Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Quitting Smoking

Thanks to the increase in cigarette taxes, I am on the path of quitting smoking. Yay me. My resolve is solid, although my enthusiasm is vague. It's not that I don't want to quit, I just question myself when my motivation is primarily external - the cost of cigarettes, as opposed to internal.

I look forward to the joys of being smoke free. Right off the bat, I realize that I could have timed quitting better than I did, say starting right after I changed the kitty litter. I will be changing the kitty litter today, when my sense of smell is newly returned. Yay me. As the aroma of used kitty litter wafts through the air, I again consider teaching my cats to use the porcelain throne. I doubt that this will happen, though. Because, a) my cats have never learned anything I tried to teach them; and b) with only one bathroom in my home, things could get ugly should my cats and I all need to use the facilities at the same time.

I find myself sniffing things, eagerly exercising my returned sense of smell. I sniff my books, my coffee, my air freshener, with wonder. I love the smell of books. I luxuriate in the smell of my coffee. I realize my air freshener is not as "spring time fresh" as advertised. It's a whole new world, just waiting for me to smell it.

So, I continue on the path of quitting smoking. I chomp my nicotine gum, chanting a mantra of "What's that smell?"

Naomi

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Vicki Diane Artists of Etsy Exposed Treasury

CreateAbility has a second Vicki Diane Artists of Etsy Exposed Treasury! I'm in this one. Happy dance! Take a look at the some of the faces of my beautiful CreateAbility team mates.

The Createability Team Exposed 2 Treasury

Naomi

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

To Fret, or Not to Fret

I haven't blogged recently because I've been fretting about being re-evaluated for my paratransit transportation. Positive outlook is essential for living a good life, but my life experiences have taught me that I can get my feet kicked out from under me. So, I keep a positive outlook, and I fret. Combining the two isn't easy, but I manage. I received notification that I can continue using paratransit transportation. Relief! With many of my brain cells released from the onus of fretting about paratransit, I'm back to blogging.

First thing this morning I discovered my cat's water bowls, and the newspaper I put under them, were in the middle of the kitchen floor, on top of a bunched up rug. The water had not been spilled from the water bowls. Since I had not yet had coffee, I ignored the situation. After having some coffee, I decided the water bowl relocation was done by my cats, or poltergeist activity. The likelihood of poltergeist activity is equal to the likelihood of my cats dragging both water bowls on a bunched up rug, and the newspaper they rest on, 3 feet without spilling the water. Actually, the potential of poltergeist activity is more likely. I put the water bowls back where they belong, straightened the rug, and filed the incident under, "Nothing I can do about it.", aka "Whatever." Poltergeists or unusual feline activity are not fret worthy.

Today is trash pickup day, so I donned a jacket because it is a bit chilly outside. Bright green plastic clogs, and purple and black plaid flannel pajama bottoms - complete with bleach stains - completed my taking the trash to the curb ensemble. In my little world, the fashion police cannot write citations for fashion faux pas committed on one's property. I did run a comb through my hair, my nod to keeping America beautiful. My appearance when taking trash to the curb is not fret worthy.

Since I was already dolled up, I decided to do some gardening. Grabbing my favorite gardening tool - a spray bottle of Roundup - I toddled around my lawn spritzing anything that didn't look like grass or did look like monkey grass, a plant I loathe due to its tendency to spread everywhere. Someone who loved gardening planted monkey grass before I moved into my house. I've spent the past 14 years trying to get rid of the monkey grass. Occasionally, I consider spelling out my initials in my lawn using Roundup. My gardening technique sends shivers up the spines of true gardening aficionados, and those who believe that a lawn should be all the same color - green. Spots of brown deadness on my lawn are not fret worthy.

I don't have a set criteria for what is fret worthy. I just go with the flow, and maintain a positive outlook. At least I hope I do. Ah, man...

Naomi

CreateAbility Team Member Showcase #3

Create Ability Team Etsy is a group of artists with disabilities or who are caregivers to disabled people. The team exists to provide support and advice to each other, as well as opportunities to chat and promote.

CreateAbility Handmade Items Search

CreateAbility Supplies Search

CreateAbility Vintage Search

Here is Showcase #3 of Create Ability Team Members:

Berry Blue Creations - Angel Guard Bags, Pillows & Aprons

Sparklerama - Miniature Toys, Gifts & More

Made by Mari - Soap, Suncatchers & More

Crochet by Msa - Doilies, Bags, & More

Naomi