Square peg, round hole

here is my suitcase

I need to fit all this into the above suitcase....

Hmm-could be a challenge.
What are my odds???




I have 12 days to figure out a solution.  I really don't want to hassle with
2 suitcases.  Will do my best  
more later!

Youngest granddaughter
Vera decided she needed to try nana's glasses.  i love her facial expressions!
She's a happy, fun loving character.  Her brother is pretty cute too.

My 1st post with a picture!  Yay me.
Ohio was wonderful.  Pat and I have been friends for over 40 plus
years-longer than i've been married.  We met in college and have never lost
touch.  We may not talk for months, but when when we do it's just like we were together yesterday.  I will miss our occasioal chats while I'm away.
Guess we'll have to get better at emailing.
I spent 8 glorious, relaxing days with my friend (and her 2 cats).  After the last couple months-the down time was sooo nice
We usually work on a jig saw puzzle during our visits.  I really didn't
like the one we chose.  This was the 1st time I left before the puzzle
was finished.  So sorry Pat.  Better luck next year?
But, home now and back to my usual routine.
Not quite in panic mode, but close.  I only have 1 month til i board a
plane for China.  Help!! I had hoped to take one suitcase...but I'm coming to the conclusion i
will need 2. Ugh!   Also have many "things" to do/finish.  So much to do, so little time.
Enough rambling. Til next time..adios.

Visa-as in travel document

Chinese have made it hard to get a visa.  I'm not applying for a tourist visa, so I needed a few more documents.  I'm such a shady person.  1st trip to NYC was last Monday.  We were lucky sister in law Susan checked hours for the chinese embassy-closed wed thru fri.  (Chinese holiday)  My application was rejected.  I didn't have a letter of invitation or a certified copy of marriage certificate.  Wedding ring and same last name made no impression.  ok.  Plan B-furiously emailing hubby in China-I need
one of the 2 items (see above).  Can you please fax to ister in law's office fax by tonite.  9PM-susan and I are at her office printing out marriage cert-5 pages!  We only needed 1 page in 1971!
Back to the embassy tues morning.  application accepted.  Come back next wed-uh...could i get it
tues? $20 additional $$'s, pick up mon or tues.  I now have an official visa in my passport. seems
like a lot of trouble for an index size page.  oh well.
I'm off to Ohio tomorrow-visiting dear college friend (we met 46?? yrs ago) Can't wait

Countdown to China....Oct 2, 2014.  45 days-so much still to do!

Spent the last 3 days at my sister in law Susan's place in Nutley, NJ.  (hop, skip, and a jump
via bus to NYC).  NYC-wonderful city.  Just avoid Chinese embassy if possible.  Needed to apply
for my visa to travel/reside in Nanjing, China. Kathy and I took the bus into the city on Monday. Application rejected!  Oh ****.  On to plan B.
Email Roger in China-i need copy of our wedding certificate or letter of invite from the Chinese
??something/someone or other.  Let's try Rog first.  Can u fax a copy of.....to Susan's office
before tomorrow?.  9PM-Susan and I are at her office copying out said document.  Tues morning, back on the bus to the city again.  Success.  Won't be ready til next Mon or Tues.  Another trip
back to NYC.  I'm tiring of NYC rapidly.

Jumbled thoughts of sleep deprived person

Yay!! House is sold.  Closing was yesterday.  Many thanks to Susan (sister in law). For coming
With me.  Condo is still very cluttered-probably will be even when I leave for China in mid Nov.
Oh well ,it's only me.
Next on the agenda is applying for visa so I can travel to China.  Fingers crossed that goes well.
I've been up since 3:30am.  No idea why.  Tired but can't sleep. Hate when that happens
As usual I'm bad about taking pics.  Darn-I used to be so good.  Scrap booking bug has
Disappeared.  Will try harder when in china.

Terrie (Theresa) and 2 of her girls.  Phenomenal lady.  I married her oldest son 43 years ago.
So happy I did!  She treated me as a daughter, shared many laughs and stories.  I will miss her laughter, her stories, her mere presence.  Our family has lost a great woman, loved by all, never forgotten.   RIP.

Week three with house on the market. No nibbles.  Several viewings, one open house.  How does
    One put "wow" in a house that has been denuded of all personal items in the name of
     De-cluttering...
Comments from prospective buyers...
    No wow
   Clean, curb appeal good
   Needs updating- really?  I've already invested over 20 grand in major items like
        New-roof, bathroom plumbing, landscaping, hot water heater, painting exterior
        That's just the major items, won't mention all the small misc
   Overpriced-we are 40 grand under the township assessment
   Needs carpets-I have area rugs
   Replace appliances-buy your own stainless steel beauties
Second open house today-can hardly wait for more neg comments
Enough rant
This "clean living" has cut tinto my creative fun projects.
Still haven't figured out how to add photos

5-23-14

Busy, busy, busy.  De cluttering a house occupied for 28 years is daunting, overwhelming, and just
Plain hard work, not to mention expensive!  We have made enough  progress to at least list the house with a realtor.  I'm in the mind set-have I used it lately, need it soon...if not, get rid of it .  So- trash or Goodwill it is.  Progress slowed a bit this past weekend when I fell off the stairs and landed on my back in the family room. Ouch!!!  Don't recommend.  Still hobbled but at least nothing broken-physically.  Still very sore but able to drive again. No lifting, but hey-what are hubbies for anyway!
  Now the fun begins- keep a clean sterile house.  Hah, we are slobs at best (but clean ones!).
I really need to figure out how to add pics!!

Drowning in clutter

Every room in our house looks as if it has exploded.  Boxes everywhere- some packed, some empty, many not even assembled.  How did we accumulate so much " stuff..."  And this is AFTER several trips to Goodwill and dumpster.  Overwhelming, never ending.  Less than 2weeks til we list the house...I'll never be ready.
Lists of repairs :                      Finished
     Paint kitchen                         x
     Paint hallway.                       having issues
     New roof.                              x
     New hot water heater.           x
     Treat for termites.                  x
      Fix bathroom leak.               x
      Repair outside back wall.     x
      Landscape.                            Work in progress
      Paint outside.                         Scheduled
Yes we are bleeding money-winning the lottery would be nice....
Ok, back to the de- cluttering task. Yuck
Pictures to come........

I started this blog thinking I would share quilt ideas and other crafts.  Somehow I
Never got around  to posting anything.

But - a life changing event has prompted me to post at least once.
   My husband has accepted a 2 year  academic position in China.  Yes, you read that
    Correct ly, China, as in Asia!   Many thoughts  run thru my mind.  Am I excited about
    This upheaval...haven't decided.  It has definitely created havoc with my crafting.
     Instead of creating, I'm purging and tossing things like crazy .  27 years worth of collecting
    And saving "things" I might use in a project.  Overwhelming!    I'm stressed.
And I'm not even thinking about  all the household items, furniture etc.
Soo....on that note I will close.  Check back occasionally for further ravings.