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I'll be seeing you........

Netflix has a movie called "Yanks" on instant play just til tomorrow.  I usually have something or other playing in the background, more or less for company.  I steer clear of the romances.  A good war movie.  Yeah that ought to be okay.  And with Richard Gere for scenery, who could possible complain?  And so it was all going along swimmingly until they played the theme song:

I'll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through

In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children's carousel
The chestnut tree
The wishing well

I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way

I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you

Well, it wasn't a half-bad day til now...........

Things I have learned from my trips to the Family Court Building

1) Mapquest and my odometer do not agree on the mileage.  Mapquest says way less than my odometer.

2) Even tiny people can find clothes way too small for them and wear them in public.

3) Vastly overweight people can find clothes that would properly fit tiny people and wear them in public.  Oh my!  Gotta read those size and laundry labels, people!

4) "In and out" takes half an hour or more.

5) You are sitting at a table.  You are wearing a skirt.  You cannot see the bottom half of your body.  Other people CAN.  Sit with your legs together!

6) It's 100bazillion degrees outside.  You only look like an out-of-towner when you show up at the courthouse wearing a 3 piece black suit, white shirt, and tie.........

7) You cannot file anything with the Court Clerk without a number.

8) The Court Clerk's posted hours are from 9:00AM -4:00PM.  However you cannot get a number after 3:40PM.  Refer back to #7 here........

9) If you wear anything but slip on shoes or sandals to the Courthouse on your second or subsequent trip to the courthouse, have yourself checked for brain damage.  Yes, you have to take them off to get through security.  What is funnier than a woman all dressed up, wearing high heels with buckles and straps flapping as she walks?

10) All those letters they use in front of the numbers have a meaning.  For example, O is for Notaries, and N is for filings.  God knows what all the rest are for.........

11) Show up with two copies of whatever you are going to file.  If you try to hand them to the clerk, she will look at you with pure disdain--UNLESS the e-file system is down in which case you can't get to see the clerk without two copies.........

12) You can use your debit card to make copies anywhere but the courthouse.  There, you have to have cash.  The "information" guy will patiently explain to you that cash means either coin or $1bills.  He won't get the fact that you can use a debit card everywhere else.

13) Love handles and low riders do not go together well.

14) People who have to sit for long periods of time, waiting for their numbers to be called, are prone to either making observations like these or talking on their cell phones (even if they have to talk to themselves).

15) Cargo pants don't go well on an "A" shaped figure.

16) People should take a "rear view" in the mirror from time to time.  Refer back to #15.

Holiday weekend?

I'm getting so I don't think much of holiday weekends.  In fact I kind of dislike them.  There's such a lot of hullabaloo about them.  Picnics and barbecues, family gatherings, gifts and cards and all that stuff.  I have absolutely no plans for the holiday weekend.  Except to do what I always do--work on this house and design.  And, chances are pretty good I'll be doing those things alone.  If Joe were around, there would have been church in some form on Sunday and maybe some ribs at a restaurant somewhere.  Or maybe a trip to Don Juan's for Mexican food just because we loved their food so much.  Something to share, something to break up the monotony.  Oh, well.  More quiet days and nights to get some much needed work done around here! 

In 2008, we lost two dearly loved dogs, Indiana and Toby, within 6 weeks of each other.  Both Joe and I were heartbroken and went around sniveling and with extra shiny eyes for weeks.  It was a rough time.  I still think of both of them, so often.  For example, Toby slept on the floor on Joe's side of the bed.  Just the other day, I found Parker sleeping there and got just a little broken up. Toby was Joe's dog.  They both liked it that way.  Now they're both gone..........

I found this on a blog this morning called "Allthatglittersisnotgold"

"Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, “I know why.”

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me.  I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.  He said, “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life – like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?”

The six-year-old continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

Comforting thought, I suppose.  Both Indiana and Toby had that loving everybody all the time thing down pat. I am blessed that all the dogs around here are youngish.  I don't know how old Max is in that he was adopted from a shelter as a full grown dog.  But, I think he's definitely the oldest.  Maybe 6 or 7.  Punkin will turn 5 this year.  Parker, I'm guessing is only around 2.  He joined us in summer, 2009, and barely knew how to lift his leg when he came.  So I shouldn't have to worry about losing a dog anytime soon. 

