BYE! MayMay :D
Have fun and keep safe.
L.A. does have internet service so you can drop us a line now & then.

Hi everyone! :D

Sorry I haven't been posting a lot lately. I've just been super busy getting ready to go to Los Angeles. I just finished packing for the trip; and now I'm getting ready to go to the fire station. Tomorrow we are all going to meet at the fire station and then head to the airport together. And because I'm so excited for the trip, I have decided to spend the night at the fire station. :D

Good morning all you sleepy heads. ;D

Looks overcast here today but it's just all the smoke.
That fire near Yosemite is huge and still totally out of control.

My To-Dos for today...
Go outside and water everything.
Tidy up inside and get ready for the weekend.
Hoping that maybe this weekend my hoarder will do something/anything around here.
His goat trails through his hoard have been getting smaller & smaller.
I am not a big woman and I have to turn sideways to squeeze through these areas.
Just looking at all the stuff I can see that a lot of it is just trash/garbage that he could easily toss.
The big wheelie trash bin has only had the few bags of kitchen trash that I have tossed the last few months.
Really would like him to fill it up with some of his garbage.
Also, I can see some of the more recent "new"
items he had to have & brought home just sitting out there getting dirty, cat peed on and ruined. Like the big box of 112 Star Trek books. Lots of "new" clothes and shoes. Electronics and tools and so much more general assorted stuff.

He is acting like a squirrel gathering nuts to survive the long winter ahead.

My mission this weekend will be to get out there with a big trash can and get him to fill it with empty bottles/cans, empty packaging, old papers and anything else that is just rubbish he has put off tossing due to simple laziness.
Just one trash can is all I ask even though there is enough to fill many many more.
This is just the area of the carport right off the back porch. An area we need clear to walk through to reach the back yard. An area we need clear in case of fire or other emergencies.

What projects are you planning for the weekend? :D

I've had several days of not getting to sleep before 5am, so last night's 2am bedtime was progress. Unfortunately, the phone woke me up at 10:20. I decided to stay up, but apparently I still have a sleep deficit since I caught myself dozing off again later in the day.

I was up early enough to make it to my Thursday lunch group, and I even had a discount coupon. More details about that in the next chat. On the way home I picked up some food (into the fridge even if it doesn't need it; I don't want to give the fruit flies a chance). I've paid the overdue power bill and booked a hotel room for an upcoming trip.

End-of-month financial stuff is currently problematic; I'll have to review my options.

The air quality today started out "O.K."
But then the area started filling up with thick smoke.
The day turned dark. Orange colored. The sun red.
This smoke is from the fire burning near Yosemite.

Only good thing is that it has a nice pine wood scent. ;P

Good morning Tillie!

Cats do have a way of changing even the best laid plans haha. I miss having a cat or cats... dang.

I love this... Without the right amount of sleep our brains don't function properly and we lose our decision making skills. Our nervous systems get off and we tend to hurt ourselves and also break things.

I will keep that in mind, yes. I think I will take a nap as well... and tackle these darn important bags and boxes from the Big Move.

Hello everyone, good morning ali!

My time management estimates are off in the opposite way, I overestimate jobs... like what I think will take 30 minutes may take 10 or 15. We are so funny!

Tell her we do not roll our eyes hahaha. My daughter is still out of town and won't be home until the beginning of next month. She is very supportive but so busy that I hate to bother her with anything although I need to take advantage of whatever time she can give me.

I put off the doctors... I need to make a list and get it done. Its overwhelming when I put it on paper but I can't put it off forever, good grief.

I'm doing better at letting things go it seems, I have to make myself leave things alone once they are designated. I found myself wanting to go back through the boxes but did well at making myself say no.

I am so excited that my sister is coming to help me and my daughter and granddaughter will help me too - working together will be fun and efficient and I expect to get a lot done that weekend, then have a yard sale soon after that. Wow... I can hardly believe it after all these years of holding on.

I thought I had plenty of actual furniture but I need a few more pieces and then everything will have a place and I will have a place for everything, also very exciting! Its been a while since I have had my own place to do as I wish with my own space. I am able to relax more too which is important.

I have looked at the more urgent bags and boxes enough now I need to get moving with those... much to throw out I am sure.

