What's happening....

Here are some snippets of things going on. 

My old camera is not working again. It went out two weeks ago and I'm weighing my options. Trying to figure out how I'm going to deal with this minor dilemma. I love that camera because it has a video feature that we use to record our girl's antics. We don't have a video camera and we can't be spending money right now on things like this. 

In the mean time I have brought out my new camera that I got for my birthday back in June. It doesn't have video, but it will do fine for photos. I'm in the process of learning how to use it. Getting sleepy from reading the instructions. 

Still haven't painted anything creative. Trying to figure out how to get a better spot with better natural light. This new home has very limited lighting. This is driving me mad too. 

I've started walking for exercise. Yes, and it feels fantastic! 

I'm reading Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature. This has been a great read and I've finally found something that has been relaxing and inspiring. 

I miss my father. He has been on Vacation in Texas for over a month now and I'm glad that he finally had time to get away from the Coo Coo's Nest. He deserved this vacation and I wish he could stay with his brother and sister a little longer, but he has to come back. I miss our nature observation in his backyard.

My Toot will be having her ballet recital in a couple of weeks. Theme: The Wizard of Oz. I've brought out my mother's old sewing machine and have sewn her Dorothy dress. Not bad. Sewing made me grateful that my mother took the time to show me how to thread her sewing machine and to let me sew some small projects. It all came back and it felt wonderful to be able to do this for my girl. My Toot loved it and she thanked me with a big kiss and a hug. I got all choked up and thanked my mom. 

From Bookcase to Sandbox

I'm back! I've finally finished the sandbox and here are some progression photos. 

Here is the bookcase before I cut off about two feet from one end. The back was a 1/8th inch plywood, which I removed.

I added slats to give the box support. The white is primer and the baby blue is the final color. 

Gave the Toot a section to paint herself. This lasted a few strokes before she moved on to another activity involving dirt and water. 

Five $5. bags of sand made specifically for sandboxes was all I needed to fill the box. I did line the inside with a plastic tarp to keep the sand contained at the bottom and in the box. I started this in February and finished in April. It did take me a while because of the overcast days we were having during these months. With the Toot's classes and potty training I was a bit busy. 

Found this caterpillar in the bushes when I was pulling weeds one sunny morning. It's a beauty!

Oh! Potty Training Camp is completed and with great success!