tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67240605215714703282024-01-19T11:53:31.435-08:00A Karabu CreationI create.
I create stories, stuff, and. . . life.
Now I'm trying to create a blog.Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.comBlogger299125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-22372658503809136552019-04-24T06:30:00.000-07:002019-04-24T06:30:03.217-07:00My First Paint Night<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk972pyqBAn7fP4X50260PcZ4V5DV_aQH5xIUvCvmccjSE8Q8upw_I_Dj_82CAKcpU_tipFXQdvH-fR1aU6cHwrBvhmBkAvZey-UtmC_1EXhWh2a3rYv4zYJ1muTZXm_yJmVasbWQDbc/s1600/IMG_20190423_120550372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk972pyqBAn7fP4X50260PcZ4V5DV_aQH5xIUvCvmccjSE8Q8upw_I_Dj_82CAKcpU_tipFXQdvH-fR1aU6cHwrBvhmBkAvZey-UtmC_1EXhWh2a3rYv4zYJ1muTZXm_yJmVasbWQDbc/s400/IMG_20190423_120550372.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panther and Meeko painting by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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As usual, I'm behind on the latest fads. Those, drink wine and paint nights have been big around her for quite awhile now. I've bee interested, at least in the painting part, but never had the time or money to attend one. That is, until recently. My day job put together a paint night as an employee appreciation event. Since we are a veterinary hospital, we got a pet themed painting. The sample, and the instructions were for a cat rubbing up to a dog, but as you can see, I changed mine to 2 cats, since I have 2 cats.<br />
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I don't paint as a hobby, so considering I didn't really know what I was doing, I really like how it turned out. I think my only regret is that weird thing I did trying to make Panther look furry and fluffy there in the section on her chest. I think the fluffy looks fine, at least in person, not so much in the photo, but I didn't try it anywhere else, so it just seems out of place. Should have been consistent. Oh well. It's ART!<br />
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Have you ever done a paint night? How'd you like it (and do you have a photo of your painting to share?)Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-61028906727846273222019-04-12T06:30:00.000-07:002019-04-12T06:30:01.961-07:00When Am I Not a Beginner Anymore?There are no answers in this post, just questions and thoughts that have been circling around in my head.<br />
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I've been writing for many many years. I've even sold some stories for real money and done paid blogging, and yet I usually think of myself as a beginning writer. I guess this attitude stems from not yet having finished a fully revised and polished novel (I have written several first-draft only novels). Also, while I've been writing for a long time, I don't write all that much, or all that often. Nowhere near as often as I'd like anyway. For awhile I was trying to keep track of my word count so I knew when I hit my million words, but I didn't keep up with that, so I don't know if that landmark has been hit or not. Probably not quite yet, but maybe?<br />
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I've been noticing lately, when something pops up in my news feed with a title like, "Advice for beginning writers", I find that I already know most of what's there. I've heard it before anyway. Occasionally, I'll even disagree with some piece of advice given, and I'll have reasons for my dissent. So I imagine that I could maybe be moving past the beginner phase. Yet, that's still how I think of myself and it's a hard mental image to change. How many phases are there? Am I intermediate? Certainly not advanced. Does it even matter?<br />
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I think where it does matter is in finding lessons to continue my growth as a writer. Like I said, articles for beginners are feeling less relevant to me all the time, but I believe all writers can grow and improve, and the greats never stop learning. Finding craft books or advice from authors I admire is how I find myself moving forward more lately.<br />
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I've also been jogging now for about 8 months. I did the Couch to 5K week 1 day 1 jog the same day as my recheck exam with my surgeon and he gave me the green light to start exercising again. After I finished that training program I have been looking for advice on how to proceed, and I'm finding all kinds of often contradictory advice. I'm realizing that much of my confusion is from not always understanding who an article is aimed at. So many jogging articles seem to assume everyone is running races and trying to finish faster. I started to get a little better, more helpful results when I added 'for women over 40' to my jogging related searches. Yet, I got a lot of the same advice over and over again.<br />
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Does the repetition mean I'm not a beginner jogger anymore? I don't think so. I didn't jog this morning for example because I'm fairly sure I've developed mild shin splints and all advice says the solution is rest (or biking - yea for the Peloton.) I also bet most running coaches would classify someone with less than a year of running under them, especially someone like me that was extremely limited physically before that, a beginning runner. That's fine. I don't care what I'm called, but I do want to know where to turn for good advice on how to continue without hurting myself (re:this shin splint issue) but also without not pushing myself enough. I don't know where that line is. Most of the advice I'm finding is aimed at someone just starting a C25K or similar program, or someone who has run a bunch or races and knows their 'race pace'. I'm feeling a bit lost in between.<br />
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I suppose the solution in both cases, is to not care. To just keep going. Doing my best. Reading and learning, and making progress wherever I can, and not caring about labels. The value of the labels should be that it helps with the tracking down of useful resources, but I'm not sure that's always the case. I guess, reading an article or listening to a podcast that just tells me stuff I already knew isn't the end of the world. Sometimes we need to hear things more than once for it to stick after all.Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-85899662278591451202019-03-25T06:30:00.000-07:002019-03-25T06:30:01.013-07:00In Defense of 'Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald' I loved the first Fantastic Beast movie. A lot. Newt's devotion to helping magical animals, his attachment to the individual beasts in his care, and his awkwardness with people are all things I strongly identify with. So naturally, I was very excited about the second movie coming out, and we went to see it opening weekend despite lots of articles tearing it apart.<br />
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Now with the DVD release, and I think J K Rowling must have done some sort of interview that upset folks, there seems to be a new round of 'the problems with Fantastic Beasts' articles showing up in my various online feeds. While some of the problems are probably valid, and I even agree with some of the criticism, I still really enjoyed it a lot, and wanted to throw out some positives from a big fan (me).<br />
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The second Fantastic Beasts movie is darker than the first. It might be darker than any previous Harry Potter movie at all. I've rewatched it a couple of times since my DVD arrived, and I think I can say with some confidence that there are nearly zero light moments in the whole thing. I wonder if this is the real problem a lot of the critics had with it. It is so different in mood from the first, and definitely from the Harry Potter movies.<br />
