Decorating, Entertaining, and Little Lady Pees-a-Lot.

I just want to say before I start my little blog post that I have been looking over what brings people to my blog. Some time ago I did a post titled "Sweating Like Rented Mules". This post brings a number of people to my blog. I don't know if its amusing or unnerving at the number of people who are interested in sweaty mules................makes me go hmmmm.

Enough about that. I think that Lucy and I have found a solution to her peeing willy nilly outside the litter box. She is a senior lady and had trouble with her aim. Not to mention that she will pee on things that are left on the floor. Towels, blankets, empty baskets, etc. Its a long story and because I left a rather flat basket on the floor of my bedroom she thought it was her own personal toilet and I did not notice it. I am not going into all the details but I did not discover this until some time had passed. ( in case you were wondering, it also took place before the redecoration of said bedroom). I dowsed the floor with a urine odor killer before the new flooring went down and its done a good job as far as I can tell. However Little Lady Pees-a-Lot now felt her washroom was in my bedroom. I installed a covered litter box. Madam is still missing the box on occasion. We have a habit of pushing our butt up against the wall of the little box to pee. She will be in the box but still pee out the door. Sigh. Its a good thing she is cute

So I came up with this

A boot tray from Walmart which is long and narrow so the box fits in nicely with space at the front, along with a lip around the edge. I tried news paper and then paper towel, then I had a flash of inspiration and started to use puppy pads to catch the liquid and make clean up easy. This has done wonders for the problem. Thank goodness.

Ok so on to more fun things. Cat pee has limited appeal for a topic of discussion. I have been back to work, making my way through month end once again . I still have my leg issues but I am working on the weight thing so baby steps. 

I had said I would host book club this month. I had to get the house smelling nicer than it did before I had the group over. I am not sure what happened but I got inspired and got out the Autumn decorations for the first time in a very long time. I don't know what got into me but I finally felt like sprucing the place up and doing some seasonal decorating.

I love knick knacks, decorations and do-dads, incase there is someone in the known world that had not figured that out yet. Needless to say I have a few pumpkins about the house.

I love my entry way, its a great place to add some seasonal decor. 

I knitted these pumpkins years ago. They were fun to do and I think they turned out ok for me not having a pattern.

Fall is also my favourite season. I have a passion for pumpkins. I may need a 12 step program.

I forgot I had this one. Its wooden slats held together with wire. No idea where I got it but I am glad I have it.

Got this idea from pinterest. I like the way it looks, little hits of autumn in amongst the milk glass.

See I have a pumpkin problem, and I don't care!! I have cut off the corner of the buffet because I had nothing to place on that corner. I have something there now and it will do but it needs something added to it. right colour but too plain.

Its a vintage overgrown brandy snifter ( have no idea what it should be called) and its amber but it needs something added to it. I will have to think on that.

Here is the rest of the decor. No explanation necessary.

And the centerpiece of the table just waiting for all the book club snacks to surround it.

There is a wreath on the veranda, a scarecrow in the front yard and a nice Autumn sign hung on the veranda as well. Only thing I did not do was the real pumpkins stuffed with flowers on the step. Its been so long since I did this sort of thing, I am so tickled. Could this be the beginning of me getting back to the old me? I hope so.

Book club was a hit. Some meetings are better than others and I always judge the success by how long people stay. It was close to 10 when the last of them shuffled out. I call that a success. 

I have the second quilt top just about finished. I have the sashing yet to figure out and I will get at that soon enough. The last of the puppets are done and ready to be boxed up for the craft sale. I got stuffing today and spent the afternoon finishing them off.  That is worth doing the drunken monkey dance of joy, 

I had a great day today. I ran some errands this morning. Part of the plan was to stop in at the Banker's for coffee because her Sweet Baboo is away and she was home this morning, rare for her. She texted me early and invited me for breakfast. Well she had me at bacon. I scooted through my errands, had a lovely breakfast with her and then got my stuffing. Leaving her place I spied a friend at a bus stop. I offered her a ride home. She live near me and my city is not so huge that giving a friend a ride then back tracking to the craft store is no big deal. She said she was headed to Walmart, which happens to be in the same area as the craft store. We had a nice catch up chat on the way to the stores. I left her in the craft store and I spent the rest of the day assembling porcupines. DONE two weeks before the sale!! I am giddy.

