I was in my craft room looking at reference books trying to decide what I wanted to paint. Precious Kitty was sitting in the window and all of a sudden he went ballistic. I looked out to see what he was looking at and there was a black and white cat out there. I closed the door when I left the room in case Precious decided to run when I opened the outside door and went out to see what was up. While observing the little thing through the window I had a glimpse of a collar that appeared to have something written on it and was hoping it would help me locate it's human.
It took me forever to find my small blanket and get my boots and coat on but when I quietly opened the door kitty was still sitting there crying. I really wasn't sure what to do at that point since most cats will run when approached by a stranger but this one was too cold, too hungry to do anything except cry.
I didn't look to see what gender she was but the collar was pink so I'm making an assumption the poor thing was a she. I brought her into the house, took her into Hubby's office and got out the carrier to house her in once I examined her collar. I found a phone number and no other info on the collar. She went into the carrier with the blanket and I called the number and told the voicemail who I was and why I was calling.
I was afraid she was an abandoned kitty whose human hadn't thought to remove her collar and I was in the process of fretting about what I was going to do if that was the case, when the phone rang. It seems that kitty and her companion had recently moved into a home down the road from me. He had her in the bathroom while the movers were bringing in the furniture and his grandchild opened the bathroom door and kitty ran. Poor thing has been out there for a week and it's been cold and snowing every day. No wonder she was so exhausted.
They're a nice couple in their late 50s. Their daughter bought their bigger home from them and they bought this smaller home since there's just the 2 of them and they're getting near retirement age. They were heartbroken by the loss of their cat. That took the shine off the new home experience but now that kitty has come home they're looking forward to many happy years together here.
She was sleeping when he found my voicemail so she didn't know her kitty had been found. I've had 2 calls from her since her husband went home. She just keeps telling me how wonderful I am and asking how they can reward me. My reward was in finding the kitty had a home and was wanted. I'm just grateful I was in my craft room instead of on the computer or I would never have seen Precious get agitated and wouldn't have known that poor cat was out there.
Seems to me that Precious was the wonderful one here. I'm thinking I should quit looking for inspiration in a book and just paint him. We'll see how that works out this week.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Friday, February 3, 2017
Going Shopping In Pajamas
Today while puttering around the house I kept thinking of so many things I could write about. Now that I have the time, I can't think of what I wanted to say. There is this though.
Last week I ordered some surfaces to paint on from Michaels. I decided I needed something new and different and found them at Michaels online. I thought about driving over to the store in New Hartford and then realized the surfaces I chose were not available in the stores. So, I did my first of what may be many online art supply orders. I cross checked the prices between Michaels and Hobby Lobby and discovered Michaels was cheaper and since I would have spent the amount needed to get free shipping had I driven to the store, I placed the order. Got half of it yesterday the rest today.
Since these pieces are to be painted for sale, I should have written down the price per piece so I know what to charge once I'm ready to sell whatever I paint. Then I realized I have the billing info in my email inbox. I also now have close to 25 surfaces so I'm all set for awhile. The only thing I can see myself needing now will be paints in a couple of months.
When I'm ready, I won't be driving to either Michaels or Hobby Lobby and I actually won't be ordering paints from them either. After finding out I do artwork and will order online, a Facebook friend sent me the link to Dick Blick. They have all the paints I use as do the other 2 places however, they have a wider variety of colors and they are the same price. Plus their minimum order size to earn free shipping is less. That part really doesn't matter so much because I can't go into an arts and craft store without dropping $50.
In my case any savings realized from online shopping would be saving the price of gas and avoiding the time it takes to get to New Hartford, shop around and then drive home. I like shopping for art supplies with my friend Jeannie but she's moving to N. Carolina in a few months so I'd have to make the trip alone, which I can do but why?. This way I can order online and the items will be delivered to my door. I can stay home and be a shopping in my PJs kind of hermit.
Something I said to another friend who then proceeded to tell me that it's very important at my age to engage in social activity with others. So I'll tear myself away from my paints and invite someone to dinner now and again, like my Husband for instance. I don't need to get all dressed up and drive 40 miles round trip to buy things I can buy from the comfort of my home. Since I don't live by myself in social isolation, I doubt my health will be affected by my desire not to drive around on snow and ice if I can avoid it.
Last week I ordered some surfaces to paint on from Michaels. I decided I needed something new and different and found them at Michaels online. I thought about driving over to the store in New Hartford and then realized the surfaces I chose were not available in the stores. So, I did my first of what may be many online art supply orders. I cross checked the prices between Michaels and Hobby Lobby and discovered Michaels was cheaper and since I would have spent the amount needed to get free shipping had I driven to the store, I placed the order. Got half of it yesterday the rest today.
