Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Tuesday-10:30am

Well, good Tuesday morning to you!
You may have noticed from my last post that I have been loving the clouds rolling past for the last week or so. 
White clouds or dirty clouds... 
...the scenery changes by the minute!  :) 
Miss Karma's peaceful life was rattled to the core on my birthday.  She discovered that the noisy new creature that Dagan and Leah bring over can look her right in the eye and, quite fearlessly, touch her bed.  She hissed with great enthusiasm...but it didn't listen.  Just as Karma was about to smack it in the head to make her point (she has no claws) I rescued Miss Crabbypants...and her precious bed...and shut her in the bedroom...to her great relief.   
Several hours later, after they left, a nervous Karma combed every inch of the apartment (and the porch half a dozen times, too)...hissing to herself...jumping from imaginary attacks...searching for the creature she would have been terrified to actually find.
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And who was the stranger danger?
Little Ian, of course--LOL!
They brought his activity table with because he LOVES to just stand and move parts and make music and listen to the words it says.  Well, not sure he's really listening to the words yet, but the table says colors, numbers, and the alphabet song.
As I took these pictures one right after the other you can see that he kind of walks himself back and forth.
He can slowly make it all around the table if he wants to. 
Ian prefers to stand and stand and stand rather than crawl about.  Crawling seems to only be good for getting to the next place to pull himself up to stand.  Which is a good thing at Gramma's not-kid-friendly-house because they could bring with his favorite place to stand and play and Ian was one happy boy...for hours!  He would have liked to touch Karma, too, but that was not in the cards.  Never will be, I'm afraid--LOL!
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The amazing news....drum roll, please!!
Between Leah and Dagan they got Miss Brother working again!!
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Our tool girl went to work examining The Diva almost as soon as they got here.  Turned out that when I bumped that lever while the machine was running there was an attached piece right behind the needle that got caught up on the needle.
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But then, once she freed the needle, it would only sew 1-3 stitches and the thread would jam up...over and over.  It was Dagan who suggested that we try a new needle.  Apparently Dagan really had been listening to us when we were discussing how Miss Brother IS so very fussy about everything--fabrics, threads, needles, touching anything but appropriate buttons.  So, even though the needle looked perfectly straight, Leah changed needles and...voila!!...The Diva was working again!  (As well as she chooses to work, of course.)
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Leah even stuck a post-it note on the lever to remind me not to bump it--ROFL!           
 It didn't stay on very long once I was sewing, but it made me smile while it stuck there.
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And...they got the new spacesaver together for my bathroom!!  TaDa!!   
 And...they ordered Chinese (my choice--love friend rice) and even brought a birthday cake!!  Ariel (Leah's youngest sister, moved to Minneapolis) got into town before they finished the spacesaver so she stopped by, too.  Ahhh!  What a nice birthday it was. :):)
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So, since then...I've been sewing...and sewing.  (Miss Brother is still being a pain, but she is still functioning so we won't get into that.) 
This morning...everything is pinned and ready for the final top stitching--tada!! 
Leah does the final step of attaching the snaps, so I plan to bring these over tonight after they get home from visiting Leah's other sister, Michal--who lives in town here with her hubby, Chuck, and Ian's cousin, Julian, who's going on two years old.  Tonight I can get instructions on everything I need to do for the cats and the house before they leave on Friday for Japan to visit Leah's brother, Aaron, who's stationed there (Navy).  I need to know important things--like how to work their remotes so I can watch Netflix on their giant TV--since I am going to be spending quite a bit of time over there visiting with Sammy and Annie.  
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Sammy (the gray cat) gets lonesome.  He's more the friendly people-cat, but even shy Annie (the black cat) will come around for a bit of attention, too, when I visit.  I will be bringing my laptop, books, letters...and watching Netflix--LOL!  I like to pop in and out different times of the day.  Chuck and Michal will probably be checking here and there, too.  They're also my back up in case I get sick or can't make it over for some reason.  
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I am really going to miss McFamily!  Three weeks is a long time in baby time.  How much you want to bet Ian will learn to walk in Japan.  :)  Thank goodness for Google video chats.  I wonder how fast texts will travel from that far away?  And emails?  Anyways, it is so exciting!  Leah's even found a powdered healthy baby food she is bringing with.  I hope they have a wonderful time.  This is a trip of a lifetime!
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Anyways, I'll be sewing this afternoon, so not sure if I'll get around to the T-Stands For Tuesday group today or not.  Oh, goodness!  I forgot to take a picture of what I am drinking.  I actually had some Pepsi on my birthday!  I so seldom drink pop anymore, but I was always a Pepsi gal...and Dagan loved his Coke.  We never could agree on pop--but he suffered (how kind) and got a liter of Pepsi because it was my birthday--LOL!  Oh, the sacrifices your kids make for you, right?  ;)
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Oh, and no--I haven't dealt with the other two annoying issues I mentioned last time.  Once I get done with the sewing project...they will still be waiting for me.  ;)  Have a great day!  Hug a loved one today!  Literally or virtually, doesn't matter.  :):)
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“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” 
Mark Twain

23 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

oh, i know they will enjoy themselves, exploring japan! wonderful they have this opportunity (and wonderful they know you will watch things at home for them.) :)

Anonymous said...

