January 2024 – Karla's Cottage

Mistakes made while planning for Disney World (I should know better)

By Karla Nathan / January 29, 2024

Florida was chilly and our evening at Magic Kingdom was downright cold!

But did we care? Well honestly, yes we did, we were shivering.

More important- did we let it stop us?

No!

We mortgaged our entire future and hit the stores to buy some layers, and stayed on into the night. I’d packed what I thought were plenty of warm items, but had soon discovered they weren’t enough. Sugarwings needed warm, heavy sweat pants over their jeans, I needed one more cozy sweatshirt.

I never go to Disney without scarves/shawls. They keep the sun off you on hot days and prevent cool air conditioning from giving you goosebumps when inside. For our below average temp day, I packed a fuzzy, cuddly, shawl, some gloves and a hoodie. It’s just hard to know for sure what you’ll need for the entire day, no matter how prepared you think you are.

On our second day, we were joined by Dewdrop and my boy for time at Epcot and of course I preached and nagged ahead of time about broken in shoes, layers, and warm socks. Did people listen? Well, a little bit.

At Epcot, your car is much more accessible than at Magic Kingdom, so I brought extras to leave in the parking lot, and besides for a few issues, we did fine.

Once again, the weather was not ideal, but the company was. But if you are prepared, it doesn’t stop you.

And sometimes it means crowds are lighter. I’ll take lighter crowds with a light drizzle any day.

We stayed at the Coronado for the first time, I booked one of the poolside rooms in the auxiliary buildings, not in the tower. And surprisingly, we used the adjacent pool as well as the main pool quite a bit. Florida cold is different than Kansas cold, and the temps fluctuate so much that you can squeeze in a swim at the heated pools even if the weather is subpar for the south.

Pool snack bars are our favorite places to eat when we get a chance. And at Disney, the food at them is usually better than at some of the resort food courts.

Another mistake I made was not bringing food to keep in the room. My son and Dewdrop had to cancel joining us (or so we thought) plus Sugarwings and I mostly share meals. I had a few drinks in the room for us, and we were fine.

Then we got the happy surprise that the other half of our group was coming after all! A grown man and a teen require more food than I’d planned on. Seriously, even if it was just two of us, I should’ve had fruit, yogurt, and other snacks in the hotel fridge.

We had a late night at Epcot and realized we were hungry after getting back to the room. I had not packed a scrap or tiny tidbit of anything to eat. We all went to bed a little hungry, so I got up early, walked the trail over to the main building, took out a second mortgage on my house and filled up a bag with pastries, juice, and fruit to surprise everyone with breakfast in bed when they woke up.

The pink sprinkled donuts as big as your head were as good as they looked, but for under ten bucks, we could’ve eaten much healthier if I’d simply thrown some groceries in the cooler before driving to Orlando.

Even though I hadn’t planned as well as I should’ve, the weather wasn’t close to ideal, the trip was short, and half our group could only make it half the time- I treasure the time we had there.

We found Hidden Mickies (This is the back of a koala’s head in Small World), explored, laughed, and just hung out together.

With my husband retired, and our budget tightened, I know what a splurge going to these parks is. Rich doesn’t like being there himself, so it is very generous of him to send me off on my own or with family while he does other things.
Sometimes I feel very selfish about my obsession with this place. I tell myself that I am done with it, I’ve been enough. And I’m fine with that.

For a while.

Then, thoughts of Mickey shaped food start popping into my head. And I’ll find myself reading recaps of other’s trips and travel hints online. Next, I’m looking at calendars to see what dates kids are out of school that can mesh with a quick trip that direction, or sneaking an extra vacation day onto another planned trip to somewhere sorta nearby to slide in “just a little visit” while I am so close.

Mickey, I have tried, but I can’t quit you. I’m a Disney magic junkie.

3 Seashell fairies, 1 hag stone, 10 hearts, and even a piece of seaglass

By Karla Nathan / January 25, 2024

We were blessed with plentiful Seashells at the beaches we walked the dogs on. And very large ones at Walton Rocks, this fairy is at least a foot tall.

