Friday-5am

Okay--this is just a smattering of what is inside of the "Why I Love You" books I made for Dagan and Leah. A lot of it wouldn't make much sense to anyone but us. I tried to pick some pages that anybody could understand--hehe!

I used these blank books.

They are not cute, fancy, or pretty. Just plain, clunky, funky, picture books. Like the biggest Thank You card I could give--hehe!

Here's Dagan's--he loves Coke!

I painted all the manilla pages black and used the combs on most of the pages to add some texture. If you click on the pages they will be larger and it will be easier to read the word strips. :)

[For those of you who don't know: These are before and after pictures of when Dagan ended up in Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, almost died (a few times), was diagnosed with severe congenital heart defects, and finally had a pulmonary banding just to keep him alive. When I took him home they told me he'd probably be back in the hospital in a day, a week, or a month--that all the children with his particular series of defects were dead except one girl in Europe who was five--most had died within the first few months--a few lived to be toddlers. Dagan didn't go back into the hospital for years!]

His cardiologist called him his "miracle baby".

[Dagan has had a series of pallative surgeries--and several pacemakers. He has managed to live long enough for them to keep inventing new ways to keep him alive. He is now 33 years old, married five years, and has a good computer job.]

This is Leah's book and some sample pages. :)

There are also four pocket pages in each book--and those have pictures in them, too. I made red envelopes out of file folders so that they could be pulled out and it would keep everything together.

Like I said, they aren't pretty. Simple--no frills and frippery. That is more like Dagan and Leah's tastes. Besides--it's the thought that counts, right? They were absolutely and most definitely made with love.

Thursday-6:45am

Busy day yesterday!! :)

First of all, I had been having a terrible time with my YES glue as I worked on Dagan and Leah's books. You apply this paste glue with a brush--bought mine about 8-9 years ago. I "let my fingers do the walking" as the yellow pages commercial used to say. JoAnn's has it online, but not in their store in Fargo. None at Hobby Lobby. But Michael's carried it--tada! I made a trip over in the late morning.

Wow! I had forgotten what color it was supposed to be! The old jar went in the trash. Can't say I didn't get a lot of use out of it over the years, eh?


On the way into the lobby downstairs I heard the baby swallows singing away. Hard to see them, but there were two of them on the ledge near the front door. They are the prettiest little birds with a bright rust colored chest. The swallows love our building! I love them, but....
I washed clothes Tuesday and the dryer has been working poorly again for the last month or so--takes forever for the clothes to dry. I called the office and asked them to check my dryer vent--again--for a swallow nest. That is what the problem was the last two times this happened. I wish they'd put a grate or mesh or something over it so this won't happen again. I keep thinking I am cooking baby swallows as my clothes are drying!! *shudder*

I have been taking these new pills for the IBS and wasn't feeling the best. So it was nice to be able to go, pick up the glue, and go home if I wanted to and skip the rest of the shopping. :) I love having a car!

I went over to Dagan and Leah's about 4pm (and was feeling better by then, too). They have been making trips to the storage area. Still don't have all their things moved in, but it is looking more and more like home as they slowly unpack.

They found the bolts for the table and have the chairs now, also!

It is slowly looking more like their place--little by little--box by box. :)

I think she had her plants over at her mom's. Plants make such a difference, don't they?

When Dagan got home from work I had them open their "Why I Love You" books at the same time.

They read their own and then each other's. We laughed a lot. They said they liked them. :):):) I will post some pictures tomorrow. I had too many pictures for today already. (Feast or famine with the pictures, eh? hehe!)

Leah is a recyler extrodinaire! She got a new metal wastebasket I thought was awesome! And has her recyling bins lined up--uses heavyduty wastebaskets with built in handles. She brought me one for recyling my catalogs--you've seen it. :)

Chuck and Michal came home. :)

Dagan and Leah loaded up PitaPaseo for me and they were off to watch a softball game. I felt good enough to do my shopping.

