Great work, CM! The badger certainly earned her sno-cone! Well done! And great solution for the t-shirts

Tillie I believe the dishwasher and I will part ways. We're glad to the friendship, etc, but the dishwasher has changed and it's best for us to move along. I'll shop this weekend for one.

Wry humid here. I have dinner plans tonight and for reasons that are nebulous, I don't feel like going.

I'll write more later.

Keep up the good work!!

Haha, Tillie, we cross-posted!

Badger's Sno Cone pic is up on Instagram but I was attempting to put it up here too. I'll give it one more try.

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Hi

Badger Day on Friday was pretty successful! My roommate got her car thing straightened out, even if the person she dealt with was grumpy.

I got my talk with the Y personnel about security issues, so I think I'm satisfied. I'm always aware of my surroundings as much as I can be, have read crime prevention tips, etc. It's just that there really hadn't been anything like what happened there this year, so you come to trust a place is doing well. Then all of a sudden two crimes in a short space of time.

With the first one, they obviously made a mistake in hiring for the children's program, which may or may not have been preventable. It was the second incident, the person from some other entity that uses the facilities, out in the whole place where I would be, that was of direct concern to me - not that I'm not horrified about the other thing involving someone's child.

But I'm going to start going back, and I can always let my roommate or a friend know when I'm going, etc. and text them to check in if that helps me feel more at ease.

I also flew out with about an hour and a half left in the day and got my medical scans scheduled - on the same day, so that will be efficient.

I was tired by then! These were the days of 100+ at least when one factored in the heat index, and I was tired. (This week is better weather-wise.)

That left one more task: To drop off mine and roommate's donations at a thrift store. Which I did. I also did a bit of a naughty. I shopped. Didn't spend much but got 3 bags of T-shirts. They sell bags of about 6 shirts for a buck a bag. We had gotten some white ones awhile back to practice painting on for the bunny club craft sale at our fundraiser.

The ones I bought, though, were various colors - I've wanted some T-shirt fabric to make certain doll garments such as, well, T-shirts. And sweats, pullover dresses, and the like. It's expensive to buy yardage of that, and I don't need a lot for doll items.

Still, I had a bit of a "What have I done?!" moment sitting in the car opening the bags, examining the shirts. But I had an idea. I sorted through them, keeping only about 1/3 - the ones that weren't worn and pilling, duplicate colors, or hard to bring myself to cut up, like local sports team ones somebody who is a fan might want. I resolved to re-donate the 2/3 to a different thrift store! Heehee!

On Saturday I did just that. Before going out, I also cleaned the bunnies' playpen litterbox, then after dropping off the donation of T-shirts at the other store (I didn't buy a thing there!) I went to the library and worked on my novel. It was still exhaustingly hot outside, but the AC inside was fine. And I got quite a bit written. Was very pleased with that.

Yesterday I needed a nap, so I took one. Was hoping it would rain; a chance had been predicted, but it was one of those that fizzled out. However, the cool front was plenty to be thankful for.

The task is to install a new battery in my tablet. It is a long overdue task - I'd ordered one battery which didn't fit and it took me forever to return it. Thank goodness the return was accepted and I now have what I think is the correct battery. Which after I am done typing this I will go and (cross your fingers and toes) successfully install.

This week is going to be crazy, so you may or may not hear from me. My roommate's workplace has been gearing up most of the summer for this educational symposium thing Wednesday through Friday. It's a huge undertaking and they're short staffed. I've been praying it'll go smoothly, but it's going to be taxing on her. And I'm helping by doing extra stuff here especially Friday when she's going to have to get up at Zero Dark Thirty to be there for some early event.

But at any rate, Badger did certainly earn his Sno Cone!

Good Morning Everyone

HI CRITICALMASS

Hi Tatoulia
Yes it does get boring when we have to go into survival mode.
Laying low, hiding out from a danger.
Thinking about all the things we would/could be doing if it weren't so darned HOT out there.

Glad Miss Kitty is keeping hydrated.
Been nagging these two to try drinking more water.

Hope you and dishwasher can patch things up and live together peacefully from here on out. ;)


Hi Subclinical
YEA! for being organized and prepared with clean dry clothes & towels!

I can totally relate to your Dd's situation.
She has every right to keep the areas of her home clear, clean and safe, she lives there too.
Watching Steven, I think what a very sad existence it is to be a slave to a cluttered hoard of possessions.
Never any time for other activities, only forever just churning the hoard, day after day, year after year...

All my best wishes to her that he will come around soon (((HUG)))

I'm sure he won't mind you taking those kitty litter buckets because they seem to always keep coming into the house faster than they get used.


