Finishing touches

Simple curtains and Fun- Finishing Touches.

Moving and unpacking for an unorganized person like myself takes time. Finding the right spots for things- adjusting, readjusting... the shelves that were in one house, are not the shelves in the new house... more in the bathroom- less in the bedroom- where is this? where is that? -

Moving takes time. Simple as that.
And then, there are the final touches. Small things that make a house a home.

I never had sliding glass door in the old place- now I have 2. Oh what to do- what to do?...
So I made curtains for the one in my dining room, and although it has been over 16 years since I sewed- it slowly came back to me. Simple straight stitches- trimming,leaving room for the curtain rod, length. I had fun. Nothing complicated.
I liked the end result- I was happy with the light weight material letting in more light to my dining room.

I still haven't decided what to do on the slider in the bedroom! But that's coming. I'm thinking dark beige there. We shall see. 

Then I was loving the light in the kitchen! 

The window above my sink is my favorite, and although I like my privacy I do not want a solid curtain there. So I thought this was a perfect time to have some fun! I have never done it before- I decided to string my own beads - used all kinds- from natural stone beads to plastic pony beads. I found a few decorations in the Christmas isle that worked too - haha!  I wanted a prism for the light to catch and rainbow all over- mainly for my cats; who cannot get enough of little lights, refractions, and laser light dots- lol.

But a bead curtain???! How retro- so retro, I was in love with the idea- just for fun! Because the kitchen to me is a fun place, and the center for the home! So here's my start- I have to go get more beads to start - but you get the idea. Enough to give the cats a small rainbow refraction- and enough to make me smile! yay!

I plan to make a small top valance to hide the wire tops, but that's it for this window. I'll add beads as I can.

What's most important to me is to make our place feel comfortable. It's not the things we have, or do not have, that make it special - it's the thought, care and love in a home that makes it bright and loving.

Time- everything takes time. 

It is slowly coming together. yay!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Happy hearts make a happy home.

Brightest Blessings!

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Returning to Home -

It was breezy and the small wind seemed to increase a bit, but nothing prepared us for the gust that came! Suddenly it gusted 3- - no 40 - no 50 mph! picking up dirt, debris, bits of tree branches flew by. The gust didn't end - it increased! dirt and sand in the eyes- we couldn't see the road any longer- so thick was the wall of dirt going by-  the umbrella for the table picked up and flew 10 feet into the pool, trying to grab it and save it and nearly fell in -then continued blast- trash and tree limbs flying across the parking lot... a dust devil the size of a small tornado picked up large tumble weeds and threw them into a whirl 200 feet up in the air... it kept going....until it was gone.
... just as suddenly as it started....
I saw this happen last month.

 An actual occurrence, that turns out to be a perfect analogy for our lives this last three months.

A whirlwind, a tornado of events, turmoil, upheaval, and then sudden calm.  Discovering how to survive a storm and still smile with little left.
I am not comfortable giving out whole details, but in short- we were buying a house, the seller backed out 5 days before escrow, everything fell through, and three months later- after multitude of events such as losing cars and jobs- we are finally back in a rental house.
It is now a week after our move and I am still going through boxes, and discovering where things might go and basically...settling down.

Whew.
I never intended to be away so long.

I learned a great many things during that time and I want to share it all with you, I just have to figure out how to word it all. I missed writing!
The three months covered the bulk of summer here. The hottest months- we did a great deal of swimming and walking.
Many hours got spent outside- and we enjoyed the BBQ many nights, rather than going out to eat fast food. I found out just how bad I could feel after nasty fast food. (McD's made me feel like I had poisoned myself into a sluggish grease pit, I wasn't alone! Everyone including the kids agreed!)
Oh, how I missed real food! I craved home cooking daily. We all craved it after just a week of not having it! The BBQ helped, but really  nothing compares to homemade lasagna fresh from the oven (our voted most missed food 2nd was baked chicken).

