Winter's snow and ice makes our lives dangerous and adventurous as we try to go about our normal routines. Animals and insects share our struggles. Example: one spider's web attempted . . .
rita

Quirky Cottage Guts

This is to give you an idea about what we came home to after our lovely stay at the beach. Three rooms of this. . .

The next day a crew showed up to start the drying process with big loud blowers.





Then the ripping began . . .

Drywall


Carpets



What was left of the ceilings





At present the ripping is STILL continuing. I've picked out replacement floor coverings for the entire house (except for the two rooms that stayed dry). I'm looking forward to the time when the tearing out stops and the reconstruction begins.
rita

Quirky Cottage Boo Boo

While we were enjoying the beautiful weather on the Oregon coast a pipe in the attic of Quirky Cottage was busy leaking water.

We came home to soggy carpet, fallen ceilings and insulation. All but two rooms were involved.

Currently, our furniture is stored in this pod while the floors and walls are ripped out and heat and blowers are drying out what is left.

Every day brings more news of more damage than what was first apparent. It will take several weeks to put QC back together.

But, family and friends are our treasures and they are what we are focusing on while we sail through these troubled waters.
rita

Wave Action

We saw some interesting wave action here on the Oregon coast. The photos do not begin to demonstrate the unusual height these waves reached.

The wind picking up the top of the waves and turning it into spray was exciting to watch. Here are some pictures that were taken with the rapid fire shutter of my camera.

Fearless Cottage Master -- hoping the waves don't come over the top

rita

On the beach with Santa

We are spending one last week for the year of 2009 on the Oregon coast. So far we've had four straight days of glorious sunshine and deep blue ocean.

While walking the boardwalk we spotted Santa. Instead of elves for helpers, this Santa was aided by Pirates.

Santa with an ocean backdrop

We were serenaded by seals this morning as they floated by our condo window. It's going to be hard to go home, as usual.

rita

Blue Christmas

The Quirky Cottage tree is up. Light blue ribbons, glass bulbs and white lights.

rita

Early Present

Ever since I ate at a hotel breakfast bar where you could make your own Belgium waffles I've been lusting for a waffle iron like it of my own.

I let Santa know and he granted my wish early -- well, after we saw one at Costco for a reasonable price.

I thought I would have to wait until Christmas day to use it but Santa was eager to sample the waffles and so he gave me permission to open the box and prepare a meal of waffles.

With this waffle maker the batter is poured into the bottom griddle, the lid is closed and then . . .

the iron is flipped to make the top the bottom. It is this rotation that creates the most fluffy waffles ever.

I put strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream on mine. Yummy!

rita

Happy?

I recently heard someone say, "I want to be happy but I don't know how."

Happiness is so misunderstood. Sometimes we just can't help being happy because of our circumstances. Playing and laughing with friends, spouse, children or my personal favorite, grandchildren, makes it easy to be happy.


Other times, happiness eludes us. Circumstances are difficult. That's when happiness becomes a choice.

I have just endured a few dark days of painful joints. Unable to do anything else, I sat in my comfy chair with the heating pad as my closest friend. It was then I realized that in the middle of my distress I could still choose to be happy.

This Christmas cactus that blooms in time for Thanksgiving always makes me happy.

I could choose to be happy while watching the squirrels, cats and Stellar jays play just outside my window.

A lesson I hope to always remember.

rita