Good afternoon. No work competed for Friday and Saturday but some organization was completed.

A notebook of printed materials for each day.




Many of the items needed for Friday including a foiling machine and heat tool



More things needed for Saturday

Teapot!

Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

The strong winds and heavy woke me up before 6am but once I shifted the pets on my bed so I could turn over, I did manage to get back to sleep. Looking in the mirror I see Brady must have tried to get under the covers by pulling them back but instead scratched my nose! They've all had breakfast and a quick dash into the garden and are back on my bed snoozing! Looks like an indoors day but I do have chores to get on with so not a problem.
Chrissie phoned me from her hospital bed yesterday afternoon but it was difficult to talk because someone in the next bed was involved in a loud conversation with social services who were doing their best to persuade her to leave and move into a care home. As you can tell, I heard more about that than what Chrissie was saying which was annoying because she has had a series of painful biopsy scrapes on her spine and shoulders because there is a concern her cancer has returned. They won't know the results until next week so a horrible wait for her and she admitted she was scared and I feel awful that I used to get frustrated with her! I've promised to call her at the weekend when hopefully her neighbour will have moved on! Fosterer Heather is doing a brilliant job with Bella who now gets a long daily walk and is socialising with other dogs and people so that's one less worry for Chrissie. I can't visit her because someone who was on the ward a few days ago has reported they have Covid so the place is shut down, in fact even their meals are left at the door for a few nurses to collect. I told Chrissie it sounded like a scene from that Solzhenitsyn novel about a Gulag in Siberia and that made her laugh!

Lin, thanks for your update of Dan's thoughts on Instagram. I did try to download the app on this Apple Mac but think in fact I can only load it on to my iPhone so once we've walked this morning I'll give it a go. I do know Pumpkin won't be allowed into the UK without a pet passport and the process is long so hopefully their friends will be in a position to keep her there until that is arranged. Heartbreaking for them all but particularly Veronica. Meanwhile they will have a wonderful time in Krakow and hopefully Veronica will finally enjoy a McDonalds!
I'm getting heart palpitations just looking at all those packs and boxes ready for the class!!

Barbie, your neighbour must be in a lot of pain to react that way to your request but now you do know it wasn't anything you said. A mole catcher!! The field I walked George and Betty round yesterday has dozens of mounds that they both find fascinating and of course George ends up with a muddy nose!

I may be wrong Anne but think aerosols are in short supply because so much gas and oxygen was used to deal with Covid patients in intensive care. We still can't get soda water for love nor money!

Well, the wind has eased but still raining so I'll persuade the pooches into their raincoats and see how far we get.
My weight is up again which is depressing but I expect that's something to do with the shorter walks we've been taking.... oh yes, then there's the kit-kats that have crept into my cupboard!!

George is up and watching me from the staircase so we're off!

Have a safe Friday.
Jackie

Hello! A sunny day here. Cool but blessedly sunny! I will not complain, because we have at least a full week coming with nothing but Gray skies and rain.

John had a very busy day yesterday. Hauling trash and other tasks, just trying to keep our head above water. I think today we will be going on our picnic and trying to catch a scene of a fishing boat. I missed the big blessing of the fleet ceremony. It was skipped for two years because of the pandemic. It is so sweet. All the flowers are tossed into the receding tide. Our local priest blesses the boats and fishermen/women. Hoping that the flowers like the boats and the people will safely return. afterward there is music and a huge potluck. A tradition that has been carried on for years and years.

Lin: you are a serious card designer, I can tell by the supplies in the photos. The same is true of graphic artists and painters. They may not be neat but there is a look that says “I mean business. This is beyond a hobby!” This is a passion.

Barbie: I really admire your approach with your neighbor. Quietly think about the event and then seek understanding by contacting your neighbor. I am a wimp and might try to avoid a possible conflict….even if there might not be one. Anyway, possible conflict resolution achieved. Enjoy your new internet equipment! Renewed friendship with your neighbor.

Jackie: I am so sorry to hear about Chrissie’s health issue. I do hope that Bella can make this new foster home a forever home with Perhaps regular visits to see Chrissie. My thought is, it might be too demanding to care for a delicate animal like Bella. Bella has been through so much drama in her little life. Chrissie is fighting her own dramatic health concerns. But I am thousands of miles away and unaware of the complexities.

Anne: it is true about odd shortages. There are times when our stores have strange unexplained short supplies…lettuce for example last week!

