WUD,

Thanks for sharing the update. You are certainly carrying a lot on your plate and other's as well.

Glad your eldest got their place. Are you going out for the housewarming?

I am very sorry about your sister but glad you could go visit her and your brother.

Take care,
Orchid

Wow - yay for you about being done with tuition! That's a huge accomplishment!

Just the other day, my DD (who is going to University also) and I were discussing how it would be nice to have two parents supporting her. But she absolutely understands why it is just me. It's not what I planned on over 20 years ago when I got married, but it is what it is. Your DD's understand what you have done for them too. It IS a big deal.

Hugs, WuD. You could go for a long weekend to the housewarming??

For everything I’ve been through, for my $$$ drama - tonight was a turning point. Handed that kid one hundred and fifty $20 bills. My LAST school payment promise ** I literally threw all the tip $$$ into a cookie jar this entire time.

I hope someday she looks back and realizes what went into that effort. It feels like 100 lbs is off my back.
And a lesson about NOT taking out loans you can cover (at least part way).
The accomplishment of doing simple work.

**Maybe I’m just delirious from this fever/head cold, too. “welcome back to school, here’s a cold.”

Anyhow took my puppers to Dog happy hour at local restaurant 🥩 she was the best puppy there!
Have a good day all.

Hi! Checking in. Homecoming murals look amazing, 270 square feet of murals (vintage travel postcards) made by 9 kids in 10 classes! On stage already.

Oh yeah! Next week is the premier of a comedy on ABC, I think, Pitch Perfect. It will my nephews first show as the primary full casting agent. Check it out, tell me if y’all like it.

Trying to come down after the roller coaster of the last few weeks. Think I’m going to like being lazy!

...naw.

Those homecoming murals sound amazing! What a great idea!

I'll try to find your nephew's show. Hope he does well.

Your version of "lazy" makes the rest of us look pathetic.

Whoops, the show is called “Perfect Harmony”. NBC. 😁. My bad. 9/26. 8:30 p.m.

Yea, been seeing those commercials.

Hey, how the heck is everybody?
Hope all are well.
The more I think I am done with home ownership, the more I need to learn.

Had to call a heating guy out, my furnace (only 4 years old) was not staying on. This kid who looked about 10. ( could be I’m getting older) said my beautiful furnace has been overheating since day one. Not enough return air gets to it (it’s choking) overheats, sensor switches off.
It’s TERRIBLE for the machine - could ruin it. Great.

It was installed by Bryant service guys (all paperwork still there). They screwed up, potentially, their own machine!

He was afraid ( looking at age of house) about what type of dinosaur I had hidden in the basement, he was thrilled it was new.

So, he opened up a space in the intake (or return). He also lowered the gas level ( of course, it was set by installers at full blast ). So, both modifications should allow the machine to work proper and save me on my gas bill.

AND not burn out the condenser, of a top of the line Bryant machine that is way too big for this house.
Learn something new everyday.

Want him to come back and re work the ductwork. As far as ten year olds go, he knew his &$&$#. I think the ductwork is a monstrosity, but he said it was hobnob - but useable.
He has ideas on how to fix heat/ac flow. ( more return venting) who knew?

Sigh.... if I get more money next spring......

How are you doing, WuD?

Hey, Blair! How are you?
Things are the same/same.

Found my Hawaii kid a beautiful table, inlaid bamboo, with 6 brand new chairs to go with... on Craigslist, HI. *as a house warming/Christmas gift. Thanks for the tip Orchid! Kid has a “cliff house” in Wiakaloa Village, but no furniture to her name. Repainting and flooring- will look really nice. Sometime they will be able to afford some stuff! * now they have a place to sit!
Oh, yeah - the dining set was one street over from where they live! In 4 hours after listing, I had kid check it, I wired the $$$, they moved it one block over. How’s that for service?

Doing a lot of art. Really stepped up my prismacolor portrait game. Have no idea how. Starting my third tomorrow.
Working on a charity fundraiser for the community arts center for spring. Busy.

Trying to organize holidays and gifts and such. I always plan ahead/ buy and wrap in November. I feel you get legit sales now. I’m really mapping out what I’m going to spend. Trying to cut way back. I’m an over spender on gifts.

The holidays used to be the happiest time of my year, now I just want to get through them neutral. Still an issue. Meh.

Have an Ear ache, got medication, shoveling the 6 inches of snow was extremely painful, even with a hat on. Yuck and ouch! Inside now a 1/2 hour... still hurts.

I sure hope everyone is doing well.

