Nearly Finished with Wall

To mute the colors I put a brown wash on.  Then I sponged gold around on it.  After that I brushed pearl finish over the whole thing. The flash on the camera makes it a little difficult to see.

Tennessee Preppers

Tonight on the news they said the state of Tennessee is recommending that everyone should do emergency preparedness...including a go bag:)

Dirty Wall - Fix 2

It's closer to being finished.  I forgot to say I'm going through a lot of disposable gloves:)

Dirty Wall Fix

 The gas space heater in the center bottom is the cause of the yellowed discoloration on this wall section.

 It already looks better.

I used mostly ColorPlace Exterior Semi-gloss latex white with a little FolkArt Outdoor opaque acrylic Thicket.  I didn't try to get a uniform mix because when I sponge, I like different shades mixed in.  I'm not finished, but it looks a lot better to me.  In addition, the next time I think it looks dirty, I'll be able to wipe it down.  Yea Exterior!

If I didn't do anything else to it, it would still look better than it did.  But I plan to let it dry for a while and then sponge some soft color in to suggest flowers.

Cleaning Keyboard

I just spent an hour cleaning my keyboard.  It isn't perfect, but I ran out of q-tips. I have plenty of alcohol, but I really need q tips. It isn't as grubby as it was.  If you really want a grubby keyboard, take a laptop to school and let kids use it.  I retired two years ago.  It took me a while to decide I was going to use it.  It is old but the reason I stopped using it was because it didn't have enough storage space, operating space, and usb ports.  So my lovely desktop computer in the house solves those problems.
The laptop in my art room (separate building) lets me connect to the internet out here as long as I bring my aircard out here. 

Dirty Wall

My art room has a gas space heater.  Above it the wall has darkened and yellowed around three Volksmarching plates. 

I took the plates down and washed them.  I think I'll decorate the dirty areas using exterior birdhouse paint and a sponge.

Snow Ice Cream

This morning we woke up to snow.  It isn't enough for snow ice cream and I don't think it will be because even though it is coming down nicely, it isn't piling up on the ground...the ground is too warm, I guess.
But it is lovely coming down and flocking all the plants.  It's kind of a wet snow so it sticks to trees, bushes, everything except the ground.
But when the snow is deep and fluffy, I like to scrape the top off into a bowl, add half and half, vanilla, and Splenda. It is a low-carb treat for my husband and me.
So when the weather people are predicting snow, make sure you have half and half.  If you aren't watching your weight or diabetic, sugar and Eagle Brand Milk or Pet Milk (in a can) are really good.  It is also easier to make sure you have the milk when it's canned.

 Pretty, but not enough for snow ice cream.

The metal roof on the gray building is green when it isn't covered with a dusting of snow.

Karate Kid

I've been watching Christmas movies since Thanksgiving.  Today they had a Karate Kid marathon.  I managed to convince my husband we probably wouldn't survive without watching at least the first one!  So he taped it and we just finished watching it.  I'm soooo sad he didn't take all of them.
Wax on, wax off.

Presents

Presents are wonderful because they mean somebody cares enough about us to give us something.  But presents are tricky.  I have given my husband gifts over the years that he doesn't like.  I have ended up not spending much on his presents because it is just wrong to spend a lot of money on something and then listen to what a dumb present it was for a long time.  Or if he doesn't say it was a dumb present but never wears/uses it and gives it away, it was still a waste of time and money.
So I try to get him something I think he will like and cook something for him that I know he likes.
That being said, gifts are difficult for me because it isn't just my husband that doesn't like what I give him!  I feel safest with gift cards.  If they can't find something with it, it obviously isn't my problem.  Lack of thought?  Don't go there.  A lot of thought doesn't turn them into me and obviously I have a clue what I want.
But presents open another avenue.  Sometimes we don't know we want it until we get it.  So I always try to use/wear/eat whatever it is just in case I really, really wanted it and just didn't know it.

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!

