Murphy entertains - AGAIN!!

Oh - if you only knew! While I'm doing a great job with the rest of the house, I'll confess that Studio B looks like a train wreck! There's something about that space that just won't let me tidy it up! Many things have homes, and that works, but there are too many irons in the fire at the moment, and I just can't get it cleaned up! 

Case in point: I went to cut some quilt blocks yesterday. Where can I put my mini design boards? They were teetering on one of my digital cutters and in danger of falling. 

No place for the mini-design boards

I'm not happy with the situation, but I need more time—which I don't have much of these days—to complete some projects. I'm not stressed and working quite nicely to the deadlines, but I'm only completing what needs to be done and then moving on without putting away or completing some projects. Kudos to those who can only work on one project! They must not be teachers or do this for a living. 

But I can't let that get me down. Slow and steady, and do what you can. I also need to get back to the long arm, and getting time for that seems like a challenge at the moment! 

My schedule for Zoom events for SVP exploded for February and will likely do the same for March. I need to have some clear space by then to do my presentations. As I'm walking the dogs, I'd better develop some ideas. Otherwise, I may have to buy a tub or grab some boxes, and put some of this stuff away. I do not want to do that, but I may have no choice. Sigh.

So many ideas, so little time! And let's not forget all the decluttering I want to continue with. I need much longer days. Who says they are bored? That's just not possible. How can one be bored when there are so many things to learn and do?

I've been exploring (for fun) tiny houses. These are the TINY houses, not small ones. Most are 500 square feet or less. I could live in a tiny house, but I couldn't work in a TINY house. I'd need a spot for all my stuff! I think a tiny house is great for ONE person, so it won't work at this time, but wouldn't it be neat to live in a small place and that's ALL the stuff you own? How fun and how freeing! 

I swear that's why walking the Camino is such a great experience. You carry only a minimal amount of stuff, and there are no worries along the way. Yep, I can see myself going back! 

I took my afternoon break and headed to Studio U to work on the puzzle. Hey, I may not be sewing there, but I use the room at least. 

The jigsaw puzzle status

Yes, this one is tough! Thankfully, there are only 500 pieces, and I'm making progress. Do you ever look at a puzzle and think that some pieces must be missing as that doesn't look like a lot of pieces. But so far, no missing pieces. Yes - I bought all these puzzles from the thrift store. I purchased them for $5 a piece, most of them with a discount coupon or on senior's day. This one was an excellent value for my money!

So I'm madly writing, taking pictures, editing, and all that good stuff. You'll see the fruits of my labor later this month. I enjoy it, but it's very time-consuming, which is probably why I'm behind in other things. Would I give it up? I've thought of that many times, but here's the thing. Writing these articles is what pushes me to LEARN a whole lot of new things. So, will I give it up? The bigger question should be - can I afford (from a learning perspective) to give it up? The answer is NO. 

I must learn to back off a bit. I write and write and write. I could get away with less, which I must do in 2025. Do less - learn, but do less! 

While eating dinner the other night, I had to contend with this. Murphy is an entertainer. There are no doubts about that. She can be quiet as a mouse until she knows she has an audience (sitting at the kitchen table) or relaxing in the living room. Then she becomes animated! That dog is NOT stupid. 

So here she is, laying on her blankets and watching the ball out of the corner of her eye. 

Mom - I'm watching that ball in case it moves

In 60 seconds, this is where she was. The ball somehow got buried in the blankets, and she tossed them to the opposite end of the room. Eventually, the ball fell out. But how can you not watch this? It's certainly entertaining, and you can't help but laugh at her!!! All in a good way, of course. I must put that pile of blankets back at least twice a day! 

Mom - that ball moved! 

Does she do it for treats? I don't think so since neither Lexi nor Murphy get frequent treats in our house. Does she do it for attention? I'm not sure, but this one is a live one! We love you, Murphy!

Oh my - the temperature is a bit cooler these days. But seriously - if you dress for the weather, it's not bad. I'm still out walking the girls and my afternoon walks, and sometimes, especially in the morning, I throw an extra wind jacket over my down sweater, and I'm good to go. It surprises me how many people complain of the cold, but their jackets hang open, and they do not wear mitts, hats, or scarves. Yep - you're going to be cold - dress for it! I still walk to the grocery store or whatever other errand needs to be done. 

The other thing I see is vehicles sitting in driveways warming up with no one around. They are using their remote starters. Guess what? Most vehicles have seat and steering wheel warmers. Your vehicle's engine does not need to warm up, not like before. I get in my car and go. I don't wait; I don't warm it up! Did you know your car warms up faster when you're driving it? If you need to defrost the windshield, that's a different story. But these days? There is no need for that. 

A lot of people have gone soft. What would they do if we had to experience a significant catastrophe in our area? They would crumble!

On that note, I'm psyching myself up to go out. This is the coldest morning for us this winter. Minus 12 C with a wind chill of minus 19. Piece of cake - the girls are begging to go out! As a matter of fact, they are very frisky on a morning like this! 

And on that chilly note, I'm out of here!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!