No, I wasn't mistaken. They won't touch them. :(</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Saturday</b> I kind of took the day off. Made some rice, finished off cleaning all the jars, but didn't do too much else on the pantry.</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday</b> Leah came over. She needed to make some gift certificate envelopes for the boys' teachers. We had talked about it early in the week and I decided to order a plain die from Scrapbook.com.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9zqLZ0596ZUuAwmUwk2sPXYv1vb1h8v7BTD5ZBhWzMOrGQ4qUDdCWlh-Xv-Qz0rpqY_ozDKeyoDp41N1PAkIbyk2BZjA72FqLgOPGS2eTOcppkj7MFa7njfKeGASO8zGN1BrrmkOTrl5zLb1IEB3TBHs2NMKhRG9Sl8RzWhcCyJYpLA_y7Rw/s4080/PXL_20231215_211613376.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9zqLZ0596ZUuAwmUwk2sPXYv1vb1h8v7BTD5ZBhWzMOrGQ4qUDdCWlh-Xv-Qz0rpqY_ozDKeyoDp41N1PAkIbyk2BZjA72FqLgOPGS2eTOcppkj7MFa7njfKeGASO8zGN1BrrmkOTrl5zLb1IEB3TBHs2NMKhRG9Sl8RzWhcCyJYpLA_y7Rw/s320/PXL_20231215_211613376.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Also--I have had this grip mat or sticky mat in my cart for months...so I made an order and they arrived by Friday! Perfect!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CN1XI9ojXc6P4Vlsb7U6_3ciZdLy1SvcutteTzz-n_aE46ue3hHBp31DZnKWmPXNLVysr8wHhHrnQ2SfB0RESP9QPoVgngIGMrezTb48uLGtV-V666lwqsossEDx3I6D85gJ1ESKzg8KQmqxyuB-IEvmq5LCkC4nA_WoxgCYQk9d4tJDMhH4/s4080/PXL_20231215_211618917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CN1XI9ojXc6P4Vlsb7U6_3ciZdLy1SvcutteTzz-n_aE46ue3hHBp31DZnKWmPXNLVysr8wHhHrnQ2SfB0RESP9QPoVgngIGMrezTb48uLGtV-V666lwqsossEDx3I6D85gJ1ESKzg8KQmqxyuB-IEvmq5LCkC4nA_WoxgCYQk9d4tJDMhH4/s320/PXL_20231215_211618917.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah came over in the afternoon to work on her four envelopes. She even cut my two I wanted for Ian and Liam's gift cards (toward a game) for Christmas. I asked what their favorite colors were at the moment. Ian's is purple and Liam's is yellow. (That could change before Christmas--lol!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9poYxACUZC-D3JYxo69Ecyb9GmUSLipVHODnEwNRtzXb4_0bZWfHq68b4EDKFvnB0c3BcChJJvTdf3fUUe5wflOzNGA0OXoMVrJQb2dYV3bAFbYYh6pNvOmvi6B9j3txG_r1UmHG5tUDY3xQ1MzYLwKSIRqMJAwlYZRn370tIXCGMuZe7kHQX/s4080/PXL_20231218_043100147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9poYxACUZC-D3JYxo69Ecyb9GmUSLipVHODnEwNRtzXb4_0bZWfHq68b4EDKFvnB0c3BcChJJvTdf3fUUe5wflOzNGA0OXoMVrJQb2dYV3bAFbYYh6pNvOmvi6B9j3txG_r1UmHG5tUDY3xQ1MzYLwKSIRqMJAwlYZRn370tIXCGMuZe7kHQX/s320/PXL_20231218_043100147.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, Leah was die cutting away--snowflakes for the fronts of the teacher's envelopes and some other parts for some cards she needs for the future--birthdays. So now she has her own red tray for ongoing projects waiting for her in the studio. :)</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Then I had her help me with the wire wall racks. I couldn't get all the rest of the jars up there because the racks were too close together--especially on the left side. TaDa! This is really purged for me!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJF4kB9mulwy1wELTkCheQirKotQOuEQRapBp2jkTlisXZGXYG9LJyFPYuz2WQKmSMBnm2IcG1-pmBmrabmsAoDWRua9JbjAYIDOrpuilposxdqf5jmFT58SZO_SXYyrOMuVeovxzI4wE7j3xnfURPgjoOdqPcTb88mZzV-h0Eca-rrepjWkNa/s4080/PXL_20231218_043126790.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJF4kB9mulwy1wELTkCheQirKotQOuEQRapBp2jkTlisXZGXYG9LJyFPYuz2WQKmSMBnm2IcG1-pmBmrabmsAoDWRua9JbjAYIDOrpuilposxdqf5jmFT58SZO_SXYyrOMuVeovxzI4wE7j3xnfURPgjoOdqPcTb88mZzV-h0Eca-rrepjWkNa/s320/PXL_20231218_043126790.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">She was asking me what I was going to use all the empty ones for. I don't know yet--lol! But I have always loved my jars. I loved looking at them before and now with their new colorful lids they make me as happy as when I gaze upon my colorful wall shelves in the studio. You can easily see the old blue jars. I also have old Ball, Mason, and Atlas jars. I suppose you'd have to be a jar person to understand the joy that wall gives me--lol! ;) </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But now that I've been basically on Keto for several years--I don't need all those boxes of jars I have donated and am donating. I no longer have flours, pastas, lentils, beans, and all the rest to store. The only thing I have left is all the various rice. I had to decide if I was actually going to get rid of the rice, too. When my good cooker died, the cheapie rice cooker replacement used to burn my rice on the bottom of the pan so I had tossed it. This was a big decision...but I decided to not toss the rice out. I'll keep rice in my life for now.</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I did some research to find an affordable rice cooker early in the week. America's Test Kitchen and the like. There were some fancy ones for closer to $200--uffda! But the highest rated lower cost one was this Aroma for $39.99. My Black and Decker that drove me crazy was $29.99.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kzt2TCH3TXLgE9jXctus4q4aWA83Shx4laf_hEWcf0CX0oIKrhMQ6Ma4LcYkj7yDybejYDSsbDBEzlRJ9-rSGzzTajIbQ18K9kc1ZIoQUkM3_5nJZRVoYyPOs3B_rcdVzlexctOHVfB3li1rCqmg1oF9DpYqAPT4wbig-3oOSj_IxExFZndT/s4080/PXL_20231218_054833637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kzt2TCH3TXLgE9jXctus4q4aWA83Shx4laf_hEWcf0CX0oIKrhMQ6Ma4LcYkj7yDybejYDSsbDBEzlRJ9-rSGzzTajIbQ18K9kc1ZIoQUkM3_5nJZRVoYyPOs3B_rcdVzlexctOHVfB3li1rCqmg1oF9DpYqAPT4wbig-3oOSj_IxExFZndT/s320/PXL_20231218_054833637.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I made rice yesterday and it worked like a charm! Whoohoo! So far so good. I just have to make sure I don't eat a lot of it. Really full of carbs...but so good! Rice is staying with me. At least until I have used up all that rice in the pantry. Then I can decide if I want to buy more rice--lol! </span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Oh, and Leah is returning the big bag of mealworms to Fleet Farm for me. Bless her! :) <br /></span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">After everything had pretty much melted outside, we had a little bit of snow again. Can't remember if that was Thursday or Friday during the night.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmsO2c8Lq11AiOvXxuFAH4E8E8o5g-uahcXD_QRWuotHSP8lmbB7PQiUTiXQQqRaG0F7_pc94IsGFJY8jj0ElUWPhmFDArfj-X2cYHrwcxWE88y0fc_2tY9ByOq3aQvBsl1urGW8LLxs8tLb5nKJcopoJKDoxF8-WIzM_jivhFxHAwSXXedHD/s4080/PXL_20231216_154721080.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmsO2c8Lq11AiOvXxuFAH4E8E8o5g-uahcXD_QRWuotHSP8lmbB7PQiUTiXQQqRaG0F7_pc94IsGFJY8jj0ElUWPhmFDArfj-X2cYHrwcxWE88y0fc_2tY9ByOq3aQvBsl1urGW8LLxs8tLb5nKJcopoJKDoxF8-WIzM_jivhFxHAwSXXedHD/s320/PXL_20231216_154721080.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Oh, also--since my square glass folding table was more or less confiscated by the new humidifier...because the instructions said it had to be two feet off the ground on a flat surface...and I found I was using that folding table almost every day...I ordered another one. It has ended up holding the birthday cards for me--maybe until I'm done in the pantry.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_xguKQj5sa3gvKIe5Lv7StiY0MeALGpRD8GFkxtkraFhaNVjH3xna_su5X-YFHVNYhiGmnIomXnsaeqH-ibj2su4vC7JNPTiI8yO6zCtTi24hNSg-tiziz6Hma5tFMj2a2oQsYUcAT9ST0p1TmJ5voBJ3aXhhyphenhyphentvonrXO1c-nwk9J3vguqs9/s4080/PXL_20231218_043314460.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_xguKQj5sa3gvKIe5Lv7StiY0MeALGpRD8GFkxtkraFhaNVjH3xna_su5X-YFHVNYhiGmnIomXnsaeqH-ibj2su4vC7JNPTiI8yO6zCtTi24hNSg-tiziz6Hma5tFMj2a2oQsYUcAT9ST0p1TmJ5voBJ3aXhhyphenhyphentvonrXO1c-nwk9J3vguqs9/s320/PXL_20231218_043314460.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The humidifier. Well, since it heats up the water and has a mist spraying out the top--it is yet another humidifier that is leaving white dust on stuff. Not as badly as the sonic one I bought once that I had to return, but it will be annoying. At least it is just for this winter. Dagan and Leah have a humidifier built into their HVAC system, I believe. Nice!</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Can you see the accumulating white stuff on the side of the new file cabinet? <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHE1ANk57mBVMXjpWD0MapAx_GYqHW4WXUJJgoZOoR4-I2Z1tfCgUahrGuYBrKNCG2TspHUWxqVRokC20tSNwiM7t-RDzRaiEc75254Kv5YOvyhXQCqMfsDgo1Z-pZK7FNV_Rw-oCVXqr5WxD-IJRfpnSLGzSwLVTd8XaX3SrHUxHmnBDmNC6/s4080/PXL_20231218_043359959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHE1ANk57mBVMXjpWD0MapAx_GYqHW4WXUJJgoZOoR4-I2Z1tfCgUahrGuYBrKNCG2TspHUWxqVRokC20tSNwiM7t-RDzRaiEc75254Kv5YOvyhXQCqMfsDgo1Z-pZK7FNV_Rw-oCVXqr5WxD-IJRfpnSLGzSwLVTd8XaX3SrHUxHmnBDmNC6/s320/PXL_20231218_043359959.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Overnight it covered this wastebasket liner. It is definitely attracted to certain types of metal and plastic. Do any of you have humidifier dust accumulate at your place?<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVFsAjFkk3GbGflKcN0fdn8ZSM8mCSB8adrvf_2noddOQ-JBpZ5EGaZeiv6sQ5I_PwzGBQJZnx2sjeIgorE42M7D0H8zPWmiq5MxKQhUL4KiFlipQf0_5-_qMHoYQDwL5G4cziwBG2J_j_ybf8qwoyLM96cBnNwSH0dHWJRk_ULLXVYQBEJd2/s4080/PXL_20231218_043418806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVFsAjFkk3GbGflKcN0fdn8ZSM8mCSB8adrvf_2noddOQ-JBpZ5EGaZeiv6sQ5I_PwzGBQJZnx2sjeIgorE42M7D0H8zPWmiq5MxKQhUL4KiFlipQf0_5-_qMHoYQDwL5G4cziwBG2J_j_ybf8qwoyLM96cBnNwSH0dHWJRk_ULLXVYQBEJd2/s320/PXL_20231218_043418806.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I forgot to show you the photos that came with the McFamily Christmas card this year. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwFJJT1BxJsRziaJ-rZP_EjDRR6DLIplh5p79Zsv0H2L_wgYFEwrmpoG_vgMMrNNaUzDgy5GeIi0i4RT1XD9WTBKvxLe_Ze_fWQA6mM8p1V_F4QBStS_-Mk6W3mpU_ZPhaT7WKSpDdaSy_GnixdBM3YkkfppU9m9V-aLvh9eNNWTpgcYq6lMi/s4080/PXL_20231218_043502844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwFJJT1BxJsRziaJ-rZP_EjDRR6DLIplh5p79Zsv0H2L_wgYFEwrmpoG_vgMMrNNaUzDgy5GeIi0i4RT1XD9WTBKvxLe_Ze_fWQA6mM8p1V_F4QBStS_-Mk6W3mpU_ZPhaT7WKSpDdaSy_GnixdBM3YkkfppU9m9V-aLvh9eNNWTpgcYq6lMi/s320/PXL_20231218_043502844.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah wanted to order new Christmas stockings this year and she asked if I would like one for myself, too. They're getting one for Blink so Allie will get one, too! We'll have all of us for next year! Sweet!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I didn't tell her, but I've never had a Christmas stocking. We never did that at my house growing up. No Christmas morning routine. On Christmas Eve Day we used to drive from Fridley to Cokato (Minnesota) to spend the day with my dad's parents...where we usually got new pajamas. After an early dinner we left for home. That night we opened presents and us kids stayed up as late as we could playing with new toys. Christmas Day we all slept in. Just a quiet day is all I remember. Christmas Eve was the big day at our house growing up. Was only different the years Grandma and Grandpa had moved to Denver, Colorado and we drove over there to stay over Christmas. But I still do not remember that we had stockings there, either.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Now I will have a stocking that says Gramma on it. I need to wrap my head around that--lol!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Funny. I made sure Dagan had one, though, and it got filled with small toys and treats on Christmas morning. One year I forgot! Dagan was about eight. He woke up, was shocked his stocking was flat and empty, so began to quietly search and search and search throughout the entire apartment to find where I had hidden the stocking stuffers. He just could not find them. Finally he gingerly woke me up--more concerned that Santa might actually be real than anything else--ROFL! I said--"Oh no! I'm so sorry! I fell asleep and forgot!" "I knew it! I knew it!" He was hopping about--absolutely delighted to find out for sure it was me and not Santa. (I had hidden them inside a crock pot in the back of a kitchen cupboard.) We laughed and laughed that Christmas Day about his empty stocking. We still laugh about it to this day if the subject comes up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Isn't it funny how we clearly remember the Christmas morning the stocking was empty and barely remember all the other mornings when it was full. Isn't that how it goes--lol! I just remember his favorite toy was to get a matchbox car in his stocking. I always tried to get him more than one if I could. We always had good times together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, when I next talk to you it will be Christmas Day!! I hope you have a wonderful time with friends and or family. Some of you will be like me...on your own over the holidays. I have been for many years. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">That will be changing when I move, too, to some extent. McFamily goes every other year to spend Christmas with Dagan's Dad's side of the family. So they won't be home this year regardless. I don't know exactly how things will go when I live there...for holidays and birthdays...with my ex and his wife being there. It will be quite interesting and uncomfortable, I'm sure. At least at first. Maybe it will get better over time? One can hope, right? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But for this year--same as usual. A me and the cat Christmas. The cat has changed over the years. This year it is Me and Allie. But I will watch It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...as I have done for decades. Only difference these days is I don't have to find my VHS copies or my DVDs...they are both on streaming now. Nice! It's just such a happy time for me. A time for love and kindness--peace and joy--all the best we humans can be, I pray for. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am curious...do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or both? Or do you have none to actually open? I've had many Christmases as an adult without any presents to open on Christmas Eve. But I was just as happy and love the season just as much. (Harder without snow, though--so I hope we get some soon!) To those of you who celebrate it--Merry Christmas! :)</span></div></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-25251058657245757312023-12-11T05:00:00.001-06:002023-12-11T05:00:00.148-06:00December 11, 2023 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Monday</b> I had great news! Minor bacteria--not enough to be considered an infection even! NO ANTIBIOTICS--Whoohoo!! I was absolutely giddy! The past couple years every time I was a little better or even on an even keel--some setback occurred to knock me backwards. I was fully expecting that to happen again with antibiotics doing a real number on me. Not this time!! Which also means that the oil of oregano worked! Surprise! The week started out on that high note! That night I started back working on Christmas cards. :)</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday</b> I was cleaning fountain pens and writing Christmas cards. Dagan dropped off a few groceries.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday</b> I did laundry, filled the clean fountain pens, and worked on the Christmas cards. Leah dropped off a few things from Cashwise and Target. The drop offs are quick these days and later in the day. But it is still good to see them, even briefly.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Thursday</b> I finished ALL the Christmas cards and got the last of them out for the mail! TaDa!! Finished before the first full week in December was over with. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Friday</b> I went through the card projects that had been sorted onto trays ages ago--but those sets of birthday cards (had Christmas, too) were too complicated and/or time consuming to possibly finish by the end of the year. So, I picked out a very, very simple birthday card to make--50 times--lol! Started stamping. (With the wonderful Misti that was worth every penny.) </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLunsWLTSZvRgAnN1FKzTtWu7_zo91xKH5Lx0JJJtD8FCA54nISCeU5jNWFH4qPe4aPGs_U6LXFRuuwNaT8MQoZQ9uIiM22zhkcIxoV1_Pp59QUF-CbomjVymOT6ZFlqtOExMJOQagqLxp-cg7iSAYJL-XN_ZZXjMUXb0Sr3py5ggNC-efSHa_/s4080/PXL_20231208_185847909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLunsWLTSZvRgAnN1FKzTtWu7_zo91xKH5Lx0JJJtD8FCA54nISCeU5jNWFH4qPe4aPGs_U6LXFRuuwNaT8MQoZQ9uIiM22zhkcIxoV1_Pp59QUF-CbomjVymOT6ZFlqtOExMJOQagqLxp-cg7iSAYJL-XN_ZZXjMUXb0Sr3py5ggNC-efSHa_/s320/PXL_20231208_185847909.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, the inexpensive humidifier I ordered from Amazon arrived and I could hardly get it set up fast enough!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oEHt0Re3J_-1hNbUMMHtVOw7LD1uC_pFdsQxnc3eGpl6u2NgPacDPwREboMQLEdNxxX1Z_MN7IptgfzwQvdWD21peEdQ3ebkoWeNMMf9opVGM2UgQ-62hRMn-QMbICh0iMdw_IHfhPTQxoLHPywtH_WUaOzt525kNGkXnaQnOehPBwyzWG_A/s4080/PXL_20231208_185933244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oEHt0Re3J_-1hNbUMMHtVOw7LD1uC_pFdsQxnc3eGpl6u2NgPacDPwREboMQLEdNxxX1Z_MN7IptgfzwQvdWD21peEdQ3ebkoWeNMMf9opVGM2UgQ-62hRMn-QMbICh0iMdw_IHfhPTQxoLHPywtH_WUaOzt525kNGkXnaQnOehPBwyzWG_A/s320/PXL_20231208_185933244.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Has been so dry in here I have gotten bloody noses, Allie has dandruff, and I have had electric hair that sticks to my face.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6b6nLfqUX830Y8D3U1ClpvuPauAy0X7oCHQ1zyrkZUz4ehXE41vFx00NB6W2uVuzGeRZXfKkP5CqlFOt-cXqAIMx55NBeTPnSl12UW_Qox6AASjsZpC2EGwg9LliAbGxghDqq5hBvj35BnHDK17IlYCxmZD-4LFWWdB82akxLo1H_2Gq-Jy5N/s4080/PXL_20231208_185956689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6b6nLfqUX830Y8D3U1ClpvuPauAy0X7oCHQ1zyrkZUz4ehXE41vFx00NB6W2uVuzGeRZXfKkP5CqlFOt-cXqAIMx55NBeTPnSl12UW_Qox6AASjsZpC2EGwg9LliAbGxghDqq5hBvj35BnHDK17IlYCxmZD-4LFWWdB82akxLo1H_2Gq-Jy5N/s320/PXL_20231208_185956689.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It's not the greatest humidifier, but it is keeping it more like 35-40% humidity in the living room--ahh! (vs. 20%) It is kind of a pain as you can't just turn it on and let it go till it runs low on water. You can only schedule it to run 8 hours, but at least it does have automatic shutoff if the water gets low. I am learning to fill it as soon as I wake up and before I go to sleep--and to glance at it regularly during the day to see if it is still working. Doesn't put out a lot of water for all it appears to when running at full blast on high--lol! But it will get me through the winter. My old one had bit the dust, so to speak, and gone to the dumpster last spring. They never seem to last very long, regardless. I am thrilled to have it!</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I worked all day off and on stamping the birthday cards.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99b5YRAoWttLzNzsO9n0zixm-EIPwBioBhjPzOPMKygWjfdjKPWdkowC4MGSYC1V732OjQa8lxHmW80oGNgPY84GY5AWeA9NYZcosGpdIanKp0vkWqVWgzKZglbGrh_cdxpDJlG40sMKVYkMMAPXtga1Cr-vKU9DstLJwZGM2E4wpeQL244-d/s4080/PXL_20231208_202701420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99b5YRAoWttLzNzsO9n0zixm-EIPwBioBhjPzOPMKygWjfdjKPWdkowC4MGSYC1V732OjQa8lxHmW80oGNgPY84GY5AWeA9NYZcosGpdIanKp0vkWqVWgzKZglbGrh_cdxpDJlG40sMKVYkMMAPXtga1Cr-vKU9DstLJwZGM2E4wpeQL244-d/s320/PXL_20231208_202701420.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dagan and the boys came by for a visit after Dagan picked them up from school. Dagan had done a Fleet Farm pickup of wild bird seed for me and brought it to the garage. The boys showed me a Bluey cartoon show they watch...about a dog family. They wanted to show me that the cartoon dogs ate chocolate! They know real dogs aren't supposed to eat chocolate. The cartoon dogs eat it regularly, I could see. Smart of them to catch how wrong that is. :)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Not only did I stamp the birthday cards, but I used up some very old cardstock I had from many years ago that I had bought a ream of from Target. Was already pre-cut and pre-folded--the last of it has just been around for years because it is super thin so I don't actually like using it for a card base at all. But I had already cut and folded them--some folded from the top and some from the side. They've just been shuffled about for years. Anyways, it is now finally all used up! They will be flimsy cards, but they will be new handmade ones for 2024. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggACLPoZoEYg9Qbe7wZtLb2anqhsLJQYrP_dWtJWTroB2PfD4mGpoAOTayWatYl51uhkWo5ikxHIs0oM8A5JIgKDbxdU14ytkOJ0efNl6CTKxPxcjKpb2c2R0YmeI1khVSosoytNLqFWt6IhMTbM5j8CZrLVQWErZsHCfwIBnxFhFSvTn7Etj-/s4080/PXL_20231209_031307871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggACLPoZoEYg9Qbe7wZtLb2anqhsLJQYrP_dWtJWTroB2PfD4mGpoAOTayWatYl51uhkWo5ikxHIs0oM8A5JIgKDbxdU14ytkOJ0efNl6CTKxPxcjKpb2c2R0YmeI1khVSosoytNLqFWt6IhMTbM5j8CZrLVQWErZsHCfwIBnxFhFSvTn7Etj-/s320/PXL_20231209_031307871.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Stamped the insides, too. Finished stamping them!!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5E59go4-GLJIcUTAeUGIaUSqcmapuq0pR5YHQjMotIWKjkMW-3GfGvAZHmouQKZ2_1jky0zoEvkhpVK0TcfH0wG481r-gZoPzf-uexrQaPmWmh7-Hf5r6xYEZX8s9JnnAlq5t9UKVWlr_pL7fnisnqKG908oCec2VEeW5ZVw_1aZgzHzJJM8A/s4080/PXL_20231209_031316811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5E59go4-GLJIcUTAeUGIaUSqcmapuq0pR5YHQjMotIWKjkMW-3GfGvAZHmouQKZ2_1jky0zoEvkhpVK0TcfH0wG481r-gZoPzf-uexrQaPmWmh7-Hf5r6xYEZX8s9JnnAlq5t9UKVWlr_pL7fnisnqKG908oCec2VEeW5ZVw_1aZgzHzJJM8A/s320/PXL_20231209_031316811.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Needed to do a sample card to try out the markers just to make sure they wouldn't bleed through the thin cardstock.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEdq_Z8a1fZHwG_9MRTYuiVzG8ouaGHFXg-qOr-yJ8_2hsOQMNvE8gt_IHRXwJj0pULOrRoylfvqvPf5_WzfmgcVx5PZW4ZPaCVoS85IMPoA4ddWSWbLh8Cbs9sSYtogTw5ENVm4EO4Vtegg9oRs40bC6SOh82zE8BRGLB24P9JdU1jD4QbMP/s4080/PXL_20231210_204017136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEdq_Z8a1fZHwG_9MRTYuiVzG8ouaGHFXg-qOr-yJ8_2hsOQMNvE8gt_IHRXwJj0pULOrRoylfvqvPf5_WzfmgcVx5PZW4ZPaCVoS85IMPoA4ddWSWbLh8Cbs9sSYtogTw5ENVm4EO4Vtegg9oRs40bC6SOh82zE8BRGLB24P9JdU1jD4QbMP/s320/PXL_20231210_204017136.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcQy1e9fvcSIffGEeyX63QKt1VvBsP-CUe_aoL_xds966Kba0lzL7a0f4DPyiXtztqi_HqYnnULjuA7EosxHuuVxUj72CL9M-omUFH0B0E3hxs7wdoFdha4p7503kIeEDf2PvRT_cGuO4xUW7hLGOZeLLbwcPq8NjVpFp0-j0q0eDG9bDJ4Xt/s4080/PXL_20231210_204026482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcQy1e9fvcSIffGEeyX63QKt1VvBsP-CUe_aoL_xds966Kba0lzL7a0f4DPyiXtztqi_HqYnnULjuA7EosxHuuVxUj72CL9M-omUFH0B0E3hxs7wdoFdha4p7503kIeEDf2PvRT_cGuO4xUW7hLGOZeLLbwcPq8NjVpFp0-j0q0eDG9bDJ4Xt/s320/PXL_20231210_204026482.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, I decided not enough to be terrible. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZDhgnN3iyU5uLeHZbykvRPZokCvJdWKice4XJEdJCDDYMGYaHKA4B0VKpTOsKlwh43t1O8Z84XeZ9Y5ENV92pvNjX9Fl_fpqlrP6eB96zizodI1qJ4Wgnj0tHBS_TJzwbkeToP3agzFOwnav3_uanjPQ6-2Wi4gJW-yCwvDqWm5kZDVeUB4Z/s4080/PXL_20231210_204046453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZDhgnN3iyU5uLeHZbykvRPZokCvJdWKice4XJEdJCDDYMGYaHKA4B0VKpTOsKlwh43t1O8Z84XeZ9Y5ENV92pvNjX9Fl_fpqlrP6eB96zizodI1qJ4Wgnj0tHBS_TJzwbkeToP3agzFOwnav3_uanjPQ6-2Wi4gJW-yCwvDqWm5kZDVeUB4Z/s320/PXL_20231210_204046453.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">I could always use some lighter colors, too--so I decided to go for it. Markers are faster and easier for me than colored pencils...and bolder in color. </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">But that meant that on </span><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Saturday</b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"> I needed to go through and test that entire big bin of the Tombow dual brush pens because one of the first ones I picked out was all dried out. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh10CvEVT_xXUC9o-DoNpoVaGEYengK2iwOJsdZuzS-3CfTDShxw1J9oUXDQTSiruQOLy9oZhGz97OWnrqbng7wGsrr1bsHCxccPn-BQqx25BneZz3VbKya1cCN2zkU_sMPKF8z9xyGEN0O4liGmue7yX1VMNmp8qc_nFaEwYBQ4qskxRW1fx/s4080/PXL_20231209_031349737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh10CvEVT_xXUC9o-DoNpoVaGEYengK2iwOJsdZuzS-3CfTDShxw1J9oUXDQTSiruQOLy9oZhGz97OWnrqbng7wGsrr1bsHCxccPn-BQqx25BneZz3VbKya1cCN2zkU_sMPKF8z9xyGEN0O4liGmue7yX1VMNmp8qc_nFaEwYBQ4qskxRW1fx/s320/PXL_20231209_031349737.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Considering how many years ago I bought the full set of Tombows (maybe a year or two after I moved to West Winds when I had to drop out of college--so around 2006 or 2007?), I was absolutely shocked that I only needed to replace 13 of them and all the rest seemed really good! Whoohoo! So I made an order to my trusty JetPens for replacements. :)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday</b>. We had snow and high winds during the night Saturday night. Not much snow, but Allie was in seventh heaven...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlTirpp-1GNmzQ8UGEt_hU3cEmEya4WCD5pbBPTFpPFrL6Ut206pPwYBWjdbzK-lMf-pZVzi3xDHGAhyphenhyphentrrvMuPO_xBSkogGKSS968MhooD5dpID_NuOytvfUWQXwq3yhfTC2yS4tjJWbXKiNl3gY7KWvsk-jDeDao33wZatQ8RR0Y_X0AeeJ/s4080/PXL_20231209_155151589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlTirpp-1GNmzQ8UGEt_hU3cEmEya4WCD5pbBPTFpPFrL6Ut206pPwYBWjdbzK-lMf-pZVzi3xDHGAhyphenhyphentrrvMuPO_xBSkogGKSS968MhooD5dpID_NuOytvfUWQXwq3yhfTC2yS4tjJWbXKiNl3gY7KWvsk-jDeDao33wZatQ8RR0Y_X0AeeJ/s320/PXL_20231209_155151589.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...because the 45-50mph winds had plastered the snow against the patio door...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsUrIYAmmQ2MBKHPW-4Di_ldrKTQ-wL4D3HkA7j74LttklipaO_jH5AsrzH-FU_bf5KAr-hAZBcZpGTqzoTyTpjqri1bmxsjY-bGpCf87JQbnBS3rw4TSR9DiadhuaERiFJ1aVamsV0E2QvL5fDhdPnsZW42Th6-pD-i2mLJkPSMk54AKtXUo/s4080/PXL_20231209_155309368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsUrIYAmmQ2MBKHPW-4Di_ldrKTQ-wL4D3HkA7j74LttklipaO_jH5AsrzH-FU_bf5KAr-hAZBcZpGTqzoTyTpjqri1bmxsjY-bGpCf87JQbnBS3rw4TSR9DiadhuaERiFJ1aVamsV0E2QvL5fDhdPnsZW42Th6-pD-i2mLJkPSMk54AKtXUo/s320/PXL_20231209_155309368.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and she had a good-sized spy spot at the bottom. She can rarely get up that close to do her bird spying. Made her day. Well, her morning...for several hours. Not much interrupts her naptime...all afternoon! <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7inAvsoVfhALnE82DScSwGfig4W-Uz-Ye9Rgmbyv3C_ql0w-sKu2fBRFjMm2W1-guZQsSVaaeDb72IXGv_xg12Lnp19Rapz-mdb8HluB56vqJXyrP6souv3IcxpfamR-d46QSLBlrjhbiJLaVVh1arlfgMTgZY1NP7osbnRobVxivUn_j3ySD/s4080/PXL_20231209_155437977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7inAvsoVfhALnE82DScSwGfig4W-Uz-Ye9Rgmbyv3C_ql0w-sKu2fBRFjMm2W1-guZQsSVaaeDb72IXGv_xg12Lnp19Rapz-mdb8HluB56vqJXyrP6souv3IcxpfamR-d46QSLBlrjhbiJLaVVh1arlfgMTgZY1NP7osbnRobVxivUn_j3ySD/s320/PXL_20231209_155437977.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Due to the high winds there was still grass peeking through the snow beyond my patio. There was mostly drifting, but not much snow. Enough that the plows were out in the parking lots, though.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjck0AKZXL81oNTZ9QuOY3OfKiPFHUaYCruyxr4gNcoVaa4BdyiEKamveoVIHS-PtwynhJYqwee0YUJry5bxodCXSUPP5PF-qu9NX7EMiwDw_q23WJ1EXhh3SlkxmdVd2flsd5ckWD1jwdpR5hfXtVdY3AnGfS9yZ9NRJdl9f6L8_hx4_xDhxUg/s4080/PXL_20231209_155454026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjck0AKZXL81oNTZ9QuOY3OfKiPFHUaYCruyxr4gNcoVaa4BdyiEKamveoVIHS-PtwynhJYqwee0YUJry5bxodCXSUPP5PF-qu9NX7EMiwDw_q23WJ1EXhh3SlkxmdVd2flsd5ckWD1jwdpR5hfXtVdY3AnGfS9yZ9NRJdl9f6L8_hx4_xDhxUg/s320/PXL_20231209_155454026.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They've been waiting for an excuse to plow. Those companies live off of mowing and plowing, so they must have been raring to go.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkg7f15OT2h4KNtSQpAPid9PO-gF77k1wgwvs5_0DaU0KJjkQ_qTJvDG2lS-jFAqOOMylAdXd7lDXSnFQrcqyLRPt7hqjj9kBmXOzL3S81ZvrYXs_Ak8EPnlaM7VZ2yuRqiUnqGi-M92972-JOiLS-Zpwpk9mMbdYV6LkhFWjPp4GvMEuq10H/s4080/PXL_20231210_204221159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkg7f15OT2h4KNtSQpAPid9PO-gF77k1wgwvs5_0DaU0KJjkQ_qTJvDG2lS-jFAqOOMylAdXd7lDXSnFQrcqyLRPt7hqjj9kBmXOzL3S81ZvrYXs_Ak8EPnlaM7VZ2yuRqiUnqGi-M92972-JOiLS-Zpwpk9mMbdYV6LkhFWjPp4GvMEuq10H/s320/PXL_20231210_204221159.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My patio captures snow and makes pretty drifts, of course, so there was a good bit out there. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have an alarm on my phone to put out more seed at 3pm so that they can all come eat before dark. Since I'd put out some extra mid-morning (can't resist putting out some extra food when it is 20 degrees and snow on the ground), there was still some left. Tossed out some more and within minutes...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPU8gIPpzpxCw69BwVENSJLJ2D1t0TNw5X6Y7jN-EHd4k-5QhZVmHmkdgnqf4JUToKghxhImP9eAtYwBta4m01emrf28lrs6KOWm70Qelzb8TmiQj8A9g1lB2-49QSv_xvoYnjJRLaKKdcha6oKLboGV5AZovQ3IrkBt44Hpra01CYeoehGzC/s4080/PXL_20231210_204154947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPU8gIPpzpxCw69BwVENSJLJ2D1t0TNw5X6Y7jN-EHd4k-5QhZVmHmkdgnqf4JUToKghxhImP9eAtYwBta4m01emrf28lrs6KOWm70Qelzb8TmiQj8A9g1lB2-49QSv_xvoYnjJRLaKKdcha6oKLboGV5AZovQ3IrkBt44Hpra01CYeoehGzC/s320/PXL_20231210_204154947.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...there was a crowd at the Critter Cafe! I swear they listen for the sound of me opening and closing the patio door--lol! I wondered where Allie was.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZvm7yYK_Z4YR9hFBHo6ZKSYjfUCnGHLlT1j3o1Z2J3gWJ6hqXWYs7Lqi_-e91Is3qAwgIEt_cOY6eKUs6sV2hyu0CbgZPmMsOjqs5vFCyAVsGFfluPaIi9v3u07d7hr37CWSpnW9LnnI9dDPE5BHXmqhyphenhyphenpXB9fKied9i83UbkwZ7T6BCB847/s4080/PXL_20231210_204932747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZvm7yYK_Z4YR9hFBHo6ZKSYjfUCnGHLlT1j3o1Z2J3gWJ6hqXWYs7Lqi_-e91Is3qAwgIEt_cOY6eKUs6sV2hyu0CbgZPmMsOjqs5vFCyAVsGFfluPaIi9v3u07d7hr37CWSpnW9LnnI9dDPE5BHXmqhyphenhyphenpXB9fKied9i83UbkwZ7T6BCB847/s320/PXL_20231210_204932747.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, I figured. Her usual spot. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMgt7zvMX7yjQ0zfnq4GjY6-2Ptwfaqk77oguq_N1dxfR9omFwu9UijzNxrWeoAipCMpiS-1EG3B7YIGS_ufHYYv_-FC4VfUZv8trmhElwrkQvnvwCO1oB290VwnFR9gqoDoz6VvlwAhnV9TbsWZLZzI2UcJjwPunwupe0IA3i9N_f-W850FK/s4080/PXL_20231210_204132386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMgt7zvMX7yjQ0zfnq4GjY6-2Ptwfaqk77oguq_N1dxfR9omFwu9UijzNxrWeoAipCMpiS-1EG3B7YIGS_ufHYYv_-FC4VfUZv8trmhElwrkQvnvwCO1oB290VwnFR9gqoDoz6VvlwAhnV9TbsWZLZzI2UcJjwPunwupe0IA3i9N_f-W850FK/s320/PXL_20231210_204132386.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dagan asked me why I don't open the blinds open for her...but this is why. She loves sleeping in here in the quiet, darkened room. Once in a while I will open the blinds--but only a few inches so she can spy. Then she is happy. But if I do open them and<i> leave</i> them open she gets all disgruntled because she can't sleep well then--lol! Too much to keep her awake. Cats! Gotta love 'em.