A darkish shot, taken this morning up in the office. The light doesn’t really flood this room until the afternoon.
No, the door hasn’t been attached. Another problem with this kind of dollhouse is that the door doesn’t quite fit the curved opening – I’ve had to add wood putty, I’ve had to sand it, and now, since I’ve added an interior wood floor, I have to sand the bottom of the door to make it fit. Every day, like clockwork, I go upstairs and sand a little. But I don’t have a lot of patience for it. Hopefully, today will be the day when it suddenly fits and I can go about painting the exterior and interior of the door, as well as the parts of the frame.
I had a restless night which was not helped by the time change. Crap, I hate these time changes. They throw me off for at least a week. When Don and I came downstairs this morning, the clock on the cable box said 4:30 am. The other clocks said 5:30, of course, but that 4:30 is going to extract a price.
Sigh.
I cut my hair almost all by myself yesterday. I was so sick of the excess length and my split ends that I did some research online and watched several videos that showed how to cut your long hair by yourself. When I brought it up to Don, he seemed relieved that he didn’t have to do much. (I had also ordered good hair cutting scissors a week ago, so I was ready.) While Don was out running an errand, I went for it. This method isn’t completely foolproof and usually the hair that falls down your back needs a little evening out, but for the most part it looked quite good. When Don came back, I had him trim any hair that was a bit too long or uneven. Voila! I’m quite proud of myself. I think I took about 2½ inches off. I’d like to take off even more, but I wanted to err on the side of caution this first time around.
That’s it, my friends. We’re doing our best to lay low, stay away from anything but essential news, and not lose our minds in this run-up to Election Day. I hope you are, too.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
your determination and design for this dollhouse are impressive, paying off! kind of like your did-it-mostly-yourself haircut. love when that happens! :)
ugh … that early morning wake-up sounds harsh. hope you sleep better tonight and take it easy in the meantime.
it is 33 degrees here so walking (socially-distanced, across the street) with members of my family will wait until after lunch when it is to be all of 41. haha … but doing what we can. seeing them (even from 35 or 40 feet away) helps a lot. i miss and love them all so much! we might go for a drive. i know a place where we can see some horses. :)
picking up a basket that was to be spray-painted yesterday at a hardware store a few blocks down the street. hope it turns out to my liking (want it a bit darker, plus, i will be able to clean it for it being painted). that’s about it for my plans today. :)
happy, safe sunday to you, don and everyone else.
kathy in iowa
I’m hoping a can get a nap this afternoon to take the edge off. Hope your basket looks great, Kathy, and that it will be just what you wanted.
Stay safe!
Cutting your hair by yourself saves a lot of money. Besides, how should I want to look at myself wearing a mask during the whole procedure? I hate the look of me and avoid it whenever I can. I don’t go anywhere except I have to.
I’m sure you did great!
All the best!
Regula
I also don’t want to get that near someone! No way!
And I’m sure you look great, my friend.
Stay safe, Regula!
Have a good one. Test results negative-yet again-but have been and still…quite ill…we will see…have to wonder why the “ordinary” waits days for results instead of hours…alas…I did not leave apartment from March-August exc to take trash and pick up food delivered outside by family. Since early sept…have gone to one little store to get food…so careful…so careful…yet…hoping this illness was not because of flu vaccine over one week ago…have always been allergic to them, but this is a newer one, and I am assured it is a virus-not the reaction…praying for a vaccine…the stress of awaiting results for me and family…horrible…I had symptoms and with my health problems, we prayed so hard…want an ending to this Covid…I voted so long ago that I don’t stress over it. Wednesday will come…we will wake up…one way or the other…I cannot put myself through what I experienced four years ago…it has helped my blood pressure to avoid the news…except what friends and family tell me…prayers to you and Don…I think of you often…hoping you will be okay…congrats on cutting hair…you always give us something to think about also…good for you…
I’m sorry you’re feeling so poorly, Brenda. Perhaps it is due to the vaccination. I just read about someone else having a strong reaction to it, and the dose we get for 65+ is stronger. The test you’re referring to was a Covid test?
Do what is right for you – if staying away from the news keeps you calmer and saner – do it!
Stay safe, Brenda.
Yes second COVID
The waiting is so stressful
P S. I love your blog and adore your words…
xoxo
You haven’t had a positive test yet, have you?
No thankfully
Last one results this weekend
Had symptoms and quite ill
Praying for you, Brenda.
hope you feel better soon and get only good news. keeping you in prayers, brendab! everyone else, too.
better days are ahead!
kathy in iowa
Our clocks went back last weekend. The country is going back into lockdown for a month, everything but essential services closing, schools and colleges will still operate. I’m in work tomorrow but not sure what’s happening after that. I hope we don’t close again, we’re still functioning without direct contact of the public. So many have said how glad they are to receive books even if they’re not physically choosing them.