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In the first there were quite a few funny moments, mostly with Jacob. In the second, his and Queenie's story line is not funny at all, it is intensely tragic. In fact, I don't think we see Queenie at any point in the second film where she is not in severe emotional pain. That's a pretty harsh contrast to the way we see her in the first film. Jacob is doing a better job of coping with the obstacles that are in the way of his and Queenie's relationship, but his pain and helplessness are there too. There are a few attempts at jokes or levity, but since everything is so heavy, they aren't very funny, and just don't work well. I actually believe that Grindelwald is not just taking advantage of Queenie's emotional distress but actively mind controlling her in some way as well, as it is implied he can do. Her and Jacob's storyline is heartbreaking to me. I mean, it's great drama, but heartbreaking.<br />
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Also in the first there were a lot of moments of just pure wonder. The second tries to do that some too, but they are also generally heavier and darker - like watching Nagini transform. Newt is still Newt, and I love his character enough to go along with whatever he is doing. I do wish there had been more actual beasts featured again. I assume ones like the Kelpie, who get's a big scene near the beginning and then is never mentioned again will perhaps show up in future movies. It was cool to see the Niffler's additional skills put to use, and the scenes with the new Zouwu cat/dragon thing were some of the most fun in the film.<br />
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So, generally, I think this movie was so different from the first that it could be jarring, but that doesn't make it a bad movie. I know I am looking forward to the next and finding out what happens next (to Jacob, Newt, Queenie and Tina anyway, honestly I'm less interested in what happens to Grindelwald and Credence and the rest of those.)Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-31466034716214670752019-03-18T06:30:00.000-07:002019-03-18T06:30:11.004-07:00Hey there, watcha doin? <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3EGAKJSGO4HpTXPtxM2_Qwtw8U3p8YofYxcFP3oN9XiG1AKfNWN796rV_nwgH8d92MPr1mUzWiWIy-A61JNEogvAGKbYB0RwTSRd_zc5e7XxlK8qCbaHZlbJhufBB1UJiYnJY5yZJrk/s1600/IMG_20190314_123845809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3EGAKJSGO4HpTXPtxM2_Qwtw8U3p8YofYxcFP3oN9XiG1AKfNWN796rV_nwgH8d92MPr1mUzWiWIy-A61JNEogvAGKbYB0RwTSRd_zc5e7XxlK8qCbaHZlbJhufBB1UJiYnJY5yZJrk/s640/IMG_20190314_123845809.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curious Meeko and Panther. Photo by Robin Hartz</td></tr>
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<br />Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-79231413610639939192019-03-15T06:30:00.000-07:002019-03-15T06:30:00.764-07:00Forgot to Show Off My New BooksI forgot to show what I bought at FogCon last weekend. I knew I wouldn't be buying as much as I wanted since the budget is what it is right now, but here's what I went home with:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38CAZFK3cGWIid0ePTassvB3drSWaEZ61-fBNJw5Kaogrsx-hxJVll0VXjqaotQYRTi1s0HsFm_dZGJCR1fnyLl5N6ehgC0vNEeRNTpY8B6VshS7_4ld2RatLlfYp8W7jZEwrZ5steh0/s1600/IMG_20190314_154705663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38CAZFK3cGWIid0ePTassvB3drSWaEZ61-fBNJw5Kaogrsx-hxJVll0VXjqaotQYRTi1s0HsFm_dZGJCR1fnyLl5N6ehgC0vNEeRNTpY8B6VshS7_4ld2RatLlfYp8W7jZEwrZ5steh0/s400/IMG_20190314_154705663.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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I'd already read <u>The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet</u> by Becky Chambers, and enjoyed it a lot, so I knew going that picking up the next book was part of my plan.<br />
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I've wanted to read <u>In Calabria</u> for awhile now, so when I saw a signed copy available I snapped that up (Peter S Beagle was not at FogCon as far as I know, but there was a bookseller there with lots of signed books from lots of authors).<br />
Then there were a ton of things I saw that were already on my TBR (To Be Read for anyone who doesn't do book lingo) list, plus I started a whole new TBR list as I listened to panels and got interested both in books the presenters had written, and ones they recommended or quoted or talked about. Picking was tough. Then I also sort of had in my head ahead of time that I'd like to get something I didn't know anything about before attending. Something new to me. That's where <u>Defrag</u> came in. I piked it up in the dealer room because of the cover art and the thin size I thought it might be a graphic novel, and my daughter might like it. No, it's just a short-ish book, but I still love the cover art, and the blurb sounded interesting, so it's my 'new thing to try out'.<br />
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Then I made the good financial decision to not go back to the dealer room again. I still have my list though, so I am all set on reading material for a nice while.<br />
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Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-12329937440766982472019-03-13T06:30:00.000-07:002019-03-13T06:30:05.528-07:00FogCon 2019I've wanted to attend FogCon since I first learned about it, maybe 4 or 5 years ago. I have trouble spending money on myself, and on the years I wasn't in the hospital, it always fell on a weekend I had to work. If I was uncomfortable spending the relatively small membership fee for something just for me, I was doubly so about taking time off work to do it. Maybe I was just afraid to go alone to a place where I would know no one. That was probably a bigger part than I'd like to admit to myself.<br />
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Lucky for me, I have the most supportive husband in the planet. When I sighed, alas, FogCon was again on a weekend I worked, he just looked at me, and said, "Then take time off." He encouraged me to buy my membership early and ask for the time off. So I did.<br />
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I only took Saturday off though, because I didn't realize how much happened on Fridays. Still I attended the panel on "Life in a Closed System" on Friday night. It was great. Saturday there were some tough choices, but I ended up going to "Decolonizing Space" about colonialism in our world and in fiction, "Science to the Rescue!" about how science and scientists are portrayed in fiction, "Sense of Place" about worldbuilding, "Creating with a Day Job" about what it says - this was super encouraging and so what I needed to hear at times even if I didn't get anything specific to use that I'm not already doing.<br />
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By that time I was pretty exhausted and there was a dinner break for 2 hours, and I decided I wouldn't come back since I had a big day of family events on Sunday. I did sneak in one last panel Sunday morning, and I was proudly on time for it even with the time change. It was "It's Never too Late to be a Writer" and again, nothing really actionable to take away, but lots of encouragement and inspiration, and I always need that.<br />
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I regret not making it to any readings, but there was just so many panels I wanted to attend.<br />
