Forgot to thank Tatoulia for telling me about her shoes. :) things like that encourage me.

I'm here.

I'm good, but tired. Floor guy made it five feet across the room yesterday. I cleared more garden space (the straw sprouts) and planted beans and some little willows I started in water. ( I planted the willows on the flood plain, not in the garden)

I wore my new boots. Later on I stuck my old boots on for a short walk (I have not thrown them out - I figure there will be times I need them to protect my feet that are not wet times and they will save the new boots longer.) and appreciated how light the new boots are. Money well spent!

I am delighted by Tillie's "New" cooler! Tillie, I am imagining you cool and comfortable in a lovely green garden room with a solid roof this summer!

Tatoulia, your car friend sounds a lot like my heart daughter. We went to her college graduation. Nobody had ever shown up for her before. One of the professors who was really fond of her came up afterwards and asked "are you (❤️Dd's)....group of people?" You could tell she was going to say "family", but dh and I look young for our ages and would have been young teenage parents if she was born to us, and our kids are old enough to be her siblings because we did have them young, so she just punted. We said "yes, she's ours, and we're really proud of her." Now and then we still joke about being her "group of people."

Also, fun fact, she was on jeopardy. She didn't do well because she knew all the answers, but she struggled with the buzzer. She's a swim coach, and apparently it works opposite of a stop watch, so her reflexes were all wrong. But she won enough to pay for the trip to compete and take her kid to Disney while they were there.

I think your linen closet idea sounds lovely, although I'm not sure why you are getting rid of guest towels. Won't you have to buy another set when you have a guest again?

I have a huge pile of old towels - but between kidding seasons, my granddogs, and the studio, they get used a lot. If i'm Really busy I can come close to running out. You never want to be out of clean old towels on the day your kids make a surprise visit with a muddy dog!

I look at Pinterest for ideas for my classes.

This morning i'm filling in for another teacher, so I have to go in early. 4 more weeks of school!

I have three large thick very nice bath towels that I call my
"rag towels".
I use them for laying out to dry things on, in the large animal carrier when we use it and many other uses.
They come in so very handy.

So happy to hear that you remember that the laundry isn't done till it's folded and put away :D

One big downfall I can see with the Marie Kondo folding system is that it's so involved many people would not continue to fuss that much putting laundry away at all.
I wouldn't and I have to fold all my clothing since I have no closet hanging space, just drawers.
Plus her method puts too many horizontal creases in them.
My method concentrates more on vertical folds because they look neater in blouses and dresses, more natural.

I've never looked at Pinterest or Instagram, but I have heard of them.
Sites like that are great to give you ideas and motivation to make changes.

Rant warning....
Alex Trebek ticked me off years ago because the question/answer were WRONG!
The Alice Cooper Group got their start at the VIP club in TUCSON, not in Phoenix like Alex said.
I know because I was there every weekend.
The VIP club was in the building that used to be the Ice Palace, an ice skating rink located on East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson Arizona.
The band was originally "The Spiders" then changed to "The Nazz".
Didn't become The Alice Cooper Group until they finally started getting noticed.
I also got to meet Jimi Hendrix there, he gave me a guitar pick.
OK, I'll stop now....

That sounds like a hearty meal, Tillie! Yes a bit strange but I trust you!!!! Esp the cream of celery soup sounds so tasty!

Yay for a nice quiet working cooler!!! Hip hip hooray!!

I do think it's good for the neighbor to know I'm thinking of getting rid of my car. Im glad I could tell her that if she does the overnight shift, she can just take it. I want her to succeed without a ton of pressure. She can buy a car at her leisure. She's had a lot stacked against her in life. Young inner city woman of color with a baby and not a lot of emotional support. And she's done it. College with honors. About six years back, she was honored at some ceremony and no one went to watch her. No family member, no one. So I took her then-toddler son and we stopped at the florist first and we cheered her on and took pictures and made sure she knew that we are proud of her. So BF and I made sure when she graduated that we were there. Letting her take my car is not an issue. She's in law enforcement and is very responsible. Her success is important to me.

I had stopped watching jeopardy when i took issue with something stupid Alex Trebek said. But I've been lured back by Jeopardy James!!

I too watch very little actual tv. Don't need it! I'm streaming.

I anticipate, from my looking around, that the project would cost me about $70.

I don't own many washcloths or towels, I culled the herd quite a while ago and I have plenty for me and BF. I also have a few for my visitor. After she comes this summer, I will dispose of her towels. (Animal shelter) I also have two junk towels that I used to help with the draft from the front windows in the winter and I also use them with the air conditioner. But those are in a drawer.

I have measured (once so far) and I have drawn out some ideas. Next I will go to a store sometime this week and measure anything I come across to get a better sense of things.

I do think I'll be happy with this and oddly, I do know I'll roll up my hand towels and my washcloths. Do you know what makes me so sure? Many years ago you taught me to fold and put away my laundry as soon as I do it and I have ever since. And I've kept dishes out of my sink. I'm ready to roll the towels!!!

For me, I'm excited about trying this as a project. I think I'm ready. I also thought I could have a bin for my slippers. I have several pair that I wear for different reasons, essentially. I did wash up my pretty ones that go with the pretty terry bathrobe I've decided to give to cleaners. The slippers don't fit me exactly right and BF bought me a pair when we were shopping.