In my sorting and pitching and packing I found something the other day that knocked my socks off.  In the very bottom of a box.  The hospital bracelet from Jen's birth.  That thing is almost 31 years old!  Shows my date of admission to the hospital--10/14/80--and my OB's name as well as my own.  Now that's a treasured memory for ya!  Doesn't seem like 30 years ago.........

So, about today.  Still one box to go under that table.  I've got a box of donation stuff to list out.  I put a new bag in the vacuum cleaner day before yesterday and only made it half way through the office before it was full.  I need to continue on with that.  There are still some canned goods in the car to bring in and put away.  One thing I like about the el cheapo grocery store is that you bag your own groceries.  So I can bag all the freezer/refrigerator stuff together and make sure it comes in immediately and get the canned stuff later if I have to.  It was after 9 before I'd made enough trips to the car last night just to bring in the cold stuff.  Yes, the canned good are still out there!  I bought a can of corn last night.  I am thinking specifically of corn fritters.......  Mmmmmmm.  Wish I had some real maple syrup for on them but Log Cabin is what I have (and I have LOT of it, courtesy of Costco) so Log Cabin will have to do. 

As to design, first things first:  Today is the last day for this.  Keep those applications coming, LOL.

 

I need 3 papers for the newest kit and I'm done with paper-makin.  I've already done a lot of the theme-y elements so I'm down to the generic stuff.  Should definitely finish up the design work by tomorrow night.  It's gonna be a cute kit!  So, I'll be workin on that between all the other stuff.  Right now the kitchen needs attention.  Saturday will be another new product in the stores and a freebie to give away here on the blog.  Stay tuned.........  Be blessed today.

 

I don't want to be guilty.........

of wishing my life away, but, really, today can be over.  Yes, I think I am done with today. 

I picked Will up at Music Camp and took him to his music lesson.  He was kind of pissy on the way to the music lesson.  Said he wanted to take the lessons but he thought they would be during the school year, after school, not in summer after Music Camp.  We got him inside and got him registered.  The lesson was half an hour and after registering him, I had about 20 minutes.  I spent part of it depositing money into B of A to cover that darned overdraft.  Then, right across the street, was a Chase bank so I went there and depositied my SS check.  By the time I'd done that, it was time to head back across the street and pick Will up.  I was supposed to drop him at the University at the Law School.  There's only one problem with that--I haven't been to the Law School since the first year Jennifer was a student there.  I asked Will to help me to figure out where to turn.  It was kinda funny (though not very helpful).  We were driving on Maryland Parkway.  I needed to turn off of Maryland Parkway onto something else.  His directions were to "turn back there by that sign that says Maryland".  Of course, you and I, being big people would know that we need to know the name of the cross street, not the name of the street we're already driving on.  I didn't say anything, just did a U-turn and fumbled my way back til I found the right sign, according to Will, that said Maryland..........  I dropped him off and I headed back across town. 

I found it uncomfortable being around the strip today.  So many taxis.  And so many remembered taxi stories.  For the sake of being able to drive around town without being on the verge of tears, I do wish I could erase all that from my memory banks.

I ended up stopping at the el cheapo grocery store.  I am getting low on milk again and figured I might as well get it while I was out and about.  I don't know what it is.  I go into the store for two gallons of milk which cost me about $5.60.  Yet, I always come out of there having spent $35.  How does that happen?  Today I wanted to get some fruit and veggies.  I have been eating carbs and carbs and carbs and I think it might be time for a bit more nutrition in my life.  I got some strawberries and some grapes and a cantaloupe.  I searched til I found some zucchini.  I also (finally) got some celery--yes, now that I'm trying to back off the carbs, I finally got the one remaining ingredient I needed for macaroni salad, LOL.  I have decided that I've been out of apple cider vinegar most likely since January when I made that huge batch of cole slaw for the gathering after the memorial service.  So, I got some of that and another small bottle of red wine vinegar.  I also got some cucumbers.  One thing Joe and I both liked was cucumber salad, whether I made it with oil and vinegar or sour cream.  So, I'm going to make some of that.  I grabbed some Nesquik while I was there and a decent can of coffee.  And a jar of Miracle Whip.  That was about it. 

Finally, I stumbled back into my own entry way at about 8PM.  Now all I need to do is run in and out 53 times and lug all that stuff in..........at least the refrigerator stuff........