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The idea of going to a multi-day event like this alone was daunting, but since I was primarily sitting in an audience, listening and taking notes it was manageable for me. Everyone I spoke to - usually to ask a question since I was new and didn't know how things worked or where things were - was very friendly. If I can schedule things to go again next year, maybe I'll work my way up to being more social - attending the lunch banquet or visiting the Con Suite or something like that. Maybe not though. Not if I would miss an interesting talk.<br />
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I'm so happy I got to go.Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-75322907772815907772019-03-04T06:30:00.000-08:002019-03-04T06:30:10.733-08:00Decision FatigueI'm trying to remember where I heard the term 'decision fatigue'. I believe it was in the book <a href="https://charlesduhigg.com/" target="_blank"><u>The Power of Habit</u> by Charles Duhigg</a>. It's a great book that I highly recommend. The point though is that I realy love that phrase, decision fatigue. It resonated with me so much the first time I came across it. If I remember correctly, the point the bookmakes with this term is that habits allow us to prevent decision fatigue. By having things we do routinely, without thinking, it lets us save all that decision making energy for other problmems.<br />
I frequently find myself exausted from making decisions. When I work weekends, my husband handles dinner. He will sometimes ask if there is anything special I want. I usually answer something along the lines of, "I want to not have to think about it." Then he gets takeout and we are all happy.<br />
When I was recovering from my many surgeries, I had a lot of anxiety about a lot of things. I didn't feel I was coping all that well, and I was supposed to be carefully watching my weight and following so many other instrutions I wa getting overwhelmed. I took advantage of a program my insurance provided to do phone coaching for things like weight, stress management, etc. Some of the problems I discussed with my councler/coach person were very small everyday things, like the stress of figuring out what to do for dinner all the time. She helped me come up with a system to plan ahead weekly so I knew what I needed to do each day. It seems so simple, but at the time I just couldn't make any more decisions. I was seriously fatigued. Even better, small things like this really helped. Way more than I expected them to. To have a plan for everyday things leaves what little decision making energy I have availble for decisions that come up that can't be planned for.<br />
Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-79859239394940808752019-02-25T06:30:00.000-08:002019-02-25T06:30:03.739-08:00Peloton ClassesAs a sort of Christmas bonus, my husband's boss gave him a Peloton bike and class membership. I'll admit, I wasn't enthusiastic about this, and thought that if the man had ever seen our tiny home he might have realized what an impractical gift this was. At the same time, it was also wildly generous, as anyone who has priced those bikes might attest. My husband accepted in this spirit, and found a place for it in the family room (where I had hoped to put a small sofa, but alas, it was not to be).<br />
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Since it was in such a prominent position in our home, and since it was all paid for, of course I gave it a try. The first few rides were hard on rear, but my Google research assured me that this would go away after a few more rides, so I keep on, and Google was right. I thought - hoped? - it might be a good cross-training exercise for me to do on the days I wasn't jogging as I worked through the Couch to 5K program, and I think it has been very good for that.<br />
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The classes are all challenging for me, even the beginner ones, but I'm seeing progress as I keep on going. The instructors are fun, and I'm finding a few favorites. I also recently discovered their online classes for things other than using the bike. I guess they also make a treadmill, that we don't have, but I can do the classes on the treadmills at the gym using my phone. They also have outdoor running and walking classes I can listen to on my phone, and well as yoga, meditation, and some strength classes.<br />
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Since I've finished the Couch to 5K program, I've liked having the treadmill and outdoor running classes to guide me along sine I'm not really sure what to do for my jogging now. I can't usually keep up with the paces they are using, but since they aren't live classes, and no one can see me or know how slow I'm going, I just do what I can, the best I can manage, and it's been fun. They throw in general running/jogging tips that are great for me since I'm such a noob to the jogging thing and don't really know much.<br />
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They also have 'achievements' the program keeps track of like, how many classes you've taken, how many days in a row you've exercised, how many miles you've ridden the bike, and that sort of thing. I've maybe gotten a bit obsessed with my daily streak. It goes up to 60 days, and I've been determined to make it there. I actually don't have that far to go. Thank goodness, it will count any class you do. When I was sick last week, I just took a meditation class (and fell asleep - oops, maybe I need more work there too). Tonight, I was so sore from my jog this morning, and trip to the gym for weights, that I didn't think I could handle riding the bike tonight, so I did a 10 min yoga class, and my streak is safe.<br />
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We never would have had the money to consider buying something like this for ourselves. Is it worth the cost though? Since we didn't pay the cost, it's hard for me to say. It's pretty darn nice to have though. I'm very attached to the thing for someone who was resistant to letting in the house in the first place.Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-86042973255736294052019-02-20T06:30:00.000-08:002019-02-20T06:30:07.903-08:00Creating a Writing HabitWhile I enjoy writing, it had always fallen into the category of 'fun thing to do when I have the time'. Even when I'm trying to be more serious about my writing, and create a daily habit, it seems to be the thing on the schedule most likely to be pushed off until later when things are busy. And let's face it, things are ALWAYS busy.<br />
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A month ago or so, I finished the audiobook for <a href="https://charlesduhigg.com/the-power-of-habit/" target="_blank"><u>The Power of Habit: Why We Do in Life and Business</u> by Charles Duhigg</a>. It gave me some insight as to why, when trying to establish several new habits, I had done so well with doing my exercising every day, and so poorly with trying to write every day. I learned that an important step in the habit loop, or in the creation of a habit is the trigger, or cue. The thing that tells us it's time to do the thing.<br />
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For exercising, my husband had declared that we would go to the gym together on Tuesdays and Thursdays as soon as he was home from work and Sundays first thing in the morning. Those are weight lifting days, so I decided I would jog first thing in the morning before I could be distracted by other activities on other days, or on work days when I can't get up early enough, I would ride our exercise bike or take a walk after dinner. So even though the cue varied from day to day, I had several cues ready, and even a back up cue - if I had an appointment or something else that kept me from jogging in the morning, I had a plan to bike or walk after dinner. Having a back up plan is also mentioned as a key to success in the book. Without knowing the steps to habit formation, we had set ourselves up for success with exercise, and we have been more regular in our workouts for the past six months than we'd been in years.<br />