Since these pieces are to be painted for sale, I should have written down the price per piece so I know what to charge once I'm ready to sell whatever I paint. Then I realized I have the billing info in my email inbox. I also now have close to 25 surfaces so I'm all set for awhile. The only thing I can see myself needing now will be paints in a couple of months.
When I'm ready, I won't be driving to either Michaels or Hobby Lobby and I actually won't be ordering paints from them either. After finding out I do artwork and will order online, a Facebook friend sent me the link to Dick Blick. They have all the paints I use as do the other 2 places however, they have a wider variety of colors and they are the same price. Plus their minimum order size to earn free shipping is less. That part really doesn't matter so much because I can't go into an arts and craft store without dropping $50.
In my case any savings realized from online shopping would be saving the price of gas and avoiding the time it takes to get to New Hartford, shop around and then drive home. I like shopping for art supplies with my friend Jeannie but she's moving to N. Carolina in a few months so I'd have to make the trip alone, which I can do but why?. This way I can order online and the items will be delivered to my door. I can stay home and be a shopping in my PJs kind of hermit.
Something I said to another friend who then proceeded to tell me that it's very important at my age to engage in social activity with others. So I'll tear myself away from my paints and invite someone to dinner now and again, like my Husband for instance. I don't need to get all dressed up and drive 40 miles round trip to buy things I can buy from the comfort of my home. Since I don't live by myself in social isolation, I doubt my health will be affected by my desire not to drive around on snow and ice if I can avoid it.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
When You Think You Can't Breathe, Just Breathe
I'm not one who remembers dreams. Once my eyes are open and feet are on the floor whatever transpired while I was asleep is gone. I might have a single moment remembrance of a person, a color, a thing that might have played a part in the dream but without context, it has no meaning.
Last night a dream provided a noise that woke me up. It was a metallic rumbling type of sound that has no context but it began the process of an anxiety attack. It might not have if I could have convinced myself that I could breathe. Unfortunately the interior of my nasal passages were raw and swollen, incapable of scooping up the volume of oxygen needed by my lungs. Whatever mucous discharge had occurred prior to the noise, had dripped into my throat and apparently grew velcro which allowed it to ball up and stick in one place. In addition to the discomfort of nose and throat, my upper lip felt swollen. I couldn't convince myself that I wasn't drowning, and then I fully woke up.
I got up to walk around and get a grip on myself before the heart pounding started. Had to stop in the bathroom and as I was exiting, the familiar whoosh, whoosh began in my ear. Something drew me to the kitchen and a glass of water which stopped the noise in my ears. Which usually means the rest of it is about to close in on me. So, I sat at the kitchen table with my nose that still wouldn't allow me to breathe and suddenly realized my problem might be dehydration. I drank water and finally went back to bed and slept for a couple more hours. Still, couldn't breathe through my nose, but the lump of whatever in my throat had disappeared.
I haven't been drinking as much water as I need to because we have hard water full of minerals and enough lime to collect in the bottom of the glass. I have been sipping on it all day because I'd prefer not to have another middle of the night problem like last night. I have my other issues under control well enough that the regular panic attacks have stopped. I haven't had one in a year and since they are no longer a regular event, I don't handle them as well as I used to. So I forced myself into sipping what amounts to mineral water all day long.
The swelling in my nose and upper lip has subsided. It still feels raw breathing through it but I can breathe. Everything still feels dry but not painfully so. Dry winter air, forced air heat and no hydration to speak of will take a bit to correct. I will need to buy bottled water when I go shopping this week or some kind of filter system. We will need a whole house system eventually since the amount of lime in the water will use up the filters pretty quickly in a Brita or Pur system. I'm also going to need some Lime Away for the coffee maker. It's starting to drip too slow.
Tonight I'm going to open the window a bit to let in the fresh air even though it's cold fresh air. I need to take the stress off of my sinuses created by dealing with dry, heated indoor air. And not enough drinking of water.
Last night a dream provided a noise that woke me up. It was a metallic rumbling type of sound that has no context but it began the process of an anxiety attack. It might not have if I could have convinced myself that I could breathe. Unfortunately the interior of my nasal passages were raw and swollen, incapable of scooping up the volume of oxygen needed by my lungs. Whatever mucous discharge had occurred prior to the noise, had dripped into my throat and apparently grew velcro which allowed it to ball up and stick in one place. In addition to the discomfort of nose and throat, my upper lip felt swollen. I couldn't convince myself that I wasn't drowning, and then I fully woke up.
