Oh, Here We Go Again...

...more random thoughts for a Friday.

Last night, one hour before I had planned to leave to go to the nursing home for the"February" birthday party, I walked into the kitchen and caught bright sunlight in my eye. INSTANTLY, I was hit with a throbbing, pulsating, gyrating, rap-singing, head-banging migraine. This one was BAD.

But, it did go away, after I slept for two hours and fifteen minutes. I woke up in a dark room and did not know where I was, who I was, or whether or not it was 8:45 in the morning or evening. Twenty four hours later, I can still feel it, but it is somewhat bearable, with medication.

THGGM picked up my dad and they had a wonderful time at the party. THGGM and my dad both were happy to see my mom in such a good mood. She does like parties.

Famke seems to have come down with something. Most likely what Jonge has (boogers in the ear - see below). But, it is even harder to watch in one so young. Daughter had an appointment today, so Jonge and Famke stayed with me for the two hours she was gone. I am happy to report that we ALL slept the entire two hours. I cannot think of a better way to spend an afternoon than napping with grandchildren. Well, other than being awake with grandchildren.

Now on to more random topics,

What is it with Sally Fields not being able to remember to take her osteoporosis meds each week? Truly, if she cannot remember something that simple, she really should be taking Aricept as well. Some commercials bug me. That is one of them.

How much money do they pay actors to portray someone who is suffering from something shameful or embarrassing? NO ONE should ever dance around on a stage singing about upset stomachs and diarrhea. I still remember when my mom would not let me sing the Blatz beer song that always played during the evening news (kegs, cans and bottles - all taste the same!) what must mothers be saying now? And then there is that sleep aid that is always being advertised. The one with a possible side effect of 'bad taste'. Goodness, do I know A LOT of people taking that one! Bad taste is certainly going around.

It appears as if the worst of the drama called 'getting my mom covered by medicaid' is over. She will be covered. It seems that there is another application that needs filling out and sending in, but she does qualify. Hopefully this happy news will stave off any further meltdowns on my part. Of course, that does remain to be seen. Something about medicaid not covering prescription drugs. I must check that out.

Yesterday, while Famke slept, I finished reading Madeleine L'Engle's "Love Letters". I cannot say that I loved it, but I did enjoy it very much. Next I've picked up L'Engle's "The Irrational Season". I've read it before, and know that I do love this one. For some reason, I'm enjoying nonfiction more than fiction at the moment.

I haven't seen the 'blue' mouse again. It is really a dark grey, but that isn't a color that Jonge knows yet. I did leave out an offering for the hideous creature. A trick I learned. I left it a tortilla chip. It was gone this morning, and now all I have to do is listen to where the crunching is coming from. Traps will be set. I assure you (me).

Lately I've been perusing sites containing the letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning. The book I recently purchased at an antique store "The World's Great Letters" contained the letter Elizabeth wrote to her sisters after her secret wedding to Browning. Of course, that caused me to want to know more. I also located my copy of "Sonnets from the Portuguese", but for some odd reason, they just aren't hitting the spot for me. I used to LOVE them. Now, I read them and find myself thinking - "Good grief. Just stop that." I tend to be like that with poetry. I either love it and find myself all teary-eyed, or it makes me cringe. Always, though, Dr. Seuss works for me. His is the highest form of poetry. Totally senseless.

I think I did fairly well this month, using up things I have around the house. It will get easier once my little shop of horrors in the basement gets set up. Progress is being made. My cabinets and counter top are in place. Yet, the floor is littered with open boxes of who-knows-what. I have great amounts of who-knows-what. Also, some who-knows-why and even a bit of I-know-not-what-nor-why.

One of my sorting jobs from last weekend was getting all of my linens into the linen closet in the hallway. THGGM brought in a huge box and I set to work washing, folding, and putting away. It felt wonderful! Free-ing, even. I filled it up! Ah, so satisfying. Then, THGGM dropped off two more boxes the same size as the first one. Now...what to do with all of that...

I see a large garage sale in my spring-time future.

Jonge Saw It Too

The picture is from yesterday. Another of my attempts at "Springing Up". I put all of my pastel planters and swans away, but left out these little birds. I love them! I have two others that are not old, but these are.

Now on to what Jonge saw.

If Jonge tells you he sees something, he REALLY did see something.

In this way he reminds me of his uncle Oldest Son, who once announced from the backseat of the car while we were out viewing Christmas lights that he "saw a barenaked Santa Claus out the winnow!". It took us about two decades to figure out that what he saw was most likely a snowman.

Anyway...

Last night Jonge told his mommy that he saw four deer in the backyard. She hadn't seen any, and was about to doubt him. Then she remembered that he is never wrong about things like that. On closer inspection, there they were. Four deer standing in their backyard.

At lunch today I told Jonge (and Famke, she seemed just as interested) that I had seen a mouse yesterday. I told them that every time I see a mouse, I scream. I just can't help it. I scream and sometimes even (last night, for instance) jump on the nearest piece of furniture. I thought it best to explain this BEFORE I did it in front of them.

