I’ve been getting your emails this week wondering where I’ve gone. Have I disappeared? Have I broken an arm? A leg? An artery?
As you can see from this actual photograph I’m not hurt, not injured (that’s just pizza sauce) or institutionalized. I’m just finishing up a super-quick new project for all of us. Hey! Here’s the funny thing. Have you ever decided to bring a new lamp or something into your house and the result is 3 solid days of crying uncontrollably while rearranging everything you own make it fit?
That’s where I am with my new project. Wondering how something so small and simple has become so much bigger. I got through the beginning of it without much problem, even the middle wasn’t too bad, but now that I’m nearing the end of it I feel very much like I’m holding a tiny clown umbrella while it rains cement blocks on my head.
Not one to get discouraged, I’ve fortified myself with snacks and plenty of essential oils that are supposed to ease the stress, however, if I’m being honest with you I believe those essential oils need more Ativan in them.
My PLAN (hahahahahahahahahahaha) was to start to post again last Monday (that’s when I would normally start again in the New Year and it’s when I figured I’d be done the bulk of my work on the new project.) But when I began writing Monday’s post I started to sweat all over. A cold sweat. The kind you’d experience if you realized the fish you just ate was caught in a sewer.
So I reluctantly decided to not write a post on Monday to ensure I could get through the day without drowning in my own sweat. Which is worse than it sounds because I’ve been so stressed that my sweat currently smells like a Durian chocolate bar that almost killed me over the holidays.
If you’re one of the few that hasn’t signed up to be notified about my new project,
The people on that list are going to be the first ones to hear about this thing that’s given me onion sweats.
In answer to some of your questions over the past week:
Yes, I’ve seen my good friend David. We’ve had many delightful conversations about wood. We’re also delving into favourite drink choices and eco-friendly home building practices.
No, I’m not quitting my blog.
No, my new project isn’t buying, selling, or renovating a house.
Yes, Betty and my sisters are doing well.
Now. I have to get back to sweating and crying. If you could just bear with me and my sporadic posting for the next little bit things will get back to normal soon. I promise. In fact, I think things are going to be much more fun and interesting.
Because everybody thinks getting cards and letters in the mail is fun and interesting, right?! (that’s a small hint)
Ack. I’ll just tell you this little bit. One little PART of what I’m doing involves sending you something very small, (small enough to fit in an envelope) … right to your house. Every. Single. Month.
karen!
Again, you can get on the list to be notified here. ;)
Oh man, I’m so excited to see what this is all about. Thanks for sticking out the sweats for us!
I’m already hooked! I’d follow you down a rabbit hole any day!
Agreed. Sigh.
Ditto!!!!
Me too!
Me too!
The workmen are coming tomorrow to install new windows. Everything has to be down an pulled away from every window. The house is wrecked.
Is the mail coming to America? Glad to hear from you
It is! ~ karen
I use to get your newsletter in my email, but then it just stopped, then I found you on IG. I’ve been following you for many years and you do make me smile. Happy new year
Oh my god – actual mail!? It sounds intriguing – take your time! Plus, I’m teaching online right now so I barely have time to drink 5 glasses of wine every evening let alone read emails from you…. I’m only reading this now because my google classroom is down (thank god for small mercies!)
Lots of love and a virtual hug (because: onion sweats!)
Carla
Ha, ha………5 glasses of wine every evening…..funny…
Yeah. The onion sweats are the worst. ~ karen!
5 glasses ….YES!
It was so good to see your email this morning! I excited for what is coming!
Thanks Michelle, I’m excited too! ~ karen
Yay! I love mail/correspondence!
You got this, girl! If you have the patience for sourdough, you have the patience for anything.
Hahaha! That is an excellent point. ~ karen!
So glad you’re doing well…was wondering. Be strong and keep puddering around. Looking forward to our surprise! Happy New Year!!!
Have at it girl…. stay safe & sane eh?!
Thanks Jan! I’m fine. :) In fact what I’m doing is a lot of fun and I LOVE having a change. It’s just … you know … more work, lol. ~ karen!
Happy to hear from you. You are a light in this Covid darkness. Your posts never fail to make me smile- a real feat considering I live in the DividedStatesofAmerica. :/ We appreciate the update. Enjoy your latest project!
I’m one of those people who moves my furniture around all the time. I send you a big hug to get you through this challenging time :) Look forward to what’s next for you!
A MAGAZINE?
Who’s David?
David is one of her neighbors; they recently connected over her chopping wood for her home. Sounds like a real character.
