Good Morning Everybody

Hi CriticalMass
So sorry you have a heavy and troubled soul ((((HUGS))))
Wishing you inner peace and acceptance.
Good luck remembering and juggling all those things that need doing.


Hi Tatoulia
Badger is laughing at your feeble restrictions.

NEIGHbor, that's funny! :D
Good luck getting the garbage out and the closet ready for repairmen.



So much to do this week...
With my limited stamina, I decided to try going into town several times since I can't do it all in one day trip.
Plan today to go to bank and get some cash and fill some water bottles.
Wednesday I will go get my free flu shot.
Then one day I will grocery shop.
I get so exhausted and sore doing just grocery shopping and spend the rest of the day and the next day just recuperating.
Now that it's cooler, going into town can be more laid back and not rushed.

Sagebrush blooms in the Fall. It's all in bloom around the house and the bees are loving it.
It's so pungent and it makes my eyes water, nose stuffy and coughing.

I'm here, sorta.

This past few days wiped me out physically and mentally.

Weather changes, and more forecasted, though rain is finished for the time being. Ragweed allergy lingered but may be departing.

The delayed autumn season has rudely shoved aside the summer that overstayed its welcome. Leaving us humans to scramble to deal with the need to winterize.

My mental exhaustion was partly from having to think quickly with the lady I sit with, depending on her memory functioning at any given moment. More often her mind is slipping gears, and her speech harder to understand, and if I don't follow her she becomes irritable. Sometimes if I find mariachi music on Youtube and get her singing, it shifts her in a better direction.

Roommate's car needed new battery and some doohickey replaced. Mechanic's daughter had just been the victim of a freak accident where shards from a dropped glass flew up into her eye. She will be seen by specialist tomorrow and have surgery this week. Unknown whether they can save the eye and her sight.

Roommate is buying parts to attempt again to make her DIY greenhouse functional. The one that I had a meltdown of frustration with in winter 2017. It's understood that I'm going to pretty much observe from a distance unless there's an easy task I can help with. I just hope she's sure about this and that it works out for her.

Furnace to be cleaned tomorrow. All these THINGS that have to be fitted in and juggled when I've been thinking I was finally going to get a week to regroup, get my bearings, possibly even accomplish something? What a dreamer I am. Bleh.

I know God is hearing my prayers about the things that trouble me; I just have to wait on the answers. Did a fair amount of crying today, both venting and the kind one does when one's heart is trying to put pieces together and gaining insights even while there is pain.

Took a nap late.

Boy kitty has wanted to sleep with me these cooler nights. I love it.

So. Many. Things. To remember and to do and to think about.

I'm suspending the badger's phone privileges!

Glad to read your posts! Lovely that you had a visit with your neighbors and trying like heck not to say NEIGHbors when referring to the horses.

When I was in VT my friend baked a tart with apples from her yard. Yummy! And the fresh farm stand apples sound delightful, SubC.

Closet needs two hours. Must do tmr so as to get garbage out.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Subclinical
OK next best thing to apples from your own trees. ;)

It does seem that you have spent a lot of time patching up the fence.
So good that you have another place for your escape artists.

WTG! for excellent budgeting during Summer break!

How is Fraidy goat? hope he is no linger afraid & nervous.


Hi Tatoulia
Been chuckling since reading your post.
Badger has mysterious ways to get things done.
He managed to make it so the phone company must do work in your closet to force you to get in there.
HaHaHaHaHa ;D

Good luck dealing with all the ghosts, monsters and skeletons.


Watered lilac bushes, garden and grass today.
I moved a whole bunch of his clutter out from the very front yard/carpark area where he already has three derelict vehicles rotting into the ground since I was out there anyway.
Two very large metal shelve units, a portable fire pit, three large pieces of decomposing composite/particle board, a metal windmill twirly part and a bunch of smaller assorted crap and a large tree branch that fell off a tree.
Now he can park the truck there and stop blocking in the car.

He will pitch a fit just because I moved them to the side yard where there is already a massive hoard of his other wonderful "stuff" that he has never used or had a use for.
But the wasps and spiders absolutely love all that stuff to nest in undisturbed.

Made a grilled cheese sandwich with dill rye bread and pepper jack cheese. Very tasty.
Had a very nice long chat with my neighbor and her horse out by the road.
She got a new black & white pony as a companion animal for her other horse but that horse still cries when the other horse goes riding.
While we talked the horse ate the tall grass by my driveway and trimmed a tree for me.
Good horse. ;)

Tatoulia, just think how hard it would have been to let them into your closet before all of your hard work!

You have come a long way! Be proud of yourself!

Hello! Well I am going to have to work on my closet because the phone company needs to do work here and it's all in a closet. I'm so upset. They will be here Wednesday.

I say I am upset but I am not. It will force me to deal with the monsters and the skeletons in my closet. Garbage goes out tmr night. So it's today and tomorrow.

I am upset but I'm not. I will face this.

Thanks!

