Gee, I-Needa

It was very cold when I-Needa visited for Christmas. She has a home with a second floor, so is accustomed to having all that nice warm air head for the ceiling and the upstairs. I, on the other hand, must have a little chill in the air to really have a good night's sleep. Therefore, I DO turn the thermostat down a mite at night. I try to keep things moderated a bit for I-Needa, but I've come to the conclusion that there is just no fix for it. She is always cold.

I have to say that I thought she might have gone over the edge a bit when I noticed that she was ready to go to bed, and so was Gigi. I flipped on the light and told her that I was sorry, but it was just a Canon moment. (Should be Kodak, but I like my Canon) So I snapped a picture and can't resist sharing it. I'll probably get a call when I-Needa sees this one.

I know there are some who will view this with distaste. Others will think it is extremely cute. One thing for sure, Gigi is well taken care of and a gently spoiled pooch. Maybe that is what makes her so sweet.

Grace's Art

As a way of justifying the pursuit of focusing on hobbies, I will enter into my testimony the case of one who actually accomplished something with her hobby.

Grace has been a doodler for years. She just couldn't seem to sit still and watch TV at night, so she took out a tablet and drew little doodles. Most of us have probably done that at some time. I've talked on the phone with a paper in my hand and find it covered with odd marks when I'm finished with the conversation. I guess that is a primitive form of the art.

Grace was in a big time habit of doodling. At one point she got a little more serious about it and got some art paper and pens, and from then on she was on a roll. Her walls are covered with her art. She branched out and now doodles on gourds and boxes. Actually, you don't dare sit still too long at Grace's house or you may end up being a canvas.

When I see her finished pieces, I'm always amazed at her talent. It just seems to flow out of her fingers and forms something interesting and fluid. She didn't see it at first. Being the good friend that I am, I kept trying to encourage her to think about putting her work where people could see it. She wasn't sure about that. She was timid about her art, and probably still is. Perhaps that is a good thing.

Grace finally stepped out of her comfort zone and showed her work to a local interior design business. The owner found it as charming as I did and put it in her gallery. Interest in Grace's art is growing, and pieces are being sold to happy consumers. I think there is a little celebration when a piece is sold in knowing that someone has appreciated her art, and she has made them happy. I think this is what Grace feels.

I guess it is a good thing that Grace was addicted, as she has become focused and even more challenged in her art. It is one of her gifts, and she is using it, probably as God intended.

We all have a gift. The question is: Do we use that gift, and do we share with others? My dear 93 year old mother is now limited in some things that she can do. She has always been creative, but just can't do the sewing and quilt making, etc. anymore. She still makes cookies and takes them to others. She still drives!! It is a small town, so not too many worries there. She is also using her creative side to make birthday cards for every member of our church congregation. She loves doing it, and it keeps her busy sharing a gift. That is a reward for her as she doesn't feel like she is of no use.

I'm thinking that along with counting our blessings, we might think about our gifts. We don't have to do everything. Our gifts are different, and all are useful and can be a blessing to others.

Now I Nose Who You Are, And I Like You

I posted this story on a different blog, but loved it, so am moving it here with a few additions.

My daughter I-Needa arrived a few days ago with Gigi. Gigi had her own small suitcase of stuff... bed, food, pills, ear drops brush, etc. She made the two hour drive here in her car seat. (They have car seats for dogs! Yes, Gigi could look out the window and is also small enough to curl up and lay down in the seat.) Gigi has been a well behaved little house guest, and is a sweet sweet pooch.

I'm a dog person, not a cat person. I have a cat because Pumpkin adopted me and won't leave. Pumpkin has tried for almost two years now to gain admittance into the house. He has managed to get in once or twice by accident, but he isn't going to be living inside. On that point I am firm. My cat person friends don't understand this at all. They all say that Pumpkin would love to be inside and is such a SWEET cat! I don't know if there is such a thing, but imagine Pumpkin would come close. I just know that cats are much more inclined to do their own thing, and I'd rather not have a disagreement with one inside my house. Therefore, Pumpkin remains in charge of outside, not inside.