When Will came out of his music lesson, he was in a better mood than when he went in.  He said they mostly talked about how a guitar works and he learned some things he thought would be helpful! 

I forgot to tell you about something cute that happened last night.  Once Jason was gone and things settled down just a bit, Jennifer had Will get out his guitar and show her what he'd learned at Music Camp.  He played maybe 6-8 notes of the beginning of a song.  And he was nervous and probably tired so, really, he didn't play them as well for her as he'd played them for me earlier in the evening.  But, she was amazed and thrilled and so pleased and proud.  I was sitting off to the side, gathering the energy to drag myself out to the car so I got to observe.  It's been a while since I've seen such a beautiful smile on my daughter's face.  I loved it!

Okay, I have to start fetching and carrying before it's midnight and it's still not done.  You have a blessed night and I'll see you on the flip side.

Wrong day

I wasn't in a good mord this morning.  I was in the bathtub (in the bathroom with the good acoustics) when I was reminded that nothing hurt today.  My back didn't hurt.  My knee didn't hurt.  My head didn't hurt.  Wow!  Now that improved my mood.  It didn't hurt to get clean and wash my hair and all that good stuff either.  Yup, it was all turning out to be much better than I'd expected.  Til I went into the kitchen and noticed my windowsill "moving".  Yup, another ant attack.  In my potted plants.  In and amongst my coffee cups.  All over the windowsill.  Disgusting!  Now the house stinks of raid and I am really not all that happy either! 

Another sunny Wednesday

I did not wake up til after 9AM.  This most likely has to do with my very late bed time and a misfire of my trusted alarm clock.  I am not happy, but there isn't much I can do about it now.  So, I'll just press on.

First, let me share this little goodie with you.  It is suggested contents for an emergency kit.  With the weather conditions in flux throughout the US, it might be a good thing to pull these things together.

1) Non-perishable food

2) Water--a gallon a day per person for several days supply

3) Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

4) Flashlights and extra batteries

5) Toy whistle to signal for help or assist rescue efforts

6) Dust mask--to filter contaminated air or to assist asthmatics in breathing

7) Wrench or pliers--to turn off utilities

8) Can opener--for non-perishable, high protein foods that do not require cooking

9) Pet supplies--food, water, leash, etc.

10) Medications taken on a regular basis

11) Work gloves for moving debris

12) A portable, fire resistant, waterproof box or safe containing important documents and items such as:

    Social Security cards, Copies of driver's licenses, Passports, Birth, death and marriage certificates and adoption papers, Mortgage and property deeds, Stock and bond certificates, Car titles, Insurance policies, Basic medical records, Copies of wills and power of attorney, Trust documents, Home inventory, and Emergency cash in small bills.

I thought that was one of the more comprehensive lists I've seen and I haven't seen many.  Perhaps it will benefit some of you or even me!  I have 8 cans of green beans I can throw into the package to get started, LOL........  Seriously, I think I am going to start to pull something like this together.  There are no hurricanes in the desert.  I've lived here 30 years and never seen or heard of a tornado.  Millions of dollars have gone into flood control in this area so, given the small amount of rain we receive annually, I'm not too concerned about that.  The main concern, and it doesn't make me hyperventilate or anything, would be earthquakes.  We DID feel an earthquake that was centered in CA in the early 90's.  But, we also have high winds some times and I think it's just generally smart to be prepared.

I forgot to mention that while I was at Jen's last night, the guy across the street came out with two little black and tan balls of fur.  Cute as they could possibly be.  And, though this is not an ordinary "street" but rather a cul de sac, I still spotted them.  Yup, you guessed it.  Two little 7-week-old German Shepherd puppies.  I think this young man lives with his parents.  I sure hope mama has a good vacuum cleaner.  She couldn't possibly know what she is in for!  But, oh my goodness, were they ever cute!  Amazing that they were given to him for free! 

So, today.  Today is going to be another of those interrupted days I dislike so much.  And, I have no clue what the evening REALLY holds.  I need to go back to the Family Courts and file one last document for that case from last week.  That accounts for the interruption in the day and a gallon of gasoline.  Then, I am supposed to pick William up again at Music Camp, 7 miles north of me, by 5PM, and take him to a music lesson in Henderson 21 miles away, by 6, wait for him for half an hour, then take him to the law school to meet his mother, another 7 miles, by 7PM.  Then I can return home, another 14 miles.  And, by then my gas tank will be down to fumes.........