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For writing, my plan was - do it in the evenings, when there's time. Obviously, that isn't as good a plan. Now that I understand more about how habits work, I am completely unsurprising that this master plan has mostly failed. Also, before reading <u>The Power of Habit</u>, I tried making a more detailed plan for myself. I would blog on this night, I'd work on fiction these other two nights, I'd work on the staff newsletter for work on another night, and the work blog the other night. Not only could I never remember what I was supposed to be doing on what night, this also failed because I still only had a vague - do it sometime in the evening when there is spare time - cue and that just didn't work for me. There is always something I need to do. So the writing got pushed aside. Again.<br />
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What I'm trying now: I downloaded a habit tracking app that lets you set a reminder alert. You could just use whatever alarm timer you already have on your phone I suppose. I first tried setting it for 5:30, thinking it would just remind me to write sometime tonight when I found the time. Just keep the idea if writing more forward in my mind. That didn't fly. I'm usually just leaving work, or planning dinner, or in the middle of something at that time. I glance at the reminder, but quickly move on. So I thought about when I'm most likely to be able to stop what I'm doing and actually write. I reset the timer for 8:30. I might be finishing up on the exercise bike, or grading school work, or doing laundry, but I'm just as likely to be playing a game. I decided that the timer would now mean - finish up what your doing in the next few minutes and start writing. I also decided that I would only expect 30 minutes of writing. That way if I really did have important things to get back to, 30 min wouldn't hurt that, and if I didn't know what to write, I could flail for 30 min without too much stress.<br />
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Has it worked? Not perfectly, but much, much better. I was writing maybe a night or two a week before, despite feeling like I'd like to do more. Now I'm hitting 4 to 5 nights easily, and usually once I've sat down and started, I go way past 30 minutes. I'm definitely on a better track. It's been about two weeks with this new system, and it seems to be getting easier over time. I'm looking forward to my writing time instead of stressing about it - like how I actually look forward to my jog. Who would have thought that could happen? So we'll check in in another month or so and see how the habit has come along.Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-33224495859018172832019-02-18T06:30:00.000-08:002019-02-18T06:30:12.300-08:00Online Classes: Lynda.comA friend recommended Lynda.com to me for my daughter who was interested in digital art and possibly design classes. It looked interesting, but I didn't want to spend the money at the time. Then I learned that we have access to the Lynda.com classes through our local library. We just use our library card number to log in.<br />
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She has taken some Adobe Illustrator classes, and is interested in some about Photoshop. I was looking around and found some about website design. I've been wanting to create an author website for my work, something in addition to just his blog, so I'm taking some classes as well. If I learn enough, look forward to my website hopefully in the not terribly distant future.<br />
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I'm also interested in classes there for creating a email list, and other marketing ideas. This is all brand new stuff for me. I've been writing, for myself anyway, for as long as I can remember. But branding, and marketing, and all the other stuff that goes into actually selling what I write - that's all outside the scope of my previous experience. I know some would advise to hire out the stuff you aren't personally experienced at, and there is wisdom in that advice. When you are just beginning though, and have a budget of zero, and are willing to take the time to learn some basics then that's what you do instead. At least, I hope you do, meaning, I hope I can. It's very possible, I'll take these classes, and still not have the skills to create my own website. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. On the silver lining side, I don't think any new knowledge is wasted. Learning new things is always good. If I learn that I need help to make my website, I'll have at least learned enough to better understand what I am looking for in that help.<br />
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<br />Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-53240948374339399322019-02-11T06:30:00.000-08:002019-02-11T06:30:09.152-08:00I Have Finished Couch to 5KWell, sort of finished it anyway. The app I'm using goes by time, not distance. So what I've actually finished is Couch to 30 Min of Jogging. I'm slow, and can't finish a whole 5K in those 30 min. But- darn it - I'm still super proud of this accomplishment. Since the final session in the program, I've been trying to work my way up to jogging for the full 5K distance. The last jog I did, I went for 34 min. Let me tell you, there were days along the journey that I didn't think I'd ever be able to jog non-stop for 30 min, let alone more.<br />
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At 34 minutes I still didn't quite hit 5K (3.1 miles), but I'm getting close. When I use various apps or my fitness watch thing I usually start them going as I begin my warm up 5 min walk, and I don't turn them off until I get home, so that includes 10 or so min of cool down walking as well. Some of the programs are easier to separate the walking from the running than others. My pace varies between 11 and 12 min/mile, usually about 11:30ish (I told you I was slow). So I figure if I can jog for 36 min I should be hitting the 5K by then. I suppose one of these outings I should wait to start tracking as I actually begin jogging, and stop when I start my cool down for a better, or at least more precise measurement.<br />
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I've been reading articles on advice for newer runners who have just finished C25K about what to do next to continue their training. Most advise against just running your 30 min every other day and say you should vary your distance, your speed, etc. to continue to improve. I've tried following a couple audio type classes that do a sort of interval speed work to help get faster. It's been a bit of a joke, because I'm really going the fastest I can right now, and any slower is a power walk - not a jog at all. I'm not sure an outside observer would be able to detect any difference in my 'fast' intervals vs. my 'easy' intervals. These classes like to talk about going at you're 'race pace'. I keep thinking, "My what now?"<br />
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Oh well. I have to start somewhere, right? I didn't know for sure I could jog for 30 min straight. Maybe someday I will amaze myself again and have more than one pace.<br />
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I girl can dream.Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-69116790675093965412019-01-23T06:30:00.000-08:002019-01-23T06:30:14.134-08:00Sparking Joy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjg7h2M7Ojcg0KRQCEdQNV0sHxej-n_QluPiyZ2_tZQimuIudWjUBFi50zyAZ8Wp7OnJmgaoBwoMKB9ccevWOT4uXIQYrYXCPF-otqs0Jx-tocq0QW3zZvrCnjBY2cuJdrLn6maWJVcc/s1600/IMG_20190120_185353773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjg7h2M7Ojcg0KRQCEdQNV0sHxej-n_QluPiyZ2_tZQimuIudWjUBFi50zyAZ8Wp7OnJmgaoBwoMKB9ccevWOT4uXIQYrYXCPF-otqs0Jx-tocq0QW3zZvrCnjBY2cuJdrLn6maWJVcc/s400/IMG_20190120_185353773.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My newly folded shirt drawer</td></tr>
