Friday favorite time

Cryptogram puzzles have long been a favorite of mine.  Give me a variety book of puzzles, and cryptograms are the ones I turned to first.

Crypto puzzles are phrases, quotes, or lists that have substituted different letters for the correct ones.  They've jumbled up the alphabet, and started writing.   Each puzzle has it's own code, and there's definitely a challenge there.  But as with anything, practice makes the process easier.  You learn to recognize patterns of words or usage, such as "the" being used frequently, and "I" and "a" as the one-letter words.  Then there are contractions, which are easy to spot with their apostrophe, as in "can't" and "didn't".  I was real proud of myself the first time I saw "people" in crypto form and recognized it just by looking at it.  :) 

You can imagine my excitement when I spotted my first puzzle book that was dedicated solely to cryptograms.  I've only seen them on the shelves a couple of times, so its not a monthly publication.  In fact, the one I'm looking at now says its the vacation issue.  That's not surprising, since vacations are typically the time to sit back, relax, and enjoy a good  book.  This book just happens to need a pencil to go with it.  

I looked online to see if they still put this out, but sadly all I found is this.  They've ceased production.  I guess this is an example that we need to let companies know immediately if we like their products so they will know to keep on making them.  In the meantime, the variety books will let me continue to enjoy my cryptograms.

another Friday favorite

Looking back, years ago it was hard to justify to myself that I should get something for me "just because".  You know how it is...the kids need new shoes, or an appliance needs replacing, or you're still trying to get some of the not-so-necessary convenience items.   Being frivolous was not an option.

There came a time when the kids were grown and I was the only one I had to look out for.  I found myself drawn to this vase in Mervyns department store.   I'd look at it, and go off to look at other things.  I'd look again.  Sure do like those colors.  I had absolutely no need of it.  Finally I just thought "why not", and got it.

To this day, its never had a bouquet of flowers in it, but that's ok.  I like it just the way it is, and it brings me pleasure every time I look at it.  I'd say that's $30 or $40 well spent.

What about you?  Any frivolous no-regret items in your life?

talking trash here

As I mentioned recently, I now have a dvd of chair exercises.  One of the recommendations is to use a straight back chair, such as one used at the dining table.  Mine are somewhat tall and rounded, and not really practical for this purpose, and they don't recommend folding chairs.  I decided to check out some garage sales to see what I might find.

Friday is trash day in my neighborhood, and as I was taking a couple of bags of weeds out to the curb, I noticed my neighbor a few doors down had set out a dining room chair.  Elise and I walked over to it, and when the neighbor came out with more trash, I asked if he minded if I took the chair.  Not a problem.  I got it home, and other than a stained cushion and a couple of wobbly legs, it looked to be in decent condition.

My trusty little allen wrench was all I needed to tighten the legs.  I found the screws that attached the cushion, and was able to remove it.   Needing some fabric to cover it with, I headed out to the store and passed a church garage sale.  I do like to plunder through garage sales, and hadn't been to one in awhile, so I stopped.  Lo and behold, I found a piece of upholstery fabric that would work just fine and it was only $1.  And I only needed half of it, so technically the repair only cost me 50 cents!

Here's my 50 cents chair.  Heckuva deal.  :)

favorites on Friday

I've decided to do something different.  Well, at least on Fridays.  I've gotten a bit complacent, and inspiration doesn't always come at my command.  So....on Fridays I'll be posting one of my "favorites".  Don't expect showy and glamorous, that's not me.  But you can expect to see a glimpse of just who I am.

Here's the debut favorite.  The story behind this particular glass of chocolate milk?  I got the glass at a garage sale...at least 15 years ago.   I think it appealed to me because it brought to mind an old-time soda shop.  Not that I've ever been to an old-time soda shop, but I can picture a soda jerk holding the glass up to a fountain machine and filling it with a shake or fizz.  I don't necessarily use it every morning, but its probably the one I reach for first.  So satisfying to pour in the milk, add chocolate syrup, and hear the clink clink clink of spoon stirring against glass.

