A warm day today with highs in the 70's although there is rain scheduled.  It's not bright and sunny but it is lighter than it was yesterday.  And I have noticed that the trees are becoming more colorful.  I think I will have to take a few rides to get some fall leaf-peeping pictures.

I did a lot of work yesterday moving and cleaning things in the utility room to fit in another litter box and find room for the air conditioners.  I also brought in the black pet fence that I was using for the garden plot.  I wanted to fence off the furnace, water heater and well to keep the cats out of those areas.  

I had to pull up the fence and take off all the plants that had wound themselves around the fence and then clean it but in the end it was worth it.  I still have another pet fence for the garden.  As the garden is up against the house and deck stairs I don't have to fence off the back next summer, only the front and one side.  That should keep the deer from munching on my plants.

I was talking to a group of women and the question came up as to when is a person old enough to do what they really want to do?  It's an interesting question and one without easy answers.  I'm sure we all know folks who have always wanted to pursue a creative hobby but have never done it.  Why? Maybe feel they are too old to learn?  Or feel their not worthy enough to spend even a small sum of money on themselves?   Or take time out of their household/family chores for themselves?

I remember when I was a young mother with four kids with all the attending chores.  There was a group of women that met monthly and one of the most important things that I learned and took to heart dealt with that question in a different way.  It wasn't deciding to do what I wanted to do but rather deciding that I was not only worthy but it was absolutely necessary that I make sure that I fulfilled my needs.  If I didn't, then there would be nothing left to meet the needs of my family.

It wasn't that I did anything I wanted to at the expense of my family, it was simply that in order to be fully there for my family, I needed to take care of myself and give myself permission to do something that I enjoyed and that made me happy and fulfilled.  For me it was time to craft (even on a shoe-string budget).  So the question isn't when, it's deciding at any age that you are worthy enough to give yourself the care you need.

I found a cute fall craft that takes few supplies:  Some scrap fabric and yarn, stuffing, glue (I used tacky), needle and thread, scissors and small twig.  First cut a small circle out of the fabric about six inches in diameter...

With needle and thread (double the thread for strength) sew a line about the edge of the fabric.  Next pull and thread to close the circle, filling it with stuffing (any type from regular stuffing to fabric scraps to even paper scraps...

Fill the circle well but not so tight it can't be formed easily.  The stitch closed...

Wth a contrasting yarn, place around the middle and pull tight securing with a knot and add lines of glue on the top as shown...

Wind the yarn around to the top edge, back down to the yarn line in the middle and back up adding lines of glue to secure the yarn.  Next dot glue on the top as shown...

Wind the yarn around the top, covering it completely.  Glue a small twig to the top and you have an acorn...

Make several and place them in a basket or tie them to a string or piece of fabric to make a garland.

That's all for today...enjoy the rest of your day...and do something you enjoy...

Talk with you tomorrow...