Let's play ball!!!

Not to throw anyone into a panic, but there are a couple of things to mention. 

YES—there is a virtual retreat this weekend. I keep forgetting to mention it. The links will be at the end of today's post, much to Zoom's dismay. Posting links in a public place is a no-no in the security world.  

Second -- I'm almost finished reading The Brain At Rest, by Dr. Joseph Jebelli, PhD, and OH MY GOSH!!! Did you know how much exercise can make your brain bigger? And a bigger brain means that if you have a stroke or some other kind of injury, there is more of your brain left, so the damage may not be as bad. I'm sure I made that sound way too easy. Exercise also releases some chemicals that make your brain a happy place - helping to reduce depression, Alzheimers, etc. 

WAIT -- the good news is that you do not need to lift weights or run a marathon. A simple walking routine EVERY DAY can make a huge difference! HUGE!!! So don't be afraid of exercise - there are lots of programs out there that have you sit in a chair and do various routines, so you don't even need to worry about losing your balance. You do not need to work out hard enough to sweat! It's MOVING that is important.

Exercise is huge, and most people figure they are too old for it. Or why start now? But you would be surprised. 

I used to be a gym junkie and would freak out if I missed a day - well, maybe not that bad. But then I got out of it for a bit, and now I'm getting back into it (can you believe I even contemplated going to the gym this morning - ON MY OWN!), but I had some pictures to take. The next time you wonder where my energy comes from, remember energy begets energy. So the more exercise I do, the more energy I have!

And I want my brain to keep functioning as well, so, besides doing the puzzles, sewing, and other things, exercise will help!

When you work freelance, you never know what your day will entail. After discussion with some of my "bosses" yesterday, I'm taking a wee turn, and that works for me. And it gives me a wee bit of breathing room at this point. As for the two classes this week, I basically have one presentation ready to go - I still need to add in a few pictures, and that allows me the entire day to work on the other one. 

WAIT ---- if you do one thing today, it's this. If you are a scroller of Facebook, PLEASE DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING that you see. If you see something that sounds real, go to a website and fact-check it. While there are some good things on Facebook, I would hope that your friends' posts are real, but everything else? Most are FAKE. They (whoever they are) are feeding you information that you WANT to believe, but if you fact-check it, someone has faked it! 

By the way, does anyone post personally on Facebook anymore? I do from time to time, but not often. 

As for sewing, I did get some sewing done. I can't share any of it at this point in time, but I have made good progress. I managed to make and trim a few more hourglass blocks! 

Hourglass blocks trimmed

I am packing for the upcoming quilt retreat, and I had to dig around on the current projects table to find a few things. Except for one spool of thread, I think I have amassed everything at the bottom of the stairs. 

Packing for quilt retreat

Except Murphy, of course, who is going to stay home. I know—you are thinking that's a lot of stuff to take, and it is. I plan to load it in the car over the weekend as it's all fabric. There are boxes of scraps that need to be sorted and cut. BOXES, but when you only have to chat with others, sort, and cut? You can get through a lot in a day. I also have a couple of tubs of fleece scraps that I'm going to cut. And I'm taking the scraps for my 365-day quilt to see if I can get a few more blocks cut for that. I have a few projects that will require handwork. It's all pretty light, as they're just scraps, and I plan to leave everything in the car and pull out one container at a time. I must remember to pack the car so that it is easy to do. 

I don't plan on taking my sewing machine, but I'm taking a cutting mat and chair risers, so I hope to raise my own sewing space and not bother the others at the cutting table. I find cutting and sorting little pieces extremely therapeutic, and I can't wait. Besides, I'm clearing stuff off the current projects table, so all is good!!!

As for puzzles, I'm making great progress on that as well. 

Getting close to the finish!

YES --- almost finished, and I had some therapy time as I moved all the pieces onto two small design boards before closing up shop last night. I hadn't been successful in finding homes for all the pieces I had pulled, but I'm now at the point where I can grab either board, scour for pieces, and put them in immediately. I gave myself one hour and fifteen minutes last night. It works for me because I also wanted to read. 

I'm hooked on these darn things, which I knew I would be since I've always loved working on puzzles. But never seemed to have the time. Now I have more time! 

Here are the three I got at the thrift store earlier this week. 

Movies!

Animals

Garden

Yes, occasionally a piece or two might be missing, but really, for the price, you can't beat it. Those three cost me about $20, which is less than the cost of one at full price. Some might be of questionable quality, but all the ones I have purchased look great, with great pictures. I shall continue to buy from the thrift store, although I treat myself every once in a while to a brand new one. 

A friend of mine recently acquired a golden retriever puppy (3 months old). I hope she knows what she's in for! 

Lots of morning cuddles and needy time!

MOM - I'm needy!!! 

MOM - I just woke up and need cuddles!!!

And let's not forget about playing ball!!

MOM - Did you say play ball? I thought I heard you say, "Let's play ball!"

MOM -- throw the ball!!! Throw the ball!!!

And of course, I threw the ball, and it rolled out of the bushes and landed on the ice on the pond. Someone was NOT happy. Needless to say, no baseball team is ever going to draft me!!

CRAP - the ball rolled onto the pond!

As the ball rolled toward the edge, Muprhy tried desperately to reach it, but she knew the ice was not thick enough to support her. How the heck do dogs know that? She didn't touch the ice, but knew enough to stay back. 

MOM - the ball needs to be rescued!!!!

And let's not talk about the muddy feet. But you have to love them --- Murphy is adorable, and well, she knows it and milks that for all its worth! She is slowing down some - she's 11, I think, but the moment you put the leash on her, she is like a 3-month-old puppy!!!

If you haven't read Ragged Company by Richard Wagamese, you should. It's about this ragtag group of homeless people who win the lottery. And what happens after that is sad, happy, and everything in between. It's really a story of how one moment in time can change your life and I'm not talking about the lottery win. 

While searching through the crap on the current project tables, I found this charging cord. It would be great for travel - it's long and has multiple tips on it. I should try it out before I take it anywhere. It's unlikely to be fast-charging!

My new charging cord!

Well, that's it for me. Lots to get done today, and I'd better get started!!!

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!!

Virtual Retreat - Saturday, March 21 - starts at 6 PM.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89610782501?pwd=7dCrhiL5t8Xa4TVwZPvhL6cOymbcjK.1

Meeting ID: 896 1078 2501
Passcode: 148311

Virtual Retreat - Sunday, March 22 - starts at 3 PM.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89869001291?pwd=h57kT9axwTnd2xtJvuO0z2UOmUo45w.1

Meeting ID: 898 6900 1291
Passcode: 136711