Some that I found there were huge.

And one afternoon, Jupiter beach was carpeted with shells.

Most were full, little round ones, but within the mix, I could find plenty of broken shapes to make a sprite.

She is a larger one too, with her long, elegant oyster shell skirt.

This is a rare find for me- Sea glass! I hope to drill a tiny hole in it to make a necklace.

There were multiple hearts scattered across the sand.

This one was tucked into a nest of seaweed.

Most of the hearts I found were rocks, not shells.

This heart rock looks like it is camouflaged and hiding in the shell pile.

Tiny Dorothy even found one for me. Thanks, Dot! It’s as sweet as you are.

There was a funny rock that caught my eye, I thought it looked like a full body. She is very different than most of the beach fay I leave on the shore, but I thought she was cute.

Not all hearts are solid bits, this floral-y sprig of seaweed is a lovely shaped one.

And some are a little wonky, but still count.

Most are left where I see them, but every once in a while, one goes into my pocket I kept this one.

Typically, the ones I find are flatter, this puffy heart was a special one too.

Walton Rocks was a great beach for finding hag stones. This one not only kinda looks like it has a face, its “eye” was extra large. A good one to look through for spotting mermaids out in the surf.

Both of these beaches had unique personalities. I love the way various shorelines offer differing loot. Even along the stretch of a single beach you can find variety. I studied one patch of Jupiter where many of the shell fragments were worn as smooth as worry stones. My guess is that there were rocky areas off shore where they tumbled themselves smoother than other parts of the beach.

Each step is the possibility of a new discovery that I never tire of. I’ll miss my walks in the sand, it has been a beautiful break from the iciness we left behind.

Escaping the cold

dogs, Travel

By Karla Nathan / January 21, 2024

There has been some biting cold and downright dangerous weather all over the country. Between hurriedly packing up and zooming out of town earlier than we planned then driving through snow anyway, family members missing Disney time due to storms, and shuffling flights around for Sugarwings, we have been on the edge of succumbing to the horrid cold ourselves.

We have been so lucky to get to our destinations and avoid the worst of the chill. Jackets on the beach? Who cares? I’m at the beach! And thrilled to be here.

The pups love it as much as I do. They have ran full speed into the waves, rolled in the sand, and happily trotted alongside us for hours.

Our first day was windbreaker over jacket type weather, and a bit gray, but the second? Up in the 70s and the water gleamed in a tropical aqua blue.

Both days were uncrowded. January in Florida might not be the most popular, sun drenched, time of year to be vacationing in. But to me? I love the low crowds.

And being away from MINUS TWELVE DEGREES in Kansas.

And having to wearing a windbreaker while dining outside with a view of the ocean is not something I will complain about. We spent our first morning at Walton Rocks dog beach, then took a meandering drive down the coast to find a place to eat on the beach, then headed to Jupiter dog beach for a couple more hours.

I gather shells, look for heart shapes and chat with the dogs as I walk, and couldn’t ask for much more.

In the evenings, we grill a piece of fish back at the camper, then watch Netflix or whatever sounds good on streaming while I craft and the dogs fill the floor of our 19’ rv space.

At this point the dogs are more sand than fur, and don’t quite get all the way dry, and of course the floor of the camper is as sandy as the dogs.

We have blown some fuses, still can’t get hot water to work, and our spot is a little too close to the highway. Not a perfect trip, but a very good one none the less.

Are vacations ever perfect? They don’t have to be, to still be perfectly nice.

While I was with Mickey

dogs, guncles, Travel

By Karla Nathan / January 18, 2024

While I was exploring the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and visiting the Evil Queen with her nemisis, Snow White at the enchanted forest, the guys were wrangling 8 dogs while ripping out the Guncles’ back fence wall and rebuilding it.

We have a tradition of staying with our bros during part of our camping adventures in Florida and helping with a project.