I'm sure it is nothing less of a wonder when Pumpkin sees Gigi coming out the door. Gigi is having to be on a leash as part of the backyard fencing has been removed. I had some work done in the back yard, and am still trying to decide what to do about re-fencing But I digress...

In the animal world, introductions seem to be as important as in the world of humans. We humans hope that all will be well with the animals around us. Peace and harmony in the home can't happen if there isn't peace with our critters as well. So, the question: How will Pumpkin and Gigi get along together? Gigi will have to go outside at times. Pumpkin will certainly be at her post on the porch. So?

Getting acquainted went well. For I-Needa and me, it was almost a jaw dropping experience. The cat and dog eyed each other, respectfully, questioningly, curiously. Then they each inched forward.... slowly, guardedly. They got closer and closer to each other and stretched their necks forward. Then they touched noses!!! I'm not kidding! They held that pose for about ten seconds while I-Needa just stood there quietly praying. That seemed to make everything okay. They have preformed this ritual twice.

The second time they went through this nose touching event, it seemed to get stranger. After the touching, Pumpkin flopped over on his side with paws stretched out, and Gigi reached over and tapped one of his paws. Then Pumpkin exposed his belly and Gigi reached forward and tapped Pumpkin's belly with her paw a couple of times, just like I-Needa pats Gigi's belly. While everything was still friendly, I-Needa took Gigi inside.

My daughter and I are in awe of this whole getting acquainted thing. Neither one of us have extended experience in the world of animals, but we were blown away that these two animals could meet and greet each other and decide they could live together so well. It seems there was a level of mutual respect and trust developed and an understanding established between the two, sealed with a little nose touching and tummy patting. All I can say to that is: WOW! Too bad humans who are so different from one another can't get alone as easily.

I must add that since this article there have been more visits. This past visit was in the cold of winter, and Pumpkin seems to be growing more acutely aware of the disadvantages of being outside while the dog is admitted to the inner sanctum. There were a few times that Pumpkin managed to take a little swipe at Gigi. Not being 'cat' people, neither I-Needa nor I can quite figure out if this is playing or not. We didn't see any claws, but neither did we see a smile on Pumpkin's face. Do cats smile? I guess not.

The Addicted Crafter

I'm thinking most crafters worth their salt are throughly addicted to their passion. Maybe some of us are more easily reigned in to those addictions, but it isn't any wonder why.

I've never been much good at math. I think that makes me creative. I believe I'd pick being creative over good in math. I can use a calculator and understand basic functions. I just have never really caught on to taking letters of the alphabet and flinging them across the page to figure out a number. I know there are flinging rules, but I've just never liked games that much.

I do like to create things. It makes me happy to see the result. I get much more of a kick out of that then anything else. Now, about addiction:

I'm thinking 'focused' might be a better term than addiction. Focused seems far more positive. It somehow seems more acceptable. So, let's just say I'm focused, but not always on the same thing.

I got interested in scrapbooking when my daughter was a consultant for Creative Memories. I have to say that I flung myself into that with abandon and have several really nice scrapbooks to enjoy. I have more to do, but have lost a bit of steam there and am focused on something else at the moment.

That something else is stamping, which can go nicely with scrapbooking. That way I can use all the 'stuff' I purchased in the past. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. When you are between addictions (focuses), it is a nice thing to have a friend who can motivate and fling you forward into the next phase. I have a daughter and a friend who both are into crafts with a passion. Daughter Ineeda has a complete walk in closet filled with craft items. They were all the result of saving money. I've heard my friend Ida say the same thing. It goes something like this: I wasn't going to buy that, but I could get it for half price and it will really come in handy. I really saved money getting it on sale. Ineeda and Ida are so alike. I'm not really being condescending here. I'll do the same thing in a heart beat.

Ida is a consultant for a stamping company. To her credit, she has not tried to make me buy anything. Really, she hasn't. Ida actually likes to buy from herself. Now that is a higher level thinking skill in the saving money department. It works. Really. I have ordered a few things from Ida for Ineeda. Then one day, I happened to slip and mention to Ida that I might really like to try some of that stamping stuff myself. Ida, being a good friend, jumped in the car and drove to see me. She brought with her a ton of colored stamp pads, some stamps, some card stock, colored pens and pencils, and even a brush. She sat me down and gave me a little lesson. She left all those supplies with me for awhile so I could play. Bless Ida!!

