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I actually spent an hour in my craft room yesterday, first time for probably a year, started a card for B as I need to make a card for youngest son’s birthday for next month!
Steve had two appointments at the hospital last week and came away with five more! Just when we thought it was coming to an end, he was there Wednesday and by Friday night Tina our translator sent an email with two of the appointments, one for this week, can’t complain at how quickly they organised things over here.
So pleased we live where treatment is free, can’t imagine how much all Steve’s tests and treatments would have cost and all the meds he’s had.
I hope no one lives where the terrible weather is around Texas, keep safe ladies.
Thank you, Ann!
Hello, Alpha Sisters! I am here! Melody, Kathy and Jan beat me here!
LOL Jan, so happy you are feeling less stressed and able to work in your craft room!
It has warmed up to 0 degrees here. We had almost 8” of snow, but now the sun is shining. No traffic as schools are closed. Most churches were closed yesterday. I never got dressed yesterday! LOL. But didn’t craft, either! I have been in reading mode. I am on my 7th book of 2026! I will probably not read the rest of the year. LOL. I read while DH watched the games, but I can look up and say, wow, look at that great pass. LOL. He is happy.
maybe I will get dresses today, maybe not. Not going anywhere! Have a great Monday!
Good morning! The sun is shining. It is 6 degrees with a feels like 5. At least we are above zero! We have 6 inches of snow, per my husband when he was shoveling.
My daughter brought a few stamp sets downstairs for me. It was not exactly what I was hoping for, but will make do.
Sharon, I read a lot also. I checked out a book yesterday by Irene Hannon, Sea Rose Lane. This is number 2 in a series. It has been several books ago since I read book 1. It seems like they are set in the same town but not totally related.
Good morning! I won't tell you about our weather here as I don't want you to hate me! I had a fair amount of crafty time yesterday which was fabulous. I focused on birthday cards as that stash is low. I did get my chores done as well. DD1, however, is dealing with this cold weather though it hasn't been as bad as the forecast was. That is the same for our friends who live in TN. They were disappointed to not get more snow.
DD2 was sick over the weekend but, thankfully, is better now. Hopefully getting up at 1:20 this morning for work didn't set her back. She might even get home from work before I leave for work.
Lisa, I'm sorry the wheelchair didn't work out in time for last year's insurance costs. That is interesting about your relatives who worked for Chrysler but didn't drive them!
Jean, I haven't looked but I bet there are Youtube videos teaching ukulele.
Kathy, can you find out where Lauren goes to work and follow her? That is what I did with my hair stylist. She used to cut hair at SuperCuts. I really liked her so always requested her when I went in for a cut and she gave me her phone number so when she basically quit working at SuperCuts, I was able to reach her and find out how to follow her! She is the one who gave all three of us hair cuts before the wedding.
One of the Walmarts around here can't seem to keep a food place in it. They had several different places and all failed. I think they might have finally throw in the towel and re-assigned that space to online orders or something.
Sharon, great job finishing all the cards for round 23. I didn't do that and probably won't go back to complete them.
Ann, thanks for the heads up about the post office. That is interesting. I don't actually mail my ballot when I vote though. I go directly to the county office and drop it off at the elections place so I don't worry about it getting lost.
Gracie, I hope this year is more peaceful for you and we get to see your cards in the gallery.
Jan, sorry about the additional appointments for Steve. Glad you got back in your craft room.
When my stepdad and uncle worked for Chrysler, they always said they were pricing them out of a job. They knew they would be retired before it happened but they saw it coming. The factory in Fenton now houses Amazon and other companies. The parking lot was huge! I do not know how many acres it encompassed. My uncle always said that he tooled the line and knew exactly how it worked. My stepdad drove them. He drove a lot of trucks, but the last ones were Dodge Rams. He couldn't afford them when I was growing up. All of the kids needed to grow up and then his money went further.
Good Monday afternoon! You will never ever hear me complain about the cold in Wisconsin in January....maybe in March! The sun is out, wind isn't terrible, I'm snug as a bug in a rug. It's 2F here which is about a 20 degree improvement. You will hear me complain about heat and humidity in the summer. I hate spending money on air conditioning when it's summer and I hate the feel of sweat trickling down my back. I could never live in a place like Texas or Florida year round, although they've been cold. Sissies!