Tonight Jonge's mommy and daddy had some business to attend to, so Jonge and Famke stayed on. While I was feeding Famke her bottle, Jonge was chasing the kitty around (and around and around and around).

Suddenly, Jonge appeared in the doorway.

He looked at me intently and said, "I saw a mouse. In dere. Eating a banana."

"Where?"

"In a tichen, eating a banana."

"Show Pake."

Jonge took Pake into the kitchen and pointed to my nicely appointed baking area.

"Right dere."

Well, it wasn't there anymore, but Pake was quite pleased that the boy didn't scream in the same unsophisticated manner in which I screamed when I saw it yesterday.

And, for the record, it wasn't eating a banana, although I can see why he thought so. It was eating a partial stick of butter. I could see it's foot prints and nibble marks all over it.

Later, I asked Jonge what color the mouse was.

"Blue," he said.

Was that Tuesday that Just Sped Past?

I really did not like this Tuesday. I suppose that's okay from time to time - to not like a particular day.

I tried to "spring up" my dining room.

Much stuff was brought in over the weekend that needed a place to go.

But, it was also a phone call day for me. I hate those.

One was a terrible call from the billing person at the nursing home. It is taking FOREVER to get my mom approved for medicaid. Not for lack of trying on this end, either. For weeks we've been told by the 'powers that be' in this fair state that it would be taken care of 'this week'. Hopefully, the nursing home will know how to speed things up, as we are all a frazzled bunch of nerves over here. I've held up pretty well, up until today. But that call. That one pushed, shoved and kicked me over the edge - pointed, and laughed.

And then, Youngest Son stopped over. As a rule, I do not lose it like that. But, he got to witness it all. I was SO glad he stopped by, as he turned on the TV just as breaking news of a gas explosion in East Town came on. He lives in East Town, only a couple of blocks away. Had he not been right in front of me, I would have had more reason to cry.

Once I was all pulled together, I headed back into the dining room to arrange things in a pleasing and spring-like manner.

Ha.

That didn't last long.

A mouse appeared. This is the first one I have SEEN here. I watched it run right past my amazing device that is supposed to emit a sound that mice cannot stand.

Instead, I was the one emitting a shrill, high pitched sound.

I hate mice. I've never been a fan of gas. And the deplorable way the government treats the elderly is causing me deep grief.

(and now, i will get back to my 'reduce stress-reduce blood sugar' plan. hahahahahahahaha!)

An Ordinary Monday

Are there any ordinary days? Maybe typical would be a better word.

I stayed up late last night, reading. I didn't really mean too, but my book became more interesting and I just couldn't put it down.

This means that when THGGM woke me up (he has to wake me up, as i have lost the ability to wake up on my own) I was in some deep stage of sleep that was very hard to shake.

My morning coffee helped with that.

So, I got on with my morning reading, puttering and decluttering.

I like to have certain things in order by the time my dad calls. He calls me before he leaves his house. He has been kind in understanding that I want to have at least a rough idea of what he has planned for the day. This morning we were in the midst of an episode of unexpected freezing rain and I didn't have to do a whole lot of convincing to get him to see the wisdom in staying home. Last February he fell and broke his leg.

By this time I am clothed and in my right mind. Well, as right as my mind gets, anyway.

My breakfast consisted of the leftover egg salad from yesterday's lunch and another mug of coffee. I sped through today's Carol Duvall show, but found nothing worth stopping for.

About this time I remember that if I don't put some makeup on, I get asked if I am not feeling well. I'm not, but that is beside the point. Those lab results I've been waiting for came in, and they were not good. I figured that is why I've been so tired, but, now I have a paper with the proof of that written on it.

Had I know ahead of time about the freezing rain, I would have gone to Daughter's house today. But, since it was too late for that, I was kind enough to open the garage door for her so she didn't have to personally experience any elements between her house and mine.

Now the fun begins!

Jonge was his delightful self today, with the exception of a few tummy aches. In our weekend garage unpacking I had found some toys that had been hidden out there for half a year and some others that had been hidden for nearly ten years. So, he spent the morning playing with some of his mommy's old favorite toys. He is excellent at pretending. He thinks that I am pretty good at it, too.

Famke has recently added 'funny' to her darling list of attributes. She has always been cuddly and sweet, but adding funny to the mix makes her SO entertaining!

Today there were a lot of diaper changes. A lot. If not diapering someone or feeding someone I was holding someone. Many times, two someones. By afternoon the kitty feels neglected and ALSO wants to be held. That used to work, until Famke started giving the kitty big wet kisses which coat her in cat fur. So, no more kitty on the lap with us.

My favorite part of Monday is nap time. Jonge slept for two hours, and Famke and I slept for two hours, but only if I held her. We will need to work on that. Thankfully she is small and totes well, even in her sleep. Unless of course, I reach for a book or try to sneak in some computer time. She will lift her fuzzy little head, open up her eyes that look like brown M&M's and give me the dirtiest look I have ever been given. If she knew how to put her little hand on her hip, she would do that, too.