I love this quote from Bob Hope, “I don’t feel 80. In fact I don’t feel anything till noon. Then it is time for my nap.”
Patsy☘️

Sunshine and breezy so we enjoyed a long walk across the moors closest to home. Dogs should remain on leads now until August but since no lambs have been born yet and both George and Betty show no interest in the sheep, I let them off for a 15 minute sniff before calling them back. Coffee made and I’ve enjoyed late breakfast of toast with the last of Linda’s delicious marmalade. I’ve offered her any fruit bushes and strawberries etc off our plot before we leave and last night Debs messaged that she will send her resignation this weekend but since our not so friendly councillor insisted we split our plot last year, I will take my time with my half!
Another storm on the way later so I will try to get a few jobs completed in my garden once coffee is finished.

Lin, that teapot that could be for coffee, looks like I feel after an afternoon weeding!! A pretty pattern. Yes, I did get on to Instagram and checked to see if I could connect with Dan, which I have but it is going to take me some time to get used to it. There was the longest list of celebrities it thought I might wish to follow… NO! 😠
I do have a couple of water butts in my garden and will bring one home from the allotment. One fills off the greenhouse down pipe and the other fills naturally. I left a garden trug out last weekend and after our rain on Sunday it filled by a third so I will empty it into the one I add to my collection. I’m not sure about asphalt shingle but imagine so long as they don’t drink the water, any residue will be absorbed into the ground. Our shed at the allotment has a cover of roofing felt that has “bits” in it and it never crossed our minds it might be unhealthy to collect water from it. Everybody does the same there!
Enjoy today’s projects and maybe share a couple of photos when you finish.

Patsy, blessing of the fleet used to go on in Britain and I think goes back to ancient times. I expect it’s still carried out in France and Mediterranean countries. I feel just as you do about Bella’s future should Chrissie’s results be bad because her gentle nature has been all that’s kept her from becoming aggressive as she’s had to deal with so many disruptions in her young life. I would love to visit Heather to give Bella a hug and treats but know I can’t because it could unsettle her. I expect Katie will do her best to persuade Chrissie it would be best for Bella to stay where she is, that’s of course, if Heather would be prepared to adopt her. I know I would if I could… but I can’t!

Anne, you’re so right, thin isn’t good as we get a bit older and I’m sure we both had a similar education that included cookery and nutrition so know what’s good for us… just need to stick to it and for me, avoid kit-kats!
Did Mike and his friend reach home safely? I hope you aren’t buried in the white stuff yet again although if so, your lovely neighbour has probably already been over with his snow blower!

We’ve now got a warning out about high winds and I can already feel a difference in the air, and hear it, so gardening plans are off!

Take care and enjoy Saturday, whatever it brings.
Jackie 🥰

Today is typical March weather. Rainy and windy. John will be picking up limbs and twigs from our little road. Winds bring down a lot of forest debris for us to deal with.

I listened to an NPR talk about daylight savings time becoming permanent. I am always confused about that. How does that improve or change anything? If it is important that you get started early…set your alarm clock earlier. Or if not, and you want to…sleep longer. Am I not understanding the benefits of daylight saving? It takes me a full two weeks to adjust when we mess around with the clocks. Katie never adjusts. She keeps her regular schedule. And we adjust.

Had a lovely day yesterday watching fishing boats, beach clam diggers, not nearly as many gulls as there used to be. The marine birds are in decline due to reduced fisheries. Katie barked non-stop all afternoon. She was exhausted when we returned home. Sadly they are planning some awful strategy to keep cormorants off the big bridge that connects Washington state to Oregon. I voiced my objection with our representative. Not that she listens very hard. Special interests have her in their pocket.

Today I will be fixing spinach, mushroom and salmon cassarole for dinner. A very easy toss together dish that cooks on low while I do other things. I am back on my exercise routine. I hate doing it but I know the benefits will show up some day. My knee, foot and hip on one side is very cranky and talks to me constantly! I hope to dial that down to a whisper SOON!

Anne: we also try to eat healthy. John refuses to give up things he really enjoys. He gave up red meat and egg yolks and anything fried. But never touch his red raspberry jam or his one glass of red wine and his 2 bedtime cookies. Moderation (I am never good at that) is John’s watch word.

Jackie: one of life’s incongruities is my love for creatures. But this works against me at times. I would love adopt a kitten or another doggie. But my age and mobility struggles keeps me from attempting any such enterprises. I can’t even walk into our local animal shelter without wanting desperately to bring one or two home. Madness! I can’t deal with Katie and she has been allowed to rule our household. More animals with me as caregiver would be beyond a bad idea. So I just donate a few dollars, towels, blankets,and doggie toys.