Liz and I went out for coffee this morning. Every once in a while she will ask me on a Monday morning, since she usually doesn't start work until noon. We started at Oh Oh Coffee because she said the coffee is a bit more high level. Well it was delicious but it's connected to a convention center, they were moving stuff out of it probably from an event this past week and they were letting in lots of cold air. The wind was pretty strong down by the river. So then we moved to a different one downtown, much cozier. Yes, I had coffee at both and a delicious almond croissant. Almond is my most favorite flavor in the world. I also had breakfast at Liz's house on Saturday so that's been lovely. More good coffee, excellent quiche and homemade biscuits (not cookies). Liz and Scott do great breakfasts!!!!!!
Tomorrow night is Band Extravaganza. All the school bands gather together for a concert. Each band plays their own pieces and then there is a huge massed band, which often can get out of kilter. I loved doing that kind of stuff when I was young. i'm going over to help Mirren with some of her music after school because she is struggling a bit. I'm sure she's fine but I love it when she asks for help. She is the one granddaughter who practices. My girls are very different from each other. Clare shuns challenges, which is not a good thing, since she's talking about nursing in her future. If anyone has a good bit of advice for how to handle a child like that, let me know. She fears failure but she also fears success. She had seizures when she was little so I've often wondered if there is something going on in the brain from those.
I went to the first rehearsal for the community chorus last night. There was another one earlier in January but I had Covid then. The director chooses some challenging music. A bunch of the music is from The Greatest Showman, which I don't know at all. I saw the movie, wasn't that impressed. Takes a lot to impress me. We again are doing some gospel, which is fun, and some Latin, which is challenging. Do any of you know Eric Whitacre? We are doing one of his pieces. He does those big massed group things online. I think those started during Covid. BC is before Covid, AC is after Covid.
I always try to use the sketch for the Alpha so I won't be johnny on the spot. Should be easier with colors.
All of my mail goes to St. Paul first, incoming and outgoing. So the postmarking is never the day I mail things, even if I walk things into my post office. I too take my ballot into the clerk's office, don't even use the drop boxes unless I have to. As I've said before, I tend to give the postal service some slack. Life is too short to get in a tangle about something one can't control. There is enough other stupid stuff going on now.
I have my Medicare Wellness visit this week, which also includes a phone call from a nurse a few days earlier. I'm not sure about co-pays but I have a feeling there will be a co-pay. In the past there was not. I'm experiencing quite a few changes in my health insurance, not necessarily good. I now will pay $29 a month beyond what SS takes out. I had zero extra taken out up until this point. And benefits have been removed, like fitness and over the counter. Sigh.
Jan, thinking of you and your husband and all those visits. Another sigh.
Take care everyone!
__________________ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
I'm cleaning and purging stuff in my craft room and of course what do I find, yes, you are correct and entire box of Christmas cards!! Guess I don't have to be so worried about 2026 and can move onto 2027 cards!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!
Shirl, I have an Altenew set that I wanted. That was my second choice. My first choice was a Technique Tuesday set, but she couldn't locate those. I probably moved my sets around last spring and she is not looking in the correct place. I own many different companies sets and mist are sorted by company. They all live in containers with lids and are stacked. She brought me a Simon Says Stamp set that is close to what I was asking for and a Close to my Heart set. I stamped an image and will color it either tomorrow or another day.
I’ve actually made my cards for A and B, must be on a roll so I hope it continues!
I'm trying to use old backgrounds and half started cards.
It’s been so long since I crafted I was surprised to see my bling in a plastic box , can’t even remember putting them in it, must be something Steve has past onto me as he had a purge of his tool room as he calls his cupboard under the stairs.
Our weather is warming up, it’s still cool at night but it’s getting quite warm during the day.
A busy week, two hospital appointments tomorrow, Thursday the car going in to have mud flaps fitted and Friday I’m finally getting my hair done, it’s driving me mad it’s so long, I don’t enjoy going really especially as I’m having my highlights done so it’s two hour job!
Lisa, a diesel (Cumins engine) Dodge Ram is one of the trucks DH would like. The other is a Toyota Tacoma. I know, two very different trucks. He does need some sort of truck for wood hauling and moving etc.
Jean, you can add California to the list of states where you couldn't live. Spending money (lots of money because our electric is so expensive) on AC each summer is a requirement! And when it gets "cold" around here, I think these people are weather wimps too!
It sounds like you've had some lovely - and tasty - time with your daughter. I'm so glad you live close to her.