On my church noticesheet, we’re asked to pray for the people of the USA this week. There’s three different documentaries on TV tonight on Trump (none sound favourable to him from their titles!)
Muslim in Trump’s America
Totally Under Control: Trump and Covid19. (deliberately ironic title)
Truman’s Breadline Kids – Cameras follow three children and their families in Ohio, where the pandemic has intensified their struggle to stay afloat.
This is the one I shall watch
Stay safe
I know – you are going on lockdown and Paris just went on lockdown. It’s hard. Our whole country should go on lockdown but that won’t happen while Trump is President. Don and I have been treating this entire period from March until now as lockdown, so nothing much has changed for us.
Glad there are anti-Trump documentaries airing there. We know we must look like fools to the rest of the world but the majority of us do not support him.
Stay safe, Dee Dee.
I love that you cut your own hair. Mine is so long but I don’t have the courage to tackle it myself. The doll house is looking fabulous. I had a little fun with the Grands last night in their costumes. Their neighborhood had tables at the ends of driveways with bags of candy and so they go to trick or treat. I stayed safe but enjoyed seeing the kids excitement. Today is a day of rest, retreat from anything stressful on TV and maybe even some reading. Stay safe my friends.
I bet the Grands looked adorable, Linda. Read, rest, and coddle yourself today!
Stay safe.
Bloody auto correct! Changing Trump to Truman! Is this OM’s gremlins at work😂
xoxo
I’ve only had one haircut during this time….way back in early June. I’m starting to look like an aging hippie…which is a good thing! I have trimmed my bangs, and some on the side, but would not have your courage to trim the back, you are a brave soul.
Fortunately the Packers are playing today…so that will distract me for a few hours. After that? Who knows?
I like what you’ve done so far in the dollhouse…and that door. I know it’s a lot of work…but that is one of that room’s best features in my opinion.
Maybe an afternoon nap is on the docket for you today? I woke up a lot last night, too. Grrrr. Stay safe! ;)
I figured that what’s the worst that could happen? I might need Don to even it out a bit where I can’t reach. It worked out fine. You can do it!
The door is a pain in the tush but if I can get it to work it will be a great addition to that lower floor.
Yes, I’m praying I can sleep at some time this afternoon. This will entail making sure Don doesn’t get on the phone and talk loudly and turning all phones off. And even then…
Stay safe, Donna.
I got tired of my hair, too, and chopped it a few weeks ago. I know it’s uneven, but I just throw a clip in it and wear it up…so who can tell? Old lady in a mask, anyway. Not setting any fashion trends lately.
The doll house is looking good!
Me either! I’m currently wearing D’s old pajama bottoms and a 30+ year old BU sweatshirt!
Any news on the tests?
Stay safe.
Biopsy and a port tomorrow, hopefully results on Friday so they can set up a chemo cocktail. Hope no additional news. Yesterday his NY doctor called to tell him he has a small aneurysm on the aorta and wants another CAT scan to determine size and assess the problem. Boy, when it all goes south, it really steps on the gas! Can’t handle much more—hope we don’t have to.
Oh, it’s too much! I’m so very sorry, Shanna. I pray that this is resolved and that treatment can begin. Much love to you and Fred.
hej, shanna …
argh. sorry. keeping you and your fred in prayers.
kathy in iowa
Claudia, I’ve been having problems commenting…nothing on your side of things. I think it’s my aging tech. Finally commenting via my phone. I don’t like doing that because of thumb tendon issues. Anyway, was feeling badly that you were feeling down in the dumps (sad, angry, frustrated). Don’t give up hope. We only have a couple of days to go…
My daughter had to get a COVID test because she reported to work one morning and told the head teacher she had a headache. She had to leave immediately and couldn’t return until she received a negative COVID test. Fortunately we have Kaiser. Appointment for testing within a hour of getting home..3 mins in line at the drive through site. To and from Kaiser in less than 45 mins.
Then two days of waiting, when daughter isolated in her room, where I could hear her co duct her on-line tutoring with her students. My other daughter and I deep cleaned the house. Wow, was I exhausted. We were all happy that the test showed “no COVID detected” (they don’t use positive or negative…I think it’s deliberate to avoid law suits). And, I got a very clean house!
I’m cutting my daughter’s hair today. Her hair is hip length and she only wants a trim, despite my desire to cut it off at the shoulders! I also cut my other daughter’s hair but it’s chin length and thus more challenging. In turn, they cut my hair. Having fairly straight Asian hair makes hair care at home a bit easier.
Your house is looking better and better. I’m glad you have such an engrossing hobby to pass your time. I have my sewing and needlework. My next big project is Eleanor of Aquitaine designed by Gay Ann Rogers. My daughter is going to a stitch Catherine the Great alongside me so it will be extra fun.
