The latest

It's been a relatively quiet few weeks. We did get some concerning news concerning my mom's eyes -- she was diagnosed with the early stages of an eye issue for which there really isn't a treatment at this time. However, God willing, it will be a stable condition or at least will progress at a snail's pace. She's had eye issues her whole life. She doesn't need this now. :(

Fortunately, we have a couple of relatives who are also dealing with said eye issue. One, we knew about. The other reached out with advice after seeing me post something on Facebook about "a relative" (not specifying that it was my mom). We hadn't even known he had the same diagnosis, so that was a surprise. It was also good to hear from him. This family is small enough already -- we don't need it to get smaller by a lack of communication between people.

Starting on the day after Father's Day, I've resumed the regimen of exercise and calorie counting that I had success with three years ago. Meanwhile, three of my friends joined Weight Watchers not long after that, so now the four of us are acting as a mutual admiration society. I think we ALL have the capacity to knock off the unwanted pounds, plus improve various bloodwork numbers, as needed. I'll have to make sure and report progress as it happens. :-)

Red-Tailed Hawks are here!

Well, South Philly officially has red-tailed hawks. I confirmed this today while I was out walking the dog.

The first thing I noticed was an unfamiliar rasping songbird call. It sounded like the combination of "reeee, reeee" and running one's fingers along the teeth of a comb. I can ID a lot of birdcalls, but this one was new to me so it caught my attention. Then I realized there were NO OTHER birdcalls nearby. At all. That's VERY uncharacteristic for that intersection. The closest normal birdcalls I could hear seemed to be coming from at least half a block to a block away.

So I looked up and saw a hawk on a lightpole. I had to zoom the iPhone camera to get a recognizable image, so sorry about visual noise.

Shortly after I took the first images, I saw the bird that had been making the rasping call. An irate mockingbird started buzzing the hawk. I think they have a nest in one of the nearby trees, as it alternated between rasping in the trees and flying at the hawk.

When I turned my attention away from this interaction, and toward picking up after the dog, the hawk flew away. I didn't see what direction it took. But I will be on the alert from now on for absence of songbird calls (except for hostile calls), since that was my first clue that something was going on. If I notice that again, I'm going to start looking around to see if a hawk is around.

We had a grand anniversary

Mark and I spent a lovely (and HOT) day in DC for our anniversary. We visited two I'd the Smithsonian museums. We started with the National Museum of Natural History, where we saw the INCREDIBLE gem and mineral display. OMG. I could spend a month in there. Some highlights:

The Hope Diamond

The world's largest flawless quartz sphere -- P. S. Peek-a-boo! :-)

Just WOW

Then we walked to the National Museum of American History, to see their coin collection, which is a hobby of Mark's. unfortunately, only a fraction of the collection is on display, because the building is being renovated. But we did see their most renowned items -- they picked and chose the top attractions for people to see. 

They also had a display of the First Ladies' gowns, and various china patterns used in the White House. So we did get to see SOME interesting things there. 

Now, after having gotten plenty of exercise walking around DC, we're headed back. Yep. It was a great day. :-)

Anniversary!

Taking the Metro to the Smithsonian!

[Insert Unprintabilities Here]

[Rant]

Son of a @(#*$&@#(*$&.... there is a scratch on my new car... I am so freaking aggravated. At least it's not in a hugely prominent place, but still... It's the first owie on a new car, so painful wound is painful.

[End Rant]

I fibbed, I'm not done ranting yet. ARRRRRRRRGH

OK, I've vented. At least I've vented as much as is possible at this hour of the night. No sense pitching a full-blown tantrum over something that's not a medical emergency. It's just OOOOOOO how bleeping annoying!

Happy 10th Bloggerversary!

While most people celebrate May 5 as Cinco de Mayo, I have a completely different reason for marking this date. It's the anniversary of my blog.

And today's even more special, as I have been blogging for ten years, as of today. Wow -- time sure does fly!

Even though I have started recounting some of my tales on social media, I still do make time to post on here at times.

It's been relatively quiet in the past few weeks, though, so there hasn't been a lot to recount.

Well, there was ONE big thing. Mini had to have some teeth extracted. I hated to put a 13-year-old dog under anesthesia, but there really was no alternative. She came through the process well, and is now inhaling canned food like it's going out of style. I had to give her kibble to Karla and Al for their dog, though, as the vet said not to give her crunchies anymore.

There is one issue that's concerning me some, though. Her back legs occasionally act up now. If you ever see the leg-kicking reaction when you find the dog's "tickle spot" on the belly, that's what Mini looks like she's doing. It tends to be worse in the morning than later in the day.

