Scribbles and Scrambles ~ You Know What They Say About Spring...

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Oops. Reality.

I've lied to my pups. Not malicious lying, simply one of convenience. The squirrel on the stick is not a squirrel. They don't have a frame of reference for fox. A fox would be dog like to them rather than a furry little guy in need of squeaker removal. So. I call it squirrel. Squirrels are the things that sit in trees and tease. They also walk a mean tight rope and right over us and escape out of our frenzied clutches. Fox's just aren't the same. They are wily. Even the word squirrel sounds a little like an onomatopoeia. And when squirrel fox needs to be replaced (which might be very soon, squirrel is looking rough) whatever we get will probably be called squirrel as well. 

While I was flinging fox/squirrel around I was pondering deep thoughts. But I forgot most of them. So I'm writing this instead. And because it's pretty late and my girls are wound, wound, up from spending part of the evening alone, I'm working on clarity of words right now. I spent the evening at our daughter's place. Rob was asked to put together a bunk bed for a surprise for the girls. Hehehe. Yeah. It was more like a surprise for the adults. Needless to say, there is going to be a finishing party tomorrow night because, well, let's just say reality didn't meet up with the fantasy. Lots and lots of pieces. Hundreds when you count all the little screws, the tiny nuts, the wooden dowel pieces, the bottom slatted mattress rest. 

Our daughter asked us tonight how many years we had spent doing projects together. And we had to answer "all of them." We have never had the means to not DIY. And we've had a compulsion to keep DIYing. It's just what we do. On a lot of levels she has followed in our footsteps. Our daughter's disappointment over not quite surprising the kids with a perfectly done magazine style layout in their bedroom was minimal. Even the accidental popping of one of the birthday balloons didn't dampen her spirit. 

Maybe we've taught her a couple things about life while we just lived ours. Maybe a little bit about being in the moment as a reward for the grind. After all she saw my absolute love of road trips through the experience in the back seat with a front row to my meltdowns and the gritty reality of weather issues, budget issues and pain, grime and grit. Our family seems to make a whole lot of pleasant memories in the midst of grit and grime. And to think. I was always trying to make that one perfect moment when we all wore brilliant white, smiled perfectly for the camera and only spoke with love and respect toward a sibling. 

I'm pretty sure I got the better reality. I really don't look all that great in white. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Nailed It!!!!

 Yeah. I know. Nailed it is used for Pinterest fails. But honestly, I am going to reclaim it as a victory chant. 

My 1,000 item declutter, discard, purge is done and done 9 months early.  I haven't been on top of bagging things up since the last big purge for my son's fundraiser garage sale and I had to stop that day without meeting my goal because I'm down to having to become more thoughtful. Yesterday, I decided I was going to finish and finish strong before April 1st dawned. 

So I opened up some cupboards and really looked at a couple of items that have been on my list as the next ones to go. And I asked myself when I was going to use them? How they were enriching my life by hanging out in the closet? Then I wondered out loud how someone else might see those items as a blessing, a joy, a need met, and the decision became easy. Then I looked at my clothes again. I asked each item. Yes. Literally, I asked out loud to some of the more unique and quirky pieces. I forced myself to think of two other items in my closet that could be paired with each item so that I have two potential outfits for each item. Another dozen items couldn't answer that question appropriately so out they went. 

Guess what? I'm not going to quit. I think I need to question all of my belongings. And remember how freeing it is to let something fly away to someone who really needs it. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Cool Pic Link

My Wednesday was a full one, so much so that I don't have anything creative cooking in my brain. However, there's a great link to some pictures taken at the exact perfect moment. Some of them are amazing. 

http://www.boredpanda.com/pictures-right-moment-perfectly-timed-photos/

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Hump Day Inspiration

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ National Puppy Day Recap.

So. After I walked out to my car Monday morning, ready to leave for work, I found out Monday was National Puppy Day.

How did I find out this information? Was it on the radio? Nope. The radio didn't work. Actually, nothing worked on the car. 

Nada. 

As in totally dead-as-a-doornail dead. I believe the pups somehow sabotaged my attempt to get to work. Not sure how they pulled that off as they lack opposable thumbs and they don't get to wander off leash, but I'm sure they did something to keep me at home. 

Now. I could have accepted my co-worker's offer to leave her stressful early Monday morning portion of her job to come get me so I could do the one x-ray I had scheduled and the large pile of paperwork that will still be there tomorrow and the day after that. Rob was long gone. & and Toad-Boy already enroute to their jobs. Yeah, I spent thirty seconds wrestling with the idea of staying home vs. going to work. In the end I used a sick day for the sick car. That's the ticket. 


I checked my e-mail. Found out it was National Puppy Day. Questioned the girls and got nothing from them. 

I decided I should do something productive with my free day. So after I pulled out all my tax numbers and compiled them into a something the accountant can work with, the pups and I took a nap. Then we played and they helped me eat lunch. Played some more and basically turned a Monday into a National Puppy Day celebration. A good time was had by all. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Confusion and Deals

Weird weather swings continue in Iowa. It hit 90 then dropped into the 30s overnight and has hovered between 30's and 60's the past few days. My plants and the Robins are confused. 

My Christmas Cactus. Blooming again. I think January was so warm, February too cool and March not making up it's mind. 

Do you follow deal websites? I follow Brad's Deals, Wise Bread Deals and Coupon Cravings. On Tuesday the website Designer Living had a coupon code to use on a purchase. Just so happened the highlighted products were dog beds. 20% off the clearance price. And decent clearance to begin with. So I found a couple items to replace the chewed and gutted things we are currently using as beds. After several different distractions I completed my order then saw that even though it took the code the prices hadn't changed. I called after work yesterday. The customer service was great. She fixed the situation and credited me my 20%. And the beds are on their way, too. Nice.

Super cute super donut chew toy/bed. Sigh.