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<br />I read "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" probably over a year ago. I don't remember for sure. Long time ago. I think I got rid of some clothes, maybe, at the time. I liked it, I liked the ideas, but I wasn't energetically up for the sort of major decluttering I needed at the time.<div>
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I've started watching the Netflix show and I'm so much healthier now, and more ready to get rid of stuff I keep tripping over looking for the stuff I actually want to use. One of the aspects of Marie Kondo's methods that I had decided I didn't want to use was the upright folding thing. I didn't want to learn a new way to fold clothes, and, really, there was nothing wrong with the way I folded, so I didn't need to change that, I thought.</div>
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But it just kept coming up again and again and again as I watched. Well . . . maybe, I thought, maybe I'll just try the shirts and see if I like it. This is my newly folded shirt drawer. So nice, right? I should have done a before picture. Before this, after I had already gotten rid of a fair number of shirts, the drawer was hard to open and close. Shirts would get stuck, and I'd have to shove or poke them back inside. Plus, I didn't really know what was in the back or on the bottom. </div>
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The exact same shirts fit with space to spare now (which is great since there are shirts in the laundry I need to get in there). I can see them all at the same time. The new folding doesn't really even take longer then my old way. Pants next!</div>
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Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-6939892738863259762019-01-21T06:30:00.000-08:002019-01-21T06:30:06.952-08:00Meeko gets the ConeAwhile back, Meeko developed abscess on his rear. This isn't a crazy unusual thing for a cat; we figured Panther bit him a little too rough during a wrestling match one day, even though they look like they're being really gentle with each other. So we cleaned him up, got him on antibiotics and everything healed up well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor Meeko kitty recovering from abscess surgery</td></tr>
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Then about a month later, I noticed Meeko licking his rear again and acting uncomfortable. A wound had opened up in the exact same spot where his previous abscess had been. This time we had to sedate him to get a better look. The doctor probed, looking for any foreign material that could explain why the healed wound had reopened. Nothing interesting in there, but it was a big pocket of space under the small opening.<br />
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I thought maybe the infection had been resistant to the first antibiotic, but the doc wasn't so sure. There was no sign of infection this time. No discharge or anything like that. Spider bite? Maybe, but it didn't look like the classic spider bite wound. There was really no way to know what had gone wrong, but it was strange. Doc sewed him up for me, and this time, he had to wear the cone. Even thought I hadn't noticed him bothering the wound as it healed the first time, we were not taking chances since it was now a recurring problem.<br />
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I know pets hate the cone, and I thought I was sympathetic to them, but man-o-man, is is rough living with a depressed pet who is stuck in one of those things. He had to wear it for two weeks and a couple days. Two weeks for the sutures to come out and the doc wanted it on a couple extra days for good measure.<br />
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You have never seen so happy a cat as Meeko the day he got his cone off. There was frolicking. I think he groomed his face for an hour straight. He played with Panther (who had been afraid of him in the cone and kept her distance for the past two weeks). He rolled over for belly rubs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98rxjYN55EuTkYDgrkvx6mQqmK-sJsm1qqswwAH9AJqMKSUhLhdQUkIJG0TSaIChs7ByBkiNE7DTrN1wlWPbwe4AAg0JnkOjSRsipOM4Z-xkdFP2rwufG0iM9e3f1cdYMiU2rCGUS8AM/s1600/IMG_20190118_214048636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98rxjYN55EuTkYDgrkvx6mQqmK-sJsm1qqswwAH9AJqMKSUhLhdQUkIJG0TSaIChs7ByBkiNE7DTrN1wlWPbwe4AAg0JnkOjSRsipOM4Z-xkdFP2rwufG0iM9e3f1cdYMiU2rCGUS8AM/s400/IMG_20190118_214048636.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeko and Panther snuggled again!</td></tr>
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And the best - the cone has been off for a week now and his healed wound continues to be healed. I'm watching it closely, but I hope it's done now. None of us want to do that again.Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-16459438587928727962019-01-07T06:00:00.000-08:002019-01-07T06:00:07.759-08:00More Handmade Gifts (this time for me!)My girls made Christmas gifts for me this past year as well. An adorable little wooden TARDIS - the door really open and everything. I'm trying to decide what to keep in there. And the cute black cat keychain. The cat has green eyes just like our Meeko kitty. I'm undecided where to keep that one too. The bag I use the most is also black and I'm afraid it won't show up well. So I suppose it would be best on my small purple purse. The downside is that I don't use it as much, but maybe that would make me worry less, because if I break it I would be super sad.<br />
These kids have leveled up in a major way this year in their crafting skills. I'm just so - Wow! about these.<br />
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Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-5286347166824558562019-01-02T06:00:00.000-08:002019-01-02T06:00:07.596-08:00Christmas AmiguruMe!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I found this adorable book at the library, and decided that THIS is what I was making the girls for their Christmas amigurumi this year. They were more challenging to make than anything I'd tried before, but a challenge is good, and the instructions were great for the most part. I loved the book so much I think I may have to pick myself up a copy to keep. I have 2 more nieces who I'd like to make as gifts. The author/creator also has a book for making pets that looks fun, and one of cute food. If you're on Raverly her page is worth a look. So much cuteness! And I found a <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dr-suess-star-bellied-or-not-sneetch-amigurumi" target="_blank">free pattern there for Sneeches</a> (with and without belly stars!) I think I'm making that next.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlW2OoK8no_7vuEa3-nnQY9r2S8O4wK8X2sjKPUwwIe3tv4OnNYhn2lcO2fxv6GMuWupFwN4zxZxW4XmRaNkUYpDS6xWI_LDJa-Ko0qGZDlXbgbt-N4qMi3ak9HNr-A7ipo5Cjpcn2G98/s1600/IMG_20181220_213758740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlW2OoK8no_7vuEa3-nnQY9r2S8O4wK8X2sjKPUwwIe3tv4OnNYhn2lcO2fxv6GMuWupFwN4zxZxW4XmRaNkUYpDS6xWI_LDJa-Ko0qGZDlXbgbt-N4qMi3ak9HNr-A7ipo5Cjpcn2G98/s400/IMG_20181220_213758740.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eldest daughter AmiguruMe by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Youngest daughter AmiguruMe by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAoJnerqtrdsuHjaKrZp44jR0x623Am53vKOxcObH1PqJ_KJYlbcJUBJcn0smAmF-jchQxWWBlYXF1YhUwi7Z3aroOoFvBg4eSGgulz7PGh_hz1TSMrboCZGglgxkAKg316LeHMqhgcM/s1600/IMG_20181224_121259903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAoJnerqtrdsuHjaKrZp44jR0x623Am53vKOxcObH1PqJ_KJYlbcJUBJcn0smAmF-jchQxWWBlYXF1YhUwi7Z3aroOoFvBg4eSGgulz7PGh_hz1TSMrboCZGglgxkAKg316LeHMqhgcM/s400/IMG_20181224_121259903.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Niece AmiguruMe by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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While I don't think I've ever posted photos of my kids, or my niece - trust me, this is exactly what they look like. Those little sandals and flip flops were the toughest, but turned out so cute!</div>
