Hi Subclinical

Love your questions & opinions
especially the reasons for shopping.
You do so very well on not impulse buying and when you do buy it has always been necessary or well thought out purchases/gifts.

Hi Tatoulia
WOW! what a distance you have to travel just to put out the trash.
When we say "WAY TO GO!" for taking out the trash we really mean it. :)
Still, I would probably say what the heck and just pull on a coat over my jammies and do it anyway. ;D

So, Motown, you asked for opinions. Most of the time, when someone asks for my opinion, it turns out they didn't really want it. Also, I am not judging you because I know almost nothing about your history and values.

But here are my thoughts from the totally different place where I am:

1) you don't need antidepressants. You need to change your environment.

2) is there anything at any of the Black Friday sales that you truly NEED?

3) are you buying any gifts for the people who live in your house? Why?

4) you told sil to leave and he left? I think you said he is not legally married to your Dd, so, are there children now living in your house that have no legal or biological connection to you? Do you love these children? (my only grandson and one of my daughters have no legal or biological connection to me, otoh, my kid's friends have temporarily lived with us before, and if they had not been respectful, I would have kicked their butts to the curb. In fact, one was there 4 days and I cut off his internet access and told ds he was never to return.)

5) how do you feel about clearing off a section of floor, informing the people in your house that you intend to dispose of all items left on said floor, and then doing it? (Donate or trash) keep expanding until it includes all floors not in rooms where other people sleep, and then work your way upwards including other surfaces.

6) where is your son, and why do you still have his crap?

Oooohhhh! Reading everyone's posts made me so happy!

I live on a main road right in Boston Proper. I live in a brownstone (one floor only) and I'm in the middle of a block. Not true middle, but middle. My garbage goes in the alley in the back. I have to go down my front stairs walk past a restaurant, and back around the corner then into thr alley to put my garbage behind my house! Would love to live where my underwear would suffice and double as a raccoon repellent!!!

Many, many years ago, probably 20, I couldn't sleep due to the heat and humidity so in the middle of the night I headed over to my neighbor's house (around the corner from me). They were out of town and I was taking care of their cat. I'd slept there in the past for the AC. By "middle of the night" we are probably only talking 10:30 or 11 because there is no way I would've headed over if it weren't still fairly populated outside. I took my pillow and put on flip flops. That was great except in the AM, walking home in my bright aqua pjs with the flowers and my pillow and I had to pass the restaurant where people were enjoying breakfast outside.

Ah, youth.

Love you all. MOTOWN I feel confident we can find a place to share our photos on line. Maybe Flickr?

Correction...
European Starlings not Sparrows.

Had been watching Pirates of the Caribbean and have Sparrows on my mind. LOL;P

Good Evening

Hi CriticalMass

Great to hear from you! :D
YEA! for finding the flannel. Perfect time of year for it.
WTG! for cleaning out the outdated pantry items.
Sounds like you two have come to a very good compromise on the thanksgiving menu ingredients.
Regardless of what any of your ancestors may have done or not done...
you are as innocent as the European Sparrows we see covering the land and skies these days.
It's not their fault their ancestors were brought here and that the Sparrows encroachment caused the extinction of dozens of indigenous bird species.
(((HUG)))
YEA! that your store wasn't crazy busy!
This time of year I would rather starve than go into any store.
Fortunately my store was slow yesterday so I am now all stocked up with all things kitty related and enough stuff for me too. ;)

Hi Motown
No I eat radishes raw all crispy & crunchy.
I had wanted rutabagas but the store only had four of them and they were rather squishy and rutabagas are supposed to be rather hard before cooking.
The parsnips didn't look much better so I just settled for raw radishes, I like radishes.
I wasn't the one asking about sleeping arrangements but that sure is a houseful to get bedded down!

Today I did wash the dishes and also dusted.
Having the dishes all washed is satisfying but I get no joy out of dusting. ;P

Good afternoon!

Beautiful day here in Arkansas but somewhat cold (at least to me).

I got up and got the shower this morning and then deep fried up 3 cans of refrigerated biscuits and coated with sugar for our office Thanksgiving potluck. Then fixed a big thermos of hot chocolate for my grandson who is going deer hunting with hubby (basically just walking through the woods and looking around, not really expecting to see, much less kill, a deer).

Having a busy day at work and this afternoon is going to be a drowsy one because we all overate, of course.

Tillie, I am envious of your cast iron collection. I use cast iron a LOT. But then again, being from the south it's kinda expected that the best cornbread and fried taters come out of a big ol' cast iron skillet. LOL! but good for you giving away your excess to someone who will appreciate it and get many more years of good use from it.

Also envious of your house being company-worthy. And glad you could open our home to special visitors. I cringe whenever the kids bring in another kid. Yes, it's really that bad. So, I am debating whether or not to attempt to put up a Christmas tree. I have never NOT put one up. Maybe instead of the big one I will just put up a small one as I think I have a 7.5 ft one in the shed (actually I have about a dozen trees in the shed from which I can choose but getting to them is another story...).
And Tatoulia, around here we certainly wouldn't think about having to get dressed from head to toe just to run the trash bin to the curb. We just runt out however, even if we are in undies and boots chasing a racoon! That's a hilarious story!

Please clarify, COOKED RADISHES??? I love good fresh cool radishes pulled from the garden (or from the store) and chipped up in a salad but have never considered them cooked (but then of course I don't really like vegetables and I don't like any of the cooked at all.

I will be baking my pies tomorrow (squash, pecan (AKA karo nut) and pumpkin pies. And a couple of (cast iron) skillets of cornbread for the cornbread dressing.

Tillie, you asked about sleeping arrangements for all those extras in my house. Well I have 6 bedrooms but had already repurposed most of them once the kids left home. One was a guest room, one my office, one a man cave, one was my son's former bedroom but still like it had been, and one was my scrapbook room, and then the master bedroom. So the man cave now has a full bed where two boys (13 & 12) sleep (but no closet because it is where the hunting stuff and gun safe is so they cannot have access), two boys (12 & 11) sleep in my son's old room (with most of his crap, er, stuff, still there), the almost 11 year old girl and the 4 year old girl sleep in my office on a futon and a toddler bed (still no space in there because of my desk, file cabinets and book cases even after I took down the L-shaped return/workspace from the computer desk).
And the daughter and the 3-year old boy and the 9 month old baby (and the SIL before I told him to his the road) sleep in the guest room on a king size bed (that USED to be nice but...). Then hubby and I still have the master (that we share with 4 cats and 4 dogs (who mostly all sleep with us).

