Kate Collins's Blog, page 158
May 11, 2015
Still in Northern Virginia
by Maggie SeftonHello, Everyone. By the time you read this blog today, Tuesday, May 12th,
I'll either be driving from the peaceful countryside near the Potomac River to Dulles Airport in Northern VA---or already on the airplane---or back in Fort Collins, Colorado.
It's been a peaceful Spring trip back to my old hometown area of Northern Virginia. I visited with old friends I grew up with in Arlington, VA, attended the Malice Domestic mystery conference in Washington, DC, and drove down to the river house an hour and a half from the Northern VA/DC/Suburban Maryland Metro Madness. Here---in the midst of blooming azaleas and dogwood trees and other flowering bushes---I'm surrounded by woods and trees (but have wonderful neighbors just across the large grassy yards). Early this evening I walked from my back door into the wide yard that stretches back to the woods and frightened a mother deer and her fawn. Early evening grazing.
It's been a wonderful spot to recuperate from the Nasty Flu Virus I caught earlier last week. Conferences are full of people, so it's a safe bet there're a few who are catching something and
inadvertently spreading it around.
Who would have thought that Flu viruses would still be going around in early May? And yet, all the staff at the two urgent care and/or ER medical clinics I visited last week (I told you it was a Nasty Flu) confirmed that the Flu bug was "going around." Curses!
Meanwhile----enjoy the above photo of another azalea bush along the side porch of the river house. This is the first time I'd seen the pink and white azalea bush bloom. :)
May 10, 2015
QUICKLY, QUICKLY
by
Kate Collins
Whew! I'm taking a quick break in the action to write this so I can go back to the fun. My son and daughter are home for Mother's Day, and we are three bizeee people! We've moved furniture, fixed a doorbell, shopped, planted pots and pots of flowers (you can see a photo of two of those pots), made food, and grilled out, taking advantage of a quick break in the weather -- wait, is that yellow glow -- could it be -- the SUN?
And before long, we'll be eating organic beef burgers, sweet potato & onions in foil packets, baked beans, green salad, and as a tribute to my mom, her famous Pecan Pie Surprise Bars. Also on tap is a bottle of champagne.
It is Mother's Day, after all.
Then an after dinner walk and we are done. They will have to drive back to their respective homes and I'll get to relax and smile over the lovely day.
We're very close, my kids and I, and I'm so appreciative that they can and like to spend the day with me. I hope you, too, had a lovely day in whatever you chose to do.
And now, back to the festivities.
Kate Collins
Whew! I'm taking a quick break in the action to write this so I can go back to the fun. My son and daughter are home for Mother's Day, and we are three bizeee people! We've moved furniture, fixed a doorbell, shopped, planted pots and pots of flowers (you can see a photo of two of those pots), made food, and grilled out, taking advantage of a quick break in the weather -- wait, is that yellow glow -- could it be -- the SUN?And before long, we'll be eating organic beef burgers, sweet potato & onions in foil packets, baked beans, green salad, and as a tribute to my mom, her famous Pecan Pie Surprise Bars. Also on tap is a bottle of champagne.
It is Mother's Day, after all.
Then an after dinner walk and we are done. They will have to drive back to their respective homes and I'll get to relax and smile over the lovely day. We're very close, my kids and I, and I'm so appreciative that they can and like to spend the day with me. I hope you, too, had a lovely day in whatever you chose to do.
And now, back to the festivities.
May 9, 2015
You Either Are One or You Have/Had One
by Leann
It's May and in our family, this month is packed with celebrations. Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, you name it. Many of us are either Taurus or Gemini and we also have relatives who have passed born in this month.
For instance, my late mother was born in May and so was my sister. I was born on my grandmother's birthday at the end of the month. Then a son-in-law joined us and he was also born in May. And I must add that my very first novel was published in May the same week my son was married. Coincidence? I don't know, but there's a lot going on!!