Tillie, these are not my apples. I have two apple trees, but the critters always get all the apples before they are ready. We went picking at a local orchard that has been in business for over 100 years. I started taking the kids there when they were little.

I didn't patch the fence yesterday. It is so bad that I just moved them to the other field. I think it is time to replace some of the fence. I need to save up some money though - I had $160 left before I got paid. (Don't worry, we have savings and dh covers most of our needs.) That is farm/pottery/things I want money. Except the mortgage. I pay that. But I only get paid October-June, so the $160 means I budgeted pretty well. Even with buying the new goat.

I think badger wants IN to the closet. good luck Tatoulia!

Good Evening Everyone

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK Subclinical!

Yes, I made the Lonely Cricket post.
WTG! cleaning stalls and you probably also did the other things!!!

It's so nice that your teaching job brings you so much enjoyment.

YEA! for repurposing those Tshirts!
I'm jealous. I used to have two beautiful apple trees and apples from your own trees are always the best.



Hi Tatoulia
I just made a small pot of spaghetti.
WAY TO GO!!! for finishing completely!
Some days I get busy & scatter brained and look around and find that I have many projects that are not finished.
So I force myself to take a breath and just finish.
Feels so much better after they are done and stuff is put away where it belongs.


Badger, Badger, Badger is in the closet and demands that you let him out!


Was a very nice day here today.
When it warmed up outside I went out and kinda sorta washed the car.
Did wash the car windows very well.
Then watered the trees.
Let Scooter & Twinkles go outside but then had to bring them right back in.
Jack came by and they (the idiot animals) both want to fight with him.
Jack doesn't want to fight but will defend himself.
This evening I gave myself a pedicure.

Hello CriticalMass :)

SubC, Happy birthday 🎈🎉🎁🎂🎊! What a great time of year for a birthday!

Nice and cool here. Beautiful sunny day and I walked around quite a bit then came home and napped. Then I got up to visit mom.

I'm keeping up with everything here e Celt my goal to work on my closet. I wonder what is wrong with me.

One thing I've started to do is finish something. If I see something out of place, I put it in its place. Not a way-station along the way. Does anyone do that? You dongalf the job then decide to finish later? Example: I was closing my bedroom windows and the top windows had slid down so I couldn't lock them. I fixed one and in my mind I thought, I'll do the other one later. So I stopped myself and did them both. I do that a lot. Half-way. So I've been doing everything right away and I feel like a regular human being.

Closet time in the AM! Let's do this!

Tillie what will you be cooking??!!??

Hi Tillie,

We're you the lonely crickets? I'm sorry i'm not around much these days.

My "birthday week" has started and my oldest Dd is coming out to go apple picking with me this afternoon.

It's a gorgeous fall day. I cleaned stalls this morning and I also need to mend fence and pick tomatoes. Dd likes tomatoes.

Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy, so I will use it for my new October goal of getting my lesson plans done for the whole week. (Except I forgot some materials, so I will still have a bit of prep Tuesday night) i'm Excited about what is going on in most of my classes right nw, so it shouldn't feel like a chore. In fact, we have so many big projects happening, I might get two weeks under my belt. I'm also going to bake some apple cakes - one to freeze and one to eat.

I used up five old t-shirts this past week for a project in one of my classes.

Good Morning Everyone

I thought the cricket post was cute but I guess somebody thought it was spam and deleted it. ;p

Hi Tatoulia
How sad.
Very nice of you and BF to go over to comfort them. (((HUG)))

Some days we just need to let life to go on around us without participating.
Even machines need some down time before they can reboot.

Would have enjoyed going into town this morning but he has the car blocked in the driveway with his truck.
He won't be up until well after noon and by then I won't want to go anywhere any more.
Last night I washed a load of my clothes and have them drying on hangars in my room.
The kitchen is clean.
I need to cook some food so the kitchen will need to be cleaned again.
The weather forecast says it will be "yo-yo" temperatures all next week.
Very cold one day and the next day upper 70s.

Good morning, Tillie, Scooter, Twinkles and Jack. And hello crickets!

I had an unproductive day yesterday. I didn't go to work, I didn't get dressed, I didn't work on my closet and I didn't walk. But I did get showered and dressed at 5 to go visit a neighbor whose son had died suddenly and unexpectedly. BF made a large platter of cheese, fruit, crackers and nuts and we both went over. I ended up staying for a few hours. Very sad situation.


I'm late for work. Tillie it has been significantly cooler here and more like fall. Last night was a bit drizzly with much cooler air.

Good Morning Everybody
"Clink!"

Supposed to get up to 70 degrees today, YEA!
We get a tiny weekly "mailbox" news letter. Just comes free in the mail.
It tells of local events, sales and store hours, etc.
Read that I can get a free flu shot on the 9th.
Same people and place as last year.
Supposed to be a bad year for flu and I don't want it.
Still have a bad lingering cough from all the wildfire smoke.

My kitchen is a mess so today I will do something about that.