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, another productive week--do you believe it?! Got my Christmas cards all in the mail and have a new set of birthday cards stamped and ready for coloring. On Tuesday Kenna comes and we will tear apart the pantry. I don't have to go back for CTscans till the end of May! No antibiotics!! I already have presents for the boys--just need to wrap them. We have a little bit of snow! I am stocked up on wild bird seed that was on sale! I have a fairly functional humidifier for the winter. The boys are happy with school. Leah really likes her job. Everyone is getting into the new routine. We're all healthy. Life is good!! What more could one ask for? I wish you all a stupendous week filled with the holiday spirit! :) :)</span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-5258299973654304402023-12-03T20:07:00.001-06:002023-12-03T20:07:33.658-06:00December 3, 2023 Sunday--8pm<p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good evening!</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Okay--you're going to laugh, but I never got to those final Christmas cards. Because I have been feeling so much better by comparison to the past couple of years...well, I mainly just kept working away on the apartment all week. Couldn't help myself--lol! Do you know how long it has been since I have had the energy to even <i>be</i> antsy!? ROFL! So, I still have several cards to finish up and mail off--BUT--I think I can still meet my own personal deadline of the first week in December, so that would still be a win in my book. :)</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There are different numbers of partridges this past week that come to the Critter Cafe. Definitely more than one covey out there now.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKV0tdojOm-PQ_7_8bv_Tsm8cW_13SU12AbO6PaFj1yR8aYu2nVEd0mfhQJ4A9ZZap40dYnJtoIx6HkKQAnV_jjHemyh5TWy1UN_Nnk_UZWz9kl60P7YmwoUZo_VVGtFbiKyZbp33gim4dOHVZMJYFtwfPuEPoRhVf7ugBtgrOBrSwBguFJvP/s4080/PXL_20231128_191219870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKV0tdojOm-PQ_7_8bv_Tsm8cW_13SU12AbO6PaFj1yR8aYu2nVEd0mfhQJ4A9ZZap40dYnJtoIx6HkKQAnV_jjHemyh5TWy1UN_Nnk_UZWz9kl60P7YmwoUZo_VVGtFbiKyZbp33gim4dOHVZMJYFtwfPuEPoRhVf7ugBtgrOBrSwBguFJvP/s320/PXL_20231128_191219870.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You can tell they are a little more jittery because of the other partridges who also are here off and on all day. Truly feels like winter now--season of the partridge food battles--ROFL! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJj4OUPOy9m7KW6jxLj69chXh0xTtfvQ0H9hY3ROhCjY7Xn4t_8SRo1VyZf1Y4a28UzrQaeEuFtW3BQj6DWbBvRDDaTGeNxQJedeL6l0nGJA0tSUIWGznNCNkQB3KXdyxOukbqpbfLnfVGgxdUxuKtl_4ns5Ci3QLpg0sj4SOpmjPVN4qdq-z/s4080/PXL_20231128_191209720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJj4OUPOy9m7KW6jxLj69chXh0xTtfvQ0H9hY3ROhCjY7Xn4t_8SRo1VyZf1Y4a28UzrQaeEuFtW3BQj6DWbBvRDDaTGeNxQJedeL6l0nGJA0tSUIWGznNCNkQB3KXdyxOukbqpbfLnfVGgxdUxuKtl_4ns5Ci3QLpg0sj4SOpmjPVN4qdq-z/s320/PXL_20231128_191209720.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They will settle down for the majority of the time as they figure out when to arrive and who should wait patiently across the way by the tree (or later in the snowbanks). They do learn to take turns most of the time so there is less chasing and chest flapping at each other--lol!</span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, <b>Monday</b> Leah took me for my CT scans. And I got my results on the labwork from the Friday before. Not great. My creatinine (blood test to check your kidney function) was a little above normal and I had bacteria in my urine sample. So even though I have been feeling a lot better, I am still being dogged by that darn bladder infection. They wanted me to have another round of labwork before I see Dr. Failing tomorrow.</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday</b> Keanna came to clean. Later in the early evening Dagan dropped off groceries from Costco while Leah and the boys waited in the car...the new routine. I did laundry and started working on the tables in the bedroom. Moving letter writing stuff to the tables in the living room...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-mGRep-I3Kkqf13iePIn4xYrIOmgLVbDtW2ryBiVCxuvHaXFW2GpUrB_YXT_7OXbK5TmB0Ryy5kBjLVSOzjm2J4JIQJ97swDTcV299HVPlsn1K_5guIRNX6W1fpsNnYnSNxbDW19NnaUk9mX9h-Rgi9TF9VbWZV3xbzW7apkG6lyS8cneQJT/s4080/PXL_20231129_015539816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-mGRep-I3Kkqf13iePIn4xYrIOmgLVbDtW2ryBiVCxuvHaXFW2GpUrB_YXT_7OXbK5TmB0Ryy5kBjLVSOzjm2J4JIQJ97swDTcV299HVPlsn1K_5guIRNX6W1fpsNnYnSNxbDW19NnaUk9mX9h-Rgi9TF9VbWZV3xbzW7apkG6lyS8cneQJT/s320/PXL_20231129_015539816.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...sorting through bins and stacks and boxes...off and on all week.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3XRRH0dB1c4WYq4DjAbpZO4jokVX_14Rx_n1mF2mxZ7mPUcubzPfvB9kV42ANUyTnIrUMYmUQl7gUgtc0HrVqBebwQeOSvKN9zEEydlWWNjBBpElwIApOByHOXxEyWOak2G430wg88d8FUqY2qcR6vRcl1CIqHmsQifPLf9HUYTrnNEy1336/s4080/PXL_20231201_235438407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3XRRH0dB1c4WYq4DjAbpZO4jokVX_14Rx_n1mF2mxZ7mPUcubzPfvB9kV42ANUyTnIrUMYmUQl7gUgtc0HrVqBebwQeOSvKN9zEEydlWWNjBBpElwIApOByHOXxEyWOak2G430wg88d8FUqY2qcR6vRcl1CIqHmsQifPLf9HUYTrnNEy1336/s320/PXL_20231201_235438407.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday</b> I baked fish, chicken, brownies and made some turkey burgers, too. Leah dropped off what I had for the drive-up pickups at Target and Cashwise...also a new routine.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94tjoTbYvPVs1cJ3_7_JaxKWptjJDodjxD7lhfcFoZzgTpBhlXtmbfOL6Z53uf6SHEk9WsQ-BfLo89bDbC0wo16exOxUJDa_jMo8O29Q5uvsRcQR2x-TAlsdHRB7BPnpGKfmkSbTMTUBQTnjXELkXm1wAmwIDNhbcgKLVzKqMDvi33iwEPYiN/s4080/PXL_20231201_235446085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94tjoTbYvPVs1cJ3_7_JaxKWptjJDodjxD7lhfcFoZzgTpBhlXtmbfOL6Z53uf6SHEk9WsQ-BfLo89bDbC0wo16exOxUJDa_jMo8O29Q5uvsRcQR2x-TAlsdHRB7BPnpGKfmkSbTMTUBQTnjXELkXm1wAmwIDNhbcgKLVzKqMDvi33iwEPYiN/s320/PXL_20231201_235446085.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Thursday</b>--end of the month stuff. Got my bullet journal ready for December, banking, and rent check to the office drop box. Got basically done with the bedroom folding tables. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZTVADWLKbPjXFKENCsIMTKIf3qcG58gaSN4ZF9nbsrE62eAa0_1JubPRJ8tJX5OhSxq1mvmrbHrX7nnRt8A7K9dkrkOBPftigGaYnwSpcLPc40nPgNSvU9uw6v-olJmzCcZgQQe_hyphenhyphenXkPkTRb_mV7px5q_XhzRKA_jSH0ANu-AQ44GWsCsAy/s4080/PXL_20231203_190948864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZTVADWLKbPjXFKENCsIMTKIf3qcG58gaSN4ZF9nbsrE62eAa0_1JubPRJ8tJX5OhSxq1mvmrbHrX7nnRt8A7K9dkrkOBPftigGaYnwSpcLPc40nPgNSvU9uw6v-olJmzCcZgQQe_hyphenhyphenXkPkTRb_mV7px5q_XhzRKA_jSH0ANu-AQ44GWsCsAy/s320/PXL_20231203_190948864.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Now that it is colder, I notice Allie sleeps almost all afternoon on the table in the bedroom...almost every single day. And quite deeply, too. :)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYroLXpyqm0VA1-Ao-Ld51_EBYAWorbIJwjigTdDmYAIwObtNAycm0yjvsQNmZ0xlf1UkkRNG0eHqXWz835RfS1-IDwYVomXRGRnzBUm7FmOYZ_kxv3d-CqIFhxuGgvRPxi2p8cf36Da4ELyDC3OYB-N7WEYo89Wq9z79-4j-izSNPjdpFYkXX/s4080/PXL_20231203_191010863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYroLXpyqm0VA1-Ao-Ld51_EBYAWorbIJwjigTdDmYAIwObtNAycm0yjvsQNmZ0xlf1UkkRNG0eHqXWz835RfS1-IDwYVomXRGRnzBUm7FmOYZ_kxv3d-CqIFhxuGgvRPxi2p8cf36Da4ELyDC3OYB-N7WEYo89Wq9z79-4j-izSNPjdpFYkXX/s320/PXL_20231203_191010863.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Friday </b>Dagan brought me again to the clinic for labwork. I worked a lot of that day to finish off the mess I had left to sort from the bedroom folding tables that I had drug out all over the kitchen--because McFamily was coming over Saturday afternoon to work on the "Leah List". </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">For years Leah and I have called it the "Leah List" because she was the one I saw almost all the time. Now it is really just a "Help List" for both Dagan and Leah. I see them all together more now with all the changes lately...so that is really nice. </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Saturday</b>...</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There are some things on the list that are always going to be for Leah only, though. Like she cut my hair for me! I went from shoulder length thin-straggly to chin length thin-straggly hair--lol! Thank you, Leah! And she printed off the extra sheets for the way I am doing my bullet journal now. Buying a pre-made planner refill and just adding the extra page really worked great for me this year. </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You may recall Leah had set up my own printed bullet journal for me several years ago which I used for years. But it was blank and I had to fill in everything. The worse I felt the more of an overwhelming project that came to be having an undated journal to fill in for the entire year. Sometimes took me days to set it up for the year--and that was before I set up each month's goals, tracker, etc. So I wanted to try something new this past year. We just put together one insert page for a binder journal.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0TuqFVhTl7W_wMEbnhC3CJjdCjLeeipB-cWSI4fYitXvmq8E6eAG2hCyn_Kx99H2_kyUfOAqUGZBZFUYkYosVHhfoF71UytBliiOpgoBdshSru9h8Txr-DUOeyCBa0tdGyxHK5DUjmo9WKJfL4utfLkxDGWKYT5KsGiiSDwOlxQmXdxk3Zd-/s4080/PXL_20231203_233528092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0TuqFVhTl7W_wMEbnhC3CJjdCjLeeipB-cWSI4fYitXvmq8E6eAG2hCyn_Kx99H2_kyUfOAqUGZBZFUYkYosVHhfoF71UytBliiOpgoBdshSru9h8Txr-DUOeyCBa0tdGyxHK5DUjmo9WKJfL4utfLkxDGWKYT5KsGiiSDwOlxQmXdxk3Zd-/s320/PXL_20231203_233528092.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Printed on both sides is other essential stuff I used all the time in my bullet that are not included in regular planner refills so that I could add it into the binder.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJlRNR6iWlyvaTpvTL-9wm9n0SYkvLjRQ_Gfi_nZDad8HfMrzRszWSldQPGcVspeEnItXS7cQgycTKdZ8BGHB2r-YmK8YyTz9U-ZJzO63sMg_3DrRdKzWdFfa4LNAJRyzKa-g7nwIo1KjvPhRGQlVaMDST_6kgPzJA_VSC2uHQ6LQ-uzCDqt0/s4080/PXL_20231203_233534517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJlRNR6iWlyvaTpvTL-9wm9n0SYkvLjRQ_Gfi_nZDad8HfMrzRszWSldQPGcVspeEnItXS7cQgycTKdZ8BGHB2r-YmK8YyTz9U-ZJzO63sMg_3DrRdKzWdFfa4LNAJRyzKa-g7nwIo1KjvPhRGQlVaMDST_6kgPzJA_VSC2uHQ6LQ-uzCDqt0/s320/PXL_20231203_233534517.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">For my 2023 experiment I have been using this Jumping Fox binder...</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NXk-LKICckWGVk9rBjUoeshZV_QY-356_srw5hzmfqb5VXtmujtMGcp4wV6L5qK70kQxVqczm6K2BPPJX7lZCBldB46CkA2spsWoxRYWn0m_8ai6EN5-cOO_iJ75coBSVuF4p7qcxkb2bFwoDp1q0yNO18m5Ma_qYvSl8NPIghzoyzXnCzVO/s4080/PXL_20231203_233144547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NXk-LKICckWGVk9rBjUoeshZV_QY-356_srw5hzmfqb5VXtmujtMGcp4wV6L5qK70kQxVqczm6K2BPPJX7lZCBldB46CkA2spsWoxRYWn0m_8ai6EN5-cOO_iJ75coBSVuF4p7qcxkb2bFwoDp1q0yNO18m5Ma_qYvSl8NPIghzoyzXnCzVO/s320/PXL_20231203_233144547.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and this refill I found that fit the bill for what I used to make for myself. Close enough.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd7MH1Shzp8wt8R9Mwq4ZO3cvqWtO0be0JU2RR3L-swR-72l_k_vni3zXA0BE8hJE8g6QGVjz9ZAcvuvjwMBClMt4MGpP_0-XyGypkfcVjkBiV9cR1tYOYIhtYnMsrpWJ3X_7FBh-0EBkfznHShMiXJDxhdkxRdsvQYutTID-6EqkMWP78Rl6/s4080/PXL_20231203_233153555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd7MH1Shzp8wt8R9Mwq4ZO3cvqWtO0be0JU2RR3L-swR-72l_k_vni3zXA0BE8hJE8g6QGVjz9ZAcvuvjwMBClMt4MGpP_0-XyGypkfcVjkBiV9cR1tYOYIhtYnMsrpWJ3X_7FBh-0EBkfznHShMiXJDxhdkxRdsvQYutTID-6EqkMWP78Rl6/s320/PXL_20231203_233153555.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A decent sized monthly calendar...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOrcVKCFVs_8FxLsL6FQGFcUbojqrU5ZOclXnUC4Yzc6XA5ublt4jT91m-tHtVKXiSjXPC8sU7jsgmWq0tMVO3IjA3jFUIGDYPCJwdnRdYzWivthVF4b8GA3Uhnx-EsdQGIaEGAF3sRLBYVdXt0F8cbNmwiuBjI-zx6240z0xdFeBLOYe-fbI/s4080/PXL_20231203_233428378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOrcVKCFVs_8FxLsL6FQGFcUbojqrU5ZOclXnUC4Yzc6XA5ublt4jT91m-tHtVKXiSjXPC8sU7jsgmWq0tMVO3IjA3jFUIGDYPCJwdnRdYzWivthVF4b8GA3Uhnx-EsdQGIaEGAF3sRLBYVdXt0F8cbNmwiuBjI-zx6240z0xdFeBLOYe-fbI/s320/PXL_20231203_233428378.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...with a weekly two page spread. I wasn't sure I could get used to my extra insert page being stuck into the first week of the month like this...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PPrcMiKP6GGtxhdnvomzsK7flFeTK3RVIFozJ3RtBG6lOFYdUN3kvAnHgVCxGX78Dlu0Qvdlfl5LMKptdI-XgdxN2Mqay98GhwqK_gfkknCAp_ZLFsQHQnaLbbanZCXV7FnBzKp6Gc5e5tKmyg-01c2xeNAN6LT6593ggjNNkOlP-4lM2uOQ/s4080/PXL_20231203_233435335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PPrcMiKP6GGtxhdnvomzsK7flFeTK3RVIFozJ3RtBG6lOFYdUN3kvAnHgVCxGX78Dlu0Qvdlfl5LMKptdI-XgdxN2Mqay98GhwqK_gfkknCAp_ZLFsQHQnaLbbanZCXV7FnBzKp6Gc5e5tKmyg-01c2xeNAN6LT6593ggjNNkOlP-4lM2uOQ/s320/PXL_20231203_233435335.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...but I have gotten used to it after an entire year of using it. I also wanted a refill that had full sized sections for every day of the week and not smaller ones for Saturday and Sunday.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW4B9-yqGCgNzX3lyl1jV1yc0FMfS9Z7XVDMu2bI76VgwA7-vO8dXzttYMiSThaYOIMA1goJyFXMrd-c1MnyXCXrgrsbVsA1tqD84P_Yyzxq9KlZT0FmGKc-NicWlgoX6YEWAdTOvr_BIoRxBEGsNTyXdoMn-Qb52yfev6_ybT-MrNCaI1gVr/s4080/PXL_20231203_233442061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW4B9-yqGCgNzX3lyl1jV1yc0FMfS9Z7XVDMu2bI76VgwA7-vO8dXzttYMiSThaYOIMA1goJyFXMrd-c1MnyXCXrgrsbVsA1tqD84P_Yyzxq9KlZT0FmGKc-NicWlgoX6YEWAdTOvr_BIoRxBEGsNTyXdoMn-Qb52yfev6_ybT-MrNCaI1gVr/s320/PXL_20231203_233442061.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This year I found a new mini-binder that was right up my alley, eh? A rainbow of colors!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIiv_7Hm6yHgPfroZjwb5Y9oJk3NvjjzVnXC-WeBVZLaanpoRwnCnTo6H99mAK5majH2o3VDWU2_FI1ExX3F-RNRx_jyq0bWhispa14sypLWYYukj8roa7a_2U3D6h5yJZz3PACEH6DA1Kffedj1Aums2uW72vJIYBpjypN7fny6oTyZjzUxv/s4080/PXL_20231203_233545376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIiv_7Hm6yHgPfroZjwb5Y9oJk3NvjjzVnXC-WeBVZLaanpoRwnCnTo6H99mAK5majH2o3VDWU2_FI1ExX3F-RNRx_jyq0bWhispa14sypLWYYukj8roa7a_2U3D6h5yJZz3PACEH6DA1Kffedj1Aums2uW72vJIYBpjypN7fny6oTyZjzUxv/s320/PXL_20231203_233545376.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Trying to find a refill for a three ring mini-binder wasn't easy. (Couldn't find the one I used this year.) But a seven hole refill fit perfectly. I found a colorful one!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hVTQFNgfJJAXaxLO2DMjkxAPYK6R5SRai3OqxOguG45c3EuaUPsptUnsH0amYiQp29aOr34jKDFCs544IW4qnhxxFWt5Gol9KXvcX5fdd-GxNdh0VTO2Pexvdpf6CUyIoBDXCc-rKSwaN-bHcSJlJmWjmEEr_zmn-UePLj6Fy1Xm5gGNPL5q/s4080/PXL_20231203_233558523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hVTQFNgfJJAXaxLO2DMjkxAPYK6R5SRai3OqxOguG45c3EuaUPsptUnsH0amYiQp29aOr34jKDFCs544IW4qnhxxFWt5Gol9KXvcX5fdd-GxNdh0VTO2Pexvdpf6CUyIoBDXCc-rKSwaN-bHcSJlJmWjmEEr_zmn-UePLj6Fy1Xm5gGNPL5q/s320/PXL_20231203_233558523.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It looks like it is made by the same company as far as the layout goes. Perfect!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqI1D02metIDpXw_8siBqf4-8rLhfiLrxM63cUIgmsmIhtuL_mqEWS8KHmfySPSXCgGGJY0t36PhvlWg8Knj3kblX2K2ZzcJDz-9sDBfhZo7WoByqm0ZsdU7EpA3Uq9ay0Y2bJZGzDVXEDN0Z1PYMpyNGD8WBRERagASBH3VJUeTrLfOzes3QX/s4080/PXL_20231203_233612076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqI1D02metIDpXw_8siBqf4-8rLhfiLrxM63cUIgmsmIhtuL_mqEWS8KHmfySPSXCgGGJY0t36PhvlWg8Knj3kblX2K2ZzcJDz-9sDBfhZo7WoByqm0ZsdU7EpA3Uq9ay0Y2bJZGzDVXEDN0Z1PYMpyNGD8WBRERagASBH3VJUeTrLfOzes3QX/s320/PXL_20231203_233612076.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">These days I only have to fill out all the information on my insert page every month. Used to take me so much time and effort (Leah, too) that I got to dreading it. I am loving the premade refills, I tell you. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifafvZZ1VJgXzEuikxPnC6Wm951EdCa9_75a-002lgA0N3Oc6bORcRNLzIN3umm7cAFl9tqkv0-4nyG5-3jy7nuVgoMP29x0Hz2xp4Yk9IOjz9BmAHmMujl38-6bFWeHl1_Z_idgOPXJj7jXZri9iZgs_gWB3fTNs_Cy2Kn8_t1DpwWKZ0C-Ib/s4080/PXL_20231203_233619534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifafvZZ1VJgXzEuikxPnC6Wm951EdCa9_75a-002lgA0N3Oc6bORcRNLzIN3umm7cAFl9tqkv0-4nyG5-3jy7nuVgoMP29x0Hz2xp4Yk9IOjz9BmAHmMujl38-6bFWeHl1_Z_idgOPXJj7jXZri9iZgs_gWB3fTNs_Cy2Kn8_t1DpwWKZ0C-Ib/s320/PXL_20231203_233619534.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As long as this works for me, I am one happy camper! Whoohoo!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRr6ZSmt6QKwj0l1fLB5XOalJ_B11dLkwqk_MKQxociinUgJrw8TNbPtNoxCRAywo8eLG3tWzPrjiv7oUBBEflE9Ctvej8akEo94D_y8jExBAEJFLhgM0MfubM98wzzW17jiX0BAnlGpWVaYM0Q6AXsSF4myFvOkzyOxktoVqJ7Cz8ximB9D_/s4080/PXL_20231203_233624472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRr6ZSmt6QKwj0l1fLB5XOalJ_B11dLkwqk_MKQxociinUgJrw8TNbPtNoxCRAywo8eLG3tWzPrjiv7oUBBEflE9Ctvej8akEo94D_y8jExBAEJFLhgM0MfubM98wzzW17jiX0BAnlGpWVaYM0Q6AXsSF4myFvOkzyOxktoVqJ7Cz8ximB9D_/s320/PXL_20231203_233624472.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, Dagan and Leah did a lot of things for me while the boys watched Walking With Dinosaurs (old one from 1999) and The Secret Life of Pets (Netflix). Leah cut my hair and made the binder pages. She and Dagan moved the other big box I had finished packing in the bedroom up on to the U-Haul wall. </span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetq6C0EuIKxkdNkIrwRaRGs-8FImGIjqRW8jhU2tf74XH5KrS9hDT9O5EHfewAhydtPHTR7hCFNgqE8WeMsMTTDje9EluXbSD9sdhRW5eHfCa_KK5YjwoYMPpIXccILu3uYbCI7dfQI678duUsbf05ouNwHdSoxHc1aIS3Ps8gIsI3NE1yDAn/s4080/PXL_20231203_191042288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetq6C0EuIKxkdNkIrwRaRGs-8FImGIjqRW8jhU2tf74XH5KrS9hDT9O5EHfewAhydtPHTR7hCFNgqE8WeMsMTTDje9EluXbSD9sdhRW5eHfCa_KK5YjwoYMPpIXccILu3uYbCI7dfQI678duUsbf05ouNwHdSoxHc1aIS3Ps8gIsI3NE1yDAn/s320/PXL_20231203_191042288.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dagan got my VHS player unhooked and out of the TV cabinet. Hard to tell it is empty in this picture, but I had emptied the rest of the cabinet except for the VHS player and a box of random stuff I have always referred to as "the techie box". </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZI_6kOJvS0K1uya3_WPrKxfzx6CDAVeNVWDufji0H81Z2a_IgDdCT1wtRidx64EorzlcYda9hB7-4BEnsB1XCjQHrmJTJ3kxnhxXBCL8HQJvqsdrdwJm2x1Z0ccHCRbqVTGtnI2ELEXaUcm9v_p6XiRifL-K-CTQrW3H-dbpe77OBfahQCec/s4080/PXL_20231203_191156289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZI_6kOJvS0K1uya3_WPrKxfzx6CDAVeNVWDufji0H81Z2a_IgDdCT1wtRidx64EorzlcYda9hB7-4BEnsB1XCjQHrmJTJ3kxnhxXBCL8HQJvqsdrdwJm2x1Z0ccHCRbqVTGtnI2ELEXaUcm9v_p6XiRifL-K-CTQrW3H-dbpe77OBfahQCec/s320/PXL_20231203_191156289.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They went thru the techie box to see what was worth keeping and what could be tossed...cords, remotes, plugs, and all kinds of mysterious-to-me stuff--lol!<br /> </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They also got all the wire cube shelves apart from the studio closet. Then today--<b>Sunday</b>--I moved all the tall flat stuff from the side of the (now totally empty) closet...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWwvd7inPFQtzd2DrYZNtIQIVwf_k4YLXfuJAaaJZR6AbZ2RbExX8Kw6vrA8r0sO5xFpoloaXNB0MJO_kpsY4gZWKg8NzpW8Y1OFlQWwFEsORqMoEcthlpDnQaYmz1s3vMEtol7kHV5VTQVZRLBPYSaK88IEQv99rXCQ4pDHGSCswABmWC7DW/s4080/PXL_20231203_223902136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWwvd7inPFQtzd2DrYZNtIQIVwf_k4YLXfuJAaaJZR6AbZ2RbExX8Kw6vrA8r0sO5xFpoloaXNB0MJO_kpsY4gZWKg8NzpW8Y1OFlQWwFEsORqMoEcthlpDnQaYmz1s3vMEtol7kHV5VTQVZRLBPYSaK88IEQv99rXCQ4pDHGSCswABmWC7DW/s320/PXL_20231203_223902136.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and added it to the stack of big flat art paper boxes under the table in the bedroom.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2anlO1n1a1U5x5GnyjjsnXL_5pNDQEebgNKh5AJCReq7ARDOqY_dBZNYPT7PBxZFbjgP5hOGvLXxN0QVaC9VCEjZlO6JnmYuhzJeqx7edErvTfBHCb8NqIFMA1oLuEZ_1OHRBau4mdD242pWFDlCdWhrDG4WMgttOxL4pe_V3HraRsDKdf8gf/s4080/PXL_20231203_223931968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2anlO1n1a1U5x5GnyjjsnXL_5pNDQEebgNKh5AJCReq7ARDOqY_dBZNYPT7PBxZFbjgP5hOGvLXxN0QVaC9VCEjZlO6JnmYuhzJeqx7edErvTfBHCb8NqIFMA1oLuEZ_1OHRBau4mdD242pWFDlCdWhrDG4WMgttOxL4pe_V3HraRsDKdf8gf/s320/PXL_20231203_223931968.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And this is what the living room tables look like. Dagan sorted through all the extension cords and such, too.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-sHKIhVClnE6CuqzA4eOO54qHMhFTXYus37D5bksJ7oN-QhmyAAqC77jB3izqGZ5Sa49UpQWOnQVaPjJ2k4eEE3cLU6DH69aQJ4gJTkaHEgaq1jfkW33AiauxDmXi_aIxqora_V_N-43ZdTKFBL3LfY3V8LxjmVnLKdAc9TGYdtUZtOFvTs3/s4080/PXL_20231203_191112295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-sHKIhVClnE6CuqzA4eOO54qHMhFTXYus37D5bksJ7oN-QhmyAAqC77jB3izqGZ5Sa49UpQWOnQVaPjJ2k4eEE3cLU6DH69aQJ4gJTkaHEgaq1jfkW33AiauxDmXi_aIxqora_V_N-43ZdTKFBL3LfY3V8LxjmVnLKdAc9TGYdtUZtOFvTs3/s320/PXL_20231203_191112295.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Almost down to the end of this seemingly endless process. Whoohoo! </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Oh, funny! Dagan asked why I had that lamp on the floor (above). Now he knows it is Allie's heat-spa--lol! The things I do for my critters. Of course, Allie doesn't think it is silly. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You talking about me?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwJW27c5dM1F0yPwZyk6ZzakMJNNePJT9xeoenf04-91IUOuiTrEvlWmVCfdODQTZGNS_khr_yyxH4JeJrvgpqxH6Hr-r8G7nyZQ4-WoaYR7nBBn-w_jyXlnpmkkSvLkXLmLsCGHgpHjessGN8m1Ek7PrnJSc5YEllYEaCXoffuR0McL1lH4P/s4080/PXL_20231203_233722659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwJW27c5dM1F0yPwZyk6ZzakMJNNePJT9xeoenf04-91IUOuiTrEvlWmVCfdODQTZGNS_khr_yyxH4JeJrvgpqxH6Hr-r8G7nyZQ4-WoaYR7nBBn-w_jyXlnpmkkSvLkXLmLsCGHgpHjessGN8m1Ek7PrnJSc5YEllYEaCXoffuR0McL1lH4P/s320/PXL_20231203_233722659.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Tomorrow Leah will take me to see Dr. Failing. My bloodwork results were back to normal (kidneys) but still have bacteria in the urine sample. :( So I am pretty sure he will want me on medication. We will likely need to go pick up antibiotics and also go buy some prebiotics to combat the antibiotics--lol! Oh well. Hey--no cancer, that's the main thing. I hope this bladder infection doesn't interfere with him stretching the checkup to six months. Shouldn't.</span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Keanna doesn't come back to clean until Tuesday the 12th. When she does, she knows the plan is to get down everything up high in the pantry...hand them down to me like we did with the punches and such in the studio. She said she was okay with that. Will turn my kitchen back to chaos again...but I really, really want to be done with the pantry before the new year. I'll be done with the entire apartment! Purged everything in here and packed everything I could ahead of time. Whoohoo!</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah couldn't understand why I drag everything out at once and make such a huge mess. But I explained it's that very chaos that is my motivation. My OCD-self<i> hates </i>all the chaos--so then I <i>have to</i> keep plugging away on purging and sorting through it all. It <i>forces</i> me to keep at it--plugging away with the baby steps until it is all done...no matter how long it takes. Once I drag it all out--I am forced to deal with it because of who I am or how I am, you know? There's a method to my madness, as is said. </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Going through everything you own--wow! It has been quite the process. Freeing. The deeper I got into it as I went along the easier it became to let go of things. I will likely go back through where I first started in the bathroom again this winter. I am sure I can let go of more in there now than I could back then--lol! Bags and bags of trash have gone to the dumpster. So many bags and boxes have gone for donations. There will be a lot less to move this time than when I moved in here eight years ago. Feels so good.</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In my mind I am totally ignoring even thinking about the garage, though, as you know. Deal with that in the spring...but that will be gone through, too. Nice!</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What's super nice is--I have been feeling better. Obviously--lol! So, I have (hopefully) the whole winter to finally play more and make cards and such. I realized I hadn't thought I'd be here this winter when I went through the bedroom, so I packed away my New Year's Eve stuff...my angel cards and burning bowl. But I think I need to think of a word for 2024 if nothing else. Must be something to do with creativity and play and art and crafts and change and being blessed with new beginnings...something that would include all of that. Probably not possible to cover all that in one word, but that is what I am trying to think of for 2024. (And one of the reasons I want to be done with the pantry--have all the P&P in here behind me in 2023--lol!) If you have any ideas for a word to pick, please toss them my way.</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, tomorrow I am off to Dr. Failing. No cancer reported again that I could see in the results online...just the bladder infection. Now, I really, <i>really</i>, <b>really</b> need to finish Christmas cards up soon if I am going to have them all out by my goal of the first week in December. Till next week. Bless you. I do so appreciate every comment, email, snail mail, and just any good thought in my direction. Been a rough last few years and it finally feels, since November now, that things have turned around and are moving forward positively. Hopefully I will keep seeing the gradual improvements. 2024 could be some year! Truly a new start. A second chance. Better than expected, put it that way. Feeling better and being more functional. I am soooo grateful. What more could I ask for! :) See you next Monday! </span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-11682921706729811642023-11-26T18:00:00.000-06:002023-11-26T18:00:51.071-06:00November 26, 2023 Sunday--6pm<p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good afternoon!</span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am posting on Sundays this week and next due to medical appointments on the following Mondays. Was another week where I got a lot done on the studio. Was too close to being done to quit and work on Christmas card envelopes--lol! I just finished today! Done in the studio! Whoohoo!! </span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I sorted through all the miscellaneous supplies.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqlena19Abip8TPzXMge1DERQ6CLJhtgSOnyMcpacfSvHlpRfKbb3_tBcDVUtEvecgT1SqBXYv6w1tH6QikQ3IkYmnLsnG0qmVmqmP8EBkKWGn74sqykHGDxWwZJJqn6eT4XuR9YpsZirhbJQOy3NHVl9ODN6xTQYnYDndtNSRurKqVSzvzFo/s4080/PXL_20231122_011908991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqlena19Abip8TPzXMge1DERQ6CLJhtgSOnyMcpacfSvHlpRfKbb3_tBcDVUtEvecgT1SqBXYv6w1tH6QikQ3IkYmnLsnG0qmVmqmP8EBkKWGn74sqykHGDxWwZJJqn6eT4XuR9YpsZirhbJQOy3NHVl9ODN6xTQYnYDndtNSRurKqVSzvzFo/s320/PXL_20231122_011908991.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When I got through all of those then I started on the three plastic bins and two boxes full of adhesives of all kinds.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlFLZYQnjOJx02fT7LxWof5iz6F3L6V9q_vzqg1WTrWva0u78tSFfmXCXKv9CwBi08KXxm5cLgfOwXHLT7TtZmluKxKWd-NypPJKZD7tt2Ks1S5RKgXVK5NuvB0vSevkcxHEmtpuw8q_lDnSR-UYTv1BKQXbC-M91uDNK9D2mivjBVx1Tsd4Y/s4080/PXL_20231122_194028629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlFLZYQnjOJx02fT7LxWof5iz6F3L6V9q_vzqg1WTrWva0u78tSFfmXCXKv9CwBi08KXxm5cLgfOwXHLT7TtZmluKxKWd-NypPJKZD7tt2Ks1S5RKgXVK5NuvB0vSevkcxHEmtpuw8q_lDnSR-UYTv1BKQXbC-M91uDNK9D2mivjBVx1Tsd4Y/s320/PXL_20231122_194028629.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A huge tossing was involved--lol! About time, actually. I had rolls of tape that were 20-30 years old! They stick together and become gooey after a while--lol! The liquid glues get thick or turn into one giant immovable lump. Glue sticks shrink down and dry up. It was long past time to purge all of those.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0De6qXaAI3ukHpPhbdPQ2lYgl_PAoE4aADl8-AC9k0ZM_ep1rmD_whjkrvWxv4k6MrWelG26Z7ytDCwyRndB11ty5_A0bb81XBJZXKX6l_obb-ow_iY7PLhgNJ8t1sSMe6NLyTK3Zw-OtJgYQBhW-IjKPO9o9esXmUS6o-Pq9nHSzTmK2Zum/s4080/PXL_20231122_194034830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0De6qXaAI3ukHpPhbdPQ2lYgl_PAoE4aADl8-AC9k0ZM_ep1rmD_whjkrvWxv4k6MrWelG26Z7ytDCwyRndB11ty5_A0bb81XBJZXKX6l_obb-ow_iY7PLhgNJ8t1sSMe6NLyTK3Zw-OtJgYQBhW-IjKPO9o9esXmUS6o-Pq9nHSzTmK2Zum/s320/PXL_20231122_194034830.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Been chillier so the Critter Cafe has been busier. Still just have the one covey of eight partridges. I know because the limper and hopper are still with this group. :)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc49mXzUW0QgRd8X5SmTN_Zln9WX5_kGm9_OeYCsfDq4IAfuWas27f27rWdakbv2wjh2H99ed0UPQwcGdQgIGypJhoWjQ_oWezuywbta5lVZ3PC09M5cD-q1ggudyptgojKfTl_8fUebUu9o7a0IuPxSCWUGETsTSrYHBm4wZnWXtDxdT5BKSa/s4080/PXL_20231124_210737112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc49mXzUW0QgRd8X5SmTN_Zln9WX5_kGm9_OeYCsfDq4IAfuWas27f27rWdakbv2wjh2H99ed0UPQwcGdQgIGypJhoWjQ_oWezuywbta5lVZ3PC09M5cD-q1ggudyptgojKfTl_8fUebUu9o7a0IuPxSCWUGETsTSrYHBm4wZnWXtDxdT5BKSa/s320/PXL_20231124_210737112.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have worked all week just on finishing up in the studio. Feels great to have it done for the winter! And winter did arrive again this morning. I no sooner tossed out some seed...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyGXRhtKwRyHsVYwLvTXQR2nXM2oNUkMb7ye3csjzw0dvJVJIoKQBeKZMOJdj304CR-nKl4ouYk_0BejO1OmWXDkZueg05VkbKCSqOcEtbUsvGCC5UXWrhXmhh-ceKQkgeL3iQ3ggJOOy2m70LFkN2G70mRJPXPGOnaMWBGaelWqYsEt4Inlz/s4080/PXL_20231126_135309675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyGXRhtKwRyHsVYwLvTXQR2nXM2oNUkMb7ye3csjzw0dvJVJIoKQBeKZMOJdj304CR-nKl4ouYk_0BejO1OmWXDkZueg05VkbKCSqOcEtbUsvGCC5UXWrhXmhh-ceKQkgeL3iQ3ggJOOy2m70LFkN2G70mRJPXPGOnaMWBGaelWqYsEt4Inlz/s320/PXL_20231126_135309675.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and the small birds were there for breakfast.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJiGudsA5I20_2SrU4NM1MUMESb467Y5XlzmvOQkIDODiu6dF90KlFtYnzhWLZh28-cIPg6z0-QLep-XPjtBq1ufNe2cpjbRfx9u3vNKhCJkKxa5gdLXO5AOTCvRP_rdKySnBVwTUxMRqM2wYZOo4xc4FDNWYcxKWG6X86ygs04XzZ-RaXm0X/s4080/PXL_20231126_135724816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJiGudsA5I20_2SrU4NM1MUMESb467Y5XlzmvOQkIDODiu6dF90KlFtYnzhWLZh28-cIPg6z0-QLep-XPjtBq1ufNe2cpjbRfx9u3vNKhCJkKxa5gdLXO5AOTCvRP_rdKySnBVwTUxMRqM2wYZOo4xc4FDNWYcxKWG6X86ygs04XzZ-RaXm0X/s320/PXL_20231126_135724816.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There's a huge flock of small birds I just call the sparrows--over 30 of them come at once. But there's a small flock of juncos that come, too.