Whew! That DOES sound like chaos in the making doesn't it. Well, believe me it is.

And it doesn't mater how much we cajole, threaten, promise, reward or whatever, they refuse to pick up after themselves. They would rather just walk over the pile of dirty clothes and trash on the floor, etc. I don't understand it. My brain goes crazy. I honestly think I should talk to a health care professional about some kind of antidepressant or something. Opinions?


So, back to work I go. Will likely not be on for a while as I will be super busy tomorrow and then Thursday with all the cooking and shopping (gotta hit those Black Friday sales when the stores open on Thursday afternoon--which I like better than having to get up at midnight to get ready for sales that start at 3 a.m.!)

Y'all have a MARVELOUS Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for good friends like y'all!!!!

Figured I better pop in before I let too much time go by again.

Kind of coasting into the busy season. Avoiding the stores that are likely to be busy. Was really blessed yesterday - even Aldi was kind of at a lull. I only needed a small number of items.

I'm being a good sport about the preparation of the turkey dinner my roommate likes to do. It's not that elaborate really. The turkey breast needs to get cooked because it was last year's BOGO. I'm going to make pumpkin pies and probably some garlic bread. I omit cloves from my pies because of her food allergies and she makes the stuffing from a recipe that doesn't use other herbs she can't have. And she understands why I pick out the onion bits, LOL.

My approach to the holiday is pretty basic spiritually, to give thanks in the here and now, and as always pray for peace and healing in our troubled world. The mythos from gradeschool, well, of course we know how much more complex the true history has been and I hope none of my maternal ancestors did evil things but I have no way of knowing. My paternal side was German immigrants well after the Civil War.

But people are products of various conflicts and political shifts so one may never know. That's why I just keep my prayers general - we can always use good qualities such as humility, kindness, empathy, etc. to go forward with. I'm a fan of Josh Groban and his song "Thankful" resonates with me.

The sun porch remains a fond dream, but my roommate said our guy said he tried to send a long text. He's going to resend it. Hope it's happy news. He has been dealing with some health issues so we hope things are okay in that regard too. The weather this week is nice and sunny, so if he feels like working that'd be great.

Even the prospect of the changes to come has energized us with our respective decluttering goals. Roommate got some of those pull out drawer thingies for her pantry. Unfortunately she had a bunch of outdated food to toss, but being able to see what she has will help with that in future. We now have recycling service - single stream but better than none.

Tillie, Tatoulia, and SubC, it feels good to bless someone else with the items we no longer wish to keep and to simplify - such a win-win. And to find things we can use and not have to go shopping. I'd gotten some flannel for a project then couldn't remember where I put it. Found it this morning - now I can sew.

Motown I feel ya regarding the floors. My bedroom floor keeps playing hide and seek. But I'm going to keep at it so eventually it will be a real floor! We can do this!

Take care and be safe, my friends.

Good Morning Everybody

Sunny bright cloudless day
but very cold.
Had some dishes to wash yesterday but didn't do them and just made more dirty dishes.
Guess today I'll wash dishes.
But even with the dirty dishes all rinsed and stacked next to the sink my home was company ready.
Not immaculate but good enough.

I have and use inherited ancient cast iron fry pans, a whole set (6) of different sizes.
There is one HUGE frying pan that had gotten to heavy for me to easily use any more.
I asked Mrs. Nate if they could use it and she said she would take it.
We all enjoy Nintendo gaming systems and I asked if she wanted my Nintendo 64, she took that too.
I still have my other gaming systems.
These were items that meant a lot to me and I wanted them to go to good homes and now I feel so good that they have a new home. ;)

LOL!
ROTFLMAO!
HAHAHAHAHA! :D

Absolutely love your raccoon story! :D

YEA! for all the little empty spaces you are gaining!

Thanks for the thumbs up on my special dinner plan.
I will have radishes and lima beans with the chops.

Good luck with your pies YUM!

Oh Tillie! I am so glad for your visitors!
And I think your thanksgiving meal plan sounds better than pizza.

My house is better and my barn is better and all my pie ingredients are ready to go tomorrow.

The things I brought from my mom's house for ds and ddil are in the car already, so that little pile is out if my basement.

I think Tatoulia lives in a little different pace than we do. (I once chased a raccoon out of the barn at night wearing nothing but boots and underpants. - dh said the raccoon probably never stopped running.)

Tatoulia - good girl you for feeling like cleaning.

Motown, those visitors are just going to have to learn to shar space and clean up! Where does everybody sleep? Do The kids have any spaces that belong to them? Maybe you could help them get those organized and cleared out a little over break. Kids usually like to have things orderly and under control, especially if they get to make decisions.

Good Evening Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
I would just go outside in my nightgown & robe & slippers to take the trash out
but that's just me ;)

If you make the test flowers with butter cream it would be more fun because you can eat them.
Or you could just wipe them up with a spatula and put them back into the mix & try again.

I want to make ginger bread, I have all the necessary ingredients. :D

No take and bake pizza this year, I bought some thick pork chops and plan to dredge them in seasoning and oven bake them.

This past week there were several meals I had of just squash, needed pepper and butter but was filling.

WAY TO GO doing some cleaning, tidying, cat chores and getting trash out!

Hi Motown
It is just impossible to clean when there is too much stuff in the way.
Wish you could get some help from the others there.

WAY TO GO! with what you have been doing there!
Please keep up the great job you have been doing even when you can only do little bits & pieces.

WONDERFUL NEWS!
Was getting ready to go to the bank and then the grocery store when the phone rang.
IT WAS NATHAN!!!!!! :D
He & Mrs. Nate were in town and came by for a nice long visit!
They are in Nevada for thanksgiving and staying at Mrs. Nate's Mom's home but that's in a town about two hours away.
But today they came all the way out here to see me. :D
I cannot express how happy I am today.
After they left it was still before 5:00pm so I went to the bank and grocery store too.