Everyone was awake by four. That last hour and 15 minutes is my toughest time of the day. Today Jonge woke up ornery. He had a tummy ache and wanted to be held. Famke wanted a bottle. NOW. But, when she noticed that Jonge was crying (when she stopped crying long enough to hear him) all she wanted to do was reach out and touch him. Too cute. Well, at least I thought it was cute.

I did relearn the fact that I cannot carry both of them. Nope. So, some amount of crying just has to happen. Thankfully, Famke doesn't mind the occasional propped bottle, so I could tend to tummy-ache boy. He seemed to feel much better after he ate. So we cuddled and watched a previously recorded episode of "Signing Time". I'm starting over with the earlier ones to refresh our memories. Hopefully Famke will pick this up as quickly as Jonge did. It's just SO helpful.

THGGM and Daughter arrived at the same time today. Jonge is always filled with joy to see Pake, and Famke was thrilled to see her mommy.

I thrilled to the sound of adult voices. And the chance to go potty, ALONE.

By the time six o'clock rolled around, THGGM was nice enough to go pick up supper for us.

I caught a little bit of the news, looked through a book that had been in hiding for the past six months, watched "Antiques Roadshow" and "Jon and Kate Plus Eight". After watching that, the tired I feel always seems to go away.

Next up, I will make tomorrow's coffee, catch a weather report (are we on the cusp of another storm?) and go to bed.

Christmas Is Ten Months from Today

The Weekend

Since we have been living here for six months, it seemed like it was about time to unpack.

Yes.

You heard me right.

Unpack.

All I can say is, we are getting there.

There are certain things about us that we cannnot understand.

For some of them, we went to years of rather intense counseling.

For others, we sit at opposite ends of the couch, look at each other deeply, and in our most loving way, say "Huh".

THGGM cannot seem to help himself. He buys old rugs and old furniture. He also has cashmere sweaters in every color and hue of the rainbow. He doesn't pay more than a couple of dollars for them.

I will buy anything at all if it is cheap, cute, I could make it into something else, or I know someone who might want it. Not that I ever GIVE it to that person. But, I could.

We did have rather a lovely time shopping from our own garage. It's heated, and cleaner than some stores I've shopped in resently.

I found many things that I haven't seen in well over six months.

Things I didn't even know I'd been missing until I saw them again.

Scary Famke

I am crazy about this adorable picture of Famke!

Her 'other' grandpa took this picture yesterday, while feeding her 'star' shaped cereal.

Oh, does she look scary, or what???

Please be sure to scroll down and see the beautiful picture of her chewing Bert's leg off.

Really. I would love to have this picture enlarged so we could hang it over our fireplace on Halloween.

I Wonder...

Does this kind of thing only happen to me, or is it a universal phenomenon?



THGGM and I hate to grocery shop. He hates it because he spent 24 years working in grocery stores. I'm not sure what my reason is, but I dislike it immensely.



Anyway...



So we buy things in bulk when we finally DO go out. And, generally we replace things before they run out.



This week we ran low on toilet paper. So, today I had to snatch some from the secret 'just in case we run out' stash and put it in the bathroom.



This isn't news, nor is it interesting at all. But,..



As I was vacuuming behind the toilet (it gets dusty back there) the vacuum wand caught the tail of the toilet paper and IMMEDIATELY sucked the rest of the roll into the vacuum.



Now, I just happen to believe that had we extra rolls on hand, this would NEVER have happened.



I nearly cried. I did say, to no one at all, "This kind of thing is ALWAYS happening to me!".



No one heard.

Random Thoughts for a Friday

My blog looks outdated. Isn't that funny? Many of the people that I know don't even know what a blog is, and mine already looks out of date. I've thought of switching to Typepad. I've thought of adding an Etsy shop. I think a lot. But, I suppose that if I am drawn to all things old, I should stick with this look, as it is befitting to my nature. And, this way I do not need to buy the Somerset Studio blog magazines.



What is with 'male enhancement' products being advertised on afternoon HGTV shows? I do not think Jonge and I will be watching ANY live TV. It is so much nicer to skip over all of the advertising.



I realized today just how deeply I suffer from rejection. I put out food for the birds. Did they come? Not for HOURS. In those hours, all I could think was "what's wrong with MY food?". It's not even for the birds, I guess. Hours later, they did come. Swarms of startlings, like, from The Birds. Jonge had a great time watching them.



Today I came across this quote in a book I'd planned to give away. It's from Walker Percy. "Consciously cultivate the ordinary." Good words.



Have you read Walker Percy's book "The Second Coming"? I really liked it. Although another of his books I started and just could not get though. Makes it tough to recommend an author. Elizabeth Goudge is one of my favorite authors, but one of the many books of hers that I have read was really not good. I always fear when recommending authors that someone will pick up one of the lousy ones and wonder what kind of a nut case I am. (i am a nut case attemping to consciously cultivate the ordinary, thank you very much.)



I haven't ordered the curtains for my kitchen yet. Another weird thing about me? I like knowing that I CAN. Once I do it, that little thrill will be gone.



It will be another cheap sewing machine that I get. Or, maybe someone will be upgrading and I can pick up an older model for cheap. I could understand putting money into one if I was going to do 'serious' sewing. What I am planning to do would not be worthy of a grand machine.



