Scribbles and Scrambles ~ What's Your Type?

I don't think Beagle fully fits my personality. But, I like so many breeds. Can I plead eclectic?  

http://barkpost.com/what-does-your-breed-say-about-you/

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Six Million Dollar Man?

Rob had knee replacement surgery a couple weeks ago. He's doing great. His staples are out, he's buzzing up and down the steps on a regular basis. Now comes a different kind of pain. 

THE BILL!!!! 

Thank you, Lord, for good insurance. 

The hospital bill alone (not including the doctor daily visits, the surgery labor, and the reading of x-rays) is pictured. 

The parts (again, not the labor) as in the knee chachinging in at a cool 20K. Just the knee, ma'am. 

Just sayin! 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ R and R

My daughter and her kiddos and I took a kind of spur-of-the-moment trip over the weekend. When I say kind of spur-of-the-moment I mean that she had to move several heavy obstacles and we both had to jump through some hoops to pull it off. But we got it done and it was so, so worth the hoops. 

My in-laws own a little trailer in a park on the shore of one of Minnesota's 10k lakes. It's a trailer from the sixties with a few upgrades and a build-on, and a stackable washer and dryer. Orange and moss green shag carpet was cutting edge high-fashion when it was laid in the bonus build-on bedroom. Paneling was all the rage. And dog gone it if the decor isn't cheesy cabin tourist crapola. 

But we make the trip almost every year. And once my little kids were beyond the toddle-into-the-lake-and-drown phase, this place has become what vacations are meant to be. 

When it's just Rob and I we go and decompress completely. He fishes, I read in the boat, we eat twice a day and wear whatever we want. 

With the kiddos my daughter and I had to be a little more on top of our game. And the lake was the lure we knew it would be. From about 8 a.m. to dinner time the kids were digging, playing, collecting and glorying in the secret treasures and new experiences of the lake. And as an adult along for this experience it was glorious. It was exactly what a vacation should be. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Decluttering Update

Since I've posted several times about my decluttering/purging goals I thought I'd give you an update. 

You know I met my goal of purging 1000 items from December 1 thru December 31 in the first quarter of 2015?

I haven't stopped. We had long term house guests in June and several boxes and bags found their way out of the house. After they returned home we unloaded some big items that we needed to unload. I now hate holding onto something that I don't use and someone else might not only use, but could be blessed by receiving it.  We have a ministry thrift shop down the road plus a homeless shelter in a neighboring city that need and want our stuff and they use it to help. So it's a win. Win. 

My closet population continues to diminish. I haven't followed the ruthless advice of those who say pull every item out and make three piles. I have too many things I wear infrequently, or need to keep on hand. NEED is a word that I have to consider and act on, ehhh? 

I have taken to looking at an item I pull out of the hanging rack, try on, or put back and ruthlessly decide right then and there if this item does anything for my life. If it doesn't, it goes right into the bag in my closet. Right now I have two of them that are half full. Here's the kicker. When that item goes, so does the hanger. If something comes into my house that needs a hanger, something already living here goes so I don't have to put out any new hangers. 

While Rob was hospitalized and I was visiting I also did something I've been thinking about doing for months. I have too many scarves. Yes. (I also love purses, note the one, the RED and ADORABLE one in the giveaway bag...it doesn't work anymore for my life. So it has to go.) I decided I'd wear them if they were infinity scarves. 

So I shoved them in a big bag with two colors of thread, needles a thimble and scissors and simply stitched the two ends together in a blanket or hem or hidden stitch. I got most of them done in the first two days and they are all infinity scarves now. If you think that's useful, make sure they are long enough or you'll just be annoyed. Compare them to the favorite infinity scarf length to be sure. Now, if I don't wear them I either donate as is, or I snip the simple stitches, pull them out and give them away for someone else to wear. Win. 

Again. I have to say I have very few items I even remember to miss. Purging has been excellent for soul and house. Cleaning is easier because I have space to put things away where they belong. I do kind of want to get rid of kitchen bowls and pans and crockpots because I have multiples of each. But just when I get brave something big comes up and I'm glad I have all those duplicates. Darn. And I keep looking at Tiny House stuff on the computer. I'd love a 700 sq foot or slightly less house with 2-3 bedrooms. Oddly, our first purchased house was a duplex and we lived in 900-1000 sq ft and were very comfortable even with 2 kids. And our current house started out at about 1100 sq ft when we moved in and we were cramped but comfortable with 5 of us under one roof. The second story was a great thing. But two of us do not need that much room. Hmmm we'll just have to see what happens with that. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Restating the Obvious

Lately, I've had a few opportunities to try to help people tell the difference between Gladys and Gertrude. It's so obvious to me that sometimes I'm like whaaaa? Seriously? 

But I get it. They share the same coloring. Red, white and blue errr black with polka dots. Of course. And they are both Beagles. There's that.

So here are a few random snapshots of them living their lives. 

Gertrude is kind of a classic Beagle. 

 And Gladys is kind of a cartoon Beagle. Am I right? 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Faux No

Call me brain fried. I'll answer. Maybe. 

Last week was Rob's surgery and all those details, AND new computer system training at the office on Friday. 

Eight hours of behind-in-chair time at work. Takeaway? About 45 minutes of pertinent information that applied to my job. (Some of that was what I gleaned from co-workers during breaks.) 

The best part of the day was coming up with creative "patient" names that I might use for practice sessions. Friday's main practice patient was Mr. Test Tester. At our last computer upheaval training 12 years ago we used Fake Patient. 

Both are worthy names. And clearly Faux enough that we wouldn't be deceived into thinking either was a real deal patient. 

Which brings me to to my ideas. 

If I wanted to create a profile for a difficult patient I could go for Test Testy. Either gender works. We have enough cranky folks in both genders represented in our practice. 

Then the temptation is to go with a French flair. Faux Test is an idea, or Faux Testes... that one has merit. 

Like I said, I might be a little crazy. So it's probably time to remove myself from this page before I type something really ridiculous. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Good Dogs...

Spending so much time at the hospital while Rob is recovering has given me a peek into my dogs's maturity level. 

They get lonely and bored when alone for hours at a time. As much as I hate it, I've been dropping in for an hour after work, to let them burn off energy (SQUIRREL), get some cuddle and potty time in. Then I leave for another six or so hours. They've done a good job being minimally crazed even though they are really glad to see me. The boredom issues have been no biggie, they got hold of a couple wood shims and made toothpicks. A dog bed took a beating but they had already begun unstuffing it. 

They get lots of outdoor time when I am home where they run and chase and bark. Last night they ate dinner on the back patio. It was a late dinner. After the mosquitos made their appearance we went in and snuggled. And watched Tiny House videos on Youtube. Yes. I said Tiny House. They are so cute. And I can't even begin to imagine downsizing to that level. But it's fascinating. 

He comes home this afternoon. So the experiment is over. We are all relieved.