I Made It a Mile

Random Under-Decorated East Texas House 

If I recall from 8th grade Earth Science, December 21 has the least amount of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere. I didn't think about this particular tid-bit when I opted to go for my walk today at 4:55 p.m. So there I was, strolling down Arizona Avenue, enjoying the weather and a chance to stretch my legs. I even remember thinking how great it is that, because Marty isn't working, he's doing all the cooking so I didn't have to figure out dinner. 

Sunset today was at 5:13. In East Texas, we don't have the spectacular sunsets I grew up watching. The sun is either up or it is down. There's no such thing as twilight and dusk. And that's a shame the streets in Wake Village are very narrow and there's no sidewalks on Arizona Avenue--and don't even get me started on the old fashion notion of a street light. 

Also, I'm pretty sure the temperature dropped ten degrees as soon as the sun went down. But I could be wrong. It might have been 50 degrees. After all, it's East Texas and meteorology is more of a street thug than a true science. 

On the bright side, on my way back, I saw all my neighbors' lit Christmas displays. People around here like to decorate the outsides of their homes as an ode to the Griswolds, so there's was enough light to guide me home.   

Sewing Projects

 When we moved here, I had ample free time and no social life. So, I pursued all the hobbies I always wanted to pursue--including sewing. Here's a sneak peek at the young adults' Christmas presents. If I can figure out what I did with the navy blue ribbing I bought before Sunday, I might also finish the jacket I was planning on making for Buck. I will then make Polly a pair of lounge pants. Otherwise, I'll make those after Christmas along with the lounge pants I want to make Marty. But for now, I'm burned out on sewing. 

For Buck
Protip: don't sew plaid material.
Matching the plaid seams are a nightmare. 

For Polly. 
Disclaimer: The dress doesn't look as
good on the hanger as I think it will on her.
She's petite, so it will hang below her knees.
She hates 3/4 sleeves, so this has long sleeves. 

Four Years on Arizona Avenue

Today is Marty's birthday. 

It also marks the fourth anniversary for the Sunshines living in Texas. 

January 5, 2022

December 17 2025
A new roof and a lot of yard decorations. 

Life with Pets Part 3

Luna has a weird--or "rare" according to Doc P.--fungal infection, which has caused the huge lumps on her. He assures me it is not a snake bite. I'm glad Luna is getting treated, however it might have been cheaper for it to have been a one and done snake bite than another medication for this poor puppy. She's now on 7 pills. However four of them are temporary. 

For the record, the cone of shame is staying on her for another few days so she cannot get to her healing wounds. 

Life with Pets Part 2

Leon doing to a roll of paper
towels what was almost done to him. 

This afternoon, Marty and I went to check on the greenhouse while Luna pranced around the back yard, hoping the dogs next door didn't notice the cone of shame around her head. And then, Marty took her back inside while I picked up Luna's toys. 

I heard and saw two things at the same time. Above me, the screeching sound of a hawk. In front of me, Leon, who had snuck outside. 

Of course, Leon thought his moment of freedom as awesome, as I chased him around the yard, unaware his life was thisclose to ending. Oh jeeze! When I looked up, it wasn't one hawk but two. Not a moment for the faint of heart. Marty must have heard my shouting because he came outside again and helped me corral the fool back inside. 

Life with Pets

Luna came home yesterday, with a few shaved sections and four tubes sticking out of her. The tubes are "leaky," which means blood randomly spurts through the tubes and around the tubes, leaving droplets throughout the house. Additionally, we are told Luna is not to jump on the bed or on furniture. However, nobody told Luna she shouldn't jump. 

This has caused a bit of an issue because: 

1: Luna likes to be with me. Everywhere. Always. This is all sorts of wonderful, but when I'm sewing, I don't need her underfoot in the master bedroom. 

2: The master bedroom is one of the few rooms with carpet. Did I mention Luna bleeds? 

3: Our bed is higher than normal beds and she will want to jump on our bed with stitches and the bloody tubes sticking out of her. 