I think I'm ready. Oh and I saw it on Instagram, not Pinterest. I'm not a Pinterest person. I don't understand it yet I know people love it.

SubC congratulations on the good paycheck from your sale!! Your talent, artistry and hard work were rewarded! Do let us know how you are. I want you to know that BF bought me a pair of walking shoes that are made from trees in a sustainable way and with a low carbon footprint. And each shoelace is made from recycled plastic bottles. I wore them today. I like them.. Cool and light, I'll likely live in them all summer. I will walk to work in them and wear them on the weekend. I have two pair of shoes to donate to keep up with things. I only give my cleaners my dress heels so I'll donate the other walking shoes to goodwill.

Cm sending peace and love your way.

Make sure to measure
then measure again.

Sounds like it would work for your needs.
For me I just prefer my linens in stacks, not bins.

Would you be willing to fold or roll the towels & wash cloths every time you do laundry to fit properly in the baskets?

Some people I know have found the rolled hand towels and wash cloths in an open basket is a perfect system for them.
Plus it does look pretty.

If this makes you happy I say "go for it".

How much money do you think this project will take?

Hi Tatoulia
Glad the funeral was a nice one with so many generations of descendants.

WAY TO GO!!!! for the test!
and for finally mailing packages. :)

Very good that you broached the subject of the car with the lady who drives it regularly.
Either way, this will help you make any final decisions.

Used to watch Jeopardy faithfully for decades
but since I got the ROKU I haven't watched much regular tv.
So many programs that I have really been enjoying.

I cut up a polska kielbasa, browned it.
Cooked up the last of my jasmine rice.
Opened a can of red kidney beans, can of garbanzo beans and a can of corn.
Used two small cans of cream of celery soup as a sauce.
Mixed it all together and served it over the rice.
Yeah, I know it's strange but tastes very good. ;D

Steven finally got the cooler all back together and I have it on.
It's cold, very cold on low.
Last year it made a lot of loud noise to operate and now it's very quiet.
The old bearing things were totally worn out.
Nice difference.

Ok, so, I've gotten rid of a lot of things from my linen closet over the years, and I'm at that spit where I'm thinking of organizing it the way you see in magazines and on Pinterest. I do not buy organizing things because they just turn into one more broken dream. But I'm ready to take everything out of my linen closet and replace it to look the way I saw in one Pinterest post. I'll measure my closet and I've already located the pretty pink baskets at bed bath and beyond.

I would make this an honest-to-goodness project that I can do over the weekend.

Thoughts? My thought is that I love it.

May challenge?

I have to measure my shelf space and I will draw a schematic of how the baskets would fit in my particular space and where I'd store the towels. By the way, the picture I'm trying to emulate has 8 white bath towels. I own four. Then I have two bath towels for visitors. In the model one, the wash clothes are rolled up and in a small pink basket. No lids.

Sorry I didn't see your foot!!

So true about a stitch in time.

Well we had funeral this AM and before we left I did a quick load of towels, which I had time to pop in dryer before funeral. The service was lovely with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren present. Lovely tribute to a kind man.

Then I raced to PO to mail off some packages (yes I've been talking about them for weeks) then just enough time to race home, change my clothes and drink 24 oz of water for the ultrasound. BF was able to drive me, which was really nice. Then I walked halfway home and he picked me up. Pretty successful day off! Nice to have a day off, in fact.

I got to see the woman who drives my car and she is up for a new job outside of the city. She mentioned she's now looking at cars. I told her if she gets the overnight shift she can take my car in the beginning so not to rush into anything. I also told her I'm getting ready to go car-free and that if she wants my car, she can figure out how much it's worth and she can have it for half that, and yes I'll take payments. She doesn't have to take it, I'm just trying to make things easier for her while also pushing myself toward a decision for my own life.

I cleaned the litter box and took out the trash and recycling. It is a beautiful day here. Sunshine, slightly cool, lovely.
I'm reading a good book and am about to lay down in my beautiful bedroom and read. I know I'll fall asleep so I'll put an alarm on so I don't miss jeopardy. That guy is from your neck of the woods, Tillie.

Great that you are hanging out your laundry. It will be so nice and fresh. What did you cook?

Good Afternoon Anybody

Cool day here.
Tomorrow is predicted to be cold, maybe rain too.

I did two loads of laundry and have it out hanging on the clothes line.
Cooked some stuff, used up some random ingredients hanging around in the pantry.
Tastes pretty good and is very filling.

Noticed two of my dresses need a tiny little bit of mending and will do that in a minute.
A stitch in time saves nine.
That just means take care of it when it's small because if you wait it will need even more stitching later.

Quick drive by just to say goodnight.

Hi Subclinical
Thank You

WOW! YEA! for finishing glazing, house nearly tetrised and a new blouse!

WAY TO GO!!! for doing so FANTASTIC at the sale! :D

Very happy you will be able to work in the garden.
Wishing you a bountiful harvest.
I keep thinking about you having those fresh beets.

Tillie, here's hoping everything gets fixed!

((((Hugs)))) for CM. You are a good friend.

Tatoulia, I am glad you have your sunlight back! Good job with all your appointments and fixing things with muffins.

I finished my glazing today, and we have the house nearly tetrised. I was early for the glazing (the studiowasn't open yet) so I visited the nearby thrift and bought a nice linen/cotton blend shirt for $1.07.