Was such a beautiful evening, as you can see. I stopped at BB&B to buy plastic hangers.

Then I went to Target and got milk, headbands, hair ties, and some of my International French Vanilla Cafe. :)

Got home about 7pm--managed to get the entire haul up here in one trip! One bag hanging on either side of me and dragging the cart--and even stopped to get my mail--hehe!

Those big shoulder shopping bags (we had Leah's friend make) will really come in handy now that I have a car! I hadn't used them yet. I have this red one and a denim one. I'll be keeping one in the car and one in the closet up here. Worked really slick--even if I thought I was being choked a couple of times. Won't put anything so heavy in it next time--hehe!

Leah had a few things for me, too. She had stopped at a craft store in St. Cloud and bought these oriental and border stamp sets. And the guardian angel plaque that Ariel burned--Leah drilled holes in the top corners, so it is all ready to be hung. Just have to decide what to use. Probably copper wire. I forgot to ask Leah when Ariel wants this done, but Leah is the wire person, too--so she will be finishing it, anyways.

Leah saves things for me, too, like this cool box. I'm sure I'll think of some use for it.

Speaking of mail...

...I just have to show you this card from Ruby that came with the dried plants. I have it sitting here by the computer. It just cracks me up!!

I had another package from Ruby yesterday! An old picture of Ruby, Dagan, and I right before Dagan and I moved away from the farm in Boyceville, Wisconsin--close to Menomonie where Ruby still lives. I am going to mail it to Dagan for his book!! My young man was fifteen. :):) (I made a copy for myself, too.)

And Ruby shared some of her catnip with Miss Karma. She gets a bag of homegrown catnip from a lady out in Vermont every year--another cat lover, obviously. :) It is fresh and potent. Karma was up on the desk trying to chew the corner of the envelope, rubbing her head on it, and trying to roll on the package--before I even opened it! hehehe! Thanks, Ruby! She LOVES it!

Leah ordered the cutters we wanted and they had been delivered to her place. I was too tired and sore (forgot to take my pain pill before I went running around yesterday--duh!) to even open them last night.

A mat cutter!! Now we can cut paper up to 32 inches!!!

And she got two packages of blades for it, too!

And this is the 12.5" Dahle personal trimmer!

Supposed to be self-sharpening. Can hardly wait to try it out--but I certainly will have to. Not even sure I will get the boxes opened today--awfully sore after being out shopping, etc. I will probably be writing letters and watching the last season of The Wire.

Karma has a plethora of new toys--hehe!

Between all the packaging, boxes, and the catnip, Miss Karma will be busy all day! :):) I have had to take a couple breaks just to finish posting this. But--rest assured, I am very, very happy today!! :):) Hope you are having a happy day, too!

Wednesday-5:15am

What a wonderful gift came in the mail yesterday inside this three ring binder! Thanks, Ruby!!!! This was a lot of work!

The binder came filled with dried plants that Leah and I can use for handmade paper or cards--whatever! Ruby even labeled them for me. :)

Wild violets.

Trillium.

Bleeding Hearts.

Lily of The Valley.

Peony leaves. 4-Leaf Clover. Begonia that turned ugly brown.

Unknown Leaves.

Fern.

Young Ferns.

Maple Leaves.

Wow! Thanks soooo much, Ruby! :):)

I am planning on going over to Dagan and Leah's tonight after they are done with work. Bringing the secret projects over! At least that is the plan. I am supposed to call and double-check that they will both be there.

I also need to shop at a couple of stores today--or soon. TaDa!! Driving is still an alien concept for me, but I am getting used to the freedom again--hehe! :):)

Been hot and humid. Supposed to get into the mid-80's today--sunny. Too early to tell. :) Have a good day!!

Tuesday-8:45am

Trying to figure out what to do with my long (thin) straight hair--so here's a laugh for you. Tried to tie it up on the top of my head in a bun--like Katherine Hepburn used to do. But, obviously, she had a lot more hair! She always looked so elegant. I look more like a Sumo wrestler. Oh well, it is a lot cooler, anyways.