To you and Don, Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay sane. But most of all stay happy.
Good to hear from you, Wendy. I’m sorry you’re having trouble commenting! Happy your daughter tested negative and that you got a clean house in the bargain.
I’m thinking of pulling out a needlepoint project that I’ve never started. I used to do a lot of needlepoint. It would be nice to have something to do apart from reading and the dollhouse, especially as winter is coming.
Stay safe, Wendy!
Hi, Claudia,
Ref. to the Greenleave dollhouses, I can only agree to quality, material and fitting. But architectural they are unbeatable beautiful. Me too had to sand, to thicken the walls, to built new windows or doorways etc. etc. on this big house. More than one time I was very desperate and wanted to give up. Then I realized I learned a lot of even my mistakes , and relaxed more and more from my foolish will of perfectionism. The only benchmark is the fun you have on your project, no one pushes you, you can always fix an error without destroying your project And… I learned to use miniature machines!
The best is a Proxxon Oscilator OZI/E (I think not available in US) with a sander, a oscillating saw and a circular saw. And a Proxxon Multitool, of course. I think there is some in dremel too. You can even find them used on Ebay. They help a lot, but don’t bring wonders. You have to practise. (This is no advertising broadcast)!
Hair: I have short hair and cut it all by myself since last march. I cut it here a bit and there a bit, if it’s getting too long. My husband is totally overhelmed by haircutting. I look more and more like a punk, but I think it it looks good on me and I help with a bit hair gel.
Voting: We look forward to your elections desperately. There are tv shows all night long on monday in Germany and we will watch them. But I think we have to wait for the result a long time and this is not the end.
Covid: There is a “light” shutdown from Monday till end of November with totally stop of cultural and gastronomical life in Germany. I guess it will last much longer and be much harder ’cause people are not willing to learn nor understand to stay home, wear masks and keep distance, and…they get more and more aggressiv.
I wish you all the best. Please keep us informed about your life, stay safe and create. Yours Helga
You’re right about the fun. And I do learn things in having to find solutions to these challenges. There are Proxxons available here, I have a miniature friend who has one. I, unfortunately, simply don’t have the room for one and we don’t have a garage or a basement. Ah well. Wish us the best in this election, Helga. Everyone here is feeling the stress.
Stay safe during your light shutdown. Dr. Fauci, our expert here, told us another round would be coming in the fall and that it would be worse. He was right.
Stay safe, my friend. (I often go to your IG feed and look at your dollhouse!)
I treasure your reply, Claudia! I will go on with my dollhouse soon.
xoxo
I think a nap is an awesome idea. Im going to take one too!
Shoud l Wait 2 more hours when the SUN GOES DOWN? that would be around 4;30
YOur dollhouse is so great
Both Don and I were saying that this day is taking forever! We keep thinking it’s later than it is!
Thanks, Kathy.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia,
These last few days before the 3rd are so nerve-wracking! You wouldn’t know it on the outside, but inside I am a flurry of emotions. The littlest things, lovely or horrible, find me holding back tears. Such a strange feeling.
I am spending the rest of this time text banking. The system failed today so we have all been waiting on assignments the last few hours.
UGH!!
I am glad you were able to cut your own hair. I have given myself two haircuts since March after watching youtube tutorials. I wish I had thought of it sooner as I have never enjoyed going to the salon, but I do miss my sweet hairdresser. I also give the rest of the family haircuts. Not as precise as the salon, but not as bad as you might think! :)
Your doll house looks wonderful! I love each and every step you share.
Hang in there!! Stay Safe!!!
Hugs,
Christy
eI may cut my own hair for the foreseeable future! I love the woman who cuts my hair as well and she charges hardly anything, so eventually, when all this is over, I’ll be happy to have her cut it again.
Glad you’re text banking! I did it today, as well. It helps me feel as if I’m taking action and DOING something!
Hang in there, Christy.
Stay safe!
The door is beautiful! Sorry it’s so finicky. Restoring an old dollhouse seems like a perfect thing to do in these times, tho. Sending good thoughts! XO
Thank you, Nora!
Stay safe!
My best friend and I had a long talk on the phone today on what we plan to do Tuesday and how we may feel on Wednesday but what we decided is that, somehow, we will survive if the outcome isn’t good. We’ll trust our governor; we’ll trust ourselves; we’ll remind ourselves that the majority of people are good and kind. If Trump does win (perish the thought), it’s IT for him; he can’t get another four years after that; it’ll be over. I don’t know to trust the polls right now; I see too many where Biden and Trump are running neck & neck. I wanted a landslide; it seems we won’t get it. Which is the exciting thing about watching returns on Tues night to hopefully see a huge voice from Americans who want no more of this administration. But, for now, we’ll keep thinking ‘positive’ and hope that Tuesday is a relief, not a nightmare.
