Do not push yourself. You are important to us and all cats everywhere. It's hard to admit being sick. Have a cup of tea and rest.

Good Afternoon Everybody
Just now a little after 12 noon here.

Hi Tatoulia
Yes, so sad... :(

WTG! BADGER!
Wonderful that it didn't take long to get Tatoulia motivated to shampoo the rug!

Have a wonderful time at the marathon.

I look at the weather reports and then I look out the window and make up my own mind.
I am correct a lot more than the professional forecasters.


Had plans for today.
Been feeling "off" since Friday and after yesterday and now today, I have to admit to myself that I must be sick.

Will put off cleaning the bathroom and washing the floors for now.
I have the kitchen all set up ready for dish washing and will do that soon.
Other than dishes my new plans are to lay low, rest and drink plenty of water.
Makes no sense to push myself today.

Shampooed the rug. Heading out to the marathon.

Heartbroken. Notre Dame is on fire. BF's family says it feels like the end of the world.

Just went for a walk to get Tigger's medicine and to drop it off for him. I put my jeans in the washer before I left. It is warm, sunny, beautiful although a tad humid for me. Thanks, newscasters, for being all doom and gloom this weekend. Really irks me.

I'm going to go vacuum my bedroom, which is a precursor to shampooing the rug.

Good morning!

Tillie, the city is crowded but it's actually nice. Runners from all over the world. No drinking, no drugs, just really healthy people and their families. I went to the grocery store fairly late last night (for me, a pedestrian) simply because I knew every one would be out and about. And they were! I don't know much about Burning Man but festivals frighten me, even though I am sure they are peaceful and very happy occasions. 'm also a real scaredy cat when it comes to Halloween and St Patrick's Day.

YES enjoy the sculpture, SubC. This gives you a chance to enjoy it and still pass it on as a gift. Like it's on loan from a museum.

I had purchased a very large, very beautiful vintage poster for my BF once. In French. I had it framed and then hid it in my office. A French woman whom I worked with fell in love with it, so I let her hang it in her office til the BF's birthday came about. Now it hangs in his office.

Right now I'm storing art for my overseas friend and she's told me I'm free to hang it if I like. I haven't, but it's an option.

Tillie I do love that butter bean cat!

I'm going to go get tigger's medicine from the vet now. We don't head off for the marathon for several hours.

HI :D

Hi Subclinical
It is perfectly alright for you to enjoy the sculpture even if later on you decide to gift it to your Mom.

YEA!!! for all your blooms!!!
Make sure to take the time to enjoy them.

I understand filling in that area by the bridge.
Here I have what I discovered appears to be a large ancient stone lined well.
It was covered up and had dirt over it but part of the old covering broke away and one day my foot went through and I almost went down.
That's how I discovered it was there.
I spent years finding the right things to toss in to fill it, had to consider how not to contaminate the ground water.

I think you're right about the secrets Steven is keeping from me.
What I think is that the man granted the claim money because the leak is causing more & more damage but threatened cancellation of the policy unless Steven meets certain criteria within a certain amount of time.
Steven always takes ages to make decisions about who to call when we need to call in someone.
He's done that when we have had issues with our well and also when we've had issues with the septic system.
He takes months to finally decide...


Hi Tatoulia
WTG! for laundry and a fresh clean quilt to sleep under!
Must be crazy insane there this weekend with all the people and traffic.
When all the people are going to and coming from Burning man festival I make plans to stay at home until it thins out.

Jacks friend is no bean stalk. LOL :D
He is short and stubby and a tubby tabby.
More like Jack and the butter bean.

A dress, Summer shorts and top and a sweater.
Wishing her many, many opportunities to enjoy them this Summer.

Tuna juice, the preferred beverage of cats.


Still hasn't rained here.
Need it to rain and wash the dust off the car.
I parked the car a few feet back from under the apricot tree since it was getting covered in bird poop.

Congratulations on a successful sale, CM. how nice that the other potters appreciate and value your artistry! I like your idea of ten least favorite! Great idea!

Tillie that is fascinating about Steven's clearing out stuff. Wow. Great work cleaning and clearing!

I was up early today and did two loads of laundry, all folded and put away. I did my sheets from yesterday's bed change and I did my white very thin quilt. That quilt is on my bed almost year round. It was starting to look a little yellow on the part that I'm constantly touching and pulling up around my head. It is back on my bed now and looks very fresh.

I took mom shopping today and she bought a dress, sweater, summer top and shorts. She paid for them herself! But likely only because I paid her past due phone and internet bills yesterday. She's my mom. I had to do it.

Bf got tired while we were out so he's heading home. We had to run a few errands and we were in his car and the city is jam packed with marathon runners so it was tough to get around. He got tired and decided to go home. I'm grateful for that. I'd rather walk around anyway. And I was getting car sick from driving around with mom and then with him.

I'll go out for a proper walk in a little while. I haven't yet eaten a meal today so I'll rustle up some tuna. Kitty will enjoy the tuna juice.

OH MY GOODNESS you have two new cats. Jack and the Beanstalk??!!??

I wonder if there is some inspection or something that he has to pass before the roof gets fixed....

That would explain the delay too.

Anyway, i'm Glad if he is really clearing stuff out.

I tossed two pieces into the fill by the bridge (the ground is constantly settling there, and I am always tossing in rocks and broken pottery.) one was chipped during travel to and from the sale, and the other had a crack - which is ok for raku but I thought it was too big and straight. Usually if a piece cracks, you get lots of tiny cracks and it looks interesting, or it cracks through and breaks.

I set two aside to donate, and I picked out 8 to rework/experiment on. I also brought four things back to the house that I hadn't tried to sell because I like them. I figure, if i'm going to keep them, they belong in the house, not the studio.

I didn't tell you I bought a little sculpture at the sale. I really like it, but I think my mom will really like it too, and I may give it to her for Christmas. Do you think it's ok to put it out and look at it for a while?

The redbuds and stonefruit are blooming and the tulips are open. :)

Hi Subclinical

UMMMMM mushrooms! ;D

Very happy you are resting today, you have worked hard these past two weeks and having family visit was nice but it is tiring too.