Next on the plan is a silent auction item and the donation quilt for our local Safe and Warm Shelter. I have also been asked by Mommy Bug to made a mermaid blanket for Ladybug. That is going to be fun. I am looking foreward to focusing my attention on other things without the puppets hanging over my head.

I am a happy happy bunny today!!

Toodles

Linda

Back to Reality

I could not blog yesterday, I was deep into feeling sorry for myself, cause I am so mature and all that. My staycation is over and its back to work, back to reality. Don't get me wrong I am grateful for my job but if I could afford it I would be at home. No question, no hesitation, I would be home.

I have 7 puppets to finish up and I am ready for the craft sale. I would be done but I ran out of stuffing and I realized I am short 4 porcupine backs which mean I need to get yarn. So I am one trip to the craft sale away from completion.

I spent most of Sunday working on the second donation quilt top.Its chugging along nicely. I put on Netflix and sew to my hearts content. I would have stayed there all day but KitKat texted and I got distracted.

I took coffee and cookies up to KitKat. She finally bought her fish tank and was working on her yard. We decided that a coffee break was in order but neither of us wanted to get presentable so I did the drive through thing and we had a nice couple of hours, chatting and drinking coffee. It took my mind off of today.

Its so crazy but I still have a hard time sleeping on Sunday night. Its that going to school the next day feeling. Work today was not bad, all in all. I managed to get through a zillion emails, and voice mails. Tomorrow I will be back in the swing of it all. The first day back after being away is hard because you are so out of the loop. Takes a day to get back into it all. I was so tired when I got home, I was on the couch with Desi stretched out on my side in no time flat. I watched Y & R with my eyes closed.

I am so proud of myself, I have made my lunch the night before for the second day in a row!! This is major for me. I am so bad, I am always running around in the morning, trying to figure out what to have for lunch and it makes me frustrated. I am also very prone to putting things off. The fact that making lunch the night before is so simple and so practical and so easy. Me being me,  when dealing with  so many easy things, I make them into a mountain. So while many of you would roll your eyes and say what is the big deal,  for at least the last two nights, lunch has been made. Its in the fridge and ready to go tomorrow morning. This is big for me. This morning was so smooth and I was not frantic, not even once.At my age you would think I would learn.

I keep trying.

Toodles,

Linda

Friday Blues

It feels so weird to feel blue on a Friday. Friday is usually the best day but as my vacation is drawing to a close and that makes me feel blue.

I have accomplished some things on the list and others go undone.I have done something productive each day which is the best I was hoping for. I hope to get a few more things crossed off the list before Monday. I live in hope.

Fall has truly arrived. Mother Nature has carpeted my back yard with leaves, literally. I swear each year my little yard is a catch-all for every leaf in the neighbourhood. I am extremely happy that someone liberated my leaf rake from my yard. I need to replace it. It needs to be done soon, before I get buried in them. Yes the wine bottle boarder is not finished. Its on the list but it did not get attended to. My leg and my natural tenancy to do as little as possible have a lot to answer for.

I have started sewing the neck inserts into the puppets. I have the inventory done and the neck inserts are the last piece of the puzzle. I started yesterday and I have over forty done so far. I have 90 inserts sewn up and ready to install. These are some of the done ones, I have added more to the pile since I took this.

I finished my kitchy scrap afghan yesterday. Its going to live in my room. Its made from yarn scraps that people have given me. SO while its not the most lovley, its warm, bright and saved all that yarn from going to the landfill. Win win I say.

