They Are Cute

I found these on Pinterest and decided to give them a try.

12" paper was cut into 1/2" strips then folded according to the directions here.

It makes an easy keeps-your-hands-busy-while-your-mind-is-somewhere-else project.

I'm thinking a  bowl of gold and white would look pretty at Christmas.

Enjoy the weekend.

Recycling

Naphtali used this burlap pouch  as a wrapping for a gift to me several years ago.

It has always been my intention to get some burlap and make a few to have on hand, 

and maybe I will.  Soon.

For now, though, I am recycling.

The pouch (containing her Mother's Day gift) will make the trip 

North with us to visit her and Aidan this weekend.

With any luck, this pouch will make its way back to me someday.  

Responsible recycling ....

A Tip of the Hat

How many times have you seen cheerful quips about new beginnings? 

Frankly, they (the cheerful quips) (maybe even the cheerful quippers) annoy me.

How can a beginning be anything but new!?

I am, however, a firm believer in hoping the best for those:

embarking on a new adventure

 setting a new course

blazing a new trail

building a new life

 taking their mulligan

making the most of a fresh start. 

google images

Fair Warning

The flannel sheets came off the bed today.

Charlie has an appointment for a hair cut on Tuesday.

Tim's sweaters have been washed and put away.

Go ahead and pencil in your preference for one last minute storm for the middle of next week.

Dormancy

The songbirds in our yard are hard at work every morning and pretty much throughout the day.  

Their symphonies are simply splendid.

The sunlight through the bare branches is dazzling.

Crocus are poking through the mulch.  As are the iris in a couple places.

The dormant period seems to be ending.

google images

I woke this morning and dawdled in bed making plans.  

Unlike many (many) mornings this past year when I simply dawdled in bed.  

What occupied my mind between 6 & 7?  Spring clothes?  Supper with Aidan?  

Plans for a compost barrel.  

I am heading North today to see Naphtali and (I hope) Aidan. 

 I do have plans to visit the Unique thrift store and Home Goods at Har-Mar mall once I reach the Cities.

But it was the sound of the coffee grinder that brought things into (albeit fuzzy) focus.

I want to take out quite a few ugly shrubs from the front of the house.  Widen the flower beds.
Reduce my mow-able grass.  Plant a hydrangea and some ferns.

But the soil will need to be amended - bringing me to the compost barrel.
We have a rebate check from Menards to help get this project underway and
I am tempted to rush right over there and make my selection.
  This morning.  Before I leave town.

Which brings me back to the dawdled mornings.

This past year can euphemistically be called a dormant period.  

I hadn't expected everything to be so hard and I hadn't expected such a reaction - but.

This morning I woke with plans - invigorated - for the first time in quite some time.

I feel like I've lost the better part of a year but I hope that this dormant period will result in 

strength, vigor and productive growth. 

hum along...

The sun is shining and I am in a Friday state of mind.

Productivity is predicted to reach near-record lows - even adding a picture to this post 

requires more effort than interests me.

Actually I am caught up with all my homework so the day is 

stretching out ahead of me - free and clear.

I hope you, too, are enjoying an easy start to your weekend.

A bientot...

Today

I have a less-than-roaring but more-than-satisfactory fire to keep me company.

It's cold.  I've finally worn my new down coat*  - several times in the past week.

We had snow yesterday, so I shoveled.

After work I sat up to watch the new episode of Justified making it a long Tuesday 

so I'm having trouble getting a brisk start to my Wednesday.

Good time to blog.

This, as you can see, is the main entrance to the public library at Clive.

I will be doing my 40 hour practicum with the fine folks who work here.

I was here for several hours Monday morning. 

 I have a name tag (magnetic!  just like theirs!) and a mailbox!

Friday night they are hosting an event for ESL students and their families to introduce them to the library.

A meal, presentations, tours, a library card and other goodies. 

They expect 30 families.  It's an ambitious plan.

