2022 Happy To Be Here

Last night I got very little sleep. There was a lot of tossing and turning. So I'm going to make this short. Happy things from today: It is day 100 of the A&S challenge and I am done! I'm certain that I have done more A&S in the last 100 days than the previous ten years. I believe that having a studio will help me continue to do things, but I am ready to not have to craft on working days. I worked on the flower I outlined the other day. I'm kind of making it up as I go along. The forsythia are blooming. That means I can prune the roses. Not today though, today I go to bed early. ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of the Year , Joan Borysenko. And Tracking & The Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign , by Paul Rezendes. Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

This morning I did some dishes before sitting down for breakfast. After eating I went to put my dirty dish into the sink and noticed way too much water on the floor for the dishes I had done. In fact, it was more like how much water there would be if someone had tried to bathe a German shepherd in the sink… or something leaking. And so my day of crafting, taxes, and walking with my friend was drowned. What could have been me just getting the parts became other errands as well. When I finally got the pieces put back together, it didn't all fit and I went back to the store.. Did you know that when pipes say they are 1.5 inches that is the size of the hole and has nothing to do with the outside size of the pipe where things actually go together? I did. Did I remember this? Of course not. The end result is that after another trip for another part it is working again. Yay me!! Clean up is for the rest of the family. Other happy things: Despite the time consuming plumbing...

This evening I took a two mile walk in town. On the way south on the street I had a lovely conversation with TF. On the way north, the wind was blowing so the conversation ended. Instead I got to watch the sunset. The clouds were layered and the different layers changed colors differently. There were various shades of orange/peach and dark gray lavender and pinks.  Other happy things from today: I’ve been enjoying watching the bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes start to grow in the triangle. I’m kind of wishing I had planted more, but they have room to multiply.  Hopefully the pips will start coming up soon too. One of the cats decided that the bathroom sink looked interesting.  😁 Most of the afternoon I spent at the studio. I printed out a flat cap pattern, made some adjustments, then made the hat–out of an old pillow case. It came out pretty good.  Day 98 of the A&S challenge was making a hat.  It took a lot longer than the 15 minutes needed to complete...

According to DuoLingo I reached a 1200 day streak today. Although I get into the app and practice I don't always learn new words. I wish learning a second language came easier for me. Slow and steady I'm learning more. Other happy things for today: I was going to write about how I am behind on getting rid of things for Lent.  The goal was seven things a week.  Instead, I shuffled through a couple boxes and found five things to go with two books I found this morning and made the goal.  Phew! We brought more things to the studio and spent some time there.  It is still a bit of a mess, but it is coming together.  Keziah found a sign that we hung up on the wall to make the place seem more like ours.  Gideon did some crafting today too! For Christmas I bought new locks for the doors.  I installed one a few months ago.   The other two I installed today and I made sure all the keys are labeled.  Today marks two years since they signed pa...

One of the things I try not to write about too much here are health related issues. I do, but not often. And now I am going to be vague. Today I had an appointment with a physical therapist. There was equipment involved that I was attached to and a computer screen to observe the biofeedback. It was so cool to see a representation of what my muscles are doing. Ideally, with the physical therapy, I’ll also see improvement with those muscles. Yes, I am geeking out over medical equipment.  Other happy things today: There was a meeting tonight with the local SCA group. It had some intense moments. These intense moments did not make me happy. However, I learned that there are certain things that I am passionate about and that I can do something about them. That is what I am happy for. If I make the time to do more with this information, I'll be even happier. Before the meeting I took a walk in a cemetery. It started as just a walk, but it turned into a quest. There is an ...

It makes for a long day when I work all night and can't nap in the afternoon. I did try to nap and failed. It was a good afternoon though, thankfully it also is the start of my weekend. Here are some happy things from my day: In the evening, Gideon and I watched a movie on Disney Plus, Atlantis: The Lost Empire . Okay, I fell asleep for a little bit during the movie, but saw most of it. There were some references that I could only half explain to him, things like Kewpie Doll. Little bits of history to start conversations with a different generation. Gideon and I also took our dog, Aesop, for a walk. Aesop has been much better behaved on the leash recently. Yay! For day 95 of the A&S challenge I went to the studio and sort of finished the flatcap I was working on. I say sort of because I cut corners to get this made. It came out okay. Next is to figure out the smaller version so I can make one to fit me. ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, ...

Before the clocks moved forward for spring, when I took my lunch break at work I was seeing the sky lighten. Enough time has gone by that it is happening again. This morning on my way back into work the eastern horizon had a warm lavender glow.  Other happy things for today: Sometimes friends just need an ear to talk to. Today I was that ear, listening as TF talked about a work problem. I'm thankful that I could be there for her. I might be flying to Texas soon. For weeks I have been having a hard time weaving because the tension is off with my threads on the loom.  Sagging threads.  :( For day 94 of the A&S challenge I attempted to fix this problem. It is not fixed. I did find a way to wing it though, and weaving was much more pleasant on this Weaving Wednesday.I did two of the repeating pattern. With this temporary fix I'm hoping to do more next time I weave. What I wove today. My temporary tension solve. ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Medi...

Aesop, our dog, and I walked around the backyard for a few minutes. Aesop just wanted to sit. So I stood, listened, and watched. I was somehow able to block the street noise out for a few moments and hear the birds. There was one that sounded different. I've heard it before but today I wanted to place it. After some standing still and observations, I'm fairly certain that the sound came from a tufted titmouse. Aesop stayed mostly still while I made my observations, he was watching a different bird, the Robin. Other happy things for today: Another observation was the presence of buds on the trees in the distance. They are still quite small, but now they are noticeable. Keziah, Gideon, and I went to a local game store. Gideon used some birthday money to get a book about Dungeons and Dragons. I saw extensions of games that I have that I didn't know existed. It has been a while since I looked at games. It might be time for me to budget money and time for games...

