Nothing, Nada, Ziltch

Nothing new and fascinating today. The camera has hidden itself somewhere and I can't get pictures of the "about to bloom" tulips without it. Nor can I show pictures of the current stitching project since none exist.

So...

I guess I'll get back to some housework so I can hurry up and finish the current stitching so I can start the piece that will hopefully get done in time for the Judged Show in May.

New Year, New Idea, New Blog

Here's the background: FH bought me a really cool new teapot for Yule. It has a infuser basket that sets inside the top and lets me use loose (real) teas.

I was chatting with Wendiekins on Facebook the other afternoon (evening for her) and the subject of teas came up. Ok really I was whinging about not having any loose tea to try out my new teapot and then the subject evolved into wishing we lived closer so we could occasionally meet for tea and mini fun. (Drat that Atlantic Ocean!)

Then it hit me: the Internet! That electronic critter that we all use to post our projects, make new mini friends, and communicate over long distances in real time... The Internet could let us have a tea party!

So now Wendie and I have launched a blog (and a Facebook Group of the same name) called: Mini Madness Virtual Tea Party (Top Hat Optional) where we hope our friends will join us for tea parties on a global scale. Imagine sitting at the computer with a cup of tea (or whatever) and knowing that even though your friend is thousands of miles away they're doing the same thing...

Currently we're still in the planning stages, but we will update everyone soon. For more information, please come visit us at either location.

A New Consideration...

So things around our household may be changing within the next couple of months. FH and I have decided to start looking at houses for sale.

Now my days will be partially filled with real estate listings, meetings with mortgage brokers and agents, and driving around looking at potential homes.

IF we move, it will be at the end of February. So between now and then I will post when I can and try to take time to play... for the sake of my sanity.

Wish us luck!

Catching Up, part one

For the past few weeks I've been taking care of Castor and FH, which means I haven't had time for minis or blogging. But now I think things can start smoothing out.

The dryer was not ink free when I tested it. I have cleaned it again and will test it again... hopefully for the last time. I really need to catch up on the laundry.

Castor is eating again and becoming quite demanding about food. FH has started physical therapy and should heal up nicely. Our trip to Kansas City was canceled due to the injury, but we made the best out of his first vacation in four years anyway.

I've also been behind in thanking people for things I've gotten in the mail.

First is this assortment of awesome Halloween printies from Tara at The Dollhouse at Pooh Corner.

Second is my Pay It Forward gift from Maia at Maia's Twinkle Miniatures.

My gift to Maia is on it's way to her and I will post pictures of it after she has received it. :-)

Thank you very much, ladies! :-)

I started a second spider web to see if I would be any happier with it. Here's how far I've been able to get.

Here's the first one alongside the current.

I plan on finishing the original at some point.

The UPS man just dropped off this treasure! I'm so excited now. I will be reading it tonight for sure.
I have some awards and tags to post about still. I will do that in my next entry. Right now I'm going to spend some more time with FH before his last day of vacation is over.

News and Whatnot

As some of you know FH has injured himself and I've been proving to him and the world what I can accomplish when I have to. Both gardens have been tended, watered, and weeded. Laundry is going, animals, are dealt with, food is prepared, husband is literally waited on since bed had been the only place he was allowed to be... So much to do since he is physically incapable of his share of the housework.

We will hopefully know more after more tests are run. Right now we aren't even sure what the injury is, much less how to fix it.

I'm off to do more around here and then hopefully I can squeeze in some mini time tonight.

Et al...

So the camera's cable was chewed through by a cat. We have to buy a new one and that may not happen until after next weekend. Ugh.

I'm doing some sewing this afternoon because we're headed to Rendezvous tonight. Not sure if Little D gets to come with us or not. Wish I knew so I could do just stuff for us today.

The garden is coming along nicely. We've been getting lettuces and even a bean so far.

I'm going back to the sewing machine now. I only have a bit of time left.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Update

The official word is Dad let himself get dehydrated. He has now been told but someone in a white coat, with clipboard, that 28 ounces of water a day is not enough. [Note that my mother has been saying that for quite some time. She just "isn't a doctor." My father can be a elitist prig from time to time.]

They are keeping him for another night to pump him up with IV fluids. He's flirting with the nurses and whatnot, so he should be alright.

We did manage to find all of my siblings yesterday, finally. It's like herding cats to reach them all.

Thank you to everyone who sent kind thoughts and prayers our way. I appreciate it more than you know.

The regularly scheduled minis, sewing, and musings will return sometime tomorrow.

News

My dad's in the hospital. Lots of test being run. Will know more eventually. Going to be waiting near the phone for a while. Will catch up on comments soon.

Playing Catch-up

I know there has not been many posts on minis for a few days. After three months of being unable to walk properly and loads of medical tests, I've slowly be feeling better and more able to move around. This of course means that finally the real house gets some much-needed attention.

FH had been helping with things all along, but he couldn't do everything that needed to be done with his full time job taking 8 to 10 hours out of most days, including some weekends. He was able to make sure filth never got mixed in with the clutter. That's what mattered to me. I loathe filth. So now I'm working on a so crawl through the house with a combination of decluttering and deep spring cleaning.

There will be no before pictures, because frankly I'm too embarrassed to admit I let my house get to it's current state. I still can only get a few hours of the deep cleaning done in a day. My stamina isn't quite 100% yet. But soon! :-)

The neurologist said there's nothing wrong with my nervous system. So we're back to square one with trying to find the cause of the weakness, loss of balance, and inability to walk properly. I have a theory but I'm keeping it to myself until I see more evidence.

Paleo Happenings in the News

The Kennetts have finally go around to publishing their work on the theory that a large comet impacted North America during the Ice Age and that caused to the extinction of the megafauna and the collapse of the Clovis culture. A summary and review can be read here. To read the actual article you need a copy of Science magazine, which sadly I don't own.

I've been following this theory as closely as possible without access to a university library or colleagues that work with the Ice Age. I first learned of it when their story was featured on a television show a few years ago.

Until I can either read their publication or put my hands on their evidence and examine it for myself I will be reserving judgment. I will say that when I first heard about their postulate that I did think they might be onto something. I will be trying to locate a copy of Science this week... when I have the car.

I will also say that I'd give my eye teeth to be working with them. I would give almost anything (not FH or my critters or my health) to be there working with them. This kind of work is like the Superbowl for Ice Age paleontologists. The last time something about extinctions was postulated it was the meteor that killed the dinosaurs. Hats off to Alvarez for "T Rex and the Crater of Doom." Yes, that's a real book. It's very well written and factual. More about the science and less about the scientist...unlike some more recent books. *cough* Gorgon! *cough*

-Addendum-

Just got off the phone with a friend who's trying to locate a copy of the article via our university, where he still happens to work. He has also been following the television spots. Huzzah for scientific cooperation!