Oh yes. I have a cool orange plastic spider ring, courtesy of my dentist.
Admit it. You want one, too.
Let’s see, what’s new?
• Don’s been talking to me on the phone about not getting enough sleep lately. I’ve decided we can no longer talk about that subject, because now I’m not getting enough sleep. Thursday night? About 2 hours. Last night? I woke up at 4:45 am and couldn’t get back to sleep. Enough already. I didn’t know sleeplessness was catching.
• I’ve had a heck of a hard time controlling our thermostat this winter. It always seems to be either too hot or too cold, never consistent. I finally called our oil company and they sent someone out yesterday who confirmed that I wasn’t going nuts, the thermostat was indeed off by 4 degrees. He replaced it (it was the rather old fashioned kind with a dial that had little degree marks and was unbelievably hard to read) with a digital version. No more squinting and shining a flashlight on the dial to figure out what the heck the temperature is! And it works! I had also been hearing weird knocking/thudding sounds when the oil burner came on, so he did some adjusting and all is well. I should have, of course, called them about a month ago but I kept thinking I could figure it out. Silly.
• I finished reading The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (who is really J.K. Rowling.) What a great book! It’s a wonderful mystery with a lead character who is a private detective. I didn’t want it to end and I kept thinking to myself, ‘I hope she’s going to write another one! This would make a great series.’ Well, one thing about a Kindle that is extremely handy is this feature at the end of the book that lists other books you might be interested in. And there I learned that the next book in the series is coming out in June. Instant answer to my question. I preordered it. In that same listing I also discovered that Michael Connelly (one of my favorite authors) also has a new book coming out in a few months. I get excited by these things.
Anyway, I recommend this book highly. I never got into the whole Harry Potter thing. I tried to, but it just didn’t do anything for me, though I could clearly see what an amazing writer Rowling was. I really admire her for writing in another genre, for taking a risk when she obviously has more than enough money in the bank to never work another day in her life. Boy, she’s good!
Now I’m reading a book that I will review on Monday, so stay tuned.
• I managed to get some photos of squirmy Miss Scout. If she sees me pull out my camera, she immediately looks away, so timing is everything.
Oh, she’s a handful, but she makes my heart sing. Yesterday I saw her loping along in the dog corral. The furnace guy was here and she loves visitors and it was warmer and the snow has melted in her corral, so she was happy. And that makes me happy.
• Tomorrow is our Linky Party for the Christmas Critter Felt Along. But the post will go up this evening at 6 pm. So, even though it is posting this evening, it’s officially the Sunday post for the blog. Does that make sense?
Happy Saturday.
Good Morning Claudia, Love the pictures of Scout, especially the close up of her beautiful eyes! I am a little jealous of that spider ring! Doris
I thought you might be, Doris!
Ack! My brain just cannot process the ornament linky party timing, I keep thinking it falls on the end of the month, I know it doesn’t DUH. I haven’t even thought about this months. I don’t think I’ll be able to zap anything into being for this month or next month — I’ll try but it’s unlikely. I’ll have fun visiting everyone elses, hope I’ll be able to catch up, down the road. I’m working on my swap for my An Affaire at Downton and it has to be spiffy! Those ladies are uber duber fantastically talented and I can’t disappoint my secret partner. PRESSURE.
I haven’t slept since 1998, seriously! My sleep is always disrupted and sometimes I lay there for a couple of hours in the middle of the night. If it comes at 4 AM, I just get up. I love being up early and seeing the day begin. Hope you’re able to sleep right away!
Happy weekend! xo
I did mine (for April) last night, Sally – at the last minute! Happy weekend, my friend!
It always brings a smile to my face to see photos of Scout and read about her antics. She reminds me of my beloved miniature American Eskimo dog. It’s been about 6 years since her passing and I still miss her.
I hear you about the sleep issues. I wake up between 4 and 5 AM every morning and cannot get back to sleep. Then I’m tired in the afternoon.
I’ve had other people say she reminds them of that breed of dog, Denise. I know what you mean about losing a beloved pet. We never get over it, do we?
Glad you decided to have the thermostat changed, I bet you will notice a big difference in cost and warmth.
Well, it’s sure nice to see the temperature in the house match the one on the thermostat!
Claudia, Glad you got the thermostat fixed. So peace of mind is nice. Maybe that will help with your sleeping. Poor Scout…I could almost see her jumping for joy. Hope you and Scout have a good weekend. xoxo,Susie
Well, it didn’t help last night! Hopefully, tonight will be better, Have a good weekend, Susie!
Oh I love the pictures of Scout! She is so cute. That was interesting about the thermostat. I didn’t know they did that. It should give you piece of mind to have those things fixed.
Blessings,
Betsy
Oh sure they do – just like thermometers can be off –
Morning Claudia. Good call on the thermostat.
Scout is a cutie for sure.
I can’t go to sleep. I will be exhausted and lay down. I get to the point I am very relaxed and all of a sudden I am wide awake and not relaxed. I can usually sleep from 3-7……..not good. Our little dog gets us up about 4 times a night. That doesn’t help. And then Hubby and the little dog have snoring contests every night.
I don’t like to take anything to help me sleep because of my low oxygen levels. I’d be afraid I wouldn’t wake up……but oh I want some sleep. I can if I have time get about a 40 minute nap during the day. No problems there.
Have a good week-end. Soon Don will be home. xo
I’m going to try for a nap later today, Debby! Have a good weekend.