I got my check from the sale and it is quite a bit better than I expected! In fact, 20% over "hoped" so that was a good thing!

Trying to get the garden and the end of the school year in place.

Good Morning Everyone

Tatoulia, so sorry that the laundry pod wasn't along in the pocket.
Hope you were able to rescue the items.
Wishing you all the best on Monday's test.


Clear blue cloudless skies.
Much cooler but not cold.
Want to swap out the curtains in my room with the Summer curtains but figured that in two weeks time I will be doing the ceiling repairs and have to take them down again I may as well wait.
I hate always having to wait for something else to be done before I can do what I want to do.
The swamp cooler is all set up and ready to use
but....
when I turned it on the pump worked fine but when the blower fan kicked on it tripped the breaker switch again and again.
Steven has the cooler all taken apart and the blower motor removed because he believes that the bearings thingie is frozen up and not spinning and tripping the circuit.
I really hope he can get the unit all put back together, he's not very mechanically inclined.
He tried fixing my washing machine once with a hammer and the thing caught on fire, he completely destroyed it.

Hello Tillie! It's sunny and windy and cool now. I'm back from my walk and I've showered.

I left out the part of my subway pass, keys, and phone being in the same pocket as the pod. Clearly there was an assault. 🙄

Now that mammogram is done, I have pelvic ultrasound on Monday afternoon. That isn't entirely pleasant either but such is life. I am grateful to get excellent medical care and to have insurance that covers it. I have a deductible but my company reimbursed the deductible so it's fine. Plus I'll probably reach it with these two tests. Not sure. I haven't paid a lot of attn to it over the years. I am lucky.

Okay making dinner and reading a book. I've showered and am in my pjs. Will get mom out tmr.

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Hi CriticalMass
Glad you were able to take bunnies to the nursing home this morning.

Good that your friend is able to respond to you at times.
Even when she can't, she knows. ((((HUGS))))

YEA!!! for a bunny with attitude!
Watching his diet is probably the best way to keep him from doing that again.


Hi Tatoulia
Sorry for the upsetting phone call but relieved that it was just from her not eating.
YEA! for the muffin remedy!

Tide pods can break?
How messy!
Good thing it happened in the jacket pocket.
WAY TO GO! getting that mammogram taken. ((((HUG))))

WOOHOO! for enjoying your new sneakers and getting in lots of walking.

Hi Subclinical
We know you are super busy this weekend but are wishing you all the best with the floor project.
(((HUG)))

Just been doing a little of this & that around here.
Can't really tell that I did much but it all adds up, eventually.
Last several days I have been hearing the voice of an Oriole but couldn't catch sight of him until today.
They are such clowns, entertaining to watch.
I have seen them hang upside down by their feet to drink from a Hummingbird feeder.

Cm thank you for stopping in again. I didn't mention bunny earlier. So grateful it was just a blip.

We should all have a friend like you to sit by our side. Keep up your strength. Glad you got to the senior center.

You said it perfectly- mom was hangry.

I'm going out for a walk. Clean sheets on bed and finished two loads of laundry. Would love to do my towels but would rather get another walk in. My new sneakers are wonderful.

Eating lunch, will go to the hospital to see friend when done. She is definitely aware I'm there at some times when less sedated. It's a trick to balance her sedation but keep her blood pressure up; it has been pretty low. She'd had some bleeding and was receiving a transfusion.

Little bunny here seems completely recovered, full of attitude. Thanks be to God! It was so unexpected, that bunny is young and healthy, but we'll watch his diet super closely, maybe not give any treats. We try to give healthy stuff and no junk, but modifications may need to be made on an individual basis. Sometimes bunnies just get kind of out of whack during molting season, it could have been that.

Took my big two bunnies for a nursing home visit this a.m. - it was early enough that I could fit it in, and it felt kind of grounding and therapeutic for me as well.

Tillie, I am so glad that not only will you get the roof done but it will be covered by insurance. You've needed some happy to look forward to! :)

Tatoulia, sorry your mom and you had a difficult time; hope she will be steadier. My mom was diabetic with some degree of vascular dementia in her final years. It is a struggle when something is wrong, and especially if they get "hangry" or something - very stressful to deal with. Hugs to you, and glad it all got straightened out.

Hi SubC - hope ceramics, teaching, goats, and everything are doing well! Pretty busy time of the year.

Till next time

CM

I am sorry about your friend, CM. You are bringing her much peace and love. You are comforting her at her most vulnerable time and we all send you strength and prayers.

Oh Tillie what great fun that the butterflies are bringing you a record apricot yield!!!

I'm grateful the roofer's work will start soon. Then you can live safely and put up your ceiling tiles!!!!

Got up just in time to have one cup of coffee and take the subway to the hospital. Mammogram went well with minimal pain. Saturdays are easy-breezy in the hospital and I walked to BF's afterward. We had delightful muffins and scones and now I'm back home. I quickly stripped my bed, put a Tide pod in my coat pocket, and it had split open by the time I was downstairs. So I put the coat in the laundry (winter jacket that is too big now) and I ran upstairs and added jeans to the mix. I'll do the sheets afterward.

