We survived a night of gale force, swirling, howling winds and blowing snow. Actually went outside and stood in it for a few minutes just to see what it was like - nasty. Like having dermabrasion on your face with ice pellets. We had no power for a couple hours - that was great! Last year it was 6 days...not a fun time.
We still cannot wash clothes, take baths, long hot showers or use the dishwasher!!! The line from the house to the septic tank has a plug. Ed has called some roto rooter guy who has a "poop eye" to spy out the problem and fix it. That was 4 days ago. How would you like to tell folks you were a "poop eye" operator? What a job! But this no water is really getting old and the laundry piles up and the roads are too slickery to take it anywhere to wash it.
And now my daughter from Durham and her hubby are coming here today. They are supposed to be in Portland but that airport was closed. So, here they will come and we have no water useage. What's next! And now I have to wash my kitchen floor and clean both bathrooms and I don't know what we will all eat. I do have a lot of potatoes plus veggies that are frozen into the ground in the garden. Guess we'll make borscht.
Lost two squirrel guards to the storm - completely split apart and blew away. Large limb came down - missed the house by 5 feet. Quite a night. Holly, Sam and I sat on the couch with the lights off watching the swirling snow and wind - a hypnotic experience.
Hope everyone else survived all right. Poop Eye supposed to show up this morning...wanna bet? $25.00 says he doesn't show.
Well it is very cold outside and finally I have a bit of time to write. I fell on my _ _ _ a couple days ago in the middle of the street and am stiff and hobbly. Landed on the old tailbone...which was fortunately broken once before 29 years ago and so it didn't need to break again. It's just a lovely shade of black and blue.
The wind is howling outside and is expected to remove us all from the face of the earth starting around 8:00 pm. We are as ready as we can be I guess.Had 6 inches of snow but that has been blown all around so it's hard to tell right now.
I had so much to say before I started to write...and I still haven't wrapped a single present. I hope I have purchased them all. Wooooo that was a big gust "you're a little early there wind".
Havin' a little old Tater Tot Casserole in honor of Aunt Ernie tonight. Somethin' comfortable and hot to eat. Got to check on it...needs 10 more.
Well, keep warm everyone. I hope to be back online after the storm quits.
Winter at 3 am
Well, it's three in the morning and Ed stepped in the cat's water dish and woke me up so here I am. It's a little chilly however, so this might be short. It's hugely howling windy outside and snowing to boot. We have about an inch on the ground - I'm surprised there's any at all with this wind. Should just be blown to China!
Ramblings: I am impulsive, I like to be right, I like to be in charge of stuff, I get an idea and I just like to run with it - so sometimes I'm not a good team player. I like to have things done before they are due and have plenty of time to work on them whether it's art or music or ESL lessons or what. I don't like being a last minuter. I scored a 43 on Dr Phil's internet test. I love children and usually relate better to them than to adults. I also love helping others especially in secret. I like my job at church. hate making small talk and am not good at it but I can smile and be friendly. I am 59 years old. My husband and I are living together as friends which seems to be okay for now. I absolutely love brainstorming about creative projects. I don't trust my memory so being a Eucharistic minister sounds scary but I might go for it anyway. Certain people are quite irritating to me at the moment and shall remain anonymous. Adult men who regress to the age of 5 being at the top of the list. And passive-aggressives , but can do this behavior too,
I feel like stretching my wings. I also think I would enjoy having a job outside my home. Unit coordinator in a clinic or hospital. Piano teaching might be good (except I worry that I'm not very good because I'm not an accomplished performing pianist. But I am good at teaching others - I'm just not a performer. I wonder if that's okay? (but no health insurance there) Quandary time. I say let's put this worry capsule on the back burner until after Christmas.
