Last week she brought home 3 noodles from school - filched probably from art class? - and asked if I would get her some more interesting ones. Like a good Mimi, I bought a box of colored pasta, and she's just discovered them. I know my limits, so I didn't ask why she wanted the pasta, but I noticed a lot of arranging in there. I shouldn't be surprised at what children come up with to entertain themselves, because I was the same way. It didn't take much. She was just as thrilled with that box of noodles as she would have been with a new toy.
Keeping It Going in Alabama
Friday, March 1, 2024
Egg Day
Last week she brought home 3 noodles from school - filched probably from art class? - and asked if I would get her some more interesting ones. Like a good Mimi, I bought a box of colored pasta, and she's just discovered them. I know my limits, so I didn't ask why she wanted the pasta, but I noticed a lot of arranging in there. I shouldn't be surprised at what children come up with to entertain themselves, because I was the same way. It didn't take much. She was just as thrilled with that box of noodles as she would have been with a new toy.
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Progress
I've written a few more posts than I thought I would this year, although having no incentive to do anything and less incentive to write about that lack thereof.
I'll add some pictures I had forgotten and see how that goes.
The amaryllis finally bloomed, and it was beautiful for days. It was almost white with just a little outline of pink or purple. Now comes the decision on whether to plant it outside or leave it in a pot outside - or what.
Emily's finally came in about a week after mine.
I wish we knew how and when to plant them to enjoy them again next year. I think mine did bloom twice last year in the same pot. I'll have to go back and check.
Pictures from school. Making their Valentine boxes.
And opening them after school.
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Making Our Way Through February
It hasn't been a fantastic month weather-wise, but it hasn't snowed either, so I'll take that as a positive. I had a wellness visit with my doctor yesterday here in town, and that went pretty well. No new ideas about how to get me some energy, but we have "plans" for a few things to maybe help. I got a pneumonia shot, my blood pressure was high - but it usually is - and we made a few minor changes in my medications. I have to go back in a month after labs, but I'm not expecting too much. Nothing really hurts, and I don't feel bad. I just need about 10 hours of sleep at night and sometimes a nap. I feel like I'm wasting what little life I have left, but I did some positive organizing in the sewing room, and now I feel like I will finish up a few projects in there. All the pins, ribbons, art supplies for the girls, thread, and most of the buttons are organized. Fabric is fairly neat, and knitting and crocheting needles and yarn are corralled in baskets. I cleaned all the surfaces and washed the window and window sill, so it's pleasant to come and go in there. I can't make the decision to let the embroidery machine go, but I don't know if I'll ever remember how to use the program on my old computer and organize my files.
This week is Winter Break, and Emily and Ryan had planned to go see Dune last night while I had a sleepover, but she started having back spasms Saturday and postponed any type of movie-going. My offer still stands to have some company, but I'll need to know ahead of time so I can take a nap before they get here.
I'll scroll through my pictures and see what I've been interested in these past few weeks. I took a picture of the first piece of furniture we bought to show a friend - a $35 desk from a thrift store in Summerville, GA.
We were only 21, so I think we did a pretty good job of redoing it and choosing something we would love through the years. It's a little wobbly, but after 55 years, if I haven't tightened the legs yet, it's not going to get done unless someone inherits it who will do it. I think I now remember that Ryan did that for me when we first moved here, but it seems to need it again.
The sampler above it was done so many years ago that I don't remember. Back when samplers were in style. I loved this pattern and enjoyed making it more than anything I've ever done. We had friends in town who had opened a framing shop - the Varners - and they did an excellent job on everything they ever did for me, this one in particular.
I'll try to take a better picture tomorrow when the light is better. Graysen showed an interest in the sampler one day, and I loved telling her about young girls in the past learning their ABCs and numbers by embroidering them over and over and showing off their skills and artistry. Grandmothers love a teaching moment, but she looked at it a minute and said, "Why do you have it?" I said, "I embroidered it myself, all those thousands of little stitches, just to hang over this desk." Far from being impressed, she said, "Why?" Children know how to take the wind out of your sails.
I've had this up all day waiting for something interesting to happen to write about. Actually, I just forgot to post, but at least it's a few words. I haven't seen the girls this Winter Break and miss them, but I know they're having fun being at home and resting up from the last few weeks of being so busy. Soccer and basketball still goes on in spite of the week off too. I'll go listen to my audio book until I get sleepy and see if I can get back on a better sleep schedule. Unfortunately, I slept a few hours this afternoon, but I do enjoy afternoon naps. I'll soon have the sewing room cleaned up enough for a few pictures. My heart isn't in sewing right now, but I do have some things I want and need to do in there.
