Sunday-10:30pm

Good Morning!

Yah...just got up a 9:30pm. I'm not positive which day I took these morning pictures, but I think this was Friday.

You could see the crescent moon so plainly as the sky was lighting up.

I finally started feeling more back to "my" normal yesterday. Ahhh! :)

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What do Karma and I do during those long quiet nights watching movies and TV shows?

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Most of the time Karma sleeps in her cat bed next to me...

...or lets me know she wants some lovin' up.

But then...

I noticed Karma had been gone from her cat bed for a long time. Discovered her sitting on the box "steps" in the dark. I used the flash but, I assure you, if I hadn't you could barely have seen her in the dark over there spying on me. As soon as I "spied" her she indicated that she was thinking break the rules thoughts...

...climbed up to the top "step" and started smelling the bowl with the peppermint lifesavers, knowing full well that I am watching her every move and that I know how she loves mint.

"What are you up to?" My voice came slow and deep, with a hint of a growl.

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Now Karma knows the difference between the "What are you up to?" with the I am watching you so don't push your luck threat voice (because she knows she's not allowed on the kitchen counters even though I know she does so on occasion while I am asleep--just for the thrill--and even though she tries to be extra careful not to touch anything she sometimes catches the scotch brite pad on her fur as she goes up and over the "window" ledge there into the kitchen and I pretend to miss the evidence lying in the sink) and the "GitDown!" angry you'd better move you butt right this second voice.

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She couldn't resist the double check to see if I was rising off the couch--LOL!

I hadn't moved yet, so she turned her back to me--to demonstrate her defiant confidence--smelling the land line phone--but kept her ears on alert for any sound of movement on my part.

"Don't you even think about it", I warned her with the one more move and your a$$ is mine voice--knowing that when Karma is thwarted she sometimes swipes things down off offending surfaces with a darting paw.

So, Karma casually turned around and took her time surveying the ceiling and absorbing the high vista before she casually climbed down off the boxes in her own good time...saving face, as cats are want to do.

The evil Queen decided to place the table easel on the top box knowing that the Princess doesn't like to step up on anything unstable because of the high value she places on her well-being. Too many breakables on that end of the shelf up there...and mints. ;)

The following picture was Saturday, I believe. Hard to keep your days straight on these hours. What little ice crusted snow we had left has been melting away with the 30-40 degree days--that are supposed to linger for another few days. Could have snow, too, I guess.

Miss Karma's new batch of grass was finally long enough--and nice and thick this time thanks to AliceKay! She's been grazing happily since Saturday morning.

Caught the sun coming up this morning...

...as it came over the horizon on a cloudy morning.

Karma basked on the carpet in the warm sun--near her grass, of course. Never know what the unreasonable Queen might take away.

Hope you have a wonderful week!!

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"The only way to live is to accept each minute as an unpredictable miracle."

Margaret Storm Jameson

Thursday-2:30pm

This is how I have felt the past few days, too. Just want to curl up and sleep like Karma--LOL!

Well, my trip to the Moorhead Center Mall...mission accomplished. I learned tidbits of information from each of the drivers. Since it is difficult for me to stand for any length of time, I can request that they buzz me when they get here. That way, since there's no place to sit downstairs and they want us to be ready 10-15 minutes ahead of our pickup time, I can sit by the window up here and watch. The door buzzer calls my cell phone, so I can just head down as soon as I see them pull up or not worry if I'm puttering about at the last minute because I'll get a call. Same goes for when they pick me up at places where I can't see them from a place I can sit...like at the dentist's office. I just tell them that they need to come in and let me know when they're there. Nice! They do deal with a lot of people with walkers and canes, so they are used to being accommodating.

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I also found out that you can buy a punch card that doesn't expire right from the driver and they take checks. $30 for 10 rides or $60 for 20 rides--that's $3.00 one way. That was so nice to know! I don't have to worry about having the correct amount of cash.