Hi Brooke! This is David … https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/the-day-i-met-david-wood-delivery-day/ ~ karen!
Unfortunately he’s a little too old for Karen! LOL
Ah, yes…I thought that might be the person you were talking about, but the context sounded, uh, “warmer” than I expected. Sent out save-the-date notes yet?
But I think we all have kind of favorite Uncle crush on him
LOL! Oh lord. I’m not the marrying kind regardless of his 94 years, lol. ~ karen!
Karen, you are hilarious! Can’t wait to see what this project leads to …
Thank goodness you are all well. I was worried.
Karen!! Don’t sweat or panic!!! We are just glad you are doing well!! We should be helping you with your project!!!
So good to hear that you are talking to David. And that your sisters and Betty are doing fine as well!
I love your write ups. Most of the things you write about happen to me ALL THE TIME! Nice to know I am not alone—-but sorry they happen to you!!
Carry on! Call if you need help!!! I’ll bring some chips.
Something we can touch….not on a screen……what sorcery is this?!?
So glad I’m on the list!!!!
Curiouser and curiouser.
Can’t wait to see what your up too! 😊
We’re in the process of buying a ginormous old house. My Xanax inhaler is great, you should try it.
There’s a Xanax inhaler, lol!!???! Well that sounds handy. ~ karen!
OMG, I NEED that!
Actually, I need 12.
Two for me…
& 10 for my mother.
;)
Glad you’re here (there) and ok, aside from the sweating. I’ve been trying essential oils too and I agree, more Ativan would be great haha!
I’m so excited about your new project! Like, weirdly too excited… Buddy the elf excited… I think I don’t get enough surprises lol!
Take care and take a deep breath!
Good morning Karen,
I have a Chicken Lamp that has moved around my house, garage, and yard. It causes upheaval every move. I really like that lamp and refuse to give it up. That’s why I put up with the aggravation. Looking forward to some fun. Last year was a total bummer.
I was thinking about you this morning as I made my breakfast and wondering if there would be a message from you when I opened my computer. So glad that you are well, aside from the sweats, and looking forward to your new project.
I must tell you how disappointed I was that my Google search of “how to become a calendaring expert in 37 seconds” yielded no promising results because I’ve always loved being the first in the know. I guess I’ll have to continue sweating, swearing, and doing (other) stuff.
In the meantime though, you’ve got so much great content that I’ve been re-reading. Just yesterday I was reacquainting myself with the methods of preserving the butcher block countertops that I don’t have yet (but soonish…washing dishes in Rubbermaid buckets for 3+ years is some straight up BS) .
So thanks for fortifying us with such excellent stuff, working on this Thailand-sweats project, giving an update on Betty, David, & co, and letting us know you’re okay. Please know I’d send you some Ativan if I had it.
Thanks Cheverly, lol! And the Google calendar help I need is definitely beyond Googling. :) I feel like the only one who could help me is whoever actually invented Google, lol. ~ karen!
The 🐔 how are the chickens? Do you still have them?
Yes! :) ~ karen
Hey Karen
If we are already signed up for your e-mail, does the whole new thing happen there?
Wow. That was SO well phrased.
I meeeeean, do we need to sign up again for the new shiny thing?
I would assume not?
Hi Irene. If you’re on the list then you’re good for now. You’ll get sent another email when I’m ready to roll out the shiny new thing! ~ karen
Cool. I love getting something personal in the mail (junk mail and bills do not count!).
I know the aggravation when a small item requires major redecorating. You will make it fit and it will be zen like (after the swearing ends).
Hey Karen, FGS stay well. Thanks for the update. Pat
I have tried to join you on your new project several times , but, it keeps saying my email is invalid. However, I recieve your weekly emails at the same email address I am trying sign up with.
Don’t know what to do.
I had that problem too until I realized that autofill was putting a space after my e-mail address. Deleted the space and it took right away.
I have had that same problem, darn autofill!
I’m not sure what could have gone wrong Gisele, but I just added you to the notification list myself. :) ~ karen
Glad your well, looking forward to your news.
Hint, I hope your sharing seeds!🥰
Oh thank god – I was so relieved to finally see your name in my inbox. Because, you have become the only thing that helps me make sense of life through all these presidential antics – and this last one was a doozy. Not to put too much more pressure on you, but we NEED you! ❤️
Thanks Quatorze!~ karen!