Scooter has been pestering Twinkles and it was getting worse.
Twinkles finally had enough and is now batting at him and chasing him around the house whenever Scooter acts up.
So glad Twinkles is standing up for himself.
He is normally such a sweetheart and puts up with too much.
Scooter deserves the payback. ;D

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
Thank you

YEA! for working on a closet. Any amount of time spent is good progress.

Very glad your class went well! :)

Hope the new product removed that very old spot for you.
But I am not holding my breath...

How nice it will be to sleep in your fresh clean professionally made up bed tonight.

WAY TO GO!!! Miss Kitty! ;D


Hi CriticalMass
Thank you

WAY TO GO!!! with your quilting!!!

Great getting donations all ready to drop off.
So sorry your bed is not giving you the proper support and cushioning.
My bed sucks too, it's the couch pull out.
Makes my legs dance all night sometimes.

Good luck next week after all this sitting this week getting your room sorted out. :)


Was frigid over night but warmed up quickly after the sun rose.
My laundry dried beautifully out on the line.
Got some water on the garden and grass.
Need to get out my jacket and lightweight coat.
Have a memo for that on a post-it, really must remember.

Let Twinkles go out this morning.
He and Jack ran into each other and "words" were exchanged.
Managed to get between them before anything worse happened.
Put Twinkles back inside.

My Ash tree is gorgeous. All decked out in gold leaves.
Peach tree is mostly still green with patches of peachy colored leaves here & there.

Drive by

Sitting for my lady this week. Yesterday was the busiest day w/quilting a.m., holy hour afternoon, & sitting p.m. Today quilting a.m. - pleased how fast and productive I was, I think I must've quilted nearly 10 feet! Sitting again tonight.

Tomorrow is payday! Then sitting in the eve again and on Friday all afternoon and Saturday early till midafternoon.

Been doing small projects around the home too. Pulled donations in van together to be ready for dropping off.

Next week will go all out on reclaiming bedroom. I could try flipping mattress again. Roommate had a foam topper thingy on it but I'm a terribly restless sleeper and it annoyed me. So when hers had to be tossed I gave it to her.

Maybe I should just tie a pillow around my butt, LOL. I thought I had ample padding but it's something how hip bones are pretty close to the surface even on non-skinny people who side sleep. In a couple weeks I go back to the doc & I sure hope I will have gone to the gym finally. Plus she is going to try the adjustment if something's out of alignment.

Tillie, I wish I could help you get Medicare, Medicaid, or both. I helped a friend with paperwork to get her Social Security Disability. I can go into my "talk like a lawyer mode." It's an app in my brain I can switch on, borne of being an English major and knowing them highfalutin' words, plus what others (including my attorney) have told me and I've studied re disability.

Tatoulia, lil kit is special.

SubC, three cheers for papa goat to be!

Washing my thin white quilt. I have a new product to take out stains and I'll be interested to see if it can take out a tiny little blood stain from a bloody nose so many years ago.

I've stripped the bed for the cleaning ladies.

I'm working and trying to get things done. My four/legged intern is helping. In her mind.

Tillie I am sickened by your treatment. I have heard horror stories about trying to get benefits and your is certainly the worst. When I used to fight for my brother's benefits, I'd frequently ask, what do people without advocates do? The treatment and attitude are sickening.

As a side product of reducing my life, I have had to give up the idea that I need to save everyone, and that has proved to be so helpful. But I still advocate for my elderly neighbors such as helping to get a wheelchair for my neighbor when his was stolen, and helping another neighbor with his groceries and medications. I'm happy to get them what they need. But I'm no longer ?taking on new patients'.

Ok I worked on one closet last night. Not the 30 minutes but a good deal of time. Today I completely forgot that it's the cleaning lady day. I'm pretty excited.

I'm dressed, which is what I need to do if I want to be productive. My class went well and I stayed at work late last night, then passed by a store to buy the knife I need. I'll make my squash tonight as I don't know what time the ladies are arriving.

I need to brush my kitty more. Her neck is a little lumpy. Let's see if she'll let me!!

It was cold all day, tomorrow is supposed to get up to 60 degrees.
Did cat stuff, even brushed Twinkles.
Washing towels, wash cloths, sheets & pillow cases tonight and will hang them tomorrow morning after the sun comes up.
Tomorrow I also plan to put a little water on the garden and the grass.
Secured the insulation strip around the front door today. That should help keep the drafts out better.

Good Morning
"Clink!"

Hi Tatoulia
We are all very invested in your Mom's new cat and love hearing all about her.
We are so happy she is doing so well now. :D

With the two of you helping Mom up & down the steps
cookie making sounds like a wonderful outing for her.

Starting now it will be even harder to resist all those holiday sweets.
Good luck. Pick and choose what special treats to enjoy and may the lesser sweets not tempt you.

Hi Subclinical
That is a good goal.
Even if by Monday you have all but the Friday classes figured out it will be very successful.

Hope the medication halts the progression for your macular degeneration!
It's amazing what they can do these days for eye problems that just a few years ago were unheard of.

WTG! Billy Goat!!! ;D
Hope this turn of events helps him to relax. HaHaHa

Without any health insurance I have not gone to a doctor since 1989.
At that time I desperately needed surgery but could not afford it.
Physically, I'm a mess.
I tried to get medicade and that man basically told me to go die.