Very good plan to thin things out that way.
There will be no question in your mind if it would sell or not since the customers make that decision for you.

Some time outdoors with your hands in the dirt would be good for your spirit.
It always helps me.

WAY TO GO!!! emptying the car and dishwasher!


I got the carpet vacuumed & the floors swept.
Played with Scooter since he was extremely energetic, frisky and starting up games to play with me.


I am thinking that man the insurance company sent out to evaluate the roof damage must have said something to Steven because he has actually been filling boxes with stuff to donate.
He was doing this sneakily in the garage but now has revealed the filled boxes to me.
Last few days he has very painfully slowly been sifting through bags, boxes, bins & crates and making keep/toss decisions.
He is keeping too much but at least he has started doing what I have been trying for years to get him to do.

I think there was a lot more to that insurance company man's visit than Steven is telling me.
Actually, he really has not said much to me about it.

Good afternoon here!

Jack thinks you don't have enough cats.

I am taking a day of rest.

I did unload the dishwasher and my car. And I picked a pound of shiitake mushrooms for dinner.

I have decided that after every sale I am going to identify ten items in the studio to rework or discard. That way I do not have an accumulation of least favorite things that do not sell. At the least, I will have ten new "least favorite" things :)

I may set additional benchmarks for paring down - like after bringing home work from a class session, or one item every time I fire the kiln, but i'm going to start with that.

It was supposed to be raining most of today, but now they have pushed the storm back to 5:00. I am thinking about doing some garden work. Just light puttery stuff.

Good Morning Everyone
Still morning here, just now 11:00am

Have/had some indoor plans for today.
Woke up early with tummy issues.
I know it is just from never ending stress.

Been very slowly tackling my plans for today.
Before I can vacuum I have to go around and gather up all the scattered cat toys.
They really mess up the vacuum if I run over them.
Once they were all gathered up I sorted them out and eliminated about half of them.
There were toys enough for all five cats and now only Scooter plays with toys so he doesn't need so many.

Cleaned up the radishes I bought the other day.

Fed the two cats canned cat food breakfast.
Cleaned up Scooters vomit from last night that happened while I was asleep.

Eliminated one blouse from my blouse/shirt drawer.
It was "itchy".
For some reason getting old has made my skin overly sensitive.

Very overcast today with a 10% chance of rain.
Jack comes by in the mornings for breakfast. Lately he has been bringing a classic furred Tabby breed boy with him.

Hi Subclinical

LOL :D
Mr. Kitty is cute!
Scooter believes everything is fair game to be a toy.
Always running off with and losing things I have set down.
Been 2 years that I have been looking for the lid to the salt shaker.
Fortunately he has grown tired of pulling all the toilet paper off the roll and playing hide & seek in the huge pile of toilet paper on the floor beside the toilet.

WAY TO GO!!!!
for having a wonderful time at the sale today.
Accept that big compliment that the other potters know fine art and craftsmanship when they see it.
And your Dd was just the cherry on top!

Popular trendy colors are so fickle.
I just go for colors that when I see them they make me smile.
Back in the later 1960s I really hated all that avocado green and orange my parents had in our house and they kept it all until the 80s when everything was finally totally worn out.


The evening is very nice.
Have the windows open and the light breeze feels so good.
Tonight it won't get so cold that I'd need my down comforter.

Tillie,
your post made me try to imagine mr kitty with a hoppy bunny. I have no idea how he would react. We don't buy him toys, so I don't think he would know he was allowed to stalk it. His favorite "toys" are an empty tp roll tied to the fridge handle with a long piece of ribbon, and a cork with some frayed yarn tied to it. Once he tore the tube free of the ribbon and it rolled away and I thought he was going to lose his little furry mind!

Rant away! You deserve to have your roof fixed and to have a nice ceiling! $16 is not a big deal for that! He is very lucky you take care of the place and the insurance is willing to pay instead of trying to have the house condemned!

Tatoulia, great job with your ccs!

I am glad you enjoyed your massage. and I am glad you got that awful man out of your life. I wish Tillie could get rid of hers too!

I have no idea how my sale went today. I at least did ok, but my oldest Dd showed up this morning and ended up staying almost all day and helping me run the booth - so that was fun. But also, I didn't inventory what I took with me, and when I had to go work the mug show/competition space for an hour, she sold some stuff and rearranged things. I know I sold at least three significant pieces, and I know a few of the small items, but I don't know how much midsized stuff went. So, my check will either be fine, or an exciting surprise. We get paid in about two weeks.

The best parts of the sale though, were hanging out with my Dd and sales I made to two other potters. They are both people who do amazing work and I really respect them. The fact that they were willing to trade actual money for my work made me feel really good.

They both bought small pieces that used the new technique I am excited about. It actually didn't go as well with the general public as I expected, but I think maybe you have to be a potter to understand how truly cool it is. Also, apparently I did not make enough orange stuff. I really need to pay more attention to which colors are popular or trendy. If you're wondering - it's orange and grey. Turquoise is apparently over. Purple may be the next big thing....

Good Evening Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Hope you are relaxing and getting a good night's sleep.

Hi CriticalMass
Hoping you found the time to enjoy today.

Hi Tatoulia
So happy you had the massage today!
Lavender, so soothing, menthol is healing.
Please budget in the tip and schedule those gift massages as needed.
In fact, do not wait till you are suffering before going.

Thank you for your understanding.
I am so relieved that you have removed yourself from those situations. (((HUG)))

Such a lovely day!
Spent most all of it outdoors.
Gave everything a little drink.
73 degrees, the cats just had to go inside and nap out of the heat.
The yellow jackets are all awake in force.
I know the lizards and snakes are awake now too but haven't seen any, yet.
But I must remember to watch where I step and where I put my hands.

Steven has spent a little time, very little, finding things to put into Scooter's box to drop off at the thrift store.
He is still dragging home a lot more than he finds to let go of.
I would love to ask him what he was thinking when he decided he really just had to have_____???
He had an item that he had absolutely no idea what it was.
I looked at it and knew right away it was a grounding rod for a lightening rod.
We don't need one.