It was 97 at 10PM when I headed home last night.  I'm sure it will be warmer this evening as I'll be driving home and the sun still will not have set.  Even at 97 with no sun, I couldn't make it the whole way home without a/c so I'm sure that will be pumping this evening.

I am having a discouraged kind of day.  I think it is this whole malarkey with regard to the money I put out for filing fees for this court case.  I am disheartened to think I was lulled into putting out the money with the idea that the Mormon church stood behind this thing and now I am told, no, I'm waiting on the unemployed petitioner to pay.  I am hopeful some kind of pressure can be brought to bear for purposes of collection, but I'm getting a little tired of fighting the good fight.  And, I'm even a little tired of fighting the fight to stay in control of my emotions.  Oh, well..........  one step at a time.

The computer rebooted itself again last night.  The good news is that I lost only one paper and my beginning preview which I can easily recreate.  Everything else was saved before I went to bed.  But, this is not helping my mood either!  I should be happy I more or less outsmarted the computer gods that take control of my machine, but I'm more sick of them taking control of my machine than I am happy to have outsmarted them.  I wouldn't mind the automatic updates so much if they didn't cause the computer to reboot.  Why can't they be designed to take effect after the next reboot, with the timing of the next reboot at my option? 

Oh, here's a good one for you.  MANY years ago I had a credit line with Bank of America.  It had an interest rate of 18% which was less than I was paying on some credit card so I used it to pay off the balance on the credit card.  I have tried several times since to close the account, but there is some hoop I have to jump through to do so, so I've just never done it.  But, there is a $15 per year fee for keeping the account open.  Yet, even though it is open, and I am being charged the fee, for some reason, I can't use it.  Well, a few days ago I got a bill in the mail for $15 for the annual fee for the account I can't use and can't close.  It was the least of my worries at that moment.  Yesterday, they tried to withdraw the $15 from my checking account which has had no more than $12.35 in it since February.  Result?  Well, my account is now in overdraft status and they've charged me $35 in NSF fees.  And, when I called them to dispute the charges, I got a recorded message that they were not taking calls on their customer service lines at this time!  Gotta love Bank of America!

Well, I have under 5 hours to play with before I start my evening pilgrimmage.  I foresee design and vacuuming in my future.  Maybe even a little dusting.  The dog hair is out of control and I have to stop it before it takes over the whole house!  And, let's not even talk about the dust!

Oh, while I'm sounding off about things I don't like, let me add one more.  Through Facebook, there are all sorts of games one can play.  And, if you need something to complete a game or some level of a game, you can request it from your "friends".  Well, I don't play these games.  I've made it a rule not to play these games as they will simply cut into my productivity and I can't have that.  However, I continually get requests from "friends" for stuff so they can play their games.  I have already put out one statement asking people to stop bugging me with this silliness.  Now, today, I've had two more requests so I've put out another statement.  What is it that these people don't understand?

Okay, well I'm taking my cranky self outta here.  I need an attitude adjustment.  And I need a bath to try to wash the leftover sweat off of me from last night before I expose myself to the heat again today.  Have a blessed day!

 

Well, all I can say is..........

Thank God it's over.  My assignment for this evening was to cover for Jen while she took a class.  I left home at 4:30PM and picked William up at "music camp" about 7 miles north of here.  Then we worked our way across town 17 miles to pick up the little guys on the near south east side.  Then we worked our way further east to Jen's house.  It was 82 degrees in her house when we got there.  An hour later it was 81.  Two hours later it was 80.  I perspired so much my shirt smells sour.  The perspiration was literally dripping off my hair...........  I got dinner ready for the kids and we all sat down at the table and Jason showed up, unannounced. 

So the big question is, do I let him in or not?  Well, the last conversation I had with Jen about this sort of thing was that she wanted the kiddos to have access to their father.  So, I let him in.  Of course, that meant no one ate dinner.  And, he had two toys for Atticus and one for Bethie but nothing for Will.  And he brought his dog so his dog and Jen's dog spent the evening chasing each other from one end of the house to the other and back again. 