Need to go into town this week.
Need to fill water bottles, buy cat food and since I'll be at the store I would buy some fresh food for me.
Also have the property tax bill that starts to be due in August to pay.
But it's HOT out there....
Would go shopping at night except the oncoming car lights blind me.
Oh well, I'll hose off the car and get my list all ready and see if I can persuade myself to try for Wednesday or Thursday or maybe even Friday.

Tatoulia, i'm Sorry you were bored, but it's good to take care of yourself.

We had an absolute deluge yesterday that finally broke our heatwave. the rain was coming down so hard that after I got my fair stuff to my car, I changed my clothes in the car in a parking lot I knew was full of other people in cars, because I could barely see the cars, let alone the people. I was happy that my "fair kit" with extra clothes and towels was still in the car.

But after the rain we were able to pick blackberries with our friends.

They took the jars and left behind pesto, jam, a zucchini (they helped us eat some of the ones from fair), and unfortunately a styrofoam cooler, which they left by accident but refused to come back for when we called 5 minutes after they left "oh keep it, we don't need it." It takes up half the space I cleared of jars, but I will keep it until I send it away with someone full of cheese or milk. I hate styrofoam!

This afternoon I have my class, and then I am going over to dd's House to see if I can help her. She has been reclaiming the spaces in her house that are supposed to be clear spaces this week while her dh is gone (she puts his stuff in his non-functional "office") she said "I just want to go through and throw all his crap out. I know that is wrong and not helpful, but I am drowning. And he complains that he doesn't have time to do anything, but he spends all his time dealing with this crap."

We are going to sort and organize a little, with an eye toward possibly reducing shared items that he has not shown attachment to and identifying a few selections that I can help her prepare to have a conversation about.

I am going to be bringing home some glaze ingredients that I have made space for in the studio, and some empty cat litter buckets for my classroom. He has said several times in the past that I can have them, but then he doesn't "get around to" giving them to me. I truly don't think he will mind.

I'm out now and running errands with BF. Very muggy but he has refreshed the AC in the car last week so it's very nice.

I will keep an eye on the weather. Can only take her out if it's ok. She will not last and neither will I! I do hope we will get to go.

Pausing the cats. My cat has paused all day. She's only eating her cereal and not her wet food. But she's drinking plenty.

What a boring weekend. I read and watched TV and stuff. I'll get back to walking as soon as it is ok to walk to the mall and not wilt.

I'll see how the dishwasher is doing. I hope it was just a misunderstanding 😀

Hi Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
About the exhibit...
Keep a close check on the local weather there and see when the heatwave will be lessening.
I heard that by next Saturday it should be "normal" Summertime temps again East of the Mississippi.
Then plan on taking Mom out to see the Toulouse Lautrec exhibit.

Wish I had a dish washer and hope yours keeps on working.

Kitties just love those sunbeams. ;D


The days heat is generating big gray clouds.
Doesn't rain, just blots out the sun and makes it muggy.
Before the drought we used to have lovely refreshing afternoon thunderstorms.
Wishing they would return.

Discovered Vudu has a lot of movies to watch for free, with commercials.
The commercials have been one 20 second spot about every 15 to 20 minutes apart.
Still think it would be a great option if I were able to pause the cats every now & then.

Just going on 5pm here right now.
Need to wait till at least 5:30pm before I start putting the sprinkler on to water the grass.
I just place the sprinkler on the lawn, go back inside, set the timer for 15 to 20 minutes and go back out and move the sprinkler to a new location, rinse & repeat.
Only 102 in the shade on the back porch right now.

That's terrific news about the cat mat!!! And so funny about trying to pause the cats! I've been in my pjs all day. I've read, I've slept, I've watched Hulu, I've slept some more and now I'm having coffee and a bagel.

It's almost 6 and the sun is streaming in the back, and my dear little friend is on the dining table, soaking up the sun.

The dishwasher was acting funky last night. I'm going to have to pay attention to it next time I run it.

Good for you for clearing out the wasps nests! You are so brave! Tillie I'd forgotten that you don't sweat. I sweat plenty for both of us! But seriously, what a dangerous condition to have. Really awful.

Soon I will shower and put my hair up. I do hope we go for groceries tonight.

My mother wants to see the Toulouse Lautrec exhibit and it leaves on the 2d. I'll try to get here there next weekend. Or even Thursday night if she has the strength.

Good Morning Everyone
Iced tea "clink!"

Hi Subclinical
Extremely happy you have been having very good fair experiences this week.

Consumables are always the best freebies.
I would have eaten those tomatoes immediately too.

WAY TO GO! for passing along the extra canning jars!
And for being strong about not acquiring any bunnies.