I Left My Kindle

I got to the truck, put my bags and purse in and noticed I didn't have my Kindle in my hand.  I had my shopping list on it so I had taken it inside.  I went back to the checkout counter I'd used.  A young couple was standing there in chatting positions with the clerk.  I hurriedly asked, "Did I leave my Kindle here?"
The clerk reached over and picked it up saying, "We were just discussing what to do with it."
She

Annoying IPod Problem

I buy cds and put the music on my iPod.  I don't listen to music often, I usually listen to audible books when I'm using my iPod.  But when I do decide to listen to music, the songs play randomly.  I can't put them in folders and just listen, for example, to Christmas music.
I don't want to buy the music from itunes because I'd rather have the cds.  So it works, but badly.  If I buy a cd, I can give it to somebody if I decide to.  If I buy it on itunes, nobody else can listen to it.  That just seems wrong to me.  For example, if I'm dead, all my itunes stuff dies with me. 

Lots to Do

 The boxes with the slanted tops are for holding tableware.  Larry made them patterned on the finished one that is reddish one in the center of the picture. I've spent a while this morning trying to decide what pictures to paint on them.  I think I've decided on a four-seasons folk art series.  The metal thing is a bunch of fairy tale characters.  All I need to do for that to be finished is hang it.  Sooner or later I'm going to buy some model paint and paint it.  But I have a better chance of actually doing that if I go ahead and hang it. There is a picture in the center top that needed the frame glued back together.  It is glued now, but it needs the picture fastened in.  Then it can go back on the wall.  The box with the white lid on the bottom is only semi-finished.  I have another one in the same shape.  It would be easier to actually finish a project if Larry didn't keep providing me with more projects.

I'm still knitting, too.

Mannheim Steamroller

Mannheim Steamroller produces my favorite Christmas music.  It is a wonderful background for whatever I'm doing during the Christmas season.  The variety of instruments gives their sound an elegant opulence that I occasionally feel when listening to individual songs.  Theirs is a consistently lovely sound.
The video we saw on television two years ago was visually opulent, as well.  So when we saw it was going to be on again last year, we enjoyed it again:)  I hope it is on again this year.  I'm listening to one of the cds right now.  Lovely

The World Didn't End

The world didn't end.  I guess I'd better pay my bills.

Catherine Coulter

Catherine Coulter's FBI series is good.  But people who are reading it might miss one of her entertaining series...the bride series.  I don't know if guys will like this series, but to me, it is hysterically funny.  I frequently reread books.  I collect the ones I like because I like the characters and revisit them from time to time.
I do not revisit the suspense books.  I already know how they turn out.  But I'm really fine with rereading books with entertaining, likable characters.  Those authors make a lot of money from me because I buy the books, I buy them again in e-format, and some I even buy in audible format! 
I have over a thousand books on my Kindle.  I've donated a lot of books to the library once I got them in e-format.  I am pretty sure I can't be the only person who does this.  So this post is for people like me.

Decorating Insanity

I wish I could get as carried away decorating for all the holidays, or even, something each month.  I love the ton of Christmas decorations I've accumulated over the years.  I've seen television snips about people who have more stuff than I do...kind of like hoarding except for a holiday. 
But if I decorated for everything, I really don't know where I'd put the stuff.  Christmas takes up a lot of space when not in use.
I've made a lot of stuff.  But I've also benefited from after-Christmas sales as well as going-out-of-business sales.
My opulent door wreath was purchased three years ago after Christmas at a florist.  I always figure I'll probably still be alive next Christmas, and, being me, I'll still want to decorate.  So far, it has held true.  Now, I have to admit, sometimes I forget what I've bought because I didn't use it as soon as I bought it.  But it doesn't matter because I do have sense enough to store it with the rest of the Christmas stuff.
Lights?  I have enough lights for three houses.  That's because if they stop making what I have, I won't have to replace them all...I have replacements that I bought after Christmas the year I bought all those white icicle lights in the first place.
One year I found a ton of fake poinsettias in reds and pinks with gold.  They don't sound wonderful, but I love them.  I bought candle circles, sprays, etc.  They are quite old and I've taken them apart and reconfigured them numerous times.  I enjoy them every year.  I still enjoy that I got them on sale:)  Some of them are shaped funny now.  I think I'll use my hair dryer on them to see if they relax enough to look new. 

The Usual?

