Things Are Looking Up

It's been a while since I've posted again. Been busier than a one-armed paper hanger for the last week or so. Along with my Etsy business, I've started to try to get my house in shape for the holidays. It's really gone downhill since my heart surgery.

Jordan came over yesterday (Friday) after school to help out and stay overnight. We had hamburgers for supper and then he helped me organize the vintage items that I sell on Etsy. We tore boxes apart and put other things in boxes, labeled them and then ate a bag of popcorn and chilled.

This morning we relaxed a little. He enjoyed a couple games of chess on the computer while I read the newspaper and had my morning coffee. Then we went and picked up Brandon and then the work began.

Hubby and Brandon loaded some boxes in the van to take to the dump. I'm a bit of a pack-rat and this stuff needed to go. They moved out the stove, fridge, washer and dryer and cleaned under them. Jordan washed down the appliances. I went through some drawers and sorted all the stuff. Found Canadian Tire money, lots of junk that went straight into a garbage bag, some things I had misplaced and my old student's card and license. The boys got quite a kick out of seeing Grandma in her younger days.

So, the kitchen is looking much better and so is my living room. Still have a long way to go before our new kitchen floor gets laid. The old one has been in this house since we moved here and it is worn all the way through in some places. I'm ashamed to let visitors come in the house. We picked a black and white one-piece flooring that looks like tile. I'm going for a retro 50s look. The walls and cupboards will be white and the trim red. I started this in the spring when we installed the dropped tile for the ceiling, but then had the heart attack and subsequent bypass surgery, so haven't been up to doing much since.

I paid for all that I did today, but it was worth it. Things are looking good.

What I've Been Up To

I've been really busy lately and life is hectic. I would love to live in a small town where life was easy and there was no hustle and bustle. I don't think it's possible in this day and age. I think everywhere is probably the same. If the phone isn't ringing, there's someone at the door or there's appointments to keep and errands to run.

Anyway, that is not my idea of a good time. I like things quiet. So, when hubby is not here or when he's resting, I take a little time for myself, relax and create things. Let's take a look at what I've been up to.

The postcard in the photo above is handmade. Yes, I made it from scratch. First I scanned one of my vintage postcards, then printed the image, made a postcard blank and fastened the image to the postcard. It has been sealed to prevent damage by inclement weather. This was a really fun project.

I've also been making greeting cards. The one above is a half fold card, which means it is only folded once and it's on 11x8.5 inch cardstock. It is a blank Christmas card and there is lots of room to write a lengthy message to someone who you haven't seen in a long time...or, if desired, I can put a verse in it. I enjoy making cards and this image is also scanned from a vintage postcard from my collection.

The other thing I enjoy making is ceramic tile coasters. This is one of my Christmas tiles. It is also scanned from a vintage postcard, cropped to fit the tile, then adhered to them. I make them in sets of four but can always make more if anyone desires more than that. The tile are coated with several coats of sealer and then a finishing coat to give them extra protection. They are so much fun to make and I've made several sets as gifts. Everyone loves them.

So that is what I've been up to when I haven't been online.

My computer was down a week and a half ago and had to be taken into the shop. They got it up and running but didn't get it completely fixed. I phoned yesterday and they will have it all day tomorrow. The computer guy says he suspects the video card may have to be replaced or possibly the computer is overheating. Say what? This computer is not even a year and a half old. I've had a lot of trouble with it. I will never again buy an AC*ER computer. The best computer I've ever had was my Dell.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week.

Today is my dear friend Pea's birthday. Drop by Pea's Corner. She's having a sock hop and it's so much fun. She would love to see you.

Pea, you're welcome to take a copy of this vintage postcard. Happy Birthday, dear friend, and many more happy, healthy years.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

Canadian Thanksgiving is on Monday and this is our Thanksgiving weekend. Today I will be having dinner with my family and we will be enjoying turkey with all the trimmings. Because Mom has been in hospital and not well, we're doing it a bit different this year. Mom still wanted to have it, so everyone is bringing food. In the past, she wanted to cook everything herself. That's just no possible this year so she is cooking the turkey (her choice) and we're all bringing the trimmings.

We all have much to be thankful for this year. My brother is thankful he still has his son with him, even though he is still recuperating from the brain injury he got in a car accident in March.

I am thankful for my health. After 4 years of feeling terrible, I'm feeling great. The heart surgery was a great success and I am so thankful for that.

We are all thankful that Mom's stroke didn't leave her paralzyed or unable to speak, though her speech is still slurred. At least she can still communicate with us.

We're thankful for food on the table, a roof over our heads and the company of each other on this Thanksgiving weekend. There are so many people in the world who don't have even the bare necessities of life. We have much to be thankful for.