I forgot to say that after my shower this morning, and before I went in to get ready for work, I swept the kitchen/dining room floor. Not 100% effort but the main areas are somewhat cat hair and leaf free for when the little one gets on the floor. She usually comes up F.I.L.T.H.Y after having been on my floor. I hate that. I see pictures of people's homes where their floors just gleam. Not magazine shoots, real people that I personally know who post a quick pic on Facebook or something like of their kids being cute or their Christmas tree, etc. Mine is NEVER mopped, just swept or vacuumed occasionally. Spills get cleaned up eventually. This admission makes me feel like a horrible person. But in my defense, I used to mop every Sunday morning before anyone else was up. But now there is just so much stuff all around in the rooms that there is so little floor space. It just seems like there's nowhere to go with the stuff. Sure wish there was a place we could share pictures and get feedback and suggestions. And we are not even talking about how horrible my living room carpet is. EWWW!

Okay, I'm through whining for a few minutes. 'Bout time to go home. Not sure if that will be good or bad as the kids are all out of school all this week.

Calgon, take me away! LOL!!!

Looking for solutions other than throwing out my extra house "guests" because that ain't agonna happen anytime soon I'm afraid.

Garbage and recycling are out. Kitty has a brand new litter box today.

Ok I know this will sound stupid, but I finally feel ready to do some cleaning in between cleaners visits. I'm good about wiping down the kitchen counters and nothing else. So I wiped down sink and vanity today. I need to do some sweeping, too.

I made squash for dinner. Was not extremely tasty but it was extremely filling. Just squash.

I'm going to keep working for a few hours. (Or less)

Good afternoon, everyone! Cold here and grey. It looks like winter!

Great work, SubC! Glad your sale went well despite the unforeseen competition! Motown it is such a pleasure to have you here! So grateful to hear of your life and to watch you take back some control! WTG!

Tillie I hope you left for the grocery store. Correct my memory, is this the holiday where you enjoy a frozen pizza? I'm pleased that Steven has been doing some outside work.

I am very tempted to spend the entire day in my pjs but I'll need to get my garbage out tonight. So I'll try to be ready right at 4:30 to take it out!

I have office tomorrow then home again on Wednesday. I discovered one of my headlights out and mechanic asked me to bring on Wednesday. I told the neighbor mom that she cannot use it til it is fixed. I wouldn't want the other headlight to burn out and take an already dangerous situation and make it worse.

I want to bake so desperately but feel I should do so once the long weekend sets in. Why do today? I also want to practice my frosting skills but I keep forgetting to buy crisco so I can make practice frosting (it's edibke, but just barely). If I can work on my skills with crisco, then the switch to buttercream won't be such a difficult one.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Subclinical
I was able to correctly translate that last sentence. ;D

Great that you made a profit even with that other event going on and all the lovely gifts you found.
Looking forward to hearing all about how the new technique goes. :D


Hi Motown
Sounds like you have had a pretty bust weekend and will now have a very busy rest of the week.
Have fun and enjoy! :)

I am seriously running very low on food here.
Really should go grocery shopping today because the store will just keep getting worse the closer it gets to Thursday.
And then it would be impossible in there after that with crazy people.
OK, make a plan...
I will try to force myself to go to the store today by about noon.
Wish me luck.

Well I am so super proud of all of y'all and your weekend accomplishments. Feeling sad at the same time for those who are grieving but as it has been said, it takes time and each person processes it differently. I took a lot of flak for dating and remarrying after my husband of almost 20 years died from aggressive colon cancer. My mom would defend my actions by saying that I went as far as I could with him, which was to the graveside. True. Anyway, it still makes my heart for those who have lost loved ones, especially around the holidays.

I didn't get a lot accomplished over the weekend. I cleaned a little Saturday around in the kitchen and dining area (thinking of Thanksgiving and trying to prepare for that). Saturday evening went to eat with my son to celebrate his first day on new job (actually a new position at the same place). Then hubby and I took ourselves out for ice cream. Sunday was church and then we took my mom to Goodwill as she likes to poke around for bargains (I come by my hoarding tendencies from her I guess) I kept my purchases to a minimum only spending about $25. Got a nice tray for taking cookies to work and a pair of jeggings for me, some scrapbook supplies in a grab bag and an oh-so-comfortable pair of shoes that I can't wait to wear.


Then I did something last night that I haven't done in I-don't-know-how-long! I sat down in the living room and watched a whole movie. Christopher Robin. I didn't get up once! Decided I need to do that more often.

So this evening I have to get a few things from the grocery store for work potluck tomorrow and then will get last minute Thanksgiving stuff on Tuesday probably. Cooking for 12 or 14 as always. I am not sure I could cook for fewer. First year without my son joining us though. He will have to work but he has had and is having several similar meals over the weekend and one tonight so he isn't going to miss it too much.


Writing this at work when I should BE working, so I better get off here and get busy. It's only a scheduled three day work week and I am taking off on Wednesday to do my baking (plus I have a doctor's appointment right in the middle of the day to mess it all up--the dreaded yearly exam), so I have to double time it to get everything done in time.


Y'all have a really fabulous week and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

So, I don't know what happened to that last sentence. It should say "come home by way of the grocery store and bake."

Went through my post sale inventory and I am up about $150 after all my shopping. I fell a little short of my goal (and shopped much more than usual) but it was a good sale. The studio owner lets us leave ornaments in the gallery until January, so my sales could go up another $100 or so. And I am really pleased with my gift purchases (and the baking dish and bowl I bought for myself)

I am also very pumped up for my next sale because the woman I bought most of my gifts from loved my new technique and told me I have to make a lot of work using it for the spring sale because she will be buying a piece. She is very talented, so that is a huge compliment.

Today, doing laundry and dishes and cleaning up in the animal barn.

I am home from the sale and unloaded but not unpacked. I feel like sales were slower today, but I got to visit with heartdaughter and grandson and also with my oldest, who stopped by and hawked my wares for a while this afternoon. I'll take inventory when I unpack tomorrow and see how I did (the venue handles all sales from a single register and cuts us checks in a week or two).

A bought myself another treat today - a very pretty serving bowl, and I got three Christmas ornaments and a cute tiny tree at "trade o'clock" - when everyone is packing up and swapping stuff they don't really want to take home. I'm going to give one of the ornaments to my parents.