How long does it take to get blood test results back? Actually, I think that labs should provide 'do it yourself' on site labs. Who cares more what the results are than the person having the test done?



I've been writing notes all week. I just looked over at them, and they mean nothing to me. For example: Crossword puzzles - where are the cross words? I do not know what I was meaning with that.



One day this week I woke from a sound sleep with an epiphany. It was THE answer. I went back to sleep so happy that now I KNEW THE answer. I even remembered it in the morning. Ha. I'm not telling.



Jonge can guess a tune without hearing the words. He can also guess it from the beat. I'm impressed.



He can also speak in sentences. Yesterday he walked into the room, held up his finger and said, "Oh, no. I have a hangnail. Somebody help me." He also "needs" things. Today he needed peanut M&M's. Oh, and a glass jar full of nuts and bolts. If you could hear him, you would be convinced too that he actually does need them. Today, when I put him down for his nap, I said "I love you, Jonge!". He said, "I love you too, Beppe."



So the birds don't come, my sewing machine isn't 'cool', my blood test results aren't in, but my Jonge loves me, and it is enough.

Will She Like to Make Things?

I hope so.

I keep whispering into her ear all of the wonderful things we will be able to make together...someday.

Today, Bert was her favorite toy.

We took a nice nap together in the afternoon. There is no better nap than one taken while holding a sleeping baby.

I made an embroidery transfer from a page of Jonge's favorite book, "Barn Yard Dance".

I stitched it onto a piece of white stretch denim. That was not the best idea.

Next time I'll use flour sack and only two ply floss, as some of the detail was lost in the thickness of the thread.

Besides that, I do like how it turned out.

I'll be doing this again, for sure.

Eight Dollar

Well. On this day Jonge was busy. Busy going to work to 'make money'. Whenever asked how much he had made he would respond by saying "Eight Dollar".

This went on for quite a while over the course of several days, even.

Today he kept handing me a slip of paper on which he had scribbled a few things. Everytime he handed it to me, he would say "Eight Dollar!",

His mommy saw him doing this when she came home from work today. She remarked that he keeps handing her that same paper, looks at her intently, then says "Eight Dollar".

Suddenly, Daughter cracked the code!

For all of Jonge's life we have met for breakfast on Saturday mornings. When we are done, THGGM picks up the bill, looks at it, and announces that everyone owes...

..."Eight Dollars".

The boy has been paying attention.

Moon Set, Moon Eclipse

My day began with sky watching, ended with sky watching, and sandwiched in between, more sky watching.

The setting moon was taken from my bathroom window, screen and all.

The eclipse of the moon from my front steps.

And, in the afternoon, Jonge called me over to his front window, and said with wonder, "Look! Blue!" as he pointed to the sky that had been gray for so long.

sNOw

I'm growing rather tired of sNOw.

I never left the house today.

I'd planned to, but there was too much sNOwing going on.

My dad and I had planned to visit mom, but I didn't want him driving at all and I don't have a car, so he always at least has to drive to my house. There is even more sNOw at the nursing home. Hardly any place to park even before this latest sNOw fell.

So, I stayed home.

What did I do all day, you might ask?

Well, if there is one thing I have learned about staying home all day - the time FLIES by. Flies. Truly.

My list of things that I want to do when I am home alone is rather long.

Today I tried to hit on a few things.

Things like looking through two magazines I bought over a month ago and haven't even done damage to their spines yet. I flipped through both. It felt good.

I made an iron-on transfer from a page in Jonge's favorite book "Barn Yard Dance" and started embroidering that. I finished outlining two chickens.

There was even time for piano playing. I rocked the house.

I'm working my way through the book "Room to Write". This was today's assignment: TODAY consider a situation that you had an intuition about. Go over the details of the situation to pinpoint what took place that clued you in. Speculate, in writing, on the unfolding of events that led up to the realization of your hunch.

Oh, boy. A speck to deep for me today. Just thinking about it caused me to need to put the book down and go do something else.

So! I made more button flowers. This time in an old salt shaker I thrifted awhile back. The base is green depression glass. I love making these because they can be UNmade just as quickly, and switched out into other interesting vessels. Notice I am still have a problem with permanence (why isn't my spell check working?).

Sorting buttons is great therapy. Good for my hands, good for my mind, good for doing while processing deep thoughs.

Now I am back to my writing book, and noticing that it ends with a quote by Rainer Maria Rilke:

The future enters into us in order to transform itself in us, long before it happens.

That just causes me to think, I'm going to need considerably more buttons!

Well. This ends my day, interrupted by sNOw.

What I Am Reading

From Madeleine L'Engle's "Love Letters":

"Supposing," she said, slowly, "you were sitting in a train standing still in a great railroad station. And supposing the train on the track next to yours began to move. It would seem to you that it was your train that was moving, and in the opposite direction. The only way you could tell about yourself, which way you were going, or even if you were going anywhere at all, would be to find a point of reference, something standing still, perhaps a person on the next platform; and in relation to this person you could judge your own direction and motion. The person standing still on the platform wouldn't be telling you where you were going or what was happening, but without him you wouldn't know. You don't need to yell out the train window and ask directions. All you need to do is see your point of reference."

