Possible last post for 2009

Still don't feel much like posting. I am getting ready for work after a good night sleep. Pug stayed on my pillow, snuggled up to my head all night. Scared the bad dreams away, he did! I slept with my Christmas lights plugged in. It was nice to fall asleep to the pretty colors, and wake up to them. once in a while, the joy doing that brings me is worth the few extra pennies.
I'll be at home for New years eve and day. I'll be hanging with a friend, crafting, sipping margaritas, and going for walks. Nice and relaxing. I have felt like I have spent no time at home the last few months, and when I do it is all rush rush rush. I know that isn't true, but I am ready to dig in here and get a few things done as well as just spend time here NOT doing anything.

Happy New years everyone. May 2010 be better than 2009. If not, maybe we can jump it in the school parking lot and teach it to fear us and behave!

I don't feel much like posting about Christmas, or any other thing for that matter. I need some sleep and I will be fine. I do promise to tell you all about it and post pictures from my new camera when I get home and have time to settle back in. Now I am going to eat a big burrito dinner and make every one around me sorry that they fed me burritos.

let it snow!

I am in town, staying with a friend because it started snowing. My friend felt I shouldn't go home, even though the weather report said there wouldn't be more than a smattering of snow. Well, 2 1/2 inches later it's still coming down and I will be staying in town tonight. I guess I'll get chains for my car tomorrow if the store still has them.

I am fat and happy this Christmas night!

Christmas madness followed by a Belated Birthday dinner

Spent from 8am until 1:30pm doing the Christmas shopping thing. As much as I wanted to make gifts this year, I simply must face the reality that I do not have the time. So, I had a sweet and wonderful friend join me so he could be my GPS system and keep me company. He was a great help. I am getting the last few bits done tomorrow so I have time to wrap the presents all pretty!

Went out to that Macaroni Grill for a belated Birthday celebration. I was taken out by a handsome man that I have started seeing. I dressed up all pretty and showed off my lovely legs to any who would peek. Might as well, while I still have cute legs to show! I dined on bread fresh from the oven, calamari, twice baked lasagna and a salad. Washed it all down with a pomegranate martini and some water. To stuffed to try their dessert, so maybe that will have to be a follow-up Belated Birthday Celebration. Yeah! I like that idea!

I am a delight, so HA!

So, my attorney and I have been sending emails back and forth, clarifying some details so he can make a demand and we can get this damn car claim settled. The last few emails have mostly been about mileage. He started by wanting a general estimate of miles accumulated from doctor appointments.I gave him an exact number, because I was anal and made a nifty little mileage chart to kept track. I even offered to send him my chart and the key I had made for it so he could read it correctly. He declined the chart, saying he knew he had a copy, but didn't want to find it (long story here, but not his fault).I think he was a little astounded by the number (almost 5000 miles), so he asked me to simply give him a few estimates of how far some of the doctors were. I gave him specifics, and offered to send him my chart and the key I had made for it so they could read it correctly. Again. He again declined.Later he recanted, so I excitedly sent him my chart and the key, and told him he'd love it because, really, it was a cool chart!Then I sent him a picture of Pug in the bubble wrap and told him about the neighbor lady and all the strays she was helping. I told him I knew this had nothing to do with the accident, but thought he might enjoy a cute kitty picture and something non-work related.
This is the comment I received from him in his latest email;"Thanks so much Sylvia you are a delight as a client in the often vast and desolate wilderness."
I love being able to make people 'delight' during their day!

Christmas bits.

I arrived home to a little package from my friend Sandra. She mailed me some Hickory Farms cheeses!I threw the box it arrive in onto the floor like the clean little swiss girl I am and Pug got his toy stuck in it. He had a blast trying to get it out. So, it's like a 2-for-1 deal. Love that!

This Christmas is wearing me out. I thought about my Christmas in Switzerland for about the billion-ith time today. I definitely want to do that again. It felt like Christmas, where as this year doesn't because of the retail craziness. I am thankful, thankful thankful for a job. However, I wish there was some way to make this holiday feel the way it should. Crabby customers and the crazy, busy pace really drain me and suck any Christmas spirit right out. However, I have come up with some very creative lyrics for the cheesy Christmas songs we are playing over the sound system at work. I guess Michaels IS where creativity happens!

