:: After 2 rather sleepless nights, I arose yesterday morning and without the benefit of even one sip of coffee, shoveled a long path through the snow so the dogs could take care of business. That being done, I came back in the house, drank the coffee and then proceeded, with the help of my husband, to shovel more snow. Another 8 inches. Enough already.
Anyway, I came back in after all the shoveling and decided that I was going to get back into my pajamas and wear them the rest of the day. And I did.
My pink flannel ‘squirrel’ pajamas, a present from my husband a Christmas or so ago. Now, check out the slippers. My friends, these are not the sort of slippers I would usually choose for myself. But, I’ve been having a slipper problem. I cannot wear the kind that slip on and have no support around the heel. They fall off – often when I’m running up the stairs – resulting in bruised knees. So I buy the slippers that are not slip on. Unfortunately, they stretch out rather quickly. The last pair I tried stretched out in a ridiculously short amount of time and kept falling off my feet. So last week, I set out on a search for slippers. There wasn’t much to choose from. I suppose they were snatched up for Christmas presents. I bought a pair at Target. I came home and realized they were terrible – they didn’t fit right. I went back out. Looked everywhere. Sick of the whole thing, I went into TJ Maxx and grabbed these. They are so not me. When I showed them to Don, we both laughed. I was doubtful.
I love them. Who knew? They are warm and wonderful, especially with hardwood floors. Maybe I can spend every day in my flannel pajamas and slippers. They make me happy.
:: As I was traveling to NYC the other day, Don came home to a frozen pipe under the kitchen sink. It’s been really cold here, but I don’t think we realized how cold it was that morning. Fortunately, it had only been frozen for a short while. Hair dryer in hand, he eventually heard a drip. Then another. Then the gush of warm water.
Since it has remained very cold and will be for the next few days, we are living with cupboard doors open, so the pipes are exposed to the warm air in the kitchen. It’s driving me nuts. Between that and the keeping the drips going, I feel like I’m living in a bunker. And yes, we have wrapped all the pipes we can reach with insulation. These are in the crawl space under the kitchen and we can’t get to them.
:: The garland on my living room cupboard/armoire is staying where it is. It makes me happy. Speaking of the cupboard, I must confess that it holds some items that I am hoarding.
Yes, I admit it. I do not like the new energy efficient CFLs. I have them. I’ve tried using them in several lamps. I want to be a good citizen. But, I do not like the quality of the light they emit. And, quite frankly, I don’t like being told that they are the only kind of bulb I can use in the future. Excuse me? Plus, they have mercury in them and if broken, are dangerous. And we all break light bulbs. So, every time I go out, I buy some more incandescent bulbs.
I recycle. I try to be environmentally conscious in my home. But I hate CFLs. I want good, old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs. And if that means I have to be on a episode of Hoarders, so be it.
:: My friend Donna of Brynwood Needleworks sent me this:
She made this pincushion for me, using my favorite color. Isn’t it adorable? It is swoonalicious (a new word I’ve had coined for just this kind of sweetness.) Thank you, my talented friend!
:: I am a lover of words. Words have power. My professional work deals directly with the power of words. Once written or uttered out loud, they cannot be taken back. Their energy goes out into the world. Something has been bothering me for a few years now. Surely, surely there can be no debate, no question that the political rhetoric in this country needs to change. Name calling, character assassination, demeaning language – all of it promotes and condones a lack of civility in this country that is appalling. It cheapens the debate. Wherever someone stands on the political spectrum, if he or she consistently uses inflammatory language, demeaning language, language meant to incite violence in any form – be it literal or figurative, that person forfeits his standing as someone to be listened to and respected.
This isn’t a political blog. I try to keep my political beliefs private. But this lack of civility is becoming more and more an ‘accepted’ way to treat one’s fellow man. It takes a bit more time to choose one’s words carefully, but it simply must be done. We must treat each other with respect. We are all one.
:: Have a wonderful day. I’m going to work on my script today. And then travel to Manhattan tomorrow.
I don’t use those light bulbs either, we did and they say they last seven years…try six months, and they are expensive, so no more!!! I love your wreath!
