The Cup of Fortunes: Week 49 (November 30-December 6)

A few weeks ago, I found out some news at work about an upcoming change to my team. It's not a bad thing, but it's an emotional thing. I wasn't able to say anything, and I'm still not going to say much, but it's been a lot since I found out. Last week's fortunes and this week's fortune were so very timely, continuing my belief that the Cup of Fortunes knows things. 

This is the last one-fortune week of this year's project. Since I counted a half week at the beginning of the project as Week 1, the last week of the year will be done as Week 52 and Week 52.5 to balance things out. Remember, time is a construct so it really doesn't matter anyway.

Here's this week's fortune and lucky numbers. 

November 30

December 1

December 2

December 3

December 4

December 5

December 6

Weeks 1-49

The House Purse - Meow Manor

Meow Manor is done! I spent part of my Thanksgiving break finishing Meow Manor. It was a process. Adding the roof and the handle were the hardest parts of this piece, and my measurements for the side panels were a little off so that made it more difficult. Unfortunately, I would have had to take lots of things apart to "fix" the issue (not actually sure it would have fixed the issue), so I left it as it is and got it done. The roof panel opens and closes, but it sits a little wonky on the side. I may try to add a closure before I drop it off for Woodlawn, but I may not. It's cute and it's done. For my first needlepoint project, I'm very proud of myself. It was a big, ambitious project and I did it. It took me two months and one day to finish the house itself. I still have to finish the two bag tags, but I have a little more time to do that. 

Since I didn't want to lose the momentum of finishing, I completed my Woodlawn application earlier this week as well, so Meow Manor is entered in the show. It opens March 1. If you're local, I hope you'll come see the show and Meow Manor in person. I also entered a small hoop called The Kraken.

The Kraken - I did this piece in one day on the day after the 2024 election. I'm looking forward to seeing it in the room with all the other sea/ocean/water pieces. 

Other Small Joys

I started holiday shopping last Saturday. I made the rounds of some stores in Old Town Alexandria. My goal for shopping this year is to shop small and local stores and/or thrift/vintage stores (also mostly local). I didn't go to all my Old Town favorites, sorry Old Town Books, but I made the rounds of one portion of stores. 

If you're looking for shopping ideas check out Ms. Moxie's Moon Shop, Look Again Resale, Penny Post, and Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe. I had the most fantastic conversation about perimenopause with the owner of Ms. Moxie's. It's a period product store, but really it focuses on all areas of reproductive health. We're around the same age. If you have someone in your life experiencing their first period or anywhere along the path of reproductive health, go visit Ms. Moxie's. 

I stopped by Mount Purrnon to pick up a present for Bea and made the mistake of dropping it on the floor when I was unpacking my bag. She was too fast for me and got one of her Christmas gifts early. She loves it. 

Post kick toy session. The pink paper was from the Ms. Moxie's bag. She napped on it for about an hour.

If you're looking for fun upcycle bags and pouches, check out Luna Lisa Designs (there's also an Etsy shop). I saw a post of hers on Instagram a few months ago and started following her. One of the materials Lisa uses for her bags are vintage tea towels. They're fantastic. I thought her drop was on a different day so I was late to shop, but was able to get an adorable pouch made out of 70s towel featuring some of my favorite colors. It's so cute. I hope I can secure a bag next time. 

I don't know how you feel about the fact that it's dark at 5 pm these days, but I'm struggling with it. I think it's like 8 pm and I look at the clock and it's only 6:30. It's wild. I decided that I would try to do little things around the house to make it a little more cozy this winter, so I bought a candle warmer so I can have some soft light and I have all my little LED tea lights around the house. It's helping a little. 

I may go to Costco and pick up one of the warmers they have out right now. This one is in the kitchen, which is great, but I think having one in the living room would be nice. Not sure where it will go since I have a chaos cat in my house. 

Bea was concerned about the snow on Friday. I'm not sure what she thought she could do about it, but she was concerned. 

She's finally settled back home after visiting my parents last week. My mom is buying her a perch like the one she has at home so I'm hoping that helps her when we visit for Christmas. She's continuing to be a very curious, adorable little baby. This week she was also intrigued by the sounds of a hand mixer (I was making banana bread) and returned to her spot as a couch gargoyle. Order has been restored to her universe.