Oh, I made a pretty little candle holder for a tea light. Then I scented the house with a little cedar by doing something my mom used to do. I heated a few cedar sprigs over the flames. It was a nice relaxing way to end the work day.

Pug is laying on my computer desk intently watching the cursor zip across the page and make word. Hahaha!

The river is frozen!

Pug thinks he is a dog!

Pug followed me on a walk today. It was the cutest damn thing I have ever seen! Like a dog, he followed me across the street and down the trail, He hung out while I collected an armful of fallen pine boughs to decorate my front doorway. He was careful about crossing the street. He stayed alert for things that could pounce on him from the bushes. However, he wasn't anxious. He ran around close to me and played, flopped down on the trail for pets, and never strayed far. He's now warming his toes up and holding the tablecloth on my drafting table down.
What a strange little guy he is.

Must be getting better

My tummy rumbled a little bit this afternoon, so I bundled up and wandered to the grocery store for sprite and yogurt. I feel a little better with food in me that doesn't try and come back out.

Being sick has it's perks.

Yes, I am sleeping quite a bit, but I am also using what energy and time I have to make Christmas cards and gifts. Not really moving at a fast pace, but at least I am getting something accomplished. Finally.

I decorated my home last week. I was able to put out a few things that otherwise would have had to stay packed if I were still in Mist. It feels good to have a few Christmas decorations up.

My snowflakes

My candles

My lights

My vase of ornaments

My manger that mom made and the cinnamon sticks I made.

Cheap insulation

One of the benifits of working at Michaels is all the free packing stuff. Boxes, styrofoam, and bubble wrap. We get huge sheets of bubble wrap in our framing freight. Keeps the glass from breaking. I took a bunch home recently and Richard helped put it on my windows. Just in time for this cold snap. I think I'll bring home a bunch more for the neighbors. They have the same cheap windows I have, and it really cuts the amount of cold that comes in.

Of course, it is also Pug approved!

Cold Kitties

I worry a bit about the cats around here. In particular, the three cats that have befriended me. I tightened up the blankets around Smudge and Misty's little covered house last night, and added to them. Pug stayed in all night with me. This morning while I was replacing the block of ice in the water dish outside with drinkable water, I put Smudge in my apartment and made her stay an hour to warm up. She is walking so stiffly from the cold. I think I might force her and Misty to sleep inside tonight. Should be easy enough. I'll simply bring their entire house inside. They get along well enough with Pug that it shouldn't cause to much cat drama.

The weather has been horrible in the sense of how cold it has been. However, the sunshine, the clear blue sky and all the pretty white frost has made it a joy! I am enjoying all this crisp cold air. I am sure I will get tired of it all, but for now...

What time is it anyways?

I am finishing my first cup of coffee before I start my day. I will head into work at 8:45 tonight and get off at 6am. I have 3 people that I am picking up and dropping off. hat a boss will do to make sure she has a good crew working graveyard with her! At least I have slept hard the last 2 nights. I am well rested and ready to work. Hope my crew is as well.

I made my first sweet potato pie. It was easy, but this recipe makes the pie to sweet. Tastes like a huge pie crust full of sugar to me. However, other people like it, so it wasn't a complete loss. I'll try it again after I have had more time looking for a recipe.

I am hanging out at Richard's today, eating New York Steak, BBQ veggies and sweet potatoe pie.
Washing it all down with coffee, wine and laughter.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

My parents are home!

Yeah! I had dinner with them Saturday on their way through Portland. Man, it was good to see them. I'll see them in a few weeks when I go home for a visit. I need family time.

I think I have been adopted.

This is Pug. He was one of the first cats we took to the spay/neuter clinic. He now spends a lot of time with me in my apartment. He loves snuggling and is becoming comfortable sleeping on my bed with me for naps. I expect to see him at my door one day with all his little kitty suitcases packed, waiting to move in! He is a soft spoken little guy, but makes up for his quite voice with persistance.

cats

Ruth and I have fixed 7 cats so far. 5 girls and 2 boys. Our next clinic is the 15th. I hope to take in another 4, but we will see what the traps catch for us.