Mom called me last night and was nasty. The details don't matter but eventually I got dressed and went to see BF to get some things for mom and then I went to mom's. The rain was torrential and my legs were soaked. It was cold and very rainy. At mom's, I learned from the woman at the desk that she had just been down, very upset and agitated. I then found out that mom had missed dinner earlier, which explained her nastiness on the phone. The girl st the desk said that one of the bakeries has just dropped off baked goods (apparently they bring their leftovers to the assisted living nightly) do I grabbed a muffin for mom and took it up to her. One of the aides had also mentioned that mom had been down. So she had a muffin and a glass of milk and was greatly improved when I left.

She can't keep food in the house because she eats mindlessly. I'll still get her raisins and tuna and graham crackers, etc, but she eats right through them. She probably had tuna in the house but she was out of bread. Plus once she's gone beyond her meal hour, there's no talking to her. I didn't mention any of her nastiness when I got there. I guess I'm learning. But it all fell into place once I found out she had slept through dinner.

One year ago was when I saw brother for the last time. Just what I needed to get my life together and to be happy.

Wishing everyone a peaceful day.

Good Morning Everybody

Beautiful morning, have all the windows & doors open to let it in.
Today is predicted to get up in the 80s but by tomorrow the high is supposed to be down in the 60s.

The Blue Flax flowers are blooming this morning and the Lilacs are still going strong.

Baby Bunnies are out in force and that has brought the Coyotes in.

Today I need to do some tidying up and cleaning.
So excited that the roof repairs are scheduled to be done!

Every year the tiny little green finches and yellow finches would come pick all the apricot blossoms off the tree.
At most I would get 12 apricots.

This year I had that terrifying blood thirsty hoard of beautiful little migrating butterflies visiting the apricot tree so the finches stayed away.

My apricot tree has so many tiny apricots growing that the branches will be bowed down in danger of breaking due to all the weight as they grow.

Hundreds of apricots!
The robins will be so happy.

Hi CriticalMass
((((HUGS))))
I'm sure that on some level she knew you were there with her and was very comforted by that.

From experience with patients who were unconscious and or sedated for a time, they would tell me that they knew I was there, heard my voice and it comforted them.

VERY HAPPY Bunny is feeling better!!!
Probably just a slight case of bunny colic, I periodically get that too.

Thank you so much for taking the time to check in here. (((HUGS)))

---------------------------------------------

The roofing contractor will start work here in about two weeks!
It will cost 3040.00 and the insurance money will cover all that!

Steven is very slowly starting on getting the evaporative (swamp) cooler ready.
It's 89 degrees on the shady back porch and 82 in here.

Washed 4 loads of heavy winter stuff.
Insulated drapes and my super warm down jacket.
Still have more stuff like Winter bedding to do next time.

VERY quick update

Friend remains on full life support. With ventilator she can't talk and is sedated too. But yesterday she was aware, off and on, that I was there. I put on the Catholic channel EWTN so we could listen to the Rosary and other programs and I prayed along with them out loud. Laid my rosary's beads on her hand; maybe she felt that. Hope so. Connection.

Last night we had a scare with roommate's boy bunny. He's young and very healthy and a chowhound. But he had severe gas and wasn't eating. I did what I could because of course these things always happen when the vet's not in. This morning we got a 9:00 appt., x-rays showed no blockage (whew!) so we just give him his pain meds and hand feedings. He is perking up. So thankful. We did NOT need another thing to feel sad about!

Everybody take care - Tatoulia, I'll pray your tests come out fine.

Good Morning Everybody

Good Luck Tatoulia locating the boxes and hopefully they will still be in useable condition.

I'm very grateful that I had the chance to know all the oldtimers here.
They had lived fascinating lives and had interesting tales to tell.


Going to be another hot afternoon.
Planning to do some laundry.
Should do some weeding in the garden.
Really should do some general housekeeping.
Really, really just want to play.
Not yet 8:00am so I will see what the day brings.

Been a hectic week for me.
Dental appointment then Steven falling in the tub & having to redo the shower curtain.
Having to go shopping for new bath mats and getting food while I was there anyways.
Discovering aphids on the rose bush and having to get the sprayer all filled.
So many other little things that just happened and I had to respond rather than doing things I had planned out to do in my own time.
Plus when it gets hot in the afternoons I just melt and can't function very well.
Scooter melts too, all pooled out in a puddle.

Yay for the new bath mat!!!!!

BF is losing his "fan base," all the long time people who supported him before the neighborhood changed. Men and women whom are referred to as Mr and Miss, rather than just their first names. It's sad to lose a generation.

I'm still leaning toward geraniums and petunias. White and pink maybe. It's still a bit cool here for them.

I think I need new boxes this year. I'm not sure where I am on having the actual boxes. I get a large size because my windows are large. I'll poke around under the stairs this weekend and see if my boxes are still here.

Wishing everyone a lovely, lovely day. It's going to be rainy here today.

Have you decided on what varieties of flowers for the flower boxes?

Congratulations on 15 good years together!

Don't apologize for using terminology for all our various body parts.
We all have bodies with various parts and talking about them is perfectly acceptable.

I am very glad you made the appointments, especially since your breast has been hurting lately.

WAY TO GO! Shredding!

Sorry to hear you have a funeral to attend.
After all these years living here I know more people in the cemetery than I know who are still living.


I took a shower this evening and really enjoyed my new bath mat.
It felt smooth and silky on my feet.
Earlier I was out enjoying the lilac blossoms
when I noticed the rose bush has/had aphids.
Got out the sprayer and treated it, should be alright now.