I'll be there to help.

*Aside: it occurs to me that I haven't told the story of my coat.  Sometime in early November Younkers had all their coats at 50%.  The coat I've been wearing was fine for the short, occasional visits of the past but I knew it couldn't keep pace with the long siege of an Iowa winter.  It seemed that a good down coat would do the job so I went to to see what they had.  Tried on more than a few. Some just for fun. 

 I chose a black, knee length Calvin Klein.  

Even at 50% the price made me swallow hard.

While paying for it I told the clerk that with this purchase I had just guaranteed the warmest winter on record.

She laughed and said that I'd have *plenty* of opportunity to get my money's worth...

Here we are half way through January and its finally had its first outing.  Next week in Minneapolis...

Flotsam and Jetsam

My Karl Malden days are far behind me - these days I'm always leaving home without my ...

camera!

It seems that blogging inspiration can be directly tied to that particular accessory - so today you're getting random observations - apropos to nothing
  or nothing without a lot of work.

You know that I am a simple person of simple tastes.  I like what I like, but I can be swayed.  

You may remember that several, really!?  several?!  yes, several years ago - with the big 5-0 approaching -I felt that it was time to cultivate some adult/mature traits.
Tales of cozy tea-drinking episodes held a certain appeal and I decided to learn to drink tea.
I tried.  Really tried.  Really hard.  

I longed for the soothing effects and intimate confessions that seemed to accompany any mention of tea in novels, movies and the real-life anecdotes found in magazines...

It didn't happen.

As I have abandoned my attempts to become a tea-drinker, some other quest must fill that void.  After much consideration I have a new adult pursuit:

I shall learn to eat cheese.  Uncooked.  Cold.  Without a vehicle.  Go ahead laugh - I'll wait.

I can - and do - enjoy melty cheese in any number of delicious applications.
This is different.

I'm already well into my second (!?) year of this experiment and there has been progress.

It wasn't that long ago that I could only eat *half* of one of those wedges distributed between my standard serving of 6 triscuits.  That is no longer the case.  Please hold your applause til the end.

Recently I tried to combine this with learning to drink red wine.
 I know - how hard can it be.

In November my annual checkup indicated that I have elevated triglyceride levels.  As my primary health care provider the doctor was prepared to send me home with a prescription that day, but we decided that I could have the next 6 months flying by to address the situation through diet and exercise.
Her recommendations included fish oil caplets on a daily basis.

Tim, my secondary health care provider, or do I have that reversed? recommended 4 ounces of red wine before bed.  

It didn't happen.

I gave it an honest, generous month.  

I don't like red wine. 

 I find it medicinal.

Drinking it requires that I eat something with it, like cheese and crackers, 

which seems to complicate the whole process...    

The caplets are working just fine for me, as I hope the fish oil in them is.

Next, I'd like to introduce you to what I must imagine will become my new best friend:

One of these days I'll need to take it out of the package.

The textbook for my math class asserts that there is no such thing as a brain for math - it is within the reach of all of us to solve quadratic equations.  I'll get back to you on that one.

While I do consider my self a simple person I do not consider myself ignorant of the world as it moves outside of my immediate sphere - but please - 

Does it seem unreasonable to you that a calculator - granted: a *graphing* calculator - should cost over a hundred dollars!?  Maybe I need to enlarge the borders of my sphere...

Another recent event took place last weekend as I visited my mother to celebrate her approaching birthday.

I had my first massage.  I loved it.  The masseuse had a great touch and
I can see myself doing it again.

I also had my first fried ice cream.  Not the same success as the massage.  I could only finish less than half and don't foresee it ever happening again. 

Finally, today, prompted by the howling wind and frigid air temps, I have taken some of the

 excellent chili we made for Christmas out of the freezer.  

I also made a pot of rice to go with it. 

We got this little gadget for Christmas and I will say that it makes a good pot of rice.

