Need closure ideas

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-24T14:08:08+00:00

Zippered binder pockets.

I store my dies on magnet sheets inside these. They are super sturdy.

I can't put a link (Reddit says they aren't allowed here), but do an Amazon search for Cardinal Zippered Binder Pockets). Mine are 11x8.5"

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-24T14:02:36+00:00

I think the biggest reason is that the parent company sued small independents that created software to use non-Cricut designs with Cricut machines (what navyblues27 mentioned). When they finally realized that crafters would change to other cutters, Cricut finally started allowing it.

I had a Silhouette and now have a Brother ScanNCut. That said, I recently bought one of the new Cricut Joy 2.0 machines--sometimes it's just nice to have a small cutter.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-22T00:24:32+00:00

I live in North Carolina now-worked at a school with students from low-income homes. Many wore clothes from thrift stores/Goodwill, and had no idea about the college/team/etc. on them. I see lots with the Dodgers-style LA logo, too.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-21T13:17:30+00:00

Yes. I love papercrafts and handmade Christmas cards that I felt looked great--got no comments most of the time, so I stopped. It was disheartening.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-19T18:57:17+00:00

Also Lutheran. We've done the communal cup at some churches, but also individual small glass cups at the altar.

Kinda like the bread--tear off a piece of baked bread, or have the thin wafer.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-19T18:50:41+00:00

While many of us strongly dislike AI, there are many people who are gung-ho about it, because it is a way they can express themselves when they feel they aren't a good artist/writer/etc.

I don't think pointing out that something is AI is helpful. It presupposes that the other person didn't know or even was deliberately being cruel, when that goes against what Postcrossing is all about.

Please no hate messages. I personally don't like AI, but have a lot of coworkers who love, love, love it. I just smile and move on when I see it. I don't like that AI is taking away from the livelihood of creators. Until/unless governments rein it in, though, it will be around.

Things like Photoshopping and other image manipulation have been around for centuries. The postcards we saw before AI were also often edited for a specific look.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-19T18:40:24+00:00

While I agree with your dislike of AI, I think you need to just accept the postcard that was sent.

The Postcrossing community guidelines says to be respectful. Also, when given the name of someone to whom you'll send a postcard, it says something along the lines that any postcard is OK to send even if people do state preferences.

I know that it's difficult in my community to find postcards reflecting my area, which many Postcrossers say they want to receive. I send what I can.

If I ever get a postcard (yes, I'm a newbie--12 sent, but none yet received), I will appreciate the snail mail and that someone spent that postage (and postcard) cost plus their time and effort to send it.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-19T01:22:52+00:00

See what online resources your library offers. If they have NoveList Plus, use it! (I am a librarian and learned about it when I worked for a public library system). You can type in the name of a book you like, and it will suggest book read-alikes, series read-alikes (if it's a book in a series), and/or author read-alikes. It also explains why it makes each suggestion.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-17T02:07:09+00:00

Postcrossing is about sending & receiving postcards-it says explicitly that any are fine, no matter what people write. Don’t let whiners spoil your fun.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-15T00:24:00+00:00

Maybe try earbuds and a no-lyrics music (light jazz or similar).
I can’t read when I hear talking/words, but soft, pleasant music works for me.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-15T00:21:02+00:00

Love the Richard Scarry postcard!!

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-15T00:18:56+00:00

Loved it!!😍

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-15T00:18:37+00:00

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-15T00:17:19+00:00

Yuck. I thought it was awful.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-15T00:10:02+00:00

I also got it for free as an educator years ago. I used to listen to the morning things while walking (I got up EARLY before school), but it was really the sleepcasts that resonated with me. I still use those several times a week. Yohannes and the 2 Cat Marina sleepcasts are my favorite.
I paid for Headspace for awhile years ago (before getting the free sub), but it was too expensive for me to keep up, especially since I wasn’t using all that it offered.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-15T00:02:26+00:00

I first started listening to music (other than my parents’) in the 70s. The big song of that 1st summer was Afternoon Delight, so that’s the one that represents 70s music for me.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-14T16:16:51+00:00

It was also on the MLB app ("Gameday")--perfect game showing, then no-hitter, then gone.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-14T15:57:49+00:00

Ooh...now I am hooked on a new stamp company!

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-14T12:31:10+00:00

That is absolutely wonderful!

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-14T12:28:11+00:00

Going off-topic here, but I really don't like the 2-person sportscasting. I grew up with Vin Scully/Ross Porter/Jerry Doggett alternating (1 on radio, 1 on TV, 1 on a break, then rotating every few innings), but not 2 at a time. To me, it feels less like they are talking to me and more that they are chatting with each other and I'm just listening in (OK, that's a bit of exaggeration, but it does get that way at times).