Christmas is different. My little kids are all grown up and living their own lives. I still grieve this loss but maybe am ready to accept things as they are and move forward in a new way. Decorating just isn't the same. I want things to have meaning - not just clutter or old memories; doing things the same way over and over as when the kids were little; something new maybe out of the old. Just a few favorites. We'll see. I'm not stressed out yet! Getting a little cranky though. I want to find a way to wrap stuff that works because I absolutely hate wrapping presents! My mom does such a beautiful job and everything is coordinated and all...I just didn't inherit that talent/patience. Maybe festive brown paper bags? Maybe unfestive bags. pieces of cloth and string... totally not wrapped - just pulled out of a box at the last minute? The wind seems to have died down a bit now - maybe I can go back to sleep. Thank God for little helping pills, too. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr my feet be's cold. Later................................................................
Ramblings: I am impulsive, I like to be right, I like to be in charge of stuff, I get an idea and I just like to run with it - so sometimes I'm not a good team player. I like to have things done before they are due and have plenty of time to work on them whether it's art or music or ESL lessons or what. I don't like being a last minuter. I scored a 43 on Dr Phil's internet test. I love children and usually relate better to them than to adults. I also love helping others especially in secret. I like my job at church. hate making small talk and am not good at it but I can smile and be friendly. I am 59 years old. My husband and I are living together as friends which seems to be okay for now. I absolutely love brainstorming about creative projects. I don't trust my memory so being a Eucharistic minister sounds scary but I might go for it anyway. Certain people are quite irritating to me at the moment and shall remain anonymous. Adult men who regress to the age of 5 being at the top of the list. And passive-aggressives , but can do this behavior too,
I feel like stretching my wings. I also think I would enjoy having a job outside my home. Unit coordinator in a clinic or hospital. Piano teaching might be good (except I worry that I'm not very good because I'm not an accomplished performing pianist. But I am good at teaching others - I'm just not a performer. I wonder if that's okay? (but no health insurance there) Quandary time. I say let's put this worry capsule on the back burner until after Christmas.
Christmas is different. My little kids are all grown up and living their own lives. I still grieve this loss but maybe am ready to accept things as they are and move forward in a new way. Decorating just isn't the same. I want things to have meaning - not just clutter or old memories; doing things the same way over and over as when the kids were little; something new maybe out of the old. Just a few favorites. We'll see. I'm not stressed out yet! Getting a little cranky though. I want to find a way to wrap stuff that works because I absolutely hate wrapping presents! My mom does such a beautiful job and everything is coordinated and all...I just didn't inherit that talent/patience. Maybe festive brown paper bags? Maybe unfestive bags. pieces of cloth and string... totally not wrapped - just pulled out of a box at the last minute? The wind seems to have died down a bit now - maybe I can go back to sleep. Thank God for little helping pills, too. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr my feet be's cold. Later................................................................
The Seasonings
These are cool horse deevers we had at Thanksgiving at Dan's.
Today I made fruit cakes and on Friday I made something else that I just realized I cannot talk about here because some of the people who read this blog will get some for Christmas. That was a close call!
Christmas and I are doing fairly well so far. I have managed to stay out of the "I am responsible for the family's happiness at the holidays", the "we don't have enough $", the "I don't have enough time", and the "I wonder if I got them that before" traps. Feel like I am tap dancing around the quicksand of my mind, like a "Chipmunk roasting on an open fire...". I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
We have no decorations up yet, no tree and no lights - I should be upset, but I cannot question the wisdom of my self. I am making some gifts and just focusing on one day at a time. Went to a nice party last night and saw Teesha's cool and very HUGE art studio. Envy, envy.
This season just makes my juices flow. Why is it so short? I want to arrange a couple songs and quilt and bake and make cool, artsy gifts and go to parties and celebrate.....and now I need a nap!
Septic Christmas
Today we literally flushed our Christmas present money down the toilet! Had to have the septic tank pumped to the tune of over $400.00. Yikes! That's some expensive shit! And we had a blockage in the main pipe that runs under the driveway to the tank. We think this is due to the fact that we had been using 'Charmin' which is soft but horribly pluggy to pipes. Ed cleaned it all out (we hope) with a large, black, rubber thing that expanded in there with hose water. We're still in the process of testing this - I'm doing a load of wash to see what happens. Fun, huh? If it doesn't work, all the stuff will spew out into Sam and Aaron's bathroom through their toilet and into the tub. I guess they had noticed that their bathroom floor was wet all week but they didn't say anything until yesterday when it ran out their bathroom door. Eeeeeuuuuwww talk about unsanitary. So that's our pre-holiday fun!
