Mulberry Street Friday Conga

[bittersweet]

So, my fellow villagers...who did YOU see doing the conga down Mulberry Street? On this day in 1904, Theodore Giesel (aka Dr. Seuss) was born. In 1937 (after about two dozen rejections), his first book - And To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street - was published. Since I'm sure pretty much all of us have read one or more of his books to our children or grandchildren at some time or other..let's conga down the infamous Mulberry Street today!

[DeeClutter]

Oh that's right, today Is Dr. Seuss day at most schools -at least down here. But not gd's school. She has a 'friend' coming to spend the night so haven't decided just what we'll do at this point.

DH and I are just getting ready to leave the house to go to church. I'm helping with the bulletin this morning. Our new Interim Pastor will be there starting today.

Our old friends from IN will be here on Sunday -can't wait to see them. He was our pastor and my 'boss'. She has been my best friend forever! He's just getting ready to retire as the ABC Executive Minister from IN/KY.

Have to go do a 'list' for church rummage sale. BBL

[Harmony]

I love Dr. Seuss! I've purchased several of those books for some of the DGKids. One holiday I read Green eg gs & h am with DGSon (he was pretty young) and he would say the Sa m I am everytime I would get to that part...over and over. Interesting to learn how different his life was than his books.

(OKay) here's hoping life eases a bit for you; sorry you have to have cataract operation, however the good thing is how much those operations are successful these days. DH and I both growing ours these days...

I must have had a bug... why I've been sleeping all evening last two days. My back is sore from laying on it so much. Today I feel a bit better. Yesterday I tried to get groceries but my stomach was flip-flopping and food didn't look good....at least I got the necessities before they had to call for "cleanup on aisle 17".

This morning I'm trying to catch up. Folded laundry; work clothes spinning in washer now; desk cleared of a bunch of stuff; must dig out the kitchen next. I've loaded the dishwasher yesterday as I could not stand there to do dishes. It doesn't take long for this place to fall apart if I'm not constantly on top of things.

[Nancy]

No conga-ing for me today I was feeling puny so am taking it easy trying to recoup.

Finished reading an interesting book yesterday Living UpCountry By Don Mitchell His take on modern farming was pretty interesting. He has other books out too I'm hoping to read at some point. There was others before this one that I found at the thrift shop.

Well today's the day we sign papers to re-list the house so will go to the office to do that I don't have to clean or mess up my routine this week yet any way.

Br-r it's snowy on the hills around us today.

Dogs have been loose here so I've been taking a walking stick with me on my walks one time I was charged by an aggressive guard dog that was out in the middle of the street that got my heart going.

[OKay]

It doesn't take long for this place to fall apart if I'm not constantly on top of things.

So true!!

Tonight is our night to host Bible Study so that means most areas of our home will be in use. I need to do a slew of PUPA (Pick up/Put Away) the messies that happens at a blink of the eye and also set up table, chairs, drinks, finger food, etc.

Last night we told the older 2 DGS's that their mother may be in town on Monday to meet with Judge. There was immediate strong emotions expressed and some tears shed. About the time I think they have got their self emotionally patched back together, I see evidence that the hurt and anger are still not fully dealt with.

This morning I pressed the submit button on items to decorate LO bedroom. I had previously selected sheets, shams, quilts, wall art, border, etc etc and had all the items loaded in a online cart ready to purchase. I was going to wait until after the court decision before ordering it, however at DH encouragement I went ahead with the order.

Harmony & sherinjoy are such good role models on doing necessary tax prep. I want to be just like them. that is one of my goal this month. the sooner the better!!

[Elizabeth]

Good morning everyone. Last night was art class, so not much got done house-wise. Just the basics: cat care and self care. I did remember to pack my lunch. I hate bringing my lunch, but I am economizing and I have an appointment today that makes it necessary. I have to pick up and feed DD10 tonight, usually I get her at 8pm on Friday. This is so XDH can go to a play, probably a date. I hope he does not marry on the rebound (even though he dumped me). I saw a single snowflake on the way to work. This weekend, I will have to do more cooking so I can bring in more lunches.

Kally: A flowchart is a diagram of a computer program. DCat18 was better last night, or maybe I was just more tired. I can't keep her out of the bedroom because that is where the food and catbox is. Waking me up is a recent development, she did not do this in the past.

[BookSaver]

Good morning, villagers ~
I was up to Conga early and was able to do some laundry, get dishes in to soak, answered some Emails, and figured out where I need to go for today's errands. Then since I only had 5 hours sleep, I went back up for a nap.

Yesterday was a busy errand day as well. Shopping with several stops, then coffee with a good friend, then picked up a few groceries. I am not fond of shopping, so I needed that coffee break!

But I was able to pick up some exciting things along the way.

One of the local colleges had a book I've been trying to locate, and they let me check it out. It's about a French fashion designer named Madeleine Vionnet who was very popular in the 20s & 30s for bias cut gowns. The book has photos of her dresses and diagrams of how she draped & cut the fabric.

This is going along with my current obsession for dress patterns from the 30s. Not that I'll ever make an evening gown ... but the styles for daywear are also pretty. I want to learn some of the sewing techniques that went into them and try to translate to modern clothes.