I Do Try. Really. I Do.

Am I the only one who watches Carol Duvall on HGTV in the morning? I don't watch it 'live' but skim through it quickly to see if there is a segment that interests me. Friday, Salley Mavor was one of her guests. I have her book, but watching her make a 'wee folk' certainly helped motivate me to start making some. I made these early attempts with what I had on hand. I like them, but they do need to have better hair.

I found these tiny salt and pepper shakers and thought that they would make cute vases for button flowers.

I had some pastel buttons in a different shaker that Jonge found yesterday. He thought they smelled wonderful. I spent a lot of time yesterday smelling them just to see how excited he got about them. To be honest with you, they smelled like buttons.

Anyway. I made these while watching an episode of "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" on TLC. I never feel so tired about my day after I watch that.

It's snowy and cold again.

AGAIN.

And Another Thing...

I found this adorable 'occupied japan' figurine at my 2nd favorite antique mall Saturday. I had to buy her as a set. So, now I have two of the same 'boy' figurine. Oh, truly. How I suffer.

This is a first for me. I am attempting to write while sitting at my desk drinking coffee, with Famke in her walker to my right and Jonge running back and forth making her laugh.

Famke had been sleeping soundly in my arms. I had been sleeping semi-soundly when Jonge decided that it was time to scream at the top of his lungs at what should have been the halfway point of a normal nap time.

We all have that 'red cheek need more sleep' look about us.

A day with a 25 month old and a six month old is never uneventful.

And I haven't written a thing.

I Heave a Deep Sigh....

And go back to a month of no thrift/antique shopping.

But these are just a few of the things I found yesterday. A print of an old Dutch master's in an interesting frame. THGGM picked this up. When he buys pictures they get hung up more quickly than when I do.

Did anyone see the decorating show that used old velvet paintings for seat covers? I found that interesting. I didn't notice any old velvet paintings, but I did find an old tapestry-ish wall hanging which I shall someday cut up into something. Or, not.

It has two small tears, which could probably be repaired, except I like things dinged up a bit, so I will keep it 'as is' until I find something to cover with bits and pieces of it. The color is really good. I even got to name my own price, as the tag had fallen off.

I cannot resist odd baggies of old game pieces.

Oh, what am I saying?!

I can't resist anything old.

It was a great day to shop. I found SO much treasure. Even practical things like a white crib sheet and girly shoes for Famke.

And...let's see...white buttons, lace, a dish towel, some fleece, a piece of white canvas....

...there's more, now that I think about it. Must post more when I next have time.

My Free Day

THGGM went on a hunt today for the perfect chair for our new secretary. No. We are not sick of looking at it, yet. It was a long time coming.

And, he found one in the antique mall that I don't like. Yes, he made me go there, and I'm glad he did. The price was right, and it only required some cleaning up and a tiny amount of new upholstery.

That I found before we even bought the chair. I paid 25 cents for this piece of Laura Ashley toile. As a general rule, I do not like toile. But, since this is the only scene and I only have to see it once, I can deal with this. And, the color is perfect.

I found treasure everywhere today.

A Woman of Letters

One of my favorite books is a collection of speeches titled "Lend Me Your Ears". What I love is that it contains the ENTIRE speech, not just the commonly known sections. We think we know the speech that Martin Luther King, Jr. made, but there is so much more to it. And it is fabulous. I love it.

Hello. My name is Judy, and I am a book junky.

(hello, judy.)

So, imagine my surprise today when I found this 1940's copy of "The World's Great Letters". THGGM approved of it also. Well, maybe not the book, but the price didn't cause him any panic.

I have been carrying an index card in my purse for years. It's a list of books I am looking for. Some of them I have found, but when I found them I could not afford them. Others, I cannot even remember why it was I wanted them. But, I continue to carry the list, because, well, you never know.

These are those books:

"The Awakened Heart", by Gerald May

"Radical Optimism", by Beatrice Bruteau

"The Angel that Troubled the Waters & Other Plays", by Thornton Wilder

"Letters to a Young Poet", by Rainer Maria Rilke (this one i found, but didn't have the money. but hey! now that i think of it, i still have a barnes and noble gift card...)

"Diary of a Country Priest", by George Bernanos

I had some Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen on the list, but I found those.

And. the worn out wrinkly old index card goes back into my purse for another day...

This quote is from George Bernanos:

"The horrors which we have seen, and the still greater horrors we shall presently see, are not signs that rebels, insubordinate, untamable people are increasing in number thoughout the world, but rather that there is a constant increase in the number of obedient, docile people."

And, from Rainer Maria Rilke:

"Turn therefore from the common themes to those which your everyday life affords; depict your sorrows and desires, your passing thoughts and belief in some kind of beauty - depict all that with heartfelt, quiet, humble sincerity and use to express yourself the things that surround you."

Oh, yes. I want their books.