Anywho...Another very chilly day but last night was just a tad warmer than the last few nights.
Supposed to be a little warmer rest of the week.
Have no need to grocery shop this week.
So I will start winterizing the windows & pipes.

Tatoulia,

Way to go on being ready for your class! I have today covered and am working on tomorrow. Eventually I want to be ready for the whole week on Monday night!

Actually, that is a good October goal.

Tillie, I hope you start feeling better. I'm sure you are ruling out anything you can do medically, right?

I went to the eye doctor yesterday. I have macular degeneration starting, but they have come so far since my dad was diagnosed that the dr. put me on twice daily meds and said there is a better than 90% chance that if I take them, the degeneration will never get bad enough for me to notice!

Also I ordered new glasses.

My little buck finally figured out his job this morning, so hopefully babies end of feb/start of March.

Tillie, I'm so sorry that you are exhausted. I am so sorry. And exhaustion is both physical and mental. I'm just so sorry.

My mother, although decades older than us, wakes up tired. She's in physical pain (like you) and I think the dull rhythm of her days are also exhausting. I'm grateful she has s new little buddy cat.

The opening of the door seems to spook the car. I have to knock whether it's locked or unlocked, and thevteo things seem to send her flying. Maybe I'll start saying her name or mom's name when I walk in, so she gets used to it. I love that she came out and meowed three times.

Kitty is now eating on the table we set by the door. I bought this for our other cat. This way mom doesn't have to bend down to feed her/change her bowls.

Mom was very much restored from our baking adventure at our friend's house. My friend is very heat and very clean and her place is decorated so cutely. We didn't leave the kitchen but there is so much room. Mom seemed so happy and it's such an easy thing to be with my friend. We are going to do Christmas cookies next time around. There are three steps mom needs to take to get in. It is very difficult for her but we help her and make sure she takes her time.

Cm I didn't realize you've been sleeping on the couch. I do hope you can clear off your bed and get s new mattress. I want you to be able to sleep peacefully and hopefully your pain will resolve.

I've been stiff lately and I can tell I've gained weight by how my clothes fit. So that's a good reminder to lay off the sweets!!

Going to bed now. Running a second dishwasher load now, as I managed to use an inordinate amount of pots and pans while cooking tonight.

Goodnight, everyone. Thank you for listening to my ramblings. I'm sorry I'm a bit obsessed with mom's cat. She seems to extraordinary to me.

Good Evening Everyone

Good luck with your class Tatoulia.
WTG! for doing a tiny tidy on the hall shelf! ;D
So wonderful kitty is coming around to her new life.
Bet if you started talking gently to her as you entered she wouldn't hide thinking maybe you were a stranger.
Hope the scented dryer sheet removes or covers that blanket's odor. I have noticed that some dyes stink no matter how many times I wash them.
Had a lovely dark red floral patterned tea towel that stunk and never stopped.
When it comes to buying knives quality costs a bit more but hold an edge longer and overall will last a lifetime.
If you want a cheap knife go to the thrift shop, they have hundreds of them that people got rid of when they switched to quality knives. ;)
Great October goals!
Closet monsters and skeletons are perfect leading up to Halloween.


I am just so tired last few days.
Mentally and physically.
Feel like I am swimming through molasses.

Garbage out, cat box cleaned. Made dinner. I over cooked the shrimp. Going to take recycling out then call it a day. I'm ready for class.

I cleared off the few items on the hallway table. Thanks for the reminder, Tillie.

After work I went to make a return, then I stopped to buy a new dustpan, then I went to get knives and a peeler. Not s good selection of knives st all. I might pass by Macy's on my way home tmr night.

I'm running errands with BF now.

Okay my October goal looks like this: I must get dressed every morning. I can make my coffee and log in to my computer but by the time I'm sipping the coffee, I need to be dressed. I need to work on a closet, any closet, for 30 minutes each day. No cheating. I have to face the monsters and the skeletons in my closet.

That's the goal. I'm going to make it something I have to check off on my phone, the same that I have to check off my second set of medications every day at 10 AM.

Mom's dishes should be done by the time I get home. My goal is to be home by 9:30. I also have to deal with my garbage and my cat box. Also I'm hungry so I need to give that some thought.

I need to get ready for my class. I still haven't figured out if I can make it work in three classes or not. Might be a bit tough. I haven't timed my lectures in a while. Last time I taught it, I did it over five.

I don't have my October goals yet. Working on them.

I stopped up at mom's to change litter. As soon as I walked in, kitty ran to hide. The. She came out, came toward me, and meowed. I love her so much. So I snuggled then fed her. I picked up mom's dishes and I've loaded the dishwasher.

Her new blanket has an odor. I've washed it once at her place and I brought it home to wash it again. I put in two tide pods and I think I'll use someone's bounce sheets. I have them but they are the unscented ones. I don't like dryer sheets but have them for when I wash kitty cat's things.