So ridiculous, Tillie. It reminds me of whenever I'd say anything to my sibling, he'd snap and then just keep berating me so I'd admit I'm wrong. I remember at Christmas once I said, don't just leave things like your phone charger plugged in. And he screamed oh so some jerk in your mailroom told you that (i had not mentioned the office) and he kept screaming at me how wrong I am and making me admit that I don't know anything at all. So if we wanted to have a Christmas, I was going to have to start saying that I'm stupid and wrong and I made it up, etc, etc. so yours is the same abuse, just different subject matter. You're wasteful because he has exactly what you need. I get it, Tillie. How awful.

I appreciate your support on the massage. I told her I'd had a headache since Tuesday so we did aromatherapy massage with lavender and menthol. I feel so different now. I walked to grocery store afterward but didn't have the energy to stop by mom's so I put her groceries in my fridge and I'll take them over later.

It turned out to be s warm and sunny day! I'm going to go relax after I have one more glass of water. I'm having the usual lymphatic draining. I feel wonderful right now.

Good Morning Everybody

Beautiful clear, calm sunny day here today.
Have laundry out on the line.
Weather is predicted to change back to rainy starting tomorrow.

Wishing Subclinical a wonderful and busy day!
Bet she sells everything.

Very good Tatoulia that you will get in today.
I am a very big believer in the health benefits of therapeutic massage and even chiropractic realignment when needed.

When I was a teenager riding in a friend's car we were in a car accident and I got whiplash.
The headaches & neck pain were incapacitating.
My family physician was an Osteopath and with massage and manipulation was able to help me without drugs.

Hi CriticalMass
Hope the weather is nice for you this weekend.
If nothing else, try to enjoy the Spring.

I think I will get outside with the cats today and water the flowers and some other made up excuses to play outdoors.

Asked Steven what's up with the roof repairs.
He said he has kept calling and leaving messages for one contractor for weeks now but the man has never called him back.
I said well the man either doesn't want to talk to you or he's dead, call another roofing company.
I pointed out the roofers listed in the yellow pages and he whined he doesn't know if they are any good.
I said check them out!
He knows how to check out companies online.
Or he could just let me find a competent roofer to fix that freaking leaky roof.


Plus he is mad at me for buying the adhesive and caulk I need to fix my ceiling, total cost 16.00.
He ranted that he has crates full of that kind of stuff, somewhere out there.
But I know it is all so old it has dried up in the tubes and is now useless, but he feels it is still good enough.
Ten years ago when I needed caulk to seal a window he gave me a crateful and I had to cut all the tubes open and try to scrape the small amount of still wet caulk out of the center with a stick.
I am not playing that game ever again.

Sorry about that rant... :/

SubC! It's sale day! We are all so happy for you and all the effort you have put in! Great job! We will be waiting to hear from you on the outcome of the sale. Great work!!!! I would love to buy one of your pots. Maybe next year!

Massage: as Tillie said, the therapist will sit with you and discuss your discomfort. I have none. I don't think about my body and I do not apologize for it. I shower before I go and it's up to you regarding which clothes to keep on or on wearing a robe. They leave the room while you get undressed. I leave my underpants on. Tip a flat $20. I love reflexology which is just the feet and some leg massage. Extremely relaxing and they usually give you a robe to wear.

My appointment is today, Tillie, at noon. I knew it would be a week before I could get an appt with the place where I have gift cards, so I texted the woman at my hair dresser's place. She is working today and so I got a noon appt for an hour-long massage! And she's right around the corner. Well worth it to spend out of pocket.

Tillie I received the residual interest charges on my two cards and I've paid them. Now those have a completely zero balance. No issues here with trying to use them. I've found that the one I do carry, with the $300 balance, is handy. And I pay it as soon as I get home. This past week I had to use it twice, for groceries and mom's groceries. And I came home and transferred the $. Having a low limit, I've always used this card this way and it is still allowing me to use it and pay immediately.

Wow! You did so much yesterday! The robe sounds absolutely beautiful! I bet it was a gift for someone who never wore it! Good to get rid of the sad robe. Hoppy bunny for kitty!!! Great work when you went to town!!!

Seeing Tigger in my bed last night was really precious. He was so relaxed.

I've had a headache since I did my taxes. I will tell my masseuse that.

Tillie thank you for your Boston marathon bombing story. I appreciate hearing that. the cell phones weren't working here (rumors the government scrambled them) yet we heard from two people really quickly: a friend in Oman called the BF's office to talk to BF and see what we needed and a young woman across the street sent BF texts. So the closest and the furthest got in touch with us within minutes. BF has known the young woman since she was a little girl and she and I became close as she got older and she had a baby. Now her baby is 8 and she uses my car to get him to and from school. And this week she helped get Tigger here on Thursday.

We are all united by something, somewhere. And that can be a great comfort.

HI SUBCLINICAL!
was so hoping we would hear from you today! :D

YEA! for new boots and dry feet!!!

Good luck and best of wishes for your sale.
Happy you have a full table.

Since Scooter lost his new big box, today at the dollar store I bought him a wind up hoppy bunny.
I felt it was a necessity.

A good massage therapist would allow you to sit and talk to them about all and any concerns or uncomfortable feelings before they begin.
Maybe just having a foot/leg massage would somehow help you?
But I am not one to talk since the worst part for me going to the dentist is that people touch me.

Tillie, I am glad you have a new robe!

One has to be pretty rotten to rake a box from a cat!

And yay for tigger's nice visit and a massage.

Tatoulia, you will have to convince me about the massage - one of my students gave me a gift card for Christmas from her mom,who is a masseuse. I am not good with people touching me, and ave only ever had one chair/shoulder massage - which made me very uncomfortable. I would actually like to go, because I have a lot of lower back and hip pain lately, but I am not sure bout it. And i'm afraid the whole circumstance around the gift/being her child's teacher would be weird. And tipping...

CM, goodto see from you! I don't like phones either, except to talk to my kids or my mom. My dad and I don't even talk on the phone, we just send messages through my mom.

I hope you stay on the upswing!

I wear socks until they get holes. Like, biggish holes, not tiny holes. I am really enjoying my new boots and my dry feet though!