Have a great day everyone and I will be in chat off and on today and night.

Hugs!

Good morning everybody! :D

Here is one of my favorite sites

ALL RECIPES

Taking today off.
Yesterday my body was so tired it felt like I was walking under water.

Tried to sleep in this morning but the cats had other plans for me. ;)
Will take a nap sometime today.

Without the right amount of sleep our brains don't function properly and we lose our decision making skills. Our nervous systems get off and we tend to hurt ourselves and also break things.

Have a good one, TTYL :)

My time management estimates are so off. What I think will be a 30 min project ends up being over 2 hrs. I need to take my time estimates & multiply by 4 or more. But the important thing was I finished & I was proud of myself for that.

Repeat to self. " The time is NOW. Breath In, Breath Out, Move On." (Thank You Jimmy Buffett).

My daughter stopped by to take me for a Doctors appt & ask what I did with "the stuff". I said it was in the
1. designated place - shelves in closet ( what a concept)
2. trash
3. donate bag

Then I said I was thinking about putting my jewelry in my jewelry box. That got me an eye roll from daughter.

Also got discharged from the surgeon but still need to be careful with lifting. Next need to see additional Doctors about my painful varicose veins, plus back & knee problems. Now that I have met my deductible I need to get all my pains checked out.

Mare, I'm doing well at letting things go. I just have such an embarrassing amount of unnecessary objects. The bigger challenge for me is figuring out where to put what I keep. Actually recognizing that & asking for help
& suggestions is helping me to become better organized. Tillie, thank you for your logical, organized brain & recommendations. And thanks to everyone for their unconditional support.

Karl, adding any kind of liquid to a slow cooked braised meat will keep it from drying out. Beer works well with Pork. You can also add wine, soup, broth. Just remember the liquid will affect the flavor & seasoning & some if those liquids will be salty so you may need to adjust your seasonings.

After 5 am here & I am still awake although I have dozed off several times.I really need to get on a better sleep schedule. Another Goal to work towards.

Repeat to self. "The time is Now. Now go to sleep."

There was some liquid from the meat juice, but it would have been better if I'd added water to the pot.

Nothing done today.

Wow ali you are doing so wonderfully! Its good to hear and I am having the same experience going through boxes and finding things I had entirely forgotten about hahaha. I am doing fairly well with letting things go... my neighbor came over and took some of my throwaway things, too funny to see that... and I did take back 2 small items but it was silverware I needed.

Do let me know when you are online for chat, I love doing the 15 minute challenges with you and Karl too.

I almost told Karl to add some liquid but I forgot and I think it turned out well but I need to ask him, too.

Thanks to Mare & Karl for the buddy support last night. It took many 15 min sessions but all clothes & towels that were stacked in piles in the hall are now folded & in their proper places. What a unique ideas. A regular home for objects so you can find them again. And along the way I filled a bag of trash & another bag of donations. Also found items I had not seen in yrs. Clearing away piles of stuff is like a personal time capsule.

Karl, how was your roast pork. Occurred to me later neither of us told you to add some water or other liquid to the pot. I bet it turned out great.

I have lots more to clear but at least I finished one goal. Baby Steps.

You're welcome MayMay hahaha.

Tillie I love hearing about your days I wish we lived closer together so we could have coffee and tell stories.

Barb it takes time to get acclimated to working again, it will happen but certainly not overnight... eat well, rest and things will fall into place eventually. My good vibes are coming your way!

I know what you mean about the storage unit, I had one for over 10 years and just recently my son-in-law emptied it and put everything in his warehouse and he says there is plenty of room for me to work on the boxes and other items. I cleaned it out once and took a truck load of trash to the dump and I am anxious to get it done but I need help so my sister is coming in three weeks to do it with me... I also have a lot of my mother's things that I haven't even looked at since she passed away.

Things seem to pile up but I am feeling more motivated and excited to get it all done... my daughter and granddaughter will help too. I will give as much to the family (kids and grandkids) as I can, have a yard sale, sell the better things on eBay and let it all, for the most part, go except for what will comfortably fit in my small house.

I do have a basement but its damp so I don't want to use it for storage of any kind. My goal is to have nothing other than whats in the house, I plan to get a few bookcases and a china cabinet for items I want to keep and display but that is going to have to be it, I am so tired of the monkey on my back and the weight around my neck!