Hi Tatoulia
This killer heatwave won't last forever and you can then resume all your usual activities.
It gets to me too having to lay low inside but the heat is deadly.
Especially since I never learned how to sweat.

Yes, fresh clean smelling still laundry is so lovely. :D

Miss Kitty looks quite content with her chair.


Did two loads of laundry late last night and hung it out.
Brought it in soon as I woke up, folded & put it away.

You know you have been watching way too much stuff on Roku when for a second you try to put the cats on "pause" while you tend to something else.

Managed to finally kill all the wasps in the breaker box.
Now the nest material needs to be removed and the hole plugged to keep them out of there.
The breaker box is on the outside backyard wall.

My plan for today is to stay inside until evening when I'll go out and water grass and garden.
Laundry and kitchen are all done, clean & tidy.
Maybe I'll dust a little.

That mat I bought to keep kitty litter from being tracked around is really working.
It removes about 98% of the litter from their gummy moist little feet.

I am staying inside today, I promise. If BF decides to run errands in the car I will join him but only in that circumstance. I have no reason to go outside at all. That was a mistake yesterday and today will be even hotter.

Great work SubC on taking home consumables and for getting canning supplies ready for a new home!!! Great work!!!

Tillie I will report and I will stay inside today. I have no reason to go out. I can't even go two blocks without feeling the effects. The restaurant we went to was four blocks away and I must say I felt a great deal better after eating.

I don't have to hate my house because it's clean and fairly clear. What a relief that is. I did do two loads of delicates yesterday. They are now dry so I shall fold and put away. I've been adding borax to my laundry and when I hang them to dry, they feel more like they've been hung outside. A little stiffer. I love that feeling.

I'm reading today and staying in. Kitty is under the bedroom chair, like an angel. I posted her under the chair yesterday and when I woke up this AM she was on the chair, so I have a picture of that too.

Tatoulia,

Please slow down! You have been doing really well with your walking, but now is a time to take a break. Even healthy habits require moderation.

Fair is over. I stayed very late last night and had a good time with my fair friends. This morning I will rest a little and straighten up the house, then I go to pick up my fair entries.

I brought a bunch of freebies home last night - they released food products at 8:00 and I was gifted by friends with zucchini, garlic, little tomatoes, hot peppers, and another cupcake. But I ate the tomatoes on the spot.

I did not bring home any rabbits - which was extremely hard because of something I won't share because it would probably make CM sad too. But I had promised dh I wouldn't bring home any rabbits.

We have friends coming over when I get back. One of them cans and I have promised him a bunch of jars because I have too many. - more stuff leaving the basement. Go me!

Please report this incident to your doctor.
Meantime stay in, rest, read or Roku.
Make sure you are drinking enough water.
Whenever we are not at 100% extreme heat just exacerbates everything.
((((HUG))))

Barely moving. Reading and sleeping. Went out for dinner with BF. Very unpleasant out. I tried walking earlier in the day (very slowly, to post office) and I started to black out. A police officer (whom we know) drove me home. He's driven me places before and is very kind.

That's twice in a week an officer has driven us someplace. We got a ride from a different officer to the museum Thursday night. Today's officer was worried because I was getting sick. So I accepted the nice cool ride.

Good Morning Everyone
Hoping Everybody is managing to stay cool and out of the burning sunshine.

Hi Subclinical
Yes, the experience alone is well worth the price.

YEA! for donating the plastic flatware!
It was already made and exists. Holding onto it does not help your home environment.
We can only hope that they will stop making nonrecyclables when all the people finally learn not to buy them or accept them.

A fantastic kid occurrence?
WAY TO GO KID!!!


My brother's wife was once asked to judge olives for the county fair.
Afterward they asked her to please go away and never return.
She is such an unpleasant person. LOL :D


Been awake since 4:30am. Tried for an hour to fall back asleep but finally gave up.
Already fed cat's breakfast, Jack was sleeping on the back porch.
My back was hurting too much yesterday to stand at the sink and wash dishes so today I will wash dishes.
Have a little bit of laundry to do.
Have to work on a large yellow jacket wasp nest.
It's in the breaker box panel and has lots of wasps.
Been killing off as many wasps as I can but there are still too many of them.
Will keep at it, one dead wasp at a time.

I had a thought about the freebies.

I have always had a hard time spending money on myself. Bringing home free stuff from the fair made me feel like I was offsetting the cost. If I got someTHING "useful" for my money than I wasn't just spending money to have fun.

This is my vacation. We can afford it (easily - it's a cheap vacation!) taking time to have fun is important. Going to the fair is worth the money all by itself.

Being a goat judge is too hard! And I don't want to judge ceramics because I want to enter.