updatie-ness

I finished the last 3 of my swaps; all which I failed to get pictures of, so you will simply have to believe me when I tell you they were fabulous and cute! The last one I sent was a rubber duck I decorated. I painted it a pale sky blue, put a thin dusting of fine opalescent glitter on it so it looked all frosty, and then I needle felted a scarf and hat (one with the ear flaps) for it. Very happy with how it turned out.
Now I will concentrate on Christmas.
I took a management position at work. Rumor has it the position I held would be eliminated in the spring. So, I stepped into the space my dear friend Emily made when she moved to Tacoma. I am starting to remember all the reasons I hated being in management for Michaels the first time. However, many things have changed since I last held keys, including me. Maybe I will deal with the stress better this time around. I do like being in charge of the stocking crew. They are a good bunch of people, and it won't take much to tighten up a few things there and make them run better.
I am off to the beach this weekend. A friend invited me to the coast, and I am not passing up the opportunity. I am paying for the gas, the friend is covering everything else. We will head out Friday and be back Sunday evening at some unknown time.
Is it Friday yet?

This is Muffin, one of the cats that we fixed yesterday. She slept with me last night. I miss kitty snuggles.

Ruth and I let 3 of the 4 cats out this morning. Muffin went right into Ruths house and curled up for a nap. The other 2 took off running. The fourth cat is still at my place. He is a little slow recovering, so I am keeping him in until he eats a little and gets some of his strength back.

Well, I am off to get my laundry. Then I will start crafting Christmas gifts! I will be going into town tonight to spend time with a friend and sleep over. Tomorrow we will play, either at the Zoo or the beach, depending on the weather.

Two great things happened today!

Two wonderful things happened today. First, Milo (my last foster cat from MEOW cat rescue) was adopted today! I am so happy I could cry, dance and sing!!!! Secondly, my neighbor Ruth (85 years old) and I took our first round of local ferals cats into Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon to get them fixed. There are about 20 she has been feeding and taking care of. The local vets want about $90 per cat to spay or neuter, and she can't afford that very often. I told her about FCCO and that it is a donation of $30 a cat. She was thrilled to learn about this service, and told me she'd do it if she had someone to drive her. So, I am her official sidekick now, and we took 4 in this morning. They are now all resting quietly in my bathroom, and will be released to morrow morning. Next week we will take in another 8. Then I will make appointments from there, probably every other Sunday until we catch and fix every last one. It will be a while. There are 2 that are pregnant and going to have babies any day. If the babies survive, we will have those to trap and fix as well. There are also the 9 other kittens. 5 are in her kitchen at the moment being treated for colds, and 4 are with their mom on the front porch. I will be trying to pitch in a little money to help, and what we can't pay for now, we will keep track of and continue to make donations until all of them are paid for. It feels good to be involved in improving the welfare of cats again. I have missed that so much.Besides, Ruth and I had a fabulous time talking over a yummy breakfast. We drove around afterwards and looked at the different houses in the area to see how people had decorated for Halloween. The fall leaves were gorgeous, and we had a splendid time together! I am looking forward to our other clinic days. I am sure they will be just as fun as this one

Felt Inchie

I recently went to a large Craft Fair in Seattle called 'Urban Craft Uprising'. Around 100 independent crafters were there, selling their goods. They also had some free demos you could attend if you were fast enough to get a chair. I put my waning youth to the test, and was able to get a seat at the 'Needle Felting' demo. I fell in love with the process of creating something from a chunk of wool by repeatedly stabbing it with a needle. When I arrived home, I wandered off to Fabric depot and bought the basic supplies. Finally this weekend I had a chance to use them, and I love what I made!

I created a Felt Inchie. Now, an inchie is a 1 inch by 1 inch piece of artwork. It can be made from anything. The swap partner I created this tiny piece of art for loves cats, and loves bad horror movies; especially the ones with zombies in them. Since we are coming up on Halloween, I decided to make her a tiny little zombie cat. I then framed it int a tiny shadow box frame, and I will be mailing it off Wednesday. The pictures did not turn out very well because the piece is so small. The word I stitched above the cat says "brain', since zombies love to eat brains. I painted a little glitter on the frame to make it festive and fun, and wha-lah! One cute zombie kitty felt inchie!

Earth ATC card

So, I finished and mailed the last of the 4 Element ATC card series. Each card was better than the last, and over all I am thrilled knowing they are out there in various people's collections. Like the others, I tried to think up things associated with the earth. I also arranged the images so you would have a right-side-up either way you held the card.