That was funny...Karma vs. Ian.
I bought some fancy root beer recently.
I could be a root beer fanatic.

froebelsternchen said...

Happy belated birthday to you!
I always love to see Ian... such a cutie!
Happy T-Day!
xxx Susi

Deb J. in Utah said...

I love your bathroom space saver. Chinese is one of my favorites too. Sounds like you had a good birthday. I know you will miss your family, but I'm sure the time with go quickly. Safe travels to them. Have a good week. Regards to Karma!

Divers and Sundry said...

Happy birthday! I'm partial to Chinese food, including rice, too. Yummy! :)

Halle said...

You forget when you are in the thick of it how fast those little ones change. Karma doesn't know what to think!! At least she is minus claws. Miss Gracie has a full set and knows exactly how to use them. I have to say it's only been a couple of times but she definitely got her point across real quick.
Happy T day!

Linda Kunsman said...

:):) I had a feeling it was sweet Ian who was disrupting Karma's "territory". a very happy belated birthday to you!! Sounds like you had a nice celebration. Glad you got Brother working properly. I can imagine how you'll miss your family-three weeks is long, but yes, thank goodness for the internet and phone. Happy T day!

DJan said...

Is Karma going to be by herself for three weeks? I sure hope not! You must be taking her with you over there, and then she will have those other two cats to deal with. It will make Ian seem tame. :-)

andi filante said...

Hi Rita! Happy belated! I had Chinese for lunch today in your honor. ;)

You're probably right...he will most likely walk over there! I can't believe how big he is. :)

-andi

dawn said...

Hello and Happy T Day and belated birthday! How cute Ian is and I love the play table for him. Your clouds are gorgeous, always love seeing them. Sounds like your having a happy week, so good to hear that. I hope they tape him walking if he starts, so cute when they start. Take care and thanks for sharing.

dawn said...

p.s. SO HAPPY about your sewing machine, have fun stitching away now!!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Wanted to wish you a very happy belated birthday. Sorry I haven't been around much, but that altered book I'm working on has taken on a life of its own.

Really love seeing Ian, and I can relate to Karma not wanting to be around. I have ONE (Squiggles) like that, too. Bleubeard loves the attention he gets from any and everyone.

I love Chinese food and usually have it on my birthday, too. It's always a big treat.

Glad Miss Brother got fixed. Leah has a magic touch and Dagan knows just when to offer an opinion.

Thanks for sharing your week with us for T this Tuesday. Loved seeing the clouds because I looked at cloud art today. That's why I'm late getting here.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, dear Rita! I'm back from my long blogging break and very happy to see you, Karma and Ian again. I hope that precious boy and your kitty kat will become best friends and learn to respect one another. That's important. I'm happy to learn that you got your sewing machine fixed.

Thank you very much for the update, dear friend Rita, and for the kind words on my blog two weeks ago as I departed for my new home. Have a splendid day!

Darla said...

I'm late but Happy Birthday my friend. I enjoyed seeing Ian and his activity table. He's growing so fast. Three weeks is a long cat sitting assignment but I know you want your family to have a worry free and wonderful time in Japan.

Darla

Feral Turtle said...

I feel I should run out and get Chinese food today in your honor...and I guess so I don't have to cook! Poor Karma! Life will never be the same. I hope they have a wonderful and safe trip and I hope baby Ian doesn't learn too much in three weeks. Glad you got your sewing machine somewhat back to normal. At least it sews now. Sounds like you are able to keep busy while they are gone so that is good!

Carol said...

So glad Miss Brother is working again... I once had a temperamental sewing machine that would drive me absolutely crazy .. Hubs got tired of listening to me scream at it and bougth me the Super Queen for my birthday one year :) I love her.

Intense Guy said...

I could use one of those space saver over the toilet thingies myself in the new office (we went from 3 bathrooms to 1) so under the sink has stuff from 3 vanities!

Victoria Zigler said...

You don't have to worry about international texts. When I was texting Iggy regularly (when I still had a cellphone) they were getting to him just as fast as texts get to people in the same country. The only way there will be any delay with texts and e-mails is if someone has a slow connection. The only time I've noticed delays is with telephone calls.

Poor Karma! I knew she wouldn't be happy when Ian became mobile.

Glad you had such a nice birthday, and that you have Ms Brother cooperating... For now, at least!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Just letting you know I dropped in, we only have one bathroom and I have often wished we had a second one but since we rent couldn't do anything about it just deal

Far Side of Fifty said...

You might be surprised Miss Karma's curiosity may get the best of her with Ian! Sounds like they are off on a wonderful adventure! Hope all goes well for them and for you while they are gone. Nice day today BUT I heard it is going downhill again:(

~*~Patty S said...

Hope you're still celebrating your birthday month and year!
I am always drawn to clouds too...such beauty and every changing...
your photos are lovely!
Poor Karma doesn't know what to make of that cutie pie Ian and he's only just begun to get around :-)
Happy you are back in business sewing=yeah!
Wishing you a Happy T Day eventho it's Thursday!
Happy April
Happy Spring
Happy Happy Everything !
oxo

Karla B said...

Happy Tday Rita!Love your post and your gorgeous photos!

Anonymous said...

Ooo - I do love those rolling clouds! So glad to see that all is well with you and Karma. Hugs.