My hall table has a bit of mail on it right now. Mail I am shredding, probably only two pieces left. The dish for my keys has two checks I need to deposit, in addition to me keys. My blue scarf is also there. Not bad. But not perfect, so I'll get on that.

Unless BF wants to run errands, I think I'll go buy my knife and peeler tonight. Tillie a lot of my knives were at my brother's house because I'd do the holidays there. Time to buy some knives!!!

Okay back to work. I completely forgot I'm teaching tmr.

October goals...

My main goal for October will be to do a good job winterizing the house.
Wrapping pipes and covering the old leaky windows with plastic sheeting.
Also working on the insulation strips around the improperly fitted doors to shut out more breezes.
And being vigilant to stop spiders and rodents from coming inside to get out of the cold.


So, what are your October goals? :)

Good Morning Everybody
"Clink!"

Hi CriticalMass
I enjoyed your rambly post. ;)

So Badger let you buy only two old Barbies.
When I was very little I was given an original Barbie, new in the box.
I hated her but had to keep it or be called an ungrateful brat.

Looking forward to when you find the UFO books.
Happy you are not in as much back/hip pain. That makes a big difference in everything.

WAY TO GO! for working on the clutter and the unhappy boxes and getting your bedroom sorted out!
(((HUG)))


Hi Tatoulia
Hard to believe that you didn't have a proper knife.
A good kitchen knife is a very necessary tool.

YEA!!! for the tables & dresser top being clear & clean.
How is that hall table doing? Such a convenient place to drop things as you come in.
Your cleaning ladies are wonderful and have some great tidying up ideas too.


So cold here.
Dark & cloudy & might rain.
Scooter insists on snuggling close to me for the warmth.
Can't wash laundry today.
Think I will bake a lemonade cake just to warm the house up a bit.
Washing the dishes will feel good on my hands when they are in the hot water.

I enjoyed the posts, Tillie and CM!

Tillie, thank you. I will keep track of my headaches. I'm also starting to wonder if it's a chocolate thing. That's something I've started to notice. My mother used to get migraines from chocolate and all of a sudden I think I know what she went through. I will keep a diary. My dr appt is on Veterans Day.

I noticed today that my dresser is always clear now too. Isnt that funny? I've been keeping it clean and clear, and my cleaning ladies are keeping it dusted, so I just never notice that it's clean. This is good progress as I think it means I'm shifting away from having an area clean and cleared as being an aberration and having it be the norm. If I should put something on my bedroom chair, I now notice it and take the step to put it where it belongs. My cleaners have created a Rubbermaid tote under my bed for my day to day shoes, and I use it! In fact I love it. My dining room table is forever clean and clear.

Cm I liked hearing about your day and the different thought processes you have regarding the categories of paperwork. Good progress!

To the extent you can, avoid fast food. I haven't had it in years and years because it's a ball of salt. I know how tough it can be to plan food. I try to have a juice or a box of raisins on hand til I can get home and make something to eat. It's not easy! Never is it easy.



I bought a butternut squash yesterday and realized I just don't have the correct knife so I'll go buy a knife today. I was also using the vegetable peeler at my friend's house and I need one of those too. I'll go for a walk tonight and buy both of those things. Ive needed them for a long time and now I want to eat the squash.

In furtherance of my goal to get more done, I got dressed this AM instead of sitting around in my jammies.

Coffee clinks!! Let's have a great day!!!

This post may be disjointed and rambly...

Glad we have a new thread - I had a hinky thing or two with the old one. Sorry you lost that post, though, Tillie.

I got a kick out of the account of Scooter's consternation over your confiscating his fun new toy.

Tatoulia, more and more happy about how well the new baby is settling in with your mom.

The latter part of this past week I was making random progress pulling more things out of my bedroom. I knew there was just too much stuff in there and has been for a long time. I am seeing more floor.

Realizing how jam packed the room was... it hasn't been so much denial as avoidance that's kept me from doing more about it. Well, that and sheer terror, LOL.

Several bundles of stuff in there were ones I had brought over from storage at various times thinking I was ready to go through them and enter a few things in the computer on some, and ultimately shred all - only to find myself quickly sidetracked, and the bundles forgotten till they became parts of larger messy piles.

So, I made the imperfect decision that for now, some of it's going back to storage. Over there is the Sad Box. That contains paperwork from the house foreclosure and I'm going to need some real successes under my belt to tackle it. I did get it pared down from several boxes at the time I transferred from the storage unit across town, though. And the motivational successes will come. I feel it.

The stuff I will take back, I will put in maybe a Blah Box or Lethargic Box - first I'll need a box! They're not depressing or difficult enough to qualify as Sad Box stuff.

This is all goofy, I know. But giving the boxes these dumb names is my way of declaring they ARE on their way out, just not today. And it beats just dumping them in an amorphous pile. There'll come a time I'll know I'm ready to deal with a Blah Box.

Fall temperatures are coming, hot muggy days are still around but loosening their grip. I'm doing what I can to keep my schedule free to be able to plunge into the work at storage which is so very integrated with decluttering going on at home. Two battlefronts.