Good for you, to stay safer and cut your own hair at home. I’ve been doing it for most of 20 years; sometimes it turns out okay, sometimes not. I used to color my own hair, too; however, since having cancer, I’ve ditched the hair dyes and have let it go gray so it’s certainly many shades of light and dark gray with a lot of white; but, hey, look at Queen Elizabeth, she’s never dyed her hair! (I was so surprised at how gray I was as I hadn’t seen my own hair color since I was probably about age 30.) Thing is, when the hair is colored, it’s more forgiving when it comes to at-home haircut mistakes. With this lighter gray & white, every one of my mistakes is quite glaring. When I was indeed in my early 30s, I spent a fortune on my hair at higher-end salons. I’d get it trimmed every five weeks and they’d weave blonde and reds into my natural brunette, seamless as if to look sunkissed and backlit. I look at those photos now and think I looked almost beautiful. But I was a working girl then and it’s part of where I chose to put my wages; younger, single and a beach-party girl. Ah, those were the days …
I meant to say two other things:
1) The new books look SO great on the shelves of the house. Fab room.
2) My husband remains convinced Biden is going to win. He pours over many polls over hours; makes comparisons on ‘states’ from 2016 to 2020; looks at all the projections for electoral votes. He doesn’t think Texas will go blue but he thinks Florida will; of course ‘they’re’ saying if Biden gets Florida, he’s got it in the bag.
I guess a third thing; very unnerving about intimidation and even possible violence at the polling places & cities and ‘the day after’. But it seems nothing (when you’d think the virus epidemic would have been enough) is keeping the brave voting public from standing in the lines and voting, in record numbers, in all kinds of weather (all kinds of people, every race and culture; every age group), which is inspiring; YOU CANNOT SUPPRESS US HOWEVER HARD YOU TRY. We are Americans; it is our right to vote. This is still a democracy!
And Biden said, very sternly with confidence — and that sane, fair-leadership quality — “We won’t let Trump steal this election.”
I just read that they’re putting more fencing around The White House which can’t be scaled by a human.
And, how awful that Trumpers tried to run a Biden/Harris campaign bus off the road; imagine how frightening for its passengers. And Trump called the aggressors “patriots”.
Yesterday’s voter intimidation activities by the thugs – cutting off highways in NJ, stopping traffic on bridges, only serves to make those of us who are sane dig our heels in even more. F them. They’re idiots who think they’re tougher than they are. They’re not.
As for the fencing, what President who is confident in his reelection does that? He’ll be hiding down in his bunker, the coward.
I never want to see any of them again. Ever.
xo
I, along with the Queen, have never colored my hair. I made that decision for two reasons, it’s a hassle and an ongoing expense that I don’t need, and I wanted to age the way I’m aging, if that makes sense. My hair grayed rather nicely, in streaks mixed with a lot of other colors, so that helps. I just decided to be real and I’m okay with it.
Stay safe!
Oh Claudia, the dollhouse looks divine. And I really admire your detail work with the door and windows. And appreciate it. What you are doing on the door is terrific and I know it can be tedious. Well done. That sofa and the bookshelves were born for that.
And well done on the hair, too. It’s hard to cut your own — I’ve been doing taht but not the length. I finally had that cut. I should have had more — I don’t plan to return for a LONG time!
Dear Claudia
I’m a miniaturist in South Africa and I followed you from Instagram to your blog about two months ago. What a delight to discover your writing! I promptly went back to day one, ‘Nesting in Place’ and started reading a few blogs a day, rationing the posts like a box of expensive chocolates. Yesterday, I finally caught up to here. I don’t know whether I’m happy or sad. My only consolation is that I don’t need to savour the tissue paper at the bottom of the box; there will be more posts from you in future.
It’s a strange coincidence that I finally syncronized with you as the votes are being counted on election day. I’m probably just as tense as you. This is not about the next president of the US, it’s about the future of humanity. For every red vote I want to hang my head in shame. How can there be so many people who don’t have compassion for other humans, care about the future of the planet we live on more than their pockets, are weak enough to want to crown such a despicable man as their king? Even if Biden comes out at the top today, as humans, we have a lot to answer for.
I’m not active in South African politics, but I’m well versed and I can tell you that what is happening in the US has scary parallels to our government.
Througout the day I will be watching the election results coming in and holding thumbs for Biden. If common sense prevails, even if it is by a miniscule margin, you have a finger hold on the system at least and can continue to educate and guide humanity towards being better human beings.
Go hide out in your dollhouse if it becomes too much today, I will be in mine.
Megan
Thank you so much for your kind words, Megan! They mean a great deal to me. I’m so glad you’re here.
Fingers crossed that soon we hear that Biden has won the presidency.
Stay safe!