So, with no further ado; my earth ATC card.

Party in my medicine cabinet!

So, for $1.97, I purchased this lovely Dico ball and spot light from Michaels. If I had known that was all the money I needed to have a discotheque of my very own, I would have done it long ago!

The real reason I bought a toy armadillo.

So I could post this:

Armadillo before trying to cross the road.

Armadillo after trying (unsuccessfully) to cross the road.

Hahahahaha! Only I would accessorize a stuffed animal with a coaster I bought in Texas. Oh goodness, sometimes I worry about me!

Farm Girl ATC

I signed up for this one at the last second, and found out at the last second that my ink cartridge for my computer is dry. I rescued my idea best I could, and next week I will solve the ink issue.

The goal was to create a farm girl themed ATC. I immediately thought of doing a spin-off of Botecelli's 'Venus on the Half Shell' and replacing the oyster with and egg. Because all my images came out blue/purple, I broke out he acrylic paints and scumbled color on the images. The Venus of my picture is my American Grandmother, who I loved! I think she would have liked what I did.
Here's how it ended up.

To keep it safe from bending during mailing, I made a cardboard sleeve and tied it together with one of those big ties you get around the head of a lettuce from the store. It says 'Fresh Garden Vegetables' on it, and I felt that was very appropriate.

Fabulous weekend!

My fabulous friend Sandra drove down and hung out with me for -*counts fingers*- 3 days!
It was great to see her and have some quality catch-up time.

Friday we went to Powells Book Store because, well, you HAVE to go to Powells when you visit Portland or you will be smite-ed by the God of Books. I am sure of it! Then we wandered down town a little, ate nachos at a great little Mexican dive and washed it down with beer. Then it was off for home and time for dinner, drinking, and chatting.

Saturday we went garage sale shopping, wandered the beautiful town of Vernonia, had a rootbeer flaot, walked the neighbors' dog, did a little crafting, a little reading, a little sleeping, and a LOT of eating and fair amount of wine consumming.

Sunday we had a lazy morning and then packed up the jeep and pointed it back toward Seattle. Sandra left me with a refridgerator full of meals and an smile on my face. Thanks Friend!

I am all tuckered out from my most fabulous weekend with my most fabulous friend. After I saw her off this morning I accidentally fell into bed and took a short nap. It was very sad, but I got over it. *Hehehe* Then, true to form, I got up and started in on the things I needed to get done. Walked the neighbor’s dog again and cleaned his place up a little for him, since he is in the hospital. Finished my ATC swap, cleaned up, did bills, called various peoples, fixed the manger my mom made me for Christmas a few years back, and so on. I am wrapping my fabulous weekend up with some posties, and then heading off to bed. Tomorrow starts at 3:45am, and I feel it looming.

Oh, did I mention I met Ruth, the Cat Lady across the street? I have wanted to meet her, since she takes care of so many of the local strays and feral cats. I am going to see if I can help her out by getting the food she needs in town where it is cheaper. She will still pay for it, I will simply be the grunt with the car. Since she is feeding 14 cats at the moment and is 90 years old, I figure I can help out a little. She also wants to get them fixed, and has the money to do so, but no way to get them to a vet or to the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon. I, however, can provide the ride for that endevor, and would with a happy heart!

Together we shall lower the cat population in Vernonia. I am very excited!

Three of Four

No, I do not mean the long lost brother of Seven of Nine. (It's a Star Trek thing, people!)

I finished the third ATC for the 4 Element swap I am doing. I will send it out tomorrow, and then I need to get busy creating the Farmgirl ATC I mail on Thursday.

This is the back of my 'Wind' ATC. A have been doing all the cards in this set in the same style, and I have really liked how they have turned out.

This is the front, and as you can see, I doodled and water colored it like I did the last two. I tried to come up with things that are either moved by the wind, or create wind. I played with the composition for a while. I wanted to create a card that could be held either way and still look right side up. I like how this one turned out.

Eggs!

These are the first few dozen eggs from the new chickens. There are some from one of the older girls here, but not many. Love the copper colored ones, and the tiny little ones from the Bantams!