Day 15 of No Thrift Shopping

Today I used up more of the thrift stuff I have on hand. I found a baggy filled with clip clothes pins and magnets for which I'd paid 25 cents. While sitting at my computer I noticed some double sided tape in a drawer. I also had recently purchased some ribbon on sale at Michael's Craft Store. Voila! I covered half of the clothes pin with the double sided tape and added the ribbon. The magnet is glued to the back.

Now I have a nicer way to hold pictures, cartoons, and recipes on my fridge.

Oh. The Lockhorn cartoon is a favorite of ours. It is just so.., um.., us!

I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe, I shall use my 'free' leap year day for thrift shopping tomorrow.

Random Thoughts for Friday

My mind is a swirl of something lately. I can't stop the swirling long enough to pin a thought down.



And for my 1st random thought of the day, why are there mice? What was Noah's wife thinking when she let two of those hiddeous creatures onto the ark? I found mouse poop on my kitchen counter this morning. I figured as much. These mice have been bonded to me. The old house came down, and it took them nary a week to find me over here, a mere half mile away. I swear, I heard one kneel down and say in a high pitched squeaky voice 'whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge..."



My 2nd random thought, what do people do who don't make stuff? I once tried to quit making stuff, but I just cannot do it. There is stuff to be made, I must make stuff. Sadly, once I make the stuff, I do not know what to do with it. And watching Carol Duvall in the morning isn't helping me. Do you know how much stuff there actually IS to be made? It's staggering, and so am I.



Number 3 random thought: I think I need a new sewing machine. Does anyone know if the cheap ones are any good? I am not a good sewing person (sewer? i am NOT a sewer!) but hand sewing is hard on my already numb hands and painful wrists. I've had very good luck with my old Kenmore, but parts are breaking off of it and it is unsightly.



My 4th random thought, What would cause someone to do a commercial about genital herpes? There is SUCH a bigger lesson there than the medication being marketed. Somethings do not need to be made public.



Number five in the random thought department, my daughter-in-law once made a presentation from the very stage where lethal shots were fired yesterday at NIU. My thoughts on this would not be random were I able to wrap my mind around it.



And for number 6. If you do not have a collection, start collecting picnic baskets. They are SO convenient to have around, and they generally stack nicely. I orginally planned to buy vintage picnic baskets to fill with vintage picnicky things to give Daughter and Daughter-in-law for shower gifts. Instead, while waiting for the showers to happen, I loaded them up with my own mix of stuff and haven't stopped yet.


Number 7? Remember that box of "52 Silly Things to Do When You Are Blue"? Huh. It has only caused me to become more blue. "Get in a car and drive for 45 minutes?" Let's see...I don't have a car, I don't have money for gas, the weather is nasty... "Make rags out of your old underwear and socks"? No. I do not want to play those cards anymore.


My 8th random thought is this: Scrabulous is fabulous! I love that game. My wins fall far behind my loses, but, it's fun. And, nobody gets to see me storm off in a rage when I lose. And, on Scrabulous, things are words that we all know are not really words that would work while playing Scrabble. We KNOW that, but we use them anyway. A word like "QI". Lots of potential points there.


For random thought number 9, how do people read things only once? My favorite books I read over and over again. Tonight I will read C.S. Lewis' "The Inner Ring". It is one of those things that made such a huge impression on me that I cannot seem to get enough of it. This is because at every point in my life, it has said the same thing, but to different circumstances. My stack of 'new' books to read is growing taller, but I simply MUST read things again to push them deeper inside. As soon as I can locate what happened to my book of short stories by Theodore Dreiser I will read "The Old Neighborhood" again. If I were ever to hold anyone hostage (or homeschool them, which daughter believes to be one and the same) "The Old Neighborhood" would be required reading. And, Sheldon van Auken's "A Severe Mercy".


Oh, and 10? Random thought number 10 is the fact that in three and one half months I will turn 50. It did not bother me to turn 21. I was a married lady already. By 25 I had three children and hardly had a moment to notice. At thirty life was humming along at a crazy pitch. I turned 40 just before we moved the last time. I was tired, but could still laugh about it. But 50. I'm having more trouble with that one.

I think Joyce Carol Oates says it best: "When you're fifty you start thinking about things you haven't thought about before. I used to think getting old was about vanity, but actually it's about losing people you love. Getting wrinkles is trivial."

Good Things

One of my more recent thrift store finds was a deck of cards called "52 Silly Things to Do When Your Are Blue".

The first card I pulled out of the deck recommended that I write out 50 good things that have happened to me in my life.

Too hard. I am exhausted, and I do not know why. So, I will simplify this excercise by beginning with 10 good things that have happened to me, today.

1. Jonge and Famke came to my house to play today.

2. Jonge likes to rubberstamp, draw and make things. I find this thrilling.

3. Famke allowed me to trace her onto craft paper to make a life size paper doll of her. She laughed out loud because being traced tickled her.

4. The nursing home reopened and my dad was finally able to go visit mom. They had a good time. She was very talkative.

5. I did not have to clean up dog poop today. Since I am home today, if I had to that would have been really weird, as I do not have a dog. But, yesterday...oh, boy. (can i mention here that i am SHOCKED that a beagle won best of show at the dog show? SHOCKED.)