My mother passed away many, many years ago from complications of alcoholism. I can honestly say I don't miss her. It was a rough time growing up. She and my father moved to Brazil for his job and she died there. I don't even know where she's buried--or if she was buried. It's like an unfinished book. None of this means I didn't love her or forgive her. I did. But I made sure my children had a mom who was 100% there for them. So, in the beginning I didn't know how to be a good mom but I found my way. I succeeded. I am close with my kids. We love each other very much. Mother's Day is a true celebration. Even if you didn't have the best mother, you all had one. It's a tough job and some of them fail. But I have come to believe that a child has unconditional love for their mother even though sometimes it's complicated.
Most of you out there probably were wonderful mothers because you were taught well! I applaud you and hope you have a fantastic day.
It's May and in our family, this month is packed with celebrations. Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, you name it. Many of us are either Taurus or Gemini and we also have relatives who have passed born in this month. For instance, my late mother was born in May and so was my sister. I was born on my grandmother's birthday at the end of the month. Then a son-in-law joined us and he was also born in May. And I must add that my very first novel was published in May the same week my son was married. Coincidence? I don't know, but there's a lot going on!!
My mother passed away many, many years ago from complications of alcoholism. I can honestly say I don't miss her. It was a rough time growing up. She and my father moved to Brazil for his job and she died there. I don't even know where she's buried--or if she was buried. It's like an unfinished book. None of this means I didn't love her or forgive her. I did. But I made sure my children had a mom who was 100% there for them. So, in the beginning I didn't know how to be a good mom but I found my way. I succeeded. I am close with my kids. We love each other very much. Mother's Day is a true celebration. Even if you didn't have the best mother, you all had one. It's a tough job and some of them fail. But I have come to believe that a child has unconditional love for their mother even though sometimes it's complicated.
Most of you out there probably were wonderful mothers because you were taught well! I applaud you and hope you have a fantastic day.
May 8, 2015
IS YOUR CAT A NARCISSIST? PROBABLY.
By Mary Kennedy
As many of you know, I'm a psychologist in private practice on the East coast and recently I came across a wonderful article on narcissism. As I read through the description, I thought, "Good heavens!! How did I miss this? My cat is a narcissist." (Actually several of my 8 cats are narcissists, according to the traits listed in the magazine). Let's take a quick look, and keep your own cat in mind as we go through some of the characteristics. Do any of them strike a chord with you? 1.
With narcissists, it's "all about them."
Do they care about *your* needs? Not in the least. Have you ever had a sleepless night, only to have your cat tap you repeatedly on the fact, looking for his breakfast? By the way, I'll use the pronoun "he" throughout this blog, just for convenience. I happen to have 4 male cats and 4 female cats, and trust me, females can be narcissists, too. Take a look at this fun video of a cat kicking the bedroom door, trying to wake his owners. Totally selfish and narcissistic, although very cute. https://www.google.com/#q=youtube+cat+kicking+door 2.
The Stare
. This is a very powerful tool used by feline narcissists. Has your cat ever stared at you intently? As one of my favorite authors, Dean James, said about Diesel, the delightful cat in his Cat in the Stacks Mysteries, "
He stared at me, as if trying to bend me to his will
." Anyone who has a cat will totally relate to this description. I smile every time I think of it.
3.
The Silent Treatment
. Have you ever had your cat walk away from you in a huff? A swish of his tail, a shrug of his shoulders and he stalks away. I have. And sometimes my only offense was daring to offer him a plate of cat food he didn't like. My bad!! Narcissists punish by ignoring. And if you've ever been ignored by a cat....well, you see my point.
4. Manipulation. It's all about control with narcissists. Have you ever found yourself opening several cans of cat food, hoping that one will please your furry master? I know I have! Sometimes they even go back and eat the first one you offered. Classic narcissist behavior.
5.
The Victim Card.