Being here has been a huge help. There aren't words to express my gratitude and how much everyone here helps keep me focused and motivated, its like a miracle.

Hi friends,
I'm trying to get into the swing of things at work. It has been hard getting up early and getting to work on time. In the evening, I don't want to go out again and don't have a lot of energy left to do any cleaning up. I will just have to do what I can and try to keep from going backwards.
I paid the storage bill this afternoon for my unit just a few blocks away. I rent it to put boxes of things that I don't need right now but need to decide what to do with. They are things that would go into an outdoor storage shed (if I had one) like dog agility equipment and garden fencing, boxes of books and things I brought back from Mom's when we cleaned out and sold her house. I don't have a basement or attic in my small house and don't have many closets so things I can't seem to find room for are there. The storage unit is only one quarter full. When my house is under control, I will deal with the storage unit.
I hope to do a load of laundry tonight and catch up on dishes.
The weekend will be here soon.
I hope that all of you are doing well.

Good morning :)
Still morning here.
Got up super early and
watered everything outside
washed & sanitized litter boxes
washed Scooter's kennel (where he sleeps at night because in there is the only place he ever settles down)
raked and picked up lots of stuff
tidied up in the house

Last afternoon through the night we got a really terrible wind storm. Lasted for hours and blew so much dirt/dust.
The air was thick with all this dark brown dust!
Choking us and hurting our eyes.
Then the power went out and we were all closed up inside without even a fan.
This morning I tried to clean up a lot of the branches and sticks and leaves and put everything back where it belongs.


I just ate and now I am going to take a shower.
My work for today is done. :D

TTYL :)

Hi everyone! :D

Thanks Mare! :D

Hi Karl,
Good luck getting rid of the rest of the fruit flies. :)

Hi Dianne! :D

Hi Tillie! :D

WAY TO GO diane! I'm glad today was better for you. :)

Nothing to exciting happened today. I did almost drop Snuggles though. Today while I was in my room, holding Snuggles, I accidentally tripped over one of my shoes; which caused Snuggles to go air-born. He's okay though. I ended up catching him before he could even hit the ground. Playing football with the guys has really paid off. LOL. ;)

Wow diane that is wonderful and so encouraging too. I can do this! WE can do this!

Better day today. I started on antibiotics. Had a hip replacement so have to take antibiotics before dentist can work on mouth.
I worked on clutter all day. I got through 6 bins of junk and only kept a tiny box of stuff.
the walk way is almost done. I had to turn sideways 4 months ago and now everything is clean and painted and organized, just a little more to do and will be complete. Instead of 1 foot, walkway is now at least 5 feet wide.
I just stood and looked in amazement, will take a picture tomorrow.
Dishes were done Sunday night, monday, tuesday
Thanks Tillie and Mare, yes I have spent thousands on my teeth over the years, felt comforting to read you have also had teeth probems.

MayMay you are always so cheerful, thank you for that :)

Dianne I can feel your pain and frustration so closely... I am sending good vibes your way and hoping for great improvements and I know how frustrating and difficult it all is. You are such a wealth of wisdom here, and kindness and encouragement. I am glad though that when you have struggle and down times you can share with us and lean on us for help and understanding. We love you... I hope things improve but I know the waiting and wading are not easy.

Depression and insomnia really are a pain in the ass, it seems we are in the same boat rather. My days and nights have been turned around but at least when I do go to bed I can sleep (too much really) and the racing thoughts are not as bad as they can get.

Rage on whenever you feel like it and we will always listen and try to be encouraging even if its just to say we know how you feel, we know how you feel, we know how you feel!

Hello diane... I know what you mean about the fires and smoke, my daughter's sister-in-law lost a house in Texas to the fires a couple of years ago and it does make us grateful for what we have and feel bad when we complain about the smoke, but smoke is also hard to bear. It seems to be always something... I get a headache whenever a pole cat goes off nearby haha. Skunk. On the other hand I love to see them especially when there are cute little ones following their mother as the cross the yard.

Thank you for explaining about your days and the clinics, I can understand that and getting used to it all just takes time. Good ole time haha.

I hope you can come and chat soon I get lonely and then depressed and the chat with 15 minutes chores reeeeaaaaaaalllly helps me a lot!

