Communication

Happy Sunday things:

• Communication has changed over my lifetime and even more over that of my parent's. My mother was a switchboard operator (this is apparently still a job, but updated) for a while. She would direct calls by talking with a person and then plugging their line into the right outlet. I'm sure there was more to it than that. As a kid, one place where we lived had a party line. Somehow different numbers went to the same line and the phone rang differently for the different homes. The phone bills were based partly on the service area. A person was charged if the phone number wasn't local based on how long they talked. Today, many of us use cellular phones and we pay one fee and can talk with anyone in the same country as long as we want and pay the same price (usually high). It depends on a person's cellular company and plan. The point I am trying to make with this very wordy section, is that I was able to talk with TF in Texas for over two hours today and it won't change how much my bill is. It can make budgeting easier and conversations more relaxed. I remember watching the clock so my bill wouldn't be too high. TF and I were able to catch up since our last call, a week or two ago? 😄
• Today was mostly a day of rest for me. I snuggled in my warm bed and finished listening to my book and played games on my phone…and talked on it.
• While watching things this evening Winston, the orange tabby, curled up on the blanket on my lap. He let me pet him for close to an hour. This is odd for either of our cats. It has been almost three years and I think they are finally getting more cuddly. Perhaps it is because they are getting older?

☮

Finished listening to: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Wood Blocks

Happy Veteran's Day.  

• My day started slow.  I made the mistake of sitting down.  I think I needed that.  It was a nice Saturday morning rest.
• For the first time in a long time, I went to the studio.  My objective was to do some cleaning and look for some missing felt squares.  I did some straightening, but I couldn't find the broom to sweep.  I didn't find what I was looking for.  I did work on a kumihimo piece that I have had for a while.  That is a few more inches longer now.  I listened to my book a lot.

• Keziah went to the Museum of Printing in Haverhill, MA today.  She brought home some of the blocks that were used for printing in papers or magazines.  One of them is dated 1966.  They are parts of NH.  They are a neat piece of history to have.  

☮

Currently listening to: The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Tax Day

The rest of the family are off visiting friends today and that left me alone. I expected to spend the day feeling down but once I got my taxes filed I started feeling pretty good. I don't think I realized the shadow not having them done had cast over me. Here are some other happy things from today:

• I worked with the roses again. I pulled one out and have potted it in hopes that I can plant it elsewhere if it lives. I also put some mulch in the rose bed.
• Last year, after the beauty of my spring flowers were gone, I let the triangle part of the driveway go. I gave that area some attention today. I think there were at least three wheelbarrows full of leaves and weeds from there that I pulled out. I wish I could say it was done, alas, it is just better. There will be tulips blooming soon there I think.

• After reading and taking a short nap I watched a movie. It was a good self-care day.

☮

Currently listening to: The Choice, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed, by Helene Thursten

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe

National Tortilla Chip Day

In the near future, I'm hopeful to have this cold behind me. Until then I'm going to try to take it easy. Next week I'm hoping the weather will cooperate and I will feel like spending time outside again. My happy things for today are the simple ones:

• I wandered in circles around the inside of the house and got my step count in.  Occasionally this included bobbing and weaving with Gideon as he paced as well.
• I figured out something for dinner and made it for the family.
• There was an online meeting that I attended and got to see some friends virtually.
• There was a lot of listening to my book, some reading, and one movie.

Bright day after yesterday's snow.

Last remnants of the sunset.

☮

Currently listening to: The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle, by Jennifer Ryan

Currently reading: Unenchanted, by Chanda Hahn

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Goals

It feels like all I did today was weave and walk. That covers most of it. I did laundry, dishes, helped clean out the cars, and ate too. Gideon was great. He helped with the cars, the dishes, and helped me with my laundry. Here are the happy highlights:

• The pain in my back seems to be lessening. Hopefully this trend will continue.  
• I took a break from it all and just rested for about 45 minutes.  Sometimes self-care is the most important thing.  
• Intervals of about fifteen minutes between weaving and walking or some other break seems to work fairly well. I got all my steps in and finished one of the bands. If things go well tomorrow, I’ll be able to weave a bunch. If not, there won’t be any chance of them being completed by Saturday afternoon.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.