Give Me a Sign

Made signs yesterday morning. 

Took the longest ...
letters take me forever,
and involve MATH.

Saw this on IG.
This was quick.

Hubby and I grabbed lunch, ran a few errands, and I made one more sign. 

A bit snarky.

A bit sloppy (I was losing steam rapidly ...)

But, I like it.

(Copied from a picture I saw on IG)

I watched a webinar on ICE last night. Informative.

Shared the link with friends -- getting others involved is part of taking action.

One of the errands was a Marketplace pickup at a favorite antique market. There was a set of vintage lamps, but one was damaged. Nice lighting makes a difference and I'm slowly replacing cheap lamps. 

Good lamp shades are hard to find too. Cheap white ones everywhere. It's really complicated to find a replacement shade -- size in both directions, shape, attachment (you can buy adaptors). I've gotten it wrong so many times. How the shade attaches makes a difference in the overall fit and the combination of both make it complicated. I guess I need to learn to cover the plain ones. When I look for lamps, I only buy ones with shades and shades are something different than plain white. 

It's really heavy and pretty.
Wish it were a tad bigger.

Today is mostly court report writing. Good lord, it takes a long time and this is another tricky one. Hours and hours trying to get the wording and the reporting tone right.

I'll also figure out a little fun today. Maybe a rock painting minute. Maybe a coffee house with a book. We'll see. It's bitter cold again this morning. Not complaining at all. We need a deep freeze to kill surface eggs or our summer is extra bug infested. 

It's time for the grow room. It was on the schedule for Sunday, but no power ended that idea. Way too dark in the basement. I also need to figure out WHERE. I planned to do it in the storage area, but realized it might be too cold. Maybe it'll be warmer soon and I have a heating pad. 

Decisions. I don't want to go to all the trouble only to get no yield. But it takes up a lot of room and is an eye sore and messy. Moved this to the weekend schedule. I need to do some thinking. 

That's all for this morning. Hope you're having a good week. 

I'll update on books and TV shows tomorrow (if I get my act together). 

I also have an update on my aches and pains -- with a possible cause. Riveting, right?!?

Later gators. 

Back to Business

Well, I spoke too soon yesterday. 

Power went out about an hour after I posted -- 8 hours. 

We could hear transformers blowing over and over.

It was a LONG day hah.

Looks like it's all good for today. Roads are dry. 

I was planning to go to Asheville tomorrow, but I moved it to next week. Asheville is sheet of ice and temps are staying low. 

So what's on the agenda today?

First up (already) -- and every day ... calling my representatives. It matters and I urge you to do the same. In a sea of "what can I do" ... this is easy and fast and important. You can call at anytime -- remember to leave your address or it doesn't count. 

When I called yesterday, I burst into tears. It was hard to get the words out. I'm so sad for MN and so proud of them too. 

I invited the hiking group to make signs for local protests, but it got canceled because of something the weather. I want to have signs ready to go because that's what's stopping me from joining the local protests -- don't have a sign, don't even have supplies. Many small protests are last minute.

Bought all the stuff (and extra for everyone else), changed the date to today at the request of a couple of the ladies. Someone suggested last Thursday that we postpone it and they fell like a deck of cards. I understand -- no one should come out in ice (but the roads are clear this morning) and Thursday was a bit premature to make that call. 

I said nope -- I'm still making signs. Glad to join the group if they decide another date (but I'm not hosting or bringing all the supplies). That was my offer -- and the offer expired. This group cancels on a dime and I'm not trying again. They have no skin in the game so it was no big deal for everyone to cancel. If I thought another date change would hold, I would've changed it. I KNOW it'll be the same next time too -- just some other excuse.

As it turns out, the roads are dry and we could've done this as a group. Of course, it could've been too icy, but why not wait to make the call until after the storm. If it was too icy, it's not like anyone would've made other plans. I said it nicely, but not people-pleasing this group anymore. I bet everyone drives somewhere today.

And, I'll enjoy making signs by myself. Some music, some tea -- creative project with a purpose. 

I painted a rock yesterday while there was enough window light. I messed up the umbrella and had to "fix" it -- not the look I was planning, but it's okay. Maybe I'll try this one again at some point.

A workout.

More court report writing.

That's my day. 

It's Monday and I feel relief in the proverbial reset of a new week. 

Last week was a lot, the weekend (and MN) was so much. I'm "off" again. Looking to set myself back on track today. The week looks different, a little quieter since I was planning to be out of town. I'll take it. 