Does your cat ever "play the victim" and act so miserably unhappy you just *have* to ditch the canned cat food and open a nice can of dolphin-safe tuna? Or broil a chicken breast, just for him? By meowing piteously, these fur-babies can twist us around their little paws!
These are just a few of the common ploys used by cat-narcissists. Now that you are aware of them, you can be on the look-out! And if you think of some I've missed, please leave a comment below. I'd love to trade experiences with you! Mary Kennedy
As many of you know, I'm a psychologist in private practice on the East coast and recently I came across a wonderful article on narcissism. As I read through the description, I thought, "Good heavens!! How did I miss this? My cat is a narcissist." (Actually several of my 8 cats are narcissists, according to the traits listed in the magazine). Let's take a quick look, and keep your own cat in mind as we go through some of the characteristics. Do any of them strike a chord with you? 1.
With narcissists, it's "all about them."
Do they care about *your* needs? Not in the least. Have you ever had a sleepless night, only to have your cat tap you repeatedly on the fact, looking for his breakfast? By the way, I'll use the pronoun "he" throughout this blog, just for convenience. I happen to have 4 male cats and 4 female cats, and trust me, females can be narcissists, too. Take a look at this fun video of a cat kicking the bedroom door, trying to wake his owners. Totally selfish and narcissistic, although very cute. https://www.google.com/#q=youtube+cat+kicking+door 2.
The Stare
. This is a very powerful tool used by feline narcissists. Has your cat ever stared at you intently? As one of my favorite authors, Dean James, said about Diesel, the delightful cat in his Cat in the Stacks Mysteries, "
He stared at me, as if trying to bend me to his will
." Anyone who has a cat will totally relate to this description. I smile every time I think of it.
3.
The Silent Treatment
. Have you ever had your cat walk away from you in a huff? A swish of his tail, a shrug of his shoulders and he stalks away. I have. And sometimes my only offense was daring to offer him a plate of cat food he didn't like. My bad!! Narcissists punish by ignoring. And if you've ever been ignored by a cat....well, you see my point.
4. Manipulation. It's all about control with narcissists. Have you ever found yourself opening several cans of cat food, hoping that one will please your furry master? I know I have! Sometimes they even go back and eat the first one you offered. Classic narcissist behavior.
5.
The Victim Card.
Does your cat ever "play the victim" and act so miserably unhappy you just *have* to ditch the canned cat food and open a nice can of dolphin-safe tuna? Or broil a chicken breast, just for him? By meowing piteously, these fur-babies can twist us around their little paws!
These are just a few of the common ploys used by cat-narcissists. Now that you are aware of them, you can be on the look-out! And if you think of some I've missed, please leave a comment below. I'd love to trade experiences with you! Mary Kennedy
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
For most people, the most wonderful time of the year is the holiday season. Okay, I love it, too, but my second favorite season is Yard Sale season, which in these parts is from May until early October.
Weeee! What a lot of fun it is to go on a treasure hunt.
Last weekend was the BIG Browncroft bi-annual sale. I haven't been to it in many years and felt the need to treat myself. Of course, the last time I went, I was still a vender in an antiques arcade, so I was shopping for bargains I could turn around to resell. These days, I have to be a lot more discerning.
In the old days, I could buy what I wanted, live with it for a while, and then sell it on a kind of catch-and-release basis. Today, I had better have a specific purpose in mind. Okay, I'm still buying pretty teacups and square plates, but I'm also being practical.
I needed a new egg timer. I keep one in my office to remind me to let the cats in on a cold day. (Or to remind me to get off my duff and go do my exercise or GET OFF THE INTERNET.) I found a super-duper one that not only goes for an hour (on the right side), but has a 20-hour timer on the left. Well, I HAD to have that! (And for the bargain price of only $2.)