Hello Tillie! My to do's for today are:

Sweep and mop everything I can get to.
wash dishes and wipe counters
look at the boxes and bags - as bad as it sounds, sometimes looking at them is all I can do then out of the blue I am able to do one, twoo, three...
put the laundry away
wipe down all the wood furniture - this place is so damp, I am finding mildew in places I never knew it would get to, like inside the china cabinet this is going to be a royal pain!
I love that you said... This is my wish for you, that soon you can all have an easier home life. Less time cleaning and more time to enjoy yourselves. ;)

oh diane I have the same problem with my teeth and hating to spend the money... I had so much work done on them a few years ago and I am scared to death that it will all be for nothing and I will lose them all anyway, such a downer. I am more inclined to call the dentist after reading your post, thank you so much.

Karl its good to hear from you I love the way you keep us all informed. I hate those fruit flies and they are so hard to control. I hope to see you in chat soon you are such a great buddy!

I will be around today, in and out of chat, hoping to catch some of you there. I love you people!!! HUGS all around, and muchmuchmuch gratitude.

Good morning :)

Diane,
So sorry to hear this! (((hugs)))
Hate thinking about all the money my teeth have cost me too. But the pain and sickness makes us pay whatever it costs.
Hoping you can get an appointment right away.



Hi Karl
I hate those nasty little bugs. Hope they all go away and leave you alone.


how to get rid of fruit flies


Hi Dianne :)
That's the spirit! ;)
Keep pushing on till you get to the other side.

I had an orange with my breakfast. As I prepared to discard the peel, I found that I had an infestation of fruit flies in the garbage. Yuck. I took the food-garbage to the nearest public trash; I didn't want to wait for the next curbside pickup. I imagine I'll have to do more to get rid of any remaining bugs.

I started to wash some dishes but gave up after just a couple of minutes. I still have bills to pay, and a work project, and mail to sort, and rooms to clean before the next inspection. Life is kinda sucky right now.

Not a good day. Gum has abses by back molar, had that crown replaced in January, for about the 10th time since I was a kid. I am so tired of spending my savings on my teeth. Looked online and there is no alternative treatment other than root canal, have to call dentist in morning, I am in denial, but pain is getting worse. Just such a bummer I do all my home repairs myself so can take care of myself financially in future, and teeth keep eating up my money. Went to lake with friend but came back early because felt sick. Have not accomplished anything since I have been home today, not a happy dance day. Just have to suck it up and go to dentist.

Good morning everybody :D

Missed posting here yesterday but was running around here all day and got a lot accomplished.
Really enjoyed last night's chat. :)

WAY TO GO! Everyone for all you have been doing.
I know it is not easy physically or mentally but love that you are still working at it.
Little bit by little bit it will get done.

Maintenance is a constant thing. Every day/week/month there is something that needs to be done.
Today my To-Dos are...
sweep floors & porches
clean the bathroom
vacuum the carpet
dust
laundry
water the lilac hedge
kitchen is already clean

I will be finished before noon and my "no clutter zones" will be back to clean & tidy condition.
With no excess items in my way the weekly cleaning is fast & easy.
This is my wish for you, that soon you can all have an easier home life. Less time cleaning and more time to enjoy yourselves. ;)

Monday, the start of a fresh new week!

I caught myself dozing off at the keyboard several times tonight. Do I still have a sleep deficit? Or is it anemia from the blood donation? Anyway, billie and I did 15 minutes of buddy cleaning after tonight's chat; my task was to put away the clean laundry that's been sitting around in a basket since who-knows-when. One shirt needs a couple of buttons replaced, and there's a pair of jeans that needs a patch before the hole gets bigger... I'll have to find a separate place to put those until they can be dealt with.