One year it was redoing a deck, then another was the other side of the fence.
I might have been a little more helpful with those than I was this time. I skeedaddled my way to Orlando to meet up with two grand fairies and my boy for some Disney fun. It was MLK weekend, so the kiddos had an extra day off.

Sugarwings flew in (Barely. With the country wide weather problems, this was an iffy enterprise and some flight shuffling was required). Dewdrop rode down from NC with her daddy. They were delayed due to weather, but made it eventually.

The guys were nice about letting me off the hook for the big job, but I did come straight back from Epcot to help with finishing touches while the kids had some time together with their dad to go meandering in Daytona Beach.

I was happy to give the kids time together while I arranged flower pots and garden furniture. Look at how we are fed while working in the yard! Never ending fresh seafood prepared by first class cooks - those Guncles both are experts in the kitchen.

The only trouble is that we have completed most of the rebuild at this point. Only one more side of the fence to go. If we want to be invited back to the paradise of Guncleness seafood dinners, my husband is going to have to learn a few new building skills beyond patios and fences!

Heck for the special treatment they show us, maybe I’ll learn how to build something.

Storms can’t stop us

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / January 13, 2024

This viscous weather across the country almost stopped our trip, but we managed to switch Sugarwings’ flight to a day earlier and avoided the snownado that was about to close downs flights all over.

Sadly, my boy and Dewdrop couldn’t leave NC because of weather themselves. So they missed our day at Magic Kingdom. We were down about not seeing them, then got a surprise call saying they were on their way!

They are driving all the way to meet us for one day at Epcot with us. I burst out crying when I heard the great news.

I’m writing now from Liberty Square as we take a lil break in a quiet corner of a restaurant and refuel. Time to visit a few ghostly buddies at the Haunted Mansion now, so I’m off to get spooked.

A little late, but here are some photos

antiques/junking, Good JuJu

By Karla Nathan / January 10, 2024

With everything going on over Christmas, I got a bit behind and didn’t get all the January First Friday pictures posted.

Better late than never I guess.

Especially since it’s a lot of work to set up!

Although to be honest, it wasn’t my favorite set up.

Besides switching out the few remaining Christmas bits for new Valentines, and moving a handful of furniture, I didn’t do much.

There just wasn’t enough time, but hey, it still was a whole new look for the weekend.

I’m afraid next month’s redo will have to be even quicker, I have a teensy window of time (ONE DAY!) to make it over before heading to Florida.

P,ease wish me luck, I’ll need it.

The jewelry in my booth at Good Juju in the Old West Bottoms of KC

Good JuJu, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / January 6, 2024

The bracelet making binge I was on kept going past my days in the hospital while I kept my sister company. I found that it nice to have my supplies out on the dining room table while the fam was here for the holidays.

Keeping busy keeps me happy.

And it’s a very portable craft, all I need is cord and a box of gemstone beads.

Plus I just love making them. I had to practically twist my own arm to make myself stop.

I’ve been lucky with jewelry sales at Good Juju.

I carry a variety of new, vintage, hand made, fine jewelry and costume.

While I always do a flip flop turn around for my booth every month, I’ve discovered that the jewels do their best up front and together, not mixed in with other things.

As tempted as I am about mixing it up and moving it around, I stop myself and keep the jewelry shelves up front where they work best. But I do switch up displays on top of and in the shelving.

This month, I’ve included some great vintage shoes, purses, and other tidbits.

I like the combos.

I’ve changed up the colors on the shelves too, and have been happy with the new look.

One thing that never goes well for me are the earrings I make. I’ve tried soooooo many ways to display them. Each is silver with real stones and under $20. Often, way under.

Maybe it’s time to give up on my earrings and offer the space to things to sell better?

I’m not ready to give up yet. Mostly because I like making them so much. Eventually, I’ll have to decide though. For now, I’ll stick with the mix.

First Friday weekend is going on today, if you come down, say hi!

How I Spent my Christmas Vacation

cottage, family, Hearth Room, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / January 4, 2024

It’s that time again, I am set up for the First Friday weekend at Good Juju.