I do not thing all the new chickens are laying yet. One of the reasons is this green colored egg. This is the first of that color, and it only appeared a few days ago.

more swaps

Both of these are for private swaps. The first is a series of ATC cards on the four seasons. The second is the front and back of a simple book mark. The gigantic hounds tooth pattern reminded me of bats, so I punch some eye holes into a few of them and inked in some pupils.

My first bookmarks

I made these for a swap. The one on the left has cat paw prints punched into it with 2 different sized hole punches. I made a window using the window plastic from a bill I received, and put the feather behind it. On the back I wrote 'cat' here and there. The ribbon has a cat head bead on the end.

The other bookmark has a hole punched through the center of every fruit slice that had its center showing. I cut the margarita glass shape by hand and put the colored paper behind it. I put a round sticker in the glass to represent a cherry. On the back I stamped some of the different flavors of margaritas. The ribbon is hand stitched on the edges so it won't come off the card.

Fronts;

Backs;

Home goodness

So, I finally decided I needed something to put my crafts in. No matter how organized I kept them, it looked like a small, well organized explosion was constantly going off in 1/3 of my apartment. I found a cabinet at Home Depot that worked just perfectly. I had an employee there cut some wood to make extra shelves (which was much cheaper than buying the premade shelves for it), and wha-la! Problem solved! It feels so much nicer in here now. So, I am off to TSP my bathroom one more time. I hope to paint it this week so I can move my bathroom stuff back in.

Crafty home decor

My friend Emily took me to Fabric Depot a week or so ago. One of the finds I came home with was fabric to recover a chair I had purchased at a garage sale. However, I didn't get a wide enough piece, so Emily cut ithe length in half and sewed it together for me. That made it more than big enough, and today I finally recovered the boring seat with duck cloth that I will decorate by stamping a design on it. Not sure what yet.

Crafting really is theraputic

For me it seems to be. Especially this evening. I have been crafting with minimal thought, which I should do more often. I tend to over think the simplest craft until I freeze. My doodle ATCs have helped loosen me up, and tonight I made several bookmarks. Actually, only one is complete, but a second is close, and 2 others are 1/2 there. Glue does need some time to dry.

I also took a swatch of mexican print fabric and framed 3 pieces in these little 2.5x3 inch gold frames. Decorating on a budget. They will go in the bathroom when I am done with it.

I TSPed the last 2 walls, but they still stink of cigarette smoke. I think I will do them again before I paint. Can't hurt.Lady Mockingbird sent me a freaking hilarious mexican nativity set. It's hard to see, but man does baby Jesus look pissed off! This treasure cracks me up! Thanks LM!

The things I do when I am sick.

I have been home with a touch of the stomach flu both yesterday and today. Besides sleeping most of that time, catching up on my reading while in the bathroom, and feeling crappy in general (no pun intended), I have acomplished a few things that take minimum effort and have been on my plate for a long time.

I have caught up on journaling, emails and some reading. I also had plenty of time to stare at my ugly window with the card board in it and figure out what I wanted to do to change that. I am half way there.

When I first moved in, my neighbor, Jon, gave me a white twin bedsheet, all new and shiney in the package. He didn't want tit, and thought I could use it as a drop cloth while I painted the place.

I have made it into drape. I tacked it up with white tacks along the top of the window molding, put the pleats in it to pull up the eccess, andthen cut up to the top of the window in 2 places to divide it into 3 parts. A little Fray-Check, some ribbons, buttons and my mad sewing skills, and wha-la! Drapes that let in soft light but keep the people passing by from peeking in. I can open one section at time, or all of them. I waht to make 3 panels to hang over the top of these in a green to make the place darker if I need it to be. That is my next project. Maybe. I'll need to recruit my friend Emily, since she has a sewing machine and will be able to hem the edges of the dark fabric.

Latest completed swap

I am now involved in an ATC (artist trading card) swap. It is a 4 part swap. I will be making a card for each of the 4 elements and sending each one to a different swap partner. I mailed the first off yesterday. That was for the 'Fire' swap, and it looked like this;

Next one I have to make is for water. I plan on making all four in the same style, just for fun!

swap stuff

So, the 2 postcard swaps I have done have been themed. The first was a water theme; anything water related, like sea creatures, lakes, a fountain. The next was a red theme. I had 3 partners for this one, and was able to find 2 cards in my dwindling stash that met the requirements of the swap. However, I ended up making a postcard with my watercolor pencils and a permanent marker for the last of the 3 partners. He had a very interestingly written profile an I felt I had nothing to give him that matched. This is what I came up with;

I am pretty proud of it.

