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Memories

November 1, 2022 at 9:14 am by Claudia

Seen when out and about yesterday.

Both Don and I had what we called a ‘spacey’ day yesterday. I was slightly off all day, so was he. I forgot that I was washing the sheets, resulting in a late finish to the drying process and me having to make up the bed at 7:30 pm. I was slightly forgetful all day. It wasn’t a bad day at all, just slightly off.

But today is another day. Hopefully, that foolishness is over.

Yesterday, Meredith and I were remembering my dad’s emails. When he was mad at one of us, the email would be in ALL CAPS!!!!!!!!! With lots of EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!!!! If I got one, I would read it out loud to Mere in a very loud, shouting voice. She would do the same. This memory made us dissolve in laughter because at this point, several years after my dad’s death, we have perspective on it and it’s just plain funny. My father was a yeller and we were on the receiving end of in-person yelling for much of our childhood. I hated it. Much better to receive it via email.

And you know, of course, that we loved our dad and we miss him every day. Truly. I’m glad he didn’t have to see the rise of fascism in this country or witness a Trump presidency. He fought against fascism in WWII. He was also onto T well before he ran for President and couldn’t stand him. I remember having conversations with Dad about it. He would have been devastated to see what is happening right now. My dad was very smart about things. I miss talking to him about politics. I miss calling him to ask him how to fix something or other. He was the kind of guy who always knew how to fix anything. I just miss him. I miss my mom, too. I miss laughing with her. I miss her nightly scent of Oil of Olay. Even as an adult, I often sat on her lap for a moment or two. She was a great cuddler.

Sigh. Both Don and I have been missing our parents lately.

It’s a rainy and gray day today – sort of suits my mood.

And then, last night, I was remembering my brother’s kids when they were little. I was living in a house that was about 15 minutes away from his. I would visit on Halloween and help my brother take the kids trick or treating. It was such fun. Now they’re all grown up with their own kids – children my brother never got to see. I miss him, too.

But I’m so grateful for my parents and my brother and my grandparents and aunts and uncles – all of them departed now, but all of them loved.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

 

Filed Under: life 27 Comments

Harry on Halloween

October 31, 2022 at 9:17 am by Claudia

May I present to you:

Harry Potter!

Little Z is quite excited to be Harry Potter this Halloween. I hope he has the best day in school! And tonight, when his oldest brother – who is celebrating his birthday today – takes him trick or treating. As you can imagine, this picture made our morning.

And a happy day to my brother-in-law (Don’s brother) who also celebrates a birthday today.

By the way, I tested the comment reply that I have on the blog by going to the blog on another browser where I wasn’t signed in as the owner. I left a comment and then replied to my comment and I received the reply almost immediately. So, there’s really nothing I can do. It’s working. Check your spam. Make sure you’ve checked the box. And if you don’t get a reply within a day, check back. I don’t always reply the same day – but most of the time, I do. Very rarely, I don’t reply at all. You might also want to check to make sure your particular email program isn’t blocking my replies. This sometimes happens because the program thinks there are too many emails coming from my server’s IP address. And Jeanie, read my replies from yesterday about your particular email program.

Okay. That’s that.

Maeve was the lucky girl who got to model the other outfit from Qiulizio.

This gorgeous top is combined with a pair of linen shorts and I love it. Those tiny little circles you see between her legs are the bottom of the pull rings – the rings that you use to change eyecolors. How do you like her relatively new brown eyes? I really love them. Although, right now, they’re blue – the beauty of four different eye options. Idea: Sometime in the future I’ll take photos of the rear of the girls so you can see their individual pull rings.

Happy Halloween.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Little Z 20 Comments

A Very Cold Morning

October 30, 2022 at 9:21 am by Claudia

I was feeling under the weather all day yesterday. I felt exactly like I do when I’m coming down with a cold. Thankfully, it isn’t a cold. I don’t know how I’d catch a cold when I’m always masked, but anyway, it was just a bad sinus day and I’m feeling a bit better this morning.

Don made a pie. And it’s good.

My new puzzle was supposed to arrive yesterday but it never appeared. I usually choose a puzzle based on when I can receive it. I have Amazon Prime, so I chose one that could be delivered in a day. Sure enough…no puzzle. This has been happening every once in a while with Amazon and I must admit it ticks me off.

It went down to 25 degrees last night! But it will be in the 60s during the day. This is the erratic weather of autumn in the northeast. I dragged all the plants inside again. The lows for the rest of the week will be in the 40s and 50s. In the meantime, I hope the burning bush doesn’t drop its leaves quite this early, but it very well might given last night’s freeze.

Harper in a new dress from Qiulizio, a wonderful designer in China. I have a few of her creations, which are modestly priced, but because the shipping is so expensive, I can’t order very often. I’ve had my eye on this dress for several months. It’s perfect on Harper.

I have another outfit that arrived in the same package. I’ll figure out who should model it later this morning and then I’ll take some photos.

After I drag the plants back outside.

Oh, and the catalpa has lost all of its leaves. Nothing for another six months, which is too depressing for me to ponder.

Is anyone else not getting replies to comments even if you check the box? Jeanie mentioned she wasn’t getting them.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: autumn, Blythe dolls 17 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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