And I am ready for Valentine’s Day, with a booth full of hearts, roses, crowns, and cherubs.

Being in retail causes a twisty relationship with holidays.

In the midst of Christmas week, I was cutting out hearts.

You have to be a couple jumps ahead to sell holiday decor, so here I am, still chomping on candy canes and sipping cocoa while I create romantic crafts.

That’s okay. I love holidays and I very much enjoyed my Merry Valentine craft afternoons between Xmas movies with the grand fairies.

Not the whole week was as much fun as time with the grand fairies or with my craft supplies. We discovered a major, hidden water leak that had rotted out the whole back wall’s support system in the hearth room.

Luckily, my talented son was here to carpenter it all back to normal. In the meantime, we had three days of chaotic mess, door open (or off) in the cold, and expensive Home Depot runs while the guys worked their frozen little bottoms off to get things fixed.

The hens thought it was great fun to have an open door to wander in whenever they liked. And I zipped through taking down all of the Christmas decorations in record time to make space for the guys to work.

It was pretty bad. Did I mention the words, rotten, chaos, and expensive?
Yep, those sum it up.

But I also have to throw in “blessed”.

Because, while it was cold, it wasn’t horrible or icy, and the guys could work on the outside. And our boy was willing to extend his vacation to do the emergency repairs. Who knows how many months it would take to get this fixed if we waited on setting up a contractor?

But with Adam here- 3 days and DONE!

I was able to keep right on with my Valentine Christmastime crafting.

Blessed by A Year of Sea Shell Fairies in 2023

sea shell fairies, Travel

By Karla Nathan / January 1, 2024

2023 was a light year for sea shell fairies, at least compared to other ones. I was very lucky to have lots of trips and family visits, but only a couple were beachy. This sprite is from my impromptu visit to see my sissies on the gulf coast.

Over the years, my sisters and I have gotten into the groove of planning an annual trip to the seaside each fall. Then, they started sneaking in an extra visit in the spring. Which I’ve partially joined in on, but have not been able to stay the full amount of time they’ve gone. For this one, I knew I was just too busy. After bonking my head again, I’d taken a lot of time off work and needed to catch up.

Then, the day they left, I decided to go anyway. I just packed up, got a Southwest ticket (free with points, but still more points than I’d have used if I planned ahead) and told them I was on my way.

What a fantastic idea! And I loved every single moment of the trip, even with post concussion syndrome, and being behind on work. Looking back, I wish I’d just said screw work and stayed the whole week instead of a few days.

And for such a home body, I LOVE travel. But taking on this booth at Good Juju has stolen some of my flexibility in getting away. 6 weeks in an RV full of dogs to get away from winter and do some beach hopping didn’t happen last year.

Funny, the sale is only two days a month, so it sounds easy to get away. But I have to put so much time into shopping, cleaning, repairing, tagging old stuff, then crafting new things, plus setting up displays, that I am constantly working.

We’ve managed to get around that by taking smaller trips in the middle of the month. Where I can be at First Friday weekend, then flip the space in the next few days.

So we were able to visit our North Carolina family and spend some time in the mountains. And I’ve had a couple of trips to Indiana to see my family there.

Then October our sister trip was even more special with nieces and aunties. I saw the Guncles, and snuck in a Disney adventure with Terry, all in one, tight week.

I made this fairy on Venice beach while we were shark tooth hunting. I feel very blessed for the getaways I’ve managed to tease out of my time.

And after a year and a half of getting back into the swing of being a dealer and building up some inventory, I’m feeling like I can squeak out even more time. I have plenty of small crafty items to work on while on the road, too. We are planning a January camping trip right now, where I’ll be away most of the month. Taking off right after the Juju sale and just scooting back in time for the next.

My business income would suffer if I made this a regular practice, but for a couple of longer stretches I can pretend to be retired like my husband is and head to the shoreline. I think it’s doable.

I need more beach fairies in my life! Thank you, 2023 for the loving family visits, and the beautiful views.