The view of of what we call “The Plain” at the back of our property. It’s my neighbor’s property and it has provided many a gorgeous view over the years. Snow is definitely melting here, but today is very cold. Tomorrow, we get 1 – 3 inches of snow and ice, which would normally piss me off, but it will be 51 degrees on Wednesday, so it won’t last. The craziness of March: it’s kind of all over the place, but we’re definitely headed toward spring. In mid-March we usually hear the peepers for the first time and that’s only two weeks away!
This has been a tough winter for us in terms of heating oil bills. We will have to order one extra shipment. It’s been so frigid and cold since December so we’ve had to use more oil than we’ve ever used in the past 20 years. Don is currently trying to get that last order in with our supplier before oil prices go sky high, thanks to this latest boneheaded attempt at distraction by you-know-who. And he’s is also going to fill up the car’s gas tank, as well.
I can’t handle this insanity, so I’ll be crocheting today and doing the laundry and anything else that will bring some calm to my mind.
I should get some of the wallpaper I ordered for the dollhouse in today’s mail. I’m curious to see it in person. Fingers crossed!
I mentioned that I wanted to get the giant box that contains the Beacon Hill kit out of the office/studio and I did. I went through all the components to see if there was anything I still needed and then I taped it closed. Don came upstairs and helped me move it downstairs and out to the shed. Hurrah! It took up too much space and if there’s anything you know about our house, it’s the fact that space is at a premium.
The Beacon Hill has become the dollhouse I wish I had never purchased – simply because of its size. I can’t tell you how much time I have spent thinking about where the heck I will put it when I’m done. Ah well, something will be worked out. I’m used to this – my entire house is like a Jenga puzzle and I’m constantly thinking about storage and what I can do to improve it.
I hope you’re all hanging in there, given what’s going on.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Good Morning Claudia! I am with you on the “space crunch” agenda… always trying to figure out a better configuration for the “stuff” I love…. and trying to figure out which things must be “let go” because time passes and the awareness of changing needs and wishes overtakes me… not a comfortable place. My house is also the smallest I’ve ever lived in… intentionally so at first as I “down-sized” when the nest emptied… but then I unleashed my dollhouse obsession…. and the rest is history as they say. I love them all. Some more than others, and none of them are “finished” and I really don’t like the concept of “finished”! I want to live in these buildings… my “little people” do live in these buildings… even the unfinished ones! Lol! But that is the obsession part… they take on lives and stories. (Theater, you know…) And I get to play and dream up the “what’s next…” That’s the part that was a surprise to me… the story telling and the little worlds that get created.
I So look forward to seeing the wall paper you get! And we all strive for some sort of “perfection”…. that never lasts… it’s the loving the process that keeps me going.
Enjoy the quiet wherever you can find it.
Wallpaper – I just received it – is always somewhat disappointing because the actual print is much smaller in scale than I imagined. So I’m rethinking where to use it.
Thanks, Betsy.
Stay safe.
We are currently living in a place of mad insanity, in my opinion, along with false narratives, and a lack of simple empathy. I’m not sure there are enough diversions to keep my mind from thinking about it all. But, try we must.
Nice day today, but rain the rest of the week. We need the rain, so I’m not complaining. I have started a list of outdoor projects and general lists of plants to buy. I just have to be patient….Spring will come.
I have been cold since December. I am sorry to hear that heating oil is going up…gas as well. We are on a budget plan for gas and electric….they average out a years consumption and you pay per month. That does help, but next year we will feel more pain.
I hope you, too, can find some peace today…it’s not easy. ;)
I don’t know where empathy and compassion went. It’s very upsetting.
It is not at all easy to find peace. I hope you can find some, too, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
beautiful view! glad you have it … and the beacon hill and other creative interests to enjoy.
feeling jenga-like here, too, and thinking many, many thoughts every day about storage and what stays and what goes. it’s a slow, painful process of trying to fit (most of) three households into one. not done yet, but we’ll get there.
in the meantime, taxes tomorrow morning and it will help will help to have them done.
happy, safe monday to everyone.
kathy
I need to let go of more things this year. It will be tricky!
Thanks, Kathy.
Stay safe.
I go through the same thing, Claudia. Though my house is larger than yours, three adults with hobbies that take up lots of room live here. I’m constantly moving things around to find a good fit. I love your Jenga analogy!
One thing I did do was pare down. I went from two closets of clothes to one and now my daughters share one of my bedroom closets. It’s still not enough! More decluttering this year, and really, when does that really stop being necessary???
I pare down a bit every year, but – Don hangs on to things, and so do I. It’s a challenge! More decluttering this year.
Thanks so much, Wendy.
Stay safe.
I am trying to let go of things but then I start a new craft or hobby and fill the empty space with new things. I think in the long run it’s all ok. If it keeps my mind learning and sharper then I say keep on doing what i’m doing. Did not love waking up to war yesterday. It will not distract me from his evil ways.
Keeping our minds sharper is absolutely necessary, Linda.
Stay safe.
Maybe you will sell the Beacon Hill since you mentioned regret at buying it? You have so many other hobbies to keep you busy.
Looking forward to warmer weather here, too, although we know we are not done with Winter yet, I am sure! ;)
No, if I’ve invested in wallpaper and furniture, I’m not planning on selling it at this point.
Stay safe, Ellen.
It’s so difficult to downsize. Who do you give your collections to? I have eggcups, Beatrix Potter figurines, makeup compacts, perfume bottles, ships-in-bottles, quilts, Night Before Christmas books. Well, you get the picture. Please tell Don I made his No Sugar Apple Pie today. Frozen apple juice has disappeared so I used apple cider. It worked although I’m not sure it is “no sugar” but it is delicious. Enjoy that 51 degree day. Hugs, Elaine
I know – no one in my family is interested in my collections!
We have purchased several cans of the frozen apple juice. Eventually, we will buy sugar free apple juice and freeze it in the same portions as the cans.
Glad you enjoyed the pice, Elaine!
Stay safe.
Yes, your view is so nice! We had some snow on the wkend, I wonder if that’s it for this year.
I sentimental so its hard to part with things.
Question ‘ what site do you use to purchase your blythe dolls from? Mine were from etsy. My totally fave girl was just sold to some lucky person. Shucks.
Take care, keep warm.
I began to volunteer at a disabled group night at our church. Lots of funnies tonight. Its great and it’s only an hour. Feels nice to be there.
I follow fellow Blythe collectors in Instagram and that’s where I’ve found the majority of my dolls. I only purchased one on Etsy – my first girl, Sophie.
Stay safe, Irene.
You’ll find a spot for it and it will be beautiful. And yes, I’m getting gas too, though I can’t do it till tomorrow and already prices are up here. I’m hoping Costco is still low — at any event, they’ll be lower than anyone else.
you’re right — it won’t last. But I sure am tired of it!
I am too.
Thanks so much, Jeanie.
Stay safe.