My Project is Finished

I mentioned that I had a project on the go but couldn't get it just right because I couldn't find the proper sealer. I was making wolf ceramic tile coasters. These are nice for men's gifts or I can add something that is more appropriate for women. The trouble was, the first one I finished stuck to a hot coffee cup. So back to the drawing board. I finally found a sealer that worked and have completed the set. There are felt feet on the back to keep them from scratching the furniture. I really enjoyed making these once I found the proper sealer.

The nice thing about making these is that you can personalize them for anyone. Photos can also be added to the coasters or they can be made for bird watchers, wildlife enthusiasts, fisherman and so much more. I'm going to make a few more sets. These are available in my Etsy Shop. Why don't you drop by and see what else I have for sale.

Dakota

We adopted Dakota from the Humane Society last year on the 1st of February. He was quite small then and sometimes I wonder how he survived at only 5 lbs.

This is a photo that was taken when he was about 3 months old.

This was him late this afternoon, guarding the door. He figures it is his job to tend that door. He lets us know when someone is around and that is exactly why we got him.

Another photo of him in front of the door.

He actually sat for me when I asked him and posed for this picture. He's coming along and though he still has some issues, they are few and far between.

Oh no, Mom, not another one. I'll just close my eyes because that flash is bright.

I can't believe how far Dakota has come. He had some real issues when we got him. Though he is still hyper, he is calming down quite a bit. He was very easy to house train, but other issues kept flaring up. I do think that he is becoming more secure. We will never know why he and his sisters ended up at the Humane Society. I think what happens to puppies in their first few weeks of life affects them all of their lives.

Dakota is a good companion and I'm sure that some of his issues will fade away as he grows older. I wasn't sure what staying at the kennel would do, but it actually improved his behavior. He was sure glad to see us after a week and we were glad to see him.

Update on Things Happening

Just thought I'd give you an update on things happening in my life. I went to the doctor this morning for a checkup on my diabetes. It's continuing to be about the same. I would guess my average glucose level is about 9.0, which isn't what I'd like it to be but a lot better than the 14s and 16s that I had in December. Blood glucose levels are monitored differently here than in the US. Blood sugars should be between 4.0 and 7.0. Anything over 7.0 is considered to be diabetes.

The doctor isn't going to up my insulin dosage until after I have my A1C at the end of March. That will give him an average for three months. He will make a decision then. I have an appointment with a diabetes educator on March 16th. At that time we will make a meal plan.

Other good news is that since December 15th, I have lost 7 lbs. Now that's not a lot, but better to take it off slowly so it will remain off. I have added a weight loss counter to my blog and my weight loss goal for 2010 is 62 lbs. At the current rate of approximately 1 lb per week, I will come close to my goal if I'm careful. I will be happy if I lose anywhere between 40 and 55 lbs. I'm keeping my expectations low so if I do meet the goal of 62 lbs, I will be ecstatic. Both myself and the doctor think a lot of my glucose level problems is from excessive weight gain, some of it due to water retention. I've been taking a diuretic for some time now and it seems to be helping.

I've had the sniffles of late and so haven't gone to see my friend, Jo Ann, who had surgery in December. She was to the doctor last week and he drained her cheek, which was badly swollen and put in a draining tube. I can tell by her voice on the phone that she is doing much better. She will find out the 25th of this month when her radiation therapy will begin.

Some people have been asking about Dakota. He is doing well. He enjoyed playing in the snow last week. It's almost all gone now. There is a female dog that comes to the park across the street and Dwight has been letting him off his leash to play with her in the morning. It is good exercise for him.

He will always be a hyper dog...a far cry from the tiny puppy that came into our house last February. He is a medium sized dog and I doubt he will grow much more but he will thicken up as he matures.

As for my projects, they've come to a bit of a standstill because of problems getting a sealer that will work properly. However, I haven't given up and will keep you updated.

We actually saw the sun today. It was nice to experience a day that wasn't overcast and dreary. Hopefully this trend will continue for the rest of the week.

Keeping Busy

I've been keeping busy this week. Hubby and I are decluttering and fixing things up a little and I've been busy creating. Once I get the projects done that I'm working on, I will post photos. It's nice to be in a creative mood for a change. With all this dreary and overcast weather we've been having (no sun for a week) it's been depressing. I find when I keep busy that it keeps depression at bay.

Hubby and I went to Ho*me De*pot today to pick up a few things that I needed to complete my project and I was lucky enough to get some very good deals.