I have three days left then I need to get back to the real world. Sigh. Today I have gone to the bank and picked up my groceries. Me and my sad legs love, love, love Superstore Click and Collect. Which I may have mentioned before. I need to make a trip to the drug store today at some point, and empty the dishwasher and deal with the recycling that is piling up around here. The litter boxes need to be attended to as well. Right now I am going to work on some more puppet inserts.

Have a lovely day
Toodles
Linda

The Good. the Bad and the Oh Crap

One week gone of my staycation and things (the productive thing each day) is ticking along nicely. Even on the crap days, and there have been one or two, I have managed to get something productive done. All the floor mats are soaking in the washing machine at the moment. All of the things are at long last into my bedroom and much more has been done. I can't think of them all now because its like being asked what you want for Christmas, your mind goes blank.

I am thrilled to have this picture of Rhett and Scarlett  hung up in my room. Its a print of a painting done by the Hostess' mom. The Hostess gave it to me some time ago and at last it has pride of place in my room. It has been hung up before but now it has a proper place and its where I wanted it to go.

The tv is very happy with its new home. All the knick knacks are back on the book shelves and things are once again back to normal. I still have the stationary bike to put back in there but all the normal bedroom stuff is once again in its place. Only been since June, apparently I did not want to rush into anything.

I sewed on the quilt top and got it all finished. One down and one to go. I am pleased that it made up so quickly. I put Netfix on and sew away to my heart's content. Its a joy to be quilt making again.

The colours are richer in real life but you get the idea. I started on the second quilt top today. I am using the same material but making a different pattern. Once again unfussy, simple and it's working up quick as well. I am using the same material because I like the combination and its already out of the boxes.

The Banker and I had our day out. I could not do much standing as my leg was giving me major grief but I still managed to get some quilt material and some scrapbooking supplies. We had a lovely lunch, came back to town, she got me some hostas and we ended the day with supper at her place. A very nice day indeed.

The bad and the Oh Crap portion of my week started with a quick appointment with my Doctor. Seeing as he never did call me with the scan results, I went to him. I will give the readers digest version. Three bulging disks in my lower back, two of which are pressing on my spinal cord which is causing the pain. Two also have osteoarthritis in them. He is going to refer me to a surgeon, just to keep on top of things but has already warned me they will not operate due to my weight. I knew that but its no fun to hear it either way. So there is no quick fix. The pain I have had since May is going to linger. This fixable its just not going to be fixed as quickly as I would like it to be. I have more pain medication, which is not covered by my insurance, and is not cheap, dammit. SO I will remain very limited on what I can and cannot do. I am giving myself some time to throw a bit of a tantrum and have a sulk then I will get on with fixing the things I can. Diet, exercise, those fun things I am so good at. Blah!!

The osteoarthritis is going to have to be lived with. I already live with it in my knee but its the pinching pain I want gone. I have to be able to look after myself and get around. End of story so this needs to be fixed, one way or the other.

I have one more week off so I hope to get some more things done around the house. Tuesday, the Banker and I will spend another day doing something. So far we have planned breakfast. I had thought my back would be much better by now and we could do some shopping at the antique second hand stores we both love but those plans have to be scuttled. We will find something else to do.
I have wonderful, supportive, tolerant and giving friends. I am hoping to get out to visit my favourite Bug family too but I am not sure when its going to happen.

Yesterday Teddy Bear brought over coffee and we had a good natter on the veranda. We ended up going out for supper. Today KitKat came and picked me up and we went out for a coffee.

I love pumpkin spice latte season. I also was tickled beyond belief with the little baby biscotti that came with it.

There is still lots left on the "to do" list but things are getting there. My yard is full of leaves but someone liberated my rake from my yard so that will have to wait for a bit. If I can't do one thing I can find a zillion other things to do in its place.

Good, Bad or Oh Crap, I am most happy to be home and doing things on my schedule. Dreams of retirement are dancing in my head.

