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You are here: Home / Archives for Don

Potpourri: A Story, A Book & An Egg Cup

March 31, 2015 at 9:21 am by Claudia

A little story for you:

The only clock we have in our bedroom is the digital clock on the cable box. Don usually puts a framed photo of us on our wedding day in front of the clock so he can’t see it at night. On Sunday night, we went to bed knowing that one of us had to get up in the middle of the night to let Scout out. When this happens, we figure whoever wakes up to go to the bathroom around 3 or 4 in the morning will also go downstairs and let her out. It’s something neither of us look forward to.

So. We go to sleep. I wake up to go to the bathroom, but I haven’t been sleeping all that long and I know it’s too early to let her out. So I go back to sleep. I wake up again after what I know is a solid chunk – several hours – of sleep. I have to go to the bathroom. So I get up, walk across the room, move the photograph to see what time it is. It says 12:15. I know my brain is fuzzy, but it seems like I slept a lot longer than an hour. And I’ve already visited the facilities once before. I can’t figure it out. So I go to the bathroom and I head back to bed. But I’m so perplexed that I can’t get to sleep for a while. I cuddle up to Don and finally go back to sleep.

I wake up, knowing I’ve slept about an hour or so more.

But it’s light out. What the ???? How can that be? I went back to sleep at around 1 am, slept for a little more, and now it’s light out? And that means I didn’t get to Scout in time. I jump out of bed, get dressed, run over to the clock.

It still says 12:15.

No wonder I was confused. I run downstairs, where Ms. Scout is sleeping peacefully and the clock shows me it’s after 7 am. No accidents, thank goodness.

And then I look out the door and there’s snow on the ground. I feel as if I’m in the Twilight Zone.

When Don gets up, a bit later, he yells downstairs and asks me what time it is. I say 9 am. It turns out he went through the same thing during the night. Got up, checked the clock, decided it was too early to let Scout out, went back to bed. When he finally woke up in the morning, he went to check the clock and it said 12:15 and he thought he’d slept until noon. And then he saw snow.

I have to tell you we were both feeling as if we were living in an alternate reality for several hours. It took a bit of time to shake it all off.

Later in the day, I unplugged the cable box, let it reboot, and it corrected itself.

3-31 Persuasion

I cheated. My plan is to purchase one a month. Technically, this should have arrived in April. Ah well. I love this simple feather motif.

3-31 Austens

And there it is on the shelf, along with its fellow Austens.

The egg cup I ordered from Etsy arrived yesterday. I had to wash it and spray a little Febreeze on it, as it clearly came from a smoker’s house. I used to smoke. I smoked for about 5 years. I can’t believe that I smelled like smoke during those years. It completely grosses me out now. Don, too. I quit in 1985. Don quit in 1986. Thank goodness. We met in 1994, so we were well rid of the habit by that point.

3-31 littleboyeggcup1

Here he is. He’s a little Japanese boy. Like my little cowboy egg cup, he’s sitting with his legs stretched out. These were made in Japan in the 1930’s. Apparently, there are others in this particular design, though I’ve only seen the cowboy and this little guy.

3-31 littleboyeggcup2

I’ve always wanted to add this one to my collection, so I’m happy he’s finally here. Marked: Japan.

Isn’t he adorable?

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: books, Don, egg cups, Scout 40 Comments

Tell Me I’m Dreaming

March 21, 2015 at 9:23 am by Claudia

3-21 friggin snow

Did you think I accidentally reposted our Christmas photo?

Oh, silly you. You would be mistaken. I took this just yesterday. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve already seen it, but I thought it was worth sharing on this second day of spring.

If I was inclined to despair, this could definitely send me over the edge. But I’m not. So, though I am not necessarily a happy camper, I do know that it will melt rather quickly.

Perhaps I could get an extension cord and plug in my blow dryer to help it along?

Even Scout looked disgusted. We’ve been promising her that the big corral will be open for business very soon and this isn’t helping.

The snow didn’t start until early afternoon, so Don decided we needed some donuts. Not just any donuts, but donuts from a tiny little local shop located in the same complex as our antique shop. It’s called Dohnut and boy oh boy, has it spoiled me. I told Don I will never again eat any other kind of donut. These are made fresh every day and they are incredible. Crisp, light, amazing.

3-21 dohnuts

Do I need them? No. In fact, I’m hoping that working outside and in the garden – at some point in what seems like the distant future – will help me shed a few pounds. But we needed comfort food and Don is usually the instigator when it comes to comfort food. In cases like this one, I am his enabler.

Don ate all three of his. I saved one of those chocolate covered donuts for today. Yummy.

So the question is: Do we shovel or do we wait for it to melt? I’m voting for option number 2.

I ended up cleaning the bathroom, doing laundry, and reading yesterday. No quilting. But that just might happen today.

Happy Saturday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: Don, snow, winter 46 Comments

There Are Times I Just Can’t Come Up With a Post Title

March 20, 2015 at 9:21 am by Claudia

3-20 deer watching Scout

A deer looking at Scout (who’s in her mini corral.) Right after this, Scout became aware of the deer. They engaged in a stare-off. (This was shot through my kitchen door, so there’s some reflection bouncing off the deer and the tree.)

What a beautiful animal.

I was going to say that there’s much less snow on the ground – and there is – but on this first day of Spring we are supposed to get 3- 6 inches of snow. I’m calling this The Last Hurrah. My only comfort is in the fact that snow doesn’t stay on the ground for very long come March. The ground is warmer, the angle of the sun is higher. And the temp tomorrow is supposed to be in the mid-forties. Nevertheless, the whole thing is a bit daunting, wouldn’t you say?

Don, the saintly man to whom I am married, came along with me yesterday as I searched for jeans that fit my no longer angular and now curvy body. He helped me find various styles in my size and patiently waited for me to try them on and discard them. Eventually, I found a style by Lee that fit well. Huzzah! And then I found the same style in black. So I bought two pairs. There was a sale at Kohl’s so I got them at a very good price. Huzzah again! Note: I want to write the plural of pair as pair because that’s the way I was taught. But I hardly see that anymore. What to do?

Then we stopped at Target to pick up a couple of items.

I rewarded Don (and me) by agreeing to a stop at Five Guys. He got his burger (yes, he does eat meat now and then) and we shared some fries. As we were heading home, Don saw that Dairy Queen was open for the season and somehow we ended up with two chocolate shakes.

How did that happen?

And how did I end up having Five Guys fries and a chocolate shake for lunch?

I’m not sure, but it was awfully tasty – and slightly wicked.

3-20 lamp

This is the lamp that I had on my sewing table. It’s been moved to the den because I need a stronger light here. It’s the Ranarp Lamp from IKEA and my plan is to get another for the studio but since I’m not working on anything up there, there’s no hurry.

Today might be a good day to do some hand quilting as the snow falls.

For the last time.

I insist on it.

Happy Friday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: deer, Don, quilting 54 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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