Gotta run because it's late and I have my sale tomorrow (set up tonight and my table is so full! i always worry I don't have enough stuff and then overdo it....)

I'll check in better afterward - maybe Sunday.

Hi Tatoulia
Just keep loving that precious old boy.
WTG! Tigger for getting up on the bed all by yourself!!!

YEA! for a massage!
When will that happen, soon I hope?

Your asparagus pasta sounds delicious and healthy too.
Before the later 1970s everybody did not have a microwave.
Really not difficult to warm on the stove.
I refused to have a microwave until 1987 and it was only because Steven brought a tiny one home.
It was only big enough to warm a cup of tea in.
When his Granma passed away in 1988 I inherited her normal size microwave but I lived in my converted bus so it was put into storage with the furniture.
So actually I didn't start using a microwave for anything until 1990.

Good luck nasty neighbor is gone all weekend.
Good idea to keep the robe since you will have company soon.

YES! Make sure all the automatic transactions are being done correctly.
Best to get on any errors immediately.


I got distracted noting all I did today and forgot
donated my Osterizer blender at the thrift shop
went to the Veterinarian clinic and donated a bag of sheets & stuff and a big bunch of pee pads.

Went to the hardware store and bought the adhesive to put up the ceiling tiles and paintable caulk to put in the seams between the tiles.

And yes, I only bought 17 items at Dollar Tree.


The robe is medium blue with a little white floral design.
But it is reversible!
Black with the bright embroidered dragon on the back and some of the other blue on the sleeve cuffs and pockets.
The sash is blue on one side & black on the other side.

I have been very sad looking at my medium weight robe since I got it out of the drawer last month and really needed a new one that wasn't tattered & fraying & cat snagged all over.

I made massage appt with woman who works at my hair dresser's. I've had a massage with her before. I'll be paying out of pocket and I don't mind. I have the money and it's medicine.

Ps I still have over$ 300 in massage gift cards. Will cover 3 hour long massages and probably a reflexology appt or two. I will book something for next weekend. They won't have any left for this weekend and they generally have a waiting list a mile long.

Cm! Glad to get caught up with you! And did we miss your birthday? I'm glad the bunnies got you a Barbie. I haven't done any cleanup here beyond papers so I haven't yet used the "would I buy it today" method to get rid of anything yet. Im thinking another pass at my books would be helpful. I know people say they like to hold a book but I adapted to the kindle early on and I do love it so.

CM I hope you can make it soon to your storage. I know you'll feel better once you start working on it.

I am so terrible about clothes. My pjs are my sloppy clothes. I don't my own any real casual clothes. Never have. It seems like a lot of work. But I have mix and match pieces like a lovely blazer that I can wear over a dress, with a skirt, or over jeans. So that's the way I make it work.

Tillie you got so much accomplished today! Yay you! And did you buy 17 items? Terrific. I can picture your new bathrobe! What color is it?

I washed up a bathrobe that I was going to give to the cleaners but I've decided to keep it for my mom's friend's visit this summer. I'm not really up for it but I will send her the plane fare. Then after she's gone I can wash it up for the cleaning ladies.

I'm got home from work and Tigger was sound asleep on my bed. We were both surprised he could climb up my bed! He's back at the store now. Project over so he probably won't have to come here again. And I'm not sure he'll be with us much longer. Great cat.

I'm doing a quick load of laundry. I can't tell if my nasty neighbor has gone away for the weekend. I hope so but I saw his car on my way home. It's vastly more comfortable here without him

My paycheck today had my raise in it but the loan starts to come out on the 15th. I'm a bit concerned since I don't get paid again for two weeks. I may contact my 401k people to make sure everything's being done correctly. It is supposed to come out of my check directly.

Well my little angel is looking for some love. So I'll talk to you all later. Oh! Tillie, I made a delicious lemon asparagus pasta. So delicious. I made it yesterday and just reheated the leftovers. I don't have a microwave so I added a little water to the sauce pan and truly so yummy. So simple. Butter, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, pasta, asparagus. Instead of salting it I grated some Parmesan over it. Yummy.

Good Afternoon Everyone
Just going on 3:00pm here.

Hi CriticalMass
WTG! for eating healthy and drinking lots of sugarless water & tea!
Bet you lose lots of unwanted weight but you will be healthier overall anyways.

Wearing the old comfortable familiar clothes is basically what I do too.
But the good enough to go to town in clothes eventually become the old comfortable familiar clothes I just wear around the house.
Subclinical does this too with her pants/jeans.
Wears them to school until they are demoted to wear at home pants.

So, wear the nice stuff and if it gets ratty or stained, demote it to home wear.

I hope your Lenten fast from recreational shopping has given you new & better insights into what you need vs what you want.
I think what you really want is more available cash for other things like necessities/emergencies.

Yeah, Steven goes to the thrift shops several times a week so anything I donate is there on the shelves when he goes there. :(
But I don't live all that far from (Rachel) area 51 and I do have a candle that has
"BEAM ME UP SCOTTY" printed on it...

Is there a website for "Dolls For Appalachia"?
Maybe email and ask them if fashion dolls are accepted, perhaps in modest dress.

Happy the handyman is recuperating and hope he feels all better soon.

It would be nice for both of you when your phone friend is well enough for the two of you to get together in person and have a good chat.


Well, I went into town this morning.
Left here at 9:00am and returned at 12:20pm.
Went to Dollar Tree, bought 17 needed items.
Went to town hall and dropped off that tax form.
Went to the thrift shop and bought a lovely, new never worn before bathrobe with a dragon embroidered on the back for 2.50 and a box of 36 taper candles for 2.00, assorted pretty colors.
Went to the water depot and filled two bottles with 3 gallons each.
Went to WallyWorld and this time I got TWO pineapples.
Got lots of other produce too.
Can't wait for the farmers to start selling their fruit & veggie crops around here.
Neighbor friends used to plant a large garden and I would water when they went away for a while and I always had fresh homegrown veggies.
Also bought a big pack of TP and some ant bait traps.

At library on fast computer so maybe can catch up a bit now.