There's also quilting fabric, not too much, that'll get stored, because I am behind in getting going on Quilt #2. These were fabrics that I considered for it but didn't need - but since they harmonize they can go in Quilt #3 or 4 etc.

Also have a new donate sack started and will be looking to add to it.

Here's an amusing tidbit: I've been looking for two of my UFO books (research reference for that one novel). It's like aliens abducted them! I have looked so many times here and at storage. When I find them I'll know I've really made progress, so when I post "Found my 2 UFO books!" it'll be a happy day.

Thursday evening I had my Inkscape computer class at the library. Enjoyed it. It's just the beginning - they are hoping to offer a Part 2. And I will practice on my own.

My back and hip pain have pretty much resolved themselves and I'm thinking I may know why. Since my room's got stuff on the bed I've been sleeping in the living room on the sofa. The bed mattress I realize really is hard, and a spring sometimes pokes me, and there had come to be junk in the bed AGAIN :( When all that's clear, we'll see. Roommate indicated we could maybe purchase a different mattress as that one may be getting past its prime.

Yesterday we had rain here, more on the south side where I was driving. I was on my way to the doll show. The selection was different this year - fewer contemporary Barbies, hence less temptation to buy several because it can be an overwhelming variety. From the 90s on, they made so many.

I went for vintage Barbies instead. One blonde and one brunette with "bubble cut" bouffant hair like the very first ones I had as a kid, from a family owned doll shop in this state. Very reasonable price, and it was cool picking out which ones - it was like I could look at a doll and say she did or didn't resemble the one I had - over 50 years ago! This was simple and within my budget. I'll sew them period outfits.

This coming week I'll be cleaning my room more, and sitting for my homebound lady some evenings or half days.

SubC I'll continue to pray for the young man, his sister, and all family and friends.

The pottery is lovely.

All of us with weight loss goals and stressed fast paced lives must first try to find a calm center, methinks. I desire right now to eat less, and nothing too rich. Thursday at the Inkscape class I had to rush out as soon as it ended because of my tummy reacting to the fast food I had on the way. I can avoid such discomfort if I plan ahead better and eat things that are nourishing and easy to digest, in small portions.

Well, by rambling I think I've caught up, for now. Wishing everyone a good week.

Having a good feeling is a wonderful reward.

I have a good feeling when I see my kitchen counter is clear and clean.
It's a very busy counter, gets used for all sorts of things all day long.
It's where I often set things that are needed to do some task and when it's clear that means I have done the tasks and put the things all away.

Cookie baking sounds like it was a lot of fun! :D
WTG! for a clear coffee table, walking, clean sheets, grocery shopping , errands, donations, getting up early and everything else!!!

Keep looking for those rewarding good feelings.
They don't cause clutter, they don't have calories, fat, salt or sugar, they cost nothing but are priceless.

Please keep a diary of your headaches to give to the doctor your next appointment.
Rate intensity 1 to 10, time of day, what you take and when they go away.

I enjoyed the thoughtful discussion of goals/rewards. Thank you.

Today was another productive day for me. I got up, enjoyed my coffee, walked to the grocery store (got groceries AND a walk), showered, picked up mom, and we went to my friend's house to bake cookies. Delightful. And on the way home I stopped at a store to get mom's Milk and other perishables and I put them in an insulated bag.

I brought home zero cookies. Mom took a plate and I took a plate for BF. I ate my share while I was there. Delightful in every way. I had bought mom and friend aprons from Etsy and I'd brought my own apron with me.

Now I'm home, just had dinner, and I have a headache. Oh! I didn't make change my sheets last night so I did this AM

So I feel that by getting up early and getting out of the house, I am accomplishing a lot more and feeling a lot stronger and happier.

I'd like to tie this feeling into my goal. I also need to continue to reduce, reduce, reduce. Body and possessions. Possessions and body.

I'll find a way to set this into a goal and the payoff will be this feeling.

Today I realized I have kept my coffee table free and clear for a while now. That is a very good feeling. So I'll hunt for these feelings. I may make it my goal to get up early each weekend day, get dressed, and walk.

I took a bag to car for goodwill today. That's a great feeling. Things I still like are in there. And I did it!

Good thing that your DH is in control of some of your rewards.

This all says so much about your personality type and it's great that you know yourself so well.
(((hug)))


Frigid raging winds all day yesterday ushered in a very cold dark and cloudy day today.
Did cat tasks & not much else.

I was instant gratification AND the satisfaction of achieving my goal. But denying myself something I want and could have uses up a lot of energy that could better be spent on reaching the goal. I cannot lie to myself and believe that I cannot have the thing until I achieve the goal, because that is not true - it's an artificially imposed limit, and I have no patience for those. And, if I start seeing the thing as forbidden, it becomes more desirable.

I am noticing that all of my "rewards" are the avoidance of negative consequences, which leads me to think that I should perhaps rethink my life. But I guess swimming is a positive - I swim because I know it will make me feel better and be healthier.