I have NEVER seen my (good) china pattern at a yard sale before, so when I saw the Royal Albert Silver Maple sugar bowl (again for the bargain price of only $2), I bought it in a heartbeat. I asked the woman collecting the money if she had any more pieces and she said her daughter "got it at a yard sale." (Obviously another catch-and-release item.) Of course, I already have a Royal Albert Silver Maple sugar bowl and oddly enough, I don't take sugar in my tea, so it doesn't get a lot of use. But hey, I might one day, right?
The square plate is from Germany. It's just pretty.
The little elephant has a broken tusk. (He's showing his "good" side in the picture at right.) The person at that sale wanted 50 cents. I said, "But he's wounded." Okay, then a quarter. (Hey, I'm into saving elephants, whether they are alive, or tiny orphans like that little guy. I have a whole herd of wounded orphaned elephants. I love them. (Somebody has to.)
The pansy picture under glass with copper tape holding it together is a Christmas tree ornament. I'm a sucker for pansies, so ...
I also bought a couple of bangles. Hey, bling is quite fine. I particularly love the one of the left with all the little hearts and the tiny rhinestones. The woman selling them said she was doing a whole-house purge and was selling a big box of jewelery for 50 cents each. I wish I'd taken more time to go through it. She had some really nice "chunky" necklaces, too.
And I bought my very first painting. It's an original watercolor (I just love watercolors). I'm in the process of redecorating my enclosed porch, and I'm doing it in BEACH style, so this picture should work out nicely. I also bought a rug for the porch, and a heater for my office.
In all I spent $26. Not a bad haul for my first yard sale foray of the year.
What do you look for when you go to yard sales?
For most people, the most wonderful time of the year is the holiday season. Okay, I love it, too, but my second favorite season is Yard Sale season, which in these parts is from May until early October.
Weeee! What a lot of fun it is to go on a treasure hunt.
Last weekend was the BIG Browncroft bi-annual sale. I haven't been to it in many years and felt the need to treat myself. Of course, the last time I went, I was still a vender in an antiques arcade, so I was shopping for bargains I could turn around to resell. These days, I have to be a lot more discerning.In the old days, I could buy what I wanted, live with it for a while, and then sell it on a kind of catch-and-release basis. Today, I had better have a specific purpose in mind. Okay, I'm still buying pretty teacups and square plates, but I'm also being practical.
I needed a new egg timer. I keep one in my office to remind me to let the cats in on a cold day. (Or to remind me to get off my duff and go do my exercise or GET OFF THE INTERNET.) I found a super-duper one that not only goes for an hour (on the right side), but has a 20-hour timer on the left. Well, I HAD to have that! (And for the bargain price of only $2.)I have NEVER seen my (good) china pattern at a yard sale before, so when I saw the Royal Albert Silver Maple sugar bowl (again for the bargain price of only $2), I bought it in a heartbeat. I asked the woman collecting the money if she had any more pieces and she said her daughter "got it at a yard sale." (Obviously another catch-and-release item.) Of course, I already have a Royal Albert Silver Maple sugar bowl and oddly enough, I don't take sugar in my tea, so it doesn't get a lot of use. But hey, I might one day, right?
The square plate is from Germany. It's just pretty.
The little elephant has a broken tusk. (He's showing his "good" side in the picture at right.) The person at that sale wanted 50 cents. I said, "But he's wounded." Okay, then a quarter. (Hey, I'm into saving elephants, whether they are alive, or tiny orphans like that little guy. I have a whole herd of wounded orphaned elephants. I love them. (Somebody has to.)The pansy picture under glass with copper tape holding it together is a Christmas tree ornament. I'm a sucker for pansies, so ...
I also bought a couple of bangles. Hey, bling is quite fine. I particularly love the one of the left with all the little hearts and the tiny rhinestones. The woman selling them said she was doing a whole-house purge and was selling a big box of jewelery for 50 cents each. I wish I'd taken more time to go through it. She had some really nice "chunky" necklaces, too.