Additionally, the Overlords have been offering their sympathies by stealing her toys and trying to lick her wounds. 

All that is to say, Marty graciously took Luna last night on the couch and I grabbed the Overlords and threw them in the master bedroom and let them wreck chaos throughout the night. Marty and I are disagreeing on who had the raw end of the deal. 

***Bonus Content*** 

Real conversation at the Sunshine home yesterday.

Me: How do you think Luna got that bump on her back to begin with? 

Marty (not looking up from what he's doing): It's a snake bite. 

Me: Doc P never mentioned it being a snake bite!!??? 

Marty (shrugging and ignoring my growing hysterics): Our animals used to get bit by snakes and would have lumps like that. They'd usually go down on their own. Sometimes they didn't if it was especially bad.

Me: Wait? Does that mean there's a snake in our yard? A poisonous snake? 

Marty (now completely zen and totally not the least bit bothered by my shrieking): No, but there probably was one at some point this summer. It probably came under the fence. (From the woods behind our house).  

(Young adults backing out of the room. Buck mouthing to Polly, "Take me with you on your date with Sherman tonight. Please!!!")

Me: You need to put out more snake away. First thing tomorrow morning. 

Marty: It's going to be 40 degrees tomorrow. The snakes are hibernating. 

Anyway, I don't care what the temperature, Marty is throwing more of that stuff down. He can sprinkle it all over the neighborhood for all I care. 

One of Luna's wounds.
We call this one, "Ode to Locutus of Borg."

A Week in the Life

 

Because no battleplan outlives the enemy, life hasn't taken the smooth road I'd like this year month. With Christmas less than two weeks away, and me telling my editor she'd have my latest round of changes by December 15, I got sick. Fun fact: I've slept more this week than I've slept in the past six months. Oh yes, I'm on the mend, thankyouverymuch. 

I missed four events this week--one of which was Krissy's fabulous Christmas party which I look forward to every year. And let me tell you, I have to be VERY ill to miss that one, especially because I may not be living here this time next year and it makes me sad to think I won't be attending another of Krissy's fabulous Christmas parties.  

I've gotten edits done through my first act--and promptly fell asleep earlier this week when I realized I wrote "chessboard" three times in the same paragraph. I haven't had the nerve to look at my current manuscript since. But I should at least send my editor some sort of proof of life. Eventually. I think it is fair to say she isn't getting this manuscript until 2026. 

Because the Sunshine Christmas is a modest affair this year, I'm sewing. I started making a blue jacket for Buckaroo. And what did the kid do? He went out and bought a blue jacket in the exact style of the one I'm making him. He'll have two blue jackets soon. I'm also making a dress for Polly. And, if I am inspired and I have time they are getting lounge pants because I have the fabric. Sherman is getting something too. I just don't know what. 

On top of it all this week, Luna had emergency surgery to remove an I-don't-know-what-to-call-it-and-nor-does-Doc P from her spine. But it was the size of an orange. She now has four drainage tubes in her and she is randomly bleeding because she won't be still. Who can blame her with the Amazon driver coming by to say hello and the random squirrels taking over her back yard. And then there's the overlords who found her new toy duck. Luna is having none of that!  

We were supposed to go to Little Rock. Maybe next week. I was going to clean the house. Maybe I'll find out I have a fairy godmother after all. 

Today Her Highness, Deb, the Queen of the Universe and a force multiplier of positive energy, called me, demanding to know why she was unaware I'd been sick. After we determined, me telling her would have only disturbed me with more group texts, she asked what I needed. I told her I need a time machine that would allow me to get this past week back. 

An Open Letter to Betzy

Dear Betzy, 

Please let me start off by saying you are the perfect person for the role as Communications Officer for our writer group. Though the position is dubbed, "secretary," I think you've elevated it nicely. And for that, I'm excited because I was glad to step back and relinquish this role. East Texas has needed a writer's group. Last year we were getting our feet wet, figuring out what to do with it. Now that the writer's group is established, I see true commitment and leadership in you. What was created will flourish with your passion. Thank you for carrying this torch.  