As I am tired today, I am "taking it easy" and only cleaned out three stalls.

Bunny is enjoying the gorgeous fall day in her bunny hopper in the shade of my front yard - where she has a breeze and I can see her out the window. Dd is not bringing her dog, so bunny can stay out until bunny bed time.

Very true
setting priorities is important.
The care and wellbeing of living creatures in our care is an important priority.
The care and wellbeing of our physical and mental selves is an important priority.

My Granma would say the dishes will still be there waiting for her to wash them.
She was right, the dishes waited patiently.

The rewards and how they are distributed is a personal choice.
Knowing that we would cheat if left up to our own on deciding when to take them is to know 'thyself".

Do we want the instant gratification of the reward or do we want the satisfaction of achieving our goal?

This is where we work on our inner strengths.
Pushing ourselves past our usual thresholds on to new and better horizons.

Oh, I also find that the rewards have to be tied to the work or In the control of another person. Otherwise I will focus on the reward until I just quit and let myself have it.

So - not having to give goats medicine - reward that I want that follows job.

Seeing and not getting headaches - reward for eye doctor

Classes that go smoothly and no staying up late and last minute panic - reward fir lesson plans.

Tillie, that is a really good point!

I find that lately I have been focusing on "what needs to be done now." My first thought about goals was that my main goal right now is to not be tired and overwhelmed.

But then I thought about all the things I am trying to do that make me tired and overwhelmed. I think I am going to brainstorm a list of goals and work on prioritizing them. Then instead if seeing that, for example, the dishes need to be washed, I can ask "which of these goals is most important right now, and what can I do to further that goal?"

Because if I have a huge stack of dirty dishes and my most important goal is a good night's sleep. I should go to bed!

If dh wants clean dishes more than sleep - he can stay up and wash them.

Today the most important thing is my barn, because a couple of the goats are sick and keeping things clean helps solve that. The two dd's and dsil are coming for dinner, but the dd's grew up in this messy house, and dh left to play golf, so clearly the mess is not that important to him. Everybody can help me clear space to cook later.

Tomorrow my priorities are eye appointment and lesson plans.

"Tillie I'm trying so hard to push myself forward. I haven't been meeting any of my goals recently. What shall we strive for in October?"

We should strive to clearly define the reasons for the goals we set for ourselves.

Even if to someone else our reasons don't sound reasonable or logical, or seem to be selfish.
What other people think does not matter so don't even bother telling them.

Many people have goals that are too loosely defined so the goals are hard to achieve.
Too much "wiggle" room, not enough strictly defined structure as to how to achieve the goals.

Some people design goals that do not fit their personalities.
They should modify their goals but to do this they need to honestly know why they want to achieve whatever it is they are after.
An all or nothing approach rarely works but a compromise could very well get satisfactory results.

Plus the rewards of working toward the goal need to be established.
People do best when there are rewards of some sort.
The rewards don't need to be physical objects or food.
Something simple like now you can watch a movie on Netflix that you have been waiting for.

SubC your work is beautiful! I love the cream and black pieces. Not sure if they are raku or not. Stunning. I would have had a hard time choosing just one but would've enjoyed an urn-shaped one. Your glazed pieces are beautiful too! Such a contrast! I am not on Facebook so I was glad I could access the photos.

I'm sorry you didn't have more foot traffic.


I had my St Jude walk this AM, then I went to see the movie, Judy. Renée Zellweger did a very good job but the movie is sad. Not cry sad, just sad sad. Almost like we shouldnt be seeing that sort of unraveling. I think the closing credits, with super slow music, really left me feeling almost bored.

After the movie, I walked to Talbots, where I didn't buy anything, then I picked up a late lunch for BF and me, and we enjoyed it. I came home and slept a bit.

I am definitely up in my weight and I'm unhappy and mad at myself. I have six weeks til I see the doctor. And I can make better choices. I know how.

I'm washing my towels right now. They are in the new dryer and might be done by now.

I'm running dishwasher and considering changing my sheets. I didn't do on Wednesday because I was at work and plus I'd been in VT. I think I'll go change now and yes, it's 11 PM.

Tillie I'm trying so hard to push myself forward. I haven't been meeting any of my goals recently. What shall we strive for in October?

It worked if I cut and pasted.

Sales were abysmal today, but the community was nice. There was a big festival 30 minutes away, so our traffic was very light.

Maybe this will work:

Click on all photos and the first two with pottery are mine.

https://m.facebook.com/TheMorrowMarket/photos?__nodl&refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&ref=external%3Awww.google.com&_rdr

Poor mr. kitty must be so deprived. He has one cereal bowl. He drinks out of the pond. And sometimes a plastic dish. But mostly the pond.

I am up way too early. I can't sleep, but I am still tired. I have things to do to get ready for today, but everyone else is asleep. (Dd2 appeared on our porch last night. She heard her sister is coming over to shoot and for dinner tomorrow. Sil is coming too, but not to shoot.)

I started the dishwasher and made coffee.