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They were here about five minutes before pickup time. They have vans and I got to ride in the passenger seat--was the only passenger both ways this time. Got to Moorhead Center Mall a few minutes before 1pm, the time I requested to be there. My shopping didn't last long, though. I was dead tired from not sleeping much for three days and my lower back was really bad that day. I managed to wander about K&Krafts for about 25 minutes. They don't carry the magazine I was looking for (Art Journaling) and I didn't have anything else in particular I was looking for. I notice that every time I make it over there it is more and more for scrapbookers and less for cardmaking.

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I decided I am definitely turning into a tightwad--LOL! I love to support the local small businesses but the less money I have with the prices of everything going up the less I am willing to pay extra for things I can buy for cheaper online...even including shipping! I was telling Dagan and Leah Wednesday night that the internet is like one giant Walmart making the local businesses suffer.

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You know how when Walmart would move into a town and undercut all the local stores and many of them went out of business...well, these days it's internet shopping. And it's moved in everywhere! Amazon--for one--is like the Walmart of cyberspace. Not quite the same. There's a tremendous variety of places to shop online. But online shopping is really effecting local businesses.

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Even JoAnn's. They have great deals online and I often shop there. But when I go to their actual store in town...they don't even carry a fraction of what they carry online. AND you cannot return an item you bought online to an actual local store. Things are just shifting. And me...I'm very much the online shopper, as you know. Being housebound, it's an absolute lifesaver!!

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Anyways, I wandered through K&Krafts, aisle by aisle, but I was feeling miserable and didn't want to spend extra to buy anything. Then I thought, I need socks--have been looking online at those, too. Been in the mood for funky, wild socks...and some more feminine ones, too...tired of the plain white sport socks. I did this 20 years ago and had flowers and parrots and fish and bold stripes...was such fun! So I wandered over to Herberger's...but, once again, I can get them cheaper online. Didn't see anything I liked enough to pay extra for, either. So--that was it for me...35 minutes and I was done for. I called for pickup.

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I had a place to sit next to the entrance door where I could see well. I tried to read, but you know us Scandinavians when we aren't sure how things work and are afraid of missing the very second the van arrives...couldn't concentrate to read when I was looking over at the door constantly. Heaven forbid the driver might have to wait for me for 30 seconds--LOL! It took about 35-40 minutes for the van to arrive to pick me up. Next time at the dentist I'll be able to just sit and read because they will have to come inside to collect me. ;)

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By the time I got home (gone almost 2 hours), ate after not eating for 2 days and then called my dear friend, Ruby, to let her know how it went...well, I was in bed before 6:30pm! Slept till almost midnight...and then was back in bed at 6:30am and slept till 1pm. These last days have been predictably miserable...suffering the after effects of the anti-diarrhea pills. Opposite extreme--constipation, bloating, cramps, gas, and feeling quite generally lousy. Truth--the only place I can go and not have to do the pills and no eating thing is over to Dagan and Leah's. No wonder I don't like leaving the apartment--LOL! And I have to do this again for the dentist on the 29th.

*sigh*

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Meanwhile...I went to start on some sewing repairs...and the machine didn't work! It was skipping stitches all over the place...wasn't catching the stitches half the time. I tried removing the bobbin and re-threading it...nothing. So, Leah took the machine with her last night (Wednesday) to bring it back and complain today. I had better not be charged anything at all, either. I was soooo disappointed! That machine should have been completely ready to roll! Oddly...the sample piece of fabric they left under the pressure foot was sewn with cream colored thread and the machine came back with black thread?

We'll see what happens with that.

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Dagan and Leah came over last night. They had picked up this basket shelving unit at Target for my pantry wall. Closet Maid brand, so it should be good.

Dagan was the assistant.

Leah had her tools with her...portable drill and everything!

Our Tool Girl.

The handiwork.

I decided I wanted to split up the three-section unit into a two-section longer part and a one-section shorter part. Easier for us short people to reach more of it--LOL!

They just stuck the baskets wherever. They're all movable so I can adjust them to wherever I need them later on.