I got up to walk around and get a grip on myself before the heart pounding started. Had to stop in the bathroom and as I was exiting, the familiar whoosh, whoosh began in my ear. Something drew me to the kitchen and a glass of water which stopped the noise in my ears. Which usually means the rest of it is about to close in on me. So, I sat at the kitchen table with my nose that still wouldn't allow me to breathe and suddenly realized my problem might be dehydration. I drank water and finally went back to bed and slept for a couple more hours. Still, couldn't breathe through my nose, but the lump of whatever in my throat had disappeared.
I haven't been drinking as much water as I need to because we have hard water full of minerals and enough lime to collect in the bottom of the glass. I have been sipping on it all day because I'd prefer not to have another middle of the night problem like last night. I have my other issues under control well enough that the regular panic attacks have stopped. I haven't had one in a year and since they are no longer a regular event, I don't handle them as well as I used to. So I forced myself into sipping what amounts to mineral water all day long.
The swelling in my nose and upper lip has subsided. It still feels raw breathing through it but I can breathe. Everything still feels dry but not painfully so. Dry winter air, forced air heat and no hydration to speak of will take a bit to correct. I will need to buy bottled water when I go shopping this week or some kind of filter system. We will need a whole house system eventually since the amount of lime in the water will use up the filters pretty quickly in a Brita or Pur system. I'm also going to need some Lime Away for the coffee maker. It's starting to drip too slow.
Tonight I'm going to open the window a bit to let in the fresh air even though it's cold fresh air. I need to take the stress off of my sinuses created by dealing with dry, heated indoor air. And not enough drinking of water.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Waiting For The Paint To Dry
Back in the day when I was doing craft shows I was painting regularly If I was at home and my work was done I had a brush in my hand and would work until bedtime on whatever piece I was creating. When my Mom got sick, I stopped doing craft shows or selling my pieces anywhere because the dreaded call could happen anytime. There wasn't any way she could reach me if I was in the middle of a show and she was so sick, recovery wasn't guaranteed. I wanted to be reachable, in case.
After she died, I lost interest in painting and selling for a good number of years. I painted a few pieces every year, usually for gifts. Last year I lucked into an opportunity to sell from a store and the owner isn't demanding that I keep much of an inventory there which works fine for the enjoyment and stress reduction factor. However, not doing paintings all the time for 12 years and being older, I'm finding that I need some practice with techniques that used to come easily. Like brush lettering.
After she died, I lost interest in painting and selling for a good number of years. I painted a few pieces every year, usually for gifts. Last year I lucked into an opportunity to sell from a store and the owner isn't demanding that I keep much of an inventory there which works fine for the enjoyment and stress reduction factor. However, not doing paintings all the time for 12 years and being older, I'm finding that I need some practice with techniques that used to come easily. Like brush lettering.
I know it doesn't look that bad but the tail on the word Live makes the word look like Liver. On all the words the letter L is supposed to be larger allowing the second letters to be placed closer and above the bottom tail. During the lettering process I also managed to set a portion of my arm down onto the piece and the bottom daisy wasn't dry.
The absolute best thing about paint is it's very forgiving. When you screw up, you just clean it off and start again. The need to do that used to annoy me but I finally figured out that it was because of the pressure to have enough for the next craft show. Something that I loved doing became a job. It might have been a job I enjoyed, but jobs have deadlines and deadlines can be stressful. So can the shoppers at a show.
Now that it's not a job and I don't have a deadline, I can relax and enjoy the process without stressing myself out, even with mistakes, it's fun again.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Better Things To Do
People amaze me and not always in a good way. Someone that I blogged with in the now defunct Blogstream has been exercising his freedom of speech by calling all women who disagree with his support of Trump, things like old hag, bitch and the C word. My only comment to him after 2 days of seeing his behavior was that if supporting Trump meant using the kind of language, I'd pass. I spent the rest of that day deciding that I might need to unfriend him for the sake of my own sanity. Went to Facebook the next morning to do so and found that he'd taken care of the problem for me. This after his spending weeks complaining that people were unfriending him for his politics. Umm, no. Sorry Bryon, it's because of the hate you're spewing in the name of your politics.
Many of my Facebook friends voted for Trump.. Oddly only 3 or 4 have had anything to say about their choice. Those who decided that they wanted a solid Conservative SCOTUS said that was why they voted for him and they didn't celebrate that win because, as Christians, the need to vote for him didn't make them happy. Supporters who keep spewing their anger at those of us who don't support this president seem to have had the wall, the ban on muslim immigrants, abortion or the defeat of the PC people as the reason behind their votes. Those of us who don't fall into lockstep with that particular block of Trumpeters are on the receiving end of their schadenfreude and it's vitriolic expression.