After some random things at home like dishes and dog care I went to the studio this morning. It seems that being at the studio is always a good thing. Here are some other happy things from today: Day 92 of the A&S challenge was me trying to make a flat cap again. Today I found an actual pattern, printed it, and used it. The hat isn't complete, but it should fit Keziah when done. It is just a mockup, so it most likely won't be worn. The printer. We were given a used printer that the owners couldn't get to work. I got it to work with my laptop. It has a scanner that I haven't tried yet, but for just printing black it is fine so far. After lunch time I met my friend, Amy, for a walk. We did just over four miles. My map program glitched (had us going over the pond) but hers didn't. Good times. On the drive home I saw a red tailed hawk taking off near the highway. It was beautiful, but I was driving, so no pictures. ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of M...

 There are still nights below freezing but it is still spring, so freezing nights are expected.  The flowers I planted in the triangle last fall seem to be doing okay.  Many of the crocus came up, there are tulips that have pushed through the soil and either the lilies or the iris are coming through as well.  Last year I thought I planted so many things, the area still seems a little barren to me.  I know things will come in as time goes by. Other happy things from today: It was up to me to give Aesop, our dog, a shower today.  He was such a good dog.  All day, when people have pet him, I have received comments about how soft, white, or nice smelling he is. Zed and I took Aesop for a walk.  Good conversation with my son-in-law. Gideon, Zed, and I had a video call with Bel to play D&D.  Folke couldn't make it so we mostly talked about things rather than play.  It was a nice virtual visit. I had a goal during Lent to get rid of at leas...

It has been a busy, in a good way, sort of day. Here are some happy things that happened today: I planted some tomato seeds and put them in the greenhouse. I heard somewhere that they like calcium and to use eggshells when they are planted. I probably went too far and planted them in eggshells. At the studio I did some rug braiding. Day 90 of the A&S challenge is complete. I met up with friends at a wildlife management area in Canterbury, NH for a walk. We ended up doing almost four miles and had a great time exploring trails none of us had been on. After I met with other friends for dinner and then to a local speakeasy where everyone but me had some drinks. It was fun and I learned a bit about sea shanties. ☮ Currently reading:  Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of the Year , Joan Borysenko. And  Tracking & The Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign , by Paul Rezendes. Thank you for being part of ...

Walking outside to go to the mailbox this afternoon I pleasantly inhaled the smell of rain. It hadn't started yet but the fragrance and the pressure change between the inside world and outside world were grounding for me. It was energizing and calming somehow at the same time.  Other happy things: Naps. Working overnight and then wanting to do things in the evening when I can, makes having naps important.  I'm happier when I have had some sleep. There was a small SCA tournament tonight hosted by a local SCA knight. It was fun to watch. As Baroness I keep trying to find ways to be more involved with the fighting without actually fighting.  Right now that mostly means being a presence in the community. For day 88 of the A&S challenge I was looking for something different to embroider and Keziah handed me a pin to use as a model.  I've pulled out parts to redo a few times and I still don't have it right.  ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer...

After yesterday's dog escapades it was late and I would have only had about two and a half hours of sleep before going to work. I thought about not going in so I checked the app to see if there was any voluntary time off available. There was, and even better, there was a part day time off available so I went in four hours late. I really needed sleep. Other things I am happy for today: Aesop, our dog of yesterday's escapades, greeted me when I got home from work. Yesterday we weren't sure we'd find him. Sometimes he ignores my coming home, others he barks, today he seemed happy to see me. Monday night Keziah made carrot soup. I wasn't awake to eat it but I had the leftovers today. Yummy! It is Weaving Wednesday. I made a mistake, which took some time to fix, so I only wove two repeats of the pattern. Day 87 of the A&S challenge is done. ☮ Currently reading: Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Da...

 What a day!  I worked a full shift which means I got out of work around 11:50 this morning.  For some reason I was very tired today.  I hoped to get to sleep early, but I also knew that we were expecting company.  Words are sometimes hard, so here is a list of happy things for today: My cousin's daughter (my 'niece') flew in from Idaho and came for a short visit.  It had been at least five years since we had seen her and seeing her today was wonderful.  My niece, Keziah and I went out for a late lunch.  We were going to go out for ice cream but then... When we got home Gideon was in a panic, Aesop, our dog, was gone.  While Gideon was in the bathroom the back door had been blown open by the wind.  We all went on a search for Aesop.  My niece helped for a little while but then had to leave.  Soon after she left, Zed and Gideon found Aesop playing in the backyard of a pair of poodles.  The owner of the poodles said that Ae...

Today was all about the studio. We packed more things into the van and brought them there. We sorted through a bunch of the boxes and threw away things that were trash or no longer serve a purpose for us. I found some cool things that I should have taken pictures of like tiny hand sewing machines and old wooden spools of thread.  I only photographed the things I'm getting rid of since I'm keeping track of those things for Lent. We ended up with four empty boxes of things put away. Things I got rid of. I'm counting these as five of the seven things for the week.   If a few hours sorting craft supplies wasn't enough to count towards my 15 minutes of A&S for the challenge, I watched a few videos on how to make jewelry with polymer clay. So day 85 is done and I only have 15 more days to complete the challenge. This challenge has been wonderful for getting my brain working on a more creative level. When I was home I remembered to check on the plants in the greenhouse....