I joined an online community a few weeks ago called Swap-Bot. It is a refuge for those of us who like to get things in the mail. You participate in all sorts of swaps (trades) of your choosing. You join a swap, and then you are assigned some one to send the swap item or items to. You look at their profile and try to pick something they would enjoy. I have done 2 color swaps, 2 postcard swaps, and a coloring book swap. I have also just finished my first Artist trading Card (ATC) swap.This is a fun little site that is getting my creative juices flowing and getting my back into my crafts. I love knowing I am making someones day a little brighter, and I love getting things in the mail from around the world!

My first swap was a color swap. I was assigned a partner whose favorite color was purple. The parameters were that the package had to equal about 5$ in worth. It could consist of anything, as long as it was purple and seemed like something my partner would like, based on their profile.

This is what I sent.

There is hot chocolate, paper, a pen with a lily on the top, a bag with some buttons, glitter and ribbon in it, and 2 kits to make butterflies and flowers. My partner had a child and I thought it would be fun to send her something they could do together

My second swap was another color swap, and I put together a package in the color black for this partner.

This had fabric, a goodies bag with buttons, glitter and a few other crafty things, gum, fringe and a figurine of the witch from Snow white.

I included a postcard with greetings in each of the packages.

I went to the post office and mailed another swap today, and apparently I have gotten the 2 ladies who work the front counter addicted to Swap-Bot. Hahahaha! Looking forward to hearing about their adventures.

It has been way to hot to turn on my computer, so I have not been posting here, as I would have liked. However, now the weather has turned, and it is downright chilly. I think it’s in the 80s. I can run my computer with reckless abandon and not worry about the heat it is putting into my apartment. Ha!

It has been hard to do anything that last few weeks because of the hot weather. Yet, I know I have kept busy. I simply can’t remember all I have been doing with myself.
Other than sweating, that is.

I shall share what I can recall in my old age.

The chicks are all grown up and now in the chicken coop. They are being put in their place by the crankier of the 2 old hens. She was actually getting pretty violent with them, so she spent a few days outside the coop. She did not like being separated from her buddy, and seems to have mellowed a bit. We will see if it lasts.

Michael humored me by replacing his poor mailbox post with a newer one. Instead of using a wooden post, he used an old tractor tire. It turned out quite nice, and I love it. He did almost all of the work, but I took a ton of pictures, which I hope to get and post here soon. Until then, a picture of the final product will have to do.

I had a fabulous time visiting my Friend in New York State. She owns a very old but beautiful house in Rochester. I was there for 4 days and helped her glaze windows and paint window frames. I love doing that sort of thing, so it was a fun way to spend my vacation. We had much catching up to do, and I think we managed to get a lot of it done. She showed me around, and I wandered the town myself and took pictures. I’ll get some of them posted here soon. Was simply waiting for a break in the weather.

I saw lightening bugs, and I must say that was the best treat! It was like watching white Christmas lights flying around. What an amazing little bug! I don’t know that I could date someone whose butt lit up, but I guess girl lightening bugs find that very attractive.

I know I have done much more since I last posted, but I can't think of what those things are. I'll post a few more updates here and try and play catch up as my brain starts to function again..

Tractor Love!

I have spent a good part of the weekend riding shot gun on the tractor. There has been much clearing of tall grass and blackberries along the fence line between the back of Michael's property and the river. The blackberries have been choking out some of the smaller trees, and encroaching on the hay field. Not good.

I am relieved that the weather has cooled down. I love the heat, but it has been entirely to humid. I have been drinking lots of extra water. I even made peppermint iced tea yesterday. Perfect in this hot weather.

The chicks are teenagers now, and they are becoming comfortable in their outdoor coop. The 2 smallest are Bantams, and They have the featheriest feet. It is hilarious to look at. I will try and get a picture to post.

I leave on vacation this Wednesday. I will be flying out to Rochester to see Diana and her new home. I will help her pull down wall paper, paint, and do many other fun home improvement things. I come home the 20th, so we have a lot of catching up and working to do in a short time. It will be nice to see her again.

Well, off to do dishes, clean up my space, and get ready for work tomorrow.

