Looking for...

It really does feel like I've been dragging stuff around in my prospecting quest.

DD#1 and I had a marvelous time hunting up the things she had listed on her to-do list!  It took a bit to get her to take her clothes off, ahem; but once we got her into that change room the sales gal and I undated her with all kinds of options and now she has a pretty exciting wardrobe!

I suspect her favourite outfit was the Canada sweat shirt.  She is dressed for Canada Day and all our birthday celebrations!

We got all that done the morning/day I flew in.  My fitbit clocked 8 miles!  I was wonked but pleased.

Early next morning we checked her in for day surgery on her sinuses.  Among other things, she cannot breath through her nose nor taste nor smell.    When they wheeled her back I was sure we needed some kind of red alert but she is a trooper and 2 hours later I got her back to the hotel and we both collapsed!

We spent a quiet day in the room, me running room service (Yay for Timmies!)  and Laura trying to get comfortable.


Next morning we headed off to her home for the next week.  She shouldn't lift so I'm the packie! Maybe we shouldn't have shopped so much!!!   Only problem was I slipped on some water in the grocery store aisle getting groceries for the week and my ankle knew it!   So we both shared the couch and watched old movies!

Back to Edmonton for her follow up and it was a very rainy, miserable trip.  My brother and sister in law greeted us with candles as trees were down and power was out!

My plane flew out the next evening so we thought to kill some time with a few odds and ends at the BIG mall.   I didn't know I needed Royal Dalton dishes.  I thought I was safe in there while she added to her tea cup collection.  LUV!!!

Speaking of tea...

Expensive chocolate is wasted on the grand kiddies.  So I got expensive cookies.  lol

I did strike some gold in my shopping.  I was looking for purses and not shown is my lovely neutral backpack purse.  My dishes are awaiting a new kitchen which hasn't quite arrived yet as the Rooster didn't get the place we were hoping for so we are still prospecting.  Hopefully there is more gold ' in them thar hills!'.

In the mean time we'll keep looking!

Travelling Faster!

Well, I was flying so fast I was gonna beat my DD#1 to the airport.  She was arriving on Wednesday and I was headed to the airport for Tuesday 7:00 am flight!   That means getting up WAY too early!

 oh well, how wrinkled can things get???  lol

Now I have a time for a better blog post.

I didn't actually wear the hat on mother's day but the challenge on 40+ style was hats!  I'm not sure it actually fits.  Now I see it, I think I'll pass it to Eliana or Jolina! 

DD and I are going shopping right after my plane lands.  We have been texting back and forth as to basic wardrobe choices.  We have a plan and a very BIG mall to cruise!

On the house hunting front...

I have hopes that the Rooster will have reached the end of the trail before I return!

In the meantime,  I am dreaming up a hobby room!   The blank squares are areas that don't really interest me like the kitchen!  lol

I had thought to get Nina dusted off and make a tote for the trip but she isn't happy I have been neglecting her.  It has been too long and I couldn't locate my manual to understand exactly what she wanted tweaked!   sew...   no tote!  Besides I am showing Nina the new playroom plans.  Maybe I can mollify her with packing up, reorganizing, and promises!  Here's hoping that I'm no longer flying ahead of the reality checks!!!

A bit of journalling!

It is that time of year- graduations!

So this is not my own journaling which has been reduced to penciled entries.  :{

So here follows a brief selection of photos.  I used a heavy scrapbook paper for the cover and a narrow duct tape to reinforce the spine.  The inside paper is a pad of medium weight kraft paper I got and wished I'd got the other pads.  Super useful for homemade journals so I'll be looking for a roll of the stuff as the grand kiddies need nature journals for next year.  This journal just has one signature.
 

The young fellow's favourite colour is red so...

 His graduation present is a trip for he and his teacher (mother), from his principal (father).

 His brother graduated last year.

 

 I have tried to incorporate his likes.

 He is a great reader...

and a hard worker!

I have tried to leave lots of space for his own thoughts.

And of course lots of pockets for memorabilia. 

Making these journals is so much fun and no matter how busy I like to do them.  Now to get ready to add some more to my own journal as I get ready to travel again!

Travelling fast

I seem to be having to pack a lot and we haven't even found a place to move to yet!

I got to use my new wardrobe planning skills for the annual weekend retreat.  I didn't chose a neutral but just went with my favourite burgundy combos.  You know, not many actually notice that you are wearing the same skirt!  lol  My best look is medium values and monochromatic colour schemes.  So easy!  I will be adding the accent colours for the neutrals with accessories.

The fashion site is focusing on accessories this month.  I had no idea shoes and belts were accessories.  I have always worn earrings but even they need 'bumping up' so it'll be an enlightening month.  Most of these accessories except for purse and shoes comes from the thrift shop.  I had never even looked in their accessory section before.  :O

I will be traveling to Edmonton, a major city, to be with my DD#1 who is facing surgery for the first time in her life.  I'm the blankie and chicken soup brigade.  We will arrive the day before and spend it shopping.  She wants me to keep her from her favourite pastime- books and chocolates, and focused on replenishing her wardrobe.  I now have 'skills' so I'll be happy to usher her into the change room, confiscate her garments, and send in all the possibles.  So fun and it'll be her money we spend and not the Roosters!  lol  She wants, navy, grey and natural (taupe) to be her neutrals and the colour to be burgundy.  I am only on the look out for a burgundy purse.  Here is hoping!