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BzRvIbnBW0pr3opoe7WHL9hkvb-cgyNkEEttbUj1MDR344etjazmYkjjfq2T78dVz4l6GX8TW0nXGG04l9oht8uuU5GTlGNW4uR0uhtQoT8xO-MH3F_wVju1DyMy_48LcQZjbkwZH4-FRKDTwgejKV_eDwTjm5H-uT2DTvWZlN5p9pGvdFqQ/s4080/PXL_20231126_160657795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BzRvIbnBW0pr3opoe7WHL9hkvb-cgyNkEEttbUj1MDR344etjazmYkjjfq2T78dVz4l6GX8TW0nXGG04l9oht8uuU5GTlGNW4uR0uhtQoT8xO-MH3F_wVju1DyMy_48LcQZjbkwZH4-FRKDTwgejKV_eDwTjm5H-uT2DTvWZlN5p9pGvdFqQ/s320/PXL_20231126_160657795.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The partridges were here in the morning, too. A couple more times already today.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEIomAeRF2CMmobZPQXzdJonRy8_YCIQDr4yklAz5EoRp_tfD-DOkMa6wl7XK16_VDgMf7FXV0OReNuf1MMDuFdUHnYo68bO7VUYLXOHH2YA7pRWyhoyrJCFRkaIvRDzJBUYSUNwOO5XoMN2AOPQS6GwkcYwjdyVAwyTF6TNKM90VVONa9tcI/s4080/PXL_20231126_172920520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEIomAeRF2CMmobZPQXzdJonRy8_YCIQDr4yklAz5EoRp_tfD-DOkMa6wl7XK16_VDgMf7FXV0OReNuf1MMDuFdUHnYo68bO7VUYLXOHH2YA7pRWyhoyrJCFRkaIvRDzJBUYSUNwOO5XoMN2AOPQS6GwkcYwjdyVAwyTF6TNKM90VVONa9tcI/s320/PXL_20231126_172920520.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It snowed and blew like crazy this morning but quit early in the afternoon. Will all be melted this week as we are supposed to get back up over freezing again. Not tomorrow when I go for my CT scans with Leah. Only a high of 21 it says for Monday.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6Rp-x1_sYEhyZe_L3bAeSij69Ne0EJsOwM35cLI5cNi5FIkkJqqKSOnM0yM0CZeow3MmvkAGzjGtupu18FX4eH8x1bEKVk7RAQWRZ-gfxzKwX4RdK5ILvQEaL5HkrKDa6axT0YNNbvWzPpc4YyQWuKv0yfBpgd1ArpiTUuChKyZw4U4mnKgY/s4080/PXL_20231126_180216389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6Rp-x1_sYEhyZe_L3bAeSij69Ne0EJsOwM35cLI5cNi5FIkkJqqKSOnM0yM0CZeow3MmvkAGzjGtupu18FX4eH8x1bEKVk7RAQWRZ-gfxzKwX4RdK5ILvQEaL5HkrKDa6axT0YNNbvWzPpc4YyQWuKv0yfBpgd1ArpiTUuChKyZw4U4mnKgY/s320/PXL_20231126_180216389.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I'll show you the studio--all set for the winter. Closet is empty except for some tall stuff against the wall. I tried to pull apart the wire cube shelving, but I am not strong enough. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKbmxp_wUdTQ32ybiPvOh-cYifJOja4qva9gsFoxHqSwjFsZiRbIGW5mM_1pv_pP5kTZHIof7IYmr66n-V2ZG5-pidLgJxE3_5BB9cnGYG0GPZ-_qOscGgYLmD2zc_o23kb0M0vCmwiEuuUfUajCsWKHhwoWPI5Wu5GbxX_0lunFIcJjCPqjj/s4080/PXL_20231126_183537111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKbmxp_wUdTQ32ybiPvOh-cYifJOja4qva9gsFoxHqSwjFsZiRbIGW5mM_1pv_pP5kTZHIof7IYmr66n-V2ZG5-pidLgJxE3_5BB9cnGYG0GPZ-_qOscGgYLmD2zc_o23kb0M0vCmwiEuuUfUajCsWKHhwoWPI5Wu5GbxX_0lunFIcJjCPqjj/s320/PXL_20231126_183537111.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The bookshelves with cardstock, stuff I use regularly, and projects in progress are in these two bookcases.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqS8KZ1ttRYfEst6ccEBHGjGrkz6V7ct5lOwqLx9smxw_jmoTkZfbDYw0e389HCBX_t7Q0pmwyMSWUWuB04or5pTjGa0oH86IWfXZDyy0xQNFXwVF0BKSJRKNDpxBnU0SvngYNcu7wmdId46RF5vQfILtSCGDcsf-XXJRm6VL274EFZHOED4T/s4080/PXL_20231126_183530718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqS8KZ1ttRYfEst6ccEBHGjGrkz6V7ct5lOwqLx9smxw_jmoTkZfbDYw0e389HCBX_t7Q0pmwyMSWUWuB04or5pTjGa0oH86IWfXZDyy0xQNFXwVF0BKSJRKNDpxBnU0SvngYNcu7wmdId46RF5vQfILtSCGDcsf-XXJRm6VL274EFZHOED4T/s320/PXL_20231126_183530718.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I never planned to empty the wall unit until I move. The die cutting table and below, punches racks, and small wall shelves are all cleared off.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeQBirCLhGkSgglHfbHHQKsWK5-eFXsiPnjP8cf5J4zVToMxQw7d0D0ZvEpVAW6LWtFNxIaBIoHSQRFC4h2c-L_yL4WtVsqHiSv7VOqlf_z4cHu5CYPmvM5ifk5fEpUJ8_khAzCk_kHC_uBOTg1J5HPXddc6n_mmzwWsPXuedQlOK624j4F43/s4080/PXL_20231126_183543835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeQBirCLhGkSgglHfbHHQKsWK5-eFXsiPnjP8cf5J4zVToMxQw7d0D0ZvEpVAW6LWtFNxIaBIoHSQRFC4h2c-L_yL4WtVsqHiSv7VOqlf_z4cHu5CYPmvM5ifk5fEpUJ8_khAzCk_kHC_uBOTg1J5HPXddc6n_mmzwWsPXuedQlOK624j4F43/s320/PXL_20231126_183543835.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The art table. I haven't even decided what will go on that lazy susan yet! <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Lil2SRn_aXJpdq3NpZX6ZyaboLUdtjHzz_FbY-YoruZtNejRIloUv6vaPUCAsbFacorGoRfFRQejJl4U30zQy5pnPHo1YvYNHz4AZKSnBgPnoBy9m5sRwDmB1TJdo87Svf4iGDfHuTogTz4rYhcdRdocalqAFi2_Isc33o5vyU_RlXXixWLa/s4080/PXL_20231126_183548657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Lil2SRn_aXJpdq3NpZX6ZyaboLUdtjHzz_FbY-YoruZtNejRIloUv6vaPUCAsbFacorGoRfFRQejJl4U30zQy5pnPHo1YvYNHz4AZKSnBgPnoBy9m5sRwDmB1TJdo87Svf4iGDfHuTogTz4rYhcdRdocalqAFi2_Isc33o5vyU_RlXXixWLa/s320/PXL_20231126_183548657.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The two bookcases on the other wall have a wide assortment! I could keep more things out than I had planned because of not selling these bookcases before winter. :) <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cnmK4xmtQAI75BPhPKsbD0eMv-XQSiCb3w49FgJ_kyKYDtXRuaEv5DGChgw_x6EXO4LHP4_f8JJ9vGpPqaOqKDnJQemHiQaHP15ANl-HGQ_Prriimt3kPYGNUErhrTMXRo7QW0XyScw8YUGic1bCYqEzgYUxKMI_hDQDZNRgKGql1uomXYka/s4080/PXL_20231126_183556304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cnmK4xmtQAI75BPhPKsbD0eMv-XQSiCb3w49FgJ_kyKYDtXRuaEv5DGChgw_x6EXO4LHP4_f8JJ9vGpPqaOqKDnJQemHiQaHP15ANl-HGQ_Prriimt3kPYGNUErhrTMXRo7QW0XyScw8YUGic1bCYqEzgYUxKMI_hDQDZNRgKGql1uomXYka/s320/PXL_20231126_183556304.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I could keep out more card making supplies, art journaling, mandala, mixed media, bookbinding, and even all the fun stuff for jazzing up my letter-writing paper. </span><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The U-Haul wall is a little bigger, too.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1BSLyShHzZu8lx1V7r7uLU6v-ffy1WLAB270TSi9TBSp6POFhRgj5DLzudtAQbIFU_zrQsUYomT2HH6ENx9Nxy9hR5JM4q-QZLeTrdfGfcWi-CM07ViHLB87LTBW_JU1odUDJUyJ09BTWgeypL8YN6T7AUTXqp03NMbh7jloJpuw1PZViwfo/s4080/PXL_20231126_200757581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1BSLyShHzZu8lx1V7r7uLU6v-ffy1WLAB270TSi9TBSp6POFhRgj5DLzudtAQbIFU_zrQsUYomT2HH6ENx9Nxy9hR5JM4q-QZLeTrdfGfcWi-CM07ViHLB87LTBW_JU1odUDJUyJ09BTWgeypL8YN6T7AUTXqp03NMbh7jloJpuw1PZViwfo/s320/PXL_20231126_200757581.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie is so used to me packing boxes now that she didn't even move when I taped the other huge box up (also cleared out most of the TV cabinet today, too).<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY7a0uVTTPrMcEyAVCim4LMcTIouB81mKynJrIJLJFnppAq5M2V2XScfCwzBLDOWsI-YeYdy1I8-5LUE3HZccEKqwolk331E7dmU5QTQf4u6wdWSPazud-E8__qwLjYn5dWrN_VXfMgxVYY94HiePn8hKFh1s0bOonFUVB2oUTfajqQUW67HC/s4080/PXL_20231126_200829439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY7a0uVTTPrMcEyAVCim4LMcTIouB81mKynJrIJLJFnppAq5M2V2XScfCwzBLDOWsI-YeYdy1I8-5LUE3HZccEKqwolk331E7dmU5QTQf4u6wdWSPazud-E8__qwLjYn5dWrN_VXfMgxVYY94HiePn8hKFh1s0bOonFUVB2oUTfajqQUW67HC/s320/PXL_20231126_200829439.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Not even the ripping sound of the packing tape...which scared her witless the first time she heard it...did more than raise an eyebrow.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2m3ZB4pIuVzYl8JAwUiGhcwJ9frOvR7t5IspiTwwk1MkN1YuLeza5FGrc1GjbXDkiOyZGdtF-MDzyg37y-ZdMAnxohZA_A5f2PPyCHUwdCHKLuJJjjzzuXTQkp4UNk0mdBwePtXSsfGxjoEEECh9XCDIh-7UapuFP1E-62UyLMBxBgf6kEqJ/s4080/PXL_20231126_200837015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2m3ZB4pIuVzYl8JAwUiGhcwJ9frOvR7t5IspiTwwk1MkN1YuLeza5FGrc1GjbXDkiOyZGdtF-MDzyg37y-ZdMAnxohZA_A5f2PPyCHUwdCHKLuJJjjzzuXTQkp4UNk0mdBwePtXSsfGxjoEEECh9XCDIh-7UapuFP1E-62UyLMBxBgf6kEqJ/s320/PXL_20231126_200837015.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There won't be any boxes packed again for a while. I was supposed to have Christmas cards on the top of my list this past week--and the studio got done instead. So, cards are next. And I only have one room left--the pantry. But I think I need a break.</span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Once I finish with the Christmas cards I plan to play some in the studio! </span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Goodness! Just now there was a nasty partridge battle going on outside. I went to go look and there were quite a few more than eight partridges all over the place out there. So--a second covey has arrived. They will learn to take turns. They always do.</span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Meanwhile...</span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Okay...</span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There was something going on with the build and Leah wanted Dagan to be the one to tell me. He brought me for my lab work on Friday so I finally got to find out what was happening--or why nothing was happening, I guess you could say. At least part of the story, anyways. Dagan is not excellent with all the details but I will see Leah tomorrow for my CT scans so she can fill me in some more as to what they plan to do or what the options are.</span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Okay...</span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They had an inspector come on the electricity. All was progressing well with what was being done--but 1) he was not happy that they hadn't submitted plans <i>before</i> they started, 2) there were a couple of small things he wanted tweaked, but the worst was 3) he was not going to allow Trent to do any more work on the electricity! So now they have to hire an electrician to finish the electrical work.</span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This makes no sense to us. The inspector would have been fine if Dagan and Leah were doing all the work themselves--even though they wouldn't have any experience and not know what they were doing--but having "a pal" coming over and doing any work on it was forbidden. ?? He even sent Trent a cease and desist letter!! Dagan and Leah do not want to try and finish all the rest by themselves, so now they have to hire somebody.</span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They already talked to the lady owner of the place they dealt with a couple of times for things on their house previously--like when they needed the plug in for the electric car in the garage, for example. (And that lady knew of this inspector, BTW--not positively.) Dagan told me that it would cost about $4,000.00 for her company to finish the job. So--more delays...and more money. I'll find out more probably tomorrow. Maybe Leah is still getting estimates...who knows. Whatever the case, it will work out somehow. But it is stressful. Dagan thought the cabinets would be finished sometime in December. So they have to try to push that back. Sounds like a lot to deal with at once...with Leah's new job and the kids in a new school and on top of that--all of this. You always hear that construction never goes smoothly or as fast as expected...very true, I guess. Our two weeks on the basement floor staining turned into three months right off the bat. </span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, I have no idea whatsoever when the apartment will be finished. But Dagan and Leah don't know, either--lol! We just know it will happen eventually. On my end--I will be as ready as I can be for the move. I will have purged and pre-packed everything I can. Only room left is the pantry. One can only do what one can actually do, right? That's my part.</span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have plenty to keep my busy. I haven't showed you the<i> other</i> side of the bedroom where all the letter writing stuff, desk stuff, printer, bookbinding & art papers, and so much more got shoved and stacked because I knew I needed to keep most of this out until I moved.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkw2eVFkvNzr4vVMi7iGr-gHsnXY_XboJp0Q4HLKfiO_6xuYVoR1p7i8Hi9OuPKDGVU3fPEQNJO7gYOs4m0_NZIWkE51DPhyphenhypheniQTjD6G5XZQy52VFsBfVVlffoCSGQcf4jdxa0yjMrEPml_7MWh7f00OKKeC5TdkvLeJeLiHgCzgzZQZU-ferk/s4080/PXL_20231126_223734727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkw2eVFkvNzr4vVMi7iGr-gHsnXY_XboJp0Q4HLKfiO_6xuYVoR1p7i8Hi9OuPKDGVU3fPEQNJO7gYOs4m0_NZIWkE51DPhyphenhypheniQTjD6G5XZQy52VFsBfVVlffoCSGQcf4jdxa0yjMrEPml_7MWh7f00OKKeC5TdkvLeJeLiHgCzgzZQZU-ferk/s320/PXL_20231126_223734727.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Yup! I do need to go through all of this more thoroughly. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yW4wFhkWsZPVMPxiLfWllYRhOJSDi5UdttPN9f3BmCbd1uBFeumJa8s-dvvAuttLQWOWJTNa0RhMSnndjXA_8TjxA1zcf5bckPcVQjtEyA9i9JO6Xh0ek78bCMZ90cZBR4LKmTb1NCegDeHvpt1PJuQRY5QNeRvgXQ8opb5U710M9Y8Lg8Hk/s4080/PXL_20231126_223742888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yW4wFhkWsZPVMPxiLfWllYRhOJSDi5UdttPN9f3BmCbd1uBFeumJa8s-dvvAuttLQWOWJTNa0RhMSnndjXA_8TjxA1zcf5bckPcVQjtEyA9i9JO6Xh0ek78bCMZ90cZBR4LKmTb1NCegDeHvpt1PJuQRY5QNeRvgXQ8opb5U710M9Y8Lg8Hk/s320/PXL_20231126_223742888.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Once I get the cords reorganized in back of my chairs so I can get the other table up...this is where I plan to move all the actual writing materials and stuff I had in my desks--until I move. But that is just rearranging stuff mostly. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9zlkb3aB3Qyv-zt9Sggq9STcXFUbCKbUX360IDgK9mBcypyPd6oi9DSloUztqIOiH3NAd4I6sisa5gm0dp1oD3tU4Z27TcsLjLTjwxPLeillfOYatSrVGaCK9Cmcs-8e5KqmKamJ-TIfJq-5-sXeElIBZL8oBpxMWNXALl93qov4zWcCc8LU/s4080/PXL_20231126_223820497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9zlkb3aB3Qyv-zt9Sggq9STcXFUbCKbUX360IDgK9mBcypyPd6oi9DSloUztqIOiH3NAd4I6sisa5gm0dp1oD3tU4Z27TcsLjLTjwxPLeillfOYatSrVGaCK9Cmcs-8e5KqmKamJ-TIfJq-5-sXeElIBZL8oBpxMWNXALl93qov4zWcCc8LU/s320/PXL_20231126_223820497.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Can you see Allie hiding behind the blinds to watch the birds eating? She loves to "spy" on them.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kMQkbZel4aHEtA3qInXvP_GLfcSlZ5I5-TMJk2LtCwknymMinWo4d35ZsZRFcHEWTFX3sEZBeRa7kxpmRF99hb88oVffMeNQ4Uhh4mewzbdjm38taSiAv3O15agNRE3toTcOdPajD26f3JJ1R9aQEd8WIaaTIoEJSCj86MeKWEmE9_V5bYuQ/s4080/PXL_20231126_223844991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kMQkbZel4aHEtA3qInXvP_GLfcSlZ5I5-TMJk2LtCwknymMinWo4d35ZsZRFcHEWTFX3sEZBeRa7kxpmRF99hb88oVffMeNQ4Uhh4mewzbdjm38taSiAv3O15agNRE3toTcOdPajD26f3JJ1R9aQEd8WIaaTIoEJSCj86MeKWEmE9_V5bYuQ/s320/PXL_20231126_223844991.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, that's all the news from this last week. Dagan said Trent is only not allowed to work on the electric. That inspector was only for the electrical. Trent can still work on plumbing and HVAC. Okay. ?? I guess those are different inspections? And inspectors? I don't know much about construction, obviously. </span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Maybe I'll know more when I post next week. Maybe not--lol! But I will be posting on Sunday again because the following Monday I see my oncologist, Dr. Failing. I'm hoping to not have to go through all the tests for six months next time vs. the every three months I have been going. I expect everything to be fine again. :)</span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, until next Sunday...best to you and I will get busy on my Christmas cards this week. I hope to have them all mailed out by the first week in December. And any little positive construction-energy sent our way (if there is such a thing) would be appreciated. </span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am just so glad I am suddenly feeling halfways decent for the last three weeks. I have been able to get something extra done almost every day! (Maybe 5 days out of the week!) Been feeling closer to my old self than I have for a couple of years. Quite a ways to go, but there hasn't been this much progress for sooo long that it makes me giddy just thinking about it. Bless you all. I do so appreciate every single comment or email or good thought. Till next time... </span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-30433043056024225042023-11-20T05:00:00.046-06:002023-11-20T05:00:00.129-06:00November 20, 2023 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">First of all, I have to tell you I did not call Federal Housing this week. I try to wait whenever possible to talk to people when I am upset. It usually never goes well when I don't have a better perspective, if you know what I mean. And I am glad I waited. The more I thought about it...I decided to leave well enough alone...at least for now. I already signed the paperwork for Federal Housing and my share won't go up till July, anyways. I plan to just sign another lease with Goldmark because I will have another one to sign in July. </span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Main reason is that I decided I don't want to piss off Goldmark when I plan to be moving this coming year and they could get nasty about me breaking a lease. They could be stinkers and make me pay rent until it gets rented after I move out. And I think they've been having more trouble renting them because they've been trying to encourage residents to get other people to move in here by offering us rent reduction or credit for a month. </span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Also, it plainly says that if I didn't sign the lease I would revert to a month-to-month rental. If I am not gone by July--well, a month-to-month might be a good idea at that point. I won't be breaking a lease I would be responsible for, you know. It would prevent them hitting me with the paying the rent if no one moves in right away. Plus, I still plan to give a two-month notice, regardless. (I honestly think it will take Dagan and Leah that long to get all that IKEA furniture put together and all the other arrangements made.) </span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, I am just leaving things as they have been now for a couple of years, I think...and pray the move goes well and Goldmark doesn't give me any grief. I will be gone fairly soon, anyways.</span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What have I done all week...besides being entertained by the Critter Cafe?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEm3SoZAZFZa0RkuMu3MsXPiOmtXXw9GViI-XMMTPhmthv1vMaUXKIAyzz6seU1vhFiquqiwhPNPRwwHdI9N-2zl_ebhNcB5AEtSl24hky5xilPuvkz4HYSgat5GFNKUxPIrcxdl_2YMHzGefmHbLPrU1j12sUxcQNhM7k0ls_YYf1XbGt0sI/s4080/PXL_20231112_211948861.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEm3SoZAZFZa0RkuMu3MsXPiOmtXXw9GViI-XMMTPhmthv1vMaUXKIAyzz6seU1vhFiquqiwhPNPRwwHdI9N-2zl_ebhNcB5AEtSl24hky5xilPuvkz4HYSgat5GFNKUxPIrcxdl_2YMHzGefmHbLPrU1j12sUxcQNhM7k0ls_YYf1XbGt0sI/s320/PXL_20231112_211948861.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It's been a week of baby steps in the studio with P&P that have slowly added up to a lot. This is what it looks like right now. The closet. I still need to finish going through in there.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxwhXXo3t1p3IQHyJw4EDLtAzfioJhwGQ1ukXF2ehtR11kbd7ul9dTH35I4nSo9CH5DLfbfu8SrykHHOLbDWwTPXiQtuAhEwPhmLjnC0sZGpNm1Y8MEbM5VQ3lGJowZPhLukfmopBfIgm9fDP5mnbhbTrtuo6dv-W5U41Bj5PuYwDZZ12lfHP/s4080/PXL_20231119_223325495.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxwhXXo3t1p3IQHyJw4EDLtAzfioJhwGQ1ukXF2ehtR11kbd7ul9dTH35I4nSo9CH5DLfbfu8SrykHHOLbDWwTPXiQtuAhEwPhmLjnC0sZGpNm1Y8MEbM5VQ3lGJowZPhLukfmopBfIgm9fDP5mnbhbTrtuo6dv-W5U41Bj5PuYwDZZ12lfHP/s320/PXL_20231119_223325495.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The two bookcases on the far wall. The bottom shelves are emptied out so that I can turn the small table up against them for so much more room in there!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIY3gnTxMJ-CZ_ICIOw2td32JYJfPfHzbvueT1QtDsOIREWvh8NGTt_uG8xCOr8rOunaoOVsTcOQzHONVfpNKlT0q7Nc5epzNZvA9utS0ZDvZkx_N72vITgoh5bLJKR5QKC6247RzSTaxiRu2tGdA0Ngfq52_n6IqwXksTDMAc1i81RK0kMCY/s4080/PXL_20231119_223343245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIY3gnTxMJ-CZ_ICIOw2td32JYJfPfHzbvueT1QtDsOIREWvh8NGTt_uG8xCOr8rOunaoOVsTcOQzHONVfpNKlT0q7Nc5epzNZvA9utS0ZDvZkx_N72vITgoh5bLJKR5QKC6247RzSTaxiRu2tGdA0Ngfq52_n6IqwXksTDMAc1i81RK0kMCY/s320/PXL_20231119_223343245.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Keanna came Tuesday and I asked her if she could climb up and get down all the punches for me. Even on a stool when I have to reach across so far over the tables...I am just too short on one end--lol! Keanna not only took down the punches, but all the rest that was on those two shelves, too! You can probably see the die cutting table is cleared off...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg890vF6rIl16tdwn0saMFwFA0LBJ-1QIe7OtiALWFzCyTs2cg5RSh1C7v1zFftCux0z4yqHN39xtT6jVW2zlZWqI9UpbjqLu-u3p9kqBpo6g0CQuRzl91Kz-IczRydIqZM-TWgEMZSxJ_-_I1_X5dGUS60i2ezjlM8N2lPLxYpVeXMw8W_vTki/s4080/PXL_20231119_223350251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg890vF6rIl16tdwn0saMFwFA0LBJ-1QIe7OtiALWFzCyTs2cg5RSh1C7v1zFftCux0z4yqHN39xtT6jVW2zlZWqI9UpbjqLu-u3p9kqBpo6g0CQuRzl91Kz-IczRydIqZM-TWgEMZSxJ_-_I1_X5dGUS60i2ezjlM8N2lPLxYpVeXMw8W_vTki/s320/PXL_20231119_223350251.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and the art table, too.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzUTCZRx1Zlzb9wGYuh20GDh9tCfKMUrDNF4n8XydDHghswSM9Rl06G2A-wosfgpGlU1bBPf8o6UzB0r2wb5tN5O9toU-MsECsSLvzUOo4DaqTcvRHKsmjXvZlnxbABE6h7-BQQCKwui4XNSImyHhmIBR5GsWGJmTimXc9sH8IoFAsiQMERM2/s4080/PXL_20231119_223356393.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzUTCZRx1Zlzb9wGYuh20GDh9tCfKMUrDNF4n8XydDHghswSM9Rl06G2A-wosfgpGlU1bBPf8o6UzB0r2wb5tN5O9toU-MsECsSLvzUOo4DaqTcvRHKsmjXvZlnxbABE6h7-BQQCKwui4XNSImyHhmIBR5GsWGJmTimXc9sH8IoFAsiQMERM2/s320/PXL_20231119_223356393.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am down to the "keeping for the winter" stuff in these two bookcases on this wall, too.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGp3EWN-rlChgYbg5rdoLPBLGm-i6GOS26wGOZDMR-bQyy-kJl4lkAXrKMhvgIY9hkz_-rqBzJpP8CZdpIRognrXGKqdZWsJegoRsKmxcwIOYikgF5qD7vOCLYpdUEOqTtrhjX5_F_oSUXl45lcU5N4AzKfZ_6n2aI9wDVF_jMEjtsvHXRLfw/s4080/PXL_20231119_223404418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGp3EWN-rlChgYbg5rdoLPBLGm-i6GOS26wGOZDMR-bQyy-kJl4lkAXrKMhvgIY9hkz_-rqBzJpP8CZdpIRognrXGKqdZWsJegoRsKmxcwIOYikgF5qD7vOCLYpdUEOqTtrhjX5_F_oSUXl45lcU5N4AzKfZ_6n2aI9wDVF_jMEjtsvHXRLfw/s320/PXL_20231119_223404418.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So the U-Haul wall in the bedroom is bigger. The black bag is a donations bag. But those two large boxes you see in the middle of the floor...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicOg-5zEBzGMa9D6BJObz2WKuHPTol4xloVRnIifSooHS-TSTtVW1uHpYJAJNDBcjDV961hb57ALhVa3EUuuCT2k6qSQGroT6yxuHsos1TYpRCtI9BbdfGt1QqO8KU_6pCaJiK_k8B8cyDV-8JsBE0WEI2LCYCMVMLAh9Y8-1IFVSfKREptVS/s4080/PXL_20231119_223428579.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicOg-5zEBzGMa9D6BJObz2WKuHPTol4xloVRnIifSooHS-TSTtVW1uHpYJAJNDBcjDV961hb57ALhVa3EUuuCT2k6qSQGroT6yxuHsos1TYpRCtI9BbdfGt1QqO8KU_6pCaJiK_k8B8cyDV-8JsBE0WEI2LCYCMVMLAh9Y8-1IFVSfKREptVS/s320/PXL_20231119_223428579.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...well, I discovered that size is really a lot harder for me to push or drag all the way down the hall into the bedroom after I moved one of them, as you can see on the right side. Yup! Took me struggling all the way down the hall to decide it made more sense to fill the biggest ones right there in the bedroom--LOL! Duh!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJoWY85_PiWbtCW2GCtmJjTT5BNQLyEEoFY6sR0YgwolH4vIJCvRIF0NsD413Y8ePyu8QlzJB6MuhyRjYnbUMUcW0GXkfc2ccxC5Dpq0Jw6Zku_c4BbXfZNUsC67HNQ9uNyiawIMUMC7pX-Mmq07Sdr454XHByl9bq_rzrp1h5k3sKGiIa8Mw/s4080/PXL_20231119_223438830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJoWY85_PiWbtCW2GCtmJjTT5BNQLyEEoFY6sR0YgwolH4vIJCvRIF0NsD413Y8ePyu8QlzJB6MuhyRjYnbUMUcW0GXkfc2ccxC5Dpq0Jw6Zku_c4BbXfZNUsC67HNQ9uNyiawIMUMC7pX-Mmq07Sdr454XHByl9bq_rzrp1h5k3sKGiIa8Mw/s320/PXL_20231119_223438830.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As you can see, though--I've made a LOT of progress!! It's been work, rest, work, rest...baby steps...all week. Sometimes I had to rest for a day or more, but the tortoise wins the race, right?</span><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie has been checking out everything I do, of course.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwRR5iPINf62BVCJ3FLsf0TSuqj71Y5u_HTD4DQCABTvjgtvkmeYEFXy0HNb8mfnNJtOTPYevUjI2zcGd1v1TZHKSeb2ZisQfJPC07PcuwsNIsdVK2a8TJ4W4sdES1znZ3B7vRtECDo8M7yXprnneR2mKHi5-vqqDTUgnaNv-OLCpGGMRWwcG/s4080/PXL_20231119_223504253.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwRR5iPINf62BVCJ3FLsf0TSuqj71Y5u_HTD4DQCABTvjgtvkmeYEFXy0HNb8mfnNJtOTPYevUjI2zcGd1v1TZHKSeb2ZisQfJPC07PcuwsNIsdVK2a8TJ4W4sdES1znZ3B7vRtECDo8M7yXprnneR2mKHi5-vqqDTUgnaNv-OLCpGGMRWwcG/s320/PXL_20231119_223504253.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sunday--made a roast in the crock pot! Yummm!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mUt9b9WHMUDdGAMWje2gSPZ9OfQHtaslxQgf5bPTBbnuRnxFVnPUc6qWtYdvbg8xK3HGg7HWO1v3_cDKWg9ktRsWMgbtxpyAg0NPzYT82bejOJvqmgXzMevHzMjkhcnCSc40wUeM1fiKJES9-pP9Fwcjg1XBvGADw7uyyhSn7-SHPRCRMTSm/s4080/PXL_20231119_223552012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mUt9b9WHMUDdGAMWje2gSPZ9OfQHtaslxQgf5bPTBbnuRnxFVnPUc6qWtYdvbg8xK3HGg7HWO1v3_cDKWg9ktRsWMgbtxpyAg0NPzYT82bejOJvqmgXzMevHzMjkhcnCSc40wUeM1fiKJES9-pP9Fwcjg1XBvGADw7uyyhSn7-SHPRCRMTSm/s320/PXL_20231119_223552012.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Even the table behind my chair got cleared off. Just holding my Christmas cards awaiting envelope addressing--lol! Which I must do now this week.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis97JPrMsWhWt3DPHK_4Jt-K7S08GzrPV4CKiVPPhpkFbL6AT6lu7IZdeDyDCixmSgKb8WGPxfB_TPZKh59fqrPYUXq6FawegspIGSTr4hdqBiHBEFeEXSJjrMUrT_bBlbs9lmHwRnpJVwFu3-v2qTQYgS47cpNBaFEJmM2fU1dFbBRk9vYwqA/s4080/PXL_20231119_223616615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis97JPrMsWhWt3DPHK_4Jt-K7S08GzrPV4CKiVPPhpkFbL6AT6lu7IZdeDyDCixmSgKb8WGPxfB_TPZKh59fqrPYUXq6FawegspIGSTr4hdqBiHBEFeEXSJjrMUrT_bBlbs9lmHwRnpJVwFu3-v2qTQYgS47cpNBaFEJmM2fU1dFbBRk9vYwqA/s320/PXL_20231119_223616615.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I thought Allie was being pretty calm about all the box filling and things being moved around...but what is this? I have never seen her drag out this many toys all at once--ROFL! <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0JGN495O_bz95KSpO8F2xi50G0OS72FinV7i9w-ULiQSI1XRvK1hrSv-mEA7Hc8JbU8ZZBLm6gS7TNbVULCrKFu_UIufx8f9rdsmhVhymWjF9VXhI3gw2otLPwpZw_Qwz3d4uK1MGO5FEf4U8AAgFCUFBbaahMbwSUBRHihRkILK5lmwJVlV/s4080/PXL_20231119_223703784.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0JGN495O_bz95KSpO8F2xi50G0OS72FinV7i9w-ULiQSI1XRvK1hrSv-mEA7Hc8JbU8ZZBLm6gS7TNbVULCrKFu_UIufx8f9rdsmhVhymWjF9VXhI3gw2otLPwpZw_Qwz3d4uK1MGO5FEf4U8AAgFCUFBbaahMbwSUBRHihRkILK5lmwJVlV/s320/PXL_20231119_223703784.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">She has mostly only taken out 2 or 3 at the most. She was all wound up and half her toy basket is now on the floor--LOL!</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It is so nice to look into the studio from my chair and see the progress.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWEYWXtmsOVkUqsTt_4sS6xEIrUIOzXSIpllwFqlH1gqkD8AIjfk-qET_mvYbHiAolhzrCvgdu0d5-jn2NhQXyPltBqH1TxxZjP3Ii6OqCp8RwOqMpJXNkJLYtKU6GYr0z267yobSocc9a2OS4tIz9d4X_fslAV-K3PrmfQvjLkX35IMXDO11/s4080/PXL_20231119_223743076.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWEYWXtmsOVkUqsTt_4sS6xEIrUIOzXSIpllwFqlH1gqkD8AIjfk-qET_mvYbHiAolhzrCvgdu0d5-jn2NhQXyPltBqH1TxxZjP3Ii6OqCp8RwOqMpJXNkJLYtKU6GYr0z267yobSocc9a2OS4tIz9d4X_fslAV-K3PrmfQvjLkX35IMXDO11/s320/PXL_20231119_223743076.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I just might finish in there this coming week. But I do need to get Christmas cards ready to mail, for sure. That is on the top of the to-do list this week. </span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It was in the 40s and 50s all week, but starting Thursday we go back into the deep freeze. Leah brought me in another bag of bird seed from the garage, so the Critter Cafe is all set for a while again. This is a short weekly blog for me this time. Been busy and getting things done. Hope to do the same this week. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate it. Be kind. Keep positive thoughts in your heart. Till next week, my friends. :)</span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-9473873062012328172023-11-13T05:00:00.001-06:002023-11-13T05:00:00.174-06:00November 13, 2023 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I've basically got one covey of eight partridges so far this fall.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G_lm6O03dMwa024K81sa1Rf6VOJ7rk6uTMAWlZiBjVA3_jFZoigDbP_jNf_NbuatdlLmIKLw4NKUBYepkHr7FHUJi0OEFb4ech7h0cCer4y3cHC7_IRQDHkJSSJeyKNr0DQ9xl2N6-nigH-VkxJbfxU3Yq6wH8GNGxo_B7LIZ1eQoiRvPbQP/s4080/PXL_20231107_222556810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G_lm6O03dMwa024K81sa1Rf6VOJ7rk6uTMAWlZiBjVA3_jFZoigDbP_jNf_NbuatdlLmIKLw4NKUBYepkHr7FHUJi0OEFb4ech7h0cCer4y3cHC7_IRQDHkJSSJeyKNr0DQ9xl2N6-nigH-VkxJbfxU3Yq6wH8GNGxo_B7LIZ1eQoiRvPbQP/s320/PXL_20231107_222556810.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The two crippled ones are still with the covey. :)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsb7ap4uRliwZsLbbHbdSCnbelayfMr0VfpCTZsQbvO-oYNCOU4vD3LLngn35VKObRrcTgoOchQZ0YZZb6Pl2FU1REV6rZc1xAUjhXNKoKejS3nEwCdu664mYzNlqTxXyiUkBe_RTrktGfSbfaZigDGtfE0WbPvDGopzErMQdUK-2z6MORO1P/s4080/PXL_20231107_222606140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsb7ap4uRliwZsLbbHbdSCnbelayfMr0VfpCTZsQbvO-oYNCOU4vD3LLngn35VKObRrcTgoOchQZ0YZZb6Pl2FU1REV6rZc1xAUjhXNKoKejS3nEwCdu664mYzNlqTxXyiUkBe_RTrktGfSbfaZigDGtfE0WbPvDGopzErMQdUK-2z6MORO1P/s320/PXL_20231107_222606140.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I got a lot done this week, too! </span><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Monday</b>--before I even started on the Christmas cards I was digging out stacks of papers and journals from the studio and piling them on the kitchen counter.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoFDM7gpUbaUnfSda0UZTqvpkXGc4KLi9zimy1mzGiTdsDGA60YdbybDfptZKrylNYRteml5eIOzuj_IPf4-dmG9yaU79kWVpH0QEMzNNN9xjFzZocEUjiPq6Kt7NxelcAlU2KR213AguMgns1FBee78LSeWqXh9Xq2NY494-kcd4NjS1DwLZ/s4080/PXL_20231108_172449310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoFDM7gpUbaUnfSda0UZTqvpkXGc4KLi9zimy1mzGiTdsDGA60YdbybDfptZKrylNYRteml5eIOzuj_IPf4-dmG9yaU79kWVpH0QEMzNNN9xjFzZocEUjiPq6Kt7NxelcAlU2KR213AguMgns1FBee78LSeWqXh9Xq2NY494-kcd4NjS1DwLZ/s320/PXL_20231108_172449310.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Why? Well, because I have had these four half-filled boxes around in my living room for such a long time that I did not want to look at them anymore. I needed some more studio stuff to finish off the boxes and all these stacks were something that would take time to sort through. Thought it would be a good next project after the Christmas cards.