It's been wacky weather here - up in the 80s earlier in the week, windy, and now chilly, possible precipitation tomorrow and one of the days next week. The system moving in made me groggy and with the beginnings of a migraine which thankfully I was able to nip in the bud.

My diet's better - I've just been eating light and simple. Some of those pounds were water and are gone. I want to make more of a concerted effort to get back down to that low mark from a few months after my 2016 surgery, then go lower. Really do it this time, not just talk. I'm like you, Tillie, I drink a lot of water or unsweetened weak tea, and part of my reasoning is to dilute salt and calories and fill up.

Haven't really gotten going on the storage unit yet, though I did buy some of the clear boxes to replace opaque ones with. I need to go there and get my spring purse, if I still have one. This year I'm probably going to purge some ratty shoes and maybe summer tops.

I have this weird hangup about wearing old clothes, being afraid I'll spill something or sweat on the regular, presentable in public stuff. I think it may be partly a sensory thing - from childhood I've often felt uncomfortable in clothing, and now that I don't have to work outside the home I just get more inclined to be casual and wear old familiar things for years, to the point of ridiculously sloppy.

And socks - so many I've kept because newer ones are often hot, bothersome synthetic and my old ones are good old cotton. It's all about the items being too old to give away but not technically worn out.

As regards general shopping: My Lenten fast from recreational shopping has gone rather well - not 100% perfection but not bad. It has made me think if I keep it up I may have more cash - ya think? I like that "Would I buy X item today in the store?" Good tip! I shall use it during future decluttering.

One of my most frustrating struggles right now is having to move things to get to other things. Both at home and in the storage unit.

Tillie, are you close enough to Area 51 that we could send a communique' to aliens to beam up Steven's stuff and drop it off in that big black hole we've been seeing photos of in the news? I feel so bad for you that he knows where to go fetch the stuff back if you do manage to get it gone!

I understand about phone phobia! Answering the phone was the most difficult thing for me way back when I was first working. I would forget what someone said (eventually I taught myself to write things down, which helped). But I'm still a person who prefers any other method of communication to talking on the phone.

This one girlfriend of mine is a compulsive talker, and by herself and with health problems. Lately I'd been dodging her calls because I know the average one will bring my day to a grinding halt for two hours, and my neck will hurt and my brains will be scrambled by the end of it. I like her and we have things in common, so I don't mean to imply I'm not interested (except when she goes off on a tanget of politics, but I can distract her and change the subject).

We were meeting now and then a few months ago (she has clutter issues so doesn't want people in her place). That went so much better and I think it was more satisfying for her as well to be able to see me while we talked. But she's been ill again, and right now is in the hospital. Hopefully when she gets out and recuperated, and I get a little caught up, we can resume the visits.

What else... Tillie, I get you about the dolls. They're hard to resist, then sometimes we have buyer's remorse. There is a place on Facebook I've found - Dolls for Appalachia - where one can send baby and child dolls to impoverished children (I don't know about fashion dolls). I have at least one American Girl type that I'm hoping to send.

After Lent I will be allowed to look at Barbies again, but I'm going to be very restrained. My bunnies got me an 18" doll for my birthday. She will model clothing that I will make for sale.

Our handyman had to have a stent put in, so he is still recuperating. Roommate talked to him when she was needing a recommendation for a tire place.

It's kind of a strange spring overall with the changeable weather and it seems even more difficult to manage my time and schedule, and energy and motivation. I've had some times of being really down in the dumps, but I'm doing okay now, and hoping this indicates an upswing.

Good Evening Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
The bombing was a huge emotional blow to everyone.
I had the tv on for no reason and the news broadcasts started.
I watched and cried then to not be alone I went over to the neighbor friend's.
Their tv was off and I told them and they turned it on and were devastated.
An anniversary for you and the people of Boston is an especially emotionally trying time. ((((HUGS))))


Billy Joel? LOL ;D
My big boy liked wind up music box music.

What a shame you are still not feeling well.
Can you afford a massage?
It would be for beneficial medical reasons, not just for fun.

A lecture on watches, sounds interesting.
That's what I enjoy best about Youtube, all the interesting documentaries, Ted talks, history and so many other fascinating in depth videos.

WTG! for litter boxes, garbage and laundry!


BADGER, BADGER, BADGER!!!
Remember last time how nice and fresh the rug was to help motivate the badger.

It kinda sorta lightly rained today, really just a misting.
I did some beading and made French toast and washed my hair.
Watched a new series on Netflix. "Black Summer".
It's about zombies and people trying to survive them and other bad people.

That is pretty lousy to take a box from a cat, Tillie. My cat's Twitter persona would be making a citizen's arrest about now.

Tigger was a bit agitated today, so I finally put on some Billy Joel (don't ask) for him and he calmed down and went to sleep. Now he's back with BF for the night, will return in the AM. At 21, he's not very flexible or ready for change. He also growled and hissed at my cat but she was fine. She didn't engage. I was happy to have him stay the night but BF thought it would be best to just bring him early tmr. I'll go clean his litter box and kitty's so they will each have fresh in the AM.

I'm getting garbage up and done right now. I got a few loads of laundry done.

I've been suffering with bad belly and headache ever since I did my taxes.

Tonight BF and I went to a lecture on watches and we learned so much about the Omega watch that went into space with the astronauts.

Tillie I'm worried we will have rainy weather for the marathon, which is Monday. Last year was cold and rainy (if I remember correctly) and was the first year in a long time that I missed it. The other two times was when I had my appendix out in the 1990s and then the year of the bombing. I'd taken kitty to get and was heading over when my phone wouldn't work and I started seeing lines and lines and lines of every emergency vehicle whizzing past my mother's and toward the marathon. I ran to BFs but at that point I was sobbing because I knew something had happened.

Ok sorry to ramble. Tillie, you are the greatest. I need to shampoo bedroom rug this weekend. CUE THE BADGER.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
Sounds like a very nice evening out you three had.
Enjoy Tigger!
So nice he has a familiar loving person to board with. (((hug)))

Still windy here and very dark & cloudy.
Might rain. Rain would wash all the blowing dust out of the air.
Thinking about going into town tomorrow.
Hardware store to buy the adhesive for the ceiling tiles.
City hall to turn in a paper that keeps my property taxes locked in to this low rate.
We get a lower rate if our property is owner occupied all year rather than a rental or seasonal home.
I could just mail the form in but that means finding an envelope and stamp, walking it in is easier and not out of the way. LOL

Steven took Scooter's new big box, plans to put "stuff" in it.
Poor Scooter.