Looking ahead - I have been invited to attend the Yinghua Academy's Chinese New Year celebration the last weekend of January.
I promise to take my camera...

How did this happen!?

I worked Friday afternoon and over the course of several hours had to write the date 

which made me stumble - you see, I never quite got used to writing 12/xx/11.  

And now it's 01/02/12 - how did that happen!?

You hear it from everyone - that time goes by faster every year - I certainly have to agree.

Saturday we, the three of us, went for a hike at Dolliver Park.  Roughly 6 miles.

 I haven't been there for years.  We all had a great time.

Although at a different time of year those could be my feet this is a google image

We just Tim and I also went out for dinner.  An impromptu stop at Sam and Gabe's.  

It was delicious.  I would go back just for the appetizer and fire roasted tomato basil soup.

Yesterday's planned session of undecorating was derailed by a expedition to find materials to reno Tim's bathroom.  Flooring, paint, toilet, countertop - we came home with a piece of underlayment and a faucet.

Progress.  

Today Tim is marking another birthday.

The gym is waiting for me.  And the undecorating, some laundry, baking, and wrapping presents.  

Did I hear you ask if I have any New Years plans/resolutions?

Of Course - don't we all!?  

Mine I really only have one resolve this year can fall into 2 general categories: 

 Health for the mature, reasonable adult that I have become 

and Vanity well, just because.

Valerie's post reminded me of a story I've not yet told.

Not too long ago someone asked how the move went - nothing lost or broken etc.

And I was thrilled to report it had gone well - everything was accounted for.

Then it came time for Christmas decorations.
Every year
I look forward to decorating for Christmas,  this isn't the story but stay with me,
Every year,
even though I enjoy decorating for Christmas, my decorations get simpler.
 hopefully Taste plays a part but I'll admit that it's mostly because I hate un-decorating.

google images

Okay this is the story

Around Thanksgiving, as I was planning and unpacking the totes that contain my Christmas stuff,
 I realized the mercury glass ornaments were gone.

Thinking back I could pinpoint exactly what happened.

During the un-decorating phase of last Christmas these ornaments
were tucked for convenience sake (because I hate to un-decorate)
 - along with a vignette of white decorations- into a box labeled "whites" which was
then placed in a large tote containing Christmas stuff.

At some point, as I was packing up the house, I went through all the totes and knowing the new house was smaller made several executive decisions - disposing of this, keeping that...

I remember
 holding the box labeled "whites."

I didn't remember
that I had added those ornaments to that box.

I remember
I didn't even open the box -
it simply joined the pile for donation to the Senior Center.  

Aaargh!

  

Since then two other things have been identified as "not-found-yet."
I know they made the trip with us so it's just a matter of finding where they were stashed.
I'm holding out hope that their status will change...

Big sigh!

I've returned from the Northlands, registered for a new school term (and new school), started my baking, finished my last test, and am ready for a night off. 

Maybe everyone already knows this but it dawned on me yesterday that

Christmas is next week!

I won't even run through the list of things I want/need to get done over the course of the next few days.

But it won't happen tonight.

Poor Aidan was pretty sick last week and I'm glad I was able to go up for those few days.

They will be here some time next Friday.

I've registered at DMACC - classes start January 9 - which seems awfully soon...

I will also have a practicum (from NE) to finish out my library classes.  

But for now - I'm free!!

Oh, tomorrow will be such a fun day!!

Making my list

checking it more than twice.

Wednesday morning I'll head up to Minneapolis for several days.  

Unfortunately, it's an awkward time to be away from home for an extended visit.

It will require some serious list making and checking.

There are things I need:

  to do before I leave town.

to complete my school work for the semester.

to bring for Naphtali.

for Aidan.

for Charlie and yes for Proton.

in case the weather is bad - or just cold.

There are things I need to keep up with holiday projects:

Christmas cards, mailing lists, stamps.

a quilt.

something - can't give it away - else.

a shopping list!