Sorry, no words of advice about dealing with your granddaughter. DD1 also has the problem of fear of failure and lets it hold her back if something doesn't come easily as most things have come for her.
Ann, I'm not surprised that you found a box of Christmas cards. I was surprised that you needed more already! LOL
Shirl, I believe the scottie dog I used on my card for the CAS challenge was a gift from you! I need to do better about tracking where something came from.
Jan, how awesome that you've already made cards for A and B. Go, Jan, go! I made cards for multiple challenges last week building up my birthday card stash because it had gotten low.
I hope your hair appointment is more relaxing and enjoyable than you expect.
Oh Catherine, I thought I had sent you the scottie but couldn't 100% remember, lol, so thanks for confirming my wonderment and I absolutely LOVE your card!
Jan, always nice to get to a hair appointment!
Lisa, I have lots of sets that are not SU too. I have mine in alphabetical order too, or should I say somewhat, lol. Craft room is a mess these days.
Going to walk in the sun to the library to return some magazines. Rain is expected tonight and then for several days.
Shirl, I'm glad your card arrived. Yes, I still play Mahjong once a week. It is a good distraction from all my family drama lately. I have to concentrate, as Mahjong has lots of rules and strategies you must pay attention!
Excited to start our next round. I have to work today, but hoping I have energy to work on a card tonight.
Way to go Jan! A and B already done.
Catherine, I hope you finally got your "really late" birthday card that I mailed when I found it in a pile of papers while cleaning my craft room! LOL
__________________ Judy aka Gracie "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." Maya Angelou
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Catherine, I don't know how I could get any information on where Lauren is now. I had no idea they were closing. She just cut my hair a couple of weeks ago and if I had known I would have asked her.
Went to the doctor yesterday. I have a lump at my jaw line and it hurts if you push on it but doesn't bother me otherwise. I don't know if it's related to the issue from nearly e years ago. I have a tooth that never came through the gums and it's resting on a nerve. If they pull it I will loose sensation so I just had them scrape it out and took antibiotics and it improved back then. The doctor says the lump is near a gland (pituitary?) And that gland has been known to get stones that block it. So he put me on an antibiotic and if it doesn't clear up after that, he will schedule an ultrasound.
Ann, so glad you found your box if cards! I spent a half hour yesterday looking for two small dies from my new gears and textures bundle. At first I had one of them and was just looking for the other and then I lost the first one. I finally found them. The first one was stuck in my embossing machine. I just use the magnet and pulled it out can't remember where I found the second one.
__________________ Kathy FS852 SCS Member #241,587
Hello everyone! I'm not feeling 100% today so decided to stay home and rest. I started to have a little sore throat yesterday afternoon at work and I want to beat this so resting today. I blame DD2 as she was home over the weekend with a sore throat! I don't really blame her but do think that is probably where I got this. My throat feels better today and I went to bed early (for me) last night so, hopefully, this day of extra rest will kick it to the curb. Of course I'm taking elderberry and zinc and all those things.
While the majority of my stamp sets are SU, I do have a number of others as well. I keep thinking I need to go through and make a card with every set I have but haven't gotten organized enough to make that happen.
Shirl, did you get your rain? We had rain last night. DD2 was so happy. It is sunny out there now.
Kathy, I'm sorry you didn't find out in time to be able to get Lauren's contact info. That sounds like she and her co-workers didn't know it was coming either. Maybe the salon will be back post remodel? I know they've been updating Walmarts out here and making them look more like Targets.
I'm glad you found your dies. When I can't find something when I'm crafting I'm always a little astonished because I haven't left the desk so it HAS to be there!
Hi! I am here...perhaps the 3rd time is the charm.
I will read posts later tonight. Hubby is on his way home from a 12-hour shift. Late dinner. I'll try to catch up later. Hopefully I can find the thread for posting links.
__________________ Kim in Illinois, Dirty Dozen Alum, QFTD#207, FS798, VSN Moderator, Weekly Sketch Challenge
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Catherine. I have an expandable magnet so that usually finds my lost dies. This new gears set has 3 extremely small dies and the two lightbulb dies. It will be way to loose any of those so I guess I'm going to have to be super careful!
__________________ Kathy FS852 SCS Member #241,587
Yes, Catherine, today started dry but then the rain kicked in. Only Sat. will be dry they said. Back to rain on Sunday again. Glad to hear you are taking elderberry and zinc!