"Thanksgiving" wasn't even an official US holiday until the mid 1800's. It was just a bunch of sort of non-denominational days to focus on gratitude that varied by state and localities. I'm really not sure where all the pilgrim nonsense originated. Canadian thanksgiving makes more sense to me because it actually comes at the end of harvest season.

Tatoulia - great job on the closet! My mom had a bookshelf with closed cabinets under it in our den when I was growing up. It was great for things you wanted to keep handy but not look at.

I have no idea why you would feel guilty about an education you worked hard for! It's not like your sister was busting her butt to fund your education. I'm glad you got out of the joyless gift "exchange"!

Count me in the pro-cat snore camp.

I am also joining in being hopeful that the freezer will be donated.

My Black Friday plans are to drive home from my son's house. My small business Saturday plans are to go down to the clay studio for their sale and buy myself some tools I have been wanting and maybe a new kiln shelf, and then come home because way of the groceries cereal store and bake.

Hi Tatoulia
You have learned some very important "life lessons".
You own NO ONE just because you worked hard for what you have.
My sister once slapped me and said "you are just handed everything".
When actually I worked very hard to educate myself and worked many hours day & nights in surgery and was single handedly raising a child never once accepting charity or welfare.

A holiday gift is supposed to be something given from the heart.
Not a payment or blackmail.

At thanksgiving give thanks for all the good that has come into your life and all the simple things like food, shelter, clean water and people and animals who love you. (((hug)))
We can not change the past and can only wonder how it might have been had things been different.


I love it when one of the kitties is snoring!
I will even turn down the TV/music just so I can hear it better. ;D

Was nice earlier and I went outside and swept all the leaves off the front porch and walkway.
Steven mowed up the leaves all over the lawn and also raked up some leaves along the fence by the driveway.

Tillie I am having the best day. I stayed st home and enjoyed coffee til after noon, then I went to mom's to help her with something, then I walked to the grocery store to get mom's things, put those away for her and now I'm home. Cat is sleeping next to me and snoring, which is pretty awesome. She rarely snores and I get such a kick out of it.

I have trouble reconciling my joy at Thanksgiving with The brutal truth of it all. I don't know what to do with it. It is all too easy to whitewash the pain, humiliation and torment brought upon Native Americans. So I will be grateful and thankful.

I do not shop for Black Friday and I don't play the conspicuous consumption game either. I just want to be peaceful and grateful. And I am going to do whatever it takes to do so. I sent my sister a thoughtful and kind email today to tell her that BF and I have decided no gifts and that she should not send me anything. She doesn't actually send me things but she asks for big ticket items and I realized today that I'm not going to be doing that. I don't want to send her a big ticket item. I no longer have to feel guilty that I worked full time in difficult jobs so I could get my college degrees and graduate degree at night. The siblings are good at playing off my guilt. I have no reason to be guilty. I have one income and I don't need everyone planning how to spend it.

Look what I've learned here.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
Able to invite friends over at the drop of a hat!
How wonderful!
This is such a marvelous gift you have given yourself. (((HUG)))

WAY TO GO! working on the closet!
And for "shopping at home" for stocking stuffers and gifts.
Stocking gifts are fun to find and fun to receive. ;D

YEA! for caulking and choosing the right caulk!

I understand about your feelings concerning your brother.
Be strong, and enjoy those people in your life who appreciate you and all you do. (((HUG)))

Saw you will have more rain/snow this week.
Stay safe and warm.

Hi Subclinical
Thank you for understanding and for being a good steward to the land. (((hug)))

What a shame the other event was on the same day.
Wishing you a better turnout today.
This is the perfect time and place to buy gifts.
Beautiful, unique and handmade. They will love them and I know you will use your dish too.

WTG! DH for keeping busy and making progress!
So happy the studio/barn has gained a little more space and the beams are covered too.

YEA! for your friend now owning that stand for her wares!

Been just doing a little of this and that around here.
Puttering inside because it's too cold to putter outside right now.
The only thing I plan to do today is wash my hair.
Really should wash dishes too and as always I'll do cat chores.

Steven still has that freezer sitting out in the driveway.
He listed it for sale somewhere and nobody is interested in it.
Those people on the local site are only interested in crap they can try to resell for a profit, not any useful type items like appliances or furniture.
Hope he will allow it to be donated soon.

As always, your support is an immeasurable gift to me.

SubC terrific that your friend wants the stand! Congratulations on your purchases and your plans for them. I'm sure the other fair cut down on your sales with people thinking, so I want to be carrying this around or should we wait and see what the other place has. I hope the other sale was just one day.

The closet is free of extra stuff. I'd done a fairly thorough job the first time around. I will take a second look at my books that are on the shelves in there. I will also see what in the world is in the folders that are neatly stacked where my diaries were before I shredded them.

My built in bookshelves are going to have covered cabinets at the base. So I can further ease up on my space without adding to it. The trick here is to get more space not more storage. Does that make sense? I was initially against having some closed. Whiners at the bottom but I've seen some ones in magazines that I think look understated and elegant and we can have them built anyway I want.

I have all my laundry done, clean sheets on bed, dishes done, all of this was taken care of last night. Caulking seems to be holding up. I have a small cat sitting next to me and I'm going to read for a while.

Tatoulia, I am sorry for your loss.
But glad that you can have people over, and proud of you for working on your closet. What a rollercoaster weekend. Hang in there.

Tillie, i'm just sorry. I wish that you had someone you wanted to spend thanksgiving with, and I wish that white European derived people would stop doing horrible things to everyone else. It makes me feel like I am wearing a permanent "i'm with stupid" shirt.

The sale went ok yesterday, although I also bought some gorgeous baking dishes for my girls for Christmas, and, when the potter offered me a discount because I had such a large purchase - also a small one for me. so I feel like I pretty much broke even. I think we were hurt by another, more elaborate, fair that is going on at a nearby brewery, I know some of the people who came to us were talking about going there next, but people who went there first probably stayed and drank beer and listened to music.

My friends' work looks great on my stand, and I told her to keep it. She was pleased.

Dh had a friend over while I was gone and all the beam covers are up. Some of them are still temporarily strapped in place, so he still has a lot of work to do today, but they are out of the barn/studio space and look good.

Heartdaughter and grandson said they would come by the sale today.

((((BIG HUG))))

Tatoulia
Grief takes it's own time
We need to grieve as long and as hard as it is necessary.