And I bought my very first painting. It's an original watercolor (I just love watercolors). I'm in the process of redecorating my enclosed porch, and I'm doing it in BEACH style, so this picture should work out nicely. I also bought a rug for the porch, and a heater for my office.
In all I spent $26. Not a bad haul for my first yard sale foray of the year.
What do you look for when you go to yard sales?
May 6, 2015
Home is where the heart is
By Victoria Abbott aka Mary Jane Maffini
Well, after six days, more than a thousand miles and about a million laughs, I arrived home from a road trip this week. Four women, eight pieces of luggage, three gift baskets, and random bags and boxes, one car and too many opinions to count! At Malice Domestic, it was great to see old friends(including some of you!) and meet new ones.
Our book event at the Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookstore was lots of fun and we got to connect with new readers and fans.
A good time was had by all. But really, the best part? I have to admit it was walking through that front door and being greeted by my hubby and two small very excited dogs.
If you even want to feel truly wanted, have your dog at the door after a trip. I think my husband was happy too, but he didn’t run around in circles and he never barked once.
I was even greeted by the ducks who took time off from whatever ducks do in the nearby ditch to waddle over. In the time I was gone, the tulips had sprung, the daffs were waving gaily
and we had a bumper crop of white trillium, the official flower of Ontario.
My hubby had pulled together quite a nice dinner out of the pathetic scraps from the fridge. I felt loved and wanted. I didn’t let myself think about our ratty lawn.
Once that overstuffed suitcase was out of the way (I should take lessons from Duffy!) and a load of laundry whirling, it felt so good to just chill and chat. I confess that later we watched a taped episode of Battle Creek, a police procedural that I find hilarious and just enjoyed the quiet life. It will take a week to catch up on everything that slipped during my week, but so what!
Home is where the heart is. It’s also handy to have a hug, pets and a PVR.
What about you? Do you love setting out on a trip? Or do you prefer the re-entry? Do you have pets who meet you at the door? Or …?
May 5, 2015
Packing it in
Hi, Duffy Brown here andI’m going to Italy for three weeks!!!!! Yippee!! (I’m going to discover my Castelluccio roots)
Now I have to pack for it! Boooooo!
Without a doubt the worse part of a trip is packing. I never know want to bring. I’ve made this new rule that when flying I cannot pack more than I can carry. If it doesn’t go in the carryon that I can lift it stays home.
I know, I know... Duffy, honey, you can check bags! But then you have to lug the bags through the airport, onto trains, busses cars. I’m too old to lug.
So I made a few investments. First off I bought carry on luggage that fits the new international airline regulations. They are really getting cranky about that. And it only weights 6 pounds. I got that four-wheel swivel kind so I can push it along and I got a duffle that fits on top.
I put my 3 oz liquids in a zip-lock baggie and my daughter talked me into one of those Eagle Creek packing cubes that keep clothes from sliding around. When you get to where you’re going you simply lift out the cube and put it in the drawer. Bingo! It fits nicely into my carryon and I can pack shoes etc around it.
I have a thin cross body purse that has a flap and is pretty much pick-pocket proof. (Least that’s the plan). You can only carry two things on the plane so the thin purse slides in the duffle. I have noise-reducing earphones for those crying babies (been there. No fun). I have the official Rick Steves under-garment holder for passport and credit cards and the protectors so my info can’t be stolen by some sneaky electronic devise.
I have a stash of candy and an apple and neck pillow and a book. But what else? Anyone have any suggestions? I can use all the help I can get…I hate packing for trips!