Tillie wow the heat has arrived for you! I will sleep with one window open tonight. My bedroom windows are not on alarms because I have the grates. The grates are decorative in addition to being safety devices. I can finally have window boxes again this year. It's been two long years without them due to the construction.

It's cool here.

We had a lovely night at dinner tonight. Fifteen years we've been together. We haven't had a bad year yet. He was so handsome in his suit. Our first date he wore a suit. I wore a red skirt and a black cashmere sweater and black high heeled boots. Those were the days when I could still wear sweaters. And I was willing to walk in the city in heels. Now I have to wear flats but nice dress flats for when we are going out.

SubC I know the chaos will be tough. I hope the flooring goes in easily and efficiently. I am so proud of all that you have accomplished and I am in awe of what you get done in a day.

I just wrapped up the garbage for tmr. Will wash my face and climb into bed.

Oh! I made my mammogram and ultrasound appts today. I have my mammogram on Saturday and my ultrasound on Monday. I may end up taking Monday off since we have a funeral of a neighbor Monday AM. I don't want to have either of these appts but I am grateful for my medical care and my health insurance. So I will have them. one of my breasts has been hurting lately so I'll feel better after the scan. Sorry to use the word breast here.

Okay ready for bed. I got a lot of shredding done. I will send my coats to drycleaners soon. I didn't make it to PO today but that's okay. I hadn't filled out all the customs forms and other stuff I need to do.

Goodnight dear friends. Tillie I'm glad Steven is getting the pads for your cooler.

Hello Everybody

Hi Subclinical
Maybe by the time you want to make a mold
things will be easier there for you.
Right now I'm sure everything seems impossible.
Clearing out an entire room is hard, living with things all bunched up is hard.
Just keep thinking how nice it will be when it's all done.
Ida Wanna knows you have a LOT on your plate this weekend, hope she leaves you soon.


Hi Tatoulia
YIPPEE!!! you have your windows back!
Last night was the first time this year that I slept all night with my window open.
It was heavenly.

WTG! for all you got done!!!
So nice waking up to a clean kitchen.
Starts the day off on a positive note.


Yesterday I worked on fixing the shower curtain hardware.
Today I went shopping, bought food, sun screen and two fresh new bath mats.
My old bath mat was losing suction cups and having other issues.
Came home, put away groceries then cleaned the bathroom.
Did a load of laundry, the towels and stuff used yesterday to mop up the bathroom.

It is 85 degrees in here right now at 5:00pm.
Steven bought the new cooler pads and says he will get the cooler set up.
I need to launder all the heavy winter drapes, blankets and my coat, etc...

Shredded a lot of paper. Getting ready for dinner.

The scaffolding is down and I can open my drapes and shad again! Thank goodness for the sunshine!!! I've missed it!

I did three loads of laundry. I still haven't washed the duvet cover and will get to it over the weekend. I picked up my comforter from the laundry. They do such a nice job on my things.

I have the windows open and it is beautiful out! I am taking BF for his birthday dinner tonight. I wish he'd let me pay but he won't. It's a lost cause.

CM and SubC, please know that you have my prayers and support with respect to your loved ones. I know you are each going through difficult times but you are not alone-we are here for you. I am just so sorry.

SubC I understand about the molds. You've got a great deal going on with the Tetris furniture game! I am amazed by how much you accomplish in a day!

I'm going to do laundry today and also go to the post office. I have a bunch of things to mail, including a package overseas.

Last night before I went to bed I still had a big pile of pots and pans in the sink from dinner. I decided to take the two mi it's to deal with them, ran the dishwasher, then was thrilled this AM to have a nice clean sink. I still have to think about it, but at least I can see the dishes in the sink.

Oh dear Tillie.

What a job. I hope you got all the broken stuff on it's way out.

CM, I am glad you have some support.

I hear everyone on the molds, but I am just too tired right now. I don't want to throw them in the dumpster, because they are still good. I don't know where to take them to get them to someone who would want them, I might use some of them - I like a lot of them, but realistically I can only use so many, but they would be expensive and difficult to replace.... too tired. I am just piling them in front of the shelf that already has molds on it. So, when I want to make a mold, I guess I will have to use these, because I can't reach the others. Maybe it will be easier then.

My friend Ida Wanna has come to visit and seems to be settling in for a long stay. I am hoping that once the new floor is in (so overwhelming - this weekend we will play furniture Tetris and block off entire rooms from use, probably for all of next week) she will think about leaving.

I need to get some things done and off my plate. Today - last class i'm taking (but I can go back to do glaze work for a short time) followed by a lunch/baby shower for our teacher, then I teach, then swimming(?) i'm trying to decide if I should come home instead, but realistically, it is supposed to be rainy and dark, and I won't accomplish anything. I came straight home yesterday and didn't accomplish anything. I just hung out with Ida.

Hi CriticalMass
I'm very grateful that you have your mutual friend there with you.
Wishing you peace and strength ((((HUGS))))
You are always in my prayers.

I'm fine with accidents after I check and see that there's nothing that can't be fixed.
Good to know that you take precautions in the shower and use the chair!


Hi Tatoulia
Wonderful that that little lesson is helping you so much!
So much easier when we can just reach in and get what we want without always having to move other things out of our way.

That's good news the lobster roll place is doing so well, means they will be around for a long, long time. ;)

WTG! for chipping away at the closet!!!