Hello all. Dianne, glad you got it out, and hope it helped get you going on clean up.
I finished cleaning and painting the cement in the walkway outside. Molly is blind so stepped in paint pan, yep all four paws, I didn't notice until I saw paw prints everywhere, up the steps, on the deck etc. I cleaned her paws best I could but they are grey for sure. I like the doing, like painting, then I get to the point of frustration when I have to make decisions about organizing what I am keeping. Now, when did you say it will get easier to make decisions? Still not easy for me. Started filling up the 95 gallon garbage cart today, that was fun. Today the wind is blowing in a different direction and the air is clean. Have been suffocated in smoke from fires for 11 days, even the rain didn't help, but today is glorious, although too hot for me. So many lightening strikes and fires, so sad for so many. And I have the nerve to complain about smoke!!
The clinics I spoke of earlier are flu shot clinics I set up and go to in Sept. and Oct every year, only outside work I have been doing, and living on $736 Social Security, so glad I stopped shopping!!!!! I am feeling tired today and feel I have to get more done because tomorrow is "go to the lake day" so will have day off. Once the clinics start I don't have much energy for cleaning and decision making after being around so many people all day, so that is why I have been feeling an urgency to get things done. Especially painting, cause once I finish working 2 months, it will be too cold to paint out there. Apparently deadlines are what I need to stay focused and get stuff done, except dishes, oops, yep missed a few days of dishes and we have a mess in kitchen which is extremely tiny, so any mess is really bad.
Thanks again Tillie for all you do, and time our 15 minutes in chat, so more people get to share earlier in evening. I think I may write down questions today, so I don't waste my 15 minutes rambling.

3 Black bags went out today. washed the bin area, recycle bin too.

cook lamb roast and then washed up.

Out all day, no cleaning done... Maybe I'll go into detail during the Sunday chat if I can't come up with anything better to talk about. I'm exhausted; going to bed now.

Hi everyone! :D

WAY TO GO Karl! :D

Hi Tillie,
Sorry to hear that the smoke was really bad last night. I hope it will be better tonight. :)

Hi Barb and Mare,
I prefer shower curtains too. The only problem with shower curtains is that they are able to allow wild dogs to sneak into the shower while you are showering. It happens to me all the time. LOL. Thanks Mare. :)

Hi Roxie! :)

WAY TO GO Kara! :D

Yes I am rallying, today battling depression and anxiety with the new boxes but I am sure it will be alright. I feel so lonely today and that breeds unpleasant feelings but its all part of the deal I suppose. I can get through this and I don;t have to feel completely alone with all of you here, so I will do my best to celebrate that and take it one step and one day at a time.

Hoorah.

I made some real progress last night. I clear a surface !!!!!

Real please with it. I then slept all day.

Found another board where the chat room is open 24/7 and at least 3 or 4 people are in it at any time. It helps me with motivation. I am making daily lists for maintainance.

Keep going. I got myself a job cleaning my hoard 2 hours every day.

Good day my darlings...
Barb How is the job? Don't worry you will get back on track with the decluttering remember to be kind to yourself and think positive thoughts, and remember we are here, too. I feel like its a group effort and when I have accomplishments it is joint celebrations, when I am down I get great support and wisdom from everyone here.

I find myself watching too much TV these days but I have cut down on the reality shows, they make me nervous hahaha. I still watch Big Brother and it runs the whole summer, I record it at least so I can fast forward the parts that make me antsy, and the commercials.

I'm glad you got to go with the guys MayMat, listening to you makes me want to go join the local Fire Department, put my boots on, and get back to that myself. Must concentrate on house, must finish what I started this time, must make steady progress!!!

Roxie... I am coming a little out of the fog today, still fighting it some but am feeling much better so will meet some simple goals today I hope.

Did you ever find out how the baby raccoon got in the kitchen? That is too funny, yes they are really characters. I used to do bird and wildlife rehab and it was so interesting to get to know the birds and critters.

I really get a lot out of your posts, thank you for taking the time to keep us all posted. Why does your computer keep crashing? I wish I could help I am good with computers but it has to be hands on of course. Drats!

Hello Tillie! Are you feeling better (reference the day the guys came and had to work inside the house)? You are such a huge encouragement to us all its good of you to keep us informed when you are having a rough day... this isn't coming out right... I hope you know what I mean.

Karl how are you and how is the clean-up coming along? When is the deadline again... next month?

diane you are doing so amazingly well! Creative Cottage says so much, yes. I love your spirit. I found something broken in a box today and you are right - easy to throw away and help in funny little ways.

Hello Susan!