Leah's going to look over at Lowe's to see if they might have a deeper basket since Lowe's sells Closet Maid parts. I could use a deeper basket if they have one...for the giant saran wrap box. So, until I know for sure if I can get a deeper basket or even a shelf for that, I won't start rearranging the pantry. (Not feeling up to anything, anyways.)

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Wait until Caroline sees this! I didn't tell her we were moving the broom holder thingie into the hall closet by the washer and dryer--hehe! Fun to surprise her!

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Anyways, I did order (from Amazon--LOL!) some socks and some triple strength melatonin. I had tried melatonin some years ago and it did absolutely nothing for me. But I don't know if I ever looked at the dosage, you know. Just bought a bottle at Target. I thought maybe I'd try a second time...and stronger dose. Can't hurt, right?

*she says as her days and nights are flipped again*

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I've also had strange gmail troubles. This new email system they have had been working fine (Leah showed me how to do it) when suddenly it was saying I had 40-some unread emails but I couldn't find them? And things were all in the wrong sections, too. But if I tried to move something that was in a wrong section--say removing the "important" or the "star"--they vanished altogether. Weirdest thing. I tried reorganizing my emails in different ways and finally some of them popped up--BUT many of them were old emails I had already read??? The next day...things seemed to be back to normal. I am not sure if I actually did lose emails in the process, though.

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Oh, and Blogger was acting up, too, at the same time. So, I'm not sure if I missed some blog reading, ether. First it told me I wasn't following any blogs at all with nothing showing up on the reader...and then I saw older ones I had read mixed in with newer ones I hadn't read (I'm very methodical). So, I may have missed some blogs along the way, too. Things seem to have gone back to functioning normally now.

Knock on wood. ;)

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So, Karma and I are just hanging out...sleeping as much as possible. I'm hoping to feel back to my normal in a little while. Just wanted you to know that we're okay over here and even have some new pantry shelving on the wall--whoohoo! Thanks Dagan and Leah!! I'll be catching up on blogs and emails soon, too. Almost the weekend already! Oh, and we've been having spring-like days in the 30s! Take care and I hope to be back again soon. :):)

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"Remember when life's path is steep to keep your mind even."

Horace

Sunday-10:30am

I shouldn't be posting again when I am so far behind online, but this will be a quick. ;) Karma tried to claim one of the JoAnn's boxes. It was just a bit too small for her and she lost interest pretty quickly.

Rubye wondered where the fabric was in my order--LOL! So I decided to take most of the fabric out of the box for some pics. I bought most of these around 14-15 years ago when I worked in an office and needed skirts, vests, and jackets to wear every day. Some of it is older than that--a couple newer. You know how when you are sewing regularly and you see something pretty that you fall in love with...LOL!

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The black and rusty brown fabrics on the left are faux suede.

I knew any of these could make pretty journal covers--but some of the fabric is quite thin and that's why I wanted the heavyweight fusible interfacing. Might be a way to use a thin chipboard insert if the interfacing doesn't work?

The lighter fabric kept having a glare, so here's a better shot by itself. It's like a floral watercolor!

So this is why I didn't need to buy any fabric. ;) Been carrying a box full around for years. So long that I can't remember what I had planned to make with which fabric and which pattern. Especially since I occasionally bought a couple yards just because with no specific pattern in mind. I can't work anywhere anymore--and, truth, I'm much fluffier than I was 15 years ago--so I can use it for whatever I feel like. ;)

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Anyways, didn't sleep much at all last night, either.

Looks like I might not catch up too much online today, either.

I will eventually. I promise. :)

Quiet, noodle weekend here.

Hope it's a good one your way. :)

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"Darkness deserves gratitude. It is the allelula point at which we learn to understand that all growth does not take place in the sunlight."

Joan Chittister

Saturday-1:30pm

A surprise for Miss Karma came in a box from UPS yesterday!

AliceKay sent Karma a fat bag of cat grass seed for a belated birthday present--LOL!