Oh dear, you really need to get the roof repaired! I'm excited about your ceiling project!!!

Well Tigger comes tomorrow!

Went to hear David Sederis tonight at Symphony Hall. Mom seemed to get tired about halfway through. We took her in a wheelchair. I went early with her and BF got her home.

Now kitty is looking for attn. I will wash my face, put on my pjs and get some kitty lovins.

Well the wind died down enough that I was able to water the flowers, lilac bushes and grass.

Didn't want to water the Ash trees yet since they are being slow to wake up.
Their leaf buds are small and still tightly closed.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
Hope the train delay wasn't too long.
Supposed to be some bad weather in a lot of areas this week which is a very bad time for animals, people and plants.

It's cold here again but not a deep freeze and the winds are raging here still.
If they will settle down a little I will get out and water my flowers.
That wind dehydrates everything.

Twinkles doesn't play in boxes.
All my three babies that I just lost always enjoyed a new box.
My sweet boy had one special box all to himself that I kept a blanket in and he would always sleep in it.
When he died I burned his box because I never wanted it to be filled with anything else, ever.
He was so cute in his box.

The ceiling tiles are made of Styrofoam.
They are very thin and white, meant to be painted by me.
They are square about 19 1/2 inches.
They have a simple embossed design of ivy leaves.
Once I get them painted and installed they will look very nice and hide a lot of ceiling imperfections.
You can even place them over "Popcorn" ceilings.
The company is "A La Maison Ceilings".

You simply measure out their placement and glue them in place.
I have half a leftover can of the pretty green paint I painted the livingroom/dining area with that I an toying with painting them with.

But first, the roof must be repaired and he is really dragging his feet on hiring a contractor.
Wish he would allow me to choose a company.

He over complicates things that aren't really all that complicated in the first place.
If I were to hire someone he would find fault with every single little thing and torture me to death with all my failings.
He even does that if I choose a restaurant.

Didn't wash any dishes yesterday so I will do that today.
May water outside if the wind allows.
Must do the usual every day cat related tasks.
But I will not dust.
That wind keeps blowing huge dust storms around so dusting is pointless.
That is "life In The Desert". ;p

Yay for new tiles! And the box got scooter!!! What do the tiles look like?

I made the mistake of taking train into work. We've been stopped for about ten minutes. At least I got my makeup on while stuck.

My cat has never been a box cat....until the last two weeks. She'll sit in it but not sleep. I'm saving it for tigger's visit and then may let it go. We'll see if the kitty still wants it after tiggers been here.

YEA!!!
My decorative ceiling tiles have arrived!

And they sent Scooter a big bonus box too. ;)

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Subclinical
Very happy you all had a nice visit.
Wishing your Dad all the best on Friday.

WTG! for your Mom!
Steven inherited his grandfather's Nat Geos dating back to the mid 1940s and also the continuing subscription.
Some years back he finally let them ALL go.
A boy scout really wanted them and I said we need to ask your mother's permission first and she said OK.

YEA! for continuing to get things done & ready for the sale!

Gun powder, one large can.
I keep it there because I know where it is instead of lost somewhere out in the hoard.
But I did find someone to give some other highly flammable products to, so those are gone, snuck them away behind his back.


Hi Tatoulia
Have a great day at work :D


The wind is really raging this morning.
Glad I don't have any outside things needing done.
Plus it's cold too.
Yesterday was so nice, warm and calm.

My future plans for this Summer are to continue removing things from the pump house.
I will open ALL those cans of paint of his and any that are dried up I will toss.
I will test ALL those spray paints and any that do not work I will toss.
Yesterday I removed 7 tubes of assorted caulk that were dried up, useless.

But today I will cook and clean up the kitchen and do some beading and relax.
My ceiling tiles will be delivered sometime today.
But the roof still needs to be fixed.

Good morning!!! SubC!!!!! Tillie!!!!!!

SubC what a great visit you had! Great work that your mom is doing! Giving up goodwill and thinking about letting the magazines go! If there is a senior center or assisted living near her, they may wish to have them. Some do not accept magazines for fear of having bedbugs. Paper is easily recycled! I too am worried about your dad and will say a prayer for him. And your mother. And you.


Tillie! Thank you for your kind words and inspiration. Well I'm late for work but plot twist: this time I haven't yet showered. I showered last night but I need to go back in because my hairs a wreck.

Wow,

You guys gave been so busy!

Tatoulia, great progress with your mom!

Tillie, gunpowder? How much gunpowder? I am concerned about that being stored in your space. (But more concerned about how it would be stored out of your hands....

I had a really good visit with my parents. Both my girls and my son in law made appearances.

I am concerned about my dad. He is going into the hospital for a heart procedure on Friday. Also, his vision has deteriorated to the point where he has accepted that he will have to give up his drivers license at the next renewal. He only drives on slow back roads during the day. But he is still an amazing cook, and I gained two pounds.

My mom has given up shopping at goodwill for lent. We talked a little about how that feels for her. She is thinking about getting rid of all the old National Geographic magazines. I don't know if she will do it.

I made some more progress toward the sale while they were here too. I have another firing to do this morning.

Last week my school had a book sale and each of the teachers got a free book. So I am up one children's book.

OH! That is soooooo cute!
I didn't know Miss Kitty was a celebrity with a huge following.
She's so modest about her fame.

So happy your Mom seemed happy and well rested after all she let you do. (((hug)))

Yeah, I get it.
Gathering up stuff for a life you don't lead.
Glad you dumped the jerk. WTG! ;D
I think I have the essence of the "real" you and she is such a pleasure to know.

I often think "Know Thyself"
and "to thy own self be true".

Also enjoy Thoreau, "simplify".