I would love a pair of slippers like those, but in brown so they wouldn’t show dirt from wearing them all the time. I cleaned out the shoes in my closet the other day, and I found two pairs of slippers that I forgot I had. I have a shopping bag full of shoes to give away. Since I had foot surgery over a year ago, I’ll never be able to wear most of my shoes anyway.
You are a good “mom” to your pups. Shoveling a path for them before coffee takes a lot of love!
We are using the new bulbs, but I don’t like the small amount of light emitted from them. We have three light fixtures that require 4 bulbs each, and they were burning out faster than we could buy the bulbs, so we switched.
I so totally agree with you about all the political rhetoric these days. Words are powerful, so much so, that sometimes after I hit send, I am sorry! I always try to read what I’ve typed first. Sometimes I don’t, though.
I have loved words for as long as I can remember. I remember sitting on my aunt’s knee when I was 3 or 4 learning to read those words on the page. It seemed like magic to me.
Claudia you are so right about words and their power. Too many people have been abusing that power on all sides of all issues. I stay away from politics in my public persona as well, preferring to focus on more positive aspects of life, but sometimes one just has to say something. And you said it perfectly without identifying or leaning towards one side or the other.
As for those bulbs, I too am not PC about the new ones and believe I will start hoarding the ones that give better light. Now I just need a pretty cabinet like yours…. stay warm and enjoy NYC. Ann
So love your green pottery. HATE vehemently those new light bulbs … called the company that they aren’t cracked up to be as advertised, they reimbursed us for our expense … don’t even like the light they give off.
Have a beautiful day ~
TTFN ~
Hugs, Marydon
Hi Claudia:
So glad you love your new pincushion. I made the special little pins that are already in the cushion, too! hee hee You can pull them out if you like.
I went to the hardware store last week and purchased a BOATLOAD of the incandescent bulbs in all sizes. I refuse to bring the hazardous ones into our home. I’ll probably go out and get MORE “Thomas Edisons” as soon as I can figure out where I’m going to store the cases I’ve already purchased. ;-/
Take care and stay warm in those sweet slippers. I love ’em!
xoxo
Donna
I should be hoarding these, too. I am with you in your thoughts about the “new” bulbs – don’t like the light and they are not “green” when they are done. Where do you take them for disposing of? Mercury? Yikes! Anddd….they are not made in the USA either. Enough ranting….
Love your slippers!! Stay warm!
xxoo
Becky
Stop hoarding good old fashioned incandescent light bulbs people — there won’t be enough left for ME to hoard.
I loathe the CFLs, and I have to admit that part of my loathing comes from my resistance to being bullied into using them.
Keep your taps cracked, no more frozen pipes — which is what you are wisely doing! We came home once to our row house in Pittsburgh years ago, to find the upstairs tenant had not cracked taps, and her pipes burst … right through the walls of OUR kitchen!
what a mess.
Good luck; stay warm. Love the slippers.
Cass
The new bulbs are ugly, dangerous, and give off an eerie odd weak light. To be told we must use them is an erosion of our liberty!
Claudia, I actually think those slippers are cute, and so are your flannels with the squirrels. Don did well! Love them!
And I live in a bunker with dripping water in winter. Being the typical Floridians, we aren’t prepared for freezing temps, so when they hit, we drip, drip, drip. The reason? I actually had the pipes in two houses burst years ago when we dropped from something like 80 degrees down to 18 in a single day. No one was expecting it, and when it happened, it was all over town!
We had a tiny cottage (about 700-800 square feet) we were restoring to sell, and we’d kept the original sink and faucets. During the unexpected freeze, they literally blew off the wall! I kid you not, and a friend of ours happened to go by there to show some friends (it was SO cute!) and peeped in the window and saw water on the kitchen floor. It had just happened so he ran to the street and cut the water off! We got it fixed, but still. And then a copper pipe burst outside and shot water through the stucco of our residence, into the library where I had stored some antique treasures which got wet. My boss and my best friend had to take care of that because we were out of town! That’s my two experiences with frozen pipes, and I never want it to happen again.
Hope you are staying warm and cozy and that you’ve managed to banish the blues (or greys). Wish you were here. Today is sunny, though a bit chilly. My offer still stands if you all want to come down with the pups.