((((HUG))))

Hello everyone!

Everyone seems to be moving in the right direction! Congratulations and WTG! SubC I am pleased that you are willing to give up the table! It's a good feeling to take inventory. Tillie is setting a good example for all of us! Motown you are doing great! Keep it going! And be good to yourself. Cm I'm thrilled about the craft table and your plans for another quilt.

I had some very sad news this week and I have been grieving. That is all I can say for now. I'm just not able to do anything else with it. I brought food to the husband today and sat with him.

Thursday night we did get our snow. I had a program at work (I plan it, get the speakers, host, etc) and it was just beginning to snow as the program ended. I went for drinks with a few of the attendees and two of the speakers. As the group dwindled, it was this one woman and me. She is wonderful and very sweet. She's just filled with light and kindness and has this way about her that is beyond her 30 years. I've known her for a few years. Anyway I invited her to come over some night after work. I'm so happy that I'm able to invite people over. What a gift for me. What a gift.

I'm working on my closet, seeing what I have for Christmas decorations. I have two non-Christmas things in a bag to donate. Most of these things were already curated by me but I'm going through them anyway. I feel the need to do this. I found two very cute brand new ornaments that I can use as gifts or stocking stuffers.
Fairly interesting news, BF asked me if I got his gift yet, and I said I just have something small for him (it's theatre tickets, actually I bought three since I know mom will want to go too) and he said, okay, we aren't kids and you are trying to get caught up on your bills so will you agree to skip presents this year and I wholeheartedly said yes! I said, I will make you a stocking and leave it at that. This means a lot to me. He made me promise and I will keep the promise. He generally buys me expensive gifts and I love them and I wear the jewelry so this isn't him trying to get out of anything. He loves to shop and buy things. He had three sisters and all of them are great shoppers. I'm happy with this. I told him I was actually considering just giving mom money in addition to her stocking since she has enjoyed shopping so much lately with her birthday money and the 55 I found in the dress of hers I was donating. He said that sounded like a good idea.

So, it's just a matter of putting together the stockings, which is my favorite part anyway. I will make myself one too.

I caulked the area by my window tonight, Tillie. It is paintable caulk. Thank you for the tip.

I'll go back to closet now. There are no surprises so far.

Thanksgiving we will eat out, mom, me, BF. I called the aide who used to take care of my friend (you may recall that we used to spend our holidays with my friend and this particular aide used to work all the holidays) anyway I called her to see if she would join us for Thanksgiving but she's working. Then she said, but I'll join you on Christmas! Yay! She's not sure if she will be free Christmas Eve and I said that we normally do Christmas Eve but we will do the family time depending on when she's free. So if she's free Christmas Day, then BF and I can go to church on Christmas Eve and if it's the reverse, then we will do our usual family Christmas Eve.

This is painful for me having Thanksgiving without brother. Even though he was never nice and I would cook a meal for him and deliver it and then not really thank me beyond the thanks when I dropped it off. Never mentioned if it was good, etc. but it still pains me.

Ok back to closet. I also feel like baking.

GO! GO! GO! Tatoulia!!! :D

You CAN do this!
That closet doesn't stand a chance!

Good luck and we will send in the hounds if we don't hear from you again before the weekend is over.

Hello I haven't read up. Saw Tillie's note. All set here. Snow came and went


Will catch up later. Im about to work on the closet. CUE THE CLOSET CLEANING MUSIC.

Youtube

"The Last Resort" by The Eagles. :(

Good Saturday Morning Ya'll

Hi Subclinical
(((hug))) Thanks for that colorful description ;D

Have a WONDERFUL time at the pottery sale!
I know your wares will sell well.

TATOULIA
I am worrying about you with that terrible Winter storm in your neck of the woods.
Be safe and warm (((HUGS)))

Cold here.
Doesn't get warm throughout the day and nights are even worse.
Absolutely no snow or rain and none predicted in the foreseeable future.

Anybody have any thanksgiving type plans for the next week?
Need or want to do any type of challenges?

I don't do anything.
No company ever comes over and I don't get invited out since all my friends have died.
I don't cook any traditional thanksgiving meal for myself since I do not like turkey and all that.
Mostly I just remember my ancestors and how they were mistreated by the Europeans and wish things had not gone the way they did.
I listen to The Eagles song "The Last Resort" and Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant".

CM, hooray for your sewing table! Things like that can give us such a boost! Even to go look at it when we are feeling discouraged!

I hope the weather turns out ok and you get to enjoy bunny club.

Motown, keep fighting the good fight. :) you will win your house back even if you have to start with a few square inches at a time.

Tillie, I am so glad for you that Steven is finally looking out for you at least a little. I know he is a spoonful of honey in a barrel of sewage, but this makes me a little less worried for you.

Finishing up breakfast and then heading out for my sale. I got the booth mostly set up last night and I am very excited. The sale is a big social event for me too. The community of other potters is a good one. Going to loan a big stand to one of the other potters today. I'm thinking i'll offer to let her keep it if it works out for her because I don't use it often and it doesn't store easily.

Good late afternoon early evening everyone

Hi CriticalMass
Hope getting to bunny club is not hard or dangerous.
Poor girl bunny but I'm sure she will be fuzzy and beautiful again soon.
WAY TO GO! keeping at clearing that floor! :D
YEA!!! for the sewing machine on the table!

Scooter is feral to the bone, just a natural born A-hole.
He gets very aggressive and is also extremely destructive.
NOTHING worked to try to tame that wild beast
until I started using a squirt gun on him.
It is actually a spray bottle that squirts a long hard stream of tap water all the way across the room.
He now quits pestering the other cats when I even just hold the spray bottle.
When he would start to shred something like furniture, drapes, bedding, my flesh, etc.
I would chase him down and spray him relentlessly.
Scooter is actually a pretty nice little boy now but only as long as I own the spray bottle.


Hi Motown
Put on some cheerful music as you work decluttering the kitchen.
It really does help to make it a fun cleaning session to sing and boogie to the music. ;D

Hi Subclinical
Made the pot and made the stew! :D
Hope everything works out as to the best for your Heart Grandson.
That would be so nice if you were there with him to help him along.


Did a couple small loads of laundry.
Did all the usual daily cat related tasks.
Did a bit of this and that so no lingering chores as we go into the weekend.