I worked on the snowflake mold yesterday--wrote letters--played with Miss Karma. Was just a puttery kind of day. Dark and rain came through off and on all day and into the night. Some were sudden cloudbursts that included thunder and lightning--and downpours! Looks like today might be along the same line?

Caroline is coming this afternoon to clean. It is nice to be on days! For now, anyways--hehe!

Monday-5:45am

I took pictures of the secret project--many of them. Would fill this little camera and have to empty it into the computer so I could take some more--was going back and forth several times. Karma got bored with the process and just waited for me to return to the computer. As you can see, I wasn't interesting enough for her to actually turn around--hehe! All that activity only rated an over the shoulder look and a mumbled cat comment.

I also started with making some more of the snowflake paper moulds. I wanted to have at least five of them. Only two done so far. (So stinky!)

These are going to be made for my second Christmas card project on my goal list. I guess looking at the list again got me motivated to at least start something that is simple and not too time consuming. (You have to wait for the liquid mold material to dry inbetween each layer and put on many layers.)

Dagan and Leah will probably be home at the same time on Wednesday, Leah said. But with Chuck and Michal there, she said to double check. I told her I could bring over their Shaklee and that I had a little something for her and Dagan--wanted them both there. :)

Been sleeping my way around the clock--5:30pm--7pm--last night 8:30pm till 4:30am. Getting closer to "normal" hours--hehe! I'll add layers to the mold today....and then what else shall I begin...?? Feels like a good day! :):)

Sunday-1:30pm

I finally finished the second secret project yesterday!! Can't post pictures until I have given them to Dagan and Leah. Hope they don't think they are too silly--hehe! They certainly aren't fancy, that's for sure. But Dagan and Leah aren't fancy folk--chuckle!

I am relaxing today and watching a couple of Netflix movies. Pondering what to do next! :) Might have rain rolling in later today. Windy and the sky is very cloudy already.

I had made a list of artistic goals for 2008. Haven't fulfilled hardly any of them. I need to look over my list (I had added to it since January) and decide what to do next.

Here's a copy of the list I redid a month or two ago. (My original, and much shorter, goal list is posted on my Flickr account--in January, of course.) The parts in red are done. I have quite a ways to go before Old Man Time catches up with me on New Year's Eve, eh? hehe! Can't say I ever run out of plans and things to do, right? ROFL!! :)

Artistic Goals for 2008

1. Get caught up on the EDM list--sketching/drawing.

2. Keep learning Chinese Brush Painting--be brave and try new subjects besides orchids and bamboo--use some of my good paper.

3. Polymer clay--figure out how to make paperweights and how to finish the miniature rose bouquet.

4. Watercolors--use the new Moleskine sketchbook (WC and ink) and continue with the wildflowers/botanicals.

5. Make up a new batch of cards (just finished up all spares)--try some new techniques.

6. Figure out how to construct a book with the leather scraps Leah bought (Coptic stitch).

7. Make some watercolor journals—coptic stitch and regular bound books.

8. Make rice paper journals for Ann and Haiying.

9. Finish Dagan and Leah’s “Why I Love You” picture books.

10. Make bookcards with pretty paper.

11. Make handmade paper for cards and covers for bookcards. (have made some)

12. Make up at least two sets of Christmas cards. (one set done)

13. Make up at least two sets of birthday cards.

14. Make Altoid palettes—some with new (better quality) brands of watercolor paints. (have made about half of what I planned to make)

15. Buy some decent brushes—start with size eights and buy different brands.

16. Learn how to mix colors with watercolor paints. (have practiced a little)

17. Clean and reorganize my art and craft areas.

18. Finish adding color to the Oriental Flower & Bird Paintings I traced.

Saturday-6:30am

It was cool and rained for the better part of the afternoon and evening yesterday. You can see the little puddles in the parking lot is this morning. (The Pesao is the little red car--*big grin*)

