It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

Ahem. Perhaps this is why I adore pointy-toed shoes?

Shout out to the blog contributors and muses who managed to pull the wool over my eyes with a birthday celebration disguised as an open house. I applaud your deceptive measures and am awed with your “bait and switch” maneuver. You set the bar high!

Gobs of gratitude for your love and friendship.

This morning I actually turned the news off, even though it sort-of-kind-of helps me get ready for the day. (Mostly because I keep tabs on the weather and determine which day I might possibly sneak in a walk outdoors. Of course, that usually flies out the window with a “flexible” schedule.)

Politics. That’s what caused the flip of the switch. I’m dreading the onslaught of political ads which should be limited to the one month preceding an election. That’s it. You only one month to make your point. No mud-slinging, just make your point. People might actually pay attention if there weren’t so many repetitive ads which in turn, cause us to ignore them.

If I were campaigning for President I would make that my platform! One month of ads only. That and free recycling of dead trees and leaves. I hate seeing dead trees in yards and outdoor venues.

Usually February arrives and my determination to get ready for a warm weather swimsuit trip kicks in. Thus, this gave me a pretty good chuckle with its simplistic truth.

Happy Monday and renewed resolutions!

It was time to clean out a few things, mostly because I am pretty certain I purchased a new lipstick and I cannot find it! Since it’s a rare-occasion-acquisition and since they’re so darn expensive, I had to do a little reconnaissance in the satchel department.

Still haven’t found it. But things are getting cleaned and organized1

At 5 pm I finally closed the kitchen door. It was a gorgeous day with the pear trees budding and temperatures in the 60’s. I would have opened windows but I wasn’t keen on having to remember to close them. Ah.

It’s a great start to the month and a short-lived one. Looking forward to the moisture this weekend – February fun!

I have a few hours. And….my Christmas lights are finally down and stored! Yes, it has taken me quite awhile to get things done, and yet, I still have one Christmas card to send. (It requires a letter, so thus, we have an issue right there.)

As I was stowing I did a count of the extension cords used in my magnificent lighting displays. Care to guess? Twenty. It’s possible there were more, but yes, twenty cords I wrapped and put in the bin. I have about a dozen timers, too. There really has to be a better way to create the wonder of the season without running non-compliant electrical lines to half-lit strands of lights?

We’ll just have to wait until next year. Either I consolidate, buy new lights, or acquire more extension cords? The possibilities!

Farewell, January!

My mother was famous for this exhortation, particularly when it applied to one of us kids doing something without being told to do it. “Well, wonders never cease,” was sure to be exclaimed. I can still hear it in my head.

Thus, when I pulled the first tissue out of the new box yesterday and I only got one rather than a fist of half-ripped substance, it was a “Well, wonders never cease,” moment. I cannot recall ever doing this before. It may have encroached into the realm of miraculous, too.

It’s those little things that keep our loved ones near. Danke Schön, Mutter.

Hm. My daughter did a serious clean out of our office closet which needed major attention. Major. Stuff was hitting the trash and donation bins. A couple of things are being repurposed, which had me going down a Pinterest rabbit hold last night looking for projects. Then, this post gave me pause.

Do I really want to do this? Some suggestions were to use your old bag as a hanging planter, (?) wall art, (seriously?) a sewing kit, a pillow cover. The only one that made sense to me was using it for a child’s dress up box.

My pocketbooks are not pretty enough to end up adorning my home, just worn and well-loved, so maybe an outdoor hanging planter would work. The elements could do it no harm?

I think I can find a better project, even though it is the “year of the purse.” Carry on.

Okay. My sister and I succumbed to the after-Christmas sales.

These little abodes light up! They were a great deal! They are super cute! They totally go against my last admonition to myself to not acquire any more Christmas decor! My sister has a set! They will last through the winter season as design elements! I love the playful colors! I just unpacked them today!

But aren’t they cute?

I have misplaced something rather important to me and I haven’t had the time to dismantle everything to find it. Drives me nuts when I do this! However, it is here and I shall find it. All I have to do is start cleaning.

Maybe this is what the “Hokey Pokey” is all about? I’ll be poking around one of these days.