Twitter is another form of social media. It used to be limited to 140 characters but now it's 280. My cat has been an active twitter member for a few years. She says stupid stuff. She tweets under a boy cat's name because I don't want people st work to figure out it's us. She says stupid stuff and posts pictures of herself and she sees herself as a lion not a cat and she's super supportive of everyone and pretends to own a zoo. So if an animal goes missing or if there's a story about a zebra, she pretends it is hers. Again pretty stupid stuff but it amuses me no end. And somehow she's gotten a fairly large following in England. So there's that. I just thought it would be a good way, if you used twitter, for me to send you some photos of my life. I'll still figure something out.

Just in case you become someone you are not. Wow!

Boy is that ever resonating. I don't expect you to remember this but when I was getting rid of books, some of the ones I got rid of were ones that I bought because I thought they'd make me into someone I wasn't or would make potential suitors find me more worldly than I am. And so I tossed the Robert Mapplethorpe and other books into the donation pile. Things id gotten in my 20s when I'd dumped a longish term BF (4 years) and wanted to attract men who'd find me mysterious and well-rounded. And I used words like "lover" instead of BF. Oh my goodness. (Ps I only mentioned dumped because I really did dump him. Generally I was the dumpee in life, so I need this one).

Now I'm perfectly fine announcing that Mac n cheese is best eaten with a spoon and wearing pjs is a delightful part of my day.

Goodnight, my dear hearts. Tillie you and I knew he'd go through the stuff. How I hoped we'd be wrong. I'm glad you can enjoy your lighter living. I'm working on mine and mom seemed well rested and happy today. I'll stay on it with her.

Hi Tatoulia

WTG! Miss Kitty!
You are doing a fantastic job!!!

I honestly don't even know what twitter is or where to look for it.
I think it may be a phone app???
I don't have a phone because I have always really hated telephones and have a phobia about talking on them.

Sorry you got that headache but very glad your taxes are done.
Having the credit cards paid off will start to sink in soon as your new reality. :D

I like your new mantra!
If you saw it today in a store would you buy it?
Very good way to think about things as you evaluate and declutter.

Well, Steven returned from thrift shopping and I pointed out the heap of discards I want to send to the dump.
He has been sorting through it and it looks like he is keeping almost every single scrap.

I can't sneak off and donate things because he will and has gone and bought stuff back.
I can donate dishes and my clothes because he doesn't buy that kind of stuff.
So frustrating when nothing much can ever leave this property.

Anyways, I am so very pleased with how neat and simplified all my outdoor stuff is now.
Only what I want to use and need and nothing for Justin Case I become someone who I am not.

CAT not car. You'd think by now that autocorrect would understand it's all about the cats.

Tillie are you on Twitter? My cat is.

Well I'm getting a boost from my car, too, Tillie. I just did my taxes and I have a massive MASSIVE headache. Probably from clenching my jaw. And I sat on the couch to just ponder it all and kitty appeared out of nowhere and snuggled up in a ball next to me. I can feel the blood going back to a normal pressure.

I ran up to pharmacy this afternoon and on way I dropped by mom's with milk and paper towels. Her apt looked really nice and I told her so. I told her that not having her shoes on the floor has made a big difference. I didn't stay, just popped in for a moment.

I need to do the garbage now. After I was done with work, the spirit moved me and I did my taxes. I'm glad they are done. I owe a lot. I was expecting to owe a lot. But I have the money to pay and that's a good feeling. I'm still stressed but it's not like I have to call the BF for some $$. It's over and I'm glad. I will transfer the $$ into my ckecming account. And I'm no longer spinning my wheels paying on never-ending credit card debt. So it will all be fine.

I shall gather up the garbage, clean the kitty's box and see if a relaxation tape can help me. That and a big glass of water. But first, I'll spend some time with the little angel.

We had a big year, Tillie. And we are doing it. I'm going to start to look at some things in my house and ask, if I saw it in a store TODAY, would I buy it?

That ought to knock the wind out of my sails but so be it. We are in this together. We are looking to feel lighter in a lot of ways.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
Good plans you have made for Tigger.
Thursday he will do just fine, I know he will.

Good luck with all your running around plans.
So nice you have that lovely dining table area to use while the men work outside!


Well, 1:30pm.
I spent this lovely morning outside cleaning out, straightening and organizing the pump house.
It's where I keep all my gardening stuff and painting stuff, screen repair and all my little maintenance/household supplies.
Have a HUGE pile of crap that I want to send to the dump but Steven will go through it all and probably keep everything.
Most of the stuff is unneeded, unnecessary, unwanted stuff he drug home and gave to me.
I just stuck it in the pump house out of my way in the house.
He will be angry that I do not want that crap but I am at a point where I do not care.

A lot of the pump house is still occupied with his stuff.
Two whole long shelves of spray paint, another long shelf of small cans of assorted paint and one entire corned stacked high with gallon paint cans.
And a can of gun powder...

Anyways, I feel very good about what I accomplished today.
Scooter & Twinkles helped me a lot.

I used that "Swedish decluttering" method and was honest about what I really will ever do or need.
Also tossed "Justin Case" out of there. >;/

Pineapple sounds lovely, Tillie. Ooh for the warm weather! It is rainy and raw. I went to grocery store and got what I needed. I will take mom's things to her at the end of the day. I need to go to pharmacy to pick up my medications. I'll pass by mom's on the way.

Going to be rainy and in the 40s again tmr. I'm pretty good with it. The house is never and cool. Kitty is sleeping next to me and I've been working from my dining table since the workers are working around the window is front of my desk. Too noisy.

Tigger the old cat will be comfy in my bedroom. I'll pull the sheer curtains back with the drapes so he doesn't pull the sheers down while trying to get on the windowsill. I'll make him a box with a blanket to sleep in the bedroom. My cat will just do her thing. There won't be any fur flying. Friday they'll be alone but Thursday we will be so cute as a little trio.

I'll wait on the cleaners. I'd rather just wait a week and take a walk when they get here. You identified it, Tillie, it's about my worry. I trust them

Ok back to work.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Subclinical

Hi CriticalMass

Hi Hi Hi you all

Hi Tatoulia
Yes, I was very surprised Granma let the shoes go after keeping them for so many years.
They were ALL the cutest shoes I had ever seen!
Best thing was, was that she was very happy she did it.