Yesterday was the first day (after the 3rd when I get my check) that I felt well enough to leave the house and was basically on days. So, I finally got over to the pharmacy in the morning (beat the rain) with my new prescription I got last month for IBS. I didn't bring it in to the pharmacy last month when Dr. Sleckman wrote it out for me because I had about $2.00 to my name and wasn't sure if there was a co-pay. Turned out there wasn't--tada! Now I'm in the system for this prescription, if it works--can have it mailed out. We'll see--I am hopeful. Was soooo nice to be able to just jump in the car and go when I needed to. Ahhh! :)

Came home and worked on the secret project for Dagan and Leah off and on all day yesterday. Finally finished step two!! Exciting! One more step to go. :)

Dagan and Leah are moving more things out of storage this weekend. They may stop by with things for the garage. We might put the TV in the garage for now, too, until they have time to do the furniture switch. Not sure if they will get that far--the TV being one of the last things they plan to move. They're just making trips with a borrowed covered pickup truck and getting as much as they can.

Chuck and Michal have moved in with Dagan and Leah this last week, I believe. (Leah's sister and her husband.) So they can probably help Dagan and Leah with the moving this weekend.

Me--I slept during the night--11:30pm till 5:30am--tada!! Not very long, so extra glad I got a lot of sleep yesterday. Hope I stay on days. :)

Today I am planning on starting the third and final part of the secret project--and I'll keep a towel nearby to cover everything up on the table if they do happen to pop in--hehe! :):)

Friday-4:30am

This has become Karma's favorite place to snooze lately--in her stroller behind my chair.

She doesn't have to worry about being stepped on (one of a sprawler's great fears in life) or being disturbed, I guess. Wish she liked it when it moved--hehe!

I've been sleeping around the clock. Slept 10 hours and just got up an hour ago. Good thing I live alone, eh? Miss Karma doesn't care when I sleep. She does get cranky if I am sleepless for a few days, tho--hehe! That may be why she took to sleeping in the stroller lately? She can sleep sounder in there even when I am awake.

Well, I slept well now the last two days--feeling more human! Planning on working on the second secret project some more today.

I love it like this--when I can have the windows open and the cool breeze is drifting in at night. It is so quiet and calm when the world is asleep. I think I have always loved the night--for as long as I can remember. And the very early morning hours before people are stirring--when, in the blackness of the night, the birds joyfully begin announcing the coming of the light. Feels like the earth can be more at rest without us, to be honest.

Speaking of--the birds increasing excitement will be starting soon...later. Have a great day! :)

Thursday-8:30am

So--what was I doing during the night while you all slept? Making some bookcards. I picked out cover paper and inside paper from my pre-cut box of goodies. :)

Did something different this time for the covers. Made them with two layers--one of paper and then a layer of vellum on top. If the vellum was patterned, then I used plain paper underneath. If the vellum was plain colored, I used patterned paper underneath.

I folded, punched holes, and sewed while I watched episodes of The X-Files. (I am loving it!)


This time I just used a thin white embroidery thread for all of them. Made it easier and faster for construction.

Nine of the eleven are already spoken for--hehe! I owe quite a few letters. I sat and wrote out all of the envelopes so they are all ready. Is it any wonder I go through so many bookcards?!



The handwritten letter is becoming a lost art. People like myself--we will keep it alive! We are the pen fanatics--the ink lovers--the ones who live for the feel of a good pen in hand moving across the paper with your thoughts flowing down your arm.... ahhhh!



