Category Writing

Advent Calendars – A Puzzle one!

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When my children were young, we always had a chocolate Advent calendar.

Well, this year, I learned that there are Advent Calendars in PUZZLE form. Yes, see photo. You do one puzzle a day and by Christmas Eve, you have the entire puzzle scene finished.

As you can see, I got a little excited and kept puzzling. Each day, in this particular puzzle, there are ~50 pieces a day. So, it’s fun and easy.

I really liked this stained glass Christmas scene. However, they have puzzles that are not religious in nature and where each puzzle stands alone. So, this can be for everyone who enjoys puzzling.

Anyone else out there doing an PUZZLE Advent Calendar?

Boston – A Sunflower STILL hanging on!

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I was recently in Boston. I went with my friends to Rockport, a beautiful coastal town. We enjoyed walking around, seeing the shops, the marina, the seagulls.

Suddenly, I heard, “Hey, look at that sunflower! Still hanging on.”

I went to take a closer look at it. It was so cold, I had to have gloves on, so this was a hardy sunflower.

Rockport was a pretty little town. A few more pictures for you.

It’s fun to explore new areas.

Can adults wear kids hats?

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So, this is kind of funny. When I was in Ireland a few years ago. I was looking at their woolen hats. They had all kinds, but the one I fell in love one was this pink one with the sheep.

I thought, “Is this a kids hat??

I mean, it fit me, but was it too childish for an older adult to wear?

Winter has started.

I went to put this hat on the other day. I love it, but I keep thinking, “Is this too youthful for an older adult?”

Keep in mind, I have an Italian mother. She would say, “We wear gym shoes to play tennis, NOT to go to town. We wear flip flops at the beach, NOT to dinner… On and on with fashion do’s and don’ts.”

If I wear it, maybe I could be Auntie Mame. LOL Remember that movie? Be a little eccentric about it.

I always loved Diane Keaton for having a quirky style, owning it and not caring what “others” thought!

So…Help me out. Should I, or shouldn’t I, wear this hat? Hint I’m older than 55.

When a FLIP goes wrong… Enter Puzzle Buddy!

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We’ve all been there. We decide to do something that is “tricky” too quickly to “get it done,” and we end up with a mess. That was me this morning.

I completed this beach puzzle. I wanted to frame it. I needed to flip it over, so I could tape it in place.

Well, this puzzle is HUGE, 24 X 30. I needed sturdy cardboard to lock it in place for the flip.

Instead, I had flimsy poster board. The flip did not go as planned.

As I was on the floor, trying to salvage pieces that were still connected…

I remembered seeing this PUZZLE BUDDY online. What a joke I thought!

However, now, I see the value of this product. For a “re-do,” I could definitely use this.

So, of course, I wonder… Why in the heck did I need to “re-do” half of the puzzle?

There must be a REASON, but WHAT?

When a puzzle design goes wrong…

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I’ve wanted to try this Ravensburger puzzle, Title: Colors on Colors, designed by Karen Puzzles for a while. It looked fun. However, I didn’t want to pay $24.99 for it.

Months have gone by, and I was at the thrift store and “there it was!” I got excited, but then my heart sank. The box was not taped closed. So, we know what that means… most likely pieces had fallen out.

Still, I had wanted it and for $1.99, it was worth a try.

From the get go, there were no end pieces. Not one. Were they lost or was that the design?

I continued… I was NOT enjoying this puzzle. It took me a while to figure out why.

Look at the photo below. The puzzle design from the box shows the distinct design of each puzzle piece. So, of course, we imagine that’s how “we” would be piecing the puzzle together.

Well, the designer did not think this through. The manufacturer put the puzzle cutting grid above the design. The result was a big mess, making this puzzle feel like your eye sight was out of focus. Definitely not like the design photo on the box.

At any rate, these things happen. I was glad I didn’t pay $24.99 for it.

I was amused at how many pieces were missing. I still think this “could have been” a FUN puzzle.

Glad I found it. Glad I did it.

Now, on to the next NEW puzzle find!

Supermoon – Does it change your mood?

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The other night, I stepped outside and was surprised to see the full moon. It was so bright, my first thought, before I saw the moon, was that a spot light was shinning down on me. Then I looked UP!

LOL – It was God about to talk… me feeling like a spot light was on me, laugh a little.

I didn’t know it was a supermoon until I Googled it. I was able to capture this picture.

Interesting, the IPhone usually takes clear night sky photos, but the ones I took were all a bit blurry.

Still, you can see how bright the moon was. Really a treat to see.

Go out tonight if you remember, you’ll be amazed! Oh, and I do think this is why I’ve been moody these past few days. Could be?

Book swaps, Puzzle swaps… A PLANT swap?

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I saw this Plant Swap. While the idea was nice, the plants available were interesting. All in water?

It reminded me of book and puzzle swaps. You go with ideas of grandeur and then you see what some people have brought and your heart sinks. Is this the best they can do?

Now, before you say, “I’ve been to GREAT book/puzzle swaps, etc.”. We know it’s hit or miss. You go and take your chances on what people bring.

So, with these plants it’s the same thing. Someone who really loves plants will want to bring the two on the left back to life. They would enjoy the challenge. The one on the right looks hearty.

Happy Gardening!

Halloween Hotline — May I help you?

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This was funny. I have a friend whose birthday is on Halloween. Imagine that!!

I was at the store and came across this Halloween phone. A shame, I think it needed a battery, so that the skeleton’s head would light up while dialing/calling someone.

Dialing the phone was fun, like the “old days,” when as you dial, you hear a clicking sound.

I imagined being in a haunted house, finding this phone and calling GHOST BUSTERS!

H-E-L-P —> Get me out of here!

I’ve seen a Ghost! 👻

I leave you with the Halloween Hotline!

Cheers to a great weekend!

Weekend Plans… A New Puzzle!

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Life can be interesting. I’ve never been to Mt Rushmore, but I think it’s beautiful.

A friend was just traveling and she went there and sent photos.

THEN… I was at a thrift store looking at puzzles and LOOK what I found. YES, Mt Rushmore.

Puzzling is perfect right now as the weather has gotten cold and the days are getting shorter.

I hope all the pieces are there.

What are your plans for the weekend?