 I missed my All natural cleansers and safe cleansers. I used baking soda whenever I could but could not escape the motel cleansers etc.

In the heated outdoors, I discovered Lavender Essential Oil is fantastic for mosquito bites, and spider bites, and virtually eliminates all itching! It also deters ants and flies.

I discovered my small jar of coconut oil could become far more than cooking oil, it turned into my daily moisturizer, my hand lotion, and a soothing answer for sunburn!

I discovered my bottle of castile lavender soap could wash dishes, be a hand and body soap, and shampoo!

I discovered that even in trying times and adversity I still could not compromise my beliefs that natural is better than the convenience products sold on the shelves. All in all the experience was like a test for all of us- did our steps to go real food and more natural before really take hold? I'd have to say a resounding YES!!!!!

So happy to be back! So happy to be able to write it all again!

As I unbox and unravel from the past summer- I hope to start sharing everything again. Thanks to everyone for following and thank you for your patience!

-Janey
a truly Consistently Sporadic Writer

Summer is here, folks!

Summer is here,  folks!  

Be careful of Heat Exhaustion!

Be careful! 

Heat.  I prefer winter, spring, fall… I do not like the heat.  However, summer has arrived.  If you live in the Southwest, USA- you know heat. We have already had a week of 110 F temps.   If you are new to the area- you will be greeting true heat in the coming weeks.   We have temps predicted at 110F and 112F coming up.  People in parts of AZ might be seeing 118F.  We are predicted to have record breaking temps in this coming week- and it’s not even July.  Who knows what July will bring! 

For many, the luxury of sitting in air conditioning all day is not an option. Even if it is for you, at some point you will have to get out and be exposed to the heat and I would just like to convey a simple warning! Be Careful! 

Water, Water, Water.  Liquids, liquids, and more liquids (although, avoid alcohol and caffeine).

Heat Exhaustion is nothing to laugh at. Heat Stroke- what comes after heat exhaustion is serious and dangerous! 

Heat exhaustion occurs after repeated exposure to high temps and you have become dehydrated. When dehydrated - your body temp goes up and your body cannot maintain its regulated core temperature (Your body temp goes up like you are running a fever.)    It is a heat related illness that has symptoms such as: dizziness, fainting,  fatigue, pale clammy skin, weak but rapid heartbeat, muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, headache, rapid pulse, higher body temp, etc. 

Left without taking steps to help your body during heat exhaustion- your organs begin to shut down, and that is when it becomes heat stroke- which is very dangerous!  If your body core temperature reaches higher than 104F you risk damage to your brain and vital organs- which is what heat stroke does. 

If you start feeling heat exhaustion, take it seriously!  Stop activity and rest. Get to a cooler place. Take a cool water shower, or bath, or sponge bath. If you can’t get to a restroom and splash cool water on your face, and let cool water flow over your hands and wrists for a minute. Drink fluids. Do not do heavy physical labor or exercising. Loosen your clothes – tight clothes can trap more heat. 

Heat can affect anyone, any age. So watch the kids too! It is particularly dangerous for children under 4, and adults over 65; however, it can effect anyone! Heat related illnesses are felt by all when record breaking temps arrive! 

I am not a doctor, but I have in my lifetime seen the effects of heat stroke on people I care for; and it is not a pleasant thing. Heat exhaustion, once fully suffered, takes a week or more to recover from. Heat stroke on the other hand- can leave damaging effects permanently (Like people unable to further tolerate heat at all.)

Mainly, be careful!  Liquids, liquids, and more liquids!  If you think you are in need of a doctor- go! 

Summer is a time for fun! Enjoy as much of it as you can! The Season brings ups and downs in the temperatures; please just use extra caution when the temps reach their highest peaks! 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, this is not to be used as medical advice. This is intended for informational purposes only and written as friendly advice. If you are suffering heat exhaustion or heat stroke, please seek proper medical care!  

Sources used for reference:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heat-exhaustion/DS01046/DSECTION=symptoms

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/heat-exhaustion