XO,
Sheila :-)
P.S. If that’t the case about light bulbs, I might just have to be a light bulb hoarder, too. I hoard other things, so what’s one more! ;-)
I’m with you on the lightbulbs!!! I’m in my PJ’s today too. My hubby was so sweet and shared his nasty cold with me so today is a couch day!!!
xxoo
Claudia,
I guess I have not been aware of light bulb rules. I am going to hoard as well. I just googled and read how you are supposed to clean up the mess if you break one – that would be a NOT.
I was in local politics for 9 years. I won’t even discuss the topic now. I am distraught and distressed at the tone and the behavior of our leaders.
Have fun in New York.
Carol
Perhaps we should start a club for lightbulb hoarders. I am glad I’m not the only one!
One of my favorite classes in college was “Word Origins”. I think that’s what got me started with the word thing. Once in a while you will catch me just browsing through the dictionary for the fun of it.
As for the political thing, I truely believe that it is the partial cause of events like the one that happened here in Tucson last Saturday. Mud slinging is never a good thing! I’ll get down off of the soap box now.
I like your booties. Very cute!
Slippers: They may not be ‘you’, but they are so ‘me’! Love them!
Pretty green garland: Love it!
Light bulbs: You hit the nail on the head. MDH tried a couple of years ago to fool me with those new-fangled ones in all the fixtures. NOT! Hate ’em! Give me the soft glow of an incandescent anytime. In fact, most of my lamps hold the soft pink ones. Now THOSE are ones I’d like to hoard!
*´¨)
¸.*´¸.**´¨) ¸.**´¨)
(¸.*´ (¸.*´* Lori Lynn *
PS: I’m having a 400th post giveaway!!
I hate those bulbs! And I think it is a crime they are taking away our right to have them. Only in America. What a joke.
Claudia, have I told you that I drool every time I gaze upon your gorgeous pieces of pottery. The cornucopia is my favorite.
I like your new word. And, speaking of words, I agree to their power. I guess we have all had words come out of our mouth that we wanted to push back in, but couldn’t. That old saying about words can never hurt me – it just isn’t true.
Claudia ! What a delightful read you are!
I truly enjoyed your post today…and your writing style is bliss! really and truly I feel as though I was sharing my cup of morning coffee with you as I was reading….
let’s see…there are so many different points you mentioned…open cupboard doors, that would drive me nuts as I am a total neat freak and like things tidy and always put away! but you’ll get through!
and yes! I adore your bootie slippers! they look so comfortable I can see why you would rather don your pj’s all the day long!
thanks so much for stopping in to see me..and for leaving me your thoughts…I’m glad you’re ‘hooked’ on blogging too!
have a great day!
ciao bella Claudia!
Creative Carmelina
Ah, a good pair of slippers is a true find! I love slippers and can totally understand.
As for words, yes, I think they are very powerful, just like our thoughts.
Wouldn’t it be nice if all this name calling, finger pointing and dishonorable behavior motivated us as a country to become more conscious about how we treat others? I have always taught my children to stop for a moment and consider a bully, for it is only from a deep sense of unworthiness that someone can speak hurtfully to another. I feel compassion for those who speak harm towards others. I know inside they are suffering. When you feel true self love, you will treat others with respect and love. (imho)
I love our country so much! I am excited to see us all grow and learn!
Hugs,
Terri
I love those slippers! And that garland. I remember when you first hung it there, and it looked so perfect, I thought it would stay.
I agree about the meanness in the public forum these days. I thought the name-calling and scapegoating that went on — and continues to go on — after last weekend was just terrible.
Claudia, I have the same problems with slippers. I can’t find ones I like. I’m on th’ hunt also, sugar.
I’ve hoarded incandescent bulbs also. I refuse to use the CFL ones because they don’t emit enough light for these eyes. I’m stockpiling them and even going to buy them from China when I find a source. They still make them over there.
I agree with you on the civility. Our church teaches that women need to be more softer and “kinder”, for a loss of a better word. I try to be but sometimes my “passions” take over. I refuse to demean, and love the status of being, “a child of God” by being like the foul-mouthed and unfeminine women of today. As you, my blog rarely if ever espouses my politics and this is one of the reasons why, plus I want it to be a soft place for people to enjoy. I enjoy and love my femininity and love being a woman who is loved greatly by an extraordinary man. I AM a child of God and try to show it in every way I am able. :-)
xoxo,
Connie
Your slippers, in white are lovely–yes I mean it ,lol–I`m in love with all things cosy, and old fashioned like slippers with pom,poms—–
As for the language spoken of some people-read political language- being totally lacking civility and human normal decent behavior-I totally agree with you,- it is unacceptable.Makes the persons not worth listening to,– are they from one- party,or other– does not matter.. We see (hear) the same here, but maybe not so strongly as in US .