Some good news I guess...
Steven finally put my name down in the paperwork for his pension.
So I could receive benefits if I survive him.
I swear, that man will be the death of me yet.

Wow,
Everyone is accomplishing so much. It's fabulous and SO inspirational.
Was a pretty day here in Arkansas today and is supposed to be tomorrow too. If not for the nine month old I would likely open some windows (as least the ones with screens and that I can get to for the furniture and clutter, etc.) and get some airing out done but it might be too chilly on her. I can't open the ones without screens because the kitties escape!

Hubs is going to deer camp this evening to have supper with his buddy and said buddy's wife. I didn't care to join them. Not my thang as they say. Too cold. It's probably going to be about 45 degrees and that's WAY too cold for me. Did I mention I HATE cold weather! LOL!

Anyway, maybe I will declutter in the kitchen some more. A few square inches here and there and maybe eventually.....(Wishful thinking or thoughtful wishing? Who knows!!)

Hubby took my computer to the shop because it would not even boot up. rarely use it anyway but when I need it I want it to work. He broke my tablet a couple years ago in a fit of rage and so I have only my phone to access the internet. Oh well, it could be way worse.

So saying to y'all have a great weekend and maybe I will have time to check back in on Monday (but ya know how Mondays are at work!)

In the words of Tigger, "TTFN, ta ta for now!"

Woops, time got by me again. I've read back through the posts, though. Everyone's doing great things. I'm coasting some but accomplishing some here and there. Our sunroom awaits the commencement of work - our guy is hit and miss as you know. Whenever I posted about it last was when it was supposed to start but it didn't.

That led to some unstructured and uncertain time, which can be bad for me trying to get my own stuff done. We had some cold and some snow; that was partly why he didn't go ahead and start, he said. And it was gloomy and grey. I have to really watch myself that I don't go into a funk this time of year. I started a "winter journal" as a sort of coping mechanism, a place where I can write or do some art or whatever to occupy my mind.

We have another batch of cold with precipitation predicted for the weekend, which is not good because Sunday is the quarterly bunny club get together. Hope it won't be icy. I'll have to bundle my bunny up. My girl bunny will sit this one out because I'm treating her for some bald patches around her ears. It was like she molted in the summer then never grew it back in. I kept waiting then I started applying Bag Balm and hair is regrowing - very slowly. Bunny looks rather mangy and her hair is spiked from the grease. Poor girl!

I did more laundry myself today - some yardage of solid cotton I got at Walmart. They'd gotten in red, white and blue for 4th of July and overbought, clearanced the packs for $2/yard. So I got that prewashed and pressed smooth. They are colors I have quilts in mind for, to mix with prints.

Discovered last week that I'd miscalculated my checking balance because my rent check didn't clear as soon as usual. Glad I caught it before an actual overdraft, but this is going to be a tight month. Which is okay, I'll make it. Already traffic is getting thicker enough that I don't want to go to stores much at all (which keeps me out of trouble!). I did buy a small bit of fabric to make my new girl bunny her Christmas stocking. It's bittersweet, because of losing her predecessor untimely this January. :(

There have been little decluttering things I've done and I'm seeing more floor in my room! I may get to the point where I can banish stuff from the bed soon. I really hate that whole business of stuff on the bed, stuff on the floor by the bed, but it's a habit I formed to cope with my bad ADD memory - to put things where I'll see them upon going to bed or getting up. There's gotta be a better way but I haven't hit upon it yet.

Did I tell you all about the sewing table? That was a major happy thing! You see, my roommate had bought this 5 ft. table a couple years ago and it was supposed to be a craft table we could both use, then she didn't use it and I sort of filled it up (guilt - eek) and though she hasn't gotten angry, bless her, I've been saying I mean to clear it off. Well, last weekend I did. Put my sewing machine on it for both of us to use, or she can use hers, whatever works. I want to start cutting out quilt blocks soon on it too, and doll clothes.

The kitty cats both have the run of the house again because boy was becoming so miserable we just couldn't confine him to the back room much longer, we were afraid he'd go stir crazy. But it hasn't been peace, love, and catnip between them just yet. We have some really great cat behavior books, but unfortunately neither of the cats can read. I do like having the boy sleeping with me again. If only he could stop tormenting his poor sister in the daytime!

Iced tea clinks!

Skipped the swimming. Making a big pot of roasted vegetable stew. (I made the pot too. ;) )

Big exciting possibilities today - heartgrandson has been asked to leave his school. This is actually a good thing, there are a lot of custody/parenting/diagnostic issues involved. And it looks like he will finally be able to attend the program where I teach - which is a so much better fit for him. His father has resisted for years because of tuition and heartdaughter working there, but now she has a new job somewhere else, and dad's only options are cooperate, try to get him in an even more expensive private school and provide transportation, or figure out how to get him to and from his lousy local public school which would involve paying before and after care plus extra driving for dad.

So, not only might he be coming to us, but the language arts class for his age group is full, so I may be tutoring him in language arts for the rest of the year!

Gotta make this short but I had a good time yesterday. Hubby drove me to the class and then afterwards we went and visited his brother and then his SIL when she got off work. Then we all went out to eat at a cute little restaurant and sat and talked for a long time. It was very nice.
The class went well. Still SUPER intimidated by the embroidery machine. The instructor said, "You've got a HUGE learning curve." So that wasn't very encouraging. I will probably just work up what supplies I have and then try to sell the machine just to cut my losses and have a little money for bills. The materials and extras for it cost a lot and I have no intention of going into business or anything.
Great job on all y'all have done. Washing and drying and swimming and mailing packages and making ceramics for a show, etc., etc., etc. Whew! Busy Busy Busy!
On a short lunch break so have to say TaTa for now!

Good Morning Everyone
"Clink!"

Hi Tatoulia
YEA! for getting that box all together and mailed!
Snow! How wonderful! :D

Hi Subclinical
Hope you find the time for swimming.
Sounds terribly slippery out there.
Take your time and be careful (((hug)))

Yesterday was not feeling well.
Lethargic and nagging headache all day but was able to force myself to wash dishes.
Went back to bed around 5:00pm slept all night.
This morning feeling better!