“Youth is a wonderful thing; what a shame to waste it on children.” George Bernard Shaw
Patsy☘️😵‍💫

Sandy, Sad news and I’m very sorry for Babe’s loss. You are so right, no parent should lose a child. Anne emailed me to ask that I let you know she read your post but has since been locked out again before she could send you her condolences and hugs.
Welcome back. I’m delighted you had such a wonderful time. Seems like only yesterday you were planning your trip!

Lin, it seems reality is sinking in for Dan and his family and whatever they decide to do is going to be difficult so I’m hoping they can get to England and find some respite. With Ukrainians finally being allowed to apply for visas they might find they can work as language teachers or translators. I sent a PayPal donation too and hope it helps them through a difficult time. Not as bad as avoiding bombs but bad enough. I see that beautiful city of Lviv has now been hit! That is sad about your TaiChi teacher at such a young age. I tried phoning Chrissie this afternoon but she didn’t pick up but then Katie messaged that she doesn’t tend to so I’ll have to wait for her to call me. My neighbour Debs has offered to work in her garden a couple of hours a week so that will be another relief.
Can’t wait to see what you were able to create these past couple of days. That tea cosy did make me laugh, it’s so hilarious!

Must eat and light a fire. Back later.
Jackie 🥰

Sunny and relatively warm again today. More laundry, box crushing for tomorrow’s recycling pick-up, thinking about how to finish the fronts on about 10 Bunny design Easter cards. Cannot find anything I am satisfied with at the moment. I know, what else is new?

Must get back to chores!

Wishing everyone well. Patsy, very concerned about your toe ulcer. I know you will take good care of it but also realize healing may be slow.

Anne, I hope you find your way back soon.

Jackie, I hope your weather is good today. And that all is well with you.

Sandy, you must be exhausted. I hope you are okay and are getting rest.

Barbie, hope all is okay now. I read your post on the ladies group this morning.

Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

Finally, a beautiful sunny day which meant lots of energetic activities so I’m now about to collapse in a heap! Although tired, I do feel better for keeping on the move so hopefully the stormy season is over so all my plans can come to fruition.
I’ve emailed Anne to find out if she is still struggling to join us and offered to try my best to copy and paste our posts if she would like that..

Lin, you must have posted the photos of your amazing cards while I was typing so missed them. They are fabulous and well done for keeping up with the live stream. I just had a quick chat with Dan and Victoria on his live stream which was a treat. They are certainly more relaxed and positive so I’m sure they will be fine. Pumpkin is becoming stressed from all the moving I’m sure and spent the time I was watching under a bed! They’ve made the right decision to leave her in Poland for now I’m sure.

Another Lovely photo Sandy and I can imagine those memories will stay with you.

I’m struggling to type with too many errors so will say farewell, finish my cup of tea and head for my bed.
Jackie 🥰

Hello, another sunny day which started out a bit cold but finally warmed up.

I finished my bunny Easter cards today and did a bit of die cutting. Hope to try some repeats of the weekend designs tomorrow perhaps.

I corresponded with a friend this morning and she responded saying her daughter would like to ask some questions about card making. So this afternoon I responded to the email she sent to me. She didn’t have questions about best supplies and things her mom thought she wanted to know. It turns out a few years ago she did make cards using Stampin’ Up supplies. So what she wanted to know was if I had a Cricut Joy and could I provide information on using it and any online classes. Well, nope, I don’t have that model, I have an older one but I provided information about several experts with YouTube videos.

She also wanted to know about the online card conferences. That takes a while to explain so we exchanged emails. She has some things to check out.

Patsy, good luck on the anniversary gift negotiations. It sounds like a tough assignment to me. I only see your post and Sandy’s today. Is MFP hiding things from me? I emailed Anne today and she said she can read posts but cannot reply. That sounds similar to my issue where I had to login in repeatedly to post a reply. It was odd but only seemed to last for a day.

Sandy, looking after the kiddos and your weekly meeting. Some normal things. That is good. I am sure you and Babe have things to discuss. There’s still the huge issue of smoking. Lots of talking. Would Babe want to move to California to live with his daughter? Just asking.

Jackie, hope all is well in your world. I am caught up on Dan and family’s videos. It seems they are trying hard to monetize everything in their lives right now. Last I heard they had 80% of the amount of money they hoped to raise. I have no expertise regarding Etsy store fronts or Redbubble. I did see another interview on CNN the other day and the woman in that interview hoped to get an Etsy store open ASAP to sell her handmade things. I believe I also heard Dan say he didn’t have any actual credentials for teaching. He went in and was able to speak in English and Ukrainian so was hired to teach. I hope some opportunities come their way. Having you been working outside today?