There isn't a crafter anywhere who could resist that kind of a deal. I mean, it is too good to pass up. Ida has even sweetened the pot by blessing me with her older style stamp pads. I have a start... a big start!! I just need a few more things, and I'll be all set to go. Actually, I have to admit that I've now purchased more than a few of those things.

If you doubt that I'm really a focused crafter, I will here and now confess that I-Needa and I have been on the phone together looking at the catalog of stamps and oohing and aahing over them. We have picked out things that we simply 'must' have. Ah, yes... I believe I'm hooked. I'm going to have to call Ida and tell her to put me out of my misery by ordering a few stamping products. Ida, being a good friend, will get right on it.

Right Back

I have a son. He is grown and gone from the nest. Thank goodness! He still lives in the same town, so I see him more than I would if he were far away.

Occasionally I think up some little something that he has the talent and expertise to do for me. The problem is catching him and keeping him long enough to get any of those items accomplished. He is well practiced at escaping. As soon as I come up with a plan and spell it out, he starts squirming around and checking for the time. Then he announces: 'I'll be right back'. I know better. He is about to flee for his life. He makes an exit on some important concocted mission and 'poof' he is gone.

I've caught on by now. He really won't be right back. In fact, he won't be back for several days, and he will think I've forgotten that little thing I wanted him to do. He is wrong. I don't forget.

Sometimes when I see him coming, I just smile and say, 'Well, hello Right Back.' That lets him know that I have his number, and he just smiles. I know that one fine day he will decide to do that little helpful something. In the meantime, I go on calling him Right Back.

One day he awakens and decides that he is ready to get on with my little project. He calls and announces that he will be over. His voice indicates he is upbeat and all about business. Whatever my little project, it is about to be handled. Nine out of ten times, he will have elected to appear on a day that I'm up to my eyebrows in other things. Of course, I've carried on so about what I need done, that I don't dare say that it isn't convenient. I know that it may be another full month of Sundays before he will 'feel' like it again.

Therefore, I try to sound casual as I tell him that I'd love for him to come and get my little project done. It also seems important to let him pretend that the whole thing is his idea. I don't really care. If it works for him, it can work for me. I only care about the outcome.

If I'm lucky, Son will come with everything that is needed for the project. I'm not always lucky. Sometimes he arrives to assess the situation and decides that more of this or that is needed before he can start. Then he must run somewhere to fetch something and (you guessed it) he will be right back.

In Right Back's defense, I will say that he has done a number of things for me that I just couldn't do. He is busy and spare time is precious time. I'm fortunate that he is knowledgeable enough about fixing things to help when he can. I really can count on him, and I know that sooner or later, he'll be right back.

Too Cute for Words

Grandpuppy Gigi came to visit. Isn't she just too cute for words? She has such a sweet nature and is a joy to have around. She can be a tad insistent when it comes to getting a full amount of petting going on. When she wants a little love, just be prepared to give it.

Gigi's human is my daughter, I-Needa. I've given her this 'silly' name as noticed some time ago that her sentences often begin with the words 'I need a....'. It seemed only reasonable that I should call her I-Needa. I probably wouldn't have noticed the frequency of usage of that particular phrase, except for the fact that I found myself using it as well. It just seemed to fit. We laugh sometimes when we find ourselves overusing those words.

I-Needa and Gigi have been visiting during the Christmas holidays. I-Needa teaches in an elementary school and has the benefit of a few extra days off during the year. I always enjoy having her here with me. It is a good time to catch up in person.

I-Needa and I have spent some time looking at a new addition of our favorite crafting catalog. After all, we are sure to find some 'must have' items. It is much fun to ohh and ahh together over neat new stuff. We can plan and plot together and somehow we manage to justify for each other the 'need' to purchase. It works rather nicely for both of us.