Janus, is the door still open???

Janus- In his role as the Guardian of Exits and Entrances, Janus was also believed to represent beginnings. The explanation for this belief being that one must emerge through a door or gate in order to enter into a new place. Therefore, the Romans also considered Janus as the God of Beginnings and his name was an obvious choice for the first month of their year...a month referred to by the Ancient Romans as Ianuarius, which is not so far removed from the modern-day "January," taken from the Etruscan word jauna which means "door." Originally, however, Janus was honored on the first day of every month, in addition to being worshipped at the beginning of planting season and again at the harvest. Deference was also paid to him at the most important beginnings in the life of an individual...such as birth and marriage.

What a busy month.  We have been house hunting.   The idea of an empty basement has me wildly excited!  No!  We haven't even got to the offer part so this is is just wild speculation on my part.  The Rooster is more interested in pantry space.  lol

We also have a house guest.  So my skills at hand work haven't moved along much but my card holding has improved as has my game playing skills.   My mark making pens and my thread and needle have not had much chance to play.  Nice to have a 20 year old young fella bump us out of our rut.  But we were telling him there is one thing lacking since he arrived.  Sleep!!!  lol

 I joined a style challenge that had me delving in the depths of my closet and sharpened my previously non existent selfie skills.   This is my relaxing Sunday afternoon outfit.  I am not comfortable with wearing leggings in public.  But so nice at home!  Trying to look good sure takes lots of time.  I had to stop to shop for a couple of basics including this top.  :O
 

 The room I had picked to begin the whole house 'touch up and call it done'  project was the art room.  This is the final run through for our 'ready to move' purge.

I hadn't expected to do much but the seasonal sort of all the smaller bits for scrapbooking/planners turned out to be relatively easy and quick.   There isn't  a lot of room to do much but tidy and easy access is always good!  ;^)

Last page for the January set of planner pages.  I can't quite comprehend how the time has flown.
But I did notice that Janus is also available for the beginning of each new month.  phew!  I can start again with all my good intentions! 

Happiness is...

Happiness is seeing this Canadian Sunrise rose finally come into its own.  I had planted it as a small planting many years ago but it obviously never thrived so I brought up by the house.  She is now happy!  The buds are orangey  colour and fade to light yellow.

Happiness is having the last bit of barn cleaning in sight.  It is kinda gloomy in the barn and I can't quite bring myself to follow the sunrise photo with the nightshade aspect of the barn.

Happiness is having the grass all cut but again  copious swaths of dried cut grass all over the lawn doesn't make for pretty.

My dear friend Irmgard is also downsizing in her shop.  She offered me an old paper storage cabinet.  I hummed and hawed but I'm SO happy that I  went ahead and got it.  I assured the Rooster I had gotten rid of 2-3 other things so that he would help me carry it up to the art room.

A bit of ugly-

It is inevitable to make things worse before they get better.  I had moved out one of the tall book cases to the new sewing room.  It doesn't look much better but the results will make me happy.

This is better and is the rough sort.  I will be locating all the cafeteria trays I can find.  shh, don't tell the Rooster as he has some he uses for his sausage making.  When we got the trays were wondered what we'd do with them.  Having even more would makes us happier!  But who knew???
I will be putting all my stamps out on one layer of tray and categorized by type.  whoo hoo!  Stamping is gonna be so much more fun.  :)

I got the big sort done before the second lot of visitors arrived.  Next I will fine tune the drawers that are now available since the stamps have vacated!  There is only art supplies in here.  Well, the majority of my books, quilting, design, home dec, and all are here as well.

The sewing room is looking like everything can fit which actually surprised me.  There is only fabric/fibre related  supplies here and my fine beads.  The chunkier bits and polymer clay tools are in the art room.  I really tried to think categories with the necessary supplies  kept together. There is a bit of overlap.  :}  Now for getting those last few things done so I can call that room finished.

I couldn't have planned how the two repainted bookshelves and this old china cabinet fit on this wall if I'd tried.  There is like 1/4 inch wiggle room! The bottom holds my hand sewing supplies.   When I realized I needed a second coat of colour I decided a gallon was cheaper that 2 different quarts so this room is the same as the sewing room.  Not perfect but certainly fine.  I had been thinking pink but when I started putting things in place I realize it is peachy and a warm pink so the peach cotton duvet cover from the thrift shop just may be the perfect curtain.  The basics have been covered and now it is to hang the pictures, tweak my stuff and have a comfy sit down.  It feels very cool to be back in the original master bedroom after all these years as we begin to prepare for selling.

The best will always raise the happiness factor!  Hopefully by the time the kids come for their visit this will have all had the final and best finale! 

And happiness is counting my blessings.  I may have struggled a bit with a blue funk but as I see my sister struggling with depression and dementia I am so happy to have my friends, my family,  my health and my hobbies, and the ability/desire to pursue creativity.