Now then, a few things about the world outside of East Texas that you should know. And please note, I'm only sharing this with you because you've made me the victim of your shenanigans. There is never a time to send a group text and demanding EVERYONE on the text--whether they are a member or not--respond to said text. Why? Because our phone does not need to blow up 837 times in an hour with, "yes I'm coming," or "no, I'm not available for the party" or "who are you and why do you have my number?" 

Additionally, if you've already broadcasted your message in other mediums, such as e-mail, some sort of weird phone app not everyone uses AND social media sites, there's no reason to duplicate your efforts. Therefore, if not everyone responds to your text, please don't feel the need to send out another group text to the same folks admonishing the people who didn't respond. This is a Christmas party, not a medical procedure where you need everyone to participate.  

That said, if you receive some sort of other communication with an RSVP, there is no reason to broadcast everyone else's reply. If Suzy isn't going, we don't need to know--especially if Suzy isn't a member of the writer's group. If Joan is going, awesome! There's no reason to tell us before the party. Let us be pleasantly surprised.  

Also, does it really matter what we are bringing? You said a book for a book exchange. At some point there are folks who might think you have control issues if you must have this information prior to the party. It is true, I have zero idea what book I'm bringing for the book exchange. Please don't feel the need to send out another group text reminding me that I need to get it together by tomorrow. 

Speaking of tomorrow. I'm rethinking going. It isn't you, it's me. Sorry, it's cold. I don't want to drive 20 miles for a party after dark and probably drive in the rain or on ice. I have zero Christmas spirit. I got rid of all the books I didn't want four years ago when I moved. Because we are on a tight budget I don't want to buy a book either. I could throw in one of the books I authored, but no. 

Anyway, these are small wrinkles I'm sure will be ironed out as the group grows. I see great things for this writing group--especially if you target your communication to us with future writing-centered events and stop focusing on crowd control. And as much as I hope your enthusiasm catches on, I also hope you find a way so soften it and spread it out instead of inundating us all at once. 

Sincerely, 

Everyone Else

A Happy Sewing Circle

My sewing pal, Valerie talked me into co-teaching a tote bag class. We were expected to teach how to make this. 

I made this last summer.

However, the only person who signed up for the class was someone who had sewn two pieces of fabric together once before. Our student was my pal Joy--who is an overthinker and task oriented. She isn't used to enjoying the journey and likes to appreciate the end result. I've tried before to teach her to sew and found out that I don't have the right skill set for that. However, I knew Val did. So, once Joy entered the shop and we found out nobody else signed showed up, this became a two-on-one sewing class. 

I can only speak for myself here, I had a great time with these two ladies. It truly is a blessing to laugh for three hours with people I like, while doing something I love. We didn't get through a tote bag, but Val did teach Joy the basics of a straight seam. Perhaps in the beginning of the year, if Joy is up for it, I'll go over and show her how to make the second side of her bag. And if Valerie has some time, maybe I drag her along. 

Joy's first side of her bag.  

As a side note, during the class, Sherman began texting me. He was shopping for Polly's Christmas gift and sending me photos of his options. Joy, Val and I looked at his selections and decided the dude is probably overwhelmed and stuck in some sort of gift-giving hell. Plus, if he took four seconds to channel his inner 13-year old self, surly he'd see the design on the pocket of the jacket he was looking at as a penis. Right? I mean, it seemed obvious to us 50-somethings who couldn't unsee it. To save him from himself, we threw out a few ideas. 

A Normal FB Post

I never used Facebook in AZ and was planning on deleting my account once I moved here. Don't know if I will keep it when I leave Texarkana, but for now, posts like this make me smile. Texarkana Arkansas is in Miller County. 

We Caved

Our money saving measure lasted until late last night. 

The heat is currently on. It is 34 degrees--at 2 in the afternoon. It is the warmest part of the day. My writer's meeting has been canceled tonight because of snow. 

Not sorry.