I've gone to a couple of places frequently enough that they know what my "usual" is.  Some things don't change all that much.  Whatever I drink usually stays the same.  It used to be a nice dark beer when I was in Germany but is currently water.  But frequently I order the same thing to eat at a particular place.
Last night we ate at a place where the waitress knows what we want.  By the time we got into the restaurant she had put unsweet tea at my husband's place and water and Tabasco at my place.  I don't drink the Tabasco but I do want it.  When we first started going there, Tabasco was at all the places.  Then for a couple of visits all they had was Louisiana Hot Sauce.  I whined, of course.  They are both spicy hot, but they taste different.  After that, they had both and she always brings me Tabasco.
When she put our drinks on the table, she asks, "The usual?"
The first time that happened, we said yes.  Well, she must have brought what was usual for people coming in, because it was not what we usually ordered.  It was usual for our order but not for the sides.  After that, though, she brought the right thing every time.
I don't know how she can keep everybody's orders in her head because I heard her ask another couple before we left, "The usual?"

Christmas Wrap

A number of years ago we stopped using wrapping paper for Christmas presents.  It appeals to my sense of thrift, my laziness (I'm not great at wrapping presents), and it's ecologically friendly.
Wrapping stuff up just to rip it off and then get rid of it as trash just seems wrong.  So we use pretty cloth to drape over the presents.  It is possible to reuse it every year and there isn't so much garbage after Christmas.

wind

I really hate the wind.  I was wondering if we had a windmill would I hate it when we didn't have wind.  So I checked.  The map does not show us as having enough wind to warrant having one.  If the purpose is to made electricity, which it generally is, then we don't.  If the purpose is to make me like the wind, I think it might be enough.

Rearranging Furniture---Again

 Larry hardly ever sits at the computer.  But he seemed pretty pleased with my new setup in my art room.

 I moved the ipod dock and Wii back to the art room but put in a different part.  It got a lot of the cables out of the floor which was one of my complaints in the old location.

I put the little exercise trampoline and fit board mostly under the wallpaper table.

The weather was pretty bad so we didn't go to Memphis to the dermatologist.

Hair Options - I Need a Hat

When my hair is in my face, I understand I should get somebody else to cut it.  I understand it looks really bad when I do it.  I could scotch tape it.  I could use barrettes to just fasten it out of the way if I could fine any.  It isn't long and barrettes don't stay in short hair very well...not mine, anyway.  I could use a hair pin if I could fine one. But no.  I just hack away at it.  I need a hat. I would have to find a totally new hair dresser.  My regular person might have heart failure if I go now.  I need a hat.  Maybe a hat with a veil.

Purse Organizer

I'm going to have to look for something to organize the contents of my purse.  The cords I carry around tangle up with stuff and made an awful mess.
I was so fed up with the tangle that I emptied everything out and organized the contents into quart ziplock bags.  OK so the mess is better.  I can find what I want by lifting a few ziplock bags (labeling them didn't speed that process, however; the ink smeared promptly).

I Envy People Who...

I envy people who can write messages in their Christmas cards.  At first I couldn't remember to send Christmas cards that would arrive before Christmas and blessed the ones who sent cards that arrived right after Thanksgiving.  It reminded me to get started.
Then one year I got out my Christmas list and found all my cards from the year before, messages written, addressed, and stamped!  I opened one to see if there was any way I could just send them on...no, the messages messed that plan up.
So since then, I don't write messages just in case I forget to mail them. I don't think this is Alzheimer's. I think it just long-term stupidity.

Preppers - Like Gaming?

I've read some of the prepper blogs, books, and watched some of the episodes on television.
Do the overweight, out-of-shape preppers realize that they will be at a severe disadvantage because of their bodies?
But still, it reminds me of gamers only they are doing it in the real world instead of on paper or online.
I do think being prepared is a good idea because stuff happens.  But seriously, if living somewhere is worrying someone to the extent that they are going to leave everything when bad things happen, why not just move?  These people aren't living on the edge.  They are financially solvent.  Many of them need to move!  Don't live on Manhattan Island if it frightens you.
And a lollipop for protection?  Really?  Why not a ballpoint pen?  If I tried to use a lollipop, the first swing would go at an angle and be worthless next!
 