Barbie, hope we hear from you again soon.

Most move along now.

Be safe everyone.

Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

Good morning. So what happened to me yesterday? Well, I think the extra exercise and fresh air after a month of storms has me falling asleep as soon as I relax in the evening. SO… I will do my best to get back to posting in the morning, especially since Dan and family are getting their lives back together, at least temporarily, until the day they can return to Kyiv. I think today is the day Pumpkin gets taken to his foster home but when I see so much news coverage about pets left behind to fend for themselves, I’m happy she will be in the best place. There are some lovely photos of the soldiers that stayed behind looking after individual roaming dogs and cats! My mornings were taken up with watching Dan’s daily video and responding, then there has been my final spurt of indignation aimed at our local council regarding their man that currently runs our allotments. I’m smiling as I type that because none of it is important in my life anymore since I’ll be resigning at the end of this month but on principle, I will do my best to inform them about what has been going on. A new councillor has been in touch suggesting a chat over a cup of tea so I’m considering my options! My friend Linda was on her plot yesterday afternoon when I visited so I sat with her, at a distance because her lateral flow tests show a hint of a line. She is struggling still with a chesty cough and complete lack of energy but was happy to sit outside and make gardening plans. The sun didn’t show itself so I became chilled as we chatted and in the end suggested she head home. I had barely warmed up when I went to bed last night!

Sandy, isn’t it amazing how many steps we can achieve in a sunny, warm climate with not a care in the world. 😎 I remember going on vacation to Palm Beach from Toronto in the middle of Winter and the shock to our systems when we returned! Getting back into a routine is the best idea to keep you on an even keel while you make any life changing decisions. I’m sure you will come up with answers that suit you best.

Ooh Patsy, a big anniversary, how exciting! Of course, we want to know details of plans as they come together because you are so good at coming up with delightful details, whether it’s cute love inspired decorations or special meals. As for my own plans, I’m hoping my ideas aren’t bigger than my body can deal with but my idea is to create 3 small raised beds on a section of my garden that rarely gets used for anything other than a bonfire. It will require levelling before the wooden structures are cut to size and set in the ground and I may need to purchase some bags of topsoil but it’s all something I would have relished 20 years ago but guess what? 🥴😵‍💫. My tomato seedlings were potted on yesterday and I will start up peas, beans and salad greens in the electric propagator in the next week or so. I’m feeling in control of the rest of my garden now which is a start.

Lin, so many questions to be answered on craft cards but if anyone has the answers, you do! I have similar issues with logging in and sometimes I find myself back in my old account. Other times my finger password works on my tablet but my phone continues to send me to a page asking me to register or another when I have to scroll down to the bottom and click on “my groups”. Dan has family in England so I would imagine once they arrive on Victoria’s visitor visa they will be helped by them. I hate to even think it right now, not wanting to tempt fate, but ongoing peace talks are looking better than last week. I just hope their apartment hasn’t been destroyed.

I must grab a bite to eat then drive to my hairdresser for an appointment. Colours to be added this time but who knows…. Pink, green or perhaps blue and yellow in support of Dan and family!! I have purchased earrings in those colours from someone raising money for the main charity in England so better be careful they won’t clash!

Happy Wednesday. The window cleaner has arrived and will require payment.
Jackie ❤️

Hi Ho everyone! We have a bit of sun amongst the clouds. A bit chilly but not too bad really. A sweater and a rain jacket will suffice.

It is Costco day. A pretty long list. It is scary because a long list can be shatteringly expensive. Yet currently, we still think we need these things. Wants can become needs if we let them. Do I need yet another plant? Will YES! I saw in their Costco connection magazine they had amaryllis bulbs in pink for spring. If they are in our Costco….ohh I need one! Enough said.

We will be celebrating our 66th anniversary. We were married right out of high school and entered college as a young married couple. It is interesting, we can’t remember when we were not married. I know it is rare for people to be together for so long. We were lucky.

Sort of emotional and anxious after the news and watching the speeches! Pray everyone keeps their heads and remembers the past.
Patsy☘️

OH MY GOODNESS, I have a feeling I am back! How so! I was reading all your comments and at the bottom it said JOIN so I sort of clicked on it for fun and am I really back?
Not really believing this I won't linger in case it doesn't work but must say to BARBIE how awful and worrying it must have been for you, and I'm so glad Jake is O.K.
Now to click POST REPLY and see if it works.
If it does I will be back later to reply and "delight" you all.
Anne. xxxxx