And French Macrons, batches and batches of failed merengue lavender cookies. Sooner or later I will get it right.

The treats sound amazing! I forgot you are in the middle of that horrid arctic blizzard. Glad you are doing well.

You baked France's President??!?!! LOL!!! Just kidding.

So the kids have moved in their house already? They have a good view of the ocean?

Glad the CL on that island worked for you. Can get some read good deals. Just have to be careful. Your son-in-law is handsome and tough looking enough to make sure your daughter won't get ripped off. Any trouble, let me know. I know people who know people over there.

Be careful and don't get sick. I see a bad cold front is coming your way if not there already. Makes you want to come back here, eh? We've got snow but only far at the top of Mauna Kea.

Take care,
Orchid

It is cold/warm/cold/warm here. Making the snow melt/freeze/melt/freeze/ warm up so ice on bottom/water on top.
Yesterday, a good friend slipped on steps, broke both bones in her forearm. Yes, O, it was same lady you met.

It looks not so bad, but it can be hazardous.

Have created and sold a bit of art. Motivating me to create again.

Hope everyone is well.

Sorry to hear about your friend. Broken hips would be a lot worse, but it is still painful all around. I hate ice because it looks to be safe, but it is not.

Enjoy the creative process. Keep creating and painting, and selling.

Oh Wud,

Sorry to hear about your friend's accident. A friend of mine said her recent visit to NY said there was a 50 degree variance from day to night. 70 degrees in the day to 25 degrees at night. YIKES!!!

Wud, please give your friend my aloha. Broken bones has a longer healing period the older. I find myself planning my paths to be near something to grab onto.

Your ability to create art is simply amazing. I've got a masterpiece on display in my living room.

Love your talent.

Be safe and take care,
Orchid

WUD

It’s scary when the weather plays tricks on us like that. I had difficulty driving one day last week for the same reason! I wish I had artistic abilities. My house is in desperate need of some things on the walls. When the weather gets warm I’ll go to some art shows and fairs to help fill them up.

Or you could invite WuD over for a long weekend

....or one wild and wacky weekend!!!! WUD can churn art almost at any turn in a vacation.

Hey, Guys! Hope you are all well.
Hosted a grand Thanksgiving, going to be smaller x mas tho. Brother going to LA to see “Mr. Famous”. All good.

I pulled one last huge taaadaaaaa out for my youngest. The one I helped so much with school this summer. She’s getting married in Detroit Feb 21, he future MIL was here T giving- we went dress shopping. Short story, we wound up finding a dress for $600. I can afford that.
Did you know dresses art $1500 and wayyyyy up? $300- $650 for alterations? Who spends $5k on a one day rest? Sheesh.

So, all gifts are bought, I’m very happy. All I got to do now is deal with Visa! 😳

Work is work, volunteering is not going so well. Maybe I will have to change organizations. Was supposed to keep me out of trouble!
Not be drama.

Oh well.

How is everyone doing?

WuD?

Congrats to your DD on the upcoming wedding! Really that is a great price for a dress even though you would prefer to spend it on reclaimed wood.

If volunteering isn't helping and you love it, then yes, find something else that will work better.

Keep painting too!

Hey, Babies! How’s it hanging?

Finally getting my collective poop in a group. Took years of faking it, feel like I’m really making it.
Work is great, teaching cartooning... the gals are all graduated and happy.

3 1/2 years here in house * house looks absolutely fantastic. ( Just installed a 14’ long linen floral mural of flowers in living room) and bought a new tv to rehang.

Moved most of daughters stuff out, moved artist studio upstairs, made second bedroom a trundle guest room proper..

Keeping my weight in balance with diet is feeling good,

No complaints, hope everyone is doing well.

Thrilled to hear you are doing so well and finding peace as well. But of course you will do well because you are a fighter and you do so much for everyone around you. Keep at it! Hugs.

WUD,

Thanks for the update. Your MA ohana needed your update!!!

Glad things are going well for you and your family.

I've been a bit under the weather with the flu from both ends (sorry about the TMI image this must be creating). Still able to work, glad it's from home because that special throne room, is mine.

You know your progress is followed by many so you are helping many of us each time you post. I'm still trying to picture your 14' linen mural of flowers........ ????? I'm so not a decorator.

So are you ready for the next phase? Hint: pitter patter and not from puppies.

Take care,
Orchid

WuD, can you share some photos of your new pup?

Here's a link to a story about a Pembroke Welsh Corgi at the Westminster Dog show..

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/02/10/westminster-dogs-therapy-jobs/