Raymond Feist

I like Raymond Feist's books.  I am donating paper volumes to the county library when I can replace them with ebooks. I've made five trips with my car and trunk filled with plastic shopping bags loaded with books.  I wasn't able to find ebook versions of Feist's books for a long time.  I found some, finally, on Amazon.  They didn't all have prices.  So I went to his website.  That wasn't helpful.  I am not happy about clicking on the "Buy With One Click" button when I don't know how much it is going to cost me.
So, I guess I'll check back later.

Knitting Class Canceled

I went to volunteer.  My other person was out with the flu.
I went to WalMart after volunteering.  I bought what I thought was on the list.  I went to knitting class.  It was canceled. I saw a person coming out of quilting who is also in the knitting class.  She said we weren't having knitting class.  She looked at what I got at WalMart and said it was wrong.
So, I can continue to knit the twisty scarves, but I can't learn anything new.
Two more people bought yarn and knitting needles so I can teach them to do the scarves:)

Today's Plan

I'm going to take the Sashay yarn scarf that I started last night with me to the hospital for slow times during volunteering. I'm going to take the finished one, too.  If anybody wants to buy either one, the hospital cash box will benefit.
After lunch, I am going to WalMart to look for round needles.  I've already packed the finished scarf, the partially-finished scarf, the new yarn (red), and two possible cowl patterns.  One of the cowl patterns I selected and printed out is easy and one is one notch up from easy. I also want to get a second skein of yarn so I can learn to use two colors.
So I want to follow a simple pattern, use round needles, and two colors.  That's very ambitious of me:)

Looking for Next Project

I've been looking for my next knitting project.  Class is tomorrow and I have yarn and a pattern.  I also need round needles.  I think I'll have time to go to the store between volunteering and knitting class.  So tomorrow is organized!

Starbella Flash

I have been looking for Starbella Flash, a yarn with a lot of glitz.  I found some by accident at Michael's in Mobile.  But when I looked for it on Amazon, it was expensive.  It took a while for me to try to find it somewhere else.  But when I found it, I found a couple of more projects to use it on.  A glittery, glitzy ruffled scarf is wonderful, but I'm just learning to knit and honestly, I need to know how to do more!

Verizon mifi

I've had this thing for a while and haven't been particularly pleased with it.  It turns out that I didn't have a clue.
This thing wanders around with me.  I take wifi around with me.  Or I think I do.  Also, the cord plugs in using the same cord that my phone and kindle use when in the car!  I'd seen the ads on tv with people sitting on park benches using their electronic stuff, but I didn't realize I could, too.  It doesn't hold a charge very long, but plugging it into the car or at home is just fine!

Advent Tree

Mostly my Christmas decorations are accumulated over the years.  This one is new this year.  Family members decorated wooden eggs and exchanged them so we all have enough for each day in December leading up to the 25th.

Isn't it wonderful?

Good Enough to Have Again

When I cook, people tend to be nice just in case I decide since there is no gratification involved, I won't do it again.  So I started asking, "Is it good enough to have again?"
Without even asking, my husband volunteered that it was good enough to have again when I identified the little handmade rolled sausages-looking things as chivapcici. 
We both thought less oregano would have been better, Worcestershire sauce instead of water, and keep the bacon.
I pretty much followed the recipe except I minced up some raw bacon to mix with the other ingredients.

Notorious Nineteen

Yesterday I tried knitting to Anna Karanina. It didn't start out very entertaining...I'm not saying it was boring, but it wasn't riviting. So I switched over to Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovitch.  I was too sleepy by then to recover and continue knitting.
But today I started with Notorious Nineteen and haven't felt a nap coming on. I like the Stephanie Plum series.  It is kind of like I Love Lucy with a black Ethel...well, if Ethel used to be a "ho."
This series is good to listen to while knitting, traveling, gardening, or wherever it won't embarrass you if you laugh out loud.

I Wanted a Chevapchichi Recipe

I thought chevapchichi would be a good thing to try.  It is possible that if I had actually followed the recipe it would have turned out better.  But I found a blog of an American married to a German living in Germany.  It was pretty interesting.
http://talesofagarlicandonionlover.blogspot.com/

Greenhouse Status

So far my greenhouse isn't more of a pain than it's worth to me, but it may be getting close.
My efforts to propagate lavender, roses, and crepe myrtle don't seem to be working.  They looked really excellent then they looked dead.  I haven't discarded them because they may change their minds.
For the last few years I've had little fuzzy-looking white things that are hard to get rid of and slugs.  Today I found a snail!
I must be keeping it too moist.  But the directions to not let things dry out evidently isn't the same as "see if they can swim."