Dh and I have dinner and a concert with friends after my sale today (Dd is going to her bffs house) we will be home late. I need to eat lightly and order coffee or I will be falling asleep in the concert. Up early tomorrow to get dh off to golf, and a short window to work on school stuff before everyone arrives.

I thought Monday would be a recovery/planning day, but Dh made me an eye appointment at ten. So he will be working from home (disruptive) and then we will leave and then my eyes will be blurry for about 4 hours. So only a few hours for planning and prep.

And then another week of school starts. This week will include a language arts meeting and parent visits. I am enjoying my classes, but I am still struggling with planning and prep.

Tatoulia - good luck to you!

My house is not good. It is not too bad because we are not home much, but I am not keeping up with things.

I added three new students in various classes last week, but none in the classes that need more people.

I have been swimming. My weight is still up. (Probably because dh has been cooking) my knees hurt all the time.

And every time I slow down, my heart hurts. The court filed a motion to revoke my friend's son's bail, but then they withdrew it. The hearing on court jurisdiction has been delayed until November. He is allowed no contact with minors or high school students except his sister. Since he is in a locked adult residential treatment facility with no phone calls or electronics allowed, this is a bit redundant. His sister ostensibly left the house to drive to school, but parked in a neighborhood and deliberately overdosed - she was found and rescued by a stranger. She spent a week inpatient and I don't know if she has been back to school.

Hello hello!

Good luck at the sale tmr, SubC. How I would love to see your work!

I could get the video to work but didn't stay on for long because the computer voice was really tough on my ears! Cm you are truly a friend to all creatures. What a nice trait to have!

Catch me up, Cm. Weren't you going to be going somewhere where there would be dolls for sale? How did you do?

I am just getting home from work. I stayed really late but did not have the day I was hoping for. But I'm home and I'm happy.

So, all garbage and recycling out this AM. And I wiped down my kitchen counters too. I'm trying to add that to my morning routine. I want my bed made (always is) and my kitchen counters wiped down and all dishes out of the sink. I want those three things to be routine.

As I've mentioned, I've always been good about making my bed. I can't think of anything that makes me feel that I have some semblance of order quite the way a made bed does. I'm also so pleased that I now fold and put away the laundry.

So I'm adding kitchen counters to the daily mindless tasks. No decisions required, no effort beyond spraying the cleaner on the counter and wiping with a Swedish dish towel.

I'm enjoying my routine with mom's dishes and she's starting to enjoy it. This week she bragged to her neighbors that she always has clean dishes.

Tillie believe it or not, I need more cat bowls. I like Corelli ones for the cats' water. We do not have enough between mom and myself. We really need a total of four more. So I'll get them this weekend. Since I've cut down on kitty's plates, I can tell you that we now have the perfect number of plates and the perfect number of cereal bowls. Very good feeling to have hit the correct number!

Mom and her kitty have settled into a nice little friendship. New kitty is such a gentle soul. I love her so much.

St Jude walk tmr. Need to get up and out early.

Our new dryer was delivered today. Just in time. I have exactly one clean bath towel left (resulting from my paring down bath towels to just four). Two are dirty and one is being used with my AC. Two are white (mine) and two are brown and white (for when family friend visits). So the brown and white was is the one by the AC. Helps keep the window slat in place. If it's not washable, I'll donate.

I start teaching on Tuesday. Have those two chapters to finish up and then I'll figure out what I'll be saying. I need to figure out timing for the class. The people in charge haven't done that for me. I also don't know how many attendees I can expect.

Good luck tomorrow Subclinical!
If the foot traffic is good I'm sure you will sell out. ;)



Hummm...
video works when I click on it

?

The video won't play. I have little brown woodrats. Unfortunately I currently have them tunneling up into my barn.

Tomorrow is my new market. I have three pumpkin bowls ready to sell. Also many other things. If the market posts any pictures of my booth, I will link you.

When I say rat maybe you think about something like a Norwegian rat.
But my rats are really cute and have bushy tails.
Here is a youtube video about the pack rat species I have here.

pack rat video

Good Afternoon

Washed dishes & wiped up the kitchen.
So many cat bowls and not one of the cats volunteered to help.
1:30pm now.
I will wait till 3:00pm to water the grass so the intense sunshine doesn't burn the wet leaves.
In Summertime I have to wait much later in the day but the sun gets low on the horizon early now.

Weather report is teasing that cooler & rain is predicted but I will not hold my breath.
They have been very wrong about us getting any rain lately.

Good Morning Everybody

Thank you Tatoulia for starting the new thread.
I had not lost a post in so long.

There is a brush fire nearby smoking me out this morning.
My trees leaves are turning yellow/orange/red.
My chrysanthemums are starting to bloom.

Today I plan to water the grass and garden. So easy now when I only need to water twice a week. :)

Good morning!

And yes, I'm already late for work!

Trash day! I love getting the trash out!

Have a wonderful day!

Good morning and coffee clinks!!!

Starting Phase 12!

Happy Autumn!

There's a proverb that says, Life starts anew when it gets crisp in the fall.

Let's do this!!!!