I'm not being bothered by any of them since I don't feel that arguing online is going to solve any problems. Therefore I am not making a target out of myself since my only contribution to the fight is to post articles I know to be closer to the truth than some things one can find online. I also have this little quirk in my personality. I feel that if someone isn't paying my bills, they aren't entitled to an explanation of my beliefs. I say what I think and I have no need to defend that. I'm entitled to that, according to the Constitution. I have a very dim view of people who want what they want at the expense of those less fortunate than they are. I just stay away from them as much as possible and have chosen to leave their fate on Judgement Day in the hands of a higher power than I am. I have my opinions, but, in the end, do they really matter to anyone but me? I don't think so.
Anyway, because of all the turmoil, I am spending much of my time where I can enjoy my life. That place is in the comfort of my castle with the laptop shut off. I might be cooking, cleaning, sitting in my recliner with the cat on my lap and a book in my hand. I might be out shopping or running errands. I might even be doing some painting. That was what I did yesterday. Today I will sign the piece as I have looked and in my mind it is finished the way it is. In another day I will start the sealing process and grab another surface to see what my mind decides needs to be painted onto it. There's a spark of something running around what remains of my brain, we'll see how that goes.
In the meantime, this is what I did yesterday. I think he's flirting with you.
Many of my Facebook friends voted for Trump.. Oddly only 3 or 4 have had anything to say about their choice. Those who decided that they wanted a solid Conservative SCOTUS said that was why they voted for him and they didn't celebrate that win because, as Christians, the need to vote for him didn't make them happy. Supporters who keep spewing their anger at those of us who don't support this president seem to have had the wall, the ban on muslim immigrants, abortion or the defeat of the PC people as the reason behind their votes. Those of us who don't fall into lockstep with that particular block of Trumpeters are on the receiving end of their schadenfreude and it's vitriolic expression.
I'm not being bothered by any of them since I don't feel that arguing online is going to solve any problems. Therefore I am not making a target out of myself since my only contribution to the fight is to post articles I know to be closer to the truth than some things one can find online. I also have this little quirk in my personality. I feel that if someone isn't paying my bills, they aren't entitled to an explanation of my beliefs. I say what I think and I have no need to defend that. I'm entitled to that, according to the Constitution. I have a very dim view of people who want what they want at the expense of those less fortunate than they are. I just stay away from them as much as possible and have chosen to leave their fate on Judgement Day in the hands of a higher power than I am. I have my opinions, but, in the end, do they really matter to anyone but me? I don't think so.
Anyway, because of all the turmoil, I am spending much of my time where I can enjoy my life. That place is in the comfort of my castle with the laptop shut off. I might be cooking, cleaning, sitting in my recliner with the cat on my lap and a book in my hand. I might be out shopping or running errands. I might even be doing some painting. That was what I did yesterday. Today I will sign the piece as I have looked and in my mind it is finished the way it is. In another day I will start the sealing process and grab another surface to see what my mind decides needs to be painted onto it. There's a spark of something running around what remains of my brain, we'll see how that goes.
In the meantime, this is what I did yesterday. I think he's flirting with you.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Spending The Day Doing Something For Me
I may not have had much to say so instead of talking I started doing. There is a room, a small one, maybe 7' x 10' that I had decided would be my crafting room. I've never had one before, just a table tucked into the corner of my bedroom which made things a little crowded but I dealt with that. The room as also where we chose to put the freezer but other than that, the room is for me to paint in.
This morning I realized the table was too close to the window and that the cabinet covered a feature on the wall that I was fond of and didn't want covered up, so I rearranged them. Then I saw that the chair I was going to use would not have much room to move in without bumping into the freezer so I moved the freezer closer to the outside wall. Once I did that, I started unpacking boxes and filling the shelves.
This morning I realized the table was too close to the window and that the cabinet covered a feature on the wall that I was fond of and didn't want covered up, so I rearranged them. Then I saw that the chair I was going to use would not have much room to move in without bumping into the freezer so I moved the freezer closer to the outside wall. Once I did that, I started unpacking boxes and filling the shelves.
Books, blanks, baskets of brushes, daubers, palette knives, palettes, sponges, rollers and just about any tool you can think of. And the paint and finishes of course. I have a lot of stuff and it's now all organized and I'm happy. After the boxes were emptied it was just a matter of cleaning and taking another picture.
A whole room just for my crafts and it's big enough for me to keep things clean and neat. Now all I have to do is decide what I want to create.
Coffee, Love And Peanuts
I had nothing to say yesterday. I'm not sure I have anything to say today either.
It's going to be a long 4 years.
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