Hi Subclinical
Good luck getting the room cleared out without too much hassle.

Happy the surgery looks promising.
Fingers crossed "X" everything works out.

Best wishes for the garden veggies.



Been hot in the afternoons last few days and tomorrow is going to be hot again too.
80+ degrees.
Planning to go grocery shopping early in the morning.

Quick flyby

SubC glad to hear hopeful regarding your relative's surgery.

Tillie, hope you aren't too stove up from the Steven shower drama. I don't like standing in the shower at home - once I get soap and water in my face I don't always trust my balance. So I put one of those plastic patio chairs in.

Tatoulia thanks for the prayers and good thoughts for my friend.

Our mutual friend had called earlier and we tslked about what the nurse had told her. They tried a "sedation vacation" but it didn't go well. It's hour by hour. Her family came. But there's no concrete timeframe either. More news as I get it. The mutual friend and I are supporting each other.

Yes you won! Nice little taste of victory! Glad you have the hardware fixed and back up.

SubC I had a similar thought as Tillie's when you mentioned that you brought home molds. Just don't let them be in your way.

I've been thinking a lot about something I learned here from Tillie. About if we always have to move something to get what we need, then shouldn't we relocate, or eliminate that thing that is always in the way. I think about that a lot. And if I need to move something to get what I need, then I can usually (now) get rid of it. And that's been a lifesaver for me.

I finally bought sneakers today. I felt that my feet needed more structure (I feel like I'm talking about a young child who needs a more structured day). I like the ones I bought. Nearly weightless.

I haven't really done much around the house. I went to the office today. I'll be home tmr. I'm chipping away at my bedroom closet. I'm gearing up to make more decisions regarding what is staying and what is going. I'll drop the suits off at the drycleaners tmr. The ones I'm donating.

Tillie I'm thrilled you already knew about the lobster roll place. The quality of their food is very high. Their business seems to have picked up quite a bit. And they've just opened a second location, out of the city and in Salem. They definitely had a rough start. That corner has been a Bad Luck Corner for quite a while. Used to be a hair salon and was very successful. For decades. Then a terrible pizza place with careless selfish owners, and it would close for six months at a time then reopen under ostensibly new Mgt, but it was always the same two spoiled selfish boys and their mom who literally once parked her jaguar onto the handicap ramp on the sidewalk. Like it was her driveway. They were terrible neighbors and there was always madness at that corner. Then another pizza place finally opened there but they couldn't shake all the awfulness of the other place. Even their signs saying we aren't them didn't help. So I'm glad the lobster place now seems to be fairly busy. It's cramped and not exactly a restaurant. I take my stuff home or up to mom's. When you visit I'll let you choose where to eat. I want them to succeed and I have Gino they are finally doing it.

Okay I'm off to my bedroom. Goodnight dear friends.

Hi Everybody

Hi Subclinical
WTG! for all you got done!
Hoping you have a plan for the molds you brought home.
If you are keeping them but not planning to use them soon
please find an out of the way place for storage so they aren't in the way of what you are doing in the studio right now.
You have worked so hard to gain the elbow room you have now.

Hi Tatoulia
Thank you :)

Was busy this morning doing lots of assorted chores when Steven went in to shower.
Soon after I heard a very loud terrible noise and knew he had fallen in the tub.
Did advanced first aid and deduced that he was alright, did not hit his head, nothing broken, no bleeding.
Anyways, I spent many hours doing repairs so the shower curtain could be hung again since he grabbed the curtain and destroyed the hanging hardware.
The tub has the side and the back end open so we used a track with hooks hanging from to hang the curtain hooks off of.
Most of the hardware was destroyed, needed to be replaced.
He made two trips to the hardware before he brought me everything I needed.
The shower curtain is hanging properly again and Steven came down hard on his butt so it will bruise along with his bruised ego.

For years he has been mad at me for "wasting" money buying bath mats.
He has sneered at me for being so stupid to always use my bath mats.
He finished his shower this morning standing on my stupid wasteful bath mat.

I think I won that argument! ;D

Popping in - cleated more molds from the classroom, but brought them home.

Initial surgery for relative looks hopeful.

Tillie, we knew there was nothing wrong with you! :)

Hope the roof goes quickly!

CM, so good to hear from you! I am glad your handyman is back in action, and that you feel ready to plan for the storage unit!

I hope that you get good news on your friend. My mom contacted me Monday to tell me that a member of dad's family was diagnosed with cancer. She is one of the few family members dad has a relationship with, and we were close when I was a kid, so I am hoping for a good outcome as well. I am fortunate ate that my life is structured such that most of my "losses" are through graduations.

Still mostly trying to keep up here. The class I am taking ends this week, and lots of end of the year school stuff. I made ice cream and planted beets yesterday. I don't think I will have much of a vegetable garden this year, but planning on beets, beans, tomatos, and squash. Anything else will be a bonus.

Big disruption coming this weekend when we move everything out of the room so we can get our floor.

Congratulations Tillie! You definitely earned that hamburger!!! Also glad the roofer came by. Fingers crossed it can all be done swiftly.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Back home from the dentists.
They tried their best to find something wrong with me but failed!

To celebrate I stopped on the way home and bought myself a hamburger.

Beautiful today, calm, warm, no clouds at all in the sky.

CM! Thank you for the long, newsy, thoughtful, hopeful post. Thank you so much. I am including your dear friend in my prayers, you can be sure.