I need to remember to use the quiet for good though. This isn't a "pull-the-covers-over-my-head, cheese, and sugar" week hah. Sounds good, but feels crappy. 

I have the luxury of finding space to fill up my tanks again. Last week took it out of me. Showing up for myself and my community in other ways this week.

Have a good Monday. Later gators.

Heavy Heart

Power is still on. We got about 1/4" of ice overnight. Looks like shiny rain, but when you step on it you know it's ice. It'll stay freezing rain until about noon, then over to just rain.

Asheville's power is on too, but our cameras show more ice and it's still coming down.

But, this feels extra unimportant. 

The execution in MN yesterday is overwhelming. 

My god. 

What is happening?

What can WE do?

Where is sanity?

Where is our humanity?

Where the f*^K is our government?

Also -- call your Senators and Representatives. There's an app if you need help. 5 Calls. 

I don't have anything else to say today.

I hope you stay safe and warm. My heart and prayers and unbelievable admiration to the people of MN. They are showing us the way. 

9 - 5

9-5 yesterday -- meetings and volunteering.

(And, yes, the song is on repeat in my head.)

From one thing to the next.

Long day. All worthy efforts.

I need to be careful to not get sucked into EVERYTHING though. I want to hold the priorities that feel right for me to focus. It's hard to say no, but I'll end up feeling like it's too much and detach too far. There is SO MUCH to do. If everyone does a part and does the part(s) that speaks to them, we can start to fill in gaps and make progress. All the services are worthy, but we need ALL of us in action. 

(I'll stop here, because I feel a rant starting!)

Of course, we're all bracing for the whopper of a storm coming overnight. 

Power outages are the concern for us (we don't need to be on the roads fortunately).

No power can mean frozen pipes, etc. 

Hats off to the line workers -- dangerous, exhausting work ahead.

Calm before the storm. 

(It's moments like this that I'm especially glad I'm retired. Mandated to the hospital, treacherous driving, short staffed. Good to have that behind me. Hearts to those still doing it.)

Our back porch construction starts today. We should've postponed (and I hope the contractor changes his mind). No way he'll finish today and that feels like the last thing we need ahead of what could be a real mess. The decision was made between two men -- shocking, right? Nice to not be involved with this, but ... then I get what I get.

I have to work on a report for my volunteer position today -- the one that takes hours and hours to write. It's due next week, but I'd like to get a chunk finished today. If we have power, I'll finish it up tomorrow. And, as almost every time, my supervisor is away and "sorry I won't be available to answer questions." The report can only be written so far in advance so it's not like I can adjust my timeframe more than a few days. I wish I had a different supervisor. Frankly, she's the dud of the group. 

Next week is totally up-in-the-air with the storm. The icing will end around mid-day tomorrow. Fingers crossed for everyone. Many people are bracing for a long road ahead. 

If I don't check in, we lost power. I'll be back when all is well.

Stay safe and warm. Later gators.

Different Ways of Good

Having fun is, well, FUN!

It feels good. 

My week has been anything but fun.

And, it feels GOOD.

I need both kinds of good.

Keeping promises to myself. Leaning into who I want to be. Hooking up Future Me. Helping people. Making the extra effort.

Gardening class was fantastic. I was reminded of a lot AND learned a lot -- always worth it.

Went to the women's meeting. Long and very informative -- well worth going.

Lots of things in-between. Targeted donations to specific people, errands for future gatherings, getting ready for a grow-room (and sharing plants).

More not-so-fun to come on Friday and a bit next week too. 

First soup set and ready for the freezer (second one today). Veggie, quinoa, chickpea. Warm and flavorful and filling. It's a go-to soup with no recipe. Just whatever I have and add warm spices. 

A little time to paint a rock ...

As much as I'm grumbling about "no fun," today is FUN. My HS friend is coming over to see the house and we're going to lunch. 

I'm giving her letters from 1988 that she wrote to me. One letter announces the "new boyfriend" who she's been married to for 33 years -- the way she describes him is adorable. The second letter says she thinks it's going so well and this has legs -- "it's wonderful." So sweet! No one from HS even remembers writing letters, let alone saving them. I'm happy I did and even happier that I can give them back 37+ years later. Who would know we'd still be friends?

Chores this morning. Trying to get things finished ahead of potential power outages on Sunday. We have overhead lines at this house -- doesn't bode well. 