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Birthdays
I feel like I've done a few posts on Facebook - lots more than usual - about birthdays and don't really want to do it again. But I will, because Facebook might be a thing of the past one day - and so might this blog. Who knows.
I can count on three birthdays the first 6 weeks of the new year, and this year we celebrated one more. The girls' friend upstairs turned 10 while everyone was shut down for a few days over the snow, ice, and wind, so we just gave her good wishes in passing. Her grandparents from Florida also spent the week with them, so we didn't see her except in passing. That would not do for Graysen and Katherine though. They wanted a REAL party and wanted to plan and do it themselves. They're amazingly good at planning and carrying things through. Sometimes the preparation and decorating are more fun than the actual event.
I was in charge of food, and I knew it would be simple. I'm glad of that decision, because the grapes and popcorn I put on the table were completely ignored, although the Lemon Loaf was devoured. It wasn't what you would think of for a 10-year-old's party, but they all love Starbucks, and I found a copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf I wanted to try. It turned out pretty well.
Without the lemony glaze, there wasn't much to it. I didn't have any lemon zest and don't think it would have made much difference. The combination was just right - to me. Mary, Noreen, and I had a piece on our Scrabble morning, and I think we all thought it was pretty good. I was going to post the recipe, but I can't remember the one I used. It seems to be a fad right now, and I'd like to try a few more versions - and there are many.
Before I iced it, I had it on the counter and mentioned to Graysen that that was the birthday cake. She looked at it for a few seconds and then politely said, "I don't really like cornbread." Poor baby. Once that sugary lemon glaze covered it, she dug in and didn't leave a bite.
As soon as the girls got here, they got to work. Kate wanted to make a Pin-the-Tail-on-the Cat game. I think one of the overpriced kits Emily had bought for Graysen's party last year had one, and they loved it, although I would have thought that particular game was long out of style.
Kate asked if I had a big piece of white paper, and when I gave her a piece of white foam board, you'd have thought it was the best thing EVER. I love all that excitement. She got busy and drew a cat.
I offered her black markers and black construction paper to make it show up better, but she reminded me that the players had on blindfolds, so it didn't matter. Makes sense. She spent more time fighting with the double-stick tape to hang it with than the actual drawing.
It was a hit though. I can't imagine a game they would have enjoyed more. I gave them a sleep mask that was perfect - except if you look at the ceiling, you "might" could see the cat. It didn't matter, they spun each other around and shrieked and make some strange pins.
Such a fun day.
Emily had a birthday on the 31st and Alan had one on February 4th. I'm not sure they had quite as much fun as these girls did, and I don't have any pictures, but I'll work on a mention later when I have more time. They deserve their own posts! I just need more time.
I have so many problems with videos. Just when I think I've figured it out, something else comes up to frustrate me. On this last one, I was able to watch it, but at the end there were "suggestions" of disturbing videos to watch. I've tried over and over through the past couple of years to end a video without this stuff, but I've failed. Right now, it just shows a frozen one, which may be best after all.
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
There Goes January
I shouldn't rush time since it seems to be getting away from me, but all the winter months can just fly by. After the snow and ice, it's been just - gray - rain and more rain and cold too.
I love having the option of staying home and not getting out into it. I ended up ordering groceries from Amazon Fresh again, and I'm really liking that. It's good for when I need heavy things like drinks and cat food and cleaning things. I don't need an excuse though. I just like knowing what time they will be here and stepping onto the front porch and bringing them in. Since the girls have done such a good job cleaning my pantries and refrigerator, it was nice to put them in without crowding
I'm up early today, but I'm not going to spend all my good hours on writing here. I have my list, and I'm sticking to it. I did forget to bring in the garbage and recycling cans yesterday since I didn't go around back. The wind is awful, and I hope it's not another chase to get them back home. Monday first thing I noticed people on the community groups all excited about 62 degrees and sunny. I already had on a long-sleeved shirt by then and was glad I did. I never saw any sun, and while it was warmer, it still was not warm enough. I had a dentist appointment at 12:00, and he was downright glum about no sun. I found myself searching through the trees for some and thought it was lighting up in one place, but it was just snow on Mount Si.
I still was glad to be out and had several errands, but I did not enjoy my visit to the dentist. Lately he has done the cleaning, and since he likes to chat a little - and listen - it's slow and not particularly uncomfortable. There was a new hygienist Monday though, and while she's just as nice and sweet as can be, she took a personal dislike to my teeth. No small talk from her. She was whipping around those sharp instruments and suctioning and jabbing, and I actually got tense. I had to make myself relax my arms. And she was typing away on her computer as she did a section of my mouth. I actually got a little worried.