I have not been getting the usual emails of people's comments on my first alpha card. Anyone else experiencing that?
Kathy, I hope the antibiotics help with the jaw problem.
Gracie, I hear mahjong is very popular. Glad it gives you some distraction from the year you've had!
Waving hello to all!
Thanks for the new round Ann!
Catherine- hope you feel better tomorrow! Goodness, my brother north of Boston got 20" snow then an additional 4" !!! I cannot remember where your DD1 lives, but near Boston somewhere.....if I remember correctly.
Thanks for all of the Christmas cards ladies- I have not thanked anyone personally- so sorry- belated Thanks coming!
Ann- wonderful to be that far ahead! I ham seriously behind!
Sharon- Congrats on getting all of the cards last round completed! Wow!
Kathy- sorry you cannot find your prior hairdresser- hopefully she reaches out to her prior clients!
Gracie- nice that you keep busy and enjoy yourself too!
Shirl- your card has arrived! Thanks
Lisa- that stinks about your wheelchair not making the deductible.... I decided to sort my stamps by season last year and made a huge mess in my craft room- I started with Christmas stamps..... I do not have a place to put them without making a really bigger mess!
Jan- way to go getting the first 2 cards done- I am going to try really hard to keep up! Enjoy your hair appt's after effects! Wonderful! Hope Steve is doing well.
Jean- hope you enjoyed the band concert. Well, my brother in Texas had snow and sleet then ice.... and those areas big issue , as I am sure you know, is that they don't have the equipment to salt and plow the roads for safety.
I finally recovered from Christmas virus and subsequent sinus infection! We decided to head to Michigan and see Son, DIL and Grandsons before we take off for warmer weather....although it is not nice there now! I saw a car sliding down a road in Austin, Texas on the news tonight! We are going to take a road trip beginning next Friday.
We saw an opportunity to go up on Monday and back today (Wednesday) in between the weather. It worked out nicely.
SOn, DIL and Grandkids were fun to visit, and they have baby goats! Initially 3, but one died- they had left the babies shortly with mom, then decided it was way too cold, so the baby goats are inside their home. They are having trouble latching on to nurse with mom, so are bottle feedings. I love when they walk and kinda hop! LOL Its so darn cute!
Hi Everyone, I hope you are all feeling well today.
Catherine-- be well soon I hope you are feeling better today.
I was really excited about the new challenges and forgot to subscribe. I thought it was magic and would happen on its own. So much for thinking. Now I'm subscribed to both feeds.
Shelly--I have everything in my craft room organized by wall sort of LOL. I have 7 windows and a sliding glass door so not a lot of high wall space.
Gracie-- I play mahjong too-- I have not played since I got Lady Di.
Well got to go cook dinner, pork chops tonight with veggies and rice and fix Lady Di's dinner.
Talk to you all later.
Hello everyone! I stayed home on Wednesday and just rested and then went to work yesterday. Thursday is my busiest day so just couldn't stay home. The rest really helped though I can tell if I do the wrong thing - eat sugar, stay up too late, etc - whatever this is is lurking just waiting to get me. So, no sugar for the present and definitely being better at bedtime. After work, I did our grocery shopping for the week and then hightailed it home.
Shelly, my daughter lives west and slightly north of Boston. They have definitely been getting snow but I don't think it has been as much as what your brother got. Of course, they also got snow and freezing rain during the two weeks we were visiting.
It sounds like you are off and running like usual!
Gracie and Mary Jo, I have never tried playing mahjong. It looks complicated.
Kathy, that Youtube short was beautiful. I loved it.
Hi everyone! 12 F here! We're warming up! I just looked at Helen's card for the tickle this past Tuesday. Australia has been more than 100 degrees hotter than here! They can keep it! No thank you! I don't have a garage and I really miss that. Scraping ice isn't fun, especially the ice that forms when it's so cold. It's hard to get off.
My sister is learning to play Mah Jong. It does sound very complicated and rather cut-throat. I tried to learn Sheepshead years ago, have to remember all the cards being played, not good at that at all.
Catherine, I hope you are feeling better every day. I was very grateful my Covid did not last long and was mild.
Shelly, glad you're better. Where are you heading that is warm? Texas? You and Ray are surely go-getters!
My family is bugging me to come visit. They are colder and snowier than I am so I'm not sure! Plus the chorus I'm singing in has random rehearsals that are hard to work around.