Tillie how is the smoke?! Cough cough wheeze wheeze hahaha. My plans for the weekend are nothing much, just another couple of days but I have gotten a lot more comfortable in the new place and went to see the grandbabies yesterday so that was an accomplishment!

Its inspiring to see you post your progress diane... I get so much from everyone one here and feel like I don't really give much back ohwait I need to take my own advice and tell myself positive things! Hahaha.

Kara how are you doing I miss you. Ups and downs, ups and downs, we will be alright!

Its good to hear about your progress too, Karl... bathroom gunk is such a pain you just have to keep chipping away at it and resort to chemicals at times if you can tolerate them. Good old comet works well too for me and even gets some rust stains, hard to rinse off though.

I'm sorry I got so behind in here and had to go back but I enjoyed reading all the posts and catching up. Tillie you are such a joy and so faithful with the dailies.

I am with you re: shower curtains vs doors Barb, so true. My son-in-law got me a shower curtain... I had to not laugh when he put it up because its just a meshy fabric one, and doesn't have rings, its really a real curtain I think but I left it up hahaha.

Today I will work in 15 minute spurts to get kitchen boxes unpacked and go through a few others here. He is getting everything out of storage and putting it in his warehouse and thinks I will go over there to do them. Not.

Good work,Kari! You are making progress.
I found that I prefer shower curtains over shower doors. I can throw it in the washing machine on gentle/cold every so often and throw it out when it wears out.
I am glad the weekend is here. I am starting to get back into the groove at work. I was less tired yesterday. I am a person who needs the order of a daily routine and don't like change.
This weekend I need to:
Do one or two loads of laundry
Grocery shop
Clean the kitchen and bathroom
Pick up the dog yard and clean the cat box
If I can remove one trash bag of clutter, too, I will feel like I am back on track.

Good morning everybody! :D

Diane, WTG! working the clinics. :)
When you get home the important things are rest and maintaining your clear/clean areas.
My Granma had a sweet little cottage on the shore of a small lake out in the country in Michigan.
When I am feeling at my lowest that's where I daydream that I am.

Hi Kara :) you little sleepy head. ;)

Hi MayMay :)
The smoke last night was the worst yet. Had to keep all the windows shut. Went onto the porch to see if it was any better at 11pm and my eyes immediately started burning. Thanks anyways ;D

Hi Karl :)
WAY TO GO! scraping gunk and finding homes for some stuff in the "holding pen". :D

Have absolutely no idea what I will be doing today.
Could ask him if he has any plans but he has been acting like a butthead so I'm not speaking to him. ;P
I fed all the cats & made my bed. Now time to get dressed, brush & braid my hair, brush my teeth and wash my face.
Hoping the wind will blow from east to west today and blow that forest fire smoke away.
TTYL :D

I've failed at shifting to an earlier schedule; it's going on 3:15 now and I'm only going to get about 6.5h of sleep. Then eat breakfast and head over to the blood center to donate. I timed it so that I'll be finished there at about the same time that a board games event will be starting just a couple of blocks away.

Cleaning status -- well, I did spend some time scraping at the gunk at the bottom of the shower door. And I went through a few things that were in the "temporary" holding pen in the garage, and found a "home location" for them with the household tools.

Hi everyone! :D

Thanks Roxie,
Yeah it was a really cool experience! WOW! A baby raccoon in your kitchen?!... That would totally freak me out! I think raccoons are cute; but if I ever saw one in my kitchen, it would totally freak me out! Great job today! :)

Hi Karl! :)

Hi diane,
Great job today! I love the name "Creative Cottage". You've now made me want to name my room too. :)

Hi SusanL,
Congratulations on getting your hearing aids. :)

Hi Tillie,
Sorry to hear about the smoke from the fire. I hope you will be able to sleep okay tonight. :)

Hi Kara! :)

Thanks Tillie, am really enjoying the name,
Creative Cottage. I have always wanted a cute little cottage, so to name this Creative Cottage, is so funny to me. Not the cottage I imagined, tacky little room, with weird boards, with lots of holes that still need to be patched. By classing it up with a cute name, tickles my funny bone.
Finished painting a section of trailer, in walkway, then a huge thunder storm came and rained fast and hard, found a few leaks in walkway roof, now that junk is mostly out can see where I need to patch roof, seems never ending, good thing I enjoy it. Started getting clinics scheduled for next two months, hope work doesn't interfere with decluttering too much.