Here is the cover for the Advent meditation/reflection booklet for St Clare's Episcopal Church. I used the colors from magazines and mod podge. I really like how it came out. This font is a little weird today - ? Doesn't some of it look smaller to you?
Oh, well.
I have a lot to catch up on here - been a long time and things have been happening. Right now there is a cat howling outside and I must see...
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
This is one of my favorite holidays of the year because of all the imagination that is allowed to run amok. Today I woke up with absolutely grotesque hair and so I decided to let that lead me into a fashion statement of the day. And voila - a witch was created! (Some might start that noun with a 'b'.) I have my hog gut earrings on and even a skirt. Very fetching. Maybe more later....
Incredible new cat toy!
See these happy cats? See them have fun in their new toy? Don't you want one for your cat too?
Squeenjor's Cat Paper! or something - I haven't thought up a name yet. My cats love to play in this huge pile of clean paper. And it's so attractive in my living room! They hide in it, charge through it, hunt in it and in general love it. For a really entertaining evening you can sprinkle catnip on it. Comes in a cute little roll. You just unwind it, pile it up and watch the fun.
I'm really serious about this!
Ideas for names for this product will be gladly accepted. Patent Pending, etc. Copyrighted, etc.
This is Clive (not his real name) Sam and Aaron's new kitty.
Man, am I beat - my eyeball is even twitching.
I just did an activity presentation tonight (for my LAST ESL class at STESL (Seattle U)) and I was a nervous wreck! Go figure. I have taught ESL classes for 2 years in the community, I teach piano, and I have homeschooled my kids but I was really wigged out. Must be the Prozac. I'm trying it again after 8 years of trying other stuff and I was so buzzed and unfocused this week it was hard to concentrate. So today I added a half a tranq to the mix. Time to lower the Prozac dose by half I'll tell ya.
I guess I did okay but not the relaxed, easy going teaching feeling that I like to have. Ah Well.... but it is done and there's definitely something to be said for that.
Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Now on to the next project. I'll be done on November 12th at which time I will be Certified. (not certifiable) Party time people!!!!
And fall returns...
It's been awhile...I am taking my last ESL class at S-TESL at Seattle U and man does it take up my time. I be's a studyin' fool! Plus everything else has started for fall - piano teaching and ESL volunteer teaching. It's the lesson planning and prep time that really get me. I haven't hardly touched an art supply in 3 weeks! My hands feel all weak and trembly and I list towards my studio area whenever I walk through the living room. Feels terrible but there is an end in sight....the middle of November.
This Sunday I get a much needed break with a whole day of quilting and creating at Carol's. My sanity shall return for a few hours. What I need is a longer day or a larger brain? More hands? Maybe a "new lease on life " by using Poxema? or Ajax Chicken Cleanser? "Oh, and you have something new too...a new shell" and remember "Hammy, father wishes to speak with you!"
Artfest
A sign ....I am going to Artfest again in April with a group of really neat peeps. This will keep me cre-arting all winter. I got all my first choices too....which was such a shock. I actually put one of the ones I wanted second so that I might get it. ( duh) Carol must have an "in" with the post office to get our registration forms there so quickly. Hooray!
Now, if I could just feel better...the depression thing has been rearing it's ugly head for a couple months. I am going in for a tune up & shrink wrap next week. I slept all afternoon today. It may be partially the new meds I have added to my body for cholesterol and BP or just life.
My marriage has been rocky for almost a year now and I want everything to resolve itself - right now!!! I am very impatient. Are we going for it again or calling it quits? We are seeing a counselor type this week to sort out our mental closets and rearrange stuff. We shall see...
More later.............................................................................................................