My friend Emily knitted me a Swiffer cover. It turned out great and works well.

My job has been good. I love the small group of people I work with every day. I am getting to know my neighbors, and am enjoying the community I am now a part of. I feel like this summer is passing me by, though, and need to slow down and do more fun stuff. SO, I will make that adjustment and then share!

I did finally give in and join facebook. It has been a great tool for reconnecting with old friends. I don't like the limited journaling aspect, but that is why I have this journal.

More later! I promise!

This is a kids bed tray I bought for a buck. My friend Emily pointed it out and it made me smile. Anything that can make me smile is a good thing! It now hangs on the wall behind the stove as a backsplash of sorts.

Well, it seems the kitty that was dropped off at the farm has a sibling that was dropped off with her. We had a first sighting a couple days ago. All black, long hair, golden eyes. Michael named it Porter, and I am simply going to refer to it as a he for simplicity sake. I hope these guys aren't part Tribble, or we will fast run out of room.

PB is becoming comfortable being in the house when we are around, and we can pick her up for pets and snuggles. Porter does not flee from us, but stays a safe distance. He's not sure what to think of us, but seems to want to be friends. Maybe his watching us interact with PB will help him realize we just want to be friends and take care of him.

chick pic

The chicks are growing fast, replacing their downy softness with real feathers, and seem to be doing fine. My computer has been having issues, so this chick pic is a little old. However, it will have to do.

2 day old chicks!

I purchased 6 baby chicks today! I didn’t want to wait any longer. I bought 2 Araucanas, 2 Goldens, and
2 Bantams. They are tiny little peepers, and Michael and I are keeping an eye on the temperature of their
environment to make sure they stay toasty warm. They need to be kept at about 95 F for the first week. I will take pictures tomorrow and post them this weekend. Oh Autumn bear, you couldn’t be afraid of these little
snuggly guys! Wish you were here!

It looks like Michael and I have been adopted by a long haired black and white cat. It’s a young female, and we have named her P.B. This stands for Pre Blend, since she is the colors it takes to make gray (the color of
Michaels’ other 5 cats) but is not actually gray. She is soft and has a sweet little meow. She let Michael pick her up, and I have petted her a bunch. We hope to catch her soon and get her to a spay/neuter clinic in Portland. She is in heat, and we do not need any little P.B.s running about the farm. I’ll try and get a picture of her as well. She has an adorable face!

Well, off to peek at the chicks and get ready for bed. We will be getting up and monitoring the temperature
in the chick environment tonight, so sleep will be interrupted all night. It’s worth it, though. Cute little peepers, they are!

It smelled like honey, cut grass and the sun when I arrived home last night. I am fighting a bit of a flu bug, so I am staying home today. I slept until the Fedex man knocked on the door, and then wandered around with the camera and took a few pictures. I am trying not to sleep all day, or I will be up all night and feel bad at work tomorrow.

I have spent part of my morning on the front steps, watching the cats play and listening to all the interesting sounds starlings make. They have quite a range of vocalizations. It was nice to sit and drink my coffee and not do anything. Not like I have much drive or strength. Still, I plan on accomplishing a little something today. A movie is on my list and so is crafting. I also need to make some food for work this week. I made cookies last night, hoping it would help me feel better, but once I was done eating the extra dough, I felt the same.

Scrawny is meowing outside the office door, so I think I will go snuggle with him.

Sunday morning

Had a wonderful day yesterday. I am in the process of liberating the irises. Michael has a ton of white ones growing around the house. I was going to skip pulling the weeds amongst them, but could not resist. I started on the side of the house that has the wild bee hive. I was able to get most of that before the bees got annoyed and sent out the lone dive bomber to mess with me. Funny how something so small can shoo away a creature as big as I quickly and effectively.

I started crafting. I read on a website that you can iron plastic bags from the supermarket together and then make things from them. You can, and man it it strong material. I have seen totes made from them that are much stronger than a regular tote. After messing around with the ironed bags, I can believe it!

I also started decorating a wooden box. I have 6 of them, and I have an idea for one that if it turns out will go to a dear friend of mine. I also have an idea for another, but it involves decoupaging a ton of tiny scrapes of paper, and I need to first save up these tiny scraps. I have a strong urge to glue things. I have no idea why, but I am going to give into my urge today and do so.