I must photos of Scout make my heart sing also. What a lovely girl she is! I bet these photos make Don miss her even more. As I age I have sleep problems also..ugh! I never read the Harry Potter books either, just not my thing but I will try her mystery for sure. I too get excited when a new book is coming out by a favorite author. Packing today for a trip to see my Mom. She isn’t doing well and wants me there so I’ve been scrambling getting Charlie settled and things arranged so I can leave tomorrow. I’m praying she will do better once I’m there. Aging parents are really hard as you well know and being far away from them is awful. Thanks for the cute photos to make me smile and oh yes, love the new ring!!
hugs, Linda
I’m sorry to hear about your mom, Linda. Sending thought and prayers her way. Have a safe journey, my friend.
I just finished the “Cuckoo’s calling” as well. I agree, it was very good. I was surprised I liked it so much but I’m big on mysteries. Her character development and the flow were excellent. I didn’t like her other one that she wrote before this( can’t think if the title), that she wrote as JK Rowling. Always enjoy your blog.
Thanks, Christina!
Oh, that sweet Scout!! What a joy. Our 2 are also SO happy when visitors come by. I’m sure they get totally bored with just the 2 of us most of the time!
Isn’t it wonderful when you find a book you love, and don’t want it to end… and then when it is over, you still think about the characters for days afterwards.
The sleeping thing really is a pain, isn’t it? I am sad to say the Tylenol PM has been my friend many nights this long winter. Once we can get outside again, I am hoping that the fresh air and gardening and yard work will replace it, and let me sleep much better.
Have a wonderful weekend, Claudia!!
I’m still thinking of the characters today and I miss the book – that’s a wonderful feeling.
Have a great weekend, Chris!
I am a little jealous of your ring…I admit it. Cute pictures of Scout. It’s so much easier to negotiate the landscape for all of us, now that most of the snow is gone. Glad you got your thermostat problem figured out…digital is much more accurate. Sleeping at night has become a problem…and like Chris…I’ve been taking half doses of Tylenol PM too. It does help quite a bit. If I wake up, I simply can’t get back to sleep. Fresh air I’m sure would help…but it’s still too cold to garden. The lakes around here are still quite frozen. Hope you enjoy your Saturday! ;)
Fresh air will help! Nothing like working outside in the garden (whenever that can happen) to give you a good night’s sleep!
Oh what a sweet little girl..Tell her I am very happy that the snow melted from her corral so she can pounce and play again..I am indeed jealous of that cool orange spider ring..after all..I’ve been a good girl too..lol
Today she’s pretty achy from her arthritis, Nancy. But I took her for a walk because she’s so out of shape. Just a short one.
Dearest Claudia,
I must say that you’ve had more than a tough winter in NY with the large dumps of snow over and over. I spoke to my husband Keith last night who is from Grodie Rhodi (sp?) Rhode Island that is. He said that by spring when the snow was still dumping big time, the rate of unhappy people spiked hugely. I mean really unhappy. And I didn’t know those dogs were not with you any longer!! I am so sorry about them and your mother. Shopping for a new dog??? No? Your blog site photos cheer me up and my friend Margo who also likes these kinds of things. I sent her a link as soon as I saw your pretty photos, sewing, etc. Here out in the southwestern hinterland we know all about the travails of the isolated pioneer women. And Minnesota?!! One can only wonder what that’s like. Take care of yourself and do all the things that you know cheer you up. It’s time to be aggressive on cheering yourself up.
Riley – the dog on the right in the photo on my sidebar – died over a year ago. But I don’t where you got the idea that Scout was no longer with me – the photos that are in the post were taken yesterday!!
So no, I’m not shopping for a new dog. My Scoutie is hanging in there.
What precious photos of Scout! Love the close-up one. So dear!
Judy
She’s a doll – she’s slowing down and has bad arthritis and some days are better than others. I have a feeling seeing her dad again will be very good for what ails her!
Beautiful pictures of your pup, Scout. It’s funny that Scout is camera shy.
See you tonight with my critters.
Balisha
Maybe she’s just stubborn, Balisha!
I am so glad Scout is loping! That makes my heart sing, too. Glad you got your thermostat fixed. Now, get some sleep! So says the pot who is calling the kettle black!
xo
Sheila
What adorable photos of Scout. She looks so happy. Thanks for the book recommendations. xo Laura
I understand the “not sleeping through the night” concept pretty well myself [note time on this comment – lol]. I WANT to sleep 7-8 hours consecutively… but here’s what usually happens. I get a solid 4 hours and wake fairly-alert around 3, unable to get back to sleep. So I listen to something on TV with my eyes closed [luckily Hallmark channel has “Frasier” from 3-5 am weekdays]. Then I get quite sleepy again at 5 or 6, Now if I could learn to string all those hours TOGETHER – and skip the middle-of-the-night TV time. Hi, Scoutie! Glad you’re able to have a little more fun outside now. Wish it was easier for you, old girl. You & Claudia take care of each other – bet you’re both counting the days until Dad gets home. :>)
I’ve never read JK Rowling’s H. Potter series and saw the first movie, but now feel guilty and think perhaps I should try her other books after reading your comments Claudia. Yes, she’s made millions, perhaps even billions, but must definitely have what it takes to be a great writer.
Are you doing all this reading at night when not sleeping well! I try to read at bedtime but always fall asleep and don’t get far!
LOVELY Ms. Scout pics.
Mary X
That ring is surely an heirloom..Glad I’m not an heir..Miss Scoutie looks wonderful..Oh how I envy those of you who don’t have to walk your dogs..Good exercise for me though..Several hours a day..
I’m so glad you were able to get your heating system working more efficiently, Claudia. Mine is so old — 1935 coal, converted to oil, then converted to gas… but the same oil boiler! I need to replace it but dread the expense. I love your spider ring! I’m always tempted to ask for a kiddie treat from the dentist but have to content myself with free toothbrushes and floss! That Scout girl really looks like she thinks deep thoughts….. just sayin’ ….