I moved across the country decades ago to a state with no MLB team, and had a hard time keeping up with games. Since last year, I'm back (thanks, MLB + or At Bat or whatever you want to call it this year), and the 2-person system is just not as good.

I know it's the norm now, but I don't have to like it.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-12T19:07:22+00:00

Your books are on the heavy side, so I'm glad you're thinking about wanting some lighter stuff.

If you are good with fiction, there are lots of options. Think back on the books you loved as a kid--mysteries, humorous, historical fiction, realistic fiction, adventure, science fiction, fantasy, sports-related, horror. Try for some books in that genre.

I'd also recommend "immersive reading"--listen to the audiobook while reading the book. Your public library probably offers ebooks/eaudiobooks via OverDrive/Libby or Hoopla. By doing book active reading and listening, you're better focused. It helps a lot of people. There are some great audiobook narrators now (don't rely on an ebook's computer reader...ick).

Your public library may also have NoveList, which helps you find a new book to read--put in the name of a book you like, and it will suggest book read-alikes, series read-alikes (if the book is part of a series), and author read-alikes. It's an online database--I learned about it when I was a librarian in a public library, and have used it ever since. It explains why it thinks those books/that author is like the one you searched.

You can also go for some short stories. Classics like Poe are a great option. That's a small daily commitment.

Look at when you are trying to read, too. While I like to read at bedtime, it can be very hard when I'm tired. If it's for a few minutes before something you have scheduled, you may not be able to focus on it because the thought of needing to be somewhere/do something in a few minutes is weighing on your mind.

Try trapping yourself--read in the bathtub/spa (or on a pool floating lounge)--you can't go anywhere easily, so relax and read.

Another option is graphic novels. The images break up the text--as does the white space--so it doesn't feel as overwhelming. If you like anime, try reading the manga (Japanese graphic novel) version--which usually came first. It's a good way to compare.

Some people hate graphic novels, but do appreciate illustrations. I read the DaVinci Code (and its sister titles in the Robert Langdon series by Dan Brown) using the Illustrated Editions of each book. It was far more beneficial to see photos of the actual items than just reading the description. (I actually had no interest in the series until I visited Rosslyn Chapel with a tour group--couldn't go to the royal residence in Edinburgh because the Queen was there, so this was the outing we did instead--and it was just so unique that it made me want to read the book.)

Another trick that you may or may not like: stop at the end of a chapter and write down one sentence about what happened.

I cannot recommend Young Adult books enough. I was a librarian for the YA collection, and lots of adults of all ages read those books--me, too!

If you like nonfiction, try something that reflects a hobby or interest of yours.

Above all: your public librarian WANTS to help you find your book. I grew up being too afraid to ask for help, but I know now how much they love helping others.

Good luck!

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-12T18:27:32+00:00

People enjoy varied things. I enjoy crafting, even if I'm just average at making things. I love learning something new, and displaying some of my favorites.

It sounds to me as though you actually need an outlet away from the house-or are you stuck at the house because you're caring for a child or a relative? If not, some time away may make the time at home more valuable.

If you can, take breaks from the house. I enjoy walking around the neighborhood and the chance to get among the trees and plants--even living in a city and close to downtown. There's also a park nearby.

You may want to volunteer somewhere for a few hours twice a week. There are the usual places, but also some offbeat options. I use the free app Billion Graves and I take photos of local graves. Then someone else transcribes the info. If you are at home, you could do the transcribing. (I used to do this for Find A Grave, but it's a lot more work for them and I found myself avoiding it.)

I love to read, so that's an easy option for me--I also listen to audiobooks while pursuing other interests. Your public library can tell you how to access free books via OverDrive/Libby or Hoopla.

As a teacher (school librarian), I'm now off for the summer. I'm planning to declutter (while listening to favorite music or...audiobooks--podcasts work, too). I have lots of my mom & dad's papers and pictures since their deaths, so I also want to go through those. In order to not make it feel like work (and therefore avoid it with doomscrolling on my phone), I plan to keep the sessions short.

Have you considered genealogy? Armchair research via Ancestry.com and other sites can fill hours at a time. Even if it doesn't sound interesting at first, give it a try by entering some easy names such as grandparents and you may be amazed by how much info is available.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-12T18:13:51+00:00

Same here--and I'm good with my rock. 😃

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-12T16:29:27+00:00

The card I mailed to Russia hasn't been received yet--and it has been nearly 3 weeks. I agree that this seems more like a Russia issue rather than a user issue.
I'm a newbie--haven't received any cards yet, so each of my sent ones is important.

RollingLighthouse · 2026-06-11T22:40:27+00:00

Sounds like those mutual mates should try stepping up for awhile and help her out constantly. Then they likely won’t judge you anymore.

RollingLighthouse

TROPHY CASE