Thursday, November 3, 2016

Redeeming the Time....by Keeping House

I love that phrase.....'redeeming the time.'
The last few days I have not felt well and have spent quite a few hours in bed resting.
I wasn't really and truly sick....but I wasn't exactly well either!

My 'therapy' for not feeling well or being a bit blue is to keep house.


I decided on Tuesday morning to begin a room by room cleaning.
This usually helps me untangle my thoughts and/or feelings and produces clean rooms in the process.


Cleaning (to me) is not the same thing as daily maintenance.
It's a get rid of the cobwebs and look behind chairs and under beds and deal with areas not in my normal routine of housework.


I changed up a few things and found myself smiling at Amber as she was reflected in the lamp light.
The bottom pic was taken of her and Mike either in their year in Scotland or a winter's trip to Chicago. The top one was the year she turned 21 and I had taken her to London for her birthday.
Speaking of London.......
My oldest son took his family there for a few days last week.


I snagged this photo of him on Facebook as he was enjoying an espresso in London!
He is a handsome guy!

I cleaned both bedrooms, changing the sheets and everything! By a sheer act of optimism, I replaced them with flannel ones!
Mind you, the A/C was cranked up as I did this!


I found a nice 'home' for the elegant tea set my niece gave me.
It is sitting on a secretary in the guest room next to a ceramic set I made for Amber at her first birthday.


I just love looking at pretty things.
What with all the political news on TV, it has taken a toll on my mind.


I am currently boycotting the den and the TV.
I will go in there to clean AFTER the elections are over!
AND I will put on a Downton Abbey or an episode of Fixer Upper!
So THIS is where I read Tuesday night before bed instead!

Wednesday morning I did a Tai Chi workout in the gazebo - with the fan on - but still felt faint and woozy after wards, It was hot and humid so I should have stayed inside with the A/C on to exercise.
I rested for a bit and then dressed for my very last visit to Dr. Crawford for my toe.
He said the x-rays show both toes doing very well. They are straight and the bones are growing and mending with the cadaver ones. Now THAT'S done!


My appointment was for 1:15 and by 1:39 I took this photo from where I was in bed!
I pretty much stayed there for the rest of the day.
Not really sick. But definitely not well, either!
The most wonderful thing happened as I lay there......it started RAINING!
As in a real down pour! I opened the back bedroom door so I could hear it better.
Music to my ears!

At 6:30 I decided to throw my weight around and went out to the den and asked for the remote control! Louis Dean willingly gave it to me since he hadn't seen me much of the day.
Together we watched the first hour or so of the CMA Awards and we both loved it!
Still, I didn't last long and it was back to bed for me.



This morning I woke up the fragrance of coffee, bacon and OATMEAL!
It's been a long time since we had that!

I felt a lot better this morning but I'm still not pumping on all 8 cylinders.


It helped to get dressed and go have lunch with my dear friend, Brenda.
We have been trying to get together to celebrate our birthdays since September!
It DID do good to get out and one of the reasons she and I neither one felt our best is the pollen count. She said EVERYTHING was high today!


I had cancelled art on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.
Time is running out on getting our Santas painted this year!
The third time was the charm and we painted all afternoon and into the evening.
While I am painting FOUR of the same Santas this year, it is truly important to get two done and done soon!


This one is all but done. I need to work on his face and add a pair of spectacles.
This one will be for our Family Chinese Christmas Tree.


The one above it is an 11 X 14 that I will use as a Giveaway and I need to put the finishing touches on his face plus add the glasses AND have time for it to dry before I mail it.

I think I may have done one giveaway in the past but I don't really remember what it was.
Anyway, I hope I can figure out how to even DO!
 I will add your name when you comment and keep adding names until
November 20th when I will draw the winner. I promise to get it in the mail within the next week after that so you will have it at the beginning of December.....unless you live very far away! Does this sound about right?

Louis Dean just came in and invited me to come out in the den to watch a program of my choosing!
You better believe it will not be any news!!!








25 comments:

Deb said...

I'm glad you took time to rest... the cooler temps are awesome! Happy November

Carol said...

I love this whimsical Santa! He would look so grand in my music room!
Thanks for adding my name.
Smiles,
Carol

Linda said...

I think the election has made most of us sick at heart. I swear to stay away from the news and then find myself drawn back to it like a moth to a flame. Awful. I'm sick today and I can't remember the last time I went to bed during the day. I got an antibiotic, Prednisone, and an inhaler so hopefully that will make me all better. I think Prednisone makes you jumpy, increases your appetite, and gives you energy. I could use the extra energy but I'll pass on the other two. I actually bought a nice lamp and picture for my bedroom recently. I'm drawn to abstract paintings. I also bought a new set of dishes but have no space to keep the old set. They had to go live with the Goodwills. Your Christmas Santas look like good Texans, very cute.

Luann said...

I love that Santa, as you know, and think anyone who gets it will be pleased. Sorry your not feeling well. Your body is just telling you to take it easy and slow down just a tad. Election will be over soon, PTL and things WILL get back to normal.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Your Santa is to be treasured, it is so wonderful! You have captured everything so well! I hope I win. I have had a few giveaways in the past; once I had to mail the prize to Canada! Anyway, I say to comment if you want it, give a time limit, and at the end I put the names in a bag or bowl, shake it up and draw. Yes, we put the electric blanket on, but still have the air conditioning on! One day it will be 40 and the next it will be 80! Your son is very handsome! Whenever I am upset, straightening up closets and drawers really helps. Especially the kitchen cabinets.

Bev said...