Claudia, wishes you a lovely and cosy evening, with your sweet slippers :)
Hugs,Dorthe
Love those pj’s! Are they Nick & Nora? They have sweet, colorful patterns just like that!
Hope the weather warms up so you don’t have any frozen pipe worries. Your kitchen is so cozy looking. I just love it.
We have switched over to the new bulbs for the most part. I didn’t like the light they cast either, so I bought the “daylight” ones. They’re worse – a horried, cold, blue light emitted from them. And I don’t like the idea of the mercury either.
Have fun in New York tomorrow, Claudia!
Donna
Claudia,
I’m with you on the light bulb issue. Well for me it is an issue.I’m doing away w/ the CFl ones.Hate them! Ck. out my Blog!
xx Liz
I am trying to post this from my iPad, we shall see if i am doing this right. I agree with you on all accounts. For some politicians to back track now after all the ugliness and fear they have spread, and pretend what they said did not contribute to all that happened last week is crazy.
By the way luvthe slippers,
Xo,
Mere
100% agree, we all need to treat one another with respect, no matter our beliefs, political or otherwise. I’m the same with the light bulbs! I’d much rather have the old fashioned ones.
That garland is perfect where it is, I wouldn’t move it either! Love your pajama day, those are the best. Have a great night!
~Michelle
LOVE YOUR SLIPPERS. AND YOUR PJ’S MUST BE SOOOOOOO CUTE. I DO THAT SOMETIMES MYSELF, IT IS SO COMFORTABLE.
DON’T LIKE TO GET INTO POLITICS….BUT,
YOUR RIGHT. SNOW SNOW GO AWAY, COME BACK NEXT YEAR, DOESN’T RHYME, BUT IT SOUNDS GOOD.TAKE CARE,
RIZZI
From one light bulb hoarder to another. Not sure what it is about the old ones, but I just can’t stop loven’ them.
T.J.Maxx you say. Guess you know where I’m heading tomorrow. Need to get out for just a bit. Just a wee little bit, so this is a perfect excuse.
Yes, it’s as cold here with pixie dust flurries on the way tonight.
Stay in and stay warm this weekend.
Kate XOXOXO
I love how you covered so many subjects in one post. I’ve said before it’s like getting a letter from a friend. Thanks for sharing the fuzzy, fun and frank stuff. You’re a treasure. xo
Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts with us today Claudia.
Just remember, spring will be here soon.
hugs
Sissie
It’s not just American politicians that need a lesson in manners, here in Australia they are just as bad. I tried to watch a parlimentary session on TV a few years ago but had to turn it off because of their infantile behaviour. I also agree with you about the light bulb issue, the CFL’s are awful, unfortunately the old incandescent bulbs are being phased out here and are very hard to find anymore. So much for freedom of choice.
HAPPY BELATED NEW YEAR CLAUDIA,
I do not like the new light bulbs, quote, of the future, either. They burn out quicker than my old light bulbs…we started writing the date on these things each time we changed them…one lasted a week…I didn’t think to write the company, I just never bought another one.
YOUR BANNER IS STUNNING against the white…did you make it…beautiful…I would leave it up also…it accents your beautiful pottery I am always drooling over.
The show Cash and Cari comes on Monday nights but sometimes I have caught it replaying on the weekend.
I really enjoy it.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
I love to wear my flannel PJ’s. They are fun, warm, soft, and embrace my inner child.
Have a Sugar Sweet Day
Simply Debbie
Okay, have I been living in a cave, or what? I didn’t know that the good light bulbs are not going to be available anymore. What’s with that? Oh my, another thing I’m going to start hoarding.
I love your “baby bootie” slippers! I have a pair very similar, minus the pom poms. Hagrid ate the pom poms. He also ate the pom poms off of one of my Christmas pillows. What is it about pom poms??