My last glaze load is in the kiln. I broke an ornament loading it, :( and then I reminded myself to relax and slow down. I just still have too much going on. I am already planning to do better for the next show and for my lesson plans. A little at a time. I have to keep remembering to clean up and sore down. Life is easier when you can find things - i've had lots of reminders this month!

The ground is covered with ice and it's 32 and raining. I don't know what that is going to mean for me getting to my class today, but I gave a couple of hours, so I will hope for the best and get ready as if I am going. I may skip swimming tonight because there is supposed to be snow on top of this. Plus, I could use the time to pack for the show. But I hate missing the swim, I have been doing so well! We'll see....

Motown, how was your class?

Hello everyone!

I did two tiny loads of laundry today because I didn't really have any to do. I did get box together for friend who visited. Packed her pjs and other clothes she left behind, put in something of mine that she said she wanted, and I wrapped the Christmas necklace and bracelet. Took the box to the PO and it is on its way! I also stopped by mom's with her replacement Bose radio remote. It works. I bought two, and put one in her drawer.

I picked up my dry cleaning including some of my coats. One will be nice for the cleaning ladies. Only wore it one season. I may have more, I'll just have to try things on and see what I'll be keeping.

Our first snow is tmr night. My new snow boots are in the car trunk still. I'll wear the little short boots if the weather actually materializes.

HELLO CRITICALMASS! ;D


Hi Motown
After having spent 3500.00 for the machine
75.00 and your time is well worth it to learn how to use it.
Bet there are also tutorials on Youtube too.

Hi Subclinical
That's right
your clothes line was taken down for the construction.
YES! that really is a priority to get it back up.
Sometimes when the weather is too bitterly cold to completely line dry I finish up somethings inside like towels on the clothes drying rack over night.
They still smell like the fresh outdoors air.

YEA! that the big pieces survived the kiln!
WTG! for swimming and clean pants! ;)

Some people hate having to carry laundry up the stairs so much that they put their dressers/clothes closet right by the washer.

Hi Tatoulia
Hope your next class you are enthusiastic and ready to knock it out of the stadium.

My laundry dried, is folded and all put away.
At 38 degrees it is hard to tell if it's dry or just cold until it warms up after I bring it inside. LOL
There is one advantage to living here with absolutely NO humidity.
A big disadvantage is everything else associated with such dryness.

Motown we cross posted so I didn't read about your embroidery machine! WTG for making the decision about putting it to use! I am so sorry that you lost your friend to suicide. I am so grateful that you are here and that you are getting your home together. We will be right by your side!

I am excited for your sake and glad the the your larger pieces are making it through the process! I do hope to see one of your pieces!

Kitty and I are set to relax now. We are in our pjs so naturally we are feeling adorable.

Lots done today!

Motown, yay for progress and kitty support. Who watches the tv? Can you recruit some help to keep it clear?

What do you want to see? How exciting to learn how to use such a fancy piece of equipment! Enjoy your class and your day out!

Tillie, I too love saddle soap. I used to clean my little brother's shoes for him on Saturday nights so that they would look nice for church.

I think we should get my clothes line back up before we worry about putting away (I do have a dryer, but love air dried clothes.) there is space to put away, it's just carrying the stuff upstairs and sorting and folding it - slow, slow, slow. This time of year it literally takes days to dry things outside though. If I lived alone i'd have a line inside and dry them near the wood stove.

Tatoulia, good luck with your class! Maybe if there is a photo of my work on the sale website this weekend I can post a link. I'm supposed to invite my friends to the sale, so y'all come by ;).

I took the recycling to the drop today and dropped off some trash when I got groceries. Washed pants too, so we are good for a few days. Swam 2000 meters. I even made dinner.

I had two pieces break in this last firing, but the good news is that for once they were small, run of the mill pieces. The ones I was excited about came out great! Six more ornaments to glaze and a last glaze load to run before the weekend. Tomorrow is my long day teaching (5 classes)

Hello All. I can picture your leather purse, Tillie, perfect patina and better quality than anything you could buy today.

Getting colder here too. I'm happy with it. I'm airing out the living room right now. It was pouring rain this AM so I couldn't give kitty any fresh air.

WTG Motown in creating some clear areas! Defending them is key. I feel I don't do the best in defending my areas and it's just me, so I can imagine how strong you will need to be!

SubC I am so pleased that the firings are going well. How I would love to see your work. Someday, I am sure.

Too wet this AM to walk to work so I took the train. I walked part way home and then BF picked me up. Gives us a little time together.

I started teaching a class on my lunch hour today. It went really well but my head wasn't in the game. Let's see what happens next class. Next week we have off (being Thanksgiving week it seemed pointless to have a class) so I have plenty of time to get there on the materials. My slides were done, I just wasn't "feeling it". I volunteer to do this so I want to do a good job. I did get some positive feedback today.

Oh Tillie,
Thanks for the explanation. I was confused. I also can't imagine not having a dryer. That's an absolute necessity if you ask me. I don't like the smell of clothes dried outside.
I would loathe the cold of northern Nebraska. My late husband was from Nebraska and I have visited there a few times but in southeast NE just south of Omaha on the MO river in Nebraska City. I went to the Henry Doorly zoo once and loved it and always wanted to go back but I probably will never get to.

I am working extra long today to make up some time at work so I can take off tomorrow most of the day to go to a class to learn how to use my Babylock 6 needle embroidery machine. I bought it 4 years ago from a high school classmate who lived out of state. I paid $3500.00 for it and never used it. Didn't know how and was too embarrassed to ask her to show me when she was in state visiting family. Then she recently committed suicide so I certainly can't ask her now. :( So it has just been sitting in my wayin my craft room (it's massive) so I had DH move it to his house so it's now taking up space there. I kept putting off taking a class because I could not justify taking off work, paying $75.00 for a two-hour class that is over an hour from my house.
So anyway, tomorrow should be fun as DH will drive me and then after class we will go to visit his brother and SIL for the afternoon.
I will miss you guys but will be thinking about you and then on Thursday I will try to get more done at home.
Bye for now!

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Subclinical

Yeah, that TV show really got on my nerves.
Guess that's why it didn't last long at all.

Maybe next Summer you will have a few minutes and we can work on making putting away clothes an easier project.

So happy to hear you won't give up swimming!
That is very good all around quality time for you.

