"Be of good cheer. Many hugs to all. Do something today to make you smile or laugh."
:) :) :)
Read Roxie's post of good cheer and compassionate response to each poster.
Roxie
Posted: 13 March 2014 - 12:31 PM
Barb, sounds like wild weather around you. Sometimes I find that thrilling if a bit scary. Congratulate yourself that you did handle the power outage, after all. I know disruption in your plans can be hard for you to handle, but you are doing better at it each week. From what I've seen on tv of Dr. Zasio, I like her. I think you can even do phone work with her if you like and can pay.
Dave, despite your perceived slow-down, you did get laundry and self-care done, so good for you. Maybe you and Karl can team up and challenge on another to 15 minute bouts?
Karl, we all understand feeling a lack of motivation and having down days. My assignment for you is to get offline after you read this and do 15 minutes of cleanup! :)
Diane, I'm always interested in your many projects and your creativity in getting things fixed, not to mention your energy. Isn't it great to have enough places clean and organized that you can actually find things like that flashing that you needed? I was on youtube looking at houses built with salvaged items and one looked great with steel cans and lids used as siding!
If any of you are located in or near a big city, I recommend salvage yards and architectural salvage places for used items for the home (no, don't buy what you don't need now). There is one place around this town that has a sort of salvage yard where you can buy used doors, doors and frames, bathtubs, cabinets, carpet remnants, etc. Some recycle places let you pick through things, too, for what you need. Just "shop" by need, only.
Dianne, I'm impressed that Laura is doing such a good job at sorting for you and that you are trusting her. It will help her self-esteem, also, as well as be fun. Shoot, I'd have fun doing that for someone else. Could any of those things go to hospitalized kids? The huge temperature shifts you are having would wipe me out. Have a care.
Not much to report here other than getting by. Slept very late today. Left hand is wonky. Need to find out the results of the nerve conduction test and remind the dr. that he wanted to refer me to a lung doctor.
Be of good cheer. Many hugs to all. Do something today to make you smile or laugh.
Tillie
Posted: 13 March 2014 - 12:05 PM
Hi :) Finally got the little patch of grass out front all raked. The sun is shining but it won't get warm till later today. So many thoughts running around in my mind. Trying to figure out a new plan. I need a new plan. One week till Spring! :D
Barb
Posted: 13 March 2014 - 11:42 AM
Today is sunny here. We have had rain, wind, thunder and lightning, and more snow. It is still very cold. I didn't get a lot done yesterday. The power went out with the storm right in the middle of my cooking lunch. I quickly got the food into the frig and had leftover cornbread instead. There was enough daylight to sort and do other tasks, but I always have difficulty switching gears when my plans are disrupted. I couldn't run the washer, so I have that to do today. Trash pickup was this morning so I have an empty garbage toter to fill again. On my breaks , I am reading ebook The Hoarder In You by Dr. Robin Zasio. She writes from a personal perspective with examples of people who have successfully dealt with this. I am finding it both insightful and helpful. Have a great day everyone, whether you choose to do a lot or a little. Take care of yourselves.
Dave
Posted: 13 March 2014 - 10:58 AM
Sounds like you have already patched the frame.
Years ago a friend told me about Durhams -I think it is Durhams water putty. I found that very useful patching on an old house we used to have. If you've not used it, take a look at it sometime when you are in an appropriate place. It hardens well and can be sanded and painted. I cant remember if I ever used it outside, but I think I did use it for cosmetic filler over some light rot in more sheltered areas.
Dave
Posted: 13 March 2014 - 10:52 AM
Always nice to find a needed something "in stock".
dave
Posted: 13 March 2014 - 10:48 AM
Yesterday was mostly this board, dishes, laundry and feeding myself.
Once again have consumed most of the morning on this board. Must do work in garage today. No time for hamburgers I'd planned on-lots of toast today.
diane
Posted: 13 March 2014 - 10:48 AM
Hello everyone, loving the sunshine right along with you!! Amazing how much more energy I have when the sun is shining. I don't use the door to the deck, junk in front of it. So yesterday I got rid of junk and found that the door frame does not fit and water had rotted some of it. It is an add on to trailer and certainly was done by someone with skills like mine!!! I took all the caulk off from and around door and the massive build up of caulk where trailer joins add on area. I painted the whole area and patched it. It was amazing that in my hoard I had the exact piece of flashing to put between the two. I felt so happy I was able to sit and think through it until I found what would work to make it better. There is a gap between door frame and add on that I almost have fixed. Working on the roof where trailer and add on join last night until it got dark. Will tackle that as soon as it warms up. This morning worked in here on some possible fixes. Doing dishes and vacuuming before I get to the fun stuff. Yesterday I had so much fun I did not want the sun to set. I rarely feel there are not enough hours in the day, but fixing these things to prolong the life of my little old trailer gives me hope. Working inside before I head out is my way of feeling I am not neglecting my living space.
Dave
Posted: 13 March 2014 - 07:42 AM
Yeah, I'm having a bit of trouble there too. How are things going with landlady Anna?
Karl
Posted: 13 March 2014 - 01:30 AM
No recent progress. I'm having trouble getting motivated.
Dave
Posted: 12 March 2014 - 02:30 PM
Dianne,
What a big step for you! and a confidence builder for Laura.
I'm glad you are being able to work together like that.
Dianne
Posted: 12 March 2014 - 02:10 PM
Dave, we're going to hit the library to check out those books.
So I'm doing it.....
