Random things

Random things — long rambling post

1. Who sent me this?! I received this (first photo) in the mail recently with no note. Skitty is not sure if she wants to give up scratching the rugs. But she agrees it’s very pretty. [It was Laurie!] 

2. I’ve always wanted a dollhouse, but I’m way too practical about the cost and the space that one takes. And I don’t want to commit to such a huge project if I’m gonna drop it like a lot of other projects. So I found a great compromise of this little dollhouse bookshelf from IKEA. My plan is to do a couple vignettes on the shelf and perhaps that will scratch the itch enough. Or someday it will evolve into a full size dollhouse.

In the meantime! I have acquired a dining room/game table! And a deck of cards. And a bar cart. And last night I went to a fun event at a local eatery that was doing a craft night to make a miniature bookshelf. So now my little entertainment room has books too!

3. In moving and packing and unpacking over the past few months, I have gathered more than $200 in Barnes & Noble gift cards that we haven’t used over the years! This is insane. So tonight I’m off to buy a brand new physical book. The book is Sara Kendizor‘s Last American Road Trip. She’s a political writer who is often depressing to read, because she has been right for the past 10 years, obnoxiously so. This book is supposed to be a little more lighthearted as she takes her kids on a road trip around America… an America, she believes will soon be gone. But! Supposedly it’s fun to read anyway. As much as I hate how much she has been right the past 10 years, I want to go pay full price (with a gift card! ) for the book as a reward to her for her hard and difficult work. [HA! They don’t have it in stock. Maybe should’ve checked before driving here. But… I’m sure can find something else to buy.]

4. I am proud of myself that I have changed how I operate so that I can spontaneously rush off to the bookstore after reading a review of Sara‘s book. I have used a To Do app (called Things 3) that lets me sort items from my master to-do list to certain days. And I have always had various tasks appointed for a certain day. Of course I would not get to them all because I over-scheduled and some tasks would get pushed to the next day and the next and the next. The system worked for me… Until it didn’t. Recently I had enough. I decided to go with the “experts” who say we should only have three (or at least very few ) priorities in a day. I’ve changed how I manage my to do list and now have way fewer “necessary” tasks each day. So when I have free time, I can either refer to the *optional* list of tasks. Or I can lay down and take a nap. Or take off for the bookstore on a whim. I am loving my less productive system. I am much more about protecting my energy than being productive anymore.

5. My co-pay for doctors is $35. I got my $35 worth today at the Dermatologist because I remembered my list(in my Things 3 app!) of questions. Nothing was cancerous, good. But I did leave with four ointments for various issues. From my scalp to my ankle! (No photos!)

6. Today I learned that William Goldman who wrote Princess Bride… also wrote and won Oscars for Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men. Talented man.