Ah, it's the simple things in life that give me pleasure.

There may be some out there so young to not recognize the term soda jerk.  This is to show I'm not being derogatory, it truly was a job title.  :)

what am I doing????

I've noticed that I'm not posting near as often as I used to.  It's been close to three weeks since my last entry.  So what have I been doing?  Nothing earth shattering that should keep me away from my adoring public, so I will do better.  :)

I have  been reading a bit.  At the library the other day, I came across some books by Nancy Atherton.  She has a series featuring Aunt Dimity, nice little cozy mysteries.  I've read  3 of them now, and she's a good read.  I wish I could have read them in sequence, but the library didn't have all of them available to be that picky.  Fortunately it doesn't put a damper on the story line, but since some of  the characters are continued throughout the series, it just puts me ahead of the game when I do read a book that features them.   The picture on the left is her newest release.



My QB group met here yesterday.  Sorry, no pictures.   Originally a group of 4 of us who get together once a month to work on whatever projects command our attention, this week there were 7 of us.  Kay worked on some mending, Carolyn on her beading, Linda on some hand quilting, and I helped Lisa with her t-shirt quilt she's making.  Marciel was taking in how to do the t-shirt quilt for one she's started, and Wendy brought along a 23-year old baby quilt project.  Boy, when that one's finished, she ought to get some kind of award for finishing a UFO!  (That's an unfinished object.)  After a nice little potluck lunch, we each got in close to 3 hours of project time, along with laughter and camaraderie.  I'm glad these ladies are in my life.

I've also expanded my horizons in the musical direction.  Since the Grammys were held recently, there's been some buzz about Adele.   She sang at least one of her songs during the show, "Rolling in the Deep",  and I really liked it so I bought the CD.  And then, technologically advanced that I am, I put it on my Ipod.  I have a playlist, named QB Ladies, that has a couple of hours of listening pleasure, and she's been added to the list.  I picture it coming in handy when I'm walking (hey, I have big aspirations even if its not a regular practice right now) because its got a good beat to it.

 Speaking of walking, I'm not prone to regular exercise.  Yes, I recognize the benefits of it, I just don't make the best effort.  So, in an effort to do better, I've ordered a dvd of chair exercises for seniors.  I can't believe that I'm putting this in print.  I remember years ago taping a chair exercise show for my mother to help her get some movement, and now here I am.  Wish me luck.

Guess that's it for now.  Hopefully it won't be 3 weeks  before I'm on here again.

I've been thinking...

Seems like the time has come when I no longer move with reckless abandon.  No running across the yard, or jumping across a log (or probably more likely a toy), and my bones and joints speak to me quite often.  And there's the self-preservation factor.  I don't want to be laid up and barely able to roll over in bed.

However, I came across this the other day, and some reckless abandon is still in my life.  It may not be the physical kind, but yes, it does feel good.  :)   There was more hilarity that wasn't caught on video, but this helps me remember.

May you live well, and laugh often.

let's get past the colds

It's that time of year for colds.  Elise had one a couple of weeks ago, and was kind enough to share with both her mother and me.  I'm almost over mine, and Elise is doing good.   Here's how she looked in the midst of the sniffles and coughs.  Poor little thing.  Good thing she had her owl quilt to curl up with.

And here she is the next week at the library, planning her strategy on moving the little beads.  Isn't it great that kids are so resilient?

This has been a nice in-doors-y type of day with a bit of nip in the air.  Fortunately there's been an all day marathon of House episodes.  Heckuva deal!  As I mentioned in a recent post, I've started watching it through Netflix.  Now Netflix is good, but there are only 4 episodes on a disc, so it takes several weeks to watch a season when you factor in the time to mail the disc back and forth.  This is giving me a nice little push on through the shows.

In other news, I made some curtains for Robert's office and took them over last week.  They're Dallas Cowboy tab panels, and I thought they came out well.  Darn it though, I forgot to get a picture.  Oh well, you can use your imagination.  :)

That's it for now.  Have a good week everyone.