I had a great fair day though. All the questions i've been asking in the home arts building must have endeared me to the people in charge instead of annoying them, because today, after the baked goods were judged, I was up there cooling off, and they offered me half a cupcake (left over from sampling for judging.)

The cart and pack show was great fun today, I made some possible contacts for sales/breeding/new goats, and we had a fantastic kid occurrence (I don't want to invade anyone's privacy, so i'll just say there was a big win for a kid who needed it with a mom who needed to see it.) also I got to spend time with my 4h friends.

AND I took a bunch of plastic flatware to the picnic, donated it all to the club, and didn't try to bring home and wash any that got used. I don't think that was a permanent change, and I don't feel entirely good about it, but I know it was a big step.

A young Red Tailed Hawk came by the yard today.
ALL the other species of birds started screaming at him and flying at him and chasing him.

I've seen this happen many times before.
Robins, Finches, Sparrows, Wrens, Dove and all kinds of birds group together to chase away the predator.
Real team work. ;)

Hi CriticalMass
You have made some GREAT progress now that you no longer feel the need to pick up all the freebies, just some consumable ones.

Good luck with all your BADGER plans for today! :D

Hay fever/allergies suck. :(


When my son was about three or four we went to the county fair.
Going through all the different booths set up with different sellers and government agencies my son insisted on having a tote sack and was filling it up with all handouts and pamphlets/brochures.
He especially liked the forest service freebies, all Smokey The Bear related.

Badger Day Progress report so far: The car tag office has been very slow. My roommate's number was finally called a few minutes ago. Hopefully she can get business transacted - there was a complication where the VIN number from her old car is still on the paperwork instead of the new one.

Then if all goes well we might have time to go to the Y so I can speak to someone about security. Along the way we'll see about the sno-cone for Badger. Maybe one laced with allergy medicine for yours truly. This itchy nose hay fever thing is for the birds. I don't know if scheduling my medical stuff can happen today also, but there's always Monday. It may be rainy and cooler then.

I can so relate to picking up freebies at the State Fair years ago! Sometimes I needed more than one plastic bag! 😂 I was an information hound - so many pamphlets I kept on so many subjects. I used to have half a dozen or more steel file cabinets. Thank God for the Internet; the file cabinets are long gone. And even if I went, I wouldn't pick up non-consumable freebies. So I guess I have made progress over the years.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Have a wonderful day at the fair.
YEA! for no longer needing to bring home all the freebies!
Maybe some day you will be a judge at the fair since you know so much about fine goats and pottery.

Hi Tatoulia
Thanks for the chuckle about how you "needed" to get all those freebies. ;)

How nice the exhibit wasn't crowded!
You were able to take the time to appreciate it without feeling rushed through.

Stay cool, whatever it takes.


Was woken up this morning by a small airplane constantly flying low over this area.
I don't know why but he did that for an hour.

I can see coyote footprints around the house, they came in too close last night.
But Jack was on the porch for breakfast this morning.

Walking out across the road yesterday to fetch in the mail there was a cottontail bunny sitting out by the mailbox.
Just sat there as I approached and only moved over a little as I came near and just sat and watched me.
Of course I thought of CM. ;)

Great job at the fair, SubC! You've come so far! Amazing to hear how you've adapted to enjoy the fair without ending up with armfuls of things! I used to have a terrible time with freebies. Not only did I want what was being offered, I wanted two. The time that changed me was when they were handing out some sort of ziploc bag that came with a device that would take the air out of the bag to improve freshness. They were giving out two at a time, and I went twice, and my friend asked, why do you need four? Then I was with her and they were handing out shampoos for redheads, and I'm not a redhead plus my hair is dyed, and she couldn't understand why I needed the shampoo. I can now avoid the freebies unless it's a yogurt or lip balm or the occasional granola bar. But I was hooked on the freebies.

All this to say, you've come so far and I am so proud of you!

Thank you also for a description of your activities at the fair! It sounds amazing and yes we will walk side by side someday.

Tillie I am grateful you are able to enjoy your garden now that it's smaller. I can't imagine living in a place so dry that you can leave your laundry out overnight!

I will not be walking in this heat. I can walk to work today and I'll decide how to get home. I could stay late and take the subway. I wish you could've joined us last night. The exhibit was so well done! And it wasn't crowded, thanks to the fact we didn't get there til 8.

CM! We cross posted the other night. Say hello to the badger and send him here once you have worn him out and he's only up for being a tiny, sleepy badger.

Good morning everyone!

It's badger Friday!

I think about the badger every time I walk past the "sno-Kones" stand at fair.

And yes, CM, I said hi to the bunnies for you. I think about you every time I walk into the rabbit barn.

Tatoulia, I wish you were here to come to the fair with me. I'd love showing you around. Stay safe and out of the heat today!

