Sunday-noon

Good Morning!

Seems like our days have been half cloudy...

...and half sunny lately. 

Been in the 20s at night and 30s-40s in the daytime.  We had one day where it hit the 50s this past Friday.  Feels like winter already.  Which makes me think of snow and Christmas carols.  ;)

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Can't believe it's been almost a week since I blogged.  Once again, I haven't gotten around to reading blogs the past several days or even responded to your comments on my blog from the last couple posts--which seems to be the case more often than not anymore.  My life has really become "either/or" lately with the sciatica.  My time was limited enough before, but even more so now.  I'm really not sure what to do about it.

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I am learning how to work around the sciatica without setting it off, though.  At least most of the time--LOL!  For example, I wanted to scrub down my stove and the dreadful pans on the stove, right?  Well, it took me one full day, but I managed to get the job done!  I just had to do it in 5-10 minute sessions off and on all day long.  Of course, there's always that one burner pan that you can never seem to get completely clean--but close.  ;)

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Also, Dagan stopped by briefly to drop off some things and pick up the container Leah left here with the banana muffins last time.  I asked him to pull out my table leaves from under the bed for me.  Then that project took the better part of another day because I scrubbed and cleaned everything on the lazy susan, too.

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I forgot to take a before picture of the craft table but found this picture from last year when I was catching up on shredding.  (Note the vinyl covering on the table top that we got at Joann's and cut to fit.)  That's what the table has looked like for ages.

 Here's the table now with the two leaves.  Karma has lost her chair by the window because I still had to have room on my end... 

...where I sit every morning to journal.

I did pull the chair over so she could look out into the porch, though.  She found that interesting--only because the chair was in a new spot, I think.  Slept there all afternoon yesterday.

 Such an expanse!  Added 20 inches to the table--but it seems twice as long. 

But there's no clear vinyl protection anymore.  So I am using a "protector" (from my folding tabletop desk from Levenger) where I write because I use bulldog clips, as you can see, to hold paper down and in place for me (instead of my bum arm).  Didn't want them scraping on the table all the time--or the bottoms of the two pen cups, for that matter.  Leah made those and, as you can see, I cut hunks of felt to put under them.  Going to trace around them and glue the felt on to the bottoms so they won't be an issue, either. 

The other thing that I am constantly moving around on the table top is my laptop--which I keep on this metal holder whenever I bring the McLap over there.  I found this package backing from my ScorPal that I happened to keep (has directions on the other side) that fits perfectly under the metal holder.  Now I can slide that all over safely, too.

I guess I really didn't want to mark up my wooden table any more than I have to, you know?  I do most of the wet art stuff over at the art table these days, so that's good.  Ink is always a possible stain issue with me, though--LOL!

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Karma this morning.  Best of both worlds--a box and sunshine. 

She was outside for a while curled in a ball...35 degrees.  Karma still thinks every so often that she just might see those swallows. 

On other days this week I cooked up enough food to last me for a week or so--made TV dinners, a huge pot of 13 Bean Soup, and my machine bread.  Was such a joy to have my kitchen back, use my new pots, and have everything right at hand in my clean pantry!  

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Oh--my library girl, Amy, should be here any minute.  You won't know I am gone, but it will take me longer to write this.  I need a break to move around anyways.  Be back.

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I'm back.  Sweet Amy left and I have all these books for the next six weeks (five of which I never read from last time--sad!).  Three books about food production & healthy eating, one by Proust (never read anything by him and wanted to see if it would paralyze my brain or not)...

 ...and seven more in The Cat Who series.

I told her I will not put in any more requests until I have finished all of these books. 

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My life has become quite distinctly "either/or" since sciatica has graced me with more time to smell the roses.  My limited productive time has become even more limited, shall we say.  If I do one thing the rest of my list has to get put aside.  (I have constant lists going in my head and on paper--LOL!)  Like right now--I honestly feel guilty even blogging because I have not been able to get around to read blogs for many days and still haven't responded individually to the comments I received from my last couple posts.  *sigh*  Something's got to give.

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I don't want to quit blogging. 

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But I don't want to spend all my good hours at the computer, either.

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The following questions are mostly for my blogland friends, I guess--my loyal followers.  I always used to wait to post on my blog until I had gotten around to reading all the blogs I follow, commented on most of them, and responded to all my own wonderful commenters.  That's just not been a good working plan any more.  Hasn't been for some time.  The only way I could keep doing that is maybe if I only blog once or twice a month...and then I might just totally get out of the habit and quit, you know?  

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Not that my ending my blog would be an earth shattering event--LOL!  

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  What would you think of my only replying to blog comments when you have a question?  You know I read and appreciate each and every comment you take the time to write.  And are you okay with it if I don't comment on each one of your blog posts?  I do try to read them all even when I don't comment.  I know many of you can't comment on every post, either.

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I've already had to do a little of both the last few months.  Seems like I am always apologizing.  And I've had to post (like today) before I've gotten caught up in blogland--and then I feel guilty.  This ship has been sinking.

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I just don't want you to think I don't care if I am blogging and you haven't heard from me, you know?  My body is more in charge--especially this past year, it seems.  And lately it's either cleaning my pantry/kitchen or keeping up in blogland---adding leaves to my table or keeping up in blogland---reading or blogland--playing at my art table or blogland--writing letters or blogland--cleaning my stove or blogland.  One thing at a time.  My multitasking days seem to be over--LOL!  And I always seem to have too many things I want to do.  :)

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I guess I'm wondering what you think.  I am blessed with such a sweet group of loyal followers--and your opinions matter to me.  Would you rather hear from me personally in comments & replies or more often in general via more blog posts?  Something has to give.  

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Anywhoo, I am surprised at how much a person with a cranky leg can scrub 5 to 10 minutes at a time--LOL!  I have plans to order some drawer organizers, shelves, and food containers in November so I can finish reorganizing the kitchen.  The rest of the kitchen is on hold till then.  Now that I have a larger table I am more prepared for the winter projects I have in mind that involve cutting up fabric, binder boards and large sheets of paper!  ;) 

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Beautiful sunny afternoon--a balmy 48 degrees with a brisk breeze.  Karma is snoring softly on the other chair.  The cranky leg is complaining that it's time to move again.  Hope you have had as wonderful a weekend as I have.  :):)

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"There is no large and difficult task that can't be divided into little easy tasks."

Buddhist saying