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Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-21598656566653837902018-11-01T19:25:00.001-07:002018-11-01T19:25:13.383-07:00NaNoWriMo 2018Here we go again.<br />
What am I thinking doing this again?<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><img src="https://nanowrimo.org/widget/MyMonth/karabu.png" /></span>Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-67514544162634843612018-10-10T06:30:00.000-07:002018-10-10T06:30:12.134-07:00The Kitten Grows (but is still cute)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRN7AZyF6xchObOzmboqKaMLdtl0PlTO95t5BSEMnl4rjSM-1oy4sHg79gPYfzPoDeTq6izGY9jeXJhsfx93-zh7m8Ap-N7xHsn06T427sIFUtuGqc8cFpLScZlT0a8K3X8HGwA4sZ6Y/s1600/IMG_20181005_205711025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRN7AZyF6xchObOzmboqKaMLdtl0PlTO95t5BSEMnl4rjSM-1oy4sHg79gPYfzPoDeTq6izGY9jeXJhsfx93-zh7m8Ap-N7xHsn06T427sIFUtuGqc8cFpLScZlT0a8K3X8HGwA4sZ6Y/s640/IMG_20181005_205711025.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusty at 6 month old. Photo by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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<br />Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-2750929235099642742018-10-08T12:12:00.000-07:002018-10-08T12:12:19.346-07:00Thoughts on Couch to 5K Week 5 Day 3I'm back at the Couch to 5K program. I think it was the same day my surgeon gave me clearance to start exercising again, i went out for the first session. I was told to take things slow and gradually though, so I've been doing most sessions twice before moving on, thus turning the 9 week program into closer to 18 weeks. But that's all fine.<br />
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I just finished week 5 day 3. For those familiar with the program, this is the first really big day with no walking breaks. 20 min of jogging. Giving up the walking intervals is intimidating. I was doing some reading about the program, and read that this is the most common spot that folks will quit. The reason I was reading about the program was that I found it strange that this particular session happened at this point in the program, because week 6 day 1, the next scheduled session, has walking breaks back in again. Why would they do that, I wondered? Once you can do a run with no breaks, why go back?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMcUCQHV1DylxALJRVkSNLp-sFv8RI8HH-tIKiQvzLPRdzYzdXK_Ng6-fZDlm8x28zV4ucyCljC_3J0vVNngDTeo4fv9nVrRnwzR4bVXceEJv6Ckl2tFRjTKcfSLKLBiR8T9lR133O7o/s1600/IMG_20180927_184339188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMcUCQHV1DylxALJRVkSNLp-sFv8RI8HH-tIKiQvzLPRdzYzdXK_Ng6-fZDlm8x28zV4ucyCljC_3J0vVNngDTeo4fv9nVrRnwzR4bVXceEJv6Ckl2tFRjTKcfSLKLBiR8T9lR133O7o/s400/IMG_20180927_184339188.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My jogging trail. Photo by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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I don't have an authoritative answer, but the most common theory I came across it one I think I agree with. I was very nervous going into the week 5 day 3 run. I was worried I wouldn't make it all the way to the end. Because I'm taking things slow though, I figured I would just try again if I didn't make it. At the same time, I really didn't want to have to do it all over again, so I planned to try my best to get through. After that, I'd get my breaks back and I could go along happily. That, in a nutshell, is the theory about why they schedule it the way they do. If the walking breaks ended, and looking ahead at the rest of the program I saw that there would never be any walking breaks ever, my nervousness would have been much worse. I might have decided to stay at week 5 day 2 indefinitely, or until I felt 'ready' to move on. I might have quit.<br />
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It seems to be a psychological hurdle more, or at as much as, a physical one. Believing you can do it, and that it'll be okay is one of the main challenges of week 5 day 3. Knowing you just have to get through the one time, and you'll get walking breaks again helps with the mental battle you have to deal with. Really, the walking breaks don't last much longer. By week 6 day 3, they are gone for good. They last just long enough to let you know you can do a jog without breaks and you'll do fine, so when the walks are gone truly gone, you do feel ready.<br />
Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-57355318083522351592018-09-18T15:35:00.000-07:002018-09-18T15:35:07.670-07:00The MouseOur kitten, panther, who recently turned one year old has a favorite mouse toy. It used to be Meeko's favorite mouse toy, but when Panther arrived, one of the first things she did was tear the feather tail off it, and ever since he has ignored the thing and it has been hers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREN0t1IaVSwjqxn06wGB2E8NjS-tg7rf_1YcM1MDs8hEsJhZj-FkwMmNx0UnjOUhT7h1KDCIZKsyhxfVe2ZvhL9KIRz8gI2BM4s942_1BrVqRKN8lkw95qQuniUa73ZxWZHdeVVzJqgQ/s1600/IMG_20180823_124434811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREN0t1IaVSwjqxn06wGB2E8NjS-tg7rf_1YcM1MDs8hEsJhZj-FkwMmNx0UnjOUhT7h1KDCIZKsyhxfVe2ZvhL9KIRz8gI2BM4s942_1BrVqRKN8lkw95qQuniUa73ZxWZHdeVVzJqgQ/s400/IMG_20180823_124434811.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panther's mice toys. Photo by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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It reminds me of how attached a child gets to a favorite object. She has all but destroyed the mouse. Perhaps if I hadn't told you it was a mouse, would you have been able to tell? The feather tail is gone, as I already mentioned, and the seams have been ripped open, and most of the stuffing is gone. The threads embrodering the face are a mess, or missing is places. Yet she still loves it.<br />
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Sometimes she knocks it under a piece of furniture, or behind something, or whatever, and can't get to it. Later, sometimes weeks I believe, we will come across it and give it back to her, and the sheer delight on her little kitty face is amazing. She plays with extra joy when she gets it back. This isn't to say she will never play with any other toy, but there is no doubt what her favorite is.<br />
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Also, like a child though, she will accept no substitutes to her lovey. When the stuffing kept coming out I worried about the mouse. I happened to be at the pet store buying her food and thought I'd get her a new one. I bought the pink mouse also in the photo. They didn't have anything exactly like her older mouse, but this was similar in size and fabric to the original, so I thought she'd enjoy it. I don't think I've personally seen her ever play with the pink mouse even once.<br />
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Very briefly I considered repairing the favorite mouse by re-stuffing it, and resewing its seams, but after the rejection of the new mouse, I'm afraid she would be insulted at my attempts. If she loves it the way it is, I will not be interfering<br />
.Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-77230451278684282202018-07-21T15:38:00.000-07:002018-07-21T15:38:00.588-07:00I Made Myself This Little BagAfter my most recent surgery, I was restricted to lifting no more than 5 pounds. The satchel I liked to bring with me to work was a couple pounds at least even when empty. So I needed something lighter I could carry my lunch in but that wouldn't have room for me to add too much else and let it get too heavy.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvV06UbPZWtokRKzlbQnVHqJdJQL9JyrKk3OKr0cjwaQsjhpDiqYU0RcnYWup-lGj-UhGJMhg9ldUbQ8C_AwlE3dnLX2Gm0_bm3ZKocQN3WB1UeWNppwMYYhWYOSnojKpBI1y4CKWZJHw/s1600/IMG_20180403_160859654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1537" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvV06UbPZWtokRKzlbQnVHqJdJQL9JyrKk3OKr0cjwaQsjhpDiqYU0RcnYWup-lGj-UhGJMhg9ldUbQ8C_AwlE3dnLX2Gm0_bm3ZKocQN3WB1UeWNppwMYYhWYOSnojKpBI1y4CKWZJHw/s400/IMG_20180403_160859654.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start Trek bag made by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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<br />I found this Star Trek fabric on sale some time ago and have been looking for the perfect project to use it on. Ta Da! I'm very happy with how it turned out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfuVnJ6Y1Co1uuZqmDHl8xiHo1ESX6ZK9gXC2ItIif9iqigQfE9tQTjFLIOAp787Aky8nbpZ-0kN-j4MnwGaZdgJTkh7CjDYUEbIXKCgWa3Hwdnjz46k57eXWwUZBljwBU4CrWEAHWAw/s1600/IMG_20180403_161045720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1391" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfuVnJ6Y1Co1uuZqmDHl8xiHo1ESX6ZK9gXC2ItIif9iqigQfE9tQTjFLIOAp787Aky8nbpZ-0kN-j4MnwGaZdgJTkh7CjDYUEbIXKCgWa3Hwdnjz46k57eXWwUZBljwBU4CrWEAHWAw/s400/IMG_20180403_161045720.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside of Star Trek bag made by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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The grey interior lining fabric is just circles and lines, but I like to imagine (as long as you don't look at them too closely) they are tiny Enterprises.<div>
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<img height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51uWcfNXELL.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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I'm 90% sure this is the book where I found the pattern I adapted for the bag I made. It included a pocket inside and I didn't include that.<br /><div>
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Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-52428840285309286882018-06-29T13:02:00.000-07:002018-06-29T13:02:03.633-07:00Dream KaraTwo nights ago I had a great dream.<br />
A little background info for those who haven't been listening to me whine, I mean who haven't followed my medical drama lately. After several surgeries that all seemed to run into complications, I am now recovering well but severely restricted in what I can do. I'm not supposed to bend or twist much and am limited to lifting no more than 5 pounds. This has been going on for nearly a year, with the more extreme restriction in the last 4 1/2 ish months.<br />
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So in my dream I was just running all over the city picking up heavy things. Something fell from a crane, and I caught it. Some big thing fell off a truck and was rolling toward some kids, and I ran in and scooped it up. I picked up this huge fish in my arms for some reason. And so on.<br />
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Every time I picked something up, expecting praise or thanks, people said to me, "You aren't supposed to do that."<br />
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Now, Real Me would have heard this and wilted, probably apologised and slunk away, but not Dream Me. Oh no. Dream Me stood up taller, hands on her hips and said, "But I did it anyway, and I'm awesome!" and jogged away to go find something else to pick up.<br />
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I wish I was like Dream Me.<br />
<br />Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-43347933694812711202018-06-25T06:30:00.000-07:002018-06-25T06:30:28.634-07:00Cute Kitten PicturesBecause the world always needs more cute kitten pictures, especially lately, I feel.<br />
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My husband and I go for an evening walk most nights. A couple weeks ago he heard a kitten crying in distress. He has great ears. After spotting the kitten and pointing her out, I could hear her at last too. She was across a four lane road, sitting on the sidewalk, just screaming. We crossed to her, and she tried to dart away in fear, but came up to the side of a building after a couple feet. The wall confused her and she just sat and stared at it instead of turning and continuing to run. Or perhaps she didn't have any more energy to run, because when I picked her up she was fluff and bone. She fit curled up in one hand and I held her against my chest that way for the walk home, after we looked around for any people or other cats (mama cat specifically) she might belong with.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitten. photo by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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One eye was crusted shut, she was covered with dirt, foxtails and fleas. She relaxed within moments of my holding her, closed her eyes and sighed a tiny kitten sigh, snuggling into me. We posted on all the found pet places, online and in out community, and no one stepped forward to claim her. This didn't surprise me considering her condition. We cleaned her up, fed her, and she has been coming to work with me for weight checks, and at last, yesterday, she was deemed old enough for viral testing, and starting her kitten vaccine series.<br />
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While we aren't keeping her long term she has been cleared to meet our cats, which she is enjoying a lot, and they are enjoying her somewhat less so. Here she is delighting in playing with Meeko's tail, and he in his infinite patience, is tolerating it. Until he didn't. He did at last give her a hiss and a smack after she bit too hard. I wouldn't have lasted as long as he did. He's a great big kitty brother.<br />
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Soon, once they are done with some things that are keeping them busy and out of the house a lot, my parents will be adopting her. So, happy ending.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBs_AN1blkcshEfqFX95MM0Ux_94aK7tNPppbpABtz1QtTBfk40F6sECDbqSez59mkgD9gezvIKr98QtkhZ0tgTo9Wy-7tuMwwll7Uwl1nYKI_AX5yu3NbQ_85LKjgtimKg5FbqkC2XI/s1600/IMG_20180619_093425714_LL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBs_AN1blkcshEfqFX95MM0Ux_94aK7tNPppbpABtz1QtTBfk40F6sECDbqSez59mkgD9gezvIKr98QtkhZ0tgTo9Wy-7tuMwwll7Uwl1nYKI_AX5yu3NbQ_85LKjgtimKg5FbqkC2XI/s400/IMG_20180619_093425714_LL.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitten Mystic biting Meeko's tail. Photo by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-69381206886160402252018-06-14T06:30:00.000-07:002018-07-21T15:21:03.459-07:00Meeting Authors at SF Comic Con 2018<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ88xCet_ThhVzrwhOJORYp5Up7eTNJnwAhox0oS_w-G62uEYiFMfBc7S9GRgzgIaF2WNHTzHR7b7rGK3g54dFT3kBIR63IiIAH8YS2W0ULFQaoUMDPpybKk42jNXCI0apwxwJCNVuelU/s1600/IMG_20180609_215312674_LL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ88xCet_ThhVzrwhOJORYp5Up7eTNJnwAhox0oS_w-G62uEYiFMfBc7S9GRgzgIaF2WNHTzHR7b7rGK3g54dFT3kBIR63IiIAH8YS2W0ULFQaoUMDPpybKk42jNXCI0apwxwJCNVuelU/s400/IMG_20180609_215312674_LL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books from SF ComicCon. Photo by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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I was a little disappointed that they didn't have any novel writing focused writing talks on the schedule this year. There were a few on screenwriting and comic writing though. The last couple years they had several, but I noticed the author who did those talks was not there this year.<br />