I also plan on prepping the garden for starts. I am hoping the frosts are over. I want to get things in the ground, like tomatoes, zucchini and potatoes.

I have some pictures on the camera of the kitties that I will hopefully get to post later. Right now I want to head outside and watch the humming birds and finish my coffee.

What I am done liberating.

Fashions of a decade. The 1940s

Wesley the owl [sound recording (book on CD)] : the remarkable love story of an owl and his girl

On becoming fearless [sound recording (book on CD)] : ... in love, work, and life

The arts and crafts movement in the Pacific Northwest


I'd read more, but I have podcasts that must be listened to as well. And today I am only taking a brief moment inside to eat and do some quick catching up here. And fix something for my Dad. Then it's back out to pull weeds and gather a few things for some crafting.

Oh, I am full of ideas!

Crafting bug and cleaning.

I have spent the weekend doing something I wanted to do instead of something I HAVE to do. Yeah me!
I went through all the boxes in the studio and gave away 1/3 of what I had to a gal who is having a garage sale. then I resorted, repacked and reorganized the studio. Then out came the vacuum and broom, and I sucked up the dirt and dead bugs. It is almost 100% ready, and well past the ready mark for crafting and painting. I need to get a couple pieces of plywood for the walls so I have a seamless surface to do my big paintings on, and I need to find some lost hardware or buy replacement hardware for my easel. I also want to get some wheels for a book cube I had made for my old computer setup so I can have a rolling paint palette and paint holder. This way I can just push it back and forth between the two big paintings, allowing me the joy of working both at once. I might even try and raise the whole thing so it is more comfy to use. I shall have to see what needs to be done and see if my darling has scrap wood he will part with. The less I have to buy, the better. Also, I am going to get a screen door so I can open the place up in the summer and get a breeze.

*Siiigh*

Please let the weather warm up soon so I can decoupage/paint/craft/felt/fall into crafting and art bliss.

On top off all this, I moved a few stray daffodils I missed, wrestled with a huge line up of blackberry bushes that are taking over a stretch of fencing, watched "The Bucket List" and a motorcycle race or two, did dishes, made French toast, and am now off to gather what I will need for the arrival of the 6 baby chicks Tuesday. Oh, and I need to make lunch for tomorrow.

Maybe I'll sleep good tonight. I hope. Not a bad Easter weekend, if you ask me!

What I am liberating from the library (for a short time, anyways).

Fashions of a decade. The 1940s

Handmade nation : the rise of DIY, art, craft, and design

Eco-craft : recycle-recraft-restyle

Wesley the owl [sound recording (book on CD)] : the remarkable love story of an owl and his gir
l
On becoming fearless [sound recording (book on CD)] : ... in love, work, and life

Why we suck : a feel good guide to staying fat, loud, lazy and stupid

Life is a verb : 37 days to wake up, be mindful, and live intentionally

The arts and crafts movement in the Pacific Northwest


Why so many craft books, you ask? Well, look for another post explaining why!

The girls!

Not a great shot, but it will have to do. They love being out of the coop and free ranging their chicken butts all over the place.

OMG!!!

It is so beautiful out! The sun feels so good on my skin. I have needed a couple of warm, beautiful days such as this. Wonderful!

After a trip to the vet this morning with 3 of 5 cats for a quickie check-up and shots, we boogied home and happily started playing outside. I am clearing out the weeds from around the house and liberating the daffodils, roses and peonies. Michael is playing with his farm equipment, getting ready to spray, harrow and mow various parts of the acreage. I made a potato casserole for lunch. Yum, yum yum! I gave in to my springtime desires yesterday and purchased 6 pansies and 2 geraniums for the 2 front flower pots. They have been planted and I have planted my nasturtiums seeds along the side of the house. I have also transplanted some volunteer peonies and irises. after this post I will chase the girls with the camera and try and get a couple shots for you. Besides, I want to go back outside.

This was our home only a few short weeks ago.

My spring desire. I love the orange pansies. They are my favorite pansy color.

My baby is having an after lunch snack of pasta on his ATV. The spraying aparatus is hooked up to the back of it.

The daffodils are everywhere, giving the place a bit of sunshine even when it is cloudy.

This is our place in the sun. The snow is pretty, but the sun is even better!