</span><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Meanwhile--I get a notice in the mail from good old Goldmark telling me that my lease was up in January, my rent is going up $90.00 a month January 1st, and I should sign a lease soon to keep it at that amount for the next year. I dug out files--the yellow ones you can see under the letter from Goldmark--and I just signed a lease in July, if you recall.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5Bnv_WXZvcPuFmcaUklKb-5uHFXBhqNkwQql5K_FRvfj5kOchtwIRXWPauHtwzNaBL4jFuz-iNOtDYx8Pk7P46IAg4ZDLQk1HRsoVvGBX75fOLunZdnrVMJfh_SO8Ocpza1jy6f6u6PChgJuOspj9YQ9rACS-pHI3AvxkqHR5tm4X2A7lN08/s4080/PXL_20231108_172516740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5Bnv_WXZvcPuFmcaUklKb-5uHFXBhqNkwQql5K_FRvfj5kOchtwIRXWPauHtwzNaBL4jFuz-iNOtDYx8Pk7P46IAg4ZDLQk1HRsoVvGBX75fOLunZdnrVMJfh_SO8Ocpza1jy6f6u6PChgJuOspj9YQ9rACS-pHI3AvxkqHR5tm4X2A7lN08/s320/PXL_20231108_172516740.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, I got the notice letter from Federal Housing that my share of the rent won't go up in January. (They do a revaluation in July--and it will probably jump up then.) BUT--how can they raise my rent if I just signed a lease six months ago? They drive me just crazy! I plan to call Federal Housing this coming week to find out if that is legal for them to do that. I think that is what they did the year before, too. They raise the rent in January and then I get the hike in July--just weird. I have not understood how I can be signing leases twice a year for the past few years. I was too sick to deal with it--but now I am not. I want this explained to me. Aren't they cheating the government for six months of the year then? And how can they be increasing rent by leaps and bounds recently?</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I had always heard that Federal Housing has a cap as to how much they will cover so that if your rent goes over that cap then you pay the difference. I want to ask them if that is still true, too. I am so glad I will be out of here eventually. I'm glad I won't have my share go up in January--but there will probably be a big jump in July--and why am I signing leases that mean nothing whatsoever? Gives me a headache. But I will call this week. Will not be fun as I do not have a worker assigned to me anymore since covid. I think they lost a lot of employees. :( </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I filled one of the boxes from the living room, sealed, labeled, and moved it into the bedroom wall of boxes.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJPl1EvHdEproMAiWFIzyzPa4rF7R_x5lqKzZW6A9_cEaReA82LKd_oQsw27DMBBmlPRZaH1GQM-6QmWHelqirZ1qtCcygjX07OuaBM0QNi0hZiY6OL_D8gcWuxQakTkoWUMEV1AdZxn0XyWpKVsrcfcbNMmuwvt1JAgY1WfHSd0dA0e60Ndq/s4080/PXL_20231108_172637480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJPl1EvHdEproMAiWFIzyzPa4rF7R_x5lqKzZW6A9_cEaReA82LKd_oQsw27DMBBmlPRZaH1GQM-6QmWHelqirZ1qtCcygjX07OuaBM0QNi0hZiY6OL_D8gcWuxQakTkoWUMEV1AdZxn0XyWpKVsrcfcbNMmuwvt1JAgY1WfHSd0dA0e60Ndq/s320/PXL_20231108_172637480.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday</b> I scrubbed down the patio door...so Allie and I can see the critters more clearly--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8N9OsN76K7fgjFk39v-nK8FtdUVJdLsQF8eP_I18sckVEGrGPzdoCLH36C9e-v7S4vS4LYf8VIs78myX25UGTb0D4UG3CdCmpYi8O_vAQ5PGr-AhJH7oZOmk_P5drYyeWqoyavAPpsWuRb5t_4Ijd5Bsfomk6GqELejJ7UzjSJoizi3Zba0Z/s4080/PXL_20231108_173601263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8N9OsN76K7fgjFk39v-nK8FtdUVJdLsQF8eP_I18sckVEGrGPzdoCLH36C9e-v7S4vS4LYf8VIs78myX25UGTb0D4UG3CdCmpYi8O_vAQ5PGr-AhJH7oZOmk_P5drYyeWqoyavAPpsWuRb5t_4Ijd5Bsfomk6GqELejJ7UzjSJoizi3Zba0Z/s320/PXL_20231108_173601263.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday </b>I added more to the kitchen counter piles.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDtAoglpIBHLF8hvgw_GzEPRT_U-9MBUt3PqxT485XAD_9qMIvIUdWrYWLR4XMdt5rYwPlm46BfjUWze27aBO_769GZb4p-kzW2cyR4hxxEmFEfBUloUJEs6OeKqwDTqvqjmRoG8ZDWr3a68j6u15U0WW4nmH8Zh6ssxU7gUbDhZQCilG6jNz/s4080/PXL_20231109_150324657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDtAoglpIBHLF8hvgw_GzEPRT_U-9MBUt3PqxT485XAD_9qMIvIUdWrYWLR4XMdt5rYwPlm46BfjUWze27aBO_769GZb4p-kzW2cyR4hxxEmFEfBUloUJEs6OeKqwDTqvqjmRoG8ZDWr3a68j6u15U0WW4nmH8Zh6ssxU7gUbDhZQCilG6jNz/s320/PXL_20231109_150324657.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Do you get the impression that I was procrastinating on the Christmas cards? ROFL! I was. Why? Well, Leah and I were talking and she said I should use up the other tape runners I don't want to use or ever buy again. True. And the biggest--literally--is my old Scotch tape runner. Neither Leah or I ever liked using it. It is hard to get the hang of, inaccurate, you have to press really hard, and it is truly unwieldly! </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Thursday</b> I did finally get down to it and used the pink monster for the rest of the inside panels. Leah suggested I label the ones I used the big old tape runner on.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7pes93qXYug8vuXxdyn583hCMOvy-4waqI_dXtudSJ7kZE5BtFe-ZJT6bNINYQJj9CUM7iaD31MCd5HWC0UD3Ogb2IfUAssNbGWWCHFjUXc9F9pC6f5otnnl9dBwUArOyuSGzIWyFNZLp56LVI0dyMKYZrIrio4-V0TuxmSUhq3-TZVHwRrt/s4080/PXL_20231109_230728718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7pes93qXYug8vuXxdyn583hCMOvy-4waqI_dXtudSJ7kZE5BtFe-ZJT6bNINYQJj9CUM7iaD31MCd5HWC0UD3Ogb2IfUAssNbGWWCHFjUXc9F9pC6f5otnnl9dBwUArOyuSGzIWyFNZLp56LVI0dyMKYZrIrio4-V0TuxmSUhq3-TZVHwRrt/s320/PXL_20231109_230728718.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Because I remember also that they didn't stick as well. This will be the test since I have enough cards for two years since Leah isn't sending these handmade ones anymore. So this is the last batch of about 100 that I had already started for both of us. Now I will have some of them saved for a few years and labeled as using the runner tape inside of part of them instead of the double-sided tape. We'll see if they are falling off in a couple of years--lol!</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I finished applying all the fronts with the double-sided tape I had prepared--and about a third of the inside panels, too, had double-sided tape on them already. That pile to the right is peeled paper off the double-sided tape. (Does hurt under your fingernails after while from peeling them off.)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiqXNDaE1TXW0GrTeDnlZYyHME66QZrpdmrHufMCYDa_Rg-rJ_CibjLMVTLlv185NFgW_hpz9njnHCb4a8eWC5ez3hXS8zdVX0FBAwS6Asagic936-iueqJDtetw1sii-A7n80Z2arpjt5jsH5Qp7vKzOZIYgClaxhiLavYN4U5wCBF9pSpTM/s4080/PXL_20231109_230734299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiqXNDaE1TXW0GrTeDnlZYyHME66QZrpdmrHufMCYDa_Rg-rJ_CibjLMVTLlv185NFgW_hpz9njnHCb4a8eWC5ez3hXS8zdVX0FBAwS6Asagic936-iueqJDtetw1sii-A7n80Z2arpjt5jsH5Qp7vKzOZIYgClaxhiLavYN4U5wCBF9pSpTM/s320/PXL_20231109_230734299.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So this year all the inside panels will be from the tape runner. If any of you get cards where the inside piece is already coming loose--that is why--LOL!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRdo5qjKVU4WWUzvX_hUliTe8trCb2oPWpwOJHO3BPF_cjqTqfW10MCpHKgdN7OmhrQpK1d-fq8-XUmRbpPdCoTlg0NHV9DaYioFzsfdWVMu3Q-HDBYwi3GZgloisJOA1589TLeiC9THSNaSNtkgIjY0u7olBGskKG3oNCUww53yP5lo2pue2/s4080/PXL_20231109_231920104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRdo5qjKVU4WWUzvX_hUliTe8trCb2oPWpwOJHO3BPF_cjqTqfW10MCpHKgdN7OmhrQpK1d-fq8-XUmRbpPdCoTlg0NHV9DaYioFzsfdWVMu3Q-HDBYwi3GZgloisJOA1589TLeiC9THSNaSNtkgIjY0u7olBGskKG3oNCUww53yP5lo2pue2/s320/PXL_20231109_231920104.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I was more than happy to put that gigantic pink tape runner and an extra couple tape rolls into a bag and then into a donation box. ;) I finished the Christmas cards!! For all that time and effort they are still pretty simple cards. Whenever I mass produce cards they have to be pretty simple--lol! :)</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Friday</b> I started on the piles on the counter. I even went in and searched for more from the studio. I got pretty far on the three boxes I had left...</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawd4nSNNM8F8htcYmG0laGA2XxrEBqWmI2vkw1L_1fE7DGNEdyV20Lf24MInu4LDlXil17z1y8K3Ij-ddoO1E0-0VDVkybDcfRq0v669Xl6kg0VcfoIlYhueux7klMwxjfGb029KFUqgABTgc6ub60w-4E_VtD1-nRlNf0B1b9u38YFQ_ceXY/s4080/PXL_20231110_212037140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawd4nSNNM8F8htcYmG0laGA2XxrEBqWmI2vkw1L_1fE7DGNEdyV20Lf24MInu4LDlXil17z1y8K3Ij-ddoO1E0-0VDVkybDcfRq0v669Xl6kg0VcfoIlYhueux7klMwxjfGb029KFUqgABTgc6ub60w-4E_VtD1-nRlNf0B1b9u38YFQ_ceXY/s320/PXL_20231110_212037140.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4NfyTfPQCp8zi1eBwpqG6TVVJgZBNF_6ZRaRjZZPtRxFO7QIvNGmO2FlsKBBRfQfgFv8ByWHBVQNJ9Cl5Utxb7adebxkmjWIl6TCH2lDk6IkzMQ6-Y_QTiMqHikVkZTgw6MXhqa6BY-0zfCqPFkK9poD4ZxjYAC_CqUYP4Irtup2F1UBmJ1D/s4080/PXL_20231110_212048279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4NfyTfPQCp8zi1eBwpqG6TVVJgZBNF_6ZRaRjZZPtRxFO7QIvNGmO2FlsKBBRfQfgFv8ByWHBVQNJ9Cl5Utxb7adebxkmjWIl6TCH2lDk6IkzMQ6-Y_QTiMqHikVkZTgw6MXhqa6BY-0zfCqPFkK9poD4ZxjYAC_CqUYP4Irtup2F1UBmJ1D/s320/PXL_20231110_212048279.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWew8u4OSAUYBKDyJHfRF6gGo4isTSq9gemdLKkAVGHePS3qrXOMZGxwVAhgjC_n1QreCq2sT-AvSVSCweCou0EBNwjseiWahv4ay6nViWG1aAPhF02_BhSysb5dM5WfEqfICXeX-krc8-8IabIoMc7BbcGan89cRxMnVq4ETD1tRe31koKng/s4080/PXL_20231110_212103098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWew8u4OSAUYBKDyJHfRF6gGo4isTSq9gemdLKkAVGHePS3qrXOMZGxwVAhgjC_n1QreCq2sT-AvSVSCweCou0EBNwjseiWahv4ay6nViWG1aAPhF02_BhSysb5dM5WfEqfICXeX-krc8-8IabIoMc7BbcGan89cRxMnVq4ETD1tRe31koKng/s320/PXL_20231110_212103098.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and even had to pull out another larger box to hold some things too big for the smallest boxes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xvb4SUoak37soVCNiuEF7i8HHqpNlYz_WU4PZ-yZvIgKemBA01gaTS9d__U0Eje1LpmkteObMbSchvU-qQjsD6Bo4DGK8_mhbAXIECwD1Vr_uAE44dcU34XntViE1S0R-vv3TouIdjZ7vLrbj-MKz_tXI41k6Y3huPz7cZKW_qPZ_aFUX0c0/s4080/PXL_20231110_212042112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xvb4SUoak37soVCNiuEF7i8HHqpNlYz_WU4PZ-yZvIgKemBA01gaTS9d__U0Eje1LpmkteObMbSchvU-qQjsD6Bo4DGK8_mhbAXIECwD1Vr_uAE44dcU34XntViE1S0R-vv3TouIdjZ7vLrbj-MKz_tXI41k6Y3huPz7cZKW_qPZ_aFUX0c0/s320/PXL_20231110_212042112.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The partridges seem to be thrown off by DST, too, this week. They often come so late that it is almost dark out instead of early dusk--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4ZfyMO1ixJavfa4UzaI7YEWclBBAJ-7gSsG1UkmFEKlvEc_bHcc0XPvPtCM1dv1iig16Jrsf69ggyw6O3n_qTGLkdtvJMuhWC9NS3MCdYyO81mmH6bIvf1m3UdoCMunVXD6ys2wiWTtTLEGaStO-PTDC_7-PDgue6k4v4DET8-VPM7RgZAKw/s4080/PXL_20231110_231005905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4ZfyMO1ixJavfa4UzaI7YEWclBBAJ-7gSsG1UkmFEKlvEc_bHcc0XPvPtCM1dv1iig16Jrsf69ggyw6O3n_qTGLkdtvJMuhWC9NS3MCdYyO81mmH6bIvf1m3UdoCMunVXD6ys2wiWTtTLEGaStO-PTDC_7-PDgue6k4v4DET8-VPM7RgZAKw/s320/PXL_20231110_231005905.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Saturday I switched the shower curtain again and the towels from teal to tan.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhBiSROaC4619IBF_nwqA-9kw7J8FaEGygB5Vk8F_QhQ52zmL1PI0tWyGx9AFWWMIF5frC6r-7P-wr3NecqMHQ-WZW8hcx8Es3lKnfPIqCiz3yWy1H0uwt6Hsy-8_KHhp-FV17Ur0j8Imqfzr7sVEBuXYTaMPVM47xfGCqZejtW9pU8D43z4V/s4080/PXL_20231111_204051624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhBiSROaC4619IBF_nwqA-9kw7J8FaEGygB5Vk8F_QhQ52zmL1PI0tWyGx9AFWWMIF5frC6r-7P-wr3NecqMHQ-WZW8hcx8Es3lKnfPIqCiz3yWy1H0uwt6Hsy-8_KHhp-FV17Ur0j8Imqfzr7sVEBuXYTaMPVM47xfGCqZejtW9pU8D43z4V/s320/PXL_20231111_204051624.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is one of my two old original shower curtains. Still love this one so I kept it.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZE1oCGiGU8hl2E_UfYuraFmX0mclkoX1CbW_916LkLzKSn0megJMlsh2-otsxDlpKszKaafhzfnpmRUliozpjhmLIjbRiar6nwWmf1LDjQAMK5HUY53JIvvq6m1ODcRRkA8U_Sdr3AFni5lCjeAT6Fmknu-g7a0278Pt3u6wKygwQhs6haM3/s4080/PXL_20231111_204107135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZE1oCGiGU8hl2E_UfYuraFmX0mclkoX1CbW_916LkLzKSn0megJMlsh2-otsxDlpKszKaafhzfnpmRUliozpjhmLIjbRiar6nwWmf1LDjQAMK5HUY53JIvvq6m1ODcRRkA8U_Sdr3AFni5lCjeAT6Fmknu-g7a0278Pt3u6wKygwQhs6haM3/s320/PXL_20231111_204107135.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is Allie's favorite way to spend the afternoon in the bedroom when I am busy and making too much noise for her.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oXB7r-BEBKFrH4M1jSpf9NrW7rzaa2cpGcwOcw9uSkvDf5PEd7Jvu66d0WRSyCjYWhbmZAXa_ossyONGfFIyhCdkq7NUu31UMrx53nEXsEhqtRK1kgy_GEVRmNZUpq366u_BHvmgJYVR1jQmkb-a9zVg738X0rc1bLs1FSsJcOL3x8264CUD/s4080/PXL_20231111_204126510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oXB7r-BEBKFrH4M1jSpf9NrW7rzaa2cpGcwOcw9uSkvDf5PEd7Jvu66d0WRSyCjYWhbmZAXa_ossyONGfFIyhCdkq7NUu31UMrx53nEXsEhqtRK1kgy_GEVRmNZUpq366u_BHvmgJYVR1jQmkb-a9zVg738X0rc1bLs1FSsJcOL3x8264CUD/s320/PXL_20231111_204126510.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I did laundry and Allie didn't even move as I hung and folded clothes right on the table in front of her--lol! I spent the day scouring the studio to find items to fit into the tops of the boxes. Afternoon visit from the partridges. They are usually here a few times a day. You can tell it's been warmer as they are half the size--lol! They puff their feathers all out when it is cold and they look like fluffy round balls.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9pt8rpR17iFuh9Xgoa1MK5Snc3bQdU4BOInduxNsq0EA3-dkpeup7AVhJXZfNJ9wSNow-cLoaUkbOlpyYfdlXWU5Fbl9IqQlQHR7TGGob5SduPcQTQtuuiVv5Mc0ZeNrAafVAHDykJLhzrGS2fyp5qWzAxbMIFOkRWBc0iBU4zN_q8cw3N_L/s4080/PXL_20231111_213152222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9pt8rpR17iFuh9Xgoa1MK5Snc3bQdU4BOInduxNsq0EA3-dkpeup7AVhJXZfNJ9wSNow-cLoaUkbOlpyYfdlXWU5Fbl9IqQlQHR7TGGob5SduPcQTQtuuiVv5Mc0ZeNrAafVAHDykJLhzrGS2fyp5qWzAxbMIFOkRWBc0iBU4zN_q8cw3N_L/s320/PXL_20231111_213152222.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The box wall is growing! I got three more boxes sealed, labeled, and moved to the bedroom. One box left that is almost full. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcoohQeEuBPaup1InqkNX3N3bE3WIZb9nttsOH2EpZf1_UEQ4DV98-gSl8DUyzn-Kj3_1ASvCZ9RLLWTT0SEkTiYrTm7ZTt4r42CHe1AYX4CWuEBH_-o8mRI0PqrKkQ4GhmaYlWQLXIC8ffeF2Ox7yArwbs9tn_isQoHIwyl2v35di5kZ7RhM/s4080/PXL_20231112_155254172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcoohQeEuBPaup1InqkNX3N3bE3WIZb9nttsOH2EpZf1_UEQ4DV98-gSl8DUyzn-Kj3_1ASvCZ9RLLWTT0SEkTiYrTm7ZTt4r42CHe1AYX4CWuEBH_-o8mRI0PqrKkQ4GhmaYlWQLXIC8ffeF2Ox7yArwbs9tn_isQoHIwyl2v35di5kZ7RhM/s320/PXL_20231112_155254172.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I know I said I was putting the P&P on hold but turns out the very idea of staring at those half-full boxes for however much longer just was too much for me to take--lol! I thought I could just fill the four I had going...but then needed another larger one...and now that I have been really digging around in the bookcases and closet in there...I think I would have several really easy to fill boxes I could do this coming week. </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Since I am no longer going to try to empty the bookcases to sell before the snow flies...I can keep them all winter. So I can just have those full of the things I know I will use for cards and art for the next year or so and pack away the rest (and purging is going on, too, as I have been going along). I have filled a box with donations and two bags of trash! </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Remember I had originally thought I'd be moving before the snow flies? Well, I packed up my bedroom dressers long ago--and only kept out a couple handfuls of envelopes. I am not going to dig through boxes to find envelopes...so I ordered smaller boxes (100 & 120) of the two sizes I use all the time (A2 and A6) so I have plenty to last me for the winter--and for Christmas cards. (I usually buy like 500-1000 at a time of each.) So when the envelopes arrive, then I can begin addressing them--and be ready to mail my Christmas cards <i>early</i>!! Whoohoo!! </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">After being in such rough shape for the past few years it feels downright wonderful to be getting back to being my old semi-functional!! I am used to doing things in baby steps--a little at a time--and know I can get things done that way if I am feeling half-ways decent. Minor to annoying perpetual aches and pains and exhaustion I can deal with. That's been my life for years...a couple decades. I don't want to jinx myself, but maybe I am finally getting past all the effects of the cancer treatments. *knock on wood!* Been almost a year. In fact, Leah and I just realized my last treatment was actually in November last year. The first treatment I <i>missed </i>was in December...they were three weeks apart. </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Maybe I will be able to go visit at McFamily's one day soon on a weekend. Make it out to the garage once in a while. Bring my own bird seed in. I've been bringing out my own trash to the dumpster several times recently. Who would ever think those things would be such an accomplishment, eh? Everything in life is relative. Nothing we can count on but change. Sometimes negative--but sometimes very positive. :) :)<br /></span><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, I've been sleeping so well! Usually bed between 11pm-1am and up between 7-9am. Remarkable! Makes such a difference to sleep well. I'm sure the melatonin and CBD oil help with that. I also decided to go back on the oil of oregano for a while longer. I noticed that for the first time since I got shingles (back last December--got over the worst of it but not the rash) that the residual rash actually got paler and shrank a little while I was on the oil of oregano. So, I will take it another week or so and see if it does anything. Can't hurt.</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday</b> it rained during the night according to my phone. It wasn't raining when I woke up at 8am but I do so love to watch the clouds slowly disperse.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqTWdX85VnagbPAN3koA7cMJ0TkYWSkBjAaN5L8GKiH03kGcZ1qNvhCXLVqr0BcI6spnPK9YhIbwWrJi0IphLLAX_YKZ8q1KZqPAD1BGFDMVc5V6O9YUovJ8MITk4Zt9O1of5xZUk29pjaiH1mkM0nJ4ra8VDOiUTS46Y6eEP4rE2CQVybaXr/s4080/PXL_20231112_152823885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqTWdX85VnagbPAN3koA7cMJ0TkYWSkBjAaN5L8GKiH03kGcZ1qNvhCXLVqr0BcI6spnPK9YhIbwWrJi0IphLLAX_YKZ8q1KZqPAD1BGFDMVc5V6O9YUovJ8MITk4Zt9O1of5xZUk29pjaiH1mkM0nJ4ra8VDOiUTS46Y6eEP4rE2CQVybaXr/s320/PXL_20231112_152823885.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EpAnSK9I_Qc3rEMtEJP2kiSzzkRHNowaq1wNjjb3mPffoMzI_7R6cuc69DH1tv5sBEFytw7CfMeU_ZkTmN7-9QMw4ra8xIhCgunobPzmsFKf-ogI1eKEcWV5YdvhX3FFBOPjXLXBWJxks_T6rcHr4Udu6PguyoWFmwHDW8DSWui55b_CB_Mq/s4080/PXL_20231112_153626424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EpAnSK9I_Qc3rEMtEJP2kiSzzkRHNowaq1wNjjb3mPffoMzI_7R6cuc69DH1tv5sBEFytw7CfMeU_ZkTmN7-9QMw4ra8xIhCgunobPzmsFKf-ogI1eKEcWV5YdvhX3FFBOPjXLXBWJxks_T6rcHr4Udu6PguyoWFmwHDW8DSWui55b_CB_Mq/s320/PXL_20231112_153626424.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">By 10 am the sun was out and it got up to 57 degrees!! Supposed to be up into the 50s all week long. We used to call this Indian Summer...that last reprieve before winter...but I don't know if we are allowed to call it that anymore. Does anyone know? </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, my U-Haul wall in the bedroom has grown this past week. Might grow even more this coming week. All my pre-packing. :)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kE7QvgyoHNhtiFTNqomP8u6_IuR1Ef8TUsO0GgfitJ37u9_j9IWeR-gxmtCFmfy4oLMAcNHgJxWqHNVZNe_szrZhbJaAUqW0ZzK3M_ID5MJcestsGHkWLfapp6fLh104542_NUo-XNbafjxz7U84A9UWHc5pFtqIP5iXpF4mIq0MSmBrJvZa/s4080/PXL_20231112_155254172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kE7QvgyoHNhtiFTNqomP8u6_IuR1Ef8TUsO0GgfitJ37u9_j9IWeR-gxmtCFmfy4oLMAcNHgJxWqHNVZNe_szrZhbJaAUqW0ZzK3M_ID5MJcestsGHkWLfapp6fLh104542_NUo-XNbafjxz7U84A9UWHc5pFtqIP5iXpF4mIq0MSmBrJvZa/s320/PXL_20231112_155254172.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I'm using ten more small boxes as end tables in the living room, too, don't forget--lol! </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah liked the new job and felt comfortable there. The boys liked school. Ian did have a "bad day" when he and a few kids didn't finish their work and couldn't go out for recess. He decided he'd best get his work done really fast. He obviously doesn't want to miss recess--lol! But it was a good week.</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ian had a sore throat that first weekend after they started school...then Leah got it this weekend but felt better and went back to work today. You know when kids are in school they catch everything so this wasn't unexpected. </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ian didn't say anything that Saturday before they went to Home Depot. I'm sure he didn't want to miss out because they love going to Home Depot kid's crafts days. But Ian made his project and wanted to go right to the car with Daddy to wait for Mama and Liam. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5J0WXGIwm1dMxUIGPA8u4Kb1Iy_rj7tdnArgSjrj9EnUcb4D6whDEz_KyxuxEjo3wC7xv7JgIkEYw3fBSDPRzDXdsgKIfF6kYr-O3WO5nMYuOpn02A4zII6ncb0sGqe0nAD_6Ecs3n8uxEgA1ShC1fm0msqwQlXvO_VHpQGBJ-DhoGHpUb_a/s4080/PXL_20231104_144143679.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5J0WXGIwm1dMxUIGPA8u4Kb1Iy_rj7tdnArgSjrj9EnUcb4D6whDEz_KyxuxEjo3wC7xv7JgIkEYw3fBSDPRzDXdsgKIfF6kYr-O3WO5nMYuOpn02A4zII6ncb0sGqe0nAD_6Ecs3n8uxEgA1ShC1fm0msqwQlXvO_VHpQGBJ-DhoGHpUb_a/s320/PXL_20231104_144143679.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4J7ZQVgbxVhKu9BELpo2a5t6QV4LbB3eumloW5yKfHUpD8dZqIN8QbvcyAdbabAxls91HHmU-7xioL3vLYFV6BwxbZjEHi6zxhZIgiunEDONV8URVoXQ_OHa4g1g2Ab90yhcH6ER6MnkuEr0up5JmFcCh7EK3-WuSQ452rQFMT2EVKxt7bfu/s4080/PXL_20231104_150326458.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4J7ZQVgbxVhKu9BELpo2a5t6QV4LbB3eumloW5yKfHUpD8dZqIN8QbvcyAdbabAxls91HHmU-7xioL3vLYFV6BwxbZjEHi6zxhZIgiunEDONV8URVoXQ_OHa4g1g2Ab90yhcH6ER6MnkuEr0up5JmFcCh7EK3-WuSQ452rQFMT2EVKxt7bfu/s320/PXL_20231104_150326458.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This might be difficult to toss cardboard horse shoes on. Maybe they are plywood? Still. The main thing is the kids enjoy making whatever the project is.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi821YBwin_AVXCx3nOpZSde1P3D-yaoGjNnNDQLhmmUDIHu8NOqJO_z7h0Zl8UKs4q4yTDpzPo3o58vnLFb1Q0EIX9kTZ9VRC54YWgS-rn6NGfG6RzE5uL4UIGLaD-2-rQsThq3Z9PJrMBH2YQJwtc2nblnISrp7detCOsUtCTrqjXpcPBDp78/s4080/PXL_20231104_150337894.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi821YBwin_AVXCx3nOpZSde1P3D-yaoGjNnNDQLhmmUDIHu8NOqJO_z7h0Zl8UKs4q4yTDpzPo3o58vnLFb1Q0EIX9kTZ9VRC54YWgS-rn6NGfG6RzE5uL4UIGLaD-2-rQsThq3Z9PJrMBH2YQJwtc2nblnISrp7detCOsUtCTrqjXpcPBDp78/s320/PXL_20231104_150337894.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They are both lucky they got sick on the weekend, eh? </span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I decided to take pictures of the studio as it is right now--more for myself than anything. I know you can't tell like I can how much is gone, but I am hoping this will look quite a bit different in the next week or so. The bookcase to the left is the most obvious one losing content. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCZImdMeCYQ6W3aShUevJG-f8ZLYwDIQfF3wSrtcwDAsgN0VKYeJ1TJn2UkzLPNtLThrN2upF_BlBpjLoThwTXhjfCere0YXDjug09JIMpdAy6geoDOKO3p9Ay5lxqnfKboefv1JYAjsuiAmpFjoXaeQSxkFv7LgLuRsi8vnU7_J5pjM52BHb/s4080/PXL_20231112_211627669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCZImdMeCYQ6W3aShUevJG-f8ZLYwDIQfF3wSrtcwDAsgN0VKYeJ1TJn2UkzLPNtLThrN2upF_BlBpjLoThwTXhjfCere0YXDjug09JIMpdAy6geoDOKO3p9Ay5lxqnfKboefv1JYAjsuiAmpFjoXaeQSxkFv7LgLuRsi8vnU7_J5pjM52BHb/s320/PXL_20231112_211627669.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The other two bookcases on the other wall. All the paper racks will stay--most of the right-hand bookcase holds card making paper. The small table in the middle of the room was stacked high before.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdCrKvM9GglMK8pb7MlahYlwe0a2HW_6p375-6P3Xtb4O49HXznbkSkhigWvqzZanYpD43dIipNBXfHVAdyJSXPfmr9Gc3Ua5RQKa73J0iWl_LHtdvEiCSlmU5_YRhi1T7VeuG-CGdG2C1T-EBIBUkl1Hu7vLdTbRmwMtHHObN83CWaRvE5Xr/s4080/PXL_20231112_211641631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdCrKvM9GglMK8pb7MlahYlwe0a2HW_6p375-6P3Xtb4O49HXznbkSkhigWvqzZanYpD43dIipNBXfHVAdyJSXPfmr9Gc3Ua5RQKa73J0iWl_LHtdvEiCSlmU5_YRhi1T7VeuG-CGdG2C1T-EBIBUkl1Hu7vLdTbRmwMtHHObN83CWaRvE5Xr/s320/PXL_20231112_211641631.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The closet is getting more spacious--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0y_jYWRKx2lht1u8UleMG4_a6vlHr8qOBAJ4Wr_2lPI_m6dL3Q4HzwDbL3jSne4Om6Ww95uNtZzI2V5uOVUNLuMKHG4I27Xv54K4FDz7Gaayt3GWaNIMBSvrMgCXBMDqQ7uXO4OmiiBOb0GFeI2IS5ALxEDHFD7meCB89N8v-a2Cl38753Cq/s4080/PXL_20231112_211648774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0y_jYWRKx2lht1u8UleMG4_a6vlHr8qOBAJ4Wr_2lPI_m6dL3Q4HzwDbL3jSne4Om6Ww95uNtZzI2V5uOVUNLuMKHG4I27Xv54K4FDz7Gaayt3GWaNIMBSvrMgCXBMDqQ7uXO4OmiiBOb0GFeI2IS5ALxEDHFD7meCB89N8v-a2Cl38753Cq/s320/PXL_20231112_211648774.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuEMvruTBxIvBGNct4JgC4BJlyFCsEDN81wHn7iCTRh89Uf4j59UT3tnnqkgzM9NgQpAirhX0RVcpcRrRL7U7GaanzU4DFPkjC1Ke3nVqETr6Pqo6SZ5FTlr8e4I7spTFOJQaUuIO0Vg6llLTPoIehwqqiwFeu9hSJDPJaaA2UiCSzDbwdPlv/s4080/PXL_20231112_211703108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuEMvruTBxIvBGNct4JgC4BJlyFCsEDN81wHn7iCTRh89Uf4j59UT3tnnqkgzM9NgQpAirhX0RVcpcRrRL7U7GaanzU4DFPkjC1Ke3nVqETr6Pqo6SZ5FTlr8e4I7spTFOJQaUuIO0Vg6llLTPoIehwqqiwFeu9hSJDPJaaA2UiCSzDbwdPlv/s320/PXL_20231112_211703108.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">On top and underneath the die cutting machine has been cleared out a lot.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKQVJyPx8zErAj4yQVVPPzdpz29MI_R09wk8xhNxcoL_ZptPAB0pHgj3Gdlgkg2lZvgNn3EWAEBIU3T5hOOX5E0dGbulKz9nbxSJxXSDhgPGwKjFx8db4wzK86qtjHrJTKtnUurNGze395P-diPCZKGjCc5ZLU9ulv6eJAw1QgJAz_NBKgYHS/s4080/PXL_20231112_211719271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKQVJyPx8zErAj4yQVVPPzdpz29MI_R09wk8xhNxcoL_ZptPAB0pHgj3Gdlgkg2lZvgNn3EWAEBIU3T5hOOX5E0dGbulKz9nbxSJxXSDhgPGwKjFx8db4wzK86qtjHrJTKtnUurNGze395P-diPCZKGjCc5ZLU9ulv6eJAw1QgJAz_NBKgYHS/s320/PXL_20231112_211719271.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Three stacks are gone from the art table.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5McGtaIlKWG6gQYZXP9xenmearzrksfOE6Vu0DEF73EHwzvwSqjgQ6kBYW_FB01LrBjWzVcImcexIiggtvbq2KZU7oL4AH0FjgZwkRMX_EWprKx3OYdfh4vR1QeKOpBXDlYV4sHArMRTvgEHIwd4nyJezXdIqZY9q_wDvcTmmMcJykwgIPGk/s4080/PXL_20231112_211726170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5McGtaIlKWG6gQYZXP9xenmearzrksfOE6Vu0DEF73EHwzvwSqjgQ6kBYW_FB01LrBjWzVcImcexIiggtvbq2KZU7oL4AH0FjgZwkRMX_EWprKx3OYdfh4vR1QeKOpBXDlYV4sHArMRTvgEHIwd4nyJezXdIqZY9q_wDvcTmmMcJykwgIPGk/s320/PXL_20231112_211726170.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I know. I said I was done with P&P. But then once I got into those boxes...just got the bug again. Mainly because I kept thinking once I got started that I want to play in here and it would be nice to have it as cleared out as possible for that. You can probably guess by now if you have been following me for a good while that for me to try to sit and play in there when it is half done and a mess like this...well, it would drive my OCD side just crazy--lol! And right now--recently--it doesn't feel as totally overwhelming to manage to do as it did even a few weeks or a month ago. I think I am gathering a few spoons...almost daily I have an extra spoon or two. Whoohoo!! *knock on wood* So I truly hope to show you a sparser studio soon...and a bigger U-Haul wall--ROFL!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I needed something to cheer me up and lift my spirits. Imagining myself being able to sit and play in the studio with it being organized all around me...that just makes me smile to think about it. I don't "settle in" the same way when I am doing crafts or art in the kitchen, if that makes any sense. This little room is so quiet and peaceful...just feels different in there. Hard to explain. It's cozy. And I love being surrounded by all the colors and creativity...<i>when it is organized</i>--lol! And it hasn't been organized since before cancer...so it is about time! You may notice I haven't been spending time in there at all for a long, long time. But that is how I want to spend my winter. That is what I want before the snow flies--lol! ;) Wish me luck!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I'm almost caught up on letters, too. The boys are liking school. Leah really likes the new job. We have a last week of 50s to look forward to. I already have the boys' Christmas presents. I will have Christmas cards ready to go right after Thanksgiving. I haven't felt this on top of things for like maybe three or four years!! The couple of years before I got diagnosed, I was going downhill--from way back with the mysterious entire leg swelling up. I am really hoping to have turned the corner finally. Time will tell. But I am feeling pretty darn good the past couple weeks, I tell you. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So--very best to you all! I hope you have a marvelous week and life is looking as good as it can be for you, too. I know a couple of people who have had some very, very sad things happening in their lives right now. Sending love and hugs and all the comfort I can. Bless you! Till next time... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-86718361362903077812023-11-06T05:00:00.004-06:002023-11-07T08:54:03.505-06:00November 6, 2023 Monday--5am<p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good morning!</span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I've felt better since last Monday. So much so that I have been busy-busy for most of the week catching up on the to-do list. Got lots done. </span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had snow the beginning of the week. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsscEmr2XHkilALY1NWQukKopadBNdaCZ-kqBCWTVmSeL0m9HxMrWZJu4sIeHAGHt1dcgHfItTCpeCm7kDn0lhKEWWVM7THCBNMC_r_ibDRaWGFzJ-0GIMK6e3vnXA9bwFA-rJmlHZZUXM6q88i8hXKuusGlRwMUx_zJFP6-G2iFtOnVvBPJfH/s4080/PXL_20231031_160054491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsscEmr2XHkilALY1NWQukKopadBNdaCZ-kqBCWTVmSeL0m9HxMrWZJu4sIeHAGHt1dcgHfItTCpeCm7kDn0lhKEWWVM7THCBNMC_r_ibDRaWGFzJ-0GIMK6e3vnXA9bwFA-rJmlHZZUXM6q88i8hXKuusGlRwMUx_zJFP6-G2iFtOnVvBPJfH/s320/PXL_20231031_160054491.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The crippled birds were back, too!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlU7rUqGFaKFC_OKf2xdkpFcmJu4pqPVDxOYM3q0GZzlIGWifk1y6DJvzjYGFAuRHVszW_w6bnBCtlgRVrXJHI9tNK9utCPAPtAV2a2hyphenhyphen0hH8fFOguftprkWCnni_G7rqLfYpwi7E3NlcuYI7ntNU4LapCTtSIjqYPfjBIxGl0BfVKelp0-8z/s4080/PXL_20231031_183042301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlU7rUqGFaKFC_OKf2xdkpFcmJu4pqPVDxOYM3q0GZzlIGWifk1y6DJvzjYGFAuRHVszW_w6bnBCtlgRVrXJHI9tNK9utCPAPtAV2a2hyphenhyphen0hH8fFOguftprkWCnni_G7rqLfYpwi7E3NlcuYI7ntNU4LapCTtSIjqYPfjBIxGl0BfVKelp0-8z/s320/PXL_20231031_183042301.