All of the judging is done and I had a respectable showing. I was able to be there for some of the judging yesterday and I learned a lot.

I also had a very interesting conversation with the young man who judged the meat goats. There was a moment when I almost asked him if he wanted to see a picture of my daughter, but then I remembered that he thinks it's ok to eat goats.

Today is goat shows all day and a picnic with the dairy goat club for dinner. I'm sure i'll find some time to visit alpacas and rabbits too.

I was reflecting yesterday that when the kids were young, I used to come home from fair loaded down with freebies, carnival prizes, and ribbons.

Now I return the ribbons that don't have dates, don't play carnival games (they stopped having skee-ball) and the only "freebies" I picked up are a pack of colored post it tabs for my English classes this year and a card I will recycle when I finish reading my book. My shirt will be an even exchange, and I plan to have one less doll.

Tatoulia
I absolutely FORBID you to walk in the heat!

Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit, bet that was a wonderful experience.

Hope you get a good night's sleep and feel better tomorrow.


It's been hot here but I don't have to spend much time outside.
Garden is easy and I can do most of it early morning or late evening.
I can wash laundry at night, hang it out and bring it in in the morning.

Only time I tend to be out when it's hot is when I drive the air conditioned car to and from the grocery store.
Then carry in my groceries.
But that's just every other week since I hate shopping.

Hello everyone.

BF and I went to the Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit at the Museum of Fine arts tonight. It was wonderful. I believe it leaves on August 2 so I'm glad we made it. We then walked home.

My feet are tired. I did a lot of good walking today.

Dangerous heats are coming our way. I'll do what I can and not a bit more.

I'm feeling poorly and will go lay down.

OK, now I am very curious about the story behind the picture of that bathroom door.

Good Morning Everybody

Hoping everyone has another great day today! ;D

Good Evening Everybody

Hi CriticalMass
YEA! for BADGER FRIDAY!!!
Don't forget his sno-cone.

That's a great way to motivate each other.
You two can also have quick contests.
Like five minute dashes to do a task.

Your minimalist look is perfect.
Keep up the good work and you will get there (((HUG)))

Hi Tatoulia
After I eat I need to take it easy & rest for a little while. Nothing too physical even though I eat light.

WAY TO GO! for doing such a great job today making progress!
It takes time to sort out and evaluate our stuff and make so many decisions.
At times it feels like the decluttering and organizing will never end but eventually you will "get there".

Please send any of your unwanted excess rain my way. ;D


Got the grass & garden watered this evening, came in and took a shower.
It feels so good sitting here with the ceiling fan blowing on me.
Jack helped me water and I was picking up dropped apricots and tossing them to him to catch.

I think Nathan's so great. I like him so much.

I walked and walked. I had eaten really late today, before I went out. I just had tuna with pickles (out of a bowl, no bread) and it was too close to my walking time. I felt like I was swimming right after eating. My stomach hurt and I felt lousy. But I thought about something I read recently, something about when not feeling motivated, that's where discipline comes in. Something like that. So I used to overcome the nausea.

I am pleased with my accomplishments today. I made some good and sincere progress today. I thought I'd already passed along the Reiss bag. As I inspected it today, I started thinking about using it when I go away in September. Then I thought, no. I also thought about a woman at work who used to covet it (I must've had it at work for a work trip) but she left the company long ago.

I did not get to post office because once cleaner got here, it was pouring rain. I may bring to work on Friday and mail lunch time. It's all ready to go and I've filled out the customs forms.

HELLO CM.

It's a giant steam bath outside.

I'm going to feed the little one and go to bed. I've showered and I'm running the dishwasher.


Goodnight dear friends. Again, SubC, you are doing so great.

HELLO JOAN. AND DIANE. AND ANONY. AND OTHER DIANNE. AND LR. AND ROXY. AND BITSY.

Diane I really miss you.

Back at ya, Tillie! 😉

SubC, glad the fair went well and you have an idea what ceramics might be a good fit next time. Hope you waved to the bunnies for me. 🐇🐇🐇

Last time I went to the Kansas State Fair was 2010. County fair is about now but it's too hot. In either case, I have to go when transportation is available. The State Fair is in Hutchinson, where my parents met and married, and surviving aunts on my dad's side reside, and cousins. When I was a kid through teenager, Mom & Dad & I went every year. I have mostly fun memories - and a few creepy ones, those because I was young and gullible enough to believe the garish signs on the freak show tents. 😨

Tillie, I keep clothes a long time too - some of the oldest ones weren't expensive but still have lasted way better than the cheap, often trashy looking, items on the store racks nowadays.