I'm glad you rejected the idea of renting another unit for a staging area. Of course I would have supported you but I know first hand that my similar ideas in the past have not gone as smoothly as I would've hoped.

I am thankful that the handyman is doing better and is back to work!

I have a beautiful oil painting, from the 60s, of Notre Dame in the fall. I bought it at auction and I love it. I see it every day and it evinces a true feeling of peace and awe.

I will read the other posts later. Keep up the good work, CM. we stand ready to support you when you are at the storage space! And all the times in between.

Tatoulia
Would you believe I had already seen a video about
Lobstah On A Roll?

PBS has those food episodes and that was one I remember because I REALLY wanted to go there.

;D

HELLO CRITICALMASS!!!

Wonderful to hear from you!

YEA! the handyman is feeling better and you had your van serviced, AC done and sewer line cleaned.

Remember, we only "lose" our loved ones temporarily.
I sincerely believe that we will be reunited one day at the Rainbow Bridge.
(((HUGS)))
The hard part is how deeply we miss them until then.

Things like storage units and closets start to seem worse than we remembered them being.
It's always good to reevaluate them.
Makes the big monsters smaller and more easily vanquished.


Hi Subclinical
YEA!!!! for new flooring!!!
How nice that will be when it's all done.

Clearing blackberries and mending a fence is hard dirty hoy & sweaty work.
WAY TO GO!!!
Happy the goats obliged and showed you the opening.

SO very happy you did pottery and enjoyed some time outside.
Bet Bunny had a good day outdoors too.


Hi Tatoulia
Thank you.
Really wish I could just zone out but having been a dental assistant since I was 16 and then having a medical profession, I make sure the correct things are being done in the correct order.
I have no problem correcting people when they need to be corrected, even doctors.

Your asparagus pasta dishes sound so good!

When I have a throw blanket or small quilt out for the cats I often pull it over me if I get chilly.
The cats don't protest much as long as I let them snuggle with me.


Tackling one clothing article at a time is how I do it.
This way I know for sure if I will wear it or if it can go.


Roofer man came by.
Looked at the ceiling damage, went up on the roof, looked at that and did measurements.
Wrote stuff down and will get back to us with an estimate soon as he figures it out.

Had a huge argument with Steven because he started talking about getting a huge disgusting shipping container delivered to store more crap in.
He already has enough large storage spaces.
He just has WAY TO MUCH crap!
And the vast majority of his stuff is honestly crap. Broken, missing vital pieces, unneeded and lots of garbage, actual garbage, empty food containers, packaging, used paper plates, etc.

Hello -

Excuse any typos - auto suggestion was annoying me so I turned it off.

Didn't mean to let so much time go by again. I had been driving a week ago to make a savings deposit when I heard about Notre Dame being on fire. I went to the branch library nearby after doing my banking to see online. How sad. I'm thankful the cause was not terrorist related as too many things are anymore. I hope the restoration will be tasteful and durable.

Tillie, I'm guessing the insurance guy may have told Steven the insurance might get dropped or maybe even that government codes enforcement would get wind of the situation? Whatever it takes! And I do hope that for his sake - and yours - that he'll begin to find the letting go process easier and even satisfying. We all have to start from where we are. I can remember how stubborn and dug in I was at one time.

Our handy guy and mechanic is finally on the mend! He has done maintenance on both my roommate's car and my van, spring cleaned the sewer line and the AC. Sun porch might happen yet.

Holy Week was good - I wrestled with God for a short while about having to withdraw money two days after I deposited it for the van, but in the end accepted this was another time He blessed me because I was going to need it. Sunday Morning was sad seeing the news about Sri Lanka. Tatoulia, I'm relieved your friend is okay. How traumatic for so many.

I checked the situation in my storage unit the other day. It may not be as horrendous as I had feared. The trick is going to be dealing with segments of the stuff, rearranging in a sequence, and a few other strategies that I'm brainstorming. I have a "Plan B" - renting a smaller 2nd unit for a month as a staging area - but I think now such a drastic step may not be necessary.

Be all that as it may - there's something much bigger going on. I have a dear friend, Cindy, with multiple health issues. She's been hospitalized in ICU. Another friend of hers and mine is her durable power of attorney. Today Cindy agreed with the doctors' recommendation to be sedated and put on a ventilator to give her lungs a rest. All we can do is pray. She wants to survive and recover. It's in God's hands and those doing the doctoring.

I don't want to lose a good friend. Lost Larry just over a year ago. And several elderly family and friends this decade. Prayers and positive thoughts would again be much appreciated. Ultimately of course I want what's best for each person, though, and if an end to years of suffering and debilitation is the best, then I will deal, and live in hope of being reunited with them.

But anyway, wanted to let you all know this is going on so if I don't get as many chances to post you won't have to wonder. I'll post short updates on this and on what I am able to do with decluttering etc. Keeping busy may be good sometimes, other times resting and prayer and hugging rabbits and kitties may be the best therapy. Happy Easter/Passover/Spring/etc. to all.

SubC you are amazing!!!!!

Tillie, I keep forgetting to tell you how happy I am that the roofer is coming! I am sorry for the waiting though.

And tatoulia's workers are almost done!

I gave people coming to install my floor in a week (dh decided to hire it out) so there will be a lot of disruption, but won't it be nice for all three of us when our nests are all spiffed up?