Most of the people I write to do not write letters back. They email me. But they understand how I love to sit and relax with pen in hand and chat with them--so they are tolerant of my snail mail compulsion--hehe! It is a completely different atmosphere to me than typing on a keyboard. Writing is something I have done since I was nine years old. It's an extension of my thinking process--hehe! And letters! When I write letters it is like chatting with the person I am writing to over a cup of coffee, you know? Almost like they are sitting there with me for a little while. :)



Well, another beautiful morning, ladies and gentlemen! And I'll be going off to bed pretty soon. So strange. But this too shall pass, right? Always does. My life seems to be, and always has been, a combination of opposites--so why should my sleeping patterns be any different--chuckle! Seems to fit, somehow. Variety is the spice of life, eh? (Just be careful what you wish for! hehe!)

Wednesday-7am

Dagan came by over his lunch break yesterday and brought a computer. They were giving away some old ones to employees at his work. This is a step up from my desk computer, he said. Bigger brain, as I say--hehe!

Took me a long time to realize that the tower is actually the computer. I thought of the computer as the monitor and Dagan and Leah would chuckle at my computer ignorance. I am sure glad the younger folk have grown up with computers and know more about them.

Makes me think of that new commercial where the kids are going off to school and trying to explain to their folks how to use a blue tooth, etc. Makes me laugh every time I see it! I recognize the blank, confused look in the parent's eyes--hehehe!!

Anyways, eventually Dagan will come over and transfer all the brains from my desk computer into this new/old one from work. :) No rush. Mine has been working and I don't shut it off any more. :)

I have still been sleeping days. So otherworldly.

Beautiful, sunny morning!!

I am out of bookcards once again and I owe several letters--so last night I spent time going thru the paper I already have cut to size. While I was watching The X-Files I picked out a nice stack to work with. That's as far as I got.

It is humid, but it got so cool out last night that I had to open the door up for a while this morning. :) Been too warm and humid for me during the day with the low 80's--so I will close it up before I go to bed here.

Karma is sitting out on the porch listening to the birds.

When I don't get as much sleep, she gets extra tired. Heaven forbid she doesn't get her 20 hours--chuckle! But I do know how she feels. :)

Have a great day!! :):)

Tuesday-7:15am

Karma and I have been hanging out.

Relaxing.

Waiting...

...patiently.

Finally sleeping and feeling better again. Back to working on the project a little the last couple days. Well--nights, I should say. I have been sleeping days. In fact, I will be going to bed here shortly. :)

The weather has taken a turn for the better. Less humid and very nice and cool at night (when I have been awake)--in the 50's. Around 80 degrees during the day. No rain. This streak of dry weather is predicted to continue for the rest of the week. Hope so! I love having the windows open.

Leah's sister and her husband are selling their house in St. Cloud. They're going to stay with Dagan and Leah for a while until they can get settled back here in Fargo/Moorhead--be moving in this month, I guess. They are going to help Dagan and Leah finally finish moving the rest of their things to the townhouse this coming weekend. They'll just be making trips with a truck and cars, so they might not get it all, but they'll get most of it. :)

I have the triple dresser reorganized--the one that will be involved in the furniture switch. So, I am ready any time they come. They can wait until the very last, that's for sure, to bring the TV over here. No hurry. Doesn't matter when it arrives. :)

We're figuring out when will be a good time to make a trip down to Minneapolis this fall. September or October it looks like. Looking forward to visiting with my aunt, brother & sister and their families. :) And also figuring out when Dagan and Leah will be available in August for a visit from my folks--before they head back to Florida for the winter.

So--glad to be feeling more functional and human--planning--back to the crafts--and soon back to the cleaning and reorganizing the rest of my things. On the upswing again. Ahhh! But--right now--off to bed. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Sunday-1:30pm

Well, I have finally been sleeping off and on--around the clock. Was not feeling well at all for a few days. On the mend now.

It was so cool (upper 50's and 60's) for a couple of nights I'd open the windows and the porch door. But during the day it was hot and humid (80's). We have had thunderstorms roll through, too. A couple of days ago I decided to freak out Miss Karma and roll one of the chairs out on the porch in the early morning hours (when I am not feeling well her life gets extra quiet--hehe!). Karma thought it was very interesting!

Hope things will be more back to normal now this coming week. :)