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I was busy with projects...like <i>finally </i>finishing up the seasonal clothes exchange--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MTA1-oHcieK4s5LlCZuHYuuZM68eaeqjIArmTGYy-F7u6V2f6dcbQcsbQ6yccSTS2hpJPiFyaYtoW3N7Aw5Y2UO7KU1_M0XHlh3S_GSXA7N2158bzYcZNGvbR0Ggg_R7eq9FPoU_jG5wj5b97YBimuOXWwlXdiX6yO73_bFlclvnChHQbwXv/s4080/PXL_20231103_161726976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MTA1-oHcieK4s5LlCZuHYuuZM68eaeqjIArmTGYy-F7u6V2f6dcbQcsbQ6yccSTS2hpJPiFyaYtoW3N7Aw5Y2UO7KU1_M0XHlh3S_GSXA7N2158bzYcZNGvbR0Ggg_R7eq9FPoU_jG5wj5b97YBimuOXWwlXdiX6yO73_bFlclvnChHQbwXv/s320/PXL_20231103_161726976.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I got the patio chair, bird water dish, garden hose in the pot, and some empty boxes (for donations when I purge the shelves out there) all ready to go to the garage. Swept off the patio. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3ZVgNwri6lwDYKrLdramg6WMK24kBc02dB1rq0YmDg3IMlGPCnkeLmmA5vW2LU21iREXXIjIhm4SOMaIQCBSncCLsh2b95oa_sBmcAu7Yl8s8oik_Wb9gGG7AXmLiYDvkwwlLRrs4zb50q175T3DFW8rO80lPkc3BvVqJPTYMdJSmRNJbcNM/s4080/PXL_20231103_181334841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3ZVgNwri6lwDYKrLdramg6WMK24kBc02dB1rq0YmDg3IMlGPCnkeLmmA5vW2LU21iREXXIjIhm4SOMaIQCBSncCLsh2b95oa_sBmcAu7Yl8s8oik_Wb9gGG7AXmLiYDvkwwlLRrs4zb50q175T3DFW8rO80lPkc3BvVqJPTYMdJSmRNJbcNM/s320/PXL_20231103_181334841.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Got all the monthly stuff done--banking, rent check to office, bullet ready for November, etc. Checked, filled & cleaned as necessary three of my fountain pen trays so I didn't get behind when I was sick. Set up letters (13) ...slow on the draw again, sorry. Did laundry twice. </span><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Keanna didn't show up on Tuesday. We're not allowed to exchange numbers with this company's rules. Her boss called and apologized on Wednesday because it was her fault that she did not remember to call me to tell me Keanna wouldn't be there. Keanna did come over to clean on Thursday afternoon.</span><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">McFamily got home on Tuesday and the boys started at Montessori on Wednesday. Wednesday Leah dropped off a few groceries for me and stayed around till it was time to pick up the boys from their first day at school. I had a video call with two happy but tired boys on their way home. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It has warmed up into the 40s during the day. The snow is all gone.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQvwbQy5zIOxb-vXF2y9a-PMMG0gGQtxbQiOXfSkZvHWZCHVaxEDEe17ysj39C2GNpaEaFjEDrm7CPz8O9mMentAJj7z-ETX5CQ5m0MDVrOQGvx0bAV6ve64JaiptBQWZ-IOo7N5drxcmWH3mFUVWPFPJ0EA_AD64xtiqXzRASOy3C5PitDxj/s4080/PXL_20231103_181411544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQvwbQy5zIOxb-vXF2y9a-PMMG0gGQtxbQiOXfSkZvHWZCHVaxEDEe17ysj39C2GNpaEaFjEDrm7CPz8O9mMentAJj7z-ETX5CQ5m0MDVrOQGvx0bAV6ve64JaiptBQWZ-IOo7N5drxcmWH3mFUVWPFPJ0EA_AD64xtiqXzRASOy3C5PitDxj/s320/PXL_20231103_181411544.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I've got some pics from Leah. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I wanted to include these just because I think it is a cool experiment for kids...even if Leah forgot to take a picture of the end result--lol!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO8CQAuh4y1yjNeJeaz-E5BwysTqyJxyRDMI-meihWnZpOS4p_H7ySsw0Mq2sW8B-GAnvTYAHvKnDvbrYoIrrd24-BIRR3pcC37YkehwT4QBMwxIAvZsH4ujerHg49oIXcTCtpTwKDmPw1wCbQJMh2jTJthQe1pj7KBvVGOr3TKUTNaf4304Z/s4080/PXL_20231023_135553915.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO8CQAuh4y1yjNeJeaz-E5BwysTqyJxyRDMI-meihWnZpOS4p_H7ySsw0Mq2sW8B-GAnvTYAHvKnDvbrYoIrrd24-BIRR3pcC37YkehwT4QBMwxIAvZsH4ujerHg49oIXcTCtpTwKDmPw1wCbQJMh2jTJthQe1pj7KBvVGOr3TKUTNaf4304Z/s320/PXL_20231023_135553915.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There is folded up paper towels running through all the five glasses. Red water (food coloring), plain water, yellow water, plain water, and blue water. They had to be patient to see that eventually the plain water between the red and yellow turned orange and the plain water between the yellow and blue turned green. What fun!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW_qDlCNAecEQgR5mCDZavBwl408n8gZwOUauy5f37bvXXbLRYTw6m1UuszBJRGLe8CS763Zttfsoh0lkoUnc9uVdMh4NLjoUfcDZ4OsqVxheK3BM40wUofgUiFBHSp3qV6QSUquCyXQkTJwVViHnelhZr-cvi6dASn9xHfmO6LIlaE3eLId5/s4080/PXL_20231023_135955313.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW_qDlCNAecEQgR5mCDZavBwl408n8gZwOUauy5f37bvXXbLRYTw6m1UuszBJRGLe8CS763Zttfsoh0lkoUnc9uVdMh4NLjoUfcDZ4OsqVxheK3BM40wUofgUiFBHSp3qV6QSUquCyXQkTJwVViHnelhZr-cvi6dASn9xHfmO6LIlaE3eLId5/s320/PXL_20231023_135955313.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Before they headed to Warroad to visit Dagan's half brother, Bryan, Leah took a picture of their gorgeous tiger's eye bush by the corner of their garage. She was glad she did because by the time they got home after all the snow and freezing temps day after day...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9LWjdJt_KVr022AcaGuGejuOMj3rxiMjIh2YcASyE7jYtDFgJKpNbczc1LMXhjnhd5BmqSCJPJdLbyR1J1yTfqsudlFu6qdvpa7vZ-hSz5AOI10xpr7Q8r6tjv8aSuLCBVz28DbYVau6hg424g8sf7YFTNEgADXLJGYWikNGOspMkUzV0WLi/s4080/PXL_20231023_213137579.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9LWjdJt_KVr022AcaGuGejuOMj3rxiMjIh2YcASyE7jYtDFgJKpNbczc1LMXhjnhd5BmqSCJPJdLbyR1J1yTfqsudlFu6qdvpa7vZ-hSz5AOI10xpr7Q8r6tjv8aSuLCBVz28DbYVau6hg424g8sf7YFTNEgADXLJGYWikNGOspMkUzV0WLi/s320/PXL_20231023_213137579.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...this is all that was left--lol! This bush dropped all the small branches and leaves all at once! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQILnCpmKPyQ3er5fLScdbAPSD5HcSkfF5eL21jPvvFpNO8MGQWqHCwJB4V0yWecDfS5fga211eqfE0jOWgClJqWals5_l1lwi10cowNXoWKuijNZ7sex7S66bNk6WMqyU8sb9Tt5nklvZTwb1UQoyZ6UivefzL50Jjl93mATxqythF8NJMaK7/s4080/PXL_20231105_224750661.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQILnCpmKPyQ3er5fLScdbAPSD5HcSkfF5eL21jPvvFpNO8MGQWqHCwJB4V0yWecDfS5fga211eqfE0jOWgClJqWals5_l1lwi10cowNXoWKuijNZ7sex7S66bNk6WMqyU8sb9Tt5nklvZTwb1UQoyZ6UivefzL50Jjl93mATxqythF8NJMaK7/s320/PXL_20231105_224750661.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Was gorgeous while it lasted, though.<br /></span><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Bryan took them on a short tour of the remodeled Marvin Windows offices where he works. Liam, Evie (turned three), and Ian.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyQ-BGJsrUf_aEyw0JS0g6iab8lcZUsLkw_n0VAAqUP82iGMBQyTffQp3dvvF4TcKtdk2A9YnKhIClQlQXWjnSkXujcgfqXwByMIpOnhpwgY24rbCl49zTTJKj5JTsVdb8AHBICBciYfwGVoB6kFiPdBhL3GXpo9l-cRsR2qWGLUIidbRk72y/s4080/PXL_20231029_224248870.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyQ-BGJsrUf_aEyw0JS0g6iab8lcZUsLkw_n0VAAqUP82iGMBQyTffQp3dvvF4TcKtdk2A9YnKhIClQlQXWjnSkXujcgfqXwByMIpOnhpwgY24rbCl49zTTJKj5JTsVdb8AHBICBciYfwGVoB6kFiPdBhL3GXpo9l-cRsR2qWGLUIidbRk72y/s320/PXL_20231029_224248870.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">McFamily in the big window seat.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9roZK05y3GWOS8iGsn9f9Kp8Qljz4ARVYNYXal5sYbeEZPLWNOOOll4AjLdxHqridxn8pyAb7ggNeKlqvgY_94ppvZ8DGSU0Rg4dUbOMNOycUvsbjPd_EzE9mvo-4Yi7gc9bCVcYspADAl8CoMGPzGTBcS2MhIrObyv-46KSM_bFCVmETUS3Z/s4080/PXL_20231029_224437189.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9roZK05y3GWOS8iGsn9f9Kp8Qljz4ARVYNYXal5sYbeEZPLWNOOOll4AjLdxHqridxn8pyAb7ggNeKlqvgY_94ppvZ8DGSU0Rg4dUbOMNOycUvsbjPd_EzE9mvo-4Yi7gc9bCVcYspADAl8CoMGPzGTBcS2MhIrObyv-46KSM_bFCVmETUS3Z/s320/PXL_20231029_224437189.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Liam holding Evie's hand to help her down the long stairs. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxFKOkynsl0A0xdeY_lYzfWXXuL8aFoIUODbFPoA8TcFc2MZvvVTKUugJhG9XJe-IaB-bM2jjYX84Sf5_NVG_37cGucXng1Jcmh9ucHaTB5jbFYtqcWDkEgx0u3bYsCDSvsjAwbB0g2kbYkxPB5oEuPXq15lVXsFoLo2wSljwVbkG5q84iV1K/s4080/PXL_20231029_225202007.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxFKOkynsl0A0xdeY_lYzfWXXuL8aFoIUODbFPoA8TcFc2MZvvVTKUugJhG9XJe-IaB-bM2jjYX84Sf5_NVG_37cGucXng1Jcmh9ucHaTB5jbFYtqcWDkEgx0u3bYsCDSvsjAwbB0g2kbYkxPB5oEuPXq15lVXsFoLo2wSljwVbkG5q84iV1K/s320/PXL_20231029_225202007.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">McFamily was staying at a hotel that had a kiddy pool...so, of course, the kids had a great time playing in there!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYLWzASJunOvn6nYr3B6ll4zSPwShgjYz9ToFdTe4Wt9VmvJmcGj3KNxds0igR4tubel3iJRw0HZuBDpHhzMI5hIJW4MeOBGiS_oG58p1xBkeDzcjOu6TtBMS3QcUuj0WzXZvm7sBAUAk-71U1_YsEFUrhK1-ruh0cPF6OXWL7b9VlakLNdbu/s4080/PXL_20231030_003913786.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYLWzASJunOvn6nYr3B6ll4zSPwShgjYz9ToFdTe4Wt9VmvJmcGj3KNxds0igR4tubel3iJRw0HZuBDpHhzMI5hIJW4MeOBGiS_oG58p1xBkeDzcjOu6TtBMS3QcUuj0WzXZvm7sBAUAk-71U1_YsEFUrhK1-ruh0cPF6OXWL7b9VlakLNdbu/s320/PXL_20231030_003913786.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When they got home on<b> Tuesday</b> it was Halloween! Their pumpkins were carved...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-hUccqrWC6eB2abbL4HEjTJZKDs-8jLMHCCuopDc-IhDfB_QGGAOcSqQRJ9JXygGRlaS3-CgIXiiY4gBZYgUWRxhCUljAkUrezh4_5UM8C2KmMTzOhx9-gp6RqnoyHo7G_qiobAYhfoV9AhpkVHZd_UMS8VnRjkWlIONnY2dEhaQRpNE1bM0/s1599/-7157349128522750238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1599" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-hUccqrWC6eB2abbL4HEjTJZKDs-8jLMHCCuopDc-IhDfB_QGGAOcSqQRJ9JXygGRlaS3-CgIXiiY4gBZYgUWRxhCUljAkUrezh4_5UM8C2KmMTzOhx9-gp6RqnoyHo7G_qiobAYhfoV9AhpkVHZd_UMS8VnRjkWlIONnY2dEhaQRpNE1bM0/s320/-7157349128522750238.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and the front yard got decorated. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FB5t3PHW3N5KbXgMQE1REI7n1oSvFkBr3yR6HFUXG9T2gbsNC1dJC4HgeekhM2wlb31w1xXgaCtP2mGfp32HS7swpZ3hkjNohIG2s1D6iMYvyaRhjDDy3Kkhgd734DOf0iKG2UxTXKM6q-19haAiEojJ2_34ZRIOQoM4I7szF3DydfhUPJTK/s4080/PXL_20231031_233313797.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FB5t3PHW3N5KbXgMQE1REI7n1oSvFkBr3yR6HFUXG9T2gbsNC1dJC4HgeekhM2wlb31w1xXgaCtP2mGfp32HS7swpZ3hkjNohIG2s1D6iMYvyaRhjDDy3Kkhgd734DOf0iKG2UxTXKM6q-19haAiEojJ2_34ZRIOQoM4I7szF3DydfhUPJTK/s320/PXL_20231031_233313797.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This year the boys were Creepers from the Minecraft game. (I had to ask because Gramma is in the dark about these things--lol!) <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGTVKXfpr1-GYxzWo1LuU6k5dgUx2OJQlhUV19zm0xz21HAr0UnrHR57BDZH9GxQMt2sWSe_SBAJEIHASytCSX-dMXxeqomEb4Jlv3TlGgZL28fwv0w1hbtgyo31PaNjclcj8h7h2uSGPIKMjyi3p17LRvJE1BsOY5p8D4_tAhL5jxX49yjwP/s4080/PXL_20231031_230033461.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGTVKXfpr1-GYxzWo1LuU6k5dgUx2OJQlhUV19zm0xz21HAr0UnrHR57BDZH9GxQMt2sWSe_SBAJEIHASytCSX-dMXxeqomEb4Jlv3TlGgZL28fwv0w1hbtgyo31PaNjclcj8h7h2uSGPIKMjyi3p17LRvJE1BsOY5p8D4_tAhL5jxX49yjwP/s320/PXL_20231031_230033461.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Apparently they creep up behind you and explode. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQbyWyaWA_Ysjqq0wK8K_NYIlLj5N2YDPWw1oiwbc24XN-oY_qnLpj6KsoxK1vY-zg4b0o5ud3e5LH43rS99OQ9GXN3DEJEYkXNxfektI1E53PSA2fgfv3KTgd9B8_YVyzcn1AO5IXC2wJ741bn7I2QfUeYQ-XHqb1jnCrDZr9a4vYTVLe45y/s4080/PXL_20231031_230245659.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQbyWyaWA_Ysjqq0wK8K_NYIlLj5N2YDPWw1oiwbc24XN-oY_qnLpj6KsoxK1vY-zg4b0o5ud3e5LH43rS99OQ9GXN3DEJEYkXNxfektI1E53PSA2fgfv3KTgd9B8_YVyzcn1AO5IXC2wJ741bn7I2QfUeYQ-XHqb1jnCrDZr9a4vYTVLe45y/s320/PXL_20231031_230245659.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This was in front of the neighbor's house. Liam did not like the mask part zipped up but Ian kept it closed the whole time. See the glow-rings they wear (neck, wrists, and ankles)?<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFm-51HpYBJBa0pIOE5RPcIeGkYfylWIIBNCZWz3dE3fLmKXjqZmejrjdorq730w1vEVLQMwNHf2yRCpm0sZc_f7Q0rjLVrV7_oS-4h6B9HUtTmbp6yp7jE9VP923X8_pcKBtd0zN6iI3OQaEogicQtGxN8U2gu577D6XBP_lCDIB_afAycFO/s4080/PXL_20231031_233904486.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFm-51HpYBJBa0pIOE5RPcIeGkYfylWIIBNCZWz3dE3fLmKXjqZmejrjdorq730w1vEVLQMwNHf2yRCpm0sZc_f7Q0rjLVrV7_oS-4h6B9HUtTmbp6yp7jE9VP923X8_pcKBtd0zN6iI3OQaEogicQtGxN8U2gu577D6XBP_lCDIB_afAycFO/s320/PXL_20231031_233904486.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Earlier Dagan had to bug Blink to make her wear one--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEguBWqXG4XXoRrhU81adV-FmVP8yf5PF2Goe-IPvAttqZypNJ55El_PaWfizTZdqgNTjdQQeJ3lSwV7Edm6Gdwf53y2jXBakLUHtnBaaYbn45KkqF3eic-WX9gnj94770N2RGO_YuPdfNOmHOCFZ45Ok7zJcXAaIV8Zu8xrz08xIaOMCh52A8/s4080/PXL_20231031_231700429.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEguBWqXG4XXoRrhU81adV-FmVP8yf5PF2Goe-IPvAttqZypNJ55El_PaWfizTZdqgNTjdQQeJ3lSwV7Edm6Gdwf53y2jXBakLUHtnBaaYbn45KkqF3eic-WX9gnj94770N2RGO_YuPdfNOmHOCFZ45Ok7zJcXAaIV8Zu8xrz08xIaOMCh52A8/s320/PXL_20231031_231700429.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Allie is in for it when we move--lol! Dagan likes to pester cats. But so far when he comes over Allie likes the attention from Dagan. She is one who kind of likes a little roughhousing. In the mornings she likes me to rub and scratch her all over with both hands while telling her good morning, for example. She likes a vigorous greeting in the morning--lol! She and Dagan will probably get along famously.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The boys home after trick or treating.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNg1zH1DSIDAL2YhcTpkFOGl_xNg12jSYFd2gR7HXPVKN9dwyDSptUKoPfYoLeCYKQ-yGaP2UHTKMVdm8_etUChK9Q__-TZE8aPrlEdBb4y1l8DeJDeZhxo8Da-zKQXGOwPeMqLQ9tzM7Zxds-JKvc7S45DCRBUQe9w5cEMkp4nMLFWM_2wCVF/s4080/PXL_20231101_003929546.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNg1zH1DSIDAL2YhcTpkFOGl_xNg12jSYFd2gR7HXPVKN9dwyDSptUKoPfYoLeCYKQ-yGaP2UHTKMVdm8_etUChK9Q__-TZE8aPrlEdBb4y1l8DeJDeZhxo8Da-zKQXGOwPeMqLQ9tzM7Zxds-JKvc7S45DCRBUQe9w5cEMkp4nMLFWM_2wCVF/s320/PXL_20231101_003929546.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They make their haul...and can pick out a few things to keep. The rest goes with Dagan to work to give away to everybody there--at least that is what they used to do and that hasn't changed as far as I know.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTA7ARdwpWzb7sNaqCc7Gg-EsAUZR8Kl7Uy66tSjmKFHwa-K89lUktBTWRjXwVCDPi9B6E-BJIKJxNn-v8u1jkVtm_rlVsxGQYR1mDTkpCPWiGfFR9htkX6oExYwKX4lf6HMOeQdubE0O1zlGrFBeA8sVIymkEECfk0TzHPnqiUYR9rJg6U1E/s4080/PXL_20231101_004050245.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTA7ARdwpWzb7sNaqCc7Gg-EsAUZR8Kl7Uy66tSjmKFHwa-K89lUktBTWRjXwVCDPi9B6E-BJIKJxNn-v8u1jkVtm_rlVsxGQYR1mDTkpCPWiGfFR9htkX6oExYwKX4lf6HMOeQdubE0O1zlGrFBeA8sVIymkEECfk0TzHPnqiUYR9rJg6U1E/s320/PXL_20231101_004050245.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Then they turn the lights off and the boys search for Keto candies hidden all over the house! <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlJMLxcbJTf-Hq1sFbWEeinWU5JH7z90XFwDXd1p9B9gfZpAkLqrmXDDzN3WzUwl9uVNhSROg1SGY_6bqW-d4ljLslTxbTRbsUiD33yg7f5X4xwjBOcLT00hMHTteY_KhxlBx-Cdvj_qAIuAbsrxX4nObGDENmNBMw_Gx5FnmO0Ngq4Bhzm-q/s4080/PXL_20231101_011935839.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlJMLxcbJTf-Hq1sFbWEeinWU5JH7z90XFwDXd1p9B9gfZpAkLqrmXDDzN3WzUwl9uVNhSROg1SGY_6bqW-d4ljLslTxbTRbsUiD33yg7f5X4xwjBOcLT00hMHTteY_KhxlBx-Cdvj_qAIuAbsrxX4nObGDENmNBMw_Gx5FnmO0Ngq4Bhzm-q/s320/PXL_20231101_011935839.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">That way they get the fun of going trick or treating but not all of the sugar. :)</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday </b>the boys started school and I did a video call with them on their way home.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Thursday</b> Keanna came to clean and <i>it was Dagan's birthday!</i> Hard to believe that he is 49 years old!! His choice was to go to Izumi's for dinner. It's a sushi restaurant and the boys also love sushi!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraX5YKshrk4Ig8PQ0qo5oPwmjP6Dj4DNrBxuBNZj7WnyhHT5nbwzxKr-7Zosz8-bAZvTqnpqgTvCAehbQOYV-9i8rBlPd2RGXKPbMsLebDQ5Na2Z45cs_8pXs_pN41hdJjw9FDJJd9Z1vmip0b8iVblDcjqAKmJj-wUGIPWCvoTsU21hY9Q3c/s4080/PXL_20231102_234115211.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraX5YKshrk4Ig8PQ0qo5oPwmjP6Dj4DNrBxuBNZj7WnyhHT5nbwzxKr-7Zosz8-bAZvTqnpqgTvCAehbQOYV-9i8rBlPd2RGXKPbMsLebDQ5Na2Z45cs_8pXs_pN41hdJjw9FDJJd9Z1vmip0b8iVblDcjqAKmJj-wUGIPWCvoTsU21hY9Q3c/s320/PXL_20231102_234115211.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You can't get me to eat raw fish, but those boys love sushi, too! So it was a special treat for everybody. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyS-zo_958WCtrU4WoZglxTT-CkmSLkbIzchHQa8g30fqj6EdrqK0IqT0FWHMDUYSGbXBIu4PsnRblvyctZyF0ASBegda3emZlMjgUfzQYWXJN7z6YaRn7A7LiJ1cPr6KtdP75_tYsuOCkxXyB-00U393P9V7WQf1sgbj6esJvMD1OhZ97G-s/s4080/PXL_20231102_234126348.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyS-zo_958WCtrU4WoZglxTT-CkmSLkbIzchHQa8g30fqj6EdrqK0IqT0FWHMDUYSGbXBIu4PsnRblvyctZyF0ASBegda3emZlMjgUfzQYWXJN7z6YaRn7A7LiJ1cPr6KtdP75_tYsuOCkxXyB-00U393P9V7WQf1sgbj6esJvMD1OhZ97G-s/s320/PXL_20231102_234126348.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Happy birthday, Dagan!</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Friday</b> Dagan and Leah came over after Dagan got home from work (his half day) and they worked at reorganizing my garage until it was time to pick up the boys from school. They got all the IKEA boxes stacked over on the pallets that Leah picked up for free. Then they came back here--with dinner (for me, too) from Wendy's--and took out the stuff I had ready for the garage before they left (clothes bins, etc). </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Saturday</b> I was pretty well shot after a busy week, but so glad to be getting caught up on my endless to-do list. I did make some stew in the crock pot and had gotten a few letters written this last week. Still am way behind, but things will slow down this coming week, I think. I hope. I definitely need some down time for some paper chats. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday</b> Leah dropped off some apples for me. I have been craving some nice crisp apples. Must be the time of year, eh? I thought she had forgotten, but she picked up a variety for me to try. :) </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The boys have school their first full week this coming week and Leah starts her new job on Tuesday.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I know I didn't explain much about the big shift of Leah working. Years ago they had planned for the boys to go to Montessori preschool and Leah to go back to work when they were both in public school full time. Covid kind of altered their plans big time. Ian tried public school online when everyone was confined to home but it didn't go well for him. So that was when they decided to homeschool. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The boys have been doing well with homeschooling and once the schools opened back up they decided to just continue with it. Liam has had speech problems all along and that might not have been easy to deal with in public school. You may remember when his front teeth were coming in they came in <i>completely </i>behind his baby teeth. Turns out his baby front teeth were so far forward and tilted outward that THAT has been why he has had speech problems. His new permanent front teeth came in where and how they were supposed to and he suddenly could talk quite a bit better! Now it is a matter of retraining his habits from the only teeth he ever knew--lol! He's been making a lot of positive progress! (And Gramma can understand him a lot of the time vs hardly ever--lol!)</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When this job fell in Leah's lap--and she would make enough they can send the boys to Montessori through 6th grade...Liam's speech is improving...and the Montessori way of teaching would fit more what the boys are used to now...it just seemed meant to be. Especially since Dagan works for a company that is beyond my comprehension, to be honest.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They are so good to their employees and so accommodating--it is just not something I have ever known...or Leah...or even Dagan for that matter. Leah can alter her hours so she can drop the boys off at school in the morning and work later. Dagan can leave and pick them up and work the rest of the day from home...if he isn't already working from home. They leave it up to him if he wants to work from home or come in. They know if he physically has to repair an actual computer he will be in, regardless. When covid was an issue they let him go in after hours when the office was closed whenever he needed to. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They have always been so great about him needing time off to go to Minneapolis for his heart checkups or surgeries. He does have to go out of town for a week a few times a year or work Saturdays sometimes, but he doesn't mind that at all. Whatever they need. Because they treat their employees so well.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I assumed I would have to get to my appointments on my own from now on and had looked up the senior bus system here in town right away to find out how much it costs now. (Haven't had to use it for about a decade since Leah insisted on bringing me to appointments--back when they were few and far between--lol!) But when I told Leah they had only gone up a dollar each way...she said--oh, no-no-no! Either Dagan or I will be able to leave work to take you to your appointments. Don't worry about it. We'll be taking you. ???? (But I do like knowing there is a backup with the senior bus system if needed.) </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Just amazing! No wonder people don't leave there--lol! I hope it will go as smoothly as they think it will. But it sounds like maybe Leah discussed these kind of issues at those interviews? She is so confident. (No wonder she said she could imagine working there until she retires!) </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, Ian is in third grade and Liam is in kindergarten. They have a few years till Ian would be going into 7th grade. Then he'd probably be switched over to public school. That's a ways off, though.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Will all these changes speed up the construction or slow it down further? I don't know. Can't get much slower--lol! They only worked one day in October. Whatever. That is out of my hands and Dagan and Leah can't do anything without Trent, either...and we can't afford to pay a company to build it...so if it takes a lot longer than originally planned...not much to be done about it, I guess. Allie and I are fine here. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">For myself, I just can't let myself get all excited about the move anymore, to be honest. Because then I get to feeling frustrated and disappointed that things are going so slowly. I could be here another year for all I know. So, I have put the P&P on hold for now. I'm just focusing on catching up on other tasks around here and doing things like getting the Christmas cards finished. Since I caught up on the other stuff this past week, now I can get back to extra stuff this week. Christmas cards are on top of the list. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am feeling decent and sleeping well (<i>at night!</i>), so I have gotten on top of the household stuff again--whoohoo! Ready to do some fun stuff--kind of basically through till New Year's and beyond to be honest. There's just no rush anymore. I especially want to work on cards...Christmas, birthday, just for fun cards. Use a lot of the goodies we got on sale when K&Krafts closed, you know? I want to have some time for more paper chatting, card making, and probably some types of art play. My spirits have really been a bit low and this is just what I need. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Honestly--any P&P I finish before I move can wait till spring--and it is not the end of the world if I don't even get around to it at all. I would just deal with the rst of the purging on the other end, right? I've been focusing on trying to feel better and get on a good sleep pattern again--and now here I am! And this lady definitely, absolutely, positively needs some playtime! ;)</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So that is my plan for the future. </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My word for the year was <b>relax</b>. I have reminded myself of that so many times--lol!</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Oh! Funny-funny-funny! In our weekly newsletter (sheet of paper they hang outside our door on Fridays), they warned that residents have reported smelling in the hallway and elevator that somebody is smoking illegal substances, and warned that this is a non-smoking complex--legal or illegal. So...some senior or seniors have been smoking grass or hashish or something in the complex--lol! And we also have some seniors who <i>know what that smells like</i>. Interesting! Can't say it is always dull in a senior complex, eh? Maybe they're even having MaryJane parties, for all we know. ROFL! Cracks me up! </span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Oh, and I am most thoroughly impressed with the natural antibiotic qualities of the oil of oregano!! It was amazing! Leah and I are both going to keep some on hand for anything that might need antibiotics. It worked fantastically for me! I'd never heard of using oil of oregano as a natural antibiotic before. Shall not forget it in future, that's for sure.</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">Okay--that's about it for this week.</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">May you all have a wonderful, <i>relaxing</i></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"> week--LOL! Till next time, my friends. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">*love and hugs </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">from Fargo* </span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></div></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-68143455520319045602023-10-30T05:00:00.002-05:002023-10-30T11:12:10.459-05:00October 30, 2023 Monday--11am<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Good morning! (<b>Big news at the end.</b>)</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I just stayed put, drank a lot of water, and cuddled up with Allie on <b>Monday</b>. I never did call again on the breaker--but to my surprise, Gerald showed up at the end of his day about 4:30pm. AND--of course--the overhead lights in the pantry and hallway did not trip the breaker! They all worked!?? I was baffled. But--Gerald believed me and decided to change the breaker regardless. No issues since.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah dropped me off some oil of oregano on <b>Monday</b>. She knows how hard antibiotics are on my system, I did not want to go in to the clinic unless I got worse, and the oil of oregano is supposed to be the best natural thing for UTIs. So I have been taking 3-4 of the caplets every day. Was sick--but no worse till Wednesday. That night I had bad diarrhea and the temp was back up to 101...but after that the fever basically broke I've been feeling better than I did. Since then, I might run a low temp in the evenings (99.4), but no temp all day. Just tired. But nothing like where I was dozing off for 5-10 minutes here and there all day, taking naps, and still sleeping 8-10 hours at night before Wednesday. So I have felt on the mend now.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah and the boys dropped off some groceries on <b>Tuesday.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday</b> Leah dropped off some pre-made foods for me.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Thursday</b> she and the boys dropped off some cat food for Miss Allie before their trip and the boys went down to check my mail for me, too. :) Leah even said I looked better and perkier than I had been.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Friday</b> morning woke up to this.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwn96dCin2qML9egqNM7r3viP4sxbdlamwlc4rTp-0vLDE3enyb6RYkr5sbjqNcXHHHWGZnaLlR9mbGIyY64vvVRJRPL13hiYAdl0H1Ut-R5HpQVzVgLRPkKyY0ixPdMWOlPPML4EdqJor469oXHctzuh0IhF07bxGa9Rcz8IpP1Nz2HvlnAIn/s4080/PXL_20231027_150723131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwn96dCin2qML9egqNM7r3viP4sxbdlamwlc4rTp-0vLDE3enyb6RYkr5sbjqNcXHHHWGZnaLlR9mbGIyY64vvVRJRPL13hiYAdl0H1Ut-R5HpQVzVgLRPkKyY0ixPdMWOlPPML4EdqJor469oXHctzuh0IhF07bxGa9Rcz8IpP1Nz2HvlnAIn/s320/PXL_20231027_150723131.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsn5zqP6WisNYxQmL3bPTeaa30UWN6XsoMzi43aXCu0EB4_9HlvoUIYKedlEp6YM0rx1VpOteRAlDxYcLmwiJexBQrZPEAKQ7ezCrKfOJU9rD1eTEqArHalKkiV94RRxI1nocI9OWioBdZUv_7rOBW94r3OJZ-WyvzsZdnSxPLI4BsM9sKMnC/s4080/PXL_20231027_150727528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsn5zqP6WisNYxQmL3bPTeaa30UWN6XsoMzi43aXCu0EB4_9HlvoUIYKedlEp6YM0rx1VpOteRAlDxYcLmwiJexBQrZPEAKQ7ezCrKfOJU9rD1eTEqArHalKkiV94RRxI1nocI9OWioBdZUv_7rOBW94r3OJZ-WyvzsZdnSxPLI4BsM9sKMnC/s320/PXL_20231027_150727528.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Very pretty! That little bit of snow has never totally left. Too cold to melt away, really.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJK7x9pimWqwFKTSi5xmkSBFFSbE6rN0da-FKHwRUT4pPNTJFLU-lXQFeHTqSWup_wbq-Wew-h2bfxj-tsK-tTxGQLgnQloOXREz6Yqso95QTiLXcFNDC420IwfeAMvUX3rPuuOpW9YFM8_x44fO0nDD8irZWdR0hLd3nNn8ZfLaU7XV7YKcC/s4080/PXL_20231027_150920212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJK7x9pimWqwFKTSi5xmkSBFFSbE6rN0da-FKHwRUT4pPNTJFLU-lXQFeHTqSWup_wbq-Wew-h2bfxj-tsK-tTxGQLgnQloOXREz6Yqso95QTiLXcFNDC420IwfeAMvUX3rPuuOpW9YFM8_x44fO0nDD8irZWdR0hLd3nNn8ZfLaU7XV7YKcC/s320/PXL_20231027_150920212.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As you can see, as soon as I put out food and shut the door there were flocks of small birds at the Critter Cafe.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQBhidgohhGom3jm8v79rNhawpEOaRdgfpwjz9e4fc9OScfbzT0IYFE-MlXQjyYpwyXhMjUvYBoeUIenKr__Zao1fVn-nFKlnUzMmeAmv1bwkIfE-MDSxd0pgHhK1nf_F8SdHsY_zP2-j3tR0rXDBbBrgMADQQ_HCpORP5hg3Nt-pAgUURUUh/s4080/PXL_20231027_151704097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQBhidgohhGom3jm8v79rNhawpEOaRdgfpwjz9e4fc9OScfbzT0IYFE-MlXQjyYpwyXhMjUvYBoeUIenKr__Zao1fVn-nFKlnUzMmeAmv1bwkIfE-MDSxd0pgHhK1nf_F8SdHsY_zP2-j3tR0rXDBbBrgMADQQ_HCpORP5hg3Nt-pAgUURUUh/s320/PXL_20231027_151704097.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I figured it was time to switch to that last shower curtain--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PXIi9psZpL5NeoSmPEuPe62W24IFNyenA9dRomV6PGmq-ybPPqX5PK2w9gc0B_qASB9bZyOPDDNBD7xswQSxHj1hyphenhyphen4EPMvC241fJgx-Ej3fkBy4mphuNzrtldHa4CXVUMD4PfDLeA2ORRG3P7H1zv0aubi3-qcdSHZzlwqZGMzkToG3lk0bO/s4080/PXL_20231027_234403179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PXIi9psZpL5NeoSmPEuPe62W24IFNyenA9dRomV6PGmq-ybPPqX5PK2w9gc0B_qASB9bZyOPDDNBD7xswQSxHj1hyphenhyphen4EPMvC241fJgx-Ej3fkBy4mphuNzrtldHa4CXVUMD4PfDLeA2ORRG3P7H1zv0aubi3-qcdSHZzlwqZGMzkToG3lk0bO/s320/PXL_20231027_234403179.