WTG! that this last firing looks good!
Bet you will sell out. :D

Hi Motown
I live in northern Nevada and this time of year it is extremely cold.
Laundry on the clothes line will dry when the temps are just above freezing but it takes every hour of available sun.
So I wash my laundry in the evening and place it into a large plastic bag.
When the sun comes up I get it all hung out.
I like to allow some things to soak in the hot water wash and I like to make sure I am not rushing any of the washing cycles.
To do my laundry properly I need time.
So, this way I do not have to get up hours before the sun comes up to get three loads properly washed.
I have it all ready to hang in the morning.
P.S. I do not own a clothes dryer.

The enzyme stuff I got was in the cat section at WallyWorld.

WAY TO GO! with all the counter space you have been reclaiming.
YEA! for kitty guarding the clean space by laying there.
One thing you need to do now is "defend" those clear areas.
If you see anything put down there immediately remove it or the clutter will all creep back.

Been busy all morning doing busy work.
Some of this and some of that.
Finally saddle soaped my sandals and my purse too.
I highly recommend saddle soap for all leather goods.
I bought my purse in the 1970s and it is still in great condition.
It is the only purse I have too.

Tillie please explain putting laundry in a plastic bag and why it would take all day to dry on a clothesline? Just curious and confused here. And I have the enzyme stuff on my shopping list for this week to pick up at Wal-Mart. Thanks!

Not ready for the cold here in Arkansas but it is upon us. So I worked some more on finding some countertop last night. I unearthed a few more square inches--we have a tv on the wall end of the bar and I started there coming forward. Got approximately a foot out in from on the tv cleared. It's something. The recycling bin is overflowing now with all the paper I pitched! I did a little bit of the same on the countertops in the master bathroom. Uncovered enough room that one of the cats has decided to homestead there beside the sink. Well, I guess someone appreciates my efforts!

Tillie, the thought of shows like that still makes me shudder!

I wish you all could come do my laundry! I don't mind doing it actually, it's just that it takes so much time - especially the putting away. These days the clean clothes just live on the guest bed.

I did do enough last night that dh and I have clean socks and underwear today. He is fine for work clothes too, but I am wearing "dirty" jeans. (I teach one class today and will get clay on them anyway.)

I really have to go to the grocery store this evening or we will be having hash browns with onions and eggs for dinner. That's all I can make with what there is. Not bad, but not too healthy. Especially since breakfast is eggs and the last of the toast. I am also going to swim - not giving that up! So I basically have no evening and need to be ready for Wednesday when I leave for school. Gotta wash some pants!

Tatoulia, I know you will face the closet! You have a couple of days to plan your attack. I will finish getting ready for my sale, you will plan the great closet invasion of 2018, and we will both have a successful day on Saturday!

I opened the kiln this morning and the glaze load looks good. Last feather/horse hair firing this morning.

The biggest thing keeping me from switching over to the new line is lack of time. I will have four pieces done - two experimental which are not great (which is why I experimented on them) and two I am slipping into the load this morning. If I had another two weeks, I would make an entire load.

So, I will "test market" my idea and see if the public agrees with me. :)

Hi Tatoulia

SATURDAY
You will open that closet door!

Doesn't matter how much stuff you ruffle through
but just start the ruffling.

Ooooo! pretty and sparkly!
LOL :D
I'm sure your friend will love it!



There is an older British show called "Life Laundry".
This woman goes into people's homes, removes EVERYTHING and puts it all out on a lawn/field or stadium sized building.
Then she has the people go through it all and make decisions as to what they want to keep.
The rest is sold at auctions and boot sales or donated or put into this massive shredder.

Tillie you know I love hearing about your life and your laundry!!

I need to go into the closet and just start. It's not even messy in there. I want to assess and evaluate Christmas items. Pare down. Find lost treasures.

I don't know what it's going to take. I want to do one shelf at a time. There are many shelves in there. We need to get me going in this. How can we get me to do this? I'm being candid. Music will help. I need to commit to being home on Saturday and heading in. Saturday. Commitment. See what I can accomplish. Evaluate Christmas. It will be fun!

I bought some pretty Christmas costume jewelry this weekend. I've decided to send it to the family friend who was just visiting us. It is pretty and sparkly and really nice. I own a lot of nice things and most of my costume jewelry is vintage. I'll send these pieces to her and will tell her to open now, before Christmas. I love them and they are beautiful. For some reason, I'd purchased the necklace and the bracelet. Generally I don't like my things to match. Now I know why. So I could send as a set to my friend.

Good Evening Everybody

Hi Motown
YEA! for all that cooking and baking!

I went to WallyWorld and bought "Nature's Miracle" enzyme formula stain and odor remover.
And I also bought there "Messy Pet" CAT 4 in 1 pet training deterrent.
Sounds to me like he just needs to be re-potty trained then.
You might want to contain him in a kennel while you readjust his attitude.

P.S. Tatoulia and I both enjoy the satisfaction of doing laundry. ;)


Hi Subclinical
Thank you :D
WTG! for a successful 2nd. firing and discovering another beautiful technique.
YEA! for DH cleaning up after himself!
As long as you and DH aren't running around nekkid the laundry can wait until you have the time.

Hi Tatoulia
WAY TO GO! Tatoulia's Mom for allowing the cleaning ladies to do all that cleaning!
So nice you get to come home to a place where there are actually "Cleaning Fairies".

This is at least the third time lately that you mentioned that dining room closet.
So, when do you want to start the challenge to get in there?
It's on your mind, in your dreams, nagging when you are trying to concentrate on other things.
Take a deep breath and remember you don't have to tackle the whole closet at once.
You can open the door, remove one item, close the door, make one keep/toss/donate decision.
Baby steps. (((hug)))


Cooked a butternut squash, my favorite squash.
Took a shower and washed my hair.
Since the temperature never gets out of the 40s I need to get my laundry out on the line around sunup.
In order to do this without getting up long before the sun I wash it in the evening, wrap it in a plastic bag and hang it all out early morning.
Have 3 loads to do. Sheets & pillow cases, towels & wash cloths and a load of my dark clothes.
The clothes I put on hangers and dry in the house.
But I want/need/must/have to hang out all the linens because I love the way the fresh air makes them smell.
Fortunately, the wildfire smoke in California is blowing toward the West and not coming East this time.
Unfortunately, California is burning again.