I'm excited to go - 

and I'd better get going!

Wish me luck!

2fer

It may seem odd, considering my chosen profession, that I rarely mention what I am reading.  

Good question - no answer.
Today that not only changes - you'll get a 2fer.

I am currently reading the conversations book.  

Actually I am listening to it - you really do need to listen to it.

I did, however, bring home the print version hoping to find notes that will fill in gaps in my knowledge of the names that are used so casually.  

The composure of this woman is amazing.  The conversations started in march of 64 - less than six months after her world was turned upside down in Dallas.  

It is a fascinating glimpse of the times and attitudes
of a bygone world.

On the other end of the spectrum, I'm also enjoying the latest installment of the
Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes story by Laurie King.

Wry humor.  Colorful characters.  

It makes a good read - I like a few chapters before bed 

with my 4 ounces of red wine and whole grain crackers.  

Hope you have a good weekend.

Musings

It's been a tough year for our families.  Thankfully, at least according to the calendar, it's drawing to a close.

We each have some unfinished business but, voices are steadier.  

Outlooks are changing.  Plans are taking shape.

It seems as though the worst is passed.

I hope so - for all of us.

Today the sun is shining.  I do love winter's sunshine.

In the interest of fresh starts, there are four new stockings

hung by the chimney with care.

Have I mentioned how much I enjoy the fireplace?

Next week I'll put a package in the mail for Jacob and Amy, in Portland.

I'll head to Minneapolis for a few days with Naphtali and Aidan.

The semester will end.

Plans will be finalized for family gatherings over Christmas.

In a few short weeks, projects around the house will be finished and

family that can, will gather - somewhere.

Snow will probably fall.

Each of us will deal with the times and our circumstances
as best we can.

We'll talk - compare notes - listen.

I imagine we'll hum snippets of Christmas carols, bake cookies, wrap packages and

enjoy the winter's sunshine.

Can you believe it!?

We've all become accustomed to watching gas prices rise as a holiday weekend approaches. 

 Starting around $3.17 - gas prices fell all week. 

Gas was $2.99 on Friday night 

making the trip

 over the river and through the woods a bit easier this year.
I went up to Fort Dodge to spend Thanksgiving with my mother and sister, as Tim was working.
The day was mild.
The food was great and we found plenty to laugh about during the visit.

kindly thoughts

Wherever you might be, 

with whomever you're sharing the day,

I trust your heart is full

and at peace.

Enjoy a day of giving thanks.

And another...

I've recently been enamored by the process of waxing - coating leaves etc with varying layers of paraffin.

There is a narrow window of time as the wax cools to a certain viscosity
for optimum coverage.  It's rather fun.   

This would traditionally have been the time for starting my gingerbread house, but this year I'll miss 

out on the display held at my library in Nebraska. 

Lucky for me, my new, local library is offering folks a chance to decorate wreaths, which will then be available at a silent auction as a fund raiser for the new building project.

So I brought home a wreath, and using waxed components for a subdued wintry-look, decorated it.

 Some subtle glittery paint adds to the frosty sparkle.  At least I think it does.

Tomorrow it will return to the library for display until time for the community auction 

on December 4.

Now that I've conquered my fear of bow making maybe this will become a new tradition.

projects

This is a picture of just one of yesterday's projects. 

I painted the trim for the bathroom.

 Notice the dog.  

Notice, too, the large box in the background.

That box is the reason I cancelled a visit from my mother.

It contains our new toilet.

Plans had been made many weeks ago for my mother to come for some shopping on Sunday, overnight, and enjoy a leisurely couple stops before she headed home on Monday.  

It would have been fun.

The bathroom project was begun weeks ago after she and I made our plans.

The simple paint job took on a life of its own it becomes problematic to have overnight company with no public bathroom

and I'm still waiting to reclaim my bathroom.

Today I have a last coat of sealant to apply to the tile floor which turned out very well.  

I need to get a water line for the toilet, which has been set.