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It is very pretty! You're looking at a small clear pathway through a tall snowy forest where there is a light beyond...</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOgC_zE6Vh25nTO7pMqIj5nAtW557senxXp1juRUSUhxXz7gdXkAX5xJV0U-pKYgb70CEow7P4faVgkXFVY4Yu4l_edr-eR-oPxnrLuLwpgFK9JG4vAZ08106fJ66zNg9Oxk6UiPBcFWCVB4FtpwWY0pCLrS2d6LFQMmFQq92fX9BAVYZEuc-/s4080/PXL_20231029_222156393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOgC_zE6Vh25nTO7pMqIj5nAtW557senxXp1juRUSUhxXz7gdXkAX5xJV0U-pKYgb70CEow7P4faVgkXFVY4Yu4l_edr-eR-oPxnrLuLwpgFK9JG4vAZ08106fJ66zNg9Oxk6UiPBcFWCVB4FtpwWY0pCLrS2d6LFQMmFQq92fX9BAVYZEuc-/s320/PXL_20231029_222156393.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> ...and light above.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYXB8A_3on6gKamr_Ioq8jMdsY4AuRquUe_xZYVSiarkXvFsFNhiaPIkz6ScYiqGdI0gPf_0Te-GT1tKX2SIso-VDvMQuO-ABI0fSIXtZ_b75QkjEnpzsEP8m-GaAcV6dSkS9bbpb7JGGrWFwzSxuz2aFFudZE10C1D_vCLE7Kf-FAQoy7H_y/s4080/PXL_20231029_222203490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYXB8A_3on6gKamr_Ioq8jMdsY4AuRquUe_xZYVSiarkXvFsFNhiaPIkz6ScYiqGdI0gPf_0Te-GT1tKX2SIso-VDvMQuO-ABI0fSIXtZ_b75QkjEnpzsEP8m-GaAcV6dSkS9bbpb7JGGrWFwzSxuz2aFFudZE10C1D_vCLE7Kf-FAQoy7H_y/s320/PXL_20231029_222203490.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It's how I feel in the forest. Safe, small, and quite appropriately awed. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">On <b>Friday</b> McFamily left for Warroad, Minnesota (up by Canadian border) for a visit with Dagan's half-brother and his family and a birthday for his little niece who is just five, I believe. They did hit some snowy roads and took it slowly. Each of the boys picked out a present for Evie. They'll be driving home on Tuesday.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, I have been just on R&R. Other than doing laundry and dishes, been taking it really easy and just glad I am feeling better and better. I see the partridges several times a day, too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9J_kL4UxY7VzMBI9qih-ojwDKeW7ZAepUg8rUOYkR5dXGCHNgANuVK4EGqIv_4vaekGjiIgnSpjr93Gq4avMSQcTpNHdhezcTtrTGWRZsz09hJGOQ4Y497updICFKVMOfcrJnQqzgpClk9wAGzN0os6YYxR0hXXPiSCOm4IfbWMKRZLdb2Wzt/s4080/PXL_20231028_133739148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9J_kL4UxY7VzMBI9qih-ojwDKeW7ZAepUg8rUOYkR5dXGCHNgANuVK4EGqIv_4vaekGjiIgnSpjr93Gq4avMSQcTpNHdhezcTtrTGWRZsz09hJGOQ4Y497updICFKVMOfcrJnQqzgpClk9wAGzN0os6YYxR0hXXPiSCOm4IfbWMKRZLdb2Wzt/s320/PXL_20231028_133739148.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjPsolJx6cZcPW9eUUY9tFTteZfSCn3rgiSGA0jzfI8eudIXZ4AvhfzcF2dTkWg379o3IVXPtZ_zdxJ087kGVbOhNqrfwRi_FJhHyRO94cqOcQtNROHEun0AczF3KAz4ny86z2_6rDEBmrirjx-_A3Q-FGiG2Uh5TeMfnNp43BtTDyieXxKzJ/s4080/PXL_20231028_133820161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjPsolJx6cZcPW9eUUY9tFTteZfSCn3rgiSGA0jzfI8eudIXZ4AvhfzcF2dTkWg379o3IVXPtZ_zdxJ087kGVbOhNqrfwRi_FJhHyRO94cqOcQtNROHEun0AczF3KAz4ny86z2_6rDEBmrirjx-_A3Q-FGiG2Uh5TeMfnNp43BtTDyieXxKzJ/s320/PXL_20231028_133820161.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I watched all the seasons of Rebus on BritBox, a complex Norwegian serial killer murder mystery on Netflix called The Snowman, an odd assortment of historical documentaries on YouTube (ancient Egypt, life in Medieval England, and witch trials), a few movies, and my usual YouTube vloggers.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Even by today the snow isn't gone. Although by my patio all the grass has been pecked and trampled free of snow by the partridges--lol! Allie has really been keeping an eye on all the activity. Seems to calm her to watch her CatTV.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrot0xHY5BjLUNDtZ4AB4M4_PTw8Zet9RfOM2FxU9yCe71HzNl5maEDcTOcE1YR6ryqATB8-eeR15r7c67qPLT7Oeci5utTriZP_gnVENejjxgT5l6P0730LWTgaltpNnfvoYQPLrjeanmQoZfqOr7PVaWwIuhWzPMXgkrsh21g6yQpQsjL0B/s4080/PXL_20231029_151522394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrot0xHY5BjLUNDtZ4AB4M4_PTw8Zet9RfOM2FxU9yCe71HzNl5maEDcTOcE1YR6ryqATB8-eeR15r7c67qPLT7Oeci5utTriZP_gnVENejjxgT5l6P0730LWTgaltpNnfvoYQPLrjeanmQoZfqOr7PVaWwIuhWzPMXgkrsh21g6yQpQsjL0B/s320/PXL_20231029_151522394.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The flowers fought bravely for the first day or two of the freezing weather, but they are all goners now.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnCFSg76s3GpycO9oiFlGQWGlnJF8Gc_J8m0jK1kqIUtiUFrAmtvWK4pINbaKXmcfcMPghZ6ceg3uVyGAo1RtmsdpsLBBeuYS8527ob-vJBlGW6Z0xH7lvoO7GjUwf7JTcOwHdKHr3nptc2L-S1XQorrkoAPFcUkEbeJfo363x6Q7tBOX1Tu0/s4080/PXL_20231029_151540054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnCFSg76s3GpycO9oiFlGQWGlnJF8Gc_J8m0jK1kqIUtiUFrAmtvWK4pINbaKXmcfcMPghZ6ceg3uVyGAo1RtmsdpsLBBeuYS8527ob-vJBlGW6Z0xH7lvoO7GjUwf7JTcOwHdKHr3nptc2L-S1XQorrkoAPFcUkEbeJfo363x6Q7tBOX1Tu0/s320/PXL_20231029_151540054.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have missed these guys and gals. But today there has only been five.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEArFMcuUf2kHoLhWm3ocxwH-cxaBGJRA2CP1bwxjVJWiM-yt__YIPH3PioXEXiO-rio-S1IqTHfR8ahzhaSmt1z000YV2mo4JL9Rh15O5MB0GDfT0EUpUJwSks973vsPB8otnIWZ7YrH6DDSdzxzUEAn3PHHfZxxDNHAMGu39eEc2B-bF8-P5/s4080/PXL_20231029_172636073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEArFMcuUf2kHoLhWm3ocxwH-cxaBGJRA2CP1bwxjVJWiM-yt__YIPH3PioXEXiO-rio-S1IqTHfR8ahzhaSmt1z000YV2mo4JL9Rh15O5MB0GDfT0EUpUJwSks973vsPB8otnIWZ7YrH6DDSdzxzUEAn3PHHfZxxDNHAMGu39eEc2B-bF8-P5/s320/PXL_20231029_172636073.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And I didn't see anyone limping or hopping. ?? <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpBs-6x3G-UJwv1bUxgLsPzlAgwOtOP2o3x3gQzaOM4LU180HBFDkhGxSx5JhhP5T00R_Bu9_lSka7AaYPdxRE-wdShSOlrzEe2NkOYPy9yWByl3W9P6faqqeBP8i1Z-ATe3whfDbc58y5M2rq2rlecuVJ0VWP6Lg97jPhVVJdReGFpU-4JmG/s4080/PXL_20231029_172712683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpBs-6x3G-UJwv1bUxgLsPzlAgwOtOP2o3x3gQzaOM4LU180HBFDkhGxSx5JhhP5T00R_Bu9_lSka7AaYPdxRE-wdShSOlrzEe2NkOYPy9yWByl3W9P6faqqeBP8i1Z-ATe3whfDbc58y5M2rq2rlecuVJ0VWP6Lg97jPhVVJdReGFpU-4JmG/s320/PXL_20231029_172712683.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Could be another covey, but it could mean those two injured birds have given up the trip into town? Best case scenario, of course.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23kdh9yvWzTOUL5H9jFRIp4srY-tTuX1kr-7lIWmD05StSGoPmOFzzpiNTJrGj2RdpLLGySwPpxQ2MOFJ7jIfaZhiqlBN892zSMqHdAxa3gNQSQWdFXwo6VybZhjDAecbCq7N5x6Vb3nZ-pHQ_gR2czkeX_D08QNuC0JXc2LJDyoirD2UMLrq/s4080/PXL_20231029_173106070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23kdh9yvWzTOUL5H9jFRIp4srY-tTuX1kr-7lIWmD05StSGoPmOFzzpiNTJrGj2RdpLLGySwPpxQ2MOFJ7jIfaZhiqlBN892zSMqHdAxa3gNQSQWdFXwo6VybZhjDAecbCq7N5x6Vb3nZ-pHQ_gR2czkeX_D08QNuC0JXc2LJDyoirD2UMLrq/s320/PXL_20231029_173106070.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They do often hang about nearby now that it is cold enough that humans are rarely ever using the sidewalk.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWfmM6iK70pzRy7tUf2ZxpKjwSNu44-hQTi_VjPnd943z3vNDHoLIcgLBNuFMBeFUnZIGqvvNoAZX7PjtRrkt632RVo7Ju8t4rtR6RtO8fF-NSnCC5FmLffYvPOdbxgKxb_uoHSROgVLwWNDIGjeHObuwQCfz3SKo4CNzlZrwhc3cIKrFhbPC/s4080/PXL_20231029_174740358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWfmM6iK70pzRy7tUf2ZxpKjwSNu44-hQTi_VjPnd943z3vNDHoLIcgLBNuFMBeFUnZIGqvvNoAZX7PjtRrkt632RVo7Ju8t4rtR6RtO8fF-NSnCC5FmLffYvPOdbxgKxb_uoHSROgVLwWNDIGjeHObuwQCfz3SKo4CNzlZrwhc3cIKrFhbPC/s320/PXL_20231029_174740358.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When the snow and freezing weather arrives it gets very quiet on the backside of our buildings without the runners, skateboarders, roller-skaters, joggers, bicyclists, walkers, and dog walkers. They can hang around and relax. I love to see them all calm and just chillin' nearby. :) Winter is here!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZiuMgq3Lk23fWAYtTqKxVtqS8QRFjrN0gip5Qpa8SAuEk148rrCKV9TrCqxahpAzyBE5pEq46ectm0SFJ1-61PBA_vKSE7PhyUuKnkQRfersKFuJ1QbUKqDsfoQIGuNkfvtZhuIlxPk3XqsgzCjw80HXrUsUmJ7NiQseO9hTQBr86-h-8ImQ/s4080/PXL_20231029_174716899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZiuMgq3Lk23fWAYtTqKxVtqS8QRFjrN0gip5Qpa8SAuEk148rrCKV9TrCqxahpAzyBE5pEq46ectm0SFJ1-61PBA_vKSE7PhyUuKnkQRfersKFuJ1QbUKqDsfoQIGuNkfvtZhuIlxPk3XqsgzCjw80HXrUsUmJ7NiQseO9hTQBr86-h-8ImQ/s320/PXL_20231029_174716899.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We can't forget Miss Allie.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LGrCKkp1LmdzrMw3vIvLHqaDkxL8z-qDnH74uDChOUI4jhJ_zK3piL-UOa6yBbFItw0YpZj9OO79xGkLVW5Zv35FaQ0FFSO29gTlkRkQMrW8St9IAdgkoBW6VzGhEePzHlZnrbxqlUnIt-unvX48KUJpZA2DeV5jgr44h9-8KDfzVzVuBOGl/s4080/PXL_20231029_212018266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LGrCKkp1LmdzrMw3vIvLHqaDkxL8z-qDnH74uDChOUI4jhJ_zK3piL-UOa6yBbFItw0YpZj9OO79xGkLVW5Zv35FaQ0FFSO29gTlkRkQMrW8St9IAdgkoBW6VzGhEePzHlZnrbxqlUnIt-unvX48KUJpZA2DeV5jgr44h9-8KDfzVzVuBOGl/s320/PXL_20231029_212018266.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Like most cats, when it gets cold out they get even cuddlier--lol! <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbQNxm2e5-tCagCPqZCnMThqs5EqKHvF7t3IZ6DH5Vkx3zEhuPlQYHIGuJniSJeW7-bOthtLtHoSzGDpwViyNhf_Jo95owF6TSMflVySDesA5J3z_Egk9bJkG12GVVLJSR_vf4fTG6nvZvlVis-wT8BbQLP3S16gWiGMVxmkWp7utaecuHB1Q/s4080/PXL_20231029_212108691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbQNxm2e5-tCagCPqZCnMThqs5EqKHvF7t3IZ6DH5Vkx3zEhuPlQYHIGuJniSJeW7-bOthtLtHoSzGDpwViyNhf_Jo95owF6TSMflVySDesA5J3z_Egk9bJkG12GVVLJSR_vf4fTG6nvZvlVis-wT8BbQLP3S16gWiGMVxmkWp7utaecuHB1Q/s320/PXL_20231029_212108691.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We are their human hot water bottles! LOL!</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, Keanna comes on Tuesday to clean. McFamily will be driving home on Tuesday. </span></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Beginning this coming week our lives will be changing BIG TIME! </span></b></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I couldn't say until it was a known fact...but <b>Leah got a job where Dagan and Trent work!</b> She'll be doing basically what she used to do over a decade ago before Ian came into this world--lol! All this wasn't totally planned but was one of those opportunities that fell in their lap. They'd been looking for someone for over five months to fill this position. And it just so happened they were looking for someone with Leah's particular skillset!</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Long story short--Leah applied and got called in for interviews a couple weeks ago. She had back-to-back interviews--four of them--with two people at once in one of those interviews. She stopped here afterwards. You know how you don't want to jinx things--but Leah really liked it there and liked all the people (we already know how good they have been to Dagan)--and she could imagine being happy working there. It is a type of job she is quite familiar with and she'd get paid well so that the boys can go to Montessori. (None of us wanted them in public school right now...Montessori goes through 6th grade, anyways...will have to figure what comes next for them at that point.)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Both Dagan and I thought she'd get this job right from the get-go! Just has seemed meant to be--period. :)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The boys were over to visit at the Montessori School this past Thursday. Ian used to go there for preschool before Covid. Liam was too little to have gone back then, but he loved the visit last Thursday. The boys are starting school on Wednesday and they both sound really excited. Leah starts her new job the following Tuesday on the 7th of November. <b> Big changes for McFamily!! </b></span></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So that is what's happening up here. The little news and the big news...you are basically all caught up. They predict more snow today. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I do love the snow but having snow before Halloween never used to happen when I was young. It was rare we ever even needed to wear sweaters or jackets or long underwear or anything like that under our costumes. There was a rare cold or chilly Halloween--but I do not remember snow. Ever.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">I do remember the huge record-breaking Halloween blizzard in Minneapolis (we had another blizzard that wasn't as bad on </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Thanksgiving</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">that very same year) in the very early 90s. Was over two-feet of snow, if I recall. Was it 1991? Anyone remember? Buried my car--roof and all. Every inch of it. Seems anything has become possible these last few decades, though--lol!</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, not a blizzard coming. Just a little snow. 50% chance of it getting here. I'm one of the few who would love to see some soft big floaty flakes. Such a rarity up here in windy country. One can dream. ;) Till next week, my friend</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">s...</span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-13335208826974981232023-10-22T18:01:00.000-05:002023-10-22T18:01:39.021-05:00October 23, 2023 Sunday--6pm<p><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> Hello and happy Monday!</span></p><p><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Not that it is the happiest of Mondays for me. I think I may have a bladder infection. Been endlessly running to the bathroom to pee and have had a temp of up to 101 degrees on Saturday. Feel a bit better now on Sunday but still have a temp of about 100. Writing this early in case I have to go to the walk-in clinic Monday. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB2N7_RAErs61EHu7GL4kdlqhpfaJ4jZITUt1UH9nzsi3CGotmDgR7ac05SBlHWqWEsV3Dq4G6HpPzmDhPwPkndFGPDn2Rul39IYGuLd0e8V8XTvd8dEy7BDqA59AxxudQkIvBT4kRi4YT1frkzkfHmB8v7iamYC765vjrqv_Rj4SSjBgTZFn/s4080/PXL_20231016_211340040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB2N7_RAErs61EHu7GL4kdlqhpfaJ4jZITUt1UH9nzsi3CGotmDgR7ac05SBlHWqWEsV3Dq4G6HpPzmDhPwPkndFGPDn2Rul39IYGuLd0e8V8XTvd8dEy7BDqA59AxxudQkIvBT4kRi4YT1frkzkfHmB8v7iamYC765vjrqv_Rj4SSjBgTZFn/s320/PXL_20231016_211340040.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I worked this week on<i> finally</i> switching over the winter clothes. I'm probably 3/4 done but then haven't felt good for a few days and I didn't get any farther. Same with the Christmas cards. I got all set up and taped maybe 15-20 more of the inside panels...but that was as far as I got. (Was watching Quirke on BritBox.) </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjDFyAdaB39dXq74qstcYd2WpjkWuhpXO90ICtmH2WdSiIy5kTvOgMGhLuPo7BVbG5CG5e2EftFfQZEoPTCsnSL5gzxw6hroY2KiIePQ03GXst1xHiSwqdo-aXnHnXKE_HlBu6aaIsebuA32UOxYzMQIr8bGxPa7kqeIar2Q2MnzeC4DTVZdm/s4080/PXL_20231020_032633892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjDFyAdaB39dXq74qstcYd2WpjkWuhpXO90ICtmH2WdSiIy5kTvOgMGhLuPo7BVbG5CG5e2EftFfQZEoPTCsnSL5gzxw6hroY2KiIePQ03GXst1xHiSwqdo-aXnHnXKE_HlBu6aaIsebuA32UOxYzMQIr8bGxPa7kqeIar2Q2MnzeC4DTVZdm/s320/PXL_20231020_032633892.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Oh, and Connie was right! That silly wooden rabbit holds my cell phone just fine--lol! I am using it for now. :)</span><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So very happy to see partridges here and there this week. Anywhere from eight to two at a time. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXI41mHrYj0UEMqad48SwU4547p2Pi30uUNvFQRcKuIm4AKD0xAxgVTwEFoqvg_MZbDfjTBTvGrQXkiaZwsJhb8cU27Zzy_sGZrImG_VBbT_X7mSTZRqrmvAfbBQpX2hqc4sIwiB8cbf-N1k30REca7b33aIFcgRSRwzVGS6ka4m1Xj_3bZF8/s4080/PXL_20231020_204732432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXI41mHrYj0UEMqad48SwU4547p2Pi30uUNvFQRcKuIm4AKD0xAxgVTwEFoqvg_MZbDfjTBTvGrQXkiaZwsJhb8cU27Zzy_sGZrImG_VBbT_X7mSTZRqrmvAfbBQpX2hqc4sIwiB8cbf-N1k30REca7b33aIFcgRSRwzVGS6ka4m1Xj_3bZF8/s320/PXL_20231020_204732432.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZpbiPDE8J3i9q6bJ3varOivLMa0G-YLPGQRjb4YlmQmzCxMBQqiq2toKF4AJXj5gc4j60POpeQBYyvlj3AEwEZCkX9h_slW3PXTKAojpsmFGBJ37o5CZ5lgz25dVPR1iBcRyxFvFq-64d9xP2KfH1w75lw5t6FrvarkRhwoGRxSIPhIuJsPU/s4080/PXL_20231020_225152339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZpbiPDE8J3i9q6bJ3varOivLMa0G-YLPGQRjb4YlmQmzCxMBQqiq2toKF4AJXj5gc4j60POpeQBYyvlj3AEwEZCkX9h_slW3PXTKAojpsmFGBJ37o5CZ5lgz25dVPR1iBcRyxFvFq-64d9xP2KfH1w75lw5t6FrvarkRhwoGRxSIPhIuJsPU/s320/PXL_20231020_225152339.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The two crippled birds are still doing okay.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxz83Qz-2FOaOLIWNDWxx2sO4WQHtSpZ6Ej-pL4TxijeWOenvp7xSMOS0aqo7UvmbtqLjVE_hwDV9yUP4pC39w3sB7QcRhMZFlQJ3qeSSv4PnNtflUl7fawBFPOZDOXrc-Vh7D3pCr2QBQiqgWeNjlid12fTE9qKghiM7Bh6uBiGuesuE1YOg/s4080/PXL_20231020_225221161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxz83Qz-2FOaOLIWNDWxx2sO4WQHtSpZ6Ej-pL4TxijeWOenvp7xSMOS0aqo7UvmbtqLjVE_hwDV9yUP4pC39w3sB7QcRhMZFlQJ3qeSSv4PnNtflUl7fawBFPOZDOXrc-Vh7D3pCr2QBQiqgWeNjlid12fTE9qKghiM7Bh6uBiGuesuE1YOg/s320/PXL_20231020_225221161.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncAolrBY0XmW_iRjQOKnUIxvPd54buua0PY5T3MX82nRBsdBYw4x89bT9rY6U5F6HgEOxiRpbmA4b8LuwnQ0fD6knt2llzUsVFzPavZg5B81y_Tq_g52d-ghNwyYGLGI0B6Y3wThKCefiAMNtuofcRlvjDc0u1kidHXgU0au36mpvyTrKOrEV/s4080/PXL_20231022_183808406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncAolrBY0XmW_iRjQOKnUIxvPd54buua0PY5T3MX82nRBsdBYw4x89bT9rY6U5F6HgEOxiRpbmA4b8LuwnQ0fD6knt2llzUsVFzPavZg5B81y_Tq_g52d-ghNwyYGLGI0B6Y3wThKCefiAMNtuofcRlvjDc0u1kidHXgU0au36mpvyTrKOrEV/s320/PXL_20231022_183808406.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Leah texted me Saturday that the pallets are all in the garage...but they probably wouldn't be over to reorganize until after Halloween.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeSRSUyJ-LiWdKYDgjJIGiyMIGAqoMmVVtSWvsFpKZETLpC8hDFmS7LIoMTlsLTs5Lu9NKO1OU7rik9aqaB2mN4fgSag6BO-TdB_y_U8tN6abOSYr05LGgFWVhPAbRqhGGpTJ9QcTrpjBbtSnVBDjuAFKwaIyAtBLJ-HxpzKhpjUacsm_cnma/s1599/-1144044218258915063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1599" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeSRSUyJ-LiWdKYDgjJIGiyMIGAqoMmVVtSWvsFpKZETLpC8hDFmS7LIoMTlsLTs5Lu9NKO1OU7rik9aqaB2mN4fgSag6BO-TdB_y_U8tN6abOSYr05LGgFWVhPAbRqhGGpTJ9QcTrpjBbtSnVBDjuAFKwaIyAtBLJ-HxpzKhpjUacsm_cnma/s320/-1144044218258915063.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I called again last Monday to get the breaker box fixed/have them find out why my electricity is going bonkers. No Gerald all week. I am not sure he is even getting the work orders as there have been complaints about this new "hub" telephone system not forwarding messages. I need to call again, but I might not until I feel better. </span></p><p><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So that is it for this week. Hopefully will feel much better by next week. Till then, my friends. :) :) </span></p></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-11635955018309720122023-10-16T02:52:00.000-05:002023-10-16T02:52:08.451-05:00October 16, 2023 Monday--2:45am<p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> A very good early morning to you!</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cloudy days. Sunny days. Windy days. Rainy days. All of them chilly--lol!</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpC7yug4A4LSpw3zO7w_rA40gI6uG5d7qUZsXlKuhU9WIHpFgDOtCRHHlixCcWbNoxIO_2dVdnK1h-c_ATox2ms-M3M3B_6Brv1LC6FZW4mUjlyPAuM8zLtZJEKXl62ket1rWuLJIpPstVYwtEZYyN3TPP_TnHftvhs9tBgqPfZFJW8ToMcpuY/s4080/PXL_20231009_175916682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpC7yug4A4LSpw3zO7w_rA40gI6uG5d7qUZsXlKuhU9WIHpFgDOtCRHHlixCcWbNoxIO_2dVdnK1h-c_ATox2ms-M3M3B_6Brv1LC6FZW4mUjlyPAuM8zLtZJEKXl62ket1rWuLJIpPstVYwtEZYyN3TPP_TnHftvhs9tBgqPfZFJW8ToMcpuY/s320/PXL_20231009_175916682.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The petunias have survived the freeze and frost warnings so far, but they are looking a bit more peaked and saggy than they used to.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hoK5UlIK7c-U2dX2mkE30zwQ3cLUoz9q4MRarRu6eUDDGfworeuhjAdpDZTBDPEBn4Ap1_Wrds1179awNNdQEXFJemomuJzzqv4j9Gj6KK65M3oVJA3ah66C_RWrKEL9ttX63HrHZ5ausTd270WCtTa1RX1QP-mXgLTrLhiNwiWhMrKL1IVy/s4080/PXL_20231011_233419757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hoK5UlIK7c-U2dX2mkE30zwQ3cLUoz9q4MRarRu6eUDDGfworeuhjAdpDZTBDPEBn4Ap1_Wrds1179awNNdQEXFJemomuJzzqv4j9Gj6KK65M3oVJA3ah66C_RWrKEL9ttX63HrHZ5ausTd270WCtTa1RX1QP-mXgLTrLhiNwiWhMrKL1IVy/s320/PXL_20231011_233419757.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Under the weather would be more literal--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHN2VS8pH3m6RVhTG2BdsErCEPalnuzOUQ5B00MOFRrn4tI3QKNhfkJcyyoFKETtXpJTt_5s5fa-Ykr7C_Q6HILivcADAjzDr8YPSkWuiaDMgbCqSx3a4YXTGSq93k88iogo-1yR9j9gTrBRI-Uu1ARFOAn67Sof3nT9NW8zWQ9aM1SxW3dyA/s4080/PXL_20231011_233423877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHN2VS8pH3m6RVhTG2BdsErCEPalnuzOUQ5B00MOFRrn4tI3QKNhfkJcyyoFKETtXpJTt_5s5fa-Ykr7C_Q6HILivcADAjzDr8YPSkWuiaDMgbCqSx3a4YXTGSq93k88iogo-1yR9j9gTrBRI-Uu1ARFOAn67Sof3nT9NW8zWQ9aM1SxW3dyA/s320/PXL_20231011_233423877.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I figured it was time for the falling leaves shower curtain to go up.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTZxyq_XMsT_sjlvAyoqMWIUyL1a2p1QIKO3X6IQNZTdW5R56GAkbWQ4IVqKtBjvOvgGrXcx7uE2jyud-mgaIA1qtxS1XE6-dLiiBp40kRquWmEXUbZeWttj1D-JKSA59YBJC4RqPiDfzFCc6FTqaJNKgabny_6md6D-fljixYKkX-Z0cRYMQ/s4080/PXL_20231012_185717949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTZxyq_XMsT_sjlvAyoqMWIUyL1a2p1QIKO3X6IQNZTdW5R56GAkbWQ4IVqKtBjvOvgGrXcx7uE2jyud-mgaIA1qtxS1XE6-dLiiBp40kRquWmEXUbZeWttj1D-JKSA59YBJC4RqPiDfzFCc6FTqaJNKgabny_6md6D-fljixYKkX-Z0cRYMQ/s320/PXL_20231012_185717949.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At the rate we're going I'll be hanging the one with the snowy trees sooner than I thought--lol!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPvLV6ouEweRWNzlDvOpQHW_rERV5CznkybyrUQEQyfvWM1PysY1jBsgi8y06grcD52_vrWOWubytV27Ayk-BfyaYCdCdO-XYtTfzpZzF6YTFBt6o9_R__b1xjbZ2v1T-M8OBjzIGFQimrOajxxzo8i7iZwdVhS1ur2yUjpEyntTi1mYQyUBP/s4080/PXL_20231012_185705798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPvLV6ouEweRWNzlDvOpQHW_rERV5CznkybyrUQEQyfvWM1PysY1jBsgi8y06grcD52_vrWOWubytV27Ayk-BfyaYCdCdO-XYtTfzpZzF6YTFBt6o9_R__b1xjbZ2v1T-M8OBjzIGFQimrOajxxzo8i7iZwdVhS1ur2yUjpEyntTi1mYQyUBP/s320/PXL_20231012_185705798.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This week I got more done on the Christmas cards. I made the additional inside panels I needed. Then began adding the double-sided tape on to the backsides of the front and back panels.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QQqsUuteT25J11UNHprdyLczHytCzimgTPc1ghXOgDHlc0EMILCuMmsan6jTeny1mYsymMGrrlQC5noRxPzzEA7-ML-WWyk3nNIZ92K7Dv7DUNdiPOPEqfcYslXOjrj48JuKu4pr19mHO03d3n1JMCspCSJYHRDb0JQr1rZtFrRTFEDa79Af/s4080/PXL_20231013_212940431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QQqsUuteT25J11UNHprdyLczHytCzimgTPc1ghXOgDHlc0EMILCuMmsan6jTeny1mYsymMGrrlQC5noRxPzzEA7-ML-WWyk3nNIZ92K7Dv7DUNdiPOPEqfcYslXOjrj48JuKu4pr19mHO03d3n1JMCspCSJYHRDb0JQr1rZtFrRTFEDa79Af/s320/PXL_20231013_212940431.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Above you can see I was doing that while watching the Goulet weekly Pencast. :) </span><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I discovered that the arthritis in my hands didn't approve much of the taping hand movements. I could write and color without too much of an issue--or more than the usual, at least. This time they were getting quite cranky. Could also be the change in the weather? Anyways, I am going to need more breaks than I had thought I would. Oh well. Won't stop me. ;)</span><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Turned out I sent back the rest of those organizers to Amazon. The third one I got that was supposed to spin...well, it didn't like spinning at all and was crookedly attached. So I sent them all back--including the two stationery ones (that were smaller than expected because they were so thick). Three out of three spinning organizers didn't spin or were completely broken. Let's just say I would not suggest buying anything from Hennaja on Amazon. </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Amazon had a big two-day sale and I took a chance and bought a different kind of organizer for really cheap ($13). Looked like it could hold a lot. Here's the picture right on the outside of the box that came. I knew I had to put it together, did not have high expectations, but the price was right--lol!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DTI2cauinlgAakQEc_Ik0D9Cqjoe_6UbShxllIYY5bnpOr1NQ5b1KbpHE9RHz-vsYJysZKpt3j7r3to9eVsPqNJ6DPdGlUpMqfdknk8FzkyTEYbFqlVlBhgWGLVlD4gFj-izc9zMfztDH74z621eCuxjETHkQ6oiw9gzhuKoHKfc-DqQKNsp/s4080/PXL_20231014_024520792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DTI2cauinlgAakQEc_Ik0D9Cqjoe_6UbShxllIYY5bnpOr1NQ5b1KbpHE9RHz-vsYJysZKpt3j7r3to9eVsPqNJ6DPdGlUpMqfdknk8FzkyTEYbFqlVlBhgWGLVlD4gFj-izc9zMfztDH74z621eCuxjETHkQ6oiw9gzhuKoHKfc-DqQKNsp/s320/PXL_20231014_024520792.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Piles of pieces. Picture instructions, at least, and a tiny screwdriver.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfdYpDAj54ggf33PPTb_dQHqI7zTt-_-9UQmK-zVfGV4TayILGVAy32mRgyrn4JGMtsx-NsHXHC4fKbnGyyRFV6Bj2ejedQbWxT8dzdlljXYpl0EqyAHFkLIxNjHOXqy0qWU72IPPwsEWuXvIGYXhzr-petueBVLpGxcG3UGYk1zPNgYCBdcw/s4080/PXL_20231014_024452337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfdYpDAj54ggf33PPTb_dQHqI7zTt-_-9UQmK-zVfGV4TayILGVAy32mRgyrn4JGMtsx-NsHXHC4fKbnGyyRFV6Bj2ejedQbWxT8dzdlljXYpl0EqyAHFkLIxNjHOXqy0qWU72IPPwsEWuXvIGYXhzr-petueBVLpGxcG3UGYk1zPNgYCBdcw/s320/PXL_20231014_024452337.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Turned out to be quite a floppy project where I could have used an extra set of hands--lol! I found things to prop it up or hold things in place while I screwed in added parts.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzptY_zIdtUaOVlzfpFWYhO_1LF5mc5zXx8-ZKNb23txTWyVGtLDa7PePjiTvzK0XY1u-SZ57d7ypnH12YqE8jX4ULQtusGv-raQSnIoOBy8crZcnq8_ZNfusz4ZgFlKwh0XmKNr1aix8WohwQqPcE19PnLon8gDLRdfnnOLqPFZGuL5Aq7hqo/s4080/PXL_20231014_030915198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzptY_zIdtUaOVlzfpFWYhO_1LF5mc5zXx8-ZKNb23txTWyVGtLDa7PePjiTvzK0XY1u-SZ57d7ypnH12YqE8jX4ULQtusGv-raQSnIoOBy8crZcnq8_ZNfusz4ZgFlKwh0XmKNr1aix8WohwQqPcE19PnLon8gDLRdfnnOLqPFZGuL5Aq7hqo/s320/PXL_20231014_030915198.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Eventually I had success!! It is on the flimsy side but should hold together for a good while, I think.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomlIA8ScDUy2eAROI96OwWiyPHv-Dq-ENHXg61wrScnuTmJNobI8ob0OkJgRbmocBki-yavHlQkQHqijycXYE8CdhWQHf6XEmGbOreZhAE-Omda7xNkD8Hki6SJ1ktFRkMcBGNxzrXw1LsSjcrVUTqCgaxQjldtbkcz8zlsRzNPG9Wm0z9j0E/s4080/PXL_20231014_032253438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomlIA8ScDUy2eAROI96OwWiyPHv-Dq-ENHXg61wrScnuTmJNobI8ob0OkJgRbmocBki-yavHlQkQHqijycXYE8CdhWQHf6XEmGbOreZhAE-Omda7xNkD8Hki6SJ1ktFRkMcBGNxzrXw1LsSjcrVUTqCgaxQjldtbkcz8zlsRzNPG9Wm0z9j0E/s320/PXL_20231014_032253438.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I had no trouble starting to fill it up.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqCslDv4Gc1WK0LUhNs7GOW0OdMT5Hau8T5pnGzz0lVqtECGWVdGLjWnBDY-PLsQnYKZWtFXLcmr4_2DSRIjukdlUKlwtina_JkP84NPbVJXtwBMq6gmb4hHsUB7WSqbjXlEnwT_JocZGhsZLPG7_HxqvcLGbMAqskEEbdaLZq6OL-XrbPenz/s4080/PXL_20231014_035209983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqCslDv4Gc1WK0LUhNs7GOW0OdMT5Hau8T5pnGzz0lVqtECGWVdGLjWnBDY-PLsQnYKZWtFXLcmr4_2DSRIjukdlUKlwtina_JkP84NPbVJXtwBMq6gmb4hHsUB7WSqbjXlEnwT_JocZGhsZLPG7_HxqvcLGbMAqskEEbdaLZq6OL-XrbPenz/s320/PXL_20231014_035209983.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But what the heck is this?<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWR5sPOtvu8ifU-IjfaaYJ52-9vl3zE5k-n9apCReQ13iWwFIrrS89_oo_M97rcZxDubNsVH7cdNpiCng0Xm2X5lQyVyYf5w728FE3NwlkCtMRN-Haw10caa7IIosuBp5WLxIq-xFojmOXCdLSUdaizHss6ZbLyrknoGwTmJOacC24ZymBN7V/s4080/PXL_20231014_035229561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWR5sPOtvu8ifU-IjfaaYJ52-9vl3zE5k-n9apCReQ13iWwFIrrS89_oo_M97rcZxDubNsVH7cdNpiCng0Xm2X5lQyVyYf5w728FE3NwlkCtMRN-Haw10caa7IIosuBp5WLxIq-xFojmOXCdLSUdaizHss6ZbLyrknoGwTmJOacC24ZymBN7V/s320/PXL_20231014_035229561.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A wooden rabbit?? What is it for? I cannot see any purpose for it other than entertainment.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_jbsXlhPKIjJPhbFxRQsqo8c7wGJworiHyW4R4H_uiRGubNnQDanr2IgrWlqVZhjvLIDtMhqqVnnch0Y30yzzLa4WsPMXg42llQCUpAy16JmL6dDuO-URLx_P2TB7NwQ9-2wHaH2aor9UWjzPWODcAYunamZi95i8i7Fq-mj83JK3hFn5FIJ/s4080/PXL_20231014_035240880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_jbsXlhPKIjJPhbFxRQsqo8c7wGJworiHyW4R4H_uiRGubNnQDanr2IgrWlqVZhjvLIDtMhqqVnnch0Y30yzzLa4WsPMXg42llQCUpAy16JmL6dDuO-URLx_P2TB7NwQ9-2wHaH2aor9UWjzPWODcAYunamZi95i8i7Fq-mj83JK3hFn5FIJ/s320/PXL_20231014_035240880.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">For now it is sitting next to the organizer on the lazy susan. So silly!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjme_78JxfYPdkybbQo7lh1zTWMS_eZ9i87ShcmHEmvoTmLGNxAauYtknbaDRdqYORjvb3CJKQRW7v-gYSWcyQFYY582qCQSymmf1XsF97afGgPEzw08QLDYpbPMothGA_jbMhgfEzSEyb6QtFlIh_1dhs4KcWCWgQuyxa4ioJEg8E_e9gVkv/s4080/PXL_20231016_024310849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjme_78JxfYPdkybbQo7lh1zTWMS_eZ9i87ShcmHEmvoTmLGNxAauYtknbaDRdqYORjvb3CJKQRW7v-gYSWcyQFYY582qCQSymmf1XsF97afGgPEzw08QLDYpbPMothGA_jbMhgfEzSEyb6QtFlIh_1dhs4KcWCWgQuyxa4ioJEg8E_e9gVkv/s320/PXL_20231016_024310849.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But now I have more room! I can even fit a full-size box of Puffs behind the organizer! TaDa! I do go through my tissues. (Chronic sinus has been worse the past couple years, too...along with everything else--lol!)</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXHqS320zHW0j6Dh2uAowdgyCNKNwSjW3KWJOMLtCb8lgzrFzKs6Ch-0HmDB5FN1mbWTnberqAa9ySqx6XG1mtGdRpmHcjKNhwg8yY0R8X1MBZjDuAuG5M49GuZDSuq68k9P2cS9_Uul2xCOVjyiri0PVD008yowG1Zqg49w07kdmElGAyhVy/s4080/PXL_20231016_021849721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXHqS320zHW0j6Dh2uAowdgyCNKNwSjW3KWJOMLtCb8lgzrFzKs6Ch-0HmDB5FN1mbWTnberqAa9ySqx6XG1mtGdRpmHcjKNhwg8yY0R8X1MBZjDuAuG5M49GuZDSuq68k9P2cS9_Uul2xCOVjyiri0PVD008yowG1Zqg49w07kdmElGAyhVy/s320/PXL_20231016_021849721.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">After I had emptied, cleaned, and redone the kitchen table lazy susan...did the same with the one to the right of my chair. My pens and drinks one. Now delightfully free of the excess that was crammed on it...like medications and lip balms, etc. All my letter writing gel pens plus some markers, too.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9a-1YB7WKkHi38ALSGQ056hW6537ZlEaHSWZa5-5DxZgHYQbxrZfpdqCACkSW7viesU4qSJn0gwZtlbiEQwUZnOhc7B2gjYarhUm3ysQoq2f2XR6K8pksZJ-iQa5Vz0x-te5Hvjm7TrxoRc-oq3PkWRpvUHgygX9lqSKKXrNeI-A3eC94fof/s4080/PXL_20231016_022930640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9a-1YB7WKkHi38ALSGQ056hW6537ZlEaHSWZa5-5DxZgHYQbxrZfpdqCACkSW7viesU4qSJn0gwZtlbiEQwUZnOhc7B2gjYarhUm3ysQoq2f2XR6K8pksZJ-iQa5Vz0x-te5Hvjm7TrxoRc-oq3PkWRpvUHgygX9lqSKKXrNeI-A3eC94fof/s320/PXL_20231016_022930640.