Oh goodness. This sounds complicated. Please provide yourself with the self care you deserve. I enjoy your sense of humour so much and want you to stay well! Looking forward to hearing from you when the right time comes along :)
Thanks Janet! I’m good. :) I just can’t do the huge jobs at once, so I just wanted to let everyone know that I haven’t disappeared completely, I’m just – organizing myself a bit, lol. ~ karen!
Thank you for the update. Stay well, stay safe.
Well it’s 4:35 in the morning and I’ve been awake since 1:30 (after one hour of sleep) so I thought I would read my inbox for the last week that I’ve been neglecting… that’s how I came across this gem. Now that I’m curious and thinking about what you’ve been up to, I’m wondering if I’m going to be able to get back to sleep at all tonight! Hmmmm
Looking forward to the news!
I woke up an hour after going to sleep too! I woke up, ate 2 cookies and watched a bit of news. ~ karen!
Hi Karen!!!
What a wonderful way to end the work week- my hero!!
Kristina Schuh from Delaware
:) ~ karen!
Thank you.great update just worried you know the whole pandemic thing. I work in a hospital and that’s right where my mind goes. Be safe.
I’m O.K.! :) ~ karen
Karen,
Im So Glad that You are here!. I almost wasn’t here! I had a bad heart failure a couple weeks ago. I died just as the Paramedics got to me. They brought me back. I haven’t felt happy, but! When I open my email and Your there im instantly happy and open it right away.. You make me laugh out loud. Plus I really like Your projects.. Thank You. I know this comment sounds a little sappy lol.. Im actually a crazy assed old lady that act her age😁
I feel you Patty as something similar, but non-deathwise happened to me over US Thanksgiving. Karen is a joy to read and feels like a friend that I haven’t met yet. She’s encouraging and upbeat, and just enough of a goofball to make me smile, which hasn’t been easy this last year since my husband died in June. I sincerely hope you’re doing better and that your new meds, like mine, will keep us healthy. Here’s to more laughing and a bright new year!
Hi Peggy. I hope you’re feeling better! I’m so sorry about your husband. ~ karen!
Patty!! Are you O.K. now?! ~ karen
i’m pretty sure your foreign fans will be missed off the mailing list for obvious financial reasons so can we have something else to compensate? our own exclusive ‘foreign’ email, perhaps? like monthly Canadian trivia – sort of educating us so when we visit we won’t feel so alien? and I think David might be the one for you.
Glad you’re ok. I didn’t sign up yet . . . . and now I see that it’s just as well, as I live in Bulgaria! I’m assuming that you’re not actually going to post worldwide?
Oh, bless you! You always make me laugh! (Not an easy feat, so thank you!) I adore your sweet home (sense of humor is killer). Keep doing what you do! Happiest New Year wishes!
I’m impressed you can get anything done! My usual endless energy for all my volunteer jobs and house projects and sewing and gardening……is about running at 32% of normal! I do not think it has anything at all to do with my age….or do we start to age at a dog’s rate when we pass 70? Oh, no, that can’t be true, can it?
Well, I’m going to put in more new outdoor lighting tomorrow just to show I’m still capable!
Me too,…..it’s not even 32%…..everytime I sit down I fall asleep…. ( not even drinking 5 glasses of wine like Carla). I think something is wrong with me… maybe from being locked in my house since March….
I’m so excited!! You’re the best! That’s all.
Glad you are OK-ish.
Will it make you feel better or worse if I tell you that I wasn’t paying any attention to whether something was supposed to appear on the blog? I’ve always felt blessed and giddy when your email appears in my inbox, even before it was Blursday all day every day.
“Blursday”, lol! ~ karen!
I hope the mailman comes to South Africa!!!
Be kind to yourself – we will always be here!
Right?!
“Im Here, i’m Here”
Of course you are here (or there, because I am here)! You have to be here, because you are not one of those wacko politicians who snuck off on a tropical vacation.
Hey Karen, I just thought you were working on your new project, which is exciting! However, if all of your teeth spontaneously turned into fangs, I can see how dealing with that would take precedence over everything else. I’m very glad you’re OK! That must mean all of the points have been filed off of your teeth and you look human again.
LOLOL! Thank you for your understanding. ~ karen!
I was beginning to think I had fallen off the globe (or your email list). Hang in there – I know I am now.Thanks for the update! 😊
WHEW!
SOOO relieved to hear that you’re OK…
and …I’ll be getting Real Mail again?!
not just Bills?!
That IS exciting!
Can’t Wait to see what happens next!
until then.. I’m going to bed now
Real mail! K. I’m going to bed now too. ~ karen!
Oh…this in very intriguing! So glad I am on the list!! (Whew)