Anyway… enjoy your work and time in Manhattan. I bet you’re very good at what you do.
Hugs,
Jill
Ha ha, I love Jill’s comment that Hagrid ate her pom poms off her slippers!!!! I can picture the guilty look on his face!!!
I really dislike those light bulbs and I don’t see how anything with mercury can be a good thing!
Isn’t Donna so sweet, I love that she just whips up stuff and pops it in the mail!!! Love my blog friends, they are so kind and thoughtful!
In regards to the slandering ads….I purposely lose interest in that person’s campaign if they use them…. I don’t like to see others hurt from nasty and mean words….they should be asking you to pick them for the good qualities they have!
Love the slippers and jammy’s….cute!!!
Have a safe and fun trip!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B
Well, you certainly started a major discussion in our house about light bulbs! I knew that might get rid of the in candescent ones but my husband just informed me it was going to happen. I learned a lot from all of your comments today too! There’s always something to get upset about! On a postive note…love your slippers and jammies….looks a comfy, cozy day at your house! Be safe tomorrow on your way into the city!~Hugs, Patti
I love the slippers. My hubby bought me some man slippers with fleece inside that are so comfortable but soooo ugly. As for the light bulbs. My electric bill is so high that I buy the new ones and don’t complain.
Words speak loud don’t they. I have been guilty of speaking my mind too often. Hard to take them back once you do too. Good for you for speaking up this time!
I had no idea about the light bulbs. We won’t be able to buy them any more? I also don’t like the others.
We are also having slipper issues but mainly we can’t find some that are warm enough. Our floors are so cold that we can’t get our feet warm. The only time my feet are warm are in the shower and while I am in bed tucked under my fluffy duvet.
You are probably
chugging your way
into Manhattan as
I type. I know what
you mean about the
slippers. Last year
I bought something
similar on the sale
rack at Famous Footwear.
They are black and made
by Rocket Dog and have
the pop poms, too! They
have an outdoor sole, so
I even wore them on
the plane to Palm Springs
in March : ) Your kitchen
island is amazing {had to
get that in}! And I agree
with you about the CFLs and
hope desperately that the
law will be repealed. If
they could repeal it in
New Zealand, than we can
darn well do it here! Imagine
how ugly those CFLs are going
to look in fixtures where
the light bulb is meant to
show? It’s keep me frozen from
making any fixture changes
in my house…..And yes,
let’s bring back civility.
I always hated it when people
refer to our presidents by
their last name only….as in
“Bush” said this….or “Obama”
does that. It’s PRESIDENT
Bush and PRESIDENT Obama,
people!! No matter who you
voted for, the person in the
office deserves the R E S P E C T!
Okay, I’m done.
Happy Friday!
xx Suzanne
Love the slippers!
I actually do like the newer light bulbs. I have replaced all the old style ones in my house with the new ones. It all started with the porch light. I was replacing that darn bulb at least once a month and the newer (I call them twisty bulbs) one has been in there for almost 5 years, so they do pay for themselves. These particular lights get brighter as they warm up. They can be rather dim when you first turn them on, but brighten up nicely after a few minutes. They are also coming out with more attractive styles for fixtures where the bulbs are showing.
hi claudia,
i enjoy these little glimpses into life at MHC. everything is so pretty. i want to see more!
enjoy your jammie time (i’m in mine at 7 p.m. thank you very much).
very much in agreement with your sentiments, too. go, claudia!
have fun in the big city!
xo
elyse
ps
did you see fifi’s latest blog post — call for photos!? ooh la la, claudia!
Oh Claudia, you, your blog, and your posts are as beautiful as ever. I have missed you and blogland, but I’m back!! (under a new blogname) Hopefully you’ll remember me as Eclectic Pink Rose. Come by and visit me often!! I’m following you again. So good to be back!!!
Bravo! I agree totally with your thoughts on the lightbulbs and plan to hoard some myself. I always enjoy reading your blog and love hearing what you have to say. You are an inspiration. Have a nice weekend! Twyla
Who knew? Those are my favorite type of “slipper.” I would wear them as shoes if they had a platform on them – say 3 inches ;)I wish I could send you some Florida sunshine to melt the snow and keep the pipes from freezing. This will only make Spring all the more beautiful. Peace. Brianne