Knitting With IPod

I've tried for a couple of days to listen to my iPod while I knit.  It makes me sleepy.  I can knit with a tv show on or talking to people, but not listening to a story.  That was pretty disappointing.

Rutabagas or Turnips?

Twice Larry has gone out to pick rutabagas from the garden and come back with large turnips.  He can't figure out how they got there because he planted turnips in two garden spots and rutabagas in a different one.  Maybe the seeds were mislabeled. We like both, but thought a change would be nice.
Baldric would be envious (if he were a real person instead of a character in the old Black Adder series!

Tired--Few Steps

Preparing food for the freezer isn't fast, not for me, anyway.  I cleaned and wilted what ended up to be five quarts of greens this morning.  So I was tired from standing at the sink and stove.
I knitted this afternoon...again, no steps.
Maybe I'll use the little trampoline...if my feet ever feel human again. 

Turnip Greens, Etc.

The turnip greens, mustard, and kale are big enough to start harvesting.  My husband plants them because we like them, they grow well here, and they are healthy for us on our low-carb, high-fiber diet.
I put them in a sink with some salt for a while.  Then I go over them leaf by leaf, making sure they are clean and removing the large veins.  Then I put them in a large pot with a little boiling water.  I put the lid on them until they wilt.  I do this over and over until I'm finished with however many he picked...usually about four quarts.
A lady at the hospital said she got a large garbage bag of greens from a neighbor.  She cleaned her washing machine and washed three loads of turnip greens in the washing machine.  She said it shredded them up but she didn't care.  She also said it didn't damage her machine.
My aunt had to have the repairman out to repair her dishwasher after she tried washing turnip greens in her dishwasher.
I don't think my washing machine would ever be food clean enough for me to wash turnip greens in it.

You Should Keep It

I've only been knitting for a couple of months so imagine my surprise when people wanted to buy my scarves.  I wasn't trying to sell them, but people asked, "Do you sell those?"  Well, I thought, "I could." 
So I did.
A lady at the hospital bought one that was Starbella Flash, in red and silver.  She was going to give it to someone as a present.  She was showing her husband and he said, "You should keep it."
That was so good to hear.  I really thought me learning to knit was going to be about like a cat learning to knit.  But I can do easy stuff and the lovely yarn does the rest!
WalMart has the Red Heart Sashay.  Micheal's has Starbella Flash.  Amazon carries them, but the yarn was cheaper at Micheal's.

Little Trampoline

My bright idea about using my little trampoline to get my steps in works pretty well.  I can put my ipod on the dock and listen to a story.  I can listen to somebody talk on the phone but I'm not very good at talking and "walking/jogging."  But it is still exercise even though I'm not outside.
Maybe I'll do a little more later.  I like the little trampoline because it is low-impact and it totally eliminates any weather excuse I might have to prevent me from exercising.  The little trampoline came from WalMart and cost in the $20+ range.  It is cheaper than cooler jumpers.  It isn't ok to do flips on it, but all I do is basically transfer my weight from one foot to the other which is how I define walking, jogging, running, cross-country skiing, lots of things, just varying the speed.
It had to be exercise because my thighs are tired and I was breathing hard.

And a Happy New York!

That was what one of my Christmas cards said.  I'm glad to know my brain isn't the only one on automatic pilot.

I Wish She Hadn't Asked That

My blood pressure isn't usually high, but last week when I had it taken at the hospital, it was.  She asked if I had a headache or blurred vision.  Well, not until she asked.
Now if I get the faintest funny feeling in my head, I take my blood pressure.  Then I am willing to admit it is probably sinus.

Can't Get My Steps In

Cold, wet weather does not lend itself to letting me get my steps in on my fitbit!  I am trying to keep my average over 5000 steps per day.  Well, not today.  Also, knitting these idiot scarves is a pretty good thing to do in lousy weather, but I am pretty sure I have to be sitting down because the ball of yarn would be trailing along behind me...or somewhere. 
Wait.  I'll get on my trampoline maybe. 