I guess lots of people enjoy being a dental hygienist, but it can't be the most fun job ever, and I know she is doing exactly what she's learned to do and has been instructed by the dentist to do. I think I had rather just skip any visits at all, but I do feel better mentally when I leave. Physically, though, I felt drained and just wanted to go home. So no errands for me that day. My mouth didn't feel like eating so I had something to drink and took a nap! It doesn't take much for that to happen. I could tell the way the cats looked at me when I got home that they knew to go grab their best spots.
I had a good Sunday visit with Mary and Noreen, and we played Scrabble. Noreen has a super-duper set with a turntable - carousel? - so we don't have to reach so far or read upside down, so that was fun. Mary has a normal game, and I don't even have one at all, so I have to hope they don't get mad with me. I can't imagine that though. I do enjoy having friends to relax with and who share lots of the same feelings and interests. I'm waiting for word on whether or not I'll be playing bridge this afternoon. I want to, but I'm still a little hesitant about playing with experienced players.
Today is Emily's birthday, and I'm not sure how we/they will celebrate. The middle of the week is so full. I have her gifts though, and they're coming over to help me Saturday with heavy things and high things, so we may wait until then.
I found this picture of her the other day, and I threatened to post it on Facebook. I don't think she cared. She knows she was cute. Looks like it was Christmas at Grandmama and Grandaddy Ray's house.
That's enough for today. This computer is determined to outsmart me and give me 20 options when I just want 2. Obviously, I'm making bad choices already.
I'm going to do the pictures of Carly's birthday celebration last Friday and Katherine's yellow belt results. I'm sure there are other things, but I just have to get going on cleaning and catching up on everything. Then Graysen's birthday will be here in two weeks. And Alan's next week, but we don't spend much time decorating and celebrating for his - although we would if he would allow it.
I keep looking at my clock to make sure it's a.m. and not p.m. since it's so dark still.
Yes, I did pay for my negligence yesterday. I knew when I saw they weren't behind the car that I was going to be cold very soon. Little stinging, cold raindrops in my face and numb feet.
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Keeping Up With the Weather
Luckily, I don't have to leave the apartment too often, but it's back to school for the girls and back to work for Emily after a long weekend with a snow day at one end and a holiday at the other. Just glancing at the weather news, I saw the words "unseasonably warm spell for Western Washington" yesterday, but today when I looked at the week's forecast, I saw very few hours this week above the mid-30s and lots of snow and ice on Wednesday and Thursday.
I told Elise I would go with her to have her battery checked, so I guess we'd better do that today and make sure she has enough food for her and her cat. I have plenty for myself and my cats.
It would be a great week to have a good book or two to listen to, but I've sent back the last three I've started. The only one I read was Secret History by Donna Tartt. I didn't like it at first and almost returned it, but then I remembered another book she had written, The Goldfinch, and all the good reviews this one got, so I held on and finished it. Not great, and I kept dozing off and having to rewind and not being able to remember what had happened last, so I probably ended up taking twice the time to read it as I should have.
Monday, January 15, 2024
January Has Arrived and Settled In
No matter what kind of start I have for the new year - ANY new year - something in January comes along to interrupt my excitement over a new start. It's usually weather related.
I never got really organized after Christmas, but I did get the garage cleaned out enough to get the car in - if I get help moving a couple of things to a different corner. I tend to think I have to wait until someone taller or stronger comes along, and that's the smart way, but then I never do catch them at the right time, or the taller and stronger ones are in the middle of their own projects.
It's an extremely ugly little room with no insulation but some protection from the elements. Looks like it needs sweeping again already. I need to get rid of the desk and foyer table, and the car will just fit.
Ryan built these shelves and put them in my other apartment's garage and just pulled them out and repositioned them here.
It looks like a miniature concrete mixer/igloo, but it's a super-duper fancy cat litter box - one that sifts through the litter every time they use it and makes a neat deposit in a smaller pan lined with a plastic bag underneath. Not only do I avoid that terrible left knee pain caused by bending down and making a lot of scoops, but it doesn't smell and the cats have to love stepping into a clean box every time. When I see what they had to wade around in if I just left it for one day makes me sad for them and for all cats. My cats have enough perks in life for them not to be objects of pity though. They are free to snuggle in front of the fire or on the bed all day long and sleep just as much as they want to. They have 3 different outdoor scenes they can keep an eye on without even getting cold. They sometimes don't even have to ask for their food; it just appears in little bowls as soon as we wake up. The worst they have to do is meow obnoxiously for the afternoons pellets - not from hunger but from the excitement of hearing the tinkle of the food into the metal bowls and knowing they're superior to the human.
The wind has howled for too long, and the snow has piled up, but it's not over yet. I think in a couple of days we'll have some warmer weather. but it will still be January and many months to go before spring.