6. THGGM brought me roses. He is a good man, and I like him.

7. I made him a Valentine's present, and he did not laugh. This is a good thing.

8. My daughter-in-law is not at Northern Illinois University anymore. Today I am very thankful for that.

9. A tornado did not hit my house. It just looks like one did.

10. "Morning by morning new mercies I see".

I Can't Get Over This

Really. I can't.

For over thirty years I have wished for one of these.

Now that I have one, I cannot quit playing with it.

It's sort of like a little 'doll house' to me.

Everyday, sometimes several times a day, I move stuff around on these shelves. Someday I just may get it right.

It's true what 'they' say. It's nice to want something and then wait a loooong time to get it.

Truly, it does mean more.

I know, I know. It sounds so shallow.

But, I'm having SO much fun with this.

I'm arranging all of my writing books in the drawers below.

Today I made a little Valentine's display. I might even try my hand at writing a love letter. But, not with that feather. No. I'll keep that to be knocked over with someday.

One of THGGM's favorite thrift store finds (this is my day 12 of no thrift shopping) is this lamp.

He admired it for quite sometime at our favorite thrift store.

For thrift, is was pricey, and we didn't really need another lamp.

Then, it went to 50% off, and he had a 20% off discount card.

This lovely Stiffel lamp was $12.50.



I added the gold bells just because I'm weird like that.

Michael's Craft Store had Christmas decor for 90% off.

I could not pass them up. I think they add a certain charm.

They don't. But I THINK they do, so they are staying.

And, since I have stopped thrift shopping for this month I have noticed that the weather has been so terrible I doubt that I would have done any thrift shopping anyway.

Sunshine, Lollipops, and

RAINBOWS! We had them all today!

Jonge brought me to a specific spot at his house to see the "Wainbow on my hans!".

But, they disappeared when he picked his hands up!

Of course, I was excited too. Sunshine. Wow.

I did attempt to explain to him exactly HOW the rainbows appear on the rug, but he did not care about the how. He was just thrilled to have a rainbow on his hand.

I'm not sure if he knows about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but he certainly is MY pot of gold.

Famke Is Six Months Old

And what a six months it has been! Famke is incredibly sweet, and grows sweeter every day.

Merry Christmas to Me

Look what came today!

It's the perfect place to display my French/English dictionary with the flash card bookmark!

Lots of little drawers to fill with interesting things. Jonge found the little drawers to be thrilling!

If the sun ever shines again, I will throw open curtains and doors in an attempt to get a good picture of it.

I'm thrilled that everything locks on it. That is important to me. I do not think that Jonge will be thrilled about all the locks.

You can see that I wasted no time before I "Judy-ed it up".

Have you ever read "Harriet the Spy"? THGGM and I read it one winter when we both had the flu at the same time. Oldest Son was just a baby. The only books we had at the time were the old books of my childhood. We took turns reading "Harriet the Spy" between naps and baby tending.

If you've read it, do you recall the couple that Harriet spied on who bought the 'Baby Statue'? Well this is OUR 'Baby Statue'. Funny, how we already knew 27 years ago that we were like this!

Anyway... instead of watching TV tonight, we are staring at our 'Baby Statue' and wondering who we can have over to stare at it with us!

Faith. Believing That the Sun Is Still There...

...even though I cannot see it.

If my memory serves me correctly, the sun must be that light showing through the thin spot in the clouds.

Why the sky looks blue in this picture, I do not know.

It's gray. Gray. Everything is gray.

I love looking at leafless trees up against the sky.

Winter has a beauty all it's own.

Day Seven of No Thrift Shopping

Today I remembered some great old wooden clothes pins I bought way back when I was still thrift shopping.

They have aged well. I found them in my basement screaming for a new purpose in life. (well, that could have been me screaming, i didn't stop to check.)

I found some pipe cleaners that matched the wood tone fairly well.

Under my bed I found a few pair of old jeans and some wool felt. (what? what's under YOUR bed?)

Now, since I am still suffering from making anything permanent, I used double-sided tape to stick things down. Once I get something that I like, I can pull it off and use it for a pattern. Somewhere, I also have wool for hair. But, when I stuck on the stuffing, well, it looked a lot like MY hair.

If I REALLY get into this, I will bake them some shoes from polymer clay. They seem to look like they need MaryJanes. And, purses. Maybe a scarf. Nicer painted faces, too.

Recently, while I was stitching the little doll for Famke, I thought how nice it would be to have a little doll in MY purse to keep ME quiet and happy in waiting rooms. Presently, I have a key-chain Boggle game, but as you can well imagine, it is noisy. Why, with small white-haired clothes pin dolls, I could have imaginary conversations with my little doll friends. I could inquire about their parent's health, ask what they are making for dinner, get tips on the best thrift stores and engage in lively discussion about politics and religion. (they are small and could easily be thrown from a window.)

It might catch on. You just never know.

Why I Never Accomplish Anything

What a difficult time I'm having completing tasks today.