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I can fit a full-size box of Puffs now over here, too!! Whoohoo! Not even in the way of my perpetual coffee and water mugs. :)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgCl0nEvs5kuCignkt-nSXmCDkhqzp4hCEXN3xV7fw8JVhRavGdt4xbpv1pTK-BFH48SuHvPeMkPM3u6ooJNmPlCUpEa75V1wQhwytJAjGw8PCDnpz5pJSZ2ZScL19v4Dc_oDzfgxyNyqEloZXpwwRJSZYrcSwEUybD6FJGqFHO2DioElm8jl/s4080/PXL_20231016_022951823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgCl0nEvs5kuCignkt-nSXmCDkhqzp4hCEXN3xV7fw8JVhRavGdt4xbpv1pTK-BFH48SuHvPeMkPM3u6ooJNmPlCUpEa75V1wQhwytJAjGw8PCDnpz5pJSZ2ZScL19v4Dc_oDzfgxyNyqEloZXpwwRJSZYrcSwEUybD6FJGqFHO2DioElm8jl/s320/PXL_20231016_022951823.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The last lazy susan I cleaned and reorganized to the left of my chair. I have a bunch of sugar-free gums and mints that the boys come looking for every time they are here. I use them a lot, too. There were just too many bottles and packages around, though--so I got the idea to repurpose my weekly vitamin containers that I am not currently using. </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">There are gums in this one in the front--labeled underneath on washi tape. And in the center--yes, washi tape drawers! Also other stickers and such that I add to letters stacked in a couple small containers on top of the washi tape drawers.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bFeEYhpHOn5Gjl5NXFI3SlgyIYazTOAqK1bOQnqYe1SK8k6UCKEHQehuJvWX8rNraT6k3wdvkd-oTxfbdgL_ihedAFbPKlmZPOepEY7_MtgkJ38kBrO3MFvDWENho_3nGaL0eVdU6SioxWQqEbVsK5xufKk4eu56Vat2vjBkUZ_61rtVyuP1/s4080/PXL_20231016_044657781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bFeEYhpHOn5Gjl5NXFI3SlgyIYazTOAqK1bOQnqYe1SK8k6UCKEHQehuJvWX8rNraT6k3wdvkd-oTxfbdgL_ihedAFbPKlmZPOepEY7_MtgkJ38kBrO3MFvDWENho_3nGaL0eVdU6SioxWQqEbVsK5xufKk4eu56Vat2vjBkUZ_61rtVyuP1/s320/PXL_20231016_044657781.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Now one side has all the lotions...and my sugar-free chocolate and peanut butter chips for treats.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_2NiEc-Y9-ZyMCFV7qr5TM1hgoEs8Iq1tvzza_Y3iP7Ai58f3c67af2PmPBqlxwPg1wPxNY1XRb-Bkd2Ld1GtXDkmisGZXx2uqc6X-Qsp2CBNoAkPC5hxOEH7-fAqxs7U2LLtE4d6aS4VAurd5gNqmTd-afPlJPcm6swm9zM8KFpASwKiQGP/s4080/PXL_20231016_044721831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_2NiEc-Y9-ZyMCFV7qr5TM1hgoEs8Iq1tvzza_Y3iP7Ai58f3c67af2PmPBqlxwPg1wPxNY1XRb-Bkd2Ld1GtXDkmisGZXx2uqc6X-Qsp2CBNoAkPC5hxOEH7-fAqxs7U2LLtE4d6aS4VAurd5gNqmTd-afPlJPcm6swm9zM8KFpASwKiQGP/s320/PXL_20231016_044721831.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The other side has the medicinal stuff--from Tums to Melatonin to eye drops. Behind all those in that wooden organizer are notebooks and remote controllers. This lazy susan is still the most packed.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJYUTsJYC-IWsTydtMpT0Pmy5fFV_IPPYR3xv721S3wE2Si0f0PdI4ZgF1HPSpud1AOX8dITipjB0MpPzk3oN4Nte-xcdDZ9rb3IXy1niswEloO6qeSqJp04uAmmVxhrj9_JlMB07cSqR0YVfStAN6ueI_FgYMMSOzwkvI5wfGTMllJgY71Fd/s4080/PXL_20231016_044731243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJYUTsJYC-IWsTydtMpT0Pmy5fFV_IPPYR3xv721S3wE2Si0f0PdI4ZgF1HPSpud1AOX8dITipjB0MpPzk3oN4Nte-xcdDZ9rb3IXy1niswEloO6qeSqJp04uAmmVxhrj9_JlMB07cSqR0YVfStAN6ueI_FgYMMSOzwkvI5wfGTMllJgY71Fd/s320/PXL_20231016_044731243.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When I got done with all of that reorganizing...I could get back to working on the Christmas cards little by little. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLL5jiMqUUudwsP7UqV4g9LWKHBd06ESB_NPfIdYw_Iyejufui0UJV4RBsa1FxBJ2t3hP5frWpBB5SbArIo2h2_NHzRMyG4x1HFgFoezPA1vwJSY3rV-5CjrZU4s1fmJCKVXkS_7Iy7D4pHppZs0giOhSueO9Gv46wfby_xdBnPjpV-H77Vf6/s4080/PXL_20231014_035336981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLL5jiMqUUudwsP7UqV4g9LWKHBd06ESB_NPfIdYw_Iyejufui0UJV4RBsa1FxBJ2t3hP5frWpBB5SbArIo2h2_NHzRMyG4x1HFgFoezPA1vwJSY3rV-5CjrZU4s1fmJCKVXkS_7Iy7D4pHppZs0giOhSueO9Gv46wfby_xdBnPjpV-H77Vf6/s320/PXL_20231014_035336981.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Reorganizing all the lazy susans was another one of those projects that takes forever...is a real mess while it is in progress, but barely noticeable when finished. I am so happy, though. Feels very different to me to have them so organized. Hasn't been this organized since they were first here. (And they had less stuff on them--lol!) </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Oh, and I got the rest of the mints and gums into unused vitamin containers, too. All the extras are now in a box up in the cupboard and not scattered all over the countertop. Hurray!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEAs-kT4th3m5KEvtdNbKayIC-4bCuo3XM6SN5mt11_hyCEzFD9_runL6WrdIXpD1St7YACQ8JmzTIdhGiizYAG4dfhilLsYPySplgERfViZ23yCu5r6RH2uLiTLvqqAKD8oJfA9hGuCfxE70lDH8CLoSWAgX4rYoQJIhsifWWlbdHbffcU92/s4080/PXL_20231016_054219655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEAs-kT4th3m5KEvtdNbKayIC-4bCuo3XM6SN5mt11_hyCEzFD9_runL6WrdIXpD1St7YACQ8JmzTIdhGiizYAG4dfhilLsYPySplgERfViZ23yCu5r6RH2uLiTLvqqAKD8oJfA9hGuCfxE70lDH8CLoSWAgX4rYoQJIhsifWWlbdHbffcU92/s320/PXL_20231016_054219655.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">There is a variety of other sugar-free goodies in the cookie jar, too. </span><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The vitamin containers are all labeled on the bottoms. I have a lot more gums than mints right now. Low on mint selection--big blue one. (Gramma likes variety, as you know.)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68WrKbj3hoCdFsKl8LIPO4BiFihCyzpVQDDFfuZj3OL1Xb_lNd120LiPwgsertg7_agl9gfwbEE7Uv7rUIDN_2lNBkGnRPCCCj1cLdRPj-lylW52N3idypFREG-eqL1ddDiCIlu6aDdFlamv5v-FRtweAwz8NugKn9nbfABVkvhjVR6gbv3Q5/s4080/PXL_20231016_054237230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68WrKbj3hoCdFsKl8LIPO4BiFihCyzpVQDDFfuZj3OL1Xb_lNd120LiPwgsertg7_agl9gfwbEE7Uv7rUIDN_2lNBkGnRPCCCj1cLdRPj-lylW52N3idypFREG-eqL1ddDiCIlu6aDdFlamv5v-FRtweAwz8NugKn9nbfABVkvhjVR6gbv3Q5/s320/PXL_20231016_054237230.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Once I get a few more mints I will be set for many months. :)<br /></span><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">You may recall I had set up letters (after way too long) recently. I didn't think I had done much this past week again but I did have 14 letters set up and now I am down to six. So I am making progress there. My hands writing with a fountain pen can still do pretty well for quite a while without complaining. Fountain pens make the biggest difference. Even better than a gel pen. Less pressure and gripping--FPs just flow so smoothly. I have discovered yet another reason to love fountain pens over the years...<i>arthritis</i>--ROFL! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGOq9Lvf1mTM4tHjsqJZX-hLVDEGimS1KcqGBwLSIEUWKBjJF4_v8a5ZU3yU_YZSuRQTfTN4hYxF87Kx-EkrrQXZ56RVqNeXdo0Ai_eeb8j8gcepNhfWAxhkGDkWWGITMFsIyRIKKqqtCgEJShCMcEG4BX31jUZyd0F4EssfXBdmwFctSLdTf/s4080/PXL_20231016_045028171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGOq9Lvf1mTM4tHjsqJZX-hLVDEGimS1KcqGBwLSIEUWKBjJF4_v8a5ZU3yU_YZSuRQTfTN4hYxF87Kx-EkrrQXZ56RVqNeXdo0Ai_eeb8j8gcepNhfWAxhkGDkWWGITMFsIyRIKKqqtCgEJShCMcEG4BX31jUZyd0F4EssfXBdmwFctSLdTf/s320/PXL_20231016_045028171.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Someone asked me what I meant by setting up letters. I use these little folders or folio pads. Have the envelope all addressed and stamped on the left side in the pocket. (I'm covering their addresses with post it notes.) </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGX5y5Bspy88_CIg8qbBEmStJlyPcCShHMWcGlfZvXocUlrOQqWrTSlanCGhsDWwvlx6ehmMUb17eQ78seWuKGpDAgRBwiLqeC5qyDEnZ20LTXO-DKpn1usqX2j6LjiPognlu8v7S5qNsRxPepK5n6kB-5dHFckfOwpAKgAMcxVndRoFDq2h9/s4080/PXL_20231016_054848624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGX5y5Bspy88_CIg8qbBEmStJlyPcCShHMWcGlfZvXocUlrOQqWrTSlanCGhsDWwvlx6ehmMUb17eQ78seWuKGpDAgRBwiLqeC5qyDEnZ20LTXO-DKpn1usqX2j6LjiPognlu8v7S5qNsRxPepK5n6kB-5dHFckfOwpAKgAMcxVndRoFDq2h9/s320/PXL_20231016_054848624.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On the right side under the clip I have whatever I have chosen to write on (bookcard, stationery, card) along with their letter or card or email printed off that they sent to me. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp3GvhTz_EKttvMCbC1JyhvoAmRxbUMcdKFTAOuUc2AlSoK46llkmKWWGc2zRdKaF0Tx4-48mvcEBBP_BE4PbSoPQGifTfPGwyKR0grKpMnfpI1QCgvVuC838QxT5uAKLogU6loXdQdx9d8oAvUq00vi1V6N3MkKyO7rqgU8Yyqb7LHwNv31Y/s4080/PXL_20231016_054708092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp3GvhTz_EKttvMCbC1JyhvoAmRxbUMcdKFTAOuUc2AlSoK46llkmKWWGc2zRdKaF0Tx4-48mvcEBBP_BE4PbSoPQGifTfPGwyKR0grKpMnfpI1QCgvVuC838QxT5uAKLogU6loXdQdx9d8oAvUq00vi1V6N3MkKyO7rqgU8Yyqb7LHwNv31Y/s320/PXL_20231016_054708092.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Then I am all set to go. By now, though, I have another 4 or 5 I need to set up. I keep them in a basket on the table until I get them ready. They are stacked in with paperwork I need to file in the new file cabinet--lol! I had best not put it off for very long now that I am finally getting caught up quite a bit. With the health stuff going on this has happened to me a couple times a year the past couple years, I think...getting so far behind. All depends on what's is going on and how many spoons I have. ;) Just life. But I always respond--even when I have slow times. :) </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I do so love me a paper chat and I have the best most understanding pen pals. They have times, too, where it is harder to respond for a while. Just how it is. Heck! I am even slow on answering emails--lol! Better when it is because I have been busy using up spoons than because I have none, I guess. Lately it is more often that I have used up the spoons I did have--lol! So that is good.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Anyways, when I get them all set up they go over on the fourth and last lazy susan that's on the folding table to the left of my chair. My letter-writing lazy susan. I do love being able to reach everything after I bought up the lazy susans. Best idea I ever had! Can't imagine my life without them anymore. One must adapt to one's circumstances, right? (And one's lack of arm length--ROFL!) I always needed them in my kitchens because I am so short. Made sense to me to have more of them around, if to no one else--lol!</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Oh, how could I forget! Turned out the breaker/fuse tripped every time I turned on the pantry light or the light in the hallway. I called on Tuesday and even talked to somebody at the new "hub" we have to call to report stuff or talk to a human, if we are lucky. He said he thought it was just the breaker going bad and needing to be replaced. Sounded like they'd had this happen before. He would send in a repair request to Gerald. </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But no Gerald--all week. So I have to call again today, I guess. It's a good thing I was too tried and sore to untangle all the cords I had messed with to plug into the kitchen outlet. It is still like that. Even though I can flip the breaker back now--it could quit working altogether at any time. So, I have not been using the pantry or hall lights. Makes it difficult to see what you are doing when you are scooping the cat box--lol! But the worst part is Keanna comes on Tuesday and she won't be able to see very well to clean the pantry floor. Oh well. All I can do is call again. </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I remember there was a notice in our weekly flyer a few months back about how people had been complaining that requests were not being forwarded by this new phone hub thingie (more impersonal and harder to reach a human than in our office). I guess that is true. Gerald is usually here in a day or two. I wonder if he ever got the work order at all? But they do overwork him. I think he might be the only maintenance man since Covid for several of the complexes Goldmark oversees. Anyways, I hope it is just the breaker needing replacement. I do not like electricity acting up out of the blue. I always think of fires, you know? </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So that is how the week went. McFamily was busy all weekend with an Octoberfest event and a golf event. So no working with Trent on the apartment. I think Leah picked up my wild bird seed order from Fleet Farm Sunday. I am just going by our shared calendar. </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Sadly, I have not seen the partridges again all week. They might be coming early in the morning, but I doubt it because they'd be back during the day, too. I hope they might return at some point. Regardless, I will be feeding all the little birds all winter and need the seed for all my little buddies. :) </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Been a pretty quiet week. I do so appreciate a quiet week. ;) Been sneezing--like with allergies--and nose running a little more than usual. Just glad to be inside and warm...but able to still crack the patio door open when it climbs into the 60s during the day. I haven't had to turn the heat on yet this fall. </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Tonight they are talking 33 degrees--so possible frost or freezing again. The month seems to by flying by! Half over already! I shall keep puttering along...working on Christmas cards...letters...whatever I can manage. :) :) Hey, I even got three loads of laundry done this week AND put away. That's something for me lately. Maybe get enough energy to be back doing P&P again pretty soon. I have the studio yet to finish going through. It is all waiting for me. </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I just prioritize according to how I feel each day. Glad to get something done--even if it doesn't show much--ROFL! ;) I am having good days...even if I don't feel that well some days. Been good days, regardless, you know? Counting my many blessings. And you all are counted all the time. Till next week, my friends. Good days to you all!! :) </span></div></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-42886277700581512362023-10-09T03:10:00.000-05:002023-10-09T03:10:37.216-05:00October 9, 2023 Monday--3am<p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Greetings!</span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Where did this week go? I didn't get the extra things done I had on my list but I seemed constantly busy with this and that. Just in such a puttery mood and not feeling the greatest. Was doing things like switching my washi tapes next to my chair for the more fall and winter ones...cleaning and filling fountain pens...comparison shopping online to make decisions on purchases...scrubbing the kitchen sinks and racks. Things that take a lot of time but aren't much to show when they're done, you know? lol! </span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Keanna came to clean on <b>Tuesday</b>. Leah and the boys showed up as she was leaving. They brought some groceries. Leah and Liam watered my patio plants for me and Leah even walked down my rent check for me. </span></p><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When Leah and Liam were outside watering the planters--look what they saw in the grass by one of the planters!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6mM9_rFGqJE7TQlnRjZbOqdy1S7QPQK5WWPW-9Vm634tbUXsdzuW8N4F_8QOiChnFIoQPKK1JxKlFIsQqbeidojz7Lmx46FvGV9uP1RA_L7h70QoLV8Kz6bg8Mt4Sa6xip8CiMbFzdlujjmnyLjZlVGkIkiH8-Bje8Sx9QQlnWwthb7UXVw5/s4080/PXL_20231003_202330987.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6mM9_rFGqJE7TQlnRjZbOqdy1S7QPQK5WWPW-9Vm634tbUXsdzuW8N4F_8QOiChnFIoQPKK1JxKlFIsQqbeidojz7Lmx46FvGV9uP1RA_L7h70QoLV8Kz6bg8Mt4Sa6xip8CiMbFzdlujjmnyLjZlVGkIkiH8-Bje8Sx9QQlnWwthb7UXVw5/s320/PXL_20231003_202330987.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I think it was that selfsame hummingbird moth!! It was alive. Liam tried to get it to move or fly but it wouldn't budge. Probably dying. Moths don't live very long, do they? Was it hanging around here all this time? Or was this another one? How weird. I take it they love petunias. lol!</span></div><p><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday</b> I caught sight of partridges across the way by the tree. Two? Three? But they never came over to eat. :(</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqctQHKYfzPMz5PQY1bRsQnUPMDnTMTg02K7SHmngAk36dSakM09WhSjfYi3sexmKexkOUKQk4tNAKGil49TNNuTsKZDwnsV2MVQFGeGcOA5r-9VGh-A4LCqtxYEHKopaeRMIQqjndGJY-CEO6qwfHtrbf9hg_xH-r6gXOKcHC6d83hKIK33o/s4080/PXL_20231004_180414491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqctQHKYfzPMz5PQY1bRsQnUPMDnTMTg02K7SHmngAk36dSakM09WhSjfYi3sexmKexkOUKQk4tNAKGil49TNNuTsKZDwnsV2MVQFGeGcOA5r-9VGh-A4LCqtxYEHKopaeRMIQqjndGJY-CEO6qwfHtrbf9hg_xH-r6gXOKcHC6d83hKIK33o/s320/PXL_20231004_180414491.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Packages have been coming all week! That has been fun! My new shower brushes came. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqJmiolyHxkJpU6mbUioV1xCyv1aEEgDlYn65KMNGO8w2YFvpSnCK82uwMJs1qtertFR_srn6Vx5fi1-L6gBNS7Flo2e9_57Jc8RgZlp342-pWxH0etZTk41jeJd2ReGRd3yIRnBJFwjAIdDRvcB2XeuAtz_ehQjucuK_NZSl-PIaNpC2RsKN/s4080/PXL_20231004_194958611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqJmiolyHxkJpU6mbUioV1xCyv1aEEgDlYn65KMNGO8w2YFvpSnCK82uwMJs1qtertFR_srn6Vx5fi1-L6gBNS7Flo2e9_57Jc8RgZlp342-pWxH0etZTk41jeJd2ReGRd3yIRnBJFwjAIdDRvcB2XeuAtz_ehQjucuK_NZSl-PIaNpC2RsKN/s320/PXL_20231004_194958611.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Am not used to a loofah, but I think it is great for getting to your back where it is hard to reach, that's for sure. Glad I got it. :)</span><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The new colorful cat tote came! And my laptop fit just perfectly inside!!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMFo6x4c-X0xs-zNd_PRn-CURSD8HRnz1zZzEvK3_-kVzBgB67Hx7TkVz3Gnz_bjuE4ZkZhJfEe2FfwG6UvgQySS49lewD9ugpLNRjjplgvYxwzfWfpjUUW6_MfeePpNtckiLiZe3yH_0sjSj4A2FhLqqOVFEMjWgSbVOB3VfO3cAaP19ehW5/s4080/PXL_20231004_194542691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMFo6x4c-X0xs-zNd_PRn-CURSD8HRnz1zZzEvK3_-kVzBgB67Hx7TkVz3Gnz_bjuE4ZkZhJfEe2FfwG6UvgQySS49lewD9ugpLNRjjplgvYxwzfWfpjUUW6_MfeePpNtckiLiZe3yH_0sjSj4A2FhLqqOVFEMjWgSbVOB3VfO3cAaP19ehW5/s320/PXL_20231004_194542691.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Front...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcM92YvUjjTrJroEchE2wrhaFCBO7DweHVj5QPX2JlPLclfeu6esEEXmfZbWu_1JFGgxf6wBRAdvtIR51qy6q2y-nFHw3tBkMPj9qzTy3gKJkH2oShnE08VMADi6a_cI7ZAKuNip8ui186XsXxdwOs-FfJrI2DAabrY2Qpk2ZoRcp3qrtkwaqm/s4080/PXL_20231004_195439445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcM92YvUjjTrJroEchE2wrhaFCBO7DweHVj5QPX2JlPLclfeu6esEEXmfZbWu_1JFGgxf6wBRAdvtIR51qy6q2y-nFHw3tBkMPj9qzTy3gKJkH2oShnE08VMADi6a_cI7ZAKuNip8ui186XsXxdwOs-FfJrI2DAabrY2Qpk2ZoRcp3qrtkwaqm/s320/PXL_20231004_195439445.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and back that even has the cats! My shoulder bag doesn't have them on both sides. Cool!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ1UcI2bZPrYFjB2k1E8AfQ7STFNa16N8ShSpWMuvKYSrGIvETscUabkguQI4zoyHrRJO8-X3XnsVSyeuMz_FEfgYnVJ8RhJZrXy8oFldpY146Jz2zjeW83PL1cEuJtS3ZG4CtBf-bpZO20zQCRjKzGUmp5ZILU4Zy_SULyM7Lrm3HloVWuar/s4080/PXL_20231004_195517154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ1UcI2bZPrYFjB2k1E8AfQ7STFNa16N8ShSpWMuvKYSrGIvETscUabkguQI4zoyHrRJO8-X3XnsVSyeuMz_FEfgYnVJ8RhJZrXy8oFldpY146Jz2zjeW83PL1cEuJtS3ZG4CtBf-bpZO20zQCRjKzGUmp5ZILU4Zy_SULyM7Lrm3HloVWuar/s320/PXL_20231004_195517154.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I even bought her set of cosmetic bags! So cute!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIBriRPmCRYk2NtEJEb6M3bDf5IRgiJWMxK5iuzifqtrhqxh-YpH9J0ry4C7EVaXZEMKwAi-OIvbVL7mycYZadmZySnxXyXyH56KrUde4DiRs-USboQYxrb9ZZk-UocQFQfkaUfWSRtDdqt2j8ER-O9MH6tCGBeOmPSsdcDrnuvTuWM60S4jM/s4080/PXL_20231009_044642028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIBriRPmCRYk2NtEJEb6M3bDf5IRgiJWMxK5iuzifqtrhqxh-YpH9J0ry4C7EVaXZEMKwAi-OIvbVL7mycYZadmZySnxXyXyH56KrUde4DiRs-USboQYxrb9ZZk-UocQFQfkaUfWSRtDdqt2j8ER-O9MH6tCGBeOmPSsdcDrnuvTuWM60S4jM/s320/PXL_20231009_044642028.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Different on the backs...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidswT1uqKHgpNrfCYlX9lUsy7FnK3Fqy3ZFmgcTXhQVQwV-elW-iu9GfoR-qVI2tCkzCKStulihyphenhyphenpjiNAP3g9D9FenxKr8_vfJhnXMJZsL6dj89wVoVLlc4aK-9gjNfZj5nn8vlphx2ZQaQHC5QWwyYn8Pa3omvuLVTRO8W52aA_0CxO4v5vJH/s4080/PXL_20231009_044654463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidswT1uqKHgpNrfCYlX9lUsy7FnK3Fqy3ZFmgcTXhQVQwV-elW-iu9GfoR-qVI2tCkzCKStulihyphenhyphenpjiNAP3g9D9FenxKr8_vfJhnXMJZsL6dj89wVoVLlc4aK-9gjNfZj5nn8vlphx2ZQaQHC5QWwyYn8Pa3omvuLVTRO8W52aA_0CxO4v5vJH/s320/PXL_20231009_044654463.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...like my shoulder bag has a different back side.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OfQvC-8BTWCJ285kG1WPcFbs7YnXWA04R23OCky3pHgUxL0Fijiok1ecnNH1kkcyIz0J77yB0tJZwkmow7QC23JXpFIukPkX2ZaG4LVroC7UKnZAm_bWme2mq49UAuRHABkGD4ctmTEAKDgzzhE068eMhcQnOPIo371UrT32BLpe7TZnGhjt/s4080/PXL_20231009_045206048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OfQvC-8BTWCJ285kG1WPcFbs7YnXWA04R23OCky3pHgUxL0Fijiok1ecnNH1kkcyIz0J77yB0tJZwkmow7QC23JXpFIukPkX2ZaG4LVroC7UKnZAm_bWme2mq49UAuRHABkGD4ctmTEAKDgzzhE068eMhcQnOPIo371UrT32BLpe7TZnGhjt/s320/PXL_20231009_045206048.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I don't think I've ever showed my Laurel Burch cat bag close up.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9tDWpEwYG2RuZYcxuPX5xzdEr1c5kp5OdChpubOmgno-ZZY0-BCwvjVAsrzjDSW_M8-O5PupQ4QhIelBufJcvinITV4ReCFHnqDBh0yFWXuZsvjCFDdfbMA1Ar15tV-mIh9CDY-r8yBOnwhdnFSdN-tqGxOuapSKhNusYMNcqzK-G66qLT8D/s4080/PXL_20231009_045147453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9tDWpEwYG2RuZYcxuPX5xzdEr1c5kp5OdChpubOmgno-ZZY0-BCwvjVAsrzjDSW_M8-O5PupQ4QhIelBufJcvinITV4ReCFHnqDBh0yFWXuZsvjCFDdfbMA1Ar15tV-mIh9CDY-r8yBOnwhdnFSdN-tqGxOuapSKhNusYMNcqzK-G66qLT8D/s320/PXL_20231009_045147453.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There are even little beads sewn across the front...that haven't broken in all these years.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1pe_GwVMDZYSYzsYd9Ywf2SDFlASbNC6WlaCmc2PGrW9Wui_YH-7u_gQn1YFqhi-QCvfjXqbW73l1BkU3JTE1RxE1nzQcJc5lTm2LIA4xXDJJyvqBUSpmWbAWfR1seRzazZlc7dXCTJ0Aovq2rmOVz1DShIzHCvStXxZ7nPLycGAlBxHoy6d/s4080/PXL_20231009_045156554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1pe_GwVMDZYSYzsYd9Ywf2SDFlASbNC6WlaCmc2PGrW9Wui_YH-7u_gQn1YFqhi-QCvfjXqbW73l1BkU3JTE1RxE1nzQcJc5lTm2LIA4xXDJJyvqBUSpmWbAWfR1seRzazZlc7dXCTJ0Aovq2rmOVz1DShIzHCvStXxZ7nPLycGAlBxHoy6d/s320/PXL_20231009_045156554.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, the cosmetic bags are even lined and quite sturdy with beaded pulls on the zippers. They'll be great for pens, scissors, washi tape, lip balm, tissues, ear buds, rulers, or whatever else small stuff I need with me in my "upstairs" tote.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg122khs_xQtAwOFibS6kPSc9lAcIYdhkiH-iwb6nOB5E3hLXWYob-8H-Xybohodv7kQIFIg57Ym_wCBVONUVS84PyM53uvcUpUMy7prVe6enLd9Mb9jL8ZsCOMjjlKo_nfukOXkNv2Iz32g3o-vIBo_qslj9c1YkCkjRQhzDThOaadZNqseyyw/s4080/PXL_20231009_044716330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg122khs_xQtAwOFibS6kPSc9lAcIYdhkiH-iwb6nOB5E3hLXWYob-8H-Xybohodv7kQIFIg57Ym_wCBVONUVS84PyM53uvcUpUMy7prVe6enLd9Mb9jL8ZsCOMjjlKo_nfukOXkNv2Iz32g3o-vIBo_qslj9c1YkCkjRQhzDThOaadZNqseyyw/s320/PXL_20231009_044716330.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">These will hopefully last me for years and years like my shoulder bag has. I am delighted!<br /></span><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">All of a sudden on <b>Thursday</b> a whole covey of partridges returned to the Critter Cafe!! Maybe they had heard about the freeze warning for that night--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1i1GyQV2bDVlf8R0bmZNI23AlOjIQVc_AB8eDAOuKGW4XgDzxhuzowVJF8Z74N-hU96mxRL4-V30MEJJ5FgX4askT3blRSfAuKqbk8-sLFDgV9Njj4t-IBID5mHu04oq4BiMeOeF8gk30Bjz0BcgSuDInzH8b5mETvaO5Bg0vwWj5I1gVUyUZ/s4080/PXL_20231005_200726465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1i1GyQV2bDVlf8R0bmZNI23AlOjIQVc_AB8eDAOuKGW4XgDzxhuzowVJF8Z74N-hU96mxRL4-V30MEJJ5FgX4askT3blRSfAuKqbk8-sLFDgV9Njj4t-IBID5mHu04oq4BiMeOeF8gk30Bjz0BcgSuDInzH8b5mETvaO5Bg0vwWj5I1gVUyUZ/s320/PXL_20231005_200726465.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is a funny video--for the fact that I was so focused on the first limping partridge that I didn't even notice that there was another one with an injured leg who was actually hopping! Duh! Who would expect two injured birds in one covey, though? That's my excuse--lol! Oh, and Allie was jumping up on my leg for attention and distracted me...especially (and quite obviously) at the end of this short video--sorry. I don't know how to edit and that's just the way it is with me. What you see is what you get...unedited--lol! ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cQ1KdQx5RWA" width="320" youtube-src-id="cQ1KdQx5RWA"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am soooo happy to see them. There are eight so far if they all come. With two of them having injured legs I do know it is the same covey. They've been here several times a day ever since. :)<br /></span><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We went from 90/90/80 degree days--and then dropped down to 50s and have had freeze/frost warnings at night. Winter seems to be chomping at the bit!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHmVUIs-hPzAyuXg3J8OL5XOYuVMDFDiJbfTRHLR9Hh_e6IWfGLUamjX2W1qdbmTHfgW56skz0hMqidl-KpwgrljwZrJ24pdQ70s_JH-bV55JsmYjkrLjTUGif5Ichu1wlV10Qhtf0Jrz-Y7t_ayydXvmpyla1a0IOW2cMp2KOIGvh2sE-n9e/s4080/PXL_20231005_204948983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHmVUIs-hPzAyuXg3J8OL5XOYuVMDFDiJbfTRHLR9Hh_e6IWfGLUamjX2W1qdbmTHfgW56skz0hMqidl-KpwgrljwZrJ24pdQ70s_JH-bV55JsmYjkrLjTUGif5Ichu1wlV10Qhtf0Jrz-Y7t_ayydXvmpyla1a0IOW2cMp2KOIGvh2sE-n9e/s320/PXL_20231005_204948983.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Friday</b> was my poke and peek at the bladder doctor's. Much faster than the first time because there's no need to even see him ahead of time. You get all prepped on the table and just lie there and wait. No surprises this time. And he saw nothing suspicious--tada! I didn't think he would. Back in 6 months.</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am so happy to see the Critter Cafe full of partridges--several times a day! Fall is officially here.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHitlHxQkeqDfhj0cYYQ9V1DwS3aOfyfBSvjQ0mspkW-kdXu5zIPoXtzD9eLK-JzxHa8FAm1r9YQbbbobjBJkJrKyrZQKM4r2_GLmOV3bg94uMgL31yo5eb33TtbOFM8VO_mkhhF5PA4qX6-eg62zAwC62zgvr52ZK96erUO-UlfSrosutzx4/s4080/PXL_20231006_202925109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHitlHxQkeqDfhj0cYYQ9V1DwS3aOfyfBSvjQ0mspkW-kdXu5zIPoXtzD9eLK-JzxHa8FAm1r9YQbbbobjBJkJrKyrZQKM4r2_GLmOV3bg94uMgL31yo5eb33TtbOFM8VO_mkhhF5PA4qX6-eg62zAwC62zgvr52ZK96erUO-UlfSrosutzx4/s320/PXL_20231006_202925109.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Allie is loving it, too. She spends a lot of the time parked by the patio watching Live Cat TV. ;) See that spray bottle... <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiougs7IV1JLoHgYTDwWEyGif1mgsyP_wSsEnVoe6Kz8d7Q5erAbyJZq9tcWKTODLqmL5eju9J3ifno782LAAfx7_vXg9OCrssU0bC340Q_NdNP5TjMlaZMN4TqJwA890fc-ix9tfCJQ_YghP18RS6iLsauNQCBi4SGhb1cLSVLkFP25LWjE6S-/s4080/PXL_20231007_180223136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiougs7IV1JLoHgYTDwWEyGif1mgsyP_wSsEnVoe6Kz8d7Q5erAbyJZq9tcWKTODLqmL5eju9J3ifno782LAAfx7_vXg9OCrssU0bC340Q_NdNP5TjMlaZMN4TqJwA890fc-ix9tfCJQ_YghP18RS6iLsauNQCBi4SGhb1cLSVLkFP25LWjE6S-/s320/PXL_20231007_180223136.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><div><span style="font-weight: 400;">...that is for the crickets and spiders and such...to keep them from wanting to make a home with me--lol! It's a natural bug spray with some smelly essential oils and whatnot that I spray around the screen door. Works, though. :) </span></div><div><b><br /></b></div>Saturday</b> morning Chuck made it over to haul away all the ValleyCon stuff!! I never saw anyone. Leah can get in with my code. So good to hear it was done!! Now Leah is working at finding free pallets on Facebook Marketplace so we can store all this stuff off the floor. She told me she has picked up one so far. When we have enough of them--maybe 4 or 5--then they will move the IKEA boxes so we can reorganize for the winter out there. And I will make a Fleet Farm wild birdseed order, too. :)</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Must admit--have missed these guys!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfd1Xm_CKjUhL3BaJR8mMnUR2OYLx9igKc7KAV2XXyefay6QcDHKX_0dezODBxFKmuSfJi9mmTCY89VP1HMTeAXYQLuQbqye7RC1JahdB5IzV00boUyEZa8-iDLdxH-0YUGsO474UW3D-B3cBGhBV3DnwG8EGg5wQRbwSNccgqJHNORRbS1Hf/s4080/PXL_20231007_203156754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfd1Xm_CKjUhL3BaJR8mMnUR2OYLx9igKc7KAV2XXyefay6QcDHKX_0dezODBxFKmuSfJi9mmTCY89VP1HMTeAXYQLuQbqye7RC1JahdB5IzV00boUyEZa8-iDLdxH-0YUGsO474UW3D-B3cBGhBV3DnwG8EGg5wQRbwSNccgqJHNORRbS1Hf/s320/PXL_20231007_203156754.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Saturday and Sunday</b> I did a couple loads of clothes and towels...and got them all put away. ;) Some of the kitchen stuff arrived and I ran them through the dishwasher. <b>Sunday</b> I was busy organizing the new items...walked into the pantry...turned on the overhead light...it flashed and died. I thought it was the light bulbs. But when I walked back out I saw my colored lights were out around the patio door and the living room lights and TV were off. Huh? But my kitchen light was on.</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I figured it might have been a fuse. Checked the fuse box--I couldn't flick it back and forth...tried hard but was afraid I would break it. Texted Leah to let her know I'd have to call for maintenance in the morning. (I always let them know what's going on.)</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Meanwhile...it took me a long time to untangle my way through all the cords behind my chairs (some not even plugged into anything anymore when furniture was sold)...trying to find an extension cord that was grounded and had the extra third prong. I finally managed to pull it off--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IP12WsF5LSRDmyMnhWG9Riu5VIkizy83DjjC_lhE_HmDkfa26ifKtJHR3MM_JM5ok1mp7hGl0SQWF2Ink7kYZjMFKy9OvC3LLYBqQdUUe-GPXj6ZGWUC3fuhQrW-RgpYhvAbQJZj6Z09Lz6NHH3JqYV2P7bjjpMMMRJnv1g3hvaK0KHLiqYA/s4080/PXL_20231009_001112125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IP12WsF5LSRDmyMnhWG9Riu5VIkizy83DjjC_lhE_HmDkfa26ifKtJHR3MM_JM5ok1mp7hGl0SQWF2Ink7kYZjMFKy9OvC3LLYBqQdUUe-GPXj6ZGWUC3fuhQrW-RgpYhvAbQJZj6Z09Lz6NHH3JqYV2P7bjjpMMMRJnv1g3hvaK0KHLiqYA/s320/PXL_20231009_001112125.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Unplugged a couple of things I didn't know what they belonged to...