Looking good! Got quite a bit done today even with a lot of breaks and resting. I love that I’m back actually doing a puzzle, matching colors and shapes. Excellent!

Flounder looks ok, but only from far away. Close up he looks odd, I can’t tell you why. Sometimes puzzles are like that for me. The flamingos, on the other hand, look amazing from close up AND far away. Again, no idea why. Menopausal hormones perhaps 😉

The flamingos were tough at the beginning, it took a bit of time. I got the faces put together quickly and then I was just stuck. Where to go from there? The pieces weren’t obvious. After a while I just started putting 2 pieces together that looked right and kept adding on. It doesn’t usually go that way for me, I usually have an idea where to start and where to go from there but I had some sort of brain cramp and couldn’t figure out what to do. Again, I choose to blame hormones. My poor, poor family.

Tomorrow I’m planning on starting Ariel and Eric. And probably Sebastian, because he’s exactly the same color as Ariel’s hair. I’m really enjoying this puzzle a lot, seems like a little more than any of the other sections. Again, I have no clue as to why. Not going to question it, just plan on enjoying the ride. I’m hoping that translates into the other sections left as well!

I know, it’s cockeyed. But the entire puzzle is in the picture, and the photo editor on my computer doesn’t allow me to straighten the picture anymore! Or if it does, I have no idea how to do it. Stupid updates.

Anyway. Got my sides about as done as they’re going to be – it almost looks like I’m working a regular puzzle! Yay! I really do like having the sides done, it allowed me to center the puzzle more on the board without worrying about the pieces collapsing when I try to move it, and it’s just helpful for me to know exactly where the “edges” are. Even if it doesn’t make sense to you, it does to me. 🙂

I was able to start on some characters – frogs! Got most of the 3 completed, but to be honest they’re the smallest characters piece wise. I wanted to get going on the inside of the puzzle, but didn’t have too much time to spend so I started with the little guys. Tomorrow I think I’ll start with Flounder and see how it goes from there.

I really like this! I still have the top to do, but I like that it’s more like doing a regular puzzle. I sorta have edges! Well, one edge and 3 sides 🙂 The picture stinks, but I couldn’t get a good angle, good lighting, or a good picture – obviously. After my fiasco trying to get a better picture last week, I’ve decided I’ll do my best and that’ll have to be good enough. I’m not looking for awards here!

I think the twinkly experiment is a success, I like having the sides on. It’s not overly difficult, though occasionally it can feel time consuming. But with this section I’m actually enjoying slowing down. I’m working on another puzzle that I hope to be done with tomorrow, and I’m spending more time resting and hanging out with family who are home for the holidays. I seem to need more down time lately, having a rough time sitting or standing or even laying down. I guess I have finally accepted my limitations (this week anyways) and am no longer pushing myself to get 1 more piece, row or color finished.

Tomorrow I hope to have the top 2 rows finished, perhaps more. Once I get that done I plan on starting with the characters. There are quite a few to choose from! The pink flamingos, Scuttle, Sebastian, Flounder, Eric and of course Ariel. There are even a few frogs that wouldn’t take much time at all. Whichever color looks the most fun, or inviting, or even challenging – depending on my mood.