Your Mom did FANTASTIC yesterday!
Yes, if she asks for something done then do it but don't suggest it yourself.
We don't want her to have any negative feelings about all her hard decision making yesterday.

Rainy and cool sounds like good walking weather.
Good luck getting groceries along with the exercise.

Don't push yourself beyond your comfort zone on letting them clean when you are not home.
When you are truly ready you will know you are ready.


Supposed to be another sunny and warm day 70+ degrees.
But supposed to get cold, possibly rainy & windy the rest of the week.

Only plan I have for today is to carve up my pineapple and eat it.
But will probably think of a lot more things to do too.

Good morning!

Tillie, I bet those shoes were beautiful! And all on her own, Gramma decided to savor one last look and then consign. Truly amazing. And so sweet.

I think I am ready for the cleaners to be here alone to some degree. If I were to run out while they are here, for example. But it's my excessive worrying, esp with the construction, that makes me more comfortable to wait one more bit before having them in alone. So I'm almost there. Just not there, there. I'll ponder it a bit more tonight then make my decision.

Mom was great yesterday. So great. I won't push her today as that won't be productive at all. I need to take her lead today.

It's rainy and cool and I'm going to stay true to the idea to run to grocery store. I need the exercise and the groceries. I have a conference call in the afternoon.

Tillie my dear, anything on the agenda today? It is trash night for me, which is always a satisfying feeling.

That makes so much good sense to put the shoes she wears in the shoe bag and store the unused ones out of the way.

Yes! Make it easier on yourself to arrange/store things in a way that makes them easy to get out & put away.

WOW! she didn't want any of that closet floor stuff!
Amazing, truly amazing.
And she let go of a skirt and let you clean up in the kitchen & fridge.

It is fascinating how when just closets & cupboards are sorted out the home feels lighter.
Even though we can't see it, the rooms have a different feel to them.

I like going grocery shopping best at times when most people aren't there.
Dinnertime the store is usually empty.


My Granma had a large cupboard filled with shoe boxes.
When I was Spring cleaning her home for her I asked what was in those shoe boxes.
She said shoes.
They were all filled with absolutely beautiful very expensive shoes that she used to wear, all had heals over 2 inches high and were size five.
She hadn't been able to wear them for decades but kept them because they were expensive and beautiful and her's, bought back in the 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s.
Next time I visited she opened that cupboard to show me all those shoes were gone.
She had taken them to a consignment shop and sold them all.
Granma didn't hoard stuff but she loved her shoes.
My saying how sad it was to have them and not be able to wear them was what finally helped her make up her mind to let them go.
She had offered them to me but I never wear heals over 2 inches high and I wear size 7 1/2.
__________________________________
You get Tigger again?
YEA! Tigger.
Yeah, put him away from the noise so he can take his naps undisturbed.

Mom actually let sheets go too, WOW!

You know the cleaners, you know your own comfort levels.
You also know you worry excessively at times.
But you know you are changing in many ways.
Are you ready?

WTG! For laundry and jeans that no longer stay up!

I just put my jeans in the washer together with the T-shirt I wore today and the fleece I wore. I was thinking of taking some of mom's laundry to the fluff and fold service but I'll see what her laundry people do this week. I'll get her dry cleaning from her tmr. She had soiled a set of sheets and she was waiting to wash them when she said, I have a lot of sheets, should I just throw those out? Don't need to ask me twice!

All of my jeans are dirty now. None of them fit. Too big. I have a new pair that is down a size but I'm not going to wash and wear them just yet.

I have a big bag of my clothes for the cleaners. I'm not sure they will come this week as I am going to office on Wednesday and on Thursday I'll have Tigger here. He is 21 and probably can't take too much upheaval. He will be here Thursday and Friday. I'm pretty excited. I'll have him set up in the bedroom in case the construction out back jars him.

I am flirting with the idea of leaving them keys and having them come in while I'm at work on Wednesday. . They can get my keys at the BF's office.

Thank you!!! Mom was so great today. And here's something I forgot to mention: when I got back home, I looked at my serene bedroom and felt so wonderful about our hard work here.

I had taken many pairs of shoes out of her shoe bag on her closet door. She refuses to let me get rid of them. All beautiful leather shoes from Nordstrom's. I know why she is hanging on to them and I understand. But I put them in a bag that I put on the floor of her closet and I put the shoes she wears in the bag instead. I told her so she doesn't need to trip over her own shoes. Tillie the second you told me that we shouldn't have to move stuff to get to what we need: it's been an eye opener for me. So I decided that there is no reason for her shoes to be on the floor when we could move away some of her unused shoes.

While I was in the closet, I picked up a few things off the floor and it turned out that she wanted exactly zero of what I picked up!

At one point she pointed to a skirt and said she just wasn't going to wear it any more. She's worn it a lot so. I said, beautiful. And she said, oh, did you want the skirt? I clarified: beautiful, you're willing to let it go.

I fell asleep while reading and just woke up. I had wanted to get a walk in tonight but such is life.

I did nothing for myself or my house today. I'll hopefully get some QT time in with the washer tomorrow. I have a bit of a headache so I'm having a large glass of water.

So Tillie, you are adjusting to the new garden-that is terrific. Adjusting to the smaller number of cats is sad. I hadn't thought about the food impact of going from five (when I first met you) to two, maybe three if you count Jack.

Mom was great today. I got rid of some expired food, too. And cleaned out her fridge. Maybe I'll bake her a treat tmr, although I did bring her cinnamon raisin bread today.

I'm home tmr. I may sneak out lunch time to the grocery store. That is not like me. But I think I will. Get the things I would've picked up tonight. Like milk for mom.

I know I was at grocery store with BF last night but I was focused on getting food for me do I can make some lemon asparagus pasta and less worried about mom's stuff. And I forgot paper towels. Plus I've always shopped on a rotating basis so even when I have a ride and someone to carry them up the stairs, I still like to keep it relatively simple.

Tillie I did two hours at mom's and when I left I said, it may not look any different, mom, but the apartment feels lighter. And she agreed. I'll see if I can do an hour tmr night and keep it moving.