Tatoulia, glad the decluttering process is humming right along. The good vibes will help your immune system and overall health, I'm sure. And SubC as well, and Tillie wtg on flannel nightgown engineering.

Got my Tuscan kitchen towels washed as part of two loads of laundry done today. They are bagged and out in the van. I took 3 photos but may not need to have done that. Such dreams I had, though, in the 00s, of keeping my folks' house. I wanted to paint a Tuscany scene on a big piece of paper or cloth to pin up in that kitchen, a trompe l'oeil that would give the illusion of looking out over the fields and vineyards from my quaint historical villa... sigh... May their new owner smile.

My minimalist look will be what it needs to be to feel clean, bright, back to basics, primed for creativity. I will have the equipment, but cared for and not in a jumble. Excess stash will be gone and Justin Case will have slim pickings.

Still pulling out of that low energy slump - mood is neutral to good. Roommate has Friday off and I told her about The Badger. So we are going to designate Friday as Badger Day here and give each other moral support, a kick in the butt, whatever, to tie up our loose ends, the tasks we have needed to tackle but procrastinate on.

I've had some mild allergy annoyance. The grass and ragweed pollen are "Moderate" here according to AccuWeather.

Everybody be safe and healthy!

Nice thing about cats is that as soon as the "spooky" thing goes away or stops being so spooky, they tend to go back to normal rather quickly.
Dogs tend to stay suspicious.

YEA! for the cleaning lady!!!
Have a good walk. ;)

Hi Subclinical
You have been doing FANTASTIC!
Those are very good questions you have been asking yourself.
Excellent way to get functionally organized.


Nathan is the adult child of a hoarder.
He learned housekeeping from me.
His ideal is to be as minimal as possible and yet still live the life he wants.

At Thanksgiving when he was here he was looking through all my cupboards and commenting on how minimal they were.
Then he lamented that he has way too much stuff!

After I finished laughing at him I said...
You live in that house you just bought and need all that stuff to take care of that house.
You have an acre of land and you need things to take care of that.
You have 3 dogs and need things to care for them.
You have chickens and ducks and need things to take care of them.
You have fruit trees and a vegetable garden and need things to tend to them.
You have taken up blacksmithing as a hobby and need things to do that.
You are starting up your own business of repairing small engines and need all those things to do that.
Not to mention all the things you need for camping and hunting that you need and use.
Plus all the other things you do, etc. etc. etc...

He said "oh yeah, you're right"
And he laughed too. ;D

SubC you are an inspiration! Great work! Great decision making!

Tillie that's a very good point re medication. I'll be curious to see where my blood levels are. I may pop up for blood work before I go to dr appt. I'm really happy he's working so hard toward my health what a luxury.

My main cleaning lady didn't come. I ended up with just one woman and she did a great job. It was actually less nerve-wracking to have just one person here. We had a massive downpour with giant lightning abs thunder so kitty was really getting whacked. But she's out and melted into a chair.

I just ate because there was no lunch accompanying my cleaning. I generally don't eat on the days they come here, so I can enjoy their food.

I need to walk. I'll put on sneakers and head to the mall.

My minimalism involves a kiln! 😁

Tatoulia, good job on finding space! I do not think ugly is beside the point.

I found another bowl - large plastic - to donate, and I dumped a banker's box of saved gourds in the field. I'm sure the birds and mousies will enjoy them.

I'm afraid the bottles will be going in the basement for "now" because I am not ready to address them.

It is helping me to have one very specific question - "Is this something I am going to use in the pottery studio?" Then the next question is either "where am I going to use it" - to help me locate it -or "is it basement space worthy?"

Some of the pottery things have been put in their permanent homes and others have been stacked closest to point of use until I get better organized. I have two more empty cabinets, but I already have a stack that will be going into one because it is the best location for that particular equipment.

Good Afternoon

HELLO CRITICALMASS ;)

Hi Subclinical
WAY TO GO! for all your straightening and better organizing the studio!!!

Hope you find a more inspiring location to display those old bottles.
Keepers like that should be displayed where you can see and appreciate them.

YEA! for a bowl to donation.
You have been doing great with donations and being extra picky about what you bring home.

Hi Tatoulia
Such HAPPY posts!!! :D
Feels so good when things go so well when working toward your goals.

Yeah, that sweater needed to be tossed, yucky.
Hope you start using that purse you have been storing.
That's great to shop at home, start using items we have but haven't utilized yet.

Glad you will see the Dr. sooner.
One thing I thought about...
Sometimes when we lose weight or otherwise improve our health, medication dosages we were on before may not be the correct dosages for our new improved lifestyle.
Sometimes they need to be readjusted.

Enjoy all your newly reclaimed space.