I had already cleaned out what little was left of her grass and had put it out on the porch because I didn't have enough seed left to plant this bigger planter full. As you recall, I was going to search and see if I had a smaller planter that was heavy enough. Well, I took the planter back inside, let it thaw all day, and replanted it with lots of seed! Karma will have a feast coming next week. Thanks so much, AliceKay!! Not that Karma understood what the package was, but she'll be thrilled with the grass when it materializes later--LOL! And you know you'll see pictures! :):)

I got the trusty old sewing machine set up yesterday.

You can really tell it is 37 years old by the pictures in the instruction booklet--toaster covers, lampshades, aprons...

...removable collars, and "fancy works"--LOL!

Just in time because my big order from JoAnn's arrived today!!

I think everything was on sale. I was so excited...as I pulled things out of the boxes I took pictures...that I , obviously, couldn't wait to post. ;)

These are silicone stamps.

Have never seen these before. Very detailed...

...and you can even pour hot wax on them and they won't melt.

Cool! Saw a video on youtube.

A Spellbinders Nestabilities lacy ovals set of dies ($10 off!!).

I've looked at these sets of cards many times. On sale for $6.99...

...four each of all these designs on the sides of the box.

40 cards and 40 envelopes!

Could use them as is or add something to them.

Soft, pretty designs!

Here's Karma sitting on bubble packing next to the four different small packaged pieces of heavyweight fusible interfacing (plan to use when I make the journal covers) and the black and white photo box with flowers (use them to store all kinds of things).

My very old nicked up pins are being replaced by some new sewing pins. See the cool ones with the flat flower heads?

Got an extra set of needles for my sewing machine and a set of large tapestry needles (use those for sewing bookcards together and for the next item).

The new smocking attachment for my Sew Easy. It pokes the holes in the paper and then you use embroidery thread to fill in the design.

Karma was checking everything out, of course. Packing material and empty boxes are totally irresistible and exciting to the curious. ;)

The last item...a set of green storage boxes with blue, green, and white on black polka dot covers.

Here they are next to the black and white photo size box. The big bottom green one looks like it would hold 12 X 12 paper.

For now I slid the empty boxes under the art table. You know who was wondering "steps?"--but I knocked that out of her mind right away.

Goodness gracious! What a haul! Not that any one thing was expensive, but...whoohoo! All set for puttering with the sewing now, too. Guess I should try to get to the clothing repairs this weekend.

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Last night I couldn't get to sleep till almost 5am and didn't sleep long at all, so I am on the zombie side today. Hopefully I'll sleep well tonight. *she says as she yawns* I may be tired but I just had to show you Karma and my goodies!! ;)

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Have a really wonderful weekend!! :):)

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"Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present."

Jim Rohn

Friday-11:45am

I think Miss Karma is pretty used to the loveseat now.

She seems to be able to sleep more deeply.

What she loves is being close enough to reach her paw over (which startles me now--LOL!) and ask for a little scratching under her collar.

That's one of her favorite things in life. She pushes her head and ears hard right into my fingers. Looks a bit silly, but Karma would tell you it feels glorious!

On Wednesday Caroline came to clean. I had ordered new vacuum cleaner bags for my little canister vacuum. The surprising thing was that I ordered them on Amazon, but it was through another company and usually they add shipping and maybe tax...whatever...as I'm sure a lot of you know. But this company added nothing. I even checked what came through my bank. I don't know if any of you ever need those kind of supplies but PRB Products was the company and they were fantastic! Not only didn't charge shipping, it was here in just a couple of days!