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXM7LNAW0PmBWNJTwmG8U67lHw9lTx86jkO-u_4iGZMIDsWE2FsMbu52JdP2SQZzePp_ufGSEjPuGyaapNVv8yhiIoDXByzGEbWQq4PpxQuqTL0sNIyIVmKPuESGof2zRk9hbN0N8-xJJW-Szdj6koXt7_jLZVZpMdtoqjrst9rpCCT8wZuS1B/s4080/PXL_20231009_001314844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXM7LNAW0PmBWNJTwmG8U67lHw9lTx86jkO-u_4iGZMIDsWE2FsMbu52JdP2SQZzePp_ufGSEjPuGyaapNVv8yhiIoDXByzGEbWQq4PpxQuqTL0sNIyIVmKPuESGof2zRk9hbN0N8-xJJW-Szdj6koXt7_jLZVZpMdtoqjrst9rpCCT8wZuS1B/s320/PXL_20231009_001314844.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...but I was so glad I got my chair/bed to work, the light by my chair, and my laptop was plugged in.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16qLMc0UibzT_OsYVyIAYlGTnyQupkBBtFxqiRMCDvgjNLMiS-jPBghjXP5usu_XmPHug6JHeXQfACPoHNb1644wAmdaoafrm0YdiNQzdgy9tOJMISikbxR8gLDnSmC4sTcbZ8lMSQnB9RoeW1g9J8PtMLLHqZeH2RWWveGVJ34nl1oR35GUZ/s4080/PXL_20231009_001341772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16qLMc0UibzT_OsYVyIAYlGTnyQupkBBtFxqiRMCDvgjNLMiS-jPBghjXP5usu_XmPHug6JHeXQfACPoHNb1644wAmdaoafrm0YdiNQzdgy9tOJMISikbxR8gLDnSmC4sTcbZ8lMSQnB9RoeW1g9J8PtMLLHqZeH2RWWveGVJ34nl1oR35GUZ/s320/PXL_20231009_001341772.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">BUT--then I realized I had no internet! The internet modem was across the room on the TV cabinet...with all the wires and cords behind the cabinet...that I can't move by myself these days. I didn't want to touch any of that regardless because I tend to mess up techie stuff and make it worse--lol! So, I couldn't work on the blog or watch anything at all or answer email...sigh. Worked on a letter and waited.</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah was going to come over later after the boys went to bed. They were up late out in the backyard around the fire pit on this chilly night (44 degrees). But then she saw I had even sent her a picture of the fuse box--and she was sure I just hadn't pushed hard enough--so she called and talked me through it. TaDa! Yes, I had been afraid I'd break something, but did finally push hard enough and we got it to work!! (I'm always leery of things electrical or techie-related.)</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I still had a load of clothes to put away...and I was too sore and tired to deal with undoing what I had done with all the various cords--lol! So I will deal with it later--after I have slept and rested my back. ;) </span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But I<i> can</i> show you the three new items for the kitchen, anyways. New red crock for utensils, red butter dish with a wooden cover, and a red cannister I plan to use for salt. :)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2dkGljc78-35lfoPTtkEceiwkzbvxQw7upAnTjs6850PeoKYb-PIFC8p0qAVtwhW1c11ajuuv8q_xC0L2ftAEG2hyXOHeQFevBdUtsoNXNvdQg4xwuHZE6bAPmwwLMEAj8QL4MQUqXC7b5bmEws2qLyExiw-k4XagNSeSMG2pe1iMHbA3eur/s4080/PXL_20231009_015730170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2dkGljc78-35lfoPTtkEceiwkzbvxQw7upAnTjs6850PeoKYb-PIFC8p0qAVtwhW1c11ajuuv8q_xC0L2ftAEG2hyXOHeQFevBdUtsoNXNvdQg4xwuHZE6bAPmwwLMEAj8QL4MQUqXC7b5bmEws2qLyExiw-k4XagNSeSMG2pe1iMHbA3eur/s320/PXL_20231009_015730170.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You may recall I had purchased a cheap plastic utensil holder not so long ago. Well, it was horrible for mine. If you had plastic utensils it would probably work just fine. But mine are metal and heavier--so the whole darn thing kept tipping over whenever I tried to turn it. No spinning with this one. It is a nice heavy ceramic crock. I am very happy! With all the purging I have done they all fit in this crock that is much smaller than the lovely huge brown pottery one I had for the last 35-40 years. (Which I will probably fill with an artificial plant as per Leah's suggestion.)</span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I was taking these pictures just now and wondered where Allie was. She is usually following me around or observing me. Well, I don't think I've ever caught a picture of Allie sleeping in the far corner of the studio in her carrier. Woke her up when I turned the light on--lol!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiO2NNy3qLoogki5mTE-Q4kMScpHrPpMfJZ9cBK7LGPkKVfPbBSGtRRFxlu2nqihv7Bkfog9GnNTUgfsSyHcGGgYBUgVN9IlXRikkjVZSthXmsvrwqwEmyluD_hu_JTSR5Ndg11BkHUNKchn1NUOoQ29irFbD7hF6p0nJK10g-yD0zBh6Q-NrK/s4080/PXL_20231009_044750622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiO2NNy3qLoogki5mTE-Q4kMScpHrPpMfJZ9cBK7LGPkKVfPbBSGtRRFxlu2nqihv7Bkfog9GnNTUgfsSyHcGGgYBUgVN9IlXRikkjVZSthXmsvrwqwEmyluD_hu_JTSR5Ndg11BkHUNKchn1NUOoQ29irFbD7hF6p0nJK10g-yD0zBh6Q-NrK/s320/PXL_20231009_044750622.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, Leah did send some pictures of when Trent was over the weekend before and what they have been doing down there. A lot of complicated stuff I know nothing about. Tubes...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEite2Xu3Xen2rLOXb4n_R2p6uXJAYqzQeXvMT7PoufZdSZC5ajwxPh_d2Ln0WrAe9cjG_GmbVOPRsoGolqpg9bSE53tsh4wBjUyZFt3tpikK9T_5j62dMzqt6v64niYqh3Fzy_aQtbIbAGddyb_3Ge1NL9FBYoplaqfyeNvu5KLJn2lHJ_bjhrc/s4080/PXL_20230930_191359662.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEite2Xu3Xen2rLOXb4n_R2p6uXJAYqzQeXvMT7PoufZdSZC5ajwxPh_d2Ln0WrAe9cjG_GmbVOPRsoGolqpg9bSE53tsh4wBjUyZFt3tpikK9T_5j62dMzqt6v64niYqh3Fzy_aQtbIbAGddyb_3Ge1NL9FBYoplaqfyeNvu5KLJn2lHJ_bjhrc/s320/PXL_20230930_191359662.MP.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...for venting and heating.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOSj5gEdC0FmXVin51XjsoD3k9sfRtEiD8PVX9I1RJ56J648ScAFEMmivIk41cJg04LILjEt3azzgA0ER0g2271FHLBAnV9MbZKnZQAKbKUceyeYXkYSjjY9qZmRo2QOKi3NQJyfuVW25IldLWVmJVpTdu7fmFq2Pt-6txvTjC1IufiAEyQA_/s4080/PXL_20230930_191411475.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOSj5gEdC0FmXVin51XjsoD3k9sfRtEiD8PVX9I1RJ56J648ScAFEMmivIk41cJg04LILjEt3azzgA0ER0g2271FHLBAnV9MbZKnZQAKbKUceyeYXkYSjjY9qZmRo2QOKi3NQJyfuVW25IldLWVmJVpTdu7fmFq2Pt-6txvTjC1IufiAEyQA_/s320/PXL_20230930_191411475.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01StVoN4-FCpgzr8mqbT-pKTtld89ERYCd9y7Z_0YQFkbBeC9_jwKAp6F2I8fhSNVdeXmmZIGnNuYWjPgWE8GxVhe3WwIHYd0_iTMvYX6L0M1n8pvumSDGfg73C6DcogluxDCX-K1ZNJg2l9NTxolu1TXevMOCu6kvpvoOruKjAdEJjzlGd5O/s4080/PXL_20230930_191417326.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01StVoN4-FCpgzr8mqbT-pKTtld89ERYCd9y7Z_0YQFkbBeC9_jwKAp6F2I8fhSNVdeXmmZIGnNuYWjPgWE8GxVhe3WwIHYd0_iTMvYX6L0M1n8pvumSDGfg73C6DcogluxDCX-K1ZNJg2l9NTxolu1TXevMOCu6kvpvoOruKjAdEJjzlGd5O/s320/PXL_20230930_191417326.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQR1MdIUDLSuGUfeGejbF2ja5II9XwxQ6mgvdjbbPLJJdxStWqYi2dbDNiGYFcjkisUH7VNQDOMYkIcXunNXQC96bWZH7Xm6Tv1PKKdqZZFK05ecGWZV_FDEvcGf58CtGUSyqlMkCuycq3b3PU1vBNM5Bu7VODT930U60WXxjfpfXInp9Gvf4/s4080/PXL_20230930_191428038.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQR1MdIUDLSuGUfeGejbF2ja5II9XwxQ6mgvdjbbPLJJdxStWqYi2dbDNiGYFcjkisUH7VNQDOMYkIcXunNXQC96bWZH7Xm6Tv1PKKdqZZFK05ecGWZV_FDEvcGf58CtGUSyqlMkCuycq3b3PU1vBNM5Bu7VODT930U60WXxjfpfXInp9Gvf4/s320/PXL_20230930_191428038.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURQaNlcpGMUlJ_2UqH1CVjZR3ODXUUQmtkZlIHl3sDwNrKos-x4kOX6sdBcySnsZi-sl4AsDaQ9R0BXg2Pf-klQP4vZyXBA80YlnW7hrVQrXbAZvqBNAfuGvxjeooVG_BFqz7K_LJ8lbc3Yhju5a55qNiBch2l10Ay1h7XRj9A_dAl6ykdX37/s4080/PXL_20230930_215916676.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURQaNlcpGMUlJ_2UqH1CVjZR3ODXUUQmtkZlIHl3sDwNrKos-x4kOX6sdBcySnsZi-sl4AsDaQ9R0BXg2Pf-klQP4vZyXBA80YlnW7hrVQrXbAZvqBNAfuGvxjeooVG_BFqz7K_LJ8lbc3Yhju5a55qNiBch2l10Ay1h7XRj9A_dAl6ykdX37/s320/PXL_20230930_215916676.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Trent at the electric box, I believe.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJ4i-FmVrfuE2A5OTQ3NE9zVQ8yrBfB6bjhDAcRyqrdHwxBfzmfQuaP8eeKq525c1YSJ9grhAFNcWG9bMswaCGkni_5e7HzuR0gtt-DAebO-sp9xGXyYGhG1J_uYh-vQ6Y7haUfVQvRjpi5pIhQNtjijFlzhCT8Z0j6SH06OklHelUYTDgnCN/s4080/PXL_20230930_215925676.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJ4i-FmVrfuE2A5OTQ3NE9zVQ8yrBfB6bjhDAcRyqrdHwxBfzmfQuaP8eeKq525c1YSJ9grhAFNcWG9bMswaCGkni_5e7HzuR0gtt-DAebO-sp9xGXyYGhG1J_uYh-vQ6Y7haUfVQvRjpi5pIhQNtjijFlzhCT8Z0j6SH06OklHelUYTDgnCN/s320/PXL_20230930_215925676.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The plastic is back down on the walls so they must be done stringing wires.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEQRllLUlRD0Gwg6l7uWBXGAJCYVSAgdoPOIeFkAQYWxcvLrMSwdiVkSS-yPsT8rVLOkTQxnOMQukBQ5b-btrMXleGIXqjbQta27m7JR2AfiwKtCzSNOWTLNBR6o70yBYWz1Ubq1BRwvP_awmXQn8FIvCYMGwkWOG80vcRLsSnxitKXkIqMuG/s4080/PXL_20230930_215936028.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEQRllLUlRD0Gwg6l7uWBXGAJCYVSAgdoPOIeFkAQYWxcvLrMSwdiVkSS-yPsT8rVLOkTQxnOMQukBQ5b-btrMXleGIXqjbQta27m7JR2AfiwKtCzSNOWTLNBR6o70yBYWz1Ubq1BRwvP_awmXQn8FIvCYMGwkWOG80vcRLsSnxitKXkIqMuG/s320/PXL_20230930_215936028.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Trent wasn't there this last weekend. I hope they have more weekends available at the same time now that summer is over. Fingers crossed. </span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The boys at the Burger King playground. I have no clue how Leah wrote "Ian Spiderman" on the photo--lol! Appropriate, though.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaxa2LjLlguN3dtmpgMQIqX1WBkAOpdF3U94fxiUI2zwo0NFZ0Ng2tzDq-B5g0QTg456LB5jOFj2rQAr90uMNld_8le6VueweYL9cvXJ5kdtrnWctpNoHfFvklHoUA8h7f8zPflmdLEE72ZIqdbgLY4YsiEy9GG9fdjdoK6PqXInAfIhw6N8k/s4080/PXL_20231003_165609913.MP~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaxa2LjLlguN3dtmpgMQIqX1WBkAOpdF3U94fxiUI2zwo0NFZ0Ng2tzDq-B5g0QTg456LB5jOFj2rQAr90uMNld_8le6VueweYL9cvXJ5kdtrnWctpNoHfFvklHoUA8h7f8zPflmdLEE72ZIqdbgLY4YsiEy9GG9fdjdoK6PqXInAfIhw6N8k/s320/PXL_20231003_165609913.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">All that rock climbing? Not sure how Ian could do that!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVM7KgOq4uBTxkqBKhHUxhcuM82PXC-E2kinEN5_YTJBtuEUkJfwwWDn-mXsGFdym_vOSfyl1xPW2oaOvDcS2KdEIFLyOW_d2IHgafSSFIMppG7l-WINVHzlRURK0mceFMSs-A01c2EVi60PCH-GAnKnU9y8rbph6ETopdynddapPRkmsIR0z5/s4080/PXL_20231003_165615054.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVM7KgOq4uBTxkqBKhHUxhcuM82PXC-E2kinEN5_YTJBtuEUkJfwwWDn-mXsGFdym_vOSfyl1xPW2oaOvDcS2KdEIFLyOW_d2IHgafSSFIMppG7l-WINVHzlRURK0mceFMSs-A01c2EVi60PCH-GAnKnU9y8rbph6ETopdynddapPRkmsIR0z5/s320/PXL_20231003_165615054.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The boys at West Acres Mall. What a huge fish tank!!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPgL6IqqLQjyz6WjwesrCrO2zt_BbxN_7pP8mXuUc2ei2V91eQF39W4f570gMk-vuY06Bf5sgTThFg424lkuSrqGaKA3VqxbW0VHh_Z5Q4V2Fwzo3EiYif7NOTSLwm7AlBazbJam3lNOgYv5DkZhQoqQJ8c_ifCw0GQTx2UP803nZXpq7kqgm/s4080/PXL_20231004_213427045.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPgL6IqqLQjyz6WjwesrCrO2zt_BbxN_7pP8mXuUc2ei2V91eQF39W4f570gMk-vuY06Bf5sgTThFg424lkuSrqGaKA3VqxbW0VHh_Z5Q4V2Fwzo3EiYif7NOTSLwm7AlBazbJam3lNOgYv5DkZhQoqQJ8c_ifCw0GQTx2UP803nZXpq7kqgm/s320/PXL_20231004_213427045.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Leah got one free pallet over the weekend so far on Facebook Marketplace. Fit perfectly in the back of her SUV--thank goodness!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOJZMTLHDdKCAK05SdZ8t5W9xXHDrkXwjyiHhL2hYmRor0Jiw4XzltT5D1eriGmT_G5Rh2HzQGkMGEzPn-lmyPGN8TXR4FLGBVzFOE6GIrkXqYlhsx78u12bN8QBocC3yJ9Mo9oyzLio_KdwQ7oXGVFQZn2nFQPuwkSQmqtqbQmWIxqDB2Vmi/s4080/PXL_20231008_231415931.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOJZMTLHDdKCAK05SdZ8t5W9xXHDrkXwjyiHhL2hYmRor0Jiw4XzltT5D1eriGmT_G5Rh2HzQGkMGEzPn-lmyPGN8TXR4FLGBVzFOE6GIrkXqYlhsx78u12bN8QBocC3yJ9Mo9oyzLio_KdwQ7oXGVFQZn2nFQPuwkSQmqtqbQmWIxqDB2Vmi/s320/PXL_20231008_231415931.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Chuck gave Leah the pallet in the front with black foam on top. So we have two so far. Leah said she has another place lined up she saw that might have a few for free.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZzixnhfgT9sUg3SVOtkyt6roWW3y0aIyhaj-Pf845FbL_3W5tzb0VRd1jKsIpOrdZeIwx8peFnJncr-hGWUgXF3awQB04o8ksk4mZ4sU2NpIlfSv3YHh8uc9SbcpIaQ75OAKTzb4ga2d86bdcxH-y_NhLOB5FYhH3fwE_EIdregcJey9lL3r/s4080/PXL_20231008_231811599.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZzixnhfgT9sUg3SVOtkyt6roWW3y0aIyhaj-Pf845FbL_3W5tzb0VRd1jKsIpOrdZeIwx8peFnJncr-hGWUgXF3awQB04o8ksk4mZ4sU2NpIlfSv3YHh8uc9SbcpIaQ75OAKTzb4ga2d86bdcxH-y_NhLOB5FYhH3fwE_EIdregcJey9lL3r/s320/PXL_20231008_231811599.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Looks so empty!! Well, on this side, anyways--lol! Can hardly wait till the IKEA boxes get moved over to that side. Instead of the pantry being next on the list that I need help with...the garage will now be the top priority. Need to purge and donate...go through all those big shelves out there...and pull things out to get pictures for selling stuff. Now we actually have some room!! Whoohoo!! </span><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, the week didn't go as planned. I didn't get but a couple letters written and never got near the Christmas cards...but I did get a lot of other little projects done so it was still a win. Letters and Christmas cards will be on the to-do list again for this week. Funny how projects and tasks just wait around for you--lol! ;) </span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have some new kitchen and shower items. There is room to move things around in my garage now. The partridges are back! My internet, TV, laptop, lights, and my chair-bed are all working. Even though I got a very late start I am still awake and have finished the blog here at 3am. (Was up till 4am last night, so this wasn't exactly keeping me up--lol!) My poke and peek is behind me. Fall is my favorite time of year. Life is good. Life is so very good! Till next time, my friends. :) :)</span></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29503764.post-7748795118843656062023-10-02T05:00:00.001-05:002023-10-02T05:00:00.134-05:00October 2, 2023 Monday--5am<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Greetings!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Monday </b>I actually finished up the silver coloring on the Christmas card fronts but have done nothing else with them yet. Hopefully will get a lot done on them this week.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday</b> was the port removal surgery. I am sooo glad Leah came with. I had been absolutely calm and not stressed at all--my usual chatty, joking self--until I was informed I was not going to be put under. Huh? Apparently when I was given the choice of in the office with local anesthetic or to be sedated as an outpatient at the hospital...well I was informed that <i>"sedated"</i> does not mean you are out or put under. I think they could have been a lot more clear about that. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">They would give me the relaxing/don't care/don't remember everything stuff...so I figured it would be a lot like when I had my cataract surgeries. You are awake but not the entire time--or you really don't remember everything. (And that is what it was like--and I still preferred that to having it done in the office.) BUT...</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...the shaky older nurse who took care of me before the surgery had to put the IV into the back of my hand. I've had that done a few times in my life...but never--ever--like what I endured that day. It was horribly painful. I am usually silent--even when people have a hard time, do it more than once, or are just not good at it. But she went on and on and on! She was digging and poking around--back and forth--and pressing and pulling down on the back of my hand (because "your vein is so wiggly") apparently trying to forcefully hold my vein still--with her shaky, trembling hands--over and over again. So sharp I finally was shouting out in pain. Blood all over the back of my hand and dripping between my fingers...but she finally finished. And started to clean up the blood.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Poor Leah! She was right there beside the bed on the other side. Not only is it hard to watch someone else in pain, but it also gave her flashbacks of a bloody IV she had put in when she was in labor with Liam. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I couldn't even speak. Silent. A bit shocked. Rolling my eyes and frowning to Leah over the nurse's head as she wiped gingerly at the blood.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When the lady finally left us alone in the room...I said to Leah--well, the worst of it is over. And it was. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The nurse was extra solicitous and kind after torturing me, at least. She knew she did a bad job and she was sorry. I just couldn't let her off the hook, though. Barely spoke to her after the IV. I did get a different really sweet girl after the surgery to laugh with. Glad of it.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, they didn't want me to be alone all night, but I was doing fine. We picked up baconaters at Wendy's for dinner and Leah did stick around for a while. She stamped the inside card panels for me with "merry and bright". I did some counting and I do need to cut out and stamp up just a few more inside panels so I can use all the 92 card fronts.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHCflRfIazZSULTCAEKJX0e6dNAebSN8Lev2vNqoBcNYs8Vf47EN68IXYoVscYx6dUofLz9akNTeHlO4lzj_l0mOW3MsBvZPDmM09tRdSYbLVxvzmzOywDqHSOD0cBoI6Y74G9sscTP5kRbDglCdEwy5W3yIi23l0P8Rfe7526H9lgbSvdFrw/s4080/PXL_20230927_031409216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHCflRfIazZSULTCAEKJX0e6dNAebSN8Lev2vNqoBcNYs8Vf47EN68IXYoVscYx6dUofLz9akNTeHlO4lzj_l0mOW3MsBvZPDmM09tRdSYbLVxvzmzOywDqHSOD0cBoI6Y74G9sscTP5kRbDglCdEwy5W3yIi23l0P8Rfe7526H9lgbSvdFrw/s320/PXL_20230927_031409216.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">By <b>Wednesday</b> morning I had to remove the big patch they put over the incision. I was supposed to leave it on for two days, but I react to some adhesives and my skin was getting red and sore. It's nice that they did the inside stitches with dissolving thread and then put that surgical glue all over the top that I can just let wear off gradually, so I don't have to go get stitches pulled out! </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Woke up to the sound of thunder and rain that day! I do love my thunderstorms. We've had cloudy days quite a bit this last week--with or without rain. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeSMjQf7ptvvW6Uwk03ztdIaTNasay7eJjgJieftiYW61aTulj0r0X7gC1tynYZdjsbxep2TkzwUAW0U15ugIF7lhU8uPH7mzi6hMgUVrt0wKAob027S2emDEFWVfey_cOWTrMZy9BDki_oJ5s2BmuyNk4GXjgLU8S_et2fiPBN5s4dfyiSrV/s4080/PXL_20230925_195038963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeSMjQf7ptvvW6Uwk03ztdIaTNasay7eJjgJieftiYW61aTulj0r0X7gC1tynYZdjsbxep2TkzwUAW0U15ugIF7lhU8uPH7mzi6hMgUVrt0wKAob027S2emDEFWVfey_cOWTrMZy9BDki_oJ5s2BmuyNk4GXjgLU8S_et2fiPBN5s4dfyiSrV/s320/PXL_20230925_195038963.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I got a call late Wednesday afternoon for an at home annual review visit for having a cleaner...the next morning. She does this all the time. I don't know if she is supposed to give little notice or it is just her--lol! She's tried to come the same day sometimes. She's always in a hurry, though, and a bit frazzled. I think they are more understaffed everywhere since Covid. The cleaners, too! Those companies have really taken a hit. Took about a year before I got a cleaner back--maybe it was even longer. Who could blame them. I wouldn't have wanted to be inside strangers' homes cleaning with Covid running rampant! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Thursday</b> morning Tammy arrived. I couldn't even shower (had to wait 48 hours) and the shingles still bothers me, so I was in a lounger...but she didn't care. (Hey, if she had given me more notice I could have been cleaned up by the next day--lol!) She could see all the U-Haul boxes all over the place, so I told her about my eventual move. Since she only comes once a year I might not see her again after all these years. (I would hope I am gone by next September!) She doubted I would qualify after I move just because I will be living with family--even if I will have a separate apartment and will be paying rent. I kind of figured that.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsx7ZBZrI2dzKSxcLzKv_YwsnEGjN99O9_xJFucpkpHQADH3J7Hx6ey2s1eOqJtn_7VBRApF257zqlmc9jNi-Ul10CTFalTlHWi-Lpt6hl1sYfI0kd8BfsgHje3FH-r2gte2dpziYqnatUGJjxl4glgDLfC6IEWYVU5iDGM3-XtFrcnRaZ-JU2/s4080/PXL_20230927_002544411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsx7ZBZrI2dzKSxcLzKv_YwsnEGjN99O9_xJFucpkpHQADH3J7Hx6ey2s1eOqJtn_7VBRApF257zqlmc9jNi-Ul10CTFalTlHWi-Lpt6hl1sYfI0kd8BfsgHje3FH-r2gte2dpziYqnatUGJjxl4glgDLfC6IEWYVU5iDGM3-XtFrcnRaZ-JU2/s320/PXL_20230927_002544411.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I finally got to setting up all the letters I owe. Any extra spoons have gone towards working on the Christmas cards--lol! Sorry I have been a slower than even usual letter writer lately. Just how it goes sometimes in the daily spoon juggling. You know how I love me some good paper chatting. ;) And I am all set now! The table next to my chair...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYwEKVE9z0vvJ_VPejHK8nLy43gCkSQfEd5AG18kIBGJh3dTOBFNXNvqDTl-4eVVtFldOPNNSw34fNeFJnZc2dgMSgqUSzlCpV2yEeQPZRRdyDJ2oIzlKJ1KIcHRtX_pNH9U39Jiy-TDpyxw6g0-36RgnJYwqC2qnFV74zpP8bjWzBmbfA0Px/s4080/PXL_20231001_042145139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYwEKVE9z0vvJ_VPejHK8nLy43gCkSQfEd5AG18kIBGJh3dTOBFNXNvqDTl-4eVVtFldOPNNSw34fNeFJnZc2dgMSgqUSzlCpV2yEeQPZRRdyDJ2oIzlKJ1KIcHRtX_pNH9U39Jiy-TDpyxw6g0-36RgnJYwqC2qnFV74zpP8bjWzBmbfA0Px/s320/PXL_20231001_042145139.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...and on the laptop table...14 letters ready for chatting! :) :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2oZ7mr98Vb_6HQmgjrZxvcOgGjwZ04awGlXNNDlK79N6eU4An6kSQyC8ycvv8AZD_cVeaNbUWeyr0jHS_jTtcdopE-_oy5mH20wZgsNNH2vEbNElckdme4k25-_LhyQ63GBGX0zP6rt6F1NKUodnb149XfdxC1YyCsCuSE3DyHjH-xNnWdSP/s4080/PXL_20231001_042301587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2oZ7mr98Vb_6HQmgjrZxvcOgGjwZ04awGlXNNDlK79N6eU4An6kSQyC8ycvv8AZD_cVeaNbUWeyr0jHS_jTtcdopE-_oy5mH20wZgsNNH2vEbNElckdme4k25-_LhyQ63GBGX0zP6rt6F1NKUodnb149XfdxC1YyCsCuSE3DyHjH-xNnWdSP/s320/PXL_20231001_042301587.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Friday</b> afternoon--I had some partridges on the patio!!! I didn't have the blinds pulled over so I didn't get a picture...but that means maybe I will be feeding partridges this winter after all. ?? It has been so weird not to see them so far. They are usually back around come August or so...needing to fatten up for the long cold winter. I had thought maybe they had moved away from town...which would be a good thing, actually. Haven't seen them since. So, we'll see. All the little birds are here all the time. Allie keeps an eye on them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-pqpZxbDaeDO0z4bc-89opoFWaekfcNxmf-vJZtgSl04THLO67znffrz-bOYEtDukE_UleZyf1hdMt-_uRh6k8-bGy6jIsTPZF8ISnJtObMUzPj8a26Q8A2XaIO3odYag91enPtcc3T_RHCbJJau3yClAfxzaFXX0V05eD4KvhF-rrPwiLeE/s4080/PXL_20231001_232316168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-pqpZxbDaeDO0z4bc-89opoFWaekfcNxmf-vJZtgSl04THLO67znffrz-bOYEtDukE_UleZyf1hdMt-_uRh6k8-bGy6jIsTPZF8ISnJtObMUzPj8a26Q8A2XaIO3odYag91enPtcc3T_RHCbJJau3yClAfxzaFXX0V05eD4KvhF-rrPwiLeE/s320/PXL_20231001_232316168.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday</b> was the end of the month stuff...banking, rent check, and getting my bullet journal set up for October.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday</b> been going through my orders for October. Had another hanging-string break on one of my shower brushes--again. I think I have put new string loops on them possibly three times already. They're eight years old, so it is time for some new brushes. I've always been a bar soap girl, but I am even going to try one of those loofahs on a stick and some body wash! Never too old to try new things, right? ROFL! ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have been using this fun Laurel Burch cat shoulder bag for years. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGhdTjxA1hqY4ffrpvisF8_nnsaMyVcM93JCXaGiVi5neZabvPCn8g6VhbMjny_ogIptgLY4zcUfB-9_GnQlpxqPTuJYBye-z8Ry-Syfelqc5Ht6-Au-Xx_4qtRumcTFFo6foJCpLi612mYf97Jy2l8HnHr1WxEQTAhE0NIB7dFybXm68S-fG/s4080/PXL_20231002_012403599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGhdTjxA1hqY4ffrpvisF8_nnsaMyVcM93JCXaGiVi5neZabvPCn8g6VhbMjny_ogIptgLY4zcUfB-9_GnQlpxqPTuJYBye-z8Ry-Syfelqc5Ht6-Au-Xx_4qtRumcTFFo6foJCpLi612mYf97Jy2l8HnHr1WxEQTAhE0NIB7dFybXm68S-fG/s320/PXL_20231002_012403599.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">People have recognized me from my crazy bright cat bag at Essentia and I'm sure will at Sanford, too. I never got compliments on a bag before I got this one. Even other patients walking by will say--love your bag! or what a fun bag! or occasionally someone will ask me where I got it. :)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I've been thinking how after I move I really need to have a tote so I can haul stuff upstairs when I am watching the boys or want to spend time on the deck in the summer or just feel like coming up to do a little crafting at their dining room table...whatever. I'd need a tote big enough to hold my laptop, kindle, tablet, letter writing supplies, craft supplies, or whatever I want to haul up with me to work on. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Years ago when I went over to watch their cats (and borrowed their car to do it while they were in Japan for a month) I was scrambling around trying to find bags I could put stuff in so I could sit and write letters, or work on cards, or read, or catch up on my laptop while I was there spending time with their lonely cats (Sammy and Annie). I knew I needed something after I move--a dedicated "upstairs" bag--lol! I can just picture me climbing the stairs with my bag of supplies...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, I decided to buy a Laurel Burch cat tote! Been looking at them for a couple months. Because of the zippered tops it is still guesswork as to whether a laptop would fit comfortably in which size tote without getting one that is way too big...but I have decided to go for it. I'll show you when it finally arrives. :) I'm so excited about it that I can't wait until I move to get one--lol!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, as far as I know Chuck has not come to pick up the stuff in my garage and I don't think Trent came over to work on the basement this weekend. Yes, more planning than actual doing--lol! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Have a few pics of the boys. One day I will see a lot more of them than just pictures and an occasional brief visit. ;) Of course, Gramma loves that wildly colorful shirt of Ian's. :) </span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7ZcS8_yoaBnP4QYfvDUyPDKMVieAydupfNHjYPBRIQshfbMWjTpcN4ujNCVULU4TFWt3KdJvF7zwK1DVVot2vhs7KaW53mbPwAxl2psu2Fw8cjuEn1JpADlhlCWsRvThTnutwldeeg7Il61jMERL7Vhl5CNOukj9fm4-HyhQ2eUigD8FvdeU/s2626/PXL_20230512_003832746.PORTRAIT~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2363" data-original-width="2626" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7ZcS8_yoaBnP4QYfvDUyPDKMVieAydupfNHjYPBRIQshfbMWjTpcN4ujNCVULU4TFWt3KdJvF7zwK1DVVot2vhs7KaW53mbPwAxl2psu2Fw8cjuEn1JpADlhlCWsRvThTnutwldeeg7Il61jMERL7Vhl5CNOukj9fm4-HyhQ2eUigD8FvdeU/s320/PXL_20230512_003832746.PORTRAIT~2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Those square Band-Aid looking patches are for mosquito bites.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BEDf3DDP7KVtmob0-OrcD92wSWNNLkZJPQdsW7qVA3q11b76s7CgNe4vxLLo02gjBKipIKfWl3wIzhRD5D989Whlb7bZHRX9ohxlEQKPDhzDaHV8WaEU3Bbjb0Ntoxfwlak4BhhRHADvnoW49nXHICmD7Q0a8J3AbQn-OdHHGogtuCkr4MnA/s2017/PXL_20230522_214316673.PORTRAIT~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1873" data-original-width="2017" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BEDf3DDP7KVtmob0-OrcD92wSWNNLkZJPQdsW7qVA3q11b76s7CgNe4vxLLo02gjBKipIKfWl3wIzhRD5D989Whlb7bZHRX9ohxlEQKPDhzDaHV8WaEU3Bbjb0Ntoxfwlak4BhhRHADvnoW49nXHICmD7Q0a8J3AbQn-OdHHGogtuCkr4MnA/s320/PXL_20230522_214316673.PORTRAIT~2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I think they are going whenever they can on Mondays to climb those walls. At least that is what I see on our shared Google calendar--lol!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeAVDcciQRd3uqCzOZzPFqERBYh7YeUVrDdrsLZUqWdwF71vsj7WAI6kzjnw8zS2DH9X5D6lPskKzmLJHhC87yjbYAWUhjAEZKNzI_ZJ4K_Sl02jqwOiFZr7kPb1y4aG-xCXq_4Z0UTWhuLE7EVgRvVq7B7ihxm1ajCZjlCG3dtU1f-pMlcoc/s4080/PXL_20230925_181816217.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeAVDcciQRd3uqCzOZzPFqERBYh7YeUVrDdrsLZUqWdwF71vsj7WAI6kzjnw8zS2DH9X5D6lPskKzmLJHhC87yjbYAWUhjAEZKNzI_ZJ4K_Sl02jqwOiFZr7kPb1y4aG-xCXq_4Z0UTWhuLE7EVgRvVq7B7ihxm1ajCZjlCG3dtU1f-pMlcoc/s320/PXL_20230925_181816217.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx89NJonyMER9CacpDwvF1F2v2u9DEQLxv-ttFRZ0vgWrroeNiTwOb707vNOESyzhp8m97uSOFqAfXnerxV2Pzs5LDuom33gIMY61w1KkYdyBsz-3wAwt3otIHLCVKeq9klfDxwMTSUox9v3L9FqKrcETmKnrQWpsAbjTOFv6EkqO03U4xXEe-/s4080/PXL_20230925_181828936.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx89NJonyMER9CacpDwvF1F2v2u9DEQLxv-ttFRZ0vgWrroeNiTwOb707vNOESyzhp8m97uSOFqAfXnerxV2Pzs5LDuom33gIMY61w1KkYdyBsz-3wAwt3otIHLCVKeq9klfDxwMTSUox9v3L9FqKrcETmKnrQWpsAbjTOFv6EkqO03U4xXEe-/s320/PXL_20230925_181828936.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The owner (friend of theirs) changes out the rock patterns on the walls every week, I think Leah said.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtcxpPj0b8gCVrVfmvXGNGqChcVutClXv-vS-YfOUw8jiH1dZmbBYeb2ISeE1SQ4OD9E-JSJG3jgVPpjQHy-7J2vVIhVJ55Z1WTDFh_t-fspvTa2t9t0n5hyphenhyphenmXBxdA1jKymtbDaemh90n_ityUHwrnasHSZR7uHOWyVa5ApPBjgYYsoNykGSa/s4080/PXL_20230925_182015262.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtcxpPj0b8gCVrVfmvXGNGqChcVutClXv-vS-YfOUw8jiH1dZmbBYeb2ISeE1SQ4OD9E-JSJG3jgVPpjQHy-7J2vVIhVJ55Z1WTDFh_t-fspvTa2t9t0n5hyphenhyphenmXBxdA1jKymtbDaemh90n_ityUHwrnasHSZR7uHOWyVa5ApPBjgYYsoNykGSa/s320/PXL_20230925_182015262.MP.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anyways, it was a 90 degree day all of a sudden Sunday. Supposed to be today, too. Then we drop back to the 60s and even 50s. Spring and summer are extra unpredictable.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Got laundry done Sunday, but not put away yet. Have a fair to-do list for this week. I never know for sure how it will go. Have Keanna coming to clean on Tuesday and Friday morning I have the poke and peek bladder doctor visit. Any extra spoons will go to letter writing and working on the Christmas cards. I'm still working at trying to sleep regular hours--or regular for me-lol! Slowly making some progress, I think. All progress in my life seems to be very, very slow the past couple years--ROFL!! But it is still progress. And I think it will all turn out wonderfully in the end. Patience. Or my word for the year--Relaxation--relax. So, till next week, you dear, dear sweet folks--bless you!! *hugs* </span></div></div></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.com14