Learning to live above my circumstances, tumblr oldster, amateur bookbinder, maker. I also have/contribute to a few other Tumblrs: CraftDiscoveries, ButtonIt, RubyShoes & EggServer.
I ventured out of the house a couple of times yesterday and got a lot of stuff done. Oliver got his rabies shot and we're stocked up on flea pills for the next six months. I also drove out to the animal shelter to get him and Molly licensed. They started using another site for that sort of thing, and it's clunky and links don't even work, so doing it in person took away that headache.
While there, I overheard an older woman who was surrendering three small dogs that had belonged to her partner who passed away at the end of June. He didn't leave anything legal for her to have power over what happened to his estate, so his kids kicked her to the curb, changed the locks, and was throwing everything out. It sounds like the dogs were also on that list. She was surrendering them to save them. She was trying not to cry but lost that battle. I made a donation to the shelter after witnessing her grief. I was reminded of the things the staff and volunteers deal with every day.
After that, I went to Grocery Outlet and bought things I've missed from there plus a whole lot more. It turned into more than shopping for groceries.
I was browsing the "stuff" aisle and found a few things. I had just thought how much I wanted Dawn with me (she was at work) so we could ooh and ahh over things together when a woman stopped her cart and very enthusiastically said, "I love this store! There's such a variety of things and you never know what they'll have!" And we had the happiest back and forth that really perked me up.
All along the way people and staff seemed extra nice, and I received and gave a lot of smiles and nods. When I was looking at the frozen desserts, seeing if they had any ice cream I couldn't resist, a man walked by and said, "Ooooh, I'm a diabetic and I shouldn't," and I replied, "Well, I'm fat and I am!" hahahaa!
He stopped and told me in a very sweet way that I shouldn't say things like that about myself, and I told him I know I am, my doctor tells me I am, and it's just a fact. Some days it bothers me and some days I don't care. He turned out to be a very positive guy, tattooed up and down his arms and neck, and had a hat on that said "Jesus." I wasn't sure what to expect, but while we were talking, it turned into a very positive pep talk for the both of us. He told me part of his story.
I don't know all of it, and I can't remember everything he told me, but the gist of it was that he had taken his son from the mother when he was a toddler because he was being mistreated, and he kept him for a few years. He said he was living a life that wasn't good, but he loved his son and wanted more for him. Eventually she got him back (it took her 3 days before she came and got him from authorities), and it resulted in him being arrested. He said he didn't fight going to prison, that he asked to be put there. Because he wanted to die. His hope was that someone would kill him and take him out of his misery. But while there, he found God and said, "No really, it wasn't one of those jail house conversions, I really changed my life completely when I got out."
His son is in his 30s now and won't speak to him, but he's praying that will change one day. He talked about how God is working in his life and he's happy writing, doing some things online, creating a legacy type thing for his son to read some day so he knows how much he loves him. He shared his Instagram with me.
Then I shared a quick snippet of my own life-changing experience (the suicide by car), and he interjected with words of wisdom, faith, and support. I told him I was glad he and I didn't die, and talked about how we are always healing from something, and sharing with others how things can change through whatever means you believe in, prayer, hope, positivity, shouting to the universe.
But the thing I didn't realize was what was happening outside the bubble we had created during those moments. I was suddenly aware that quite a few people were lingering around us, listening to us, one old anxiety-ridden white lady and a tatted up, middle-aged Hispanic man, connecting on a human level that anyone could relate to. Just two people who exchanged a funny moment that turned into something much deeper.
The rest of my day was energized by all of those I interacted with yesterday. It reminded me in such a powerful way just how closed off to the world around me I've been the last few years. I'm hoping to change that.
Dawn has such a great eye. She took these adorable photos of Molly.
Molly is slowing down and sleeping more. Her appetite is mostly good, and she's allowing me to pet her for longer periods of time. I am savoring it while it lasts.