WAY TO GO! Karl for getting the trash out on time! :D

Diane, "Creative Cottage" has so many possibilities and potential. A pleasant place to create anything and everything! :D
I too like when an item makes up my mind for me by breaking, tearing or simply wearing out. ;)

SusanL
SO WONDERFUL! I am so very happy that you have hearing aids! :D
(((HGS)))

I haven't done anything really today.
Tidied up, took out the trash, ate lunch & took a nap.
Hoping the smoke from that fire in the Tahoe area doesn't get thick here again. Has been worse at night and makes sleeping hard. Cough, cough, wheeze wheeze. lol

Hope everybody has some fun planned for the weekend. ;D

Hi all,

Self care - got hearing aids after postponing that for a long, long time. I've been missing both conversation and sounds in nature.

As always, inspired by your stories and struggles. You guys rock.

Hi everyone. I worked on walkway all morning. cleaned and painted a section of the trailer that is in walkway, then put up storage rack that I washed last night. Rack and wall are the same color, off white, looks good so far.
Tillie I actually did a happy dance in living room and in room that is insulated out there, my dog was wondering what was going on, she is better today.
I wrote a bunch of names for the room out there, and for now, she is named "Creative Cottage". Gives me unlimited possibilities for adventure in creating, so happy I am finally cleaning up areas. Still difficult for me to focus on just one area, so for now I am giving myself permission to do whatever I want out there in the morning then in afternoon, do some work in here. Now will make good lunch and do dishes. It was great yesterday, knocked over coffee so had to clean whole counter, under microwave etc.
I have dropped so many things that I was trying to decide if I wanted to keep, broken, easy to toss!!! I am getting help making decisions in funny little ways.
Sounds funny MayMay, thanks Roxie for kind words. Yes lots of us are feeling tired, took afternoon off yesterday, may do the same today, after dishes of course, my fav. Happy so many of us are sticking with this.

I just got up, and saw a reminder about the semi-official Friday chat. I'm in there now, but will probably be multi-tasking while waiting to see if anyone else shows. I haven't been getting much cleaning done lately, though I did get the trash out to the curb on time.

Good morning :)

Hi :)
Diane, Barb, MayMay, Mare, Roxie and everybody else. :)

The cats decided that I needed to get up early and feed them breakfast.
I got up but made them wait till I was good & ready to feed them. ;P

Friday...
need to get ready for the weekend & "him" being here.
Can't paint with him here so will do that next week.
The washing machine is filling very slowly because the water lines need to be cleaned out.
Planning to have him fix that this weekend.
Unfiltered well water with tree roots in the well tends to do that.
I would fix it myself but don't have the strength in my hands to unscrew the parts.

My To-Dos for today...
Tidy up around here. That should take about half an hour.
Planning to put on my music and just sort of hang out around here and play. :D

Last evening I was messing around outside in his clutter and discovered a Yellow Jacket nest with at least 60 wasps on it.
Sprayed it and ran away!
Will check to see how many are still there today. :D

May your Friday be filled with fun too.

I just went on my first ride along with the guys! It was SOOOOO AWESOME!!!!! I got to ride along with them to a 5 alarm fire. Getting to watch them in action was SOOOOO HOT!!!!! LOL. And it was so cool getting to see all of the fire trucks with their lights flashing at night; it was very pretty! :D

We were all posting at the same time hahaha. It threw me into an emotional tizzy so am still processing and will answer later tonight or tomorrow

Hi Barb! :)
Sorry I forgot to say hi to you in my last post. You must have posted around the same time that I was posting; because I didn't even see your post until just now. :)

Hi everyone! :D

Hi Cory,
I can't wait to watch the 20/20 episode. :)

Hi Dianne and Mare. :)
"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" is my second favorite "Real Housewives" show. I hate "Toddlers and Tiaras". I would never put my kid on that show. I do love its spin-off show "Here Comes Honey Booboo!" though. "Here Comes Honey Booboo!" gives me hope. If Honey Booboo and her family can get their own reality show, then hopefully I will be able to get my own reality show one day too. Lol. :)

Hi Tillie. :)

WAY TO GO diane!
It sounds like you're doing great! :)