 We are still traveling all over the place looking for the perfect spot.  Timing will be everything!    A smaller barn at this place but tons more yard work!  :/

In the mean time, I need to travel around the flower beds.  After a yes/no/maybe so,  we seem to be settling into YES!  Its Spring!

Lists and piles

The spring weather turned cold and rainy and then we had snow warnings.  Now we are waiting for sun and warm temperatures. 

In the midst of gosh awful weather we have been keeping real estate appointments and exploring back roads looking for property.   We can certainly identify the low spots in the country!

Rubber boots and something stylish under the parka are working but when the sun comes out I am hoping to have upped the fashion statement!

I am trying to not let DD#2's book piles get too far ahead of me.  Just when I think I'm wasting time I come across one that needs to go in the discard pile or maybe the wait until ...  pile.

Today was Art 101 in my kitchen as their parents had an appointment.  I really do need a better wet room space as we made such a mess!

Turns out the appointment is for tomorrow so guess who are spending the night!!!

Now I do have a few deadlines on my list.  A travel journal for a young fellow who graduates next month.  I need to have it finished as we will take it when we head off on our annual DL retreat which is pending, weather permitting!  Oye, I need a list of what to take.

As anyone can see,  the list keeps piling up!

A lab experiment!

Scored a lab coat at the thrift shop.  Hopefully it gets lots of colourful slops on it because I just sent 26 garments to the varage site. Downsizing! They were either black, no longer useful or just not flattering.  I am experimenting with lighter colours and flattering fit! 

It was a bad idea when I downsized my sewing patterns.  Studying my flattering fit suggestions,  I can think of 3 patterns right off the top of my wooden head that I should have kept.  The fabric store I visited in the city was  not friendly/helpful last time so after last week's excursion I am thinking was my final visit.  They turned the pattern cabinets to face the sales counter and they find the patterns for you when they aren't busy!  :/  Anyway, I have been calling around and the patterns I want are gonna be easiest to get online.  No wonder brick and mortar stores go out of business.  One fabric store didn't even carry patterns!  ??? 

To console myself I stopped at a brick and mortar quilt shop who encouraged and supported my rant.  Therefore...

My excuse was I need a new purse (red) so this would be easier than explaining the leather purchase!  Some story, huh?  They also had a vest pattern but it was similar to the one I actually kept.   I am so frugal.  snort!  The Sari yarn will be for bracelets which I really want to be part of my personal style.

I did also get a fit bit!   The Rooster is checking it at the end of my day and I have joined,  after some excruciating back and forth messaging, a group from my style club who are dressing for style while they literally downsize!

I have 3 months worth of super vitamins to get me perky and I shall alternate healthy citrus/vegetable juice/smoothies and glasses of water for this experimental marathon. 

We'll see how this experiment works out!  But I can't just stand around sipping water.  It is STEPS that count!  The race is ON!

Spring Song

 

About two days ago it started getting noisy around here.  I don't need another hobby so I was resisting looking.  But last night I knew the little guy was in the tree behind my bedroom window!  Big puffy chest.  ???

This morning I went out to hang up the bedding on the line.  Ah, a robin!  Of course, they like to nest in that old potting shed and sit in the trees!  I can put away the bird book. phew!

And whereas I need rubber boots to stand at the clothes line, (lowest place on the yard, I think);  it is probably time to start thinking about spring chores

                                         

But I have been on a bit of a tangent.  AGAIN!   I have been 'analyzing' my clothes.  TOO much information!  I thought I had it just about licked when it was dropped into my screen that the colour of our hair, eyes and skin 'greatly' influences our clothing choices.  I knew through colour season analysis that I was a winter (circa 1975)  and I knew aging dulls things a bit.  But I was kinda thrown of my main tangent trail into a side eddy when I realized just how much my colouring has changed (2017).  I am mostly neutral- dark brown hair is totally silver now, brown eyes are a dull hazel and my skin has never been shiny and colourful.  So I am neutral dominant and light valued.  I do best in a monochromatic colour scheme in a mid range and with a light bright thrown in or perhaps an analogous palette which I really do luv!  Can you here me yip yipping?  I SEE says the blind man. Makes sense to me!   And if you think monochromatic is boring-  check out the vivienne files

My styling for our house sale has gone to a neutral background with a monochromatic colour for major pieces and pops of soft accent colours!  I luv it! I feel validated!
 
 It also explains my monochromatic flower beds!

This should directly impact my creative art journey.  Knowing what I know I'll be able to eliminate a lot of impulse spending and add some great art!

Whoo hoo!   I'll be springing into action and singing a new song!