There was also only 1 novel table in the vendor hall that I found, that had books from several authors. I bought a book from each (1 was an ebook because her paper copies didn't show up apparently) and got them signed.<br />
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I had hoped for more, obviously, since I am a book lover more than anything, and am considering writing to the con to say how much I missed the writing talks and hope to see more of them in future years.<br />
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Still, I have fun new things to read, and that's always a win.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="550" src="https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?asin=B07DK69C27&preview=inline&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_6YbiBbFNRV9BV" style="max-width: 100%;" type="text/html" width="336"></iframe>Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-16573588511890619292018-06-12T12:11:00.001-07:002018-06-12T12:11:20.083-07:00SF ComicCon 2018Our family first attended SF ComicCon in 2016. The kids immediately declared it a family tradition, so we have gone back each year since. This was our third year. They have dressed up every year. In 2016, my husband and I just did jeans and neardy t-shirts, last year, he did so again, and I wore my Star Trek (Next Gen) uniform. This year we all dressed up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimduddluHIeZ7A24Fqzt3tbonc--PMUt-uvZmPZkcRkaBSlOpHOa8U0DjJNgHudrI_MrSF66iMKJH9E-VPIpr7_HaK2dOwcknQT_bMGs7OWD8_6F2wbtHn4oTTPlFRYaCirwjoDzbQDYE/s1600/IMG_20180612_115150982_LL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimduddluHIeZ7A24Fqzt3tbonc--PMUt-uvZmPZkcRkaBSlOpHOa8U0DjJNgHudrI_MrSF66iMKJH9E-VPIpr7_HaK2dOwcknQT_bMGs7OWD8_6F2wbtHn4oTTPlFRYaCirwjoDzbQDYE/s400/IMG_20180612_115150982_LL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pipe Cleaner Bowtruckle and Newt Scamander wand. Photo by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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I wanted to go as Newt Scamander from Fantastic Beasts, and talked my husband into being Jacob Kowalski. The kids went as Sans and Chara from the Undertales game. I didn't finish my costume in time. So I had to go without the blue overcoat (that it would have been too warm to wear anyway) and without the scarf I spent weeks of lunch breaks knitting. *sigh* Ahh well. All I had was the grey slacks, white button shirt, mustard vest, and this wand and bowtruckle sticking out of my vest. It was enough that a fair number of folks still identified me as Newt. That was fun. My husband just wore a grey suit and carried a briefcase with a niffler sticking out. He was hot and uncomfortable though and changed half way through the day.<div>
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Because I was running so far behind trying to make my costume, my daughters helped me out a lot. My youngest cut pattern pieces and fabric out for me, and my oldest, made this bowtruckle out of pipe cleaners, and the Newt wand out of a chop stick, clay and paint. All those years of encouraging craftyness are paying off.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLJa3YV8DRygemI9UFMQfhL5-TL3HU44DeyNiHns4FD3nZVTSXSEwyNv8gZKXwgQO9jVhiz69hgFjx6PkERMnLc6JGcpO8Dgb1bWZg0CZGgMqQokOExF2EGz2yb9wELv-YGzer1qn3Jo/s1600/IMG_20180612_115230113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLJa3YV8DRygemI9UFMQfhL5-TL3HU44DeyNiHns4FD3nZVTSXSEwyNv8gZKXwgQO9jVhiz69hgFjx6PkERMnLc6JGcpO8Dgb1bWZg0CZGgMqQokOExF2EGz2yb9wELv-YGzer1qn3Jo/s320/IMG_20180612_115230113.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sans mask. Photo by Kara Hartz</td></tr>
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My oldest also made her Sans mask completely on her own. Isn't it great? She was stopped and asked for photos a bunch, which made her very happy after all her work. We saw several other Charas, and she got photos with several of them. </div>
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I suppose, as new family traditions go, there could be worse ones. It was a long, tiring, fun day. </div>
Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6724060521571470328.post-40349525842269726742018-03-27T23:40:00.001-07:002018-06-12T11:51:02.718-07:00Coming Late to the Bullet Journaling PartyI've seen lots of buzz about bullet journaling for quite awhile now. I mostly ignored what I saw because I thought the main gimmick with bullet journaling was using craft supplies, and fancy lettering, and complicated color-coded organization systems. None of that especially interested me, so I never read further.<br />
I'm not sure what it was last week that made me decide to look into it further. I think it was an article I came across that was titled with something that indicated that bullet journaling could be done without doing any fancy decorations and could be adapted to whatever you needed it to be. Now that got me interested.<br />
I keep a journal. I always think I will write in it every day, but I never do. I write in it when something exciting happens, or I'm upset, or stressed out, or worried about something. If you were to read my journal for the last couple of years you might think I did almost nothing but have surgery and doctor appointments, because that's the main thing that weighed on my emotions, and I most needed to work through and come to grips with in myself. So I journaled about it a lot.<br />
My bullet journal is different, and after using it almost a week now, I don't think it will replace my regular journal, that's my therapy. What my bullet journal is is a brief log of what I did each day. The sorts of things I used to tell myself I would record in my regular journal, but I never did.<br />
Then I continued to read about other uses of a bullet journal: to-do list, goal setting, lists, ideas, pretty much anything you want to include. That was my lightbulb moment. I keep a notebook with me almost all the time. I have notes about curriculum I want to research for my kids, about bills due, about topics for this blog, and the blog I wrote for work, short story and noveling ideas and research, interesting things I came across that I want to remember, and so many other things. My problem is I have several of these notebooks and so my notes are spread out all over the place and I often can't find the ones I want when i want them. So I tried to keep different things in different notebooks, thinking that would solve my problem, but it didn't. I'd have an idea for my novel when I had my homeschooling notebook with me, so it became a 'whatever' notebook almost immediately.<br />
The bullet journal seems to be solving all these problems. I can keep all my notes about all the things I like to keep notes on, all in the same notebook because the index will tell me where everything I need is. And I can do it without spending the time trying to make it pretty or fancy, since that's not what I'm there for.<br />
I just started with a small empty journal I already had around to see if I liked the system. Spoiler; so far I do. I want to have a journal that is small enough that I can carry it around with me the way I like. Still, something bigger than the one I'm using would probably work better. Mine is fairly messy, partly because it's so small I suspect. Maybe someday I'll be inspired to make it pretty, but I doubt it. I'm just happy to have a way to keep all my pretty ideas close.<br />
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<br />Kara Hartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03036587106896735695noreply@blogger.com0