Better Reception

I'm getting better reception with my aircard in my art room.  It's a small separate building.  I have it at a western exposure window.  Since my Kindle worked out here with it, I brought my old laptop out here, too!  Wow! 

Holly

I'm allergic to most evergreens.  It took me a while to realize I didn't have the flu every Christmas, I was having an allergic reaction to the cedar branches and Christmas tree.  So I have an artificial tree (in Germany I could get a Nordmann tree with no ill effects).  This year I decided to find holly twigs with red berries.  I brought them in, washed them, let them dry, and rubbed mayonnaise on the leaves and berries to make them shine!  I don't know how long they'll look nice, but they look good today:)

I Love Christmas

Normally a picture hangs in this spot.  But for Christmas I put the picture in the storage spot I use for Christmas ceramics and hang this.

When we bought it, it cost$25 and we couldn't afford it.  We bought it anyway.  We've tried to add something each year that we love.  Some years I've made stuff.  Some years we've bought something.  But remembering where and when we got it is part of the pleasure of decorating for Christmas.

Our tree has an origami bird that a Japanese exchange student made for us.  It has an egg carton ornament that a child made at school and gave me.  I have ornaments my kids have made and given me and ornaments my mother-in-law crocheted. 

I love Christmas.

I want big balls like those.

Well, he was talking about outdoor Christmas ornaments, but it still sounded odd.

Low-Carb Comfort Food Lunch

It is a dreary, damp, chilly day.  I decided it is the perfect day for my favorite quick lunch.
I used low-carb bread, sliced pepper jack cheese (two slices), mayonnaise on the inside of the sandwich, butter on the outside, and put it in a small non-stick skillet until the buttered bread was golden brown and a little crusty and the cheese started to ooze.  A lid helps the cheese to melt before the bread burns:)
I made diet root beer with my soda stream (no carbs, no calories).
Regular cheese has fewer carbs, but pepper-jack doesn't have many carbs and it gives the grilled cheese sandwich a little zing.

Statin Question

I really don't want to take medication that is long-term.  The doctor was convinced (and may still be) that I should take Statin because of high cholesterol and diabetes.
 I don't think I'm diabetic because I am not on medication but am controlling my blood sugar with diet.  I'd like to say diet and exercise, but that is more a thought than a fact.
I told him I don't consider my cholesterol to be high because my ldl doesn't have "high" next to it on the lab report.  My hdl has "high" next to it and the total number is 203.
So he felt he should share with me the information that diabetics who took statin suffered fewer heart attacks and strokes.  I asked if a cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring could indicate that I didn't need to take statin.  He said yes, or it could indicate that I should have been taking it for the past ten years. 
So I took the CT scan.  My number was 7.2 which is minimal evidence of plaque.  The nurse was relaying this information via phone.  I asked if my decision to not take statin was reasonable.  She agreed that she thought it was.
The side effects of drugs are different for different people.  I didn't want to take the chance that I would be one of the ones who suffered all of them.
So I was pleased with my ct scan.

Hand-Made Doll

A lady that volunteers at the hospital made this.  She entered it in several competitions.  It came in third in the state.  I think it is wonderful!

Carhardt for Kids

Carhardt for kids has the most amazing feature...they have red stitches that can be removed to lengthen the sleeves and pants! 

Six Orders Today for Scarves

I hope I can get them finished before Christmas:)
The teacher of the knitting class is 88.  She said she has been knitting her whole life and has never sold anything.  That is amazing.

Internet Problem

My internet problem may be solved.  I'd gotten an automatic update.  So when I reset it to before that, I suddenly was able to connect again!
I hope that was the problem and it stays fixed!

Light Show at Bellingrath Gardens

 We've been to Bellingrath Gardens at all seasons except the Christmas Season.  This time we saw their light show.  It was perfect.  The weather was mild, no wind, not too many people, and the lights were lovely.

Fitbit Update

I was wondering if the Fitbit would keep up with my steps when I wasn't around my computer at the end of the day.  I didn't go near my computer for five days and it recorded my data not just for the day but for the prior days:)
It also held its charge for five days...but it was really low. 
Any, I was pleased with both of those things.