I had my Medicare wellness this morning. all is well, she always tells me I'm a pleasure to care for because I'm so healthy. Yes I'm overweight, could exercise more and eat better, but not much is wrong with me. BP and cholesterol are great! I will have a colonoscopy sometime soon, mammogram in June, that's about it.
I drove out to Houston, MN for breakfast yesterday at my son in law's mom's house. I'm just going to call them the Miller's since I'll probably do many things with them. Boy her husband sure knows how to make great scrambled eggs. i'm not good at eggs, don't know why. The only thing I didn't like was they use Kraft singles for cheese. As a Wisconsin girl, I cannot like fake cheese. Yes it melts well but that's about all. They're from North Dakota so they don't know any better. Sorry, I'm a snot.
It's funny, Houston is about 35 minutes away from me. I used to drive to see my son in Milwaukee from my home town, about 25 minutes away. Why does it feel longer to drive into a different state??And it's extremely rural. I'm just not used to that but it sure is a beautiful drive.
Bravo to everyone who is getting going on the new round. I like to do the sketch with the ABC24 so I won't work ahead.
Kathy, I hope that lump is no big deal. Worrisome though.
Jan, those appointments your husband has must really take a lot of time. Can't imagine. Good job getting cards done.
Shirl, nice you can get out and walk. I need to do that more often. I've walked with my neighbor but she won't walk in the cold.
Well that's it from Western Wisconsin. Spring is coming! Tulips are available at the florist!
__________________ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
Jean and Catherine, I received your cards today! Yay! Catherine your hand drawn strawberries are so cool. Such a pretty design. Jean, love your cup of tea theme with great sponging! thank you both!
Raining hard here but not too cold. 8 or 10 Celsius, Jean, I thought Wisconsin had a severe cold weather warning?
Jean when we visited Saskatchewan and went to one cousin's for lunch, they bbq hamburgers but then pulled out the Cheeze Whiz, lol......We used to eat it on celery as kids but I have not had it since. Give me the real cheese!
Kathy, that swan you tube almost made me cry! So sweet!
Shelly, I love road trips. Hope yours is a good one. Glad to hear you are feeling better.
Shirl, we might make it into the mid 20's F by the middle of the week. Yes we're cold here, have been for over a week but at least we're mostly above zero.
Forgot to mention that swan video. So lovely. Love how they intertwine their necks.
__________________ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
Yay! For the first time, I kept up with hourly card making for VSN 2026. It was fun and lots of easy, quick challenges! Check out the gallery for "Go For the Gold." Not too many people participating this year. Kind of sad.
__________________ Judy aka Gracie "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." Maya Angelou
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I'm behind on other things due to cleaning and purging my craft room! Got rid of large punches, so much designer paper and a ton of ribbon!! Now I'm working on old photos that were stuck at the bottom of my closet in my craft room!! Photo's everywhere!! Ordered lots of new albums to put them in once I scan them!
So I might do some VSN for the Alpha ladies this week! So sorry to hear participation is down.
Well we got hit with snow in the south at the beach, its getting pretty deep for us its 20 degrees out. I have a shovel may go outside and make a snowman if it isn't slippery. Church is closed till Tuesday. You can't see the driveway anymore, it blends in with the grass, it is still snowing out. I was going to work on the VSN but snow and the kids calling put me behind and I made Burgundy beef stew for dinner tonight.
Lady Di does not know what to make of the snow its too cold for her to go out. So she has to potty inside on her pee pads.
Hugs,
Spent time in my craft room yesterday, too long, made my back ache standing up too long, I stayed up there to keep an eye on my washing, it was blowing a gale, I had to use every peg I had to keep everything on the line. It dried quickly haha
Two more days of hospital visits, Tuesday is the results of the chest bone marrow biopsy, a little worried so fingers crossed it’s not more bad news and appointments, at least the surgeon doesn’t want to see Steve until March 4th, Steve asked her what she would do with her time now she won’t see him every week, she said she’ll probably be bored and wondering where he is, we’ve been seeing her for the last two years so feel very comfortable with her, she seems to get Steve’s humour!
Jean, pleased to hear you had a clean bill of health, we don’t get yearly checks but I guess yours is private health care where our is free! Our 13 year old GS just had his, he’s now 5ft 1inch, as tall as his doctor, she is so tiny we always feel like giants when we take him.
ROUND 24 - Alphabet Challenge CHAT - Jan 28 thru Aug 5, 2026