The real problems started around bath time.  He got started at a reasonable time, but Atticus threw water on him and he went off in search of something to put on that was dry.  He ended up pulling on a pair of what he described as "Jen's old maternity pants" which he ended up wearing home.  He got the little guys into their pj's and read them a story.  Alrighty, okay so far, more or less.  Then for reasons I don't understand, he got them back up (or let them back up) and let them snack and play.  We were all waiting for Jen to come home.  I had been told she'd be home between 8:30 and 9.  Both Will and I had called her to let her know Jason was there.  Unbeknownst to me, she was waiting for one of us to call her and let her know he was gone before coming home!  I wanted to get the kids to bed.  But I knew that was going to be impossible with him there.  And, I knew if he left before Jen came home there would be many tears shed.  I really felt helpless as the minutes ticked by.  Finally at around 9:40 he called Jen and she said she was on her way.  So, when she got home at nearly 10, the little guys were still up wandering around.

She was pissed.  He was supposed to come to see the kids last night but no showed.  Then he'd called her and said he'd probably come by tonight.  She'd asked him to let her know for sure so she could tell me but he never got back to her so she assumed he wasn't coming.  He is not supposed to come if it's after 7PM and it was 7:30 when he arrived.  He's not supposed to bring his dog, but he brought her anyway.  He is not supposed to leave before the little guys are asleep.  And, of course, he's not supposed to leave wearing Jennifer's pants.  In the meantime, if he is there, I can't leave and the kids are going to use him as a shield against anything I tell them to do.  I was supposed to be there til 8:30-9.  Instead it was 10PM when I got in the car to come home.  What a jumbled mess.  Next time, he's not getting in!  That may make me the meanest grandma in history, but so be it.

And, there seems to be trouble in River City with regard to my mobile notary/filing adventure last Thursday and Friday.  As Jennifer understood it, the costs were to be paid by the Mormon church.  Now that I've devoted 5 hours to the project, paid fees of $289, purchased copies we didn't need for $12, NOW they tell us the unemployed Utah petitioner is going to be responsible to pay.  I am not amused.  I DO NOT like being on the hook $300 in expenses plus time plus gasoline for someone else's divorce when, so we've been told, the guy who is responsible for paying is "unemployed". 

So, all in all, the day started sliding downhill when I left here at 4:30 and is now pretty much in the toilet.  Grrrrrrrrrr........

So, it is late now, and I am wound up like a top with the frustration of the last couple of hours and I am supposed to go to bed, try to sleep, and try to get up in the AM at a decent hour.  I can see some prayer time is in order..........

 

Moving right along.........

Some design work has been done.  8 papers for the newest kit.  About 6 elements.  I hadn't done the final wrapped preview (I thought I had) for that collab contribution so that is now done.  I hate that there are special instructions to upload that thing which I am going to have to go look up before I can get that done.  The other extra step that doesn't thrill me is that we upload our previews to a photo hosting site and then show them off in the designer's forum.  Though I don't really like doing it, it is a good thing.  Sometimes when we are designing around a theme, our great minds think alike.  Not good if we have multiple designers doing the same papers in slightly different colors, KWIM?  At least when we post what we've done, we can hopefully avoid that. 

I haven't been able to retain the information on what we cannot sell in another store for two months.  I found it again this morning in the forum and have now lost it again.  I think it is the color splash stuff, but.........  So I'll have to go look it up.  If I'm right, I can work my part of last month's collab into a full kit by adding some elements and papers and have another kit at the ready.  Of course, I've got two kits in the works now, so I don't need to hurry with that, LOL.

I succeeded in getting the dishwasher unloaded and the few dirty items loaded.  And, I've been working on the mounds of doghair problem.  I suppose it would be wrong of me to ask God to make this dog bald, right?  I'm told this hair insulates him from the heat/cold and keeps him from getting sunburned.  I'm sure glad it serves SOME purpose! 

Alrighty, I'm off to put in some more work on the house and then back to the designing.  By the way, just a few more days to get your applications in for the CT call!

Do over!

One great thing about this life:  If yesterday didn't go too well, you get a do over today.  Yeah, yesterday was a bust around here, but today I get a do over. My back is still sore, but I think some mobility and maybe an Ibuprofen will help a lot.  The left knee hurts, but that's not gonna stop me.  I think, though, I will use a brace to give it some extra support.