Toodles
Linda

Productive Stuff

I have started to decorate for Fall. I love Autumn, its my most favorite season. Its cool weather but no snow, the sun light is different. Its warm sweaters, cozy quilts and hot soup. Its fluffy socks and vibrant colours. Spice, pumpkin and apples. I love it.

I have not fully dragged out my autumn decorations for a very long time but I think its gonna happen this year. I have started already. I got these on the weekend from Michaels. Celebrating the end of a crappy week and the beginning of my staycation.

Not the best picture. My house is dark at the best of times and its been cloudy the last couple of days. Plus as much as I LOVE pictures,  I have yet to learn how to take really good ones.

I have lots more and will share as I drag it all out this year. I want my house to look festive when I host book club at the end of the month.

Today I continued on the productive schedule. I picked up groceries this morning. Love Click and Collect while my pinched nerve keeps me on a tight leash. I worked on the puppets. I have decided not to make all the chicken puppets I originally intended to so now I have one more cow puppet to make and I have my inventory complete. 

I FINALLY hung the pictures in my bedroom. Well at least 99% of them.  I ran out of steam before I got them finished. However I am thrilled with my progress. Once again, dark house, poor lighting but you will get the idea

These ones over the vanity are off center and will drive me nuts in time. I will move them once I find my measuring tape. I have three more pictures to hang and some knick knacks to put on the dresser and its done. Oh yes and move the tv back in.

I emptied the dishwasher and folded the last of the laundry. I washed the cat towels and have yet to chuck them into the dryer. I hung things up in the closet!! That has not happened in ages. Garbage and some recycle went out to the dumpsters today. So far I am keeping up with my plan of getting productive stuff done.

Busy asked me to send her some pictures of the finished bedroom and I said I would but not that day. I was showing off my new bedroom lamps. I did not have the heart to tell her I had not finished it yet. She would have have it slapped back into shape in no time at all. At least I am getting there.

Onward and upward!!
Linda

Short and Sweet or Maybe Just Short

So its the long weekend and even better I am on a two week staycation. Too poor to go anywhere so I am staying home and pottering about the house. I am determined to do something constructive everyday. Even if its a boring as laundry or just taking out the trash, something will be done each day. I am so tired of not being on top of things and I am double sure, everyone who knows me is sick of hearing me talk about it.

So Saturday I went to Michael's, convinced my pinched nerve that yes indeed we would walk around the store and get what we needed without having to sit down in the middle of an aisle. We did it!!! I finally got the supplies to finish off the puppet stock for the craft sale and I picked up a couple of autumn decorations because they were on sale and can you ever have too many pumpkins?? I cleaned the kitchen in the afternoon and made two and a half puppets. I also had coffee on the veranda with Teddy Bear, she stopped over to borrow my folding table for her daughter' garage sale. Very productive day

Today I did the laundry. Tons of laundry, I have not washed clothes for more than two weeks, Things were getting desperate. I do have plenty of clothes, I am very fortunate that way so I could have gone a couple more days but enough was enough. I still have towels and cat blankets to do but my clothes are all nice and clean. I worked on the puppets again and on the donation quilt for my office.

I got all these put together last weekend:

Then this weekend I started to do this with them

Its looking very nice and I have the main portion of the top half sewn. Its going together very quickly and very easily. I have tons of the floral sashing material and I am so happy I am finally finding a use for it. I have another donation quilt to make and I may just use this pattern as it works up so quickly and I have lots of material in my stash. Or I may have to find another easy pattern. Endless possibilities

Had another veranda coffee chat with Teddy Bear because she brought my folding table back to me. Its so nice sitting out there on these perfect autumn days.

So two days done of my staycation and productive things were done. I am hoping to plan a couple of  days out with the Banker while I am off but I am limited with this stupid pinched nerve. I am sure I can come up with something.

Toodles,
Linda