Normally I try to do a short format “Things and Doings” mid-month, every month, but I am behind on so much these days and it’s been a while since we caught up, so how about a tumble through the house and see what is going on. K? K!
Doing
To the best of my knowledge, Hell has not frozen over, and yet, I cleaned my studio space. Where? What? How can this be?
FYI, if you ever wondered, this is normally where my arts and crafts supplies work on their fitness. You will rarely see it is it tends to get messy with computers and paper and stuff that doesn’t play well with glitter.
Growing
This will excite no one but me but Imma say it anyway: I got an orchid to bloom a second time. People! I bought the thing for a photoshoot in March, let it die, ignored it for four months, then watered it again. Bam. Orchids! Even expert gardeners have a hard time getting orchids to bloom without a greenhouse, and here I go, a woman with a 30 year history of plant slaughter, making it happen on the first try. Don’t act like you are not impressed. Don’t even.
Making
I’m a making a mess. For over a month now, I have been attempting to remove my board and batten paneling in the dining room. It was a nice trend, but that is the nature of trends, no? We get over them. Demo sounded like an easy thing, and I got so far as the boards, but not so much the battens. Color me frustrated. Now, I like to think of myself as handy, but this simple plate rail requires more than two hands and perhaps a power tool or two past my comfort level. And while it kills me to admit I need help around the house, it excites me to learn something new. Stay tuned.
I made a batch of Hold Me Down Debbie Bars. I’m not saying their are “to die for” but I might “lose a knuckle or two for” if you know what I mean.
Wearing
For real. I’m freaking out about this wonder good. I bought it because it was on sale and I had some CVS bonus bucks or something to spend and I’m always looking for a decent moisturizer with an SPF above 20 (hard to find!)…so I went into this with low expectations, but holy sh*t. This is rocking my world. It’s light enough to never get greasy, but substantial enough that I feel it sink in and go to work. There is a mild “smoothing” effect that is perfect (for me). I’m at a stage in my skincare where I’m not looking to repave the sidewalk, but if we could make it look like it’s just had a good power washing, without all the work, I’m in. This is it. And it was like ten bucks. Who knew?
Worrying
Lola has been fighting off an infection for over a month. Initially it looked like a passing UTI, but the antibiotics only addressed the symptoms and two weeks later I had to rush her to the vet when she was flopping over, unable to eat or drink. To see a cat so vital and lively collapse into helplessness in a matter of hours, literally hours, is terrifying. Her doctor thinks she must have been masking her symptoms, which is typical for cats (they don’t like to show weakness — especially former feral cats like Lola). After a couple rounds of blood work, an IV and some shots, she is in much better spirits, but not yet 100% just yet. Fingers crossed (toes and paws too) this latest round will get the job done. If you are an animal lover, you know how hard it is to know they are in pain but can’t tell you where it hurts. I can’t even imagine how people go through this with human babies and stuff. I can’t.
Learning
New goal: To not go to bed unless the kitchen sink is empty. When you live alone you don’t use that many dishes on a daily basis and it’s surprisingly easy to let them pile up. I have been letting my housekeeping slide quite a bit lately, and that’s a larger issue, but I figured that if I force myself to at least empty the sink, and to not let it build until there is a full dishwasher load, I’m half-way to tidy. Is the kitchen clean per say? No. But it’s never so bad that I have to schedule time to clean it. And that feels pretty darn good right now.
Bonus realization: when you only buy dishes you love in patterns you like, the dish rack is kinda cool looking. Win!
Speaking of dishes…
The summer is usually my heavy time for thrifting but I’m way behind this year (hoping to make up for lost time at the Kane County flea market next weekend – toot toot!), still, I lucked out finding a set of arbor green juice glasses, 49 cents a piece at Goodwill. This almost, ALMOST, makes up for that time a hose beat stole my glasses in a thrift store and I nearly had to throw down. After seeing the beauties in all their emerald glory, you can imagine why!
I hope Lola feels better soon! Nothing makes you feel quite so helpless as one of your kids being sick! I’m a blue willowware junkie, & I do love cobalt glass, but your green wine glass with the blue willow makes me wish for a pretty dish drainer RIGHT NOW. Your sink plan sounds like the Flylady’s plan! Which I don’t follow, but should. Also, thanks for the peek into your craft room!
Yes! I read one of teh FlyLady’s books a few years ago. That is exactly where I stole the idea. Didn’t resonate with me back then but for some reason now it totally makes sense. The sink is everything!
Fun in the sink…..who’da thunk it?
All I can say about the craft studio is….Amazeballs! But when you start to work in them, they seem to get messy! Mine do anyway.
Same here. It’s already messed up. You can see the floor, thankfully, but it was unsuitable for viewing an hour after that photo was taken.
Sending long distance well wished to your sweet kitty. I agree, so so hard to see a pet feeling bad. Also makes you really poor. Ugh. I hope she is back perking along in her cool Lola way very soon.
Me too, Michelle, thanks!
As long as my kitchen appears clean to the naked eye, my house is spotless!
Love the tip on the CVS moisturizer. I will be heading there soon to try that puppy out!
My feral cat got into a nest and ate the eggs of some poor Momma bird. She was on an IV and all kinds of good stuff. Best of luck with Miss Lola!
Oh my god….a whole nest? Poor thing!
sending heartfelt Get Well Soon wishes to Lola. (I know how it feels to be a “KittyMom” and sit in the vet’s waiting room sobbing your eyes out, when you have to leave your baby there for overnight or more treatment because Baby is so sick. {{{hugs}}}} )
Here’s hopes and prayers that she feels like her old special self really really soon!
Lynn in southern NJ
Ughh…Lynn. You know it. The most horrible things happen in Vet’s waiting rooms. If I may vent here, this last one was especially bad on me as there was an feral mountain lion going wild in the waiting room (disguised as a German Shepard) and his owner refused to put him in a room (or car) while the bill was settled. Lola was already so stressed in her carrier waiting to be examined ….well. Anyway. I nearly punched someone. Thank goodness sit didn’t come to that. I really like dogs, but I could have killed that one for freaking out Lola just at her most vulnerable.
Ooh, Lola-pagola! Feel better, kitty cat.
You got a stellar bargain on the juice glasses. Green glasses and Swanky Swigs are very cool. I will always check prices on juice glasses in any form.
There’s a psychological thing to emptying the kitchen sink before going to bed—wash them so when you get up in the morning, you’re not faced with the “UGH…dirty dishes” thought that sets the tone for the day. Five minutes and a little Palmolive, and next mornin’, you’re walking on sunshine.
Exactly!
Peaches, what method do you use to make all the striped dressers you have? I’ve been in love with your black and white dresser since the moment I stumbled on your blog a few years back. Also, way to go on the orchid I am totally impressed. I must be pampering mine too much as they only want to be leaves for over a year now.
I will be keeping Lola in my thoughts and sending positive healing energy her way for a speedy recovery.
Hugs and healing thoughts to your sweet cat, Lola. Perhaps I will see you at Kane Co. (One of my fave haunts, too, but as an occasional vendor). Colored glass is one of my weaknesses, as is ceramic bowls with interesting glazes.
I AM completely impressed that you got an orchid to re-bloom. And, your drying rack looks like it came right off the shelf of a hip boutique 😉 Way to keep the sink clean.