2024 Happy Blog Challenge Continues

Happy Wednesday! Other than still being tired, work went well.  I have applied for the position of Learning Ambassador again and I don't expect that I will get it.  They really need people who are willing to work weekends, and I am not that person.  I still put myself out there, and I am happy I did.   At home I took a few minutes to see what was new around the yard.  From my limited view, I think the staghorn sumac might be beating the Japanese knotweed.  Only time will tell.  Currently the two plants have grown so much the trail I had a year ago is about gone.  Considering when we moved here the back had been partially deforested for lumber, I'm glad that is no longer a problem.   Can you see the trail? The sumac is towering over the knotweed. There is at least a little bit of jewelweed that has survived the influx of staghorn sumac and Japanese knotweed.   Jewelweed, or impatiens, used to be along one side of the trail....

It took me some time to get going today, so I didn't spend as much time getting the apartment ready.  Here are some happy things: Before going to the apartment to paint the bedroom more, I remembered to stretch.  That, and less time on the floor, means that I am feeling better tonight than I did last night. I'm sure more could be done, but I'm calling the wall where my bed will go and the one in the east side of the house done.  There is a stonewall and random, probably imaginary, flowers.  I like it, and since it is where I will be sleeping, that is what matters. The ceiling fan had seen better days.  The other day I painted it white.  Well, I think it was supposed to be white. Today I added color. All but one blade painted on Friday.  Yes, I did try to wash it first. Color! The bedroom windows are now as clean as I could get them.  Some of them tilted in to wash the outside better than others.  Once I'm in there, I will have a morning sun c...

Happy things from today: On Monday we went to Ikea.  The van has served as the storage unit for our purchases until this morning.  After emptying the van we went to DIY Craft and Thrift for some paints.  Having a daughter who owns a crafting thrift store has benefits.  Today that benefit was taking home a lot of paint (before the store officially opened) and I'll be able to return what isn't used so she can sell it.   While at the store, one of the artists was in the building with their dog, Jazzy.  Jazzy was extremely happy to see me.  She followed us around the store and kept politely asking me for pets.   Photo courtesy Keziah Keziah and I ran some errands and then we started painting.  The stairway is now the only area that still needs another coat of white.  I didn't look at the clock much, but it was after eight in the evening when I stopped for the night.  I think the painting is roughly ⅔ of the way done.  Kez...

Happy Friday!  Some happy things from today include:      My friend, Amy, came over this afternoon to help me get the bedroom painted in the apartment.  We re-covered almost the entire wall with white.  The old color was still seeping through. It looks so much better now.  The stairway and the section over the closet are still left to do.  I learned that it is a small enough area that there were some occasional tightness with two people and a ladder. After, we went for a walk on the Northern Rail Trail.  I have been on a very small amount of this trail before a few years ago.  The area is very pretty.  Part of the trail isn't complete and still has rails.  We walked over a railroad bridge with wood that was rotted which made for a careful walk.  I was pleased with myself for not chickening out on that bridge. Some of the rotting planks are visible in this picture. There is water down there. We weren't far from the trails a...

Happy Thursday things: There were  Voluntary Time Off opportunities that I missed for not working today.  Work went fine, I was just tired and have a lot to do in the apartment.   I ended up leaving 20 minutes early.  This gave me the time (and money) I needed to stop and get an extender for the paint roller.  The time off would have been nice, but I'm glad I stayed.   When I got home, I took a nap.  It was a deep, restful sleep.  I wish it was longer. In the apartment I painted more.  It seems that the former color is hard to cover.  Tomorrow I will buy more paint and things.  I have a friend coming over to help.  🙂  My goal is to finish enough of the painting tomorrow that I can start moving in on Saturday.  🤞 Looking out the window I noticed the beginnings of leaves opening.  One of the rhododendron plants is starting to show some color as well.  I love the changes that happen in spring. 🐧☮🐧...

Here are some things that made me smile on this Wednesday: When I left for work the moon was full and shining down through a very thin layer of clouds. On my drive to work, I believe I saw a fox safely cross the street. At home, the leaves on the lilacs are getting bigger and the tiniest signs of the flower buds have started. Coming downstairs to hear Gideon singing, really loud.  I wasn't able to work in the apartment today.  I did walk over to see how it looks and how far Keziah got yesterday.  There are some spots that we need to find the extender for the paint rollers in order to finish.  I think it all needs another coat to cover up the brown/orange that was there.  Soon it will be done. ☮ Currently listening to: The Life We Bury , by Allen Eskens. Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe. 

Here are some happy things for this lovely Tuesday: Work went well, I was in the Problem Solve area.  Someday I hope to work there and not need help to finish things up.  There were quite a few broken bottles last night, so lots of messes to clean up.  Even with the frustrations that come with that area, I enjoy it.   The tulip has opened!  Soon there will be more.   Keziah was busy painting my soon to be room while I was at work today.  Instead of helping her paint, I went and purchased more paint.  She might be able to get the entire room white today.  That will be the base for whatever I decide to do.   She was working hard today! ☮ Currently listening to: The Life We Bury , by Allen Eskens. Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe. 

Cat update: it is possible that Nanni passed whatever the obstruction was.  This morning the person feeding and caring for the cats while we were gone said she was seeming much better and actually ate a bunch of her food.  Keziah searched through the litter boxes and might have found the problem.  Unfortunately, we can't be sure.  She seems so much happier now. Here are some other happy things from today: We stayed at a hotel last night so we didn't have to drive far for sleep after the busy day yesterday.  The rooms weren't cheap, but we were all so tired it was the safer choice to make.  The room Bel, a friend, and I shared had a kitchenette and living room area.  Then, in a separate room, were the two queen beds and off that, the bathroom.  I have never been in such a large hotel room.  And the shower, oh.my.gosh.  The shower had three shower heads with two controls.  I think the room was set up to accommodate people with physica...