You need to slow down!!.... I would love one of you Santa pictures...wish I was close enough to paint one with you...but I would love if you add my name...

Bernice said...

I am so glad you listened to your body and went to bed and rested,hoped it helped and you are feeling better.
I love all of your paintings, you are so talented.
Thanks for sharing:)

BeachGypsy said...

hope you are feeling 100% better by tomorrow so you can enjoy a nice weekend! Glad you got to watch some of the CMAs!!--it was so good being the 50th anniversary one and all--so many of the old great artists. I just loved seeing Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette and Jeannie C. Riley, Lorrie Morgan, and Crystal Gayle and of course my favorite, Dolly! Loved seeing Dolly get her award and she looked just beautiful and so glamourous as always. Liked seeing Alabama too. Alot of these new bands and artists I dont know who some of them even are.....ha ha LOL but I sure do know the old timers. Who are your favorites?

bj said...

Oh, dear...everyone in our family has had a touch of this...hope you are feeling much better real soon.I didn't watch one bit of the CMA...I don't know any of them any more.
I sure hope I will win your painting. I would love that...xoxo

Susie said...

Linda, I am so sorry you are not feeling well. I have just started feeling more like myself this past week. I know it's not like you to just not be up and about. Hope You return to good health soon. Rest when you can. Blessings to you, Love, xoxo, Susie

Arlene G said...

I think we will all feel better when this election is over with Linda. I refuse to watch the news as well. Love your Santas!! I am busily working on some Christmas things as well. Christmas will be here before we know it.

Vee said...

No watching th alphabets for me either...they lie like rugs.

So sorry that the pollen count is high and you've been feeling unwell. Did the rain help?

What? That sweet painting of a fiddling Santa is a giveaway? Really? Well then count me in!

Your energy, even when under the weather/pollen, is inspiring. I have been in slow motion since I overdid it with that leaf blower. Ha!

Love to all down there!

Lori said...

Deep cleaning is so cleansing, for the soul too! I love the first photo and saying.

MadSnapper said...

I never enter giveaways but put my name in this one. I love this santa. my idea of therapy would be to have you or someone just like you to come clean my house...
handsome son in London. really handsome. I am with you on humidity, can't do exercise in it at all.

Pam said...

Linda, I love your Santas, they are all so beautiful! I also love your writing, wish I was as talented as you.....believe me I have tried, it's just not there! Come on cooler weather in Texas....I told my husband he had to have our Christmas decorations up on the outside the last week of November since our son and daughter in law and their children will be here in Texas from Utah! First Christmas season we have been able to spend with them in three years, another plus, it's his birthday on December 9! Win, Win! I know you know how special family is! Thank you for your encouraging words and talent and I do hope you are feeling better soon! Take care, from a friend in East Texas, Pam!

NanaDiana said...

We are a lot alike, LInda. I clean house/corners/underbeds/behind things when I need to clear my mind. My mind clears along with the cobwebs and life rights itself. The house and I both win!

Your Santa is just darling. You are a good artist on top of everything else. Hope you have a better weekend and feel good. xo Diana

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

The election will be over soon. I've avoided much of it as we don't watch regular tv. We watch things online or on amazon, or netflix for movies etc. My news is usually just reading it online and even that can get to be too much!

I hope you are feeling better soon. So sorry about your allergies. I am glad you can rest when you need too! And great news about your toes!

You have very beautiful children Linda.

Sweet Tea said...

I always admire (covet) your Santa paintings each year. Perhaps I'll be lucky and be the lucky winner!! I would treasure it. Please enter me in the drawing (love the pun).

Gypsy Heart said...

That Santa is calling my name! He knows my birthday is coming up soon. :) You know, Mtn Cedar has already started and the pollen was horrendous the first part of the week. I had a steroid shot on Tuesday at the Spine Dr and I think that's what has helped me. My daughter has had headaches and other symptoms so bad.

Gypsy Heart said...

Well, not sure what happened but I wasn't through! Lol I am so very sorry about Summer's issues. It's bad enough to have such pain plus the job, insurance, etc. Just too much! I've hardly been able to walk the past week and the pain has been excruciating! The last injections I had just didn't do the job and they can't get me in until the 16th. I'll keep Summer in my prayers!

Hope you have a blessed weekend ~
xo
Pat

Debbie said...

Ooooooh Linda, I am a keeper of the house as well!! I am a good straightener and organizer, I LOVE ❤️ keeping the house! I keep a cleaning calendar and I try to clean on room per day. I works well for me because I can't really do too muck cleaning in one day....I have not had your energy in years, I like to blame it on the MS!!

Your home always looks beautiful, the santas are gorgeous!!

Penny said...

Sorry to hear you were not quite yourself. We are hearing so much about the American elections over her in the UK too, most people I know are very concerned about the outcome. What you call a room-by-room clean, I call a deep clean and believe me I don't do it often, though always am very pleased when I do. X

Anonymous said...

I love reading your blog! I have been reading your blog since before the quads were born and in a strange way I feel as though if I were to actually meet you I would know you like a friend. Then I remember you have no clue who I am and that would be weird. LOL! Anyway, I love to read about your family and your daily adventures.

Julie Lynn said...

I love reading your blog! I have been reading your blog since before the quads were born and in a strange way I feel as though if I were to actually meet you I would know you like a friend. Then I remember you have no clue who I am and that would be weird. LOL! Anyway, I love to read about your family and your daily adventures.

Carla said...

I wish I had your power. I can't think of the word I want to use but you always amaze me with how much you accomplish even when you're not running on all 8.
All your children are good looking. They take after their Momma.