My niece got me another autograph at this year's Crime Con in Vegas from news reporter Nate Eaton of East Idaho News! I don't live in Idaho, but I do follow his YouTube, Meetin' the Eaton's, and the news channel one. He covers trials of the day and does super interesting interviews. He and his wife seem like really good people.
My calendar is covered with health related appointments and tests for both mh and me, and I just want it all to be over with.
Being down a car is the biggest challenge, but we're managing. One of my daughters works days, the other swing. Monday is the only day I have a car all day, so I've tried to make appointments on that day or in the morning because I usually have the car until 2:30 the other four days.
This morning, I had my 6-month check-up, and besides being fat, my kidney function is noted as stage 3.25, chronic kidney disease (CKD), which we've been keeping an eye on. Being with my sister through all of her kidney transplants and dialysis throughout her lifetime, I'm trying not to freak out about it. I already know I won't be opting for any of it,but I'll be doing a lot of reading on the subject to try to prevent it from getting worse.
My cholesterol has gotten high this past year. He suggested a cat scan on my heart to look for calcium build-up. I'm relieved they're looking at it so I know one way or the other. I also have an upcoming mammogram and bone density test. At least my thyroid and blood pressure are great! 🙌
Upcoming for him tomorrow is an ultrasound to check two hernias, one might be a repair, for possible surgery. He's hoping they're small and won't need surgery for a while. Me, too. His cataract surgery is mid July. I'll be watching him closely because it'll be my turn before you know it and I want to see what it's like.
I have more to say, but this is already too long, so I'll talk about it another time.
It's completely different than I set out to make, but I'm super happy with it.
The pictures are backed with pop dots.
There's a variety of colors and patterns watercolored onto the pages..
The windows are backed with holographic paper that gives some shimmer to them. The plants are little stickers that look like resin and feel like bubbles. The final touch was the tiny black bird I painted on the roof.
From binding the book to figuring out all of the details, this was a fun project that evolved into a sweet little art journal.
We haven't eaten at BK in a long time because of price and a decline in quality. Dawn told me people have been talking about the revamp they recently did on their whopper, so I had to try it but with cheese. It was surprisingly delicious.
This is my setup for doing my daily icads only it's usually a lot messier.
I'm trying to be more organized about it, so I keep the index cards, stickers, and a little dispenser of double sticky tape in a ziplock. I also have glue, several tins of watercolor, and a tiny ink pad and applicator at hand.
These are what I've done the first 11 days. The book images are stickers and then I just play with the rest. It's been nice to enjoy some simple creativity without having to think too much about it.
On a happy note, it's Index Card A Day challenge time again!
I've lost track of how many years I've done ICAD, somewhere around 9 years. It's 61 days of doing something with simple index cards, June 1st to July 31st.
I'm not doing the prompts, I'm going with my own book theme with simple watercoloring with images relating to reading. It may change so I can keep the creative options open. Whatever I do, I'm taking this as a great opportunity to use a bunch of my stickers that have lingered for far too long in my stash.
I haven't been doing anything crafty, so I'm glad to be given a little push every day. I feel so much better, mentally and physically, when I'm at my desk making something with my hands.
I guffawed when I saw our white people smiles in the one below.
My daughter and I drove the ten hours it takes from here to Nevada to see my brother and his family. We had a great time. This was on the way back. Traffic was great both ways given it was a holiday weekend.
I'm not very good at cutting up roasted chickens, so I tried a new-to-me online trend where they put a whole roasted chicken in a ziplock and smoosh the meat off the bone. It really worked!
Costco's chickens are big, so I pulled off the dark meat parts and did those first then did the breast last. I'm impressed how much more meat I got off the bone.
@peintre-stephane has done it again! Each time Stephane surprises me with his artistic interpretation of my posts, it's like Christmas morning. I love this so much, and the caption is perfect.
Merci beaucoup, my friend, I love each and every one!
germansingergirl
stormborns
turnnoffyourmind
amandla
origamiaround
andulkaphoto
discoholicmusic