There is treasure everywhere!

Anyway. I opened up Pandora's Box, I mean my cedar chest, and OH the things I found.

I knew I had my "Good Night Richard Rabbit" book in a safe place, but I never came across it when packing (unless, of course, i blogged about finding it and have since forgotten i did, which is a distinct possibility in my frazzled state of mind.)

This was a favorite book in our family.

Richard Rabbit and his mother even ended up being featured in birthday posters of yore (i seem to be growing fond of the word 'yore').

I even remember reading this to my children and changing it a bit to say that there really IS an elephant in the room, but we don't talk about it. This would always make THGGM roll his eyes waaay back into his head.

Enough already.

When I think of it, I check Amazon.com for copies. Mine is in sad shape.

In the past I have found it in 'flip book' form. Those were and still are in the $60 range. But, I want a nice hardcover like this one.

Couldn't find one.

Although, there is a PAPERBACK going for somewhere in the $260 range.

I'll just be happy with the taped up copy that I have. I'm sure I have some white gloves somewhere that I can wear while turning the pages.

Lest I Forget...

I have been meaning to write a post about my new favorite beverage.

Daughter bought a 'limited edition' diet pop (soda, if you do not hail from Michigan).

She tasted it, and knew that it reminded her of something, so, she asked if I would try some and see if I could figure out what it tasted like.

The next time I was at her house, I tried it.

The drink is diet Dr. Pepper Chocolate Cherry.

Have you ever tried it?

It taste just like a cherry Tootsie Pop sucker.

Really. If you are a fan of the Tootsie Pop, run out to see if your neighborhood grocer carries this. If it doesn't ask them to order a case for you.

Then invite me over, and I will drink it. With you, or without you, it matters not to me.

While Daughter is at work and her kids are napping, I throw back a few of these and dream of happy times of yore. The best part? No sticky stick.

And now, I must agree, Dr. Pepper is TRULY the joy of THIS girl. Although I cannot vouche for every boy and girl.

(today i shared a bit of it with jonge, who is sick. he wanted a bottle, but is a big boy now and mommy says 'no bottles' so beppe must also. mommy did NOT say 'no diet dr. pepper chocolate cherry' although i believe she would have if she knew i were going to give the dear boy some. be forwarned. it turns teeth, lips, cheeks, sippy cups and baby sisters red. it also contains caffeine. jonge felt much better after he had a few sips. danced. sang. giggled with fevered glee. all he needed was a visit from the dr.)

It's the most original soft drink ever in the whooooole wiiiiide world.

Really, truly.

Today

Typical icky February Michigan weather today.

THGGM brought me to Jonge and Famke's house today so that they did not have to venture out.

It ended up being a very good idea, as Jonge was not feeling very well. He wanted to be hugged and cuddled. So did his sister. And, his dog.

I got a lot of love today.

Famke, after having one very fussy hour, was an adorable bundle of giggles and grins.

She thinks that whistling is really funny.

We watched the storm begin.

And, snacked on nummies!

The storm seems to have passed over. Storms are like that. They roll in, they roll out, and life rolls on.

Dumber than a Box of Rocks?

I don't think so.

It works for me, anyway, so I thought I would pass the idea on to you.

My mind has a tendency to wander when I pray. If I haven't something to 'ground' me my thoughts wander off into the various and sundry ways that God might choose to answer a specific prayer.

So, to help me stay focused, I write names on rocks. Of course, there is a lot of imagery with writing someone's name on the 'rock'. Even more imagery with the Old Testament tradition of standing stones as reminders of past provisions.

For what it's worth, I find it helpful.

Each of these has it's own unique feel, so even in the dark, I know whose it is.

I also find it helpful to pray the Lord's Prayer for each person. If you've ever wondered what a person needs, it's all in there.

I've read dozens of books on prayer, mostly helpful ones (elisabeth elliot and leanne payne come to mind), but nothing has ever come close to the simplicity of praying how Jesus said to.

Things I Learned Today

I cannot change the TV channel with the telephone.

I cannot answer the remote.

I cannot do more than one thing at a time, and can barely do one thing.

I am capable of having extremely odd dreams, which are drawn extensively and exclusively from things going on in my little corner of the world.

I am not capable of picking up a book without thumbing through it. Pick up a dozen books? Must thumb through all of them.

A cat laying on my bed means that I must lay by him and carry on a conversation.

Nursing homes won't let you visit during a flu epidemic.

Even my best laid plans get thwarted.

Playing board games on line with my adult children is more fun than it was playing board games with them when they were young. No arguements about who cleans up. No throwing things. No blood drawn.

That reminds me, I haven't had my November blood drawn yet.

I am not always hot. Today, I am very cold.

I never cry. Except today.

Because of this:

This is what youth must figure out:
Girls, love, and living.
The having, the not having,
The spending and giving,
And the meloncholy time of not knowing.

This is what age must learn about:
The ABC of dying.
The going, yet not going,
The loving and leaving,
And the unbearable knowing and knowing.

- E.B. White

(Did you know that E.B. White had Alzheimer's? He did.)