Considering what I had to work with physically, I didn't do badly yesterday, but on the household front, I accomplished zilch.  I think I better try to do a bit better than that today or a few more days of that and all will be lost, LOL.  Already my disgusting carpet looks as though Max has gone from room to room pulling out clumps of dog hair.  Can I vacuum today?  We shall see.  One thing for sure, we will start with an empty bag.  That will reduce the necessary bending. 

I did brush Max last night and the amount of dog hair was pretty amazing.  But, just now, I petted him and came away with dog hair on my hand so the battle is not won by any stretch of the imagination. 

I need to unload the dishwasher and put a few things away, but the kitchen is in pretty good shape.  During my sorting and pitching I've unearthed a fresh supply of scrapbooking supplies to donate so I need to get those listed and into the box so they're off the dining room table.  And I have a load of laundry that needs folded.  I usually just stand by the dryer and fold it there, but I think today I will carry it into the bedroom, sit on the bed and fold it.  Because I can do more doesn't mean I should be silly about it! 

I want to take today and spend it on unloading the rest of what's under that table.  Then, if I have time left over, I will start the dusting in here.  I know if this dust were sand, I could fill a sandbox! 

I mentioned that I've been rolling coins from "the retirement fund".  I've got $50 in quarters and $15 in dimes rolled.  I only have 3 dime wrappers left which I'm pretty sure I can fill.  Then the only wrappers I have left are penny wrappers.  I only have 8 penny wrappers and I can fill those very quickly.  I'm sure I'll have a mountain of pennies left to wrap long after I'm out of wrappers.  The store that gave me the wrappers didn't give me any nickel wrappers at all so still lots of nickels to wrap as well.  I will have to ask for more wrappers when I go there next.  They'd rather have me bring in wrapped coin than pay for my purchases with dimes, LOL.

I slept long and hard last night.  Ordinarily I'd be sad to get such a late start to my day, but, since I've awakened feeling better, I'm not going to begrudge myself the extra rest.  I awoke to a phone call from some debt collection agency looking for Joe's ex-wife.  This happens from time to time.  It really makes me mad.  I do not have any idea how they ever decided that this number would work for her, but they keep calling.  This has been my home for nearly 20 years, and, I assure you, she's never lived here!

Design

I probably should work on my contribution to Color Splash for this month.  I'm a little confused, though, as it really looks as though we have the same color scheme for July and August.  I know that can't be right, can it?  I guess first I'll upload my contribution to the monthly collab to SUN and get that out of the way.  Uploading isn't miserable or anything--it's just no fun!  So, if I get it done now, it won't be hanging over my head later.  And then I have two color schemes to play with, one for me and one for the collaborative kit I'm doing with Christy.  Christy is in the middle of a kitchen remodel and I thought she'd want extra time to do her part of this kit, but she's pushing me with a deadline about 3 weeks shorter than I originally allowed for, LOL!  I think that's pretty funny.  But, they are having the remodel done professionally and seem to be making good progress so, more power to her!

Alrighty, I'm outta here.  Since I am getting such a late start on the day, I can't dawdle.  I have the kids tonight, starting off with picking Will up for music camp this afternoon by 5.  So, I'll talk to you guys later!  Be blessed!

Prayer changes things.........

After much prayer, two muscle relaxers, and about 5 hours in bed, flat on my back, I am doing better.  I am not ready to dance a jig, but getting from one room to another is far easier than it was this morning.  There are still certain positions to be avoided.  And, my left knee is now painful--I suppose it has worked harder today than usual as I attempted to stand up without using back muscles.  In any case I am better.

As it turned out, I did next to nothing in the house today.  It didn't take me long to figure out that even dusting anything other than what is right in front of me required bending/stretching or standing.  Neither of those have been possible for most of the day.  This evening I got really brave and finished loading the dishwasher and even got it started.  Starting it is the greatest achievement as it's not possible to pour in the detergent except with two hands.  No hands left to hang onto the countertop. 

I have a collab contribution due at SUN on July 20th or thereabouts.  I spent the day putting my contribution together.  So, one deadline behind me.  I've even done the preview (the raw preview without the wrapper).  I also did previews for one of my older kits I'm planning to release at SUN. 

So, while I was either anchored to this chair or flat on my back, I did manage to use the day productively.  That's a good thing.  Now, I'm going to go see about getting that collab contribution properly wrapped and ready for upload.