Taking a break
This is where I spent a whole week with my Mom and sisters. I had a fabulous time with pelicans, trains, sanikan views, sand & sun, cadilac margaritas, tennis matches, fish-n-chips, screen door humor, synchronized swimming, shopping, snoring, body surfing, tattooing, facial, beach combing, healthy eating, America's got Talent, wine, Project Runway, laughing, lots of walking and Hwy 101!It was warm and sunny and the hot tub was hot! What a great time!!! I just love my family!
Spare Time
In the afternoon
when we have nothing better to do in Snoqualmie....
our imaginations have a fit!
Life in the ________lane
Time to be checking in again - been a long time. I've been busy with trying out medications to lower my borderline blood pressure and my sky high cholesterol. At least the cholesterol thing is a genetic problem and not dietary. I'd be left with nothing to eat but raw vegetables and tree bark. Sigh... Cream puffs anyone?
I need a money making career that I love! Wish art could cut it. Maybe I'll panhandle a bit or something. Anyone need a pirate? How about a spud chef like these two lovely culinary whizzes?
I am going to Artfest again this year! This helps me to get creative as the winter winds blow and the garden looks less appealing for playing in. Also getting ready for a fabulous trip to sunny California soon. Just the women on this trip and we be deservin' a break, too.
More later I guess.....
Terrible Day
Yesterday was a terrible day!
I spoke to someone from the IRS and they had no brain! No evidence of one whatsoever! Sooooo frustrating. Ever been there?
Then I found out that my cute little button/recycled/quilt square that adorns the top of this site didn't make the cut and get into a magazine. Can you believe it? And some of the ones they chose were butt ugly - so much for good taste!
I was mad all day....until after I went for a long walk to work and 'worked out' in my garden. Sheesh. Then there was a very tiring Startrek episode and some limpish reading about Reiki before bed. Slept like a log with my nose strip on and today seems to be a better day so far.
By the way, this picture of me showcases a hairdo by my son - don't you wish he was your hairdresser?
Fish - in - a - Handbag Trip
This is me feeding a chipmunk on our camping trip. We had a great time and good weather. Got cold at night and had trouble keeping warm, though. I really longed for my long underwear but how was I to know?
We played in the river every day building dams and "hot" tubs to sit in. Kind of like a sitz bath in reverse. Whew!
Had some great camp food - s'mores of course but also lots of tasty little morsels simmered in a Dutch oven. Can't wait until next year. Sue
Forth of Juli
This is SERIOUS - this is SCIENCE
Can you believe it? This is me getting my forebrain and my hindsight attuned up at the cabin and the really weird thing is that it works! You can hear stuff you've never heard before - radio stations from Moscow, cows lowing, women shopping for bras! A definite breakthrough if ever I saw one ..... also one of the many enjoyable and creative things that we do in my family.
We have such a great time. We also sagnutted quite a bit because that is really the King's Ass!!! This weekend we are going camping and I wonder what we'll do there.....
(p.s. That's water in my glass. We don't need any help.................................)
Tippy
Well everyone,
Since my last post my dog Tippy died. Granted, he was quite old and followed me around maddeningly, got me up at night, and insisted on going for an extremely slow stroll every day but I loved him and find that I miss his presence very much. I thought that I would feel mainly relieved - but no. I think it will take me a little while.... He was such a sweet old gentleman - a mix of Lab and Pharoah's Hound. He smiled showing his teeth, talked and chattered and best of all he could dance. I know he is dancing in heaven with his former owner, Henry, right now.
A Normal Day
June 24th 2008
Tippy got me up at 7 am (after going to bed at midnight - I was tired)
Strained kefir and refilled
Fed Tippy
Fed the outdoor cats
Spent 1½ hours on the net looking for solutions to printer problem – removed the print head and am cleaning it with ammonia and water.
Got dressed and ate 2 pieces of toast and kefir
Swept rat head & entrails off front porch (cats leave me presents every night now) Felt like playing golf with a rat head
Hand watered the vegetable gardens and roses.