I got my Ink Drop for February and we got a little surprise inside--LOL! (I actually gave the little package of candy hearts to Caroline.) Forgot to take a picture of the ink samples. I already had two of the inks and poured the samples into my bottles already. But you know how I love getting my ink samples, regardless. :)

Dagan and Leah came Wednesday night. I made spinach and mushroom quiche for dinner. I was working on cards when they got here and they were nice enough to chip in and help me add the ScorTape to the backs of the card parts. They did all the cupcakes while I finished up the blue layering piece. Leah cut and Dagan stuck them on. :)

We really didn't have anything planned--just hung out. Dagan and Leah had both been up late and were tired, so they left early. I just love those two so much. Always a joy to see them. :) Karma's been occasionally and temporarily friendlier. Rubbing on Dagan's legs, not hissing as Leah walks by...but then she finally did end up under the bed. It's almost like she momentarily forgets she's antisocial--ROFL! ;)

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Thursday I finally got the cards taped together and finished--TaDa!!

I've never even gone into January before. Geez!

Simple. But I like them. :)

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Let's see...I called the Senior Bus Ride place and am set up for pickup on Monday. I had thought Friday, but then decided against it. That would only give me one day to not eat and be on anti-diarrhea pills. This way I'll have the whole weekend. I know. I should have a TMI warning--LOL! ;)

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I am also set up for pickup for my dentist appointment on the 29th, too. And I found out you can pay them for both ways when they pick you up or not--whichever way you want to do it. And there is no scheduled pick up time. You call when you're done. So now I have a better idea how it works.

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What's nice about that arrangement is that if you get dropped off at one place and you wanted to walk to another store or a coffee shop you could do that and get picked up at another location. More freedom. Nice. I am used to bus stop patience. I come prepared. I always have a book with me and paper to write letters. Actually, since I started making the bookcards--they are just perfect for letter writing on the go. Bus stops, waiting rooms, benches...self-contained...almost as easy as reading. ;)

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Oh, and the DeIcer spray! Iggy posted a link on making your own. (The one made with rubbing alcohol sounded pretty effective.) And Ann, who lives in Minnesota, said she had purchased de-icer in a spray can! So I googled it and found a whole slew of them! Man! This shows you how long I've been without a car and/or hardly driven at all OR how unobservant I am in a gas station. They may have had these for decades for all I know. Duh! So--they do make de-icer in spray cans (although many of them say they are flammable, just so you know) and you can make your own! I learned something new. :):)

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Well, as you know, I was complaining about the SOAR information being late every week...and the more I thought about it...what was I thinking?! I already have my writing/diary-type journal, an art journal, a doodle book, a watercolor and ink journal (haven't touched for ages), a sketch journal (also haven't touched in ages), my mandala I'm still working on...what was I thinking!! Duh!

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So, I decided to drop the actual SOAR journal. I can still read the prompts and guides and can use them in my own regular writing journal if I want to. I can be inspired to work in my new art journal. But I am not doing any more in the actual SOAR journal. I don't need yet another one around. Oh--and I never did start anything in that other group--the Art, Heart, and Healing--was the acrylic painting of those big-eyed, cartoon girls with the botox, cupie doll lips that seem to be the modern day version of Betty Boop. They're all over the youtube crafter videos. Can be kind of cute and fairy-like, but just not something I've been wanting to learn how to do.

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The one thing my OCD self really did like about SOAR was having a weekly ToDo list. So, I thought--easy enough to keep doing just that on my own, right? I grabbed one of the pretty little journals I bought just because it was pretty and I never had any idea what I would actually do with it...

...and just wrote down the dates of the week on the top of each page.

I went Monday-Sunday so it matches my desk calendar.

I am all set now through the end of 2012.

If there IS a 2013, I am ready--LOL!
Also this week I set up some letter writing...eleven cards and bookcards. I get things picked out and addressed...ready to start. Two of the eleven already went in the mail today. This will take a while. ;)

I've been going to bed between 12-1am and sleeping really well till like 9-10am!! So nice! Today I am washing the sheets and towels that I postponed last time I washed (wasn't up to bed making). The plan today is to get the sewing machine all set up at the craft table. It's zero degrees and sunny at 1:30pm. (Takes me a while to post with my breaks.) Stay warm or cool, as the case may be--and safe and happy!!! :):)

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"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

Thomas Alva Edison