CM, I am wishing your handyman will be able to take care of yours as well!

Tatoulia, you can keep your rainy weather! I am so happy to finally have sun!

This morning I took the compost out (fast thing from my list)
And ran the dishwasher (bonus)
Then I put the boy goats in their field to see if they would show me the hole (piggyback)
While I planted the elderberry bushes (big job #1)
They did! So I cleared blackberry canes until I got hot and tired (approved by dh) which took about 45 minutes, since it was late morning.
Then I took off my hot blackberry-thorn-resistant gear and patched the hole in the fence.

Made myself rice pudding for lunch and put away the planting and fencing supplies.

Then I started on big job #2 - adding a foot to my big fancy bowl. I keep going back to spray it so it will set slowly and not crack, so I can't get involved in anything else, but I did write a letter of recommendation I promised a student (another bonus from my list)

I keep reminding myself that this is my big job for the afternoon, just like the bushes were the big job for the morning.

I am also taking time to enjoy the gorgeous day as I walk back and forth from house to studio. - I put the bunny out in her yard pen too.

I know how difficult the dentist appts are for you, Tillie. I am sure you have developed different coping skills over the years and yet I'll make a suggestion. I try to stay very calm and tell myself it's not me having the work done. I started doing this long ago. I try to mentally leave my body and while I don't exactly "watch" the stuff being done, I do try to pretend it's not me. It works well for me. In any event I'll be sending calming thoughts your way.

I love the thought of a little one asleep in the grass. I hope the roofer comes soon. My anxiety of having any sort of repair person over is matched only by the wait for the person. It's such a relief to say, well they are gone.

I'm full. I ate too much pasta. Delicious. This time instead of butter and garlic, I tossed olive oil, capers, lemon juice and zest, and Parmesan into a bowl. Quick cooked the asparagus then made the pasta. Delicious. Much better than the butter/garlic/lemon combo of a week or so ago.

Tillie if you look up Lobstah in a Roll (stupid name) you'll see the place where I get the tasty shrimp po'boy sandwich.

Yesterday at Easter dinner I had spinach salad with goat cheese and beets with a skewer of shrimp. Delicious. No dressing, just lemon wedges.

I'm now freshening up my blanket because I think it will be cold tonight. Last night I used kitty's freshly washed blanket. I had put it away for the season but pressed it into service for me last night. Maybe too much information. It's a throw I use on the couch in the winter. We both use it.

I see the scaffolding is still up but they've taken the wrapping down. The fire escapes look like they are being repaired but not quite up yet.

I am tackling my closet one item of clothing at a time. Will put one winter coat into dry cleaners but will hold off on the other one for now. Weather still iffy.

Hello All
Just now 12 noon here.

I got up and started right in on some tasks since today the roofer is supposed to come by to give us his estimate.
Washed the car windows and did all the usual daily cat related tasks.
Did a little tidying up inside and spent a long time outside with my nose in the lilac blooms.

Hi Subclinical
Bad boy goats!

WAY TO GO!!! for all that hard work you and DH did!

So very grateful your DH is trying to help you not to try to do everything all in one day.
Written down on a list it may seem Do-Able but in reality there just aren't enough hours in a day.

I'll never get tired of giving my thoughts when we are all trying to solve problems.
Brain storming is the best way to find solid solutions.


Hi Tatoulia
LOL Yes, the autocorrect really did a number! ;D
But I was able to understand what you were saying.

Glad the Sri Lanka friend was not hurt.

Wonderful the waitress noticed and complimented you!

Relieved this outside project isn't dragging on and you will soon get your windows back.

WTG! gathering up donations, doing laundry and especially for the asparagus dish!!!

Roofer said he'd come by after finishing up another job.
I am hating this waiting.
I have been waiting for months already.
Scooter & Twinkles went outside this morning.
Scooter is napping inside now and Twinkles is napping in the tall jungle of fresh Spring grass on the far side of the garage.

I went on a wasp hunt and found & sprayed a LOT of queens starting their nests around the house where the hoard isn't.
But I can see so many wasps flying around in the yard hoard but it's too dense to get through to kill the wasps.

High anxiety today because tomorrow I have to go to the dentist.
Xrays, cleaning and check up.
Just hate everything about this but hate dental pain even more.
Oh Well... :(

We all need to lean on each other. SubC I am thrilled that your husband can help you!

I have made a bag of work clothes. I am washing some of the blouses. I've gotten a lot of laundry done today and now I am making lemon asparagus pasta.

It sounds like the workers our back are bringing their work to a close. I cannot wait to have my shade and drapes open again. The lack of sunlight has been tough.

After a sunny start to the day, it is now rainy and raw. I love that. I can't help myself. This is my weather.

Tatoulia, I am glad to hear that.

You are super nice to me!

Sometimes I make Tillie tell me what to do too. I hope she doesn't get tired of it.

Today I am letting dh tell me what to do. I have been so frustrated with not getting things done, and he has been chastising me for trying to hold myself to unreasonable expectations. So last night I made my "must do" list for today and read it to him. He said "that is three days."

He picked two big things and a fast thing for me to do, plus one that can piggyback and one that I can work on until I get tired.

I am still thinking of that as "this morning" but I am trying to accept that it will be a good day's work. I just keep looking at the rest of the list and thinking "but when am I going to do this other stuff?!"