Swept the back deck and moved the picnic table
Watered the basil and honeysuckle
Took out the compost, garbage and recycle
Unloaded and loaded the dishwasher
Put away clean dishes from counter
Shook out kitchen rugs and swept K floor and hallway
Made a grocery list
Put a load of wash in
Put on sunscreen
Cleaned all windows in the car – inside and out
Vacuumed car floors, seats and floor covers
Washed floor covers, rinsed and set out to dry
Inspected windshield – must take in for repair
Hung wash outside to dry
Did another load of wash
Made appt with Dr for tomorrow
12:00 - Ate turkey dog and baked beans, water
Typed this list
Tippy is tired now since he followed me in and out all morning. He works hard too.
Why is it that I never feel like I do enough?
12:05
Checked my email and answered some
Holly came home, visited
Took a nap for 2 hours – felt soooo good, except for the bug that walked across my face…
Vacuumed the house, especially the nooks and crannies; took out the dead flies from windowsills
Rearranged front porch furniture for summer use and got out two more chairs
5:30 fed the dog
Folded and brought in the wash and hung out the other load
Rinsed print head in distilled water and set outside to dry
Cooked dinner, set table and ate
Brought in the mail
Got a DVD and now I’m going to watch it.
That’s all for today folks.
Tippy got me up at 7 am (after going to bed at midnight - I was tired)
Strained kefir and refilled
Fed Tippy
Fed the outdoor cats
Spent 1½ hours on the net looking for solutions to printer problem – removed the print head and am cleaning it with ammonia and water.
Got dressed and ate 2 pieces of toast and kefir
Swept rat head & entrails off front porch (cats leave me presents every night now) Felt like playing golf with a rat head
Hand watered the vegetable gardens and roses.
Swept the back deck and moved the picnic table
Watered the basil and honeysuckle
Took out the compost, garbage and recycle
Unloaded and loaded the dishwasher
Put away clean dishes from counter
Shook out kitchen rugs and swept K floor and hallway
Made a grocery list
Put a load of wash in
Put on sunscreen
Cleaned all windows in the car – inside and out
Vacuumed car floors, seats and floor covers
Washed floor covers, rinsed and set out to dry
Inspected windshield – must take in for repair
Hung wash outside to dry
Did another load of wash
Made appt with Dr for tomorrow
12:00 - Ate turkey dog and baked beans, water
Typed this list
Tippy is tired now since he followed me in and out all morning. He works hard too.
Why is it that I never feel like I do enough?
12:05
Checked my email and answered some
Holly came home, visited
Took a nap for 2 hours – felt soooo good, except for the bug that walked across my face…
Vacuumed the house, especially the nooks and crannies; took out the dead flies from windowsills
Rearranged front porch furniture for summer use and got out two more chairs
5:30 fed the dog
Folded and brought in the wash and hung out the other load
Rinsed print head in distilled water and set outside to dry
Cooked dinner, set table and ate
Brought in the mail
Got a DVD and now I’m going to watch it.
That’s all for today folks.
Music TimePiano recital was June 11 and was so much fun! This is Holly and I as part of a piano quartet. She plays so fast her hands are a blur! I really miss it now that it's all over but have found a couple duets we can play together. I like the winding down of things for the summer but then there is the adjustment of 'what do I want to do next'?
Thinking about doing some art with kids - nothing formal; working on a quilt, maybe a white Chasuble...certainly yard work. Wondering how to simplify this yard so I can spend more time growing vegetables and less time weeding flower beds; and there is so much lawn which is a total waste of land. Don't get going on that.
Took the goat fence down so now we have a place to play Bocci or Sagnut. Got to make a Sagnut game first.
Hooray for a sunny day today! It was blinding just like this color.
The Great Sagging Nut Weekend
May 30th
Hi Everyone and a Happy Post Memorial Day to you.Well, aren't these people (to the right) cute? Liza, Eric and Holly sharing how they feel after a hard game of Sagnut - or Nut Sagger, as we called it. The ones one the left are cute too - one of them is my sister Sal. We played this game all Memorial weekend even into the wee hours and I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Definitely therapeutic!