Demise in DenimConsignment Shop MysteryApril, 2015 Post Conference Update
by Maggie SeftonApologies for the tardy posting today, but last night Flu Bug symptons showed up and definitely slowed me down. This morning I feel better. Taking it easy and will go to doctor to have this cough checked. I've learned not to ignore a cough. Years ago I would keep on going and going with a cough sometimes lasting up to two weeks. That was in the Superwoman phase in my 30s. :) But one time the cough didn't get better and when a doctor checked, it had gone into bronchitis. That is definitely not fun. So----I no longer ignore coughs with bad colds or even a slight flu. I'd never had bronchitis before then, and boy oh boy-----did that slow me down. It was an effort to walk across the room, let alone take care of my two daughters----both under four years old. After that I decided that "Superwoman" didn't exist. She'd died off years ago. :/
The Malice Domestic conference was fun as always. I really enjoy touching base with readers and writer folk I've met over the years. But---I'm now down here a block from the wide, wide Potomac River, so I've added some photos.
Azaleas are blooming everywhere. The salmon pink and white bushes beside the house are in full bloom. The combo pink and white are coming. Flowering pink dogwoods have already peaked. Don't you just LOVE spring? What's blooming where you are?
May 3, 2015
LET’S HAVE A SHOW OF HANDS!
by Kate Collins
Quick quiz! Answer this question without thinking about it: Are you happy?
If the first word out of your mouth was “Yes!”, then lucky you!
Happy People are more optimistic, have stronger immune systems, decreased pain and chronic disease, less stress, and lower risk of heart disease, lower levels of inflammatory gene expression and stronger antiviral and antibody responses.
However, if you hesitated or said something on the order of “I wish!” then lucky you! There’s good news ahead, because you have far more control over your brain than you think.
In his book The Emotional Life of Your Brain, Davidson, Ph.D., suggests you can rewire your brain to become more optimistic—and that promotes health in the rest of your body.
For example, if you have a history of anxiety, your neural pathways have become wired for anxiety. But if you develop ways to feel a sense of calm and peace, those anxiety pathways are pruned away from lack of activity. Basically, it’s a use it or lose it thing.
But your brain's ability to rewire itself, known as brain plasticity, is not just controlled by your thoughts and emotions. It’s also controlled by your diet, and lifestyle choices, including exercise.
Here are strategies to become happier.
• Surround yourself with reminders of happy times, such as photos or mementos.
• Develop an attitude of gratitude and express it daily.
• Complement people on things you like or appreciate about them. Make it a habit to say something kind to one person a day. Their happiness will make you happier.
• Practice mindfulness. Live in the moment. If you’re living in the past or focusing on the future, you’re not present in the here and now, and those moments are gone forever.
• Take at least five minutes to sit in silence and listen to the sounds around you. This is an easy way to meditate. If you focus on the sounds, really THINK about the sounds, you can’t worry or feel sad because you can’t hold two thoughts in your head at the same time. You can also listen to music, pay attention to the tones, the rhythms, and the beat, and breathe deeply with it.
• Exercise! Get up on your feet and move at least once every hour you sit. In addition, do stretches, take a walk, enroll in a yoga or strength training class, ride a bike – just being out in nature will improve your mood.
• Eat right. You know what makes you feel sluggish, bloated, and regretful, so stay away from it. There is a ton of information about incorporating greens into your diet, which are not only superfoods for your body, but also for your brain and skin. Make your brain happy! Look younger! Eat lots of greens.
• Schedule play time. Whatever that means to you, do it. Just planning it will brighten your mood.
• Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep doesn’t just make you crabby, it affects your immune system and thoughts. So make your room light proof. Light disrupts melatonin production, and that will wake you up. Keep electronics away from your head. Cool your room down. If your brain is warm, it’s active. You want it to go to sleep, so turn down the heat, open the windows, turn on the A/C, whatever it takes to be cool.
• Smile. A smile actually releases feel-good hormones in your brain.
• Tell your image in the mirror that you are happy. Brains are computers that record and spit back what’s said to them. If you tell it you’re happy, it will respond by finding things to be happy about. Try it!Please realize that the more you practice being happy, the happier you’ll become, because new neural pathways will form in response to your efforts. At the same time, your brain will undergo "synaptic pruning"—eliminating pathways you no longer need.
So next time you see a happy person and think, “I wish I could be more like her/him,” you can. Isn’t that great news?