However, her zest for life is still exactly the same, as is her appetite. And she's still the boss of the much-larger cats, lol. So I think that whatever comes up, as long as she's got that "I love life" attitude, can be gotten through one way or another. Fortunately, she's pocket-sized, so carrying her on the front steps if her legs act up is not an issue. And a lot of the time, she can navigate the steps just fine, though I give her a little "help" with the leash just in case.

Other than that, let's see, what's been up since my most recent post? Well, I'm still teaching sign language to a deaf-blind friend whose hearing is deteriorating. I think I'm going to have TWO students soon, as her friend has bought the book we're using (The Joy of Signing). That's the only sign book she could find from the National Library Service for the Blind that is available in braille, so she borrowed it. Fortunately, it's a book that's readily available in print, so we are both able to use a version of the same book.

Oh, and I have gone stark raving bananas buying Kia-related items to match the car. You know you've crossed the border into obsession territory when you order a mug SPECIFICALLY because it's the same blue as the car.

So for the time being, that's all the news that's fit to print. Happy 10th Bloggerversary to me! :-)

Ouch

The novacaine from the root canal has worn off.

The good news is the dentist was great and I didn't feel any pain at all during the procedure. But they warned me that there'd be soreness once the anesthetic wore off, and they weren't kidding.

Come on, NSAIDs. Do your stuff. Not looking forward to the next few days if this level of discomfort keeps up for any length of time.

I just keep reminding myself that there are a lot worse things in the world to deal with. But tooth pain still sux.

I see no need to outgrow toys

Which is why I had to get the tiny Kia car keychain. :-) With working headlights.

Habemus Papam

I see some headlines on my cell phone, indicating that the white smoke has been released. That was quick. I wonder who it was. I suppose we won't be waiting much longer to find out.

Over the weekend

Over the weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of wishing one of my oldest friends a happy birthday.

That is a pleasurable moment under any circumstances, but it was all the more so this time because next month will mark 25 years since he nearly died.

Then he spent weeks in the hospital, partly in ICU and partly in a regular room, before being able to come home. Nor was he out of the woods even then. The condition with which he was diagnosed had, at the time, an average survival rate of 22 months from time of diagnosis. So we were all too aware that we were still at risk of burying a beloved friend way too young. The first half of that year was a blur... I distinctly remember having random crying fits on most days from April until at least June. Probably more like "sometime during the summer" was when the crying fits became spaced farther and farther apart.

Well, our friend is still here. Not everyone responded to the meds available back then, but our friend did. And now there are even more effective treatments available.

Happy birthday, "Mavi". We're all thankful to God you're still with us.

Thank you, Grape; Welcome, Skye

Now that I've finally uploaded some photos from my camera to my computer, I can make this post.
Thank you, Grape the Neon, for your many years of faithful service to me and to others, 1997-2013.

And welcome, Skye the Kia Rio. I am looking forward to teaming up with you.

I have ranted at least once on this blog that I am frustrated with the lack of color variety in cars these days. Everything seems to be black, white, and various shades of silver/grey. The most colorless place imaginable these days is a parking lot full of cars. I compare that to my childhood memories of a time when cars could be found in every shade under the sun. There were dark, light, pastel, and metallic versions of every color. I miss that, Now, the most common non-greyscale color seems to be red. Other than that, good luck finding a car with an actual color except once in a while.

Therefore, when I had the option of choosing a version of this car in black, silver, or blue, I went straight for the only one whose hue was a shade that can be found in the rainbow. So I'm pleased to be brightening up the world a little bit, as well as having a vehicle that I'm not constantly afraid might need to be towed at any moment. The world has become a better place for me this week. :-)

Photography

I invested in a light tent and lights, so I can either A) take better photos of my jewelry or B) enlist the help of my sister-in-law, an accomplished photographer, in taking better photos of my jewelry.

What a light tent does is help diffuse the light on an item, so that it's shining evenly instead of harshly on the item being photographed. This really helps the item look better and helps the colors appear more true in the photograph, both important factors when one is trying to present one's items for sale via an online photograph.

Some of the images on my site came out nice. Others need better lighting. Period. Well, now I'll be able to do that.

We had a productive day around here

Mark spent the day studying his rump off for his certification test. He was at it from before I got up, and he kept at it right through until dinnertime. He uses the dining room table, which makes me doubly glad that I cleared my crafting materials out of the dining room and into the studio. I, meanwhile, did a heavy-duty sorting of beads today, plus some serious jump ring construction. Oh, my hands. My fingers are going into rebellion now, lol. Naproxen, here I come.