Have a good day -- whatever kind of good. Later gators.

New-Old Purse. Ice Storm?? Theme of the Week.

As promised ... the new-old purse.

I've been looking for years (no exaggeration).

Big.

Shoulder handle.

Stylish.

Zipper.

All-season brown.

Bonus if it has a colorful lining.

Bonus if it's pre-owned.

Extra bonus if it's vintage.

This is a brand from Italy (Il Bisonte) and the east-west stitch detail is its signature. 

Pre-owned, vintage (2009).

Got this for $40.

Checks every box. Took FOREVER to find. 

I would've settled for new and $$ because the search was yielding no results.

Gives me hope for other "wish-list" things. Namely, I want a crow friend to exchange treats -- probably a long way off since I don't see many crows around my house hah. It's a wish for another day, but I'm expecting I WILL find this friend eventually.

Remember how I moaned about the too-warm temperatures -- well, I got my wish, but the universe said I'll give you cold AND add the threat of a major ice storm just because you complained. Dang. 

This means grocery store run and prepping some food (soup). 

It's a full rest of the week, but I need to fit this in BEFORE shelves are empty.

I have to force myself to go to a seed starting class today. It's outside and I've gone for the last 2 years so my brain is arguing that I don't need to go ... but I learn something every year. And I planned to go. It's been on my calendar for 2 months. I paid the $7. Just GO already!!

Then I know I'll need to force myself to go to the women's action group monthly meeting -- not until 7 o'clock. I won't get home until 10. Geez. I'll want to be in pjs, under a blanket, with my book. But it's important and a couple of interesting speakers. I'll be glad I went, but will hate going.

"Forcing" myself seems to be the theme this week. Lots of things I need to do -- important to me, important to others, important to future me ... but nothing I WANT to do.

And a number of inconvenient hiccups that I won't bother to detail, but it's making these things just that little bit more inconvenient -- trying to tip the scales, but, alas, I'm not giving in *sigh* ...

Utilizing the trick to NOT think about them. The dread is the absolute worst part and that's totally in my control. I feel like I have no time, but I actually have plenty of time. Big girl panties securely in place. 

Have a good day. Stay warm. Get to the grocery store ASAP. Later gators.

An Update and a Rant

Some movement on the volunteer situation.

Emergency visit yesterday morning after a long phone call.

Using imagination for solutions.

Heading back this morning for a hands-on day (in a house with 4 very sick people -- ugh).

I'll mask, but I'm not feeling overly confident I can ward off the germs.

But this is too important. 

Trying to help the family move away from a crisis. 

Some people have the world stacked against them. 

It's been eye-opening to see our "systems" in action and the loopholes and the less-known ways the system contributes to the problem, rather than helps, etc, etc, etc.

Anyway -- that'll be my day today. 

I HAD an appointment to talk about volunteering at my new library this morning. I texted to reschedule -- no answer. I emailed to confirm she saw my message. The response was respectful (i.e. foster children come first), but she'd expects a firm commitment with no canceling so "maybe" this isn't the best fit, but she'd still could meet with me if I thought I could hold a commitment. Ouch.

Yes -- couldn't agree more that it's not a good fit after her lengthy response (this was a reschedule of an informal 'hello' while she was doing her shift). I sent a reply and ended the inquiry. 

The response spoke volumes about how she runs the program and her volunteers. I appreciate her directness because it solidified a decision quickly. And P.S. she originally wanted to meet Monday -- I had to let her know the library was closed. And P.P.S. she asked for a text for last minute corresponding and she "forgot" to reply to mine yesterday. 

Do I sound a little bitter?? Guess so. Felt like a slap since I pride myself on holding commitments. This was a specific exception because it was hardly a commitment. First she said just drop in. Then she asked me to come Monday. Then she wanted a time on Tuesday. She's the one that seems wishy-washy.

Got to "date" around and not settle. Staying on the sub list at my old library for now. I'll think this is (sadly) something that is fading away. I LOVE volunteering at my old library. And why?? The person who runs it does such a fantastic job. She puts out an injury for a substitute and it gets filled within minutes. That's how you run the program.

Didn't expect that little rant this morning. Her response got my panties in a wad -- even though I'm grateful to know EARLY that this isn't a match.

I promise back to regular scheduled "nothing" tomorrow. 

I got a "new" purse -- prepare your heart. 

She's used, inexpensive, just what I want, searched for years.

Have a good Tuesday. Later gators.