Because of the media hype around minimalism people have the wrong impression of what it consists of.
Minimalism is when we curate our possessions down to only things we need/use and want (precious/sentimental).
Nothing extra, like for Justin Case or other disaster scenarios.

Some people are very extreme, that's their choice.
Some people have lifestyles and interests where having more is good.
Like hobbies, crafts, a home business, entertaining, etc. where having the items you need is necessary but it is still a degree of minimalism.

Minimalism is having only the things that bring value to your life.

A young single man can easily carry all his worldly possessions in a backpack.
Most people don't live such a nomadic life.
Most people would feel deprived with having only one satchel of stuff.

Minimalism has varying degrees of things owned depending on the person and the lifestyle.

I made space today! I'm getting a lot done an I'm just so happy. I cannot believe it. I also faced a box containing a purse I got in Japan. I don't know why I've been avoiding it. Purse is lovely. I will see if I use it. I threw out the box. If I don't use it then I'll pass it along.

I made great space for myself today.

The sweater I threw out was crammed in the back of one of my shelves. It was of some weird synthetic fabric (I can't wear wool) and it had yellowed and otherwise was in an unacceptable state. Beyond redemption. Plus it was ugly but that's beside the point.

I made space today. I feel energized and happy. I'm not done but I'm happy.

I know that minimalism is trending these days. I'm not going for minimalism. I'm going for livable and beautiful and breathable.

The humidity today is Super Yuck. I can't tell if it's thundering outside because AC is loud. Kitty is not going to be happy if it's thundering and the ladies are here. That's extra stress for my babycat.

Ok she's running late but is still coming today. YAY because now I have a big bag for her PLUS I need my sheets changed (selfish girl).

I was looking for a pair of sandals I haven't worn in two years, figuring I'd give them to cleaners. I haven't found them but I found a giant Reiss bag that someone gave me (I though I'd gotten rid of it) and a sweater I didn't even remember owning. The sweater was put in the trash and the big Reiss bag to the cleaners. I also made a decision on a beaded bag, from Hong Kong, very nice but again, the cleaners will use it and I have another one I've been using lately. A vintage one I got several years ago.

Feels good.

Oh! And dr got in touch with me today and wants to see me in August instead of September. So I need to keep my act together. I'm doing great but I have less than a month to do even better. And I'm psyched.

I have never been to a fair so this is all fascinating to me! Tillie when I first got my kitty, my eyes were swollen shut from the allergies. I used to say, I'm allergic to cat. Singular.

I have taken a bag to car for donations and at the last minute I slipped in a gift salt and pepper shaker. I have culled through the jewelry and have a few things for cleaners. I have been shredding papers and putting my shoes away. All good stuff. Continuing to declutter or how I like to think about it, de-sh!t my house. (Apologies). I also decided to get rid of a plate I use for soap dish. I like it but I can't put in dishwasher so off it goes. Travel well, little buddy.

So stuff like that. As soon as cleaners get here I'm running to post office to mail a birthday gift overseas.

Hi all!

Poor scooter - lol! My dd's Dog really is allergic to cats. They have 2, and she likes to lick them, so she has to take medicine.

Tillie, it annoys me when it happens to other people, but I am quite capable of being market focused. There is money with the ribbons (it's how I pay for my ticket every year). If I only entered things that I would feel excited about simply winning, I would enter far fewer items. I would have to have some control over the product, and there would have to be a bunch of good quality competition - so for example, green beans and eggs would definitely stay, but antiques (no control) and soap (no competition) would likely go. The money is small, so you have to enter a lot of items to win enough to pay for your ticket.

I decided to stay home today. I thought I would be doing clay work in the studio, but I have been doing clean up the studio work in the studio. I have a load of studio towels in the dryer and I took the antique glass liquor bottles (inherited from my great grandmother's hoard when I was ten) off the top of the cupboard and washed the cupboard and put them in the dishwasher.

I had them out there because I thought the shaves and patterns would be inspiring, but I couldn't see them well on top of the cabinet.

I also cleared off a shelf, labelled it for items waiting to be fired, and collected a group of said items. And I found a large wooden bowl I can donate.

Good Morning

Hi Subclinical
At the fair here I get upset because the judges go for brightly colored tackily thrown together quilt/clothing entries over the well made expertly executed pieces.
It's disgraceful.

Whatever you decide to do today have a great time :)

Hi Tatoulia
Massive decluttering?
What cupboards, closets, drawers, etc. are you working on?
Curious minds want to know. ;)

Didn't get much sleep last night, my left ear decided to have an earache.
Think my allergies are messing with it.
The past few weeks I've been having an awful lot of allergic asthma attacks.
Scooter has been having a lot of daily sneezing fits and rubbing his eyes a lot too.
He'll sneeze about 20 times in a row.
I think he's allergic to cats.