Prepping for possible consignment sales

I have sorted all my existing jewelry, separating out the ones that either fit Valentine's Day or fit the Pantone Spring 2013 Color Wheel. To my pleasant surprise, the vast majority of what I've made already fits the Spring Color Wheel profile.

I guess the jewelry supply vendors are following the Color Wheel, too, and are selling supplies that they know will be popular in the upcoming months.

There are a couple of older pieces that I will re-do, however, now that my style has evolved somewhat. I can see a different way to highlight the attributes of the stones, and I think it would be even more favorable to make the pieces in the way I'm imagining them now.

When that's accomplished, I will head out to the Avenue, to the two places where I discussed selling items on consignment (or, if I can negotiate it, selling the pieces to them outright).

The Christmas Tree is down

Well, another year, another end to the Christmas season. We de-decorated the tree, and only discovered ONE stray ornament on the floor that the cats stole. Everything else was present and accounted for.

I spent the majority of the afternoon making earrings. The pulled hamstring was bothering me, so I thought that a treadmill session could wait one more day.

Now I've earned a visit to Facebook.

Captain and Mini -- Laughing My Head Off

I tempted fate when Captain and Mini, who've had little border wars sometimes, both walked within arm's length of me at the same time. I scooped them both up (well, I scooped tiny Mini up and I scooped up big Captain's front half, leaving his hindquarters sitting on the floor) and cuddled them both together and gave them both smooches at once.

Mini licked Captain. As soon as I put them both back on the floor, Captain ran a few steps away and vigorously groomed the spot on his flank where the dog had licked his fur. "EWWWW.... DOG COOTIES".

I got the Flat-Eared Glare from Captain when I burst out laughing.

One HUGE chore has been accomplished

It took me three days, but I did it. Every last pair of earrings and every single necklace is now attached to a jewelry display card and, in the case of the necklaces, inserted into a resealable clear bag. Next up: sorting what I have so that I can ID the items I have that match up with the Pantone Spring 2013 color wheel. This month, I intend to show my wares to two specific places, one of which already offered to take my spring things on consignment, and the other one who will decide whether to take my things on consignment or not. I also am in discussion with someone for a custom-made necklace for a birthday gift. Progress is good.

Mini and Stanley need an interpreter

Mini and Stanley like one another, but they don't understand one another. Mini doesn't speak Cat, and Stanley doesn't speak Dog. It's funny to watch them try to interact.

When Stanley wants to play with the dog, he will gently bop her nose. Mini wags her tiny tail at Stanley. He bops her head. Mini wags her tiny tail. Another bop. More wagging. Stanley is utterly perplexed by the concept of tails waving in the air in a friendly fashion. Cats who lash their tail from side to side are doing to as a warning, not as a greeting.

Stanley just can't seem to figure out how to get Mini to join in playing with him. When he bops Captain, Captain understand that it's time to play Chase My Brother or Wrestle My Brother. That's when we see two stripey critters careering about the house and up and down the stairs. Mini doesn't do chasing and wrestling. She does cuddling and licking. She appears to think that gentle bops on the head are some form of cat greeting, hence the wagging tail in response.

Crazy critters. :-)

Doctor's visit

I got my bloodwork results today. Some numbers improved slightly, the ones that were in the normal range last time are still in the normal range, and one number deteriorated. My BP was great but my weight shifted in the wrong direction.

So we're attacking the issue several ways. One, with the new year, comes a new dedication to counting calories and daily treadmill time. Two, I got one med tweaked in the hopes of getting my cholesterol the rest of the way back into line. It was soooo close to being in the normal range -- how aggravating that it didn't improve that last few points, grrrrrr. Oh, well. NOW it's gonna improve, 'cause I'm going to be eating better PLUS taking a stronger med. Goodbye, last few extra points of cholesterol. You're going away. and not a moment too soon.

Oh, and I got clearance to start donating blood to the Red Cross again, yay! :-) So today had some positives in it.

So freaking help me, every freaking number on that bloodwork is going to be in the right range by the time I'm done working on it. Funky numbers are no longer to be tolerated.

New ideas -- easier said than done

The jewelry-supply sites where I purchase my materials all send out newsletters. Today, I got a newsletter from one of them offering a class in making jewelry with steel wire. There is a HUGE gem show in Tucson every year, where there are also many classes related to gems and jewelry-making; that's where this class is being offered.

Well, I can't afford a trip to Tucson any time soon, but just learning that there is such a thing as steel wire to work with piqued my interest. That might be an interesting addition to what I make.

Ha. Good luck FINDING steel wire to buy. So far, that project has been a bit of a bust. Even the sites that list it in their catalog are flagging it as being out of stock. I'll have to keep looking. Maybe the holiday rush obliterated the stock of a lot of sites.