Monthly Archives: March 2021

Create Cards and Send Some Love

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I recently purchased a card-making kit and found it to be easy and fun.

Card Making Kit Fun

Last December, I participated in a card-making workshop on Zoom hosted by my friend, Marsha, on the East Coast. I met and worked with other women from all around the country in the Zoom room. It was like a quilting bee for 2020. All women were working on cards or scrapbooking while together in conversation. An enjoyable time during the pandemic. The card making workshop started at 10AM EST, before sunrise for me on the west coast. You’ll notice the darkness in my photos.

I ordered a card kit from Creative Memories. It came ready to go to make twelve cards for $20. I also purchased adhesive. I really enjoyed it, and plan to make another set of cards soon. Here are some photo details. This might be fun for you, too.

The card kit supplies came in a pretty box.

Within minutes, I was ready to go!

Kit supplies, adhesive roll and foam squares (sold separately), scissors (my own), and instructions were all set up. Plus, I prepared some snacks for while I work. My laptop was ready for the Zoom video call.

All the pieces are numbered by card and letter for easy identification.

Below you see the parts for Card #9.

I separated the parts into piles by number.



I placed all the parts of each card into one of the blank cards like a little folder. I put them back in the box in order. I tucked in the directions.

I pulled out one card at a time and just followed the instructions to assemble.


I finished the cards in less than two hours and had a good time.

Below are six of the finished cards. I did customize a couple with bonus pieces that came in the box.

I addressed, stamped, and sent each card on its way to friends and family.


Stay creative in 2021, my friends!

P.S. If you’d like a closer look at another Creative Memories Card Kit, watch this video:

To see all the card kits Creative Memories offers, click here: Card Kits.

Bamboo Toilet Paper Test

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Have you tried Cloud Toilet Paper yet? With the one-year anniversary of the toilet paper panic, I thought I would honor that in today’s post and share what I found out about Cloud Paper.

I recently heard about Cloud toilet paper and decided to try it out. I like to save a tree when I can, so this bamboo toilet paper caught my interest. I never really considered the deforestation related to toilet paper. I ordered a box.

From the web page: Cloud Paper

The box was 24-rolls for $28. Free shipping is included with a subscription. I chose to commit to just one box to try it out.

The box arrived in good condition.

I liked the pretty tissue paper that came inside.

I unpacked the box, with paper crackling. I prefer a crackling fire, but this was a nice touch.

Even the packaging is considerate of the environment. That is important.

The mission of Cloud Paper is to protect our environment.

Each individual roll is wrapped in a recyclable wrap.

All ready to roll!

Time to put it to the test. It is soft enough to the touch and held up as needed. The roll lasted long enough. I would never guess it was made from bamboo. I found it to tear well enough, too. Some other brands tear easier, but I was OK with this.

This label is certainly helpful! And subtle. Ha, ha.

And how could I resist! The box comes monogrammed with my initials!

I like it. I will switch to this brand.

Stay environmentally responsible, my friends.

P.S. If you’d like to try this yourself, I highly recommend it. I was quite pleased with the product, price, and the values.

Here is another review. This reviewer did not think the paper was soft enough. I liked the level of softness. So now you have another perspective. He compares it with Charmin and Kirkland (Costco).

A review of Cloud Paper by Kobra

10 Things for the Spring of Vaccines

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I appreciated the reminder text.

Many of us will be vaccinated in the coming months. Many of us already are, as we pursue herd immunity from COVID19. I recently completed my second dose of the Moderna vaccine at my neighborhood Rite Aid. The following information may be helpful or comforting to you.

Thankfully, shots don’t bother me.

I am 65, which is a high-risk age group. These ideas can be adjusted for different situations and schedules. Each person will have an individual response to the vaccine. I do not speak for anyone but myself. This is not medical nor moral advice. Much of this information is common sense.

Apologies to the wonderful musical, Hamilton.

Here are ten suggestions I found helpful. Please leave any additional positive suggestions you may have in the comments.

Helpful Ideas

  1. Schedule your appointment, if you have a choice, for a Friday or Saturday so you have the weekend to take it easy. Your body is doing good work as it responds to the vaccine and will benefit from some rest.
  2. Clear your schedule for 24- to 48-hours following the vaccine, especially the second dose, to anticipate recovery from any side effects. Relax. Plan ahead for meals, groceries, and necessary chores. Dress comfortably. Put your feet up. Your energy may come and go, so listen to your body. You may not need the time to recover, but you’ll feel ready, which is less stressful, and that’s good.
  3. Stay hydrated, which is always a good idea. Plenty of water is helpful.
  4. If you and your main helpful person (spouse, partner, roommate, relative, friend) get vaccinated, avoid getting vaccinated on the same day. If you encounter side effects, the other can help out. But if you both are down with side effects, that could be more difficult.
  5. Schedule your vaccination, if you have a choice, for later in the afternoon. It is easier to slow down at that time of the day for many. People could then enjoy a nice dinner, unwind, and go to bed. Sleep is helpful in recovering from side effects and also boosting your immune system.
  6. An ice bag may be helpful. I iced my upper arm for 20- to 30-minutes with my first dose and then again for my second dose. It helped address the mild but annoying pain. I liked that.
  7. Enjoy a bowl ice cream or your other favorite dessert. Kids got treats for being good patients when I was young. I think that there is some comfort in that. A sweet treat certainly got my mind off the general feeling of malaise that I felt. It was a nice reward.
  8. Avoid arguments. We all know this vaccination is not without controversy. Everyone should do their research, talk with their physician and pharmacist, decide who and what to trust, accept that we cannot know everything about this at this time, and make their best choice.
  9. Get extra rest and stay hydrated. Those are worth repeating.
  10. Sign up for the V-safe app, if you feel comfortable doing so. I am happy to help the CDC monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines through my feedback. For more information, go to V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker.

Stay healthy and community-minded, my friends.

P.S. Here is helpful information for When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated.

“All Because You Matter”

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I recently read a new award winning children’s picture book, All Because You Matter, written by former teacher Tami Charles and illustrated by award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier. It is important to share books that tell stories that may be different from our own. It is essential that all children see themselves in storybooks. I was interested in this story for those reasons, and found it to be a tender, timely, and important book.

All Because You Matter is a thoughtful love story written to a young child, affirming the beauty and richness that lives within the child. The story is strong and encouraging to the precious children among us who may not be part of the majority. For readers who grew up in different circumstances, this may bring some discomfort. If we can sift through that discomfort, and take in more of the reality of the world as experienced by others, then we will grow more loving and empathetic through this picture story.

And wouldn’t that make us better neighbors and the world a better place? All our children need this from us.

Stay compassionate, my friends.