I love my family and going to our cabin on Hood Canal. We are so lucky to have that place.
Trips in April
This is a photo I took of the wisteria covered atrium at Duke Gardens - very beautiful and fragrant. My mom and I spent a lovely week in Durham with Betsy and Christian. As usual the time went by too fast and I was so sad when we had to leave.
Then I was home for a week. Grandma and I flew away again to Scottsdale to John and Linda's home (it's really a fabulous art gallery) and charged off to see the Grand Canyon. (see upper right) We had a fabulous lemon meringue pie made by Mary when we arrived. This picture was of pies we ate later in the trip. I think I gained a few pounds!Had a great time on both trips.
Time for a new postie here. Ahhh this is a better color. Baba-ji says hi to everyone - he's quite a talker especially at 5:30 am. Ahem! Wow there are some cool colors here. I don't have a whole lot to say, obviously. Getting ready for Phoenix and warmth. Pedicure tomorrow - you know you can't go there with ratty looking feet. Time to stop ...
Well, I am back from Durham and about ready to leave for Phoenix. "Hooked on Phoenix!" Should be in the 90's. Here 's a picture from Durham where I had a great time with Betsy and Christian.
Here are Grandma and I celebrating B & C's birthdays. They had the best french fries.
Going with my Mom again....we are becoming traveling regulars. You should see her hotrodding across the airport in the wheelchair! Sure gets us through all the lines fast.
Post Artfest
Sometimes learning how to do this blog really sucks!
I already wrote about Artfest and saved it as a draft and then couldn't figure out how to publish it on my site so I am all out of writing juice.
Anyway, here is a photo (I hope) of some of my cute little hog gut class things. I also made a "satchel" (which I still don't care for) and learned how to work with mica sheets. Everyone made really cool stuff. Next year I will be more relaxed...I was pretty mental as an Artfest virgin this year. I am happily doing more sketching of my naked people figures and loving it!
I already wrote about Artfest and saved it as a draft and then couldn't figure out how to publish it on my site so I am all out of writing juice.
Anyway, here is a photo (I hope) of some of my cute little hog gut class things. I also made a "satchel" (which I still don't care for) and learned how to work with mica sheets. Everyone made really cool stuff. Next year I will be more relaxed...I was pretty mental as an Artfest virgin this year. I am happily doing more sketching of my naked people figures and loving it!
Grandmothers flower garden quilt
Here's a picture of the quilt I just finished after...(?)years? The thing is huge! Bought the top already hand sewn at a grage sale up at the cabin for $12.00. Such a deal.
ARTFEST
Here is a picture (I hope) of my poor carnivorous plants enjoying some of our beautiful spring weather lately. Snoq three nights in a row! Rats - wouldn't upload.
Today I am going to Artfest in exactly one hour and six minutes- I am a "newbie" which is a position I don't personally like to be in. I'd rather be an "old hand". But I guess we all have to be new at things or else stand still.
My first class is one using hog gut to make jewelry - bet you can't wait to get your Christmas presents from me this year!! Then I will learn how to make a cute, satchelly thing, and lastly a class using mica to make a wall hanging. Show and tell will be good after this.
Sue
As you can see above left, I have also been making vestments for my church, St Clare's Episcopal Church. I love making them - especially the idea gathering part. I quite often feel the presence of God while I am designing and sewing as well as stewing, cursing and just plain waiting. It reminds me of being pregnant...
So far I have made two complete sets including altar frontal(s), burse and veil, etc. The other set is in greens and purples - with grapes as a central motif.
Time to close for tonight. Namaste
So far I have made two complete sets including altar frontal(s), burse and veil, etc. The other set is in greens and purples - with grapes as a central motif.
Time to close for tonight. Namaste
CREARTIVITY
The blog is getting a little more creative and is heading in the direction that I'm going - creativity- creartivity. heART or sheART ...words are so weird. I'm getting ready for Artfest ...hardest thing is trying to decide what to pack for the classes. Best to leave room for making different choices there by not bringing the entire "kitchen sink" with me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)