Not much else going on here. I talked to the boys this afternoon. Brandon is starting exams next week, so please keep him in your prayers.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, Monday, January 18, 2010:

I am late posting today. It's evening and it was a busy day. Phone calls, plumbing problems and visitors kept me hoping the entire day.

Outside my window:

It was another dreary and overcast day. The snow has melted in the park and then frozen overnight. It is treacherous walking Dakota there.

I am wearing:

Blue jeans and a short-sleeved top.

On my mind:

Decluttering the house and getting things whipped back into shape.

I am reading:

A Perfect Love by Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt. It is a good read. It's about a little village on an island off the Maine coast. Not much romance, just a good story.

I am creating:
Memory boxes for the boys for Valentine's Day. I wasn't sure how to go about it, but so far it's working out like I'd planned. I printed photos and decoupaged them to the top. In the center is a photo of the boy that the box will belong to. Around that are photos of the dogs they've known. Meeko, Dakota and Snowball, which were all our dogs and then Buddy, their dog. I will post photos when they are finished.

From the kitchen:

The apple pie (made with Slen*da) is all gone. I need to make something for dessert. Not sure what it's going to be. Two weeks ago it was blueberry cobbler, then apple pie. I will think of something. Maybe pudding.

I am hearing:

The tv in the living room and Dakota.

Around the house:

Hubby and I decluttered the kitchen today. It looks nice and it only took us about an hour. It doesn't take long for the counters to get cluttered again, but will try to stay on top of it. Our storage space is so limited it is really hard to keep everything in its place.

I am praying for:

Denise at Shortybear's and her husband, the people of Haiti, JoAnn who still has some problems from the surgery in December, as well as several other friends.

I am thankful for:

A full pantry, heat, a roof over our heads and enough money to pay the bills. For kind hearted people, internet friends and the love of family.

One Year ago today:

We had quite a bit of snow. I didn't foresee a difficult year, but that is probably for the best. We made it and God provided.

I am remembering:

That I need to send a business letter tomorrow and make a couple of phone calls.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

To finish the memory boxes for the boys and list more things in my Etsy shop.

I am thinking:

That I'm tired and I'm going to read and relax when I'm finished here.

One of my favorite things:

Collecting postcards and other ephemera. I absolutely LOVE old paper products that are in good condition. I also enjoy selling online.

From my picture Journal:

This is the park across the street. It is a beautiful place in all seasons.

Daybooks brought to you by Peggy at The Simple Woman.

Memories of Uncle Hardy

Today, while searching for photos for memory boxes I'm making for the boys for Valentine's Day, I ran across this photo and it brought back memories of my childhood.

In the photo, from left to right is my older brother, Dad and Uncle Hardy. Well, actually he was my great-uncle.

Uncle Hardy was a little man, but he had a lot of spunk. He and Aunt Lil sometimes invited us to come for Sunday dinner. This is a photo that was taken one such Sunday afternoon.

At this point in time, we didn't have television at home, so going to Uncle Hardy's and Aunt Lil's as a treat. Uncle Hardy always had the tv on in the afternoon and he would always chose a show that he knew we kids would enjoy.

Uncle Hardy worked in a sawmill in his younger days. One day an accident occured and his right arm was severed by a buzz saw. At that time a man with one arm just couldn't find work. No one thought he would be able to perform his duties, but Uncle Hardy could do plenty with his left arm by the time I remember him.

He and Aunt Lil didn't have much. He wouldn't hear of them going on welfare and so began to pick the dump for objects that he could resell. He did well at it and for years he and Aunt Lil lived off the money he made reselling things that other people no longer wanted. I guess you could say he recycled before recycling was popular.

Uncle Hardy suffered from diabetes. In those days the disease was deadly. He took shots of insulin with a syringe and he ate like a sparrow. Back then they didn't know a diabetic can eat anything or about counting carbs. Because of this, Uncle Hardy ate like a bird.

Aunt Lil and Uncle Hardy would come to dinner at our place sometimes. I know Mom always stressed that she wouldn't have the proper food for him to eat.

I'm sorry that my daughter and grandsons never got to meet this spunky little man. He had a great sense of humor and loved kids. He and Aunt Lil were childless. I'm not sure why. Maybe they just figured they couldn't afford kids.

I'm glad I found this photo. Our family doesn't have many of Uncle Hardy. I will have to see if Mom has a photo of Aunt Lil so I can introduce all of my friends and readers to her.