May 2, 2015
The Easy Way--Finally
by Leann
Our new (and last) house is the fourth one we've owned. We did rent a couple or four, but in the ones we have owned, one of my least favorite things to do is window treatments. First of all, they are expensive. I can't remember a time when I didn't think, "Why does this cost so much?" as I hunted for the right covering for a particular window.
House number one was when we first moved to Texas. It was the first time I made drapes because we were relatively poor. Or maybe I didn't sew them. I remember what they looked like--very orange--but maybe I had someone make them. My sister, perhaps? Because sewing machines and I were mortal enemies at that point in my life. Yes, I was a home economics C student. I hated that class. We made aprons as our project and I did a horrible job.
Then came the second house. We moved to this one when our kids first started school. I did the least amount of work in that house--just accepted what the previous owners had done. I was into painting rooms back then. I did a lot of painting and wallpapering in those days. It was also my "country phase" with lots of blue everything. Why? I don't know. I'm not really a fan of blue.
When we moved into a different and brand new house in Texas, all the windows had to be covered--and I did it all. I made drapes--the sewing machine and I resolved our differences--and I hung blinds, too. I was Wonder Woman. My husband and I even joined forces to make a fancy valance out of
fabric I bought. It really was pretty nice but the
arguments? Oh, like every project we do together, there is the butting of the heads. But it turned out well.
Now I am in a new home again and this time, I decided I was done with the do-it-yourself business. And I was done with CORDS. There is no window treatment I have ever had that did not end up with failed cords. Be it a cat attack or a Leann attack, they all get tangled or frayed or eaten or knotted. So, this week I had old-fashioned roller shades installed. I didn't measure, I didn't install, I left it all to the professionals. It was so nice to "let it go." They are very simple and I can get small valances installed later if I want, but here's the finished product.
The fabric.
The windows from inside:
The windows from outside.
I am quite satisfied and it was so painless and quick! As for the landscaping? Don't even ask. (You can see it is NOT DONE.)
Our new (and last) house is the fourth one we've owned. We did rent a couple or four, but in the ones we have owned, one of my least favorite things to do is window treatments. First of all, they are expensive. I can't remember a time when I didn't think, "Why does this cost so much?" as I hunted for the right covering for a particular window.
House number one was when we first moved to Texas. It was the first time I made drapes because we were relatively poor. Or maybe I didn't sew them. I remember what they looked like--very orange--but maybe I had someone make them. My sister, perhaps? Because sewing machines and I were mortal enemies at that point in my life. Yes, I was a home economics C student. I hated that class. We made aprons as our project and I did a horrible job.
Then came the second house. We moved to this one when our kids first started school. I did the least amount of work in that house--just accepted what the previous owners had done. I was into painting rooms back then. I did a lot of painting and wallpapering in those days. It was also my "country phase" with lots of blue everything. Why? I don't know. I'm not really a fan of blue.
When we moved into a different and brand new house in Texas, all the windows had to be covered--and I did it all. I made drapes--the sewing machine and I resolved our differences--and I hung blinds, too. I was Wonder Woman. My husband and I even joined forces to make a fancy valance out of
fabric I bought. It really was pretty nice but the arguments? Oh, like every project we do together, there is the butting of the heads. But it turned out well.
Now I am in a new home again and this time, I decided I was done with the do-it-yourself business. And I was done with CORDS. There is no window treatment I have ever had that did not end up with failed cords. Be it a cat attack or a Leann attack, they all get tangled or frayed or eaten or knotted. So, this week I had old-fashioned roller shades installed. I didn't measure, I didn't install, I left it all to the professionals. It was so nice to "let it go." They are very simple and I can get small valances installed later if I want, but here's the finished product. The fabric.
The windows from inside:
The windows from outside.
I am quite satisfied and it was so painless and quick! As for the landscaping? Don't even ask. (You can see it is NOT DONE.)