Then, in a wonderful coincidence to combine 1930s fashions with the blog I've been reading about 1940s household management -- at the used book store I found 5 vintage women's magazines. Woman's Home Companion for December 1926, November 1935, March 1938, and January 1939; and Ladies Home Journal for 1936. $2 each. I was taking a chance because they were all in sealed plastic bags, but I opened a couple last night and they are worth the $2. I'm going to enjoy these much more than a modern magazine.

I did not find the cookbook that was my original reason for stopping. Clara's Kitchen, with recipes from The Great Depression, written by a woman in her 90s who also has some videos on YouTube. I'm going to have to request that through interlibrary loan.

OK I'd better get on the road. It's already snowing and the radio said the wind is supposed to pick up late afternoon. I soaked pinto beans overnight that will need time to cook for chili, so need to do my running and get back home!

[Kally]

Good morning! The skies here are clearing, hoping for sun later. I'm going to try a conga again.....

Load of dish towels in the dryer. A few weeks ago there was a discussion about the laundry baskets that never get completely emptied, well, my dish towels was one of those. Still need to sort the rest of the pile.

Booksaver, I love the 30's & 40's fashions! I enjoy watching the old b&w movies from that era. So elegant. The vintage women's magazines sound interesting. Is anyone familiar with Kitchen Klatter? They had a radio program and a monthly magazine. It was a family who lived in Iowa & shared recipes and chit chat in the 50's & maybe 40's also. My paternal grandmother was a devotee', always listened to their program and subscribed to the magazine for years. I used to read them from cover to cover when I was a kid.

Elizabeth, glad dcat18 didn't keep you awake last night. Their needs change as they get older. I lost my dcat19 last fall, still miss her even though she required a lot of extra work and care. Sweetest cat ever!

((((OKay & grandsons))))

Nancy, hope your house sells soon.

Harmony, glad you are feeling better. The references to Dr. Seuss reminded me that I used to have a boss (school supt.) who dressed up like the Cat in the Hat & went around to the elementary schools reading to the students. He made a good Cat in the Hat, makeup & all. He would pop into the office, in full dress, and catch up on things between schools. Hadn't thought about that for awhile!

Waving to Deeclutter and bittersweet.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

A decent day here. We are in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. I awoke this morning to a street light shining in my window and was thrilled! Street lights! (And traffic lights and neon signs and other signs of Western Civilization.) I was amazed at how I physically reacted to being back in modernity – my body actually felt both anticipation and relief.

This is the start of the second segment of the cruise and 160 of the passengers were getting off this morning. Through the afternoon, about 235 new people came on. The ship will be full for the next segment.

After breakfast, dh and I congo'd down a beach. Actually, for the first third of the walk it was more of a funny shuffle because I suddenly had to go pee badly and each public washroom we came upon was locked. Finally found one at the library; that's one more reason to support our local libraries – you never know when a tourist will need a place to pee!

After that distraction, the rest of the walk was much more fun and at the end of the beach was a huge “people's mall” (where locals shop) as opposed to the big mall at the end of the pier which is for cruise ship passengers and crew. There were a lot of chain stores (ToysRUs, Ardene's, C&A, Marks & Spencer, Carrefour – the French equivalent to a Super Wal mart.)

My wedding ring broke (the band portion) the other night and so I was shopping for a cheap ring to wear. I've moved my sapphire over to my left ring finger but my 'naked' right ring finger was freaking me out so I was shopping for either a fake wedding set or something for my right hand. No luck there. We walked back to the ship for lunch rather than having McDonalds ashore. Dh just had his vegetable juice and then headed out, by bus, for a beach one hour away on the south end of the island.

After I ate, I headed to the mall by the ship and found a ring that will do on my right hand for $30. There was one that was just $6 but I decided gold-tone would be better and this one is with a cubic zirconia (sp?) so is obviously quality!

From there I bought a ticket on the Hop On/Hop Off bus and took the one hour tour around the city without getting off. It was interesting and if I had done it in the morning, I have gone back to get off in some interesting areas but by the time the hour was up, it was 3:30 so I headed back onto the ship.

First to-do was to change some tours for the upcoming segments. After that, I went to tea with another women and then up to the Observation Lounge to do my devotions while the incoming passengers did their lifeboat drill.

Dh came back just after 6 and we are now having our snack before dinner. New people to get to know. Sigh....

[Harmony]

Kathryn, I had to look at my big world map on the wall to see where the Canary Islands are. They are just specs on my map. Are you on your way to Morocco?

I had to fix lunch for DH when he stopped by here. I have chilli going on the stove, and 2nd LOL is hanging up. Sure feel more productive today than the last couple.

Thinking about taxes, I'm not sure if ours have been deposited into our account or not. I guess I'll have to wait for the statement. I've never set up online with that account. I'm so glad they are done. I do have another insurance audit in 13 days, she cancelled on me the last time. I'll be glad to put all that stuff away when that's done. It's all stacked up on the piano bench, which is in the spot one would have a credenza behind a desk (if I had one).

Watching the weather on the news, scary. We are supposed to have another cool spell at the end of the week. Poor man's air conditioning: fan in the window!