Good morning!

Tillie I'm glad your garden is perfectly manageable and that you are happy with your hard work and decision making. Good for cleaning your drawers and figuring out the nightie!

SubC, congratulations on your ribbons, and on your decision on letting the doll go!

Okay I'm going to work and do a few things around the house. Still some massive decluttering to do.

Good morning!

Tillie, i'm glad you fixed your nightgown.

Tatoulia, enjoy your cleaners!

I had a good day at fair yesterday. Most of my entries in the sections that have been judged won some kind of ribbon. (they judge antiques tomorrow)

I finally got a chance to talk with the judge for ceramics (judges are sometimes available after judging is completed, but I always miss her) and now understand better what she is looking for. For the last few years (since they switched judges) I have been baffled by the placing of my pieces. Now I know that the disconnect is because I am focused on technical workmanship and difficulty level and she is focused on visual complexity and appeal (to her). So, I will stop entering things that are glazed all one color and things that are done in earth tones.

The little Japanese doll took second place, so she will be passed on. I can get second with a different doll.

I was planning to go to the fair today, but it is raining hard and supposed to continue, so I will see. There are no goat events or work I committed to today, but it is a big day for rabbits - and they are inside.

Otoh, it is a good day to hide in the studio and do clay work.

All I brought home from fair yesterday was an advertising card that has a website I want to look at and that I am using as a bookmark.

Hello Anybody

Have a very nice flannel nightgown that for some reason I didn't choose to wear last Winter.

Tried to reason out why I was reluctant to wear it.
Put it on, fits great, feels so soft & cuddly.

Then figured out that it was too narrow at the bottom.
Couldn't take a big step in it.

That's the problem!

Did a bit of alteration.
Slit the sides about a foot up from the hem.
Now it's perfect.
I don't feel "trapped" in it.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Taking a little lunch break.

Got bored inside with nothing to do so I have been sorting out, wiping out and organizing my clothes drawers.

Going through my clothes and making sure they don't need any attention, like a little mending or maybe even they might be too old and worn out to continue keeping.
I tend to keep favorites long past their expiration date.

Overcast cloudy day today making it a little cooler and a tiny bit humid.
Watching Cujo on Roku. LOL ;p

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Very relieved !

Hope you were able to get some sleep.
Make sure to tell him he is never to worry everybody again, no more accidents. ;)


Hi Tatoulia
OK, watch for any dizziness and report it to the doctor along with any other spooky symptoms.

YEA! for bedroom looking good!

So happy that I minimized my garden stuff!
Not getting overwhelmed, over heated, over worked, over stressed, all worn out this Summer.

Been killing wasp nests that I can easily get at.
Not bothering to try killing them in all his hoarded mess out there.
That was were I was ending up getting hurt and/or tearing my clothes.
Plus trying to make my way through it is very scary because of snakes and poisonous spiders & scorpions, etc.

Thank you for the update!! Thank goodness OTC painkillers. The others bring about devastation.

I am late for work. Dr thinks my nighttime meds gave me the dizziness and I'm to watch for it.

Bedroom looking good but no time for pictures.

Cleaners come tmr.

"Some" compression damage, "no instability" 2 weeks bed rest. OTC painkillers. We are feeling very relieved!

Hi Subclinical
You and your Nephew will be in my thoughts and prayers ((((HUG))))

Very relieved that they are transporting him to a better equipped hospital.
With all the different tests and doctors all consulting with each other, you probably won't get an answer for hours.
Rest best as you can ((((HUGS))))


Glad you had a successful day at the fair today.
Red is a great color.
In with the red, out with the peach, YEA!

Praying for your nephew. I'm very worried. Please post when you can

Tatoulia, I am glad you told your dr. I was very worried when I read that.

Had a pretty successful day today. Tired.

Bought a souvenir shirt at the fair, they change the color every year and I get one every year and I have a lot, so I decided before I went to only get one if it was red or purple. It was red, so I did. I have a peach colored one I will retire.

My nephew was in an accident. He is being transported to a more equipped hospital because he is conscious and can stand, but they suspect spine injuries. I am going to try to sleep because we are unlikely to hear more before morning.

Hi Tatoulia

Hope by now your doctor knows all about it (((HUGS)))

WAY TO GO!!! for all you are getting done on the bedroom!

YEA! for a bag of donations.
Oh Well, best to pass along mistakes, you have already learned any lessons from it and do not need the constant reminder.

Make sure to stay well hydrated and don't over do in the heat.
I get up early and do a bunch of chores while it's still cool out.
When it starts to warm up I lay low waiting for evening before I do any more.
The heat is too physically stressful.