The trim has yet to go around the edges of the floor but it's been painted.  

There are hooks and knobs to be put in their respective places.

Doors to be returned to their hinges.

We'll get there.

Here's a picture of an earlier step in the process:

I'm scraping off the old flooring.

Turned around to stretch and look who's camped in the three feet of space behind me!?!

We'll get there.

Today's special

A busy couple weeks, all in all.  

Projects to the left.  Projects to the right. Projects inside and out.

 Ideas percolating for yet more projects.

I've been scraping flooring from the floor.  Painting.  Rearranging closets.  Assembling shelves.

Getting Aidan's countdown to Christmas ready.

Tracking Jacob's recovery.  Baking.  

Here's a glimpse of a recent well not so recent project to carry you over til I can get 

my head above water with all the rest.

I love yes love interesting containers.  I'll admit a weakness when it looks me in the eye.

Several more than several years ago Naphtali and I found a sidewalk sale at a local mall.  I picked up

a box containing 6 dozen bells for around 2 bucks.  

It was the box I wanted.

True - I have used and enjoyed the bells for a variety of reasons.  They have been decorations, adorned packages and they even hang from the doorknob for Charlie to signal his need to go out.

This summer I decided the three levels of divided trays would make a perfect home for my pins and earrings.

They dividers were removed, the trays lined with black velvet, and the dividers replaced.

Ribbon loops were added to assist lifting the trays.

The Christmas lettering had to be covered in a way that would allow them to look good

on my bedside table.  That would take some thought...

Actually, I did the inside while I was still in Gothenburg.  It wasn't until I was settled here that I tackled the outside of the box.

Glue gun and buttons to the rescue.

Tim bought that glue gun when we lived in Fargo. It was a surprise - thought you might like this kind of thing. 1983 maybe. 

 It is one of the early, unsafe, 

metal, push-the-glue-stick-through-with-your-thumb models that have long since been replaced 

by safe, plastic, trigger-operated low-temp models.
I love it.  

Have I mentioned that I also like buttons?

I've carted that jar from one place to the next over 30+ years.
Some sorting.  Some gluing.
An audiobook to keep me company...

                                                                       et voila!

Finished product. 

I like it.

I'll be back with more, later.

Birthday greetings

I know it's unusual to see a second post on the same day but this one was prompted by the events of the day.
Read on:










In January, 1988, our oldest daughter, Naomi, died.  

She was 11. 

 We were heartbroken.

April of that same year saw us moving to Pennsylvania.

We found heart's ease and good friends.

We learned how to function as a family of four.

We experimented with small cars.  There were impromptu picnics.  The night of the fireflies.

And laughter.  Much laughter.

November of that first year rolled around and hoping to avoid some unwanted attention - thinking it was no big deal - I had opted not to add my name to the "Birthday Calendar" that hung in the entry of our church.  Big mistake.

Rob Smith was song leader that day.  Even in those few short months, Rob and his family were already our solid friends and I knew of his well-earned reputation for practical jokes.  It's tempting to call him "larger than life."  He was - and is - a brash, loud, outdoorsy, self-confident ham.  He's also a generous, helpful, multi-talented, kind man.  The grand kids call him Pap.
He is a friend.  And we share a birthday.

  He is a year older, and already much grayer, than me.

So that day he launches into a hilarious routine about twins  - his twin - separated at birth but still sharing personality traits, looks, sense of humor and so on, and on and on and everyone, everyone, knows there will be a punch line. So people are already chuckling and some are looking around to 

figure out who is about to be punched.

We are sitting in our customary back row and I am dying.  Dying. 

I know it only took a few minutes but from my vantage point it was an eternity before he wrapped it up with "Let's sing Happy Birthday to Ilona!" 

The whole place erupted!  

I don't know how he got through it with a straight face!

I had an email from him this morning - with birthday greetings, which I am happy to return.

Happy Birthday Pap.