I'm letting Laura make decisions with my stuff. She is tossing what she calls *pure trash* and she's really good with that. She's setting aside papers she thinks I need to make a decision about. Cute stuff she's finding ~ holiday pencils, tiny glittery purses, wallets, beanie babies ~ anything gifty item I bought and forgot I had she put in a pile for donations. She's set aside all cat toys and grooming brushes, combs, clippers and if she thinks we don't need it she's setting it aside for a shelter donation. Some items she's putting away.
I'm not attached to any of that but it's a good start for me to trust her judgment over mine in dejunking. And I'm very thankful we can do this at our own pace.
Dave
Posted: 12 March 2014 - 12:20 PM
Hi to all. Hope your day is going well.
Dianne, Prior to buying, Google books: "just so stories" and "the adventures of reddy fox"
that will give you the flavor to decide if you want to find hard copies.
Tillie
Posted: 12 March 2014 - 11:13 AM
Hi :)
Dianne
Posted: 12 March 2014 - 11:01 AM
Roxie, so glad you made it to the doctor. That plus basic care is major work, great job!
Dianne
Posted: 12 March 2014 - 10:58 AM
The mulch sits in the driveway. I was all about doing more of the outdoor work myself and today I am really sore. I'm happy for what I can do but need to remember to pace myself outside as well as in.
We expect temps in this area to go from about a beautiful 72 today to a bitter wind chill of 5 degrees in less than 24 hours. The winds carrying that change will be terrific. There will be more downed branches, hopefully not whole trees.
Other than making sure gates are tight and doghouses are against something solid there won't be outdoor work today. I'll take the dogs for some loops out back and have everybody in by 2:00. Water was restocked yesterday so if we lose electricity we're good.
We have to play catch-up inside. Folded people laundry is waiting to be put away, trash needs to go in truck, bills need to be paid.
Laura wants to go thru some baskets/bags/boxes in my room and clear things for me. She says it's like finding buried treasure (wow I just made the connection with the book title! I can be so slow!). She does get to keep any money found. It makes me anxious not to supervise her. If she's tossing her stuff that's fine ~ mine......we'll see.
Dave
Posted: 12 March 2014 - 10:53 AM
Dianne, See in how to help a hoarder.
Roxie
Posted: 12 March 2014 - 10:35 AM
Yesterday I managed to bathe, shampoo and get clean clothes on. Yeah me. Then I went off to the doctor. I was happy that I had found the name of the gel I'd previously had prescribed for my skin condition so he could prescribe it for me.
I told him no one had ever officially said to me that I have COPD. He looked at me and said "You have COPD." So there it is. He also told me I could go to the Health Department and get some sort of form that would allow me to get six free weeks of the nicotine patch when I'm ready to quit. I will do that. I could also save a lot of money if I didn't smoke. I won't commit yet to a date but it is in the foreseeable future.
They also did a nerve conduction test on my left hand and I'll get results soon. He thought my left hand condition might be carpel tunnel. I couldn't imagine from where, then he asked me my sleep position. I sleep on my side and, yes, sometimes I wake up with a numb arm. Hmmm.
I didn't get much else done but basic self-care.
Dainne
Posted: 12 March 2014 - 10:28 AM
Dave,
Laura hasn't read Kipling or Burgess. I can see a whole new book collection building now. :) Thanks for heads up on Content Advisory for Jack. He would not be a happy camper hearing how a fellow brother had difficulty with Granny Fox. Especially since her grandson Mr. Fox visits here almost nightly and taunts Jack by coming up to the house for his supplementary meals. :)
Dobie shopping behavior? For real? Unfamiliar with it. But I have heard some referred to as *velcro babies*. Kills me how big, tough, protection dogs can be such softies when relaxed.
Dave
Posted: 11 March 2014 - 03:26 PM
Dianne, Have you heard of a doberman behavior called shopping?
Dave
Posted: 11 March 2014 - 03:15 PM
Dianne, Spiderwebbing from another line of thought. Has Laura read Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories and Thornton Burgess' nature stories? I can't remember exactly when I read those, but I think it was somewhere around the age you have mentioned.
Lifelong friends. I see Chatterer and Sammy Jay every day. And Jolly Round Red Mr Sun rising slowly in the east is still there.
Content Advisory-Jack could be a bit distressed with some of the Thornton Burgess stories. I think Bowser the Hound did not have good press in the forest and also came out on the wrong end of some encounters with Granny Fox.
Tillie
Posted: 11 March 2014 - 12:22 PM
Good morning :) Got a lot done yesterday. Cleaned the house and vacuumed the coils under the fridge, washed the cat's litter boxes and even washed the shower curtain. Today I have to sweep up all the kitty litter they have thrown around, pick up kibble they have strewn around by the bowl and clean up two hair balls off the carpet. Also need to try to brush off all their loose fur to get this shedding under control. Already have two loads of laundry hanging out on the line. Really want to get out in the yard and do some raking & stuff but there is a very cold wind blowing and it is the kind of day that makes your nose run and fingers hurt from the cold. Maybe tomorrow. :) Planning to spend some time reading today and then do some sewing. So, what are you all up to? :D
Dianne
Posted: 11 March 2014 - 08:36 AM
Yesterday I got a lot of spring cleanup done in the yard ~ raking debris from bedded areas and under trees. I was very proud to not pick up and save lots of beautiful big pine cones and tiny pines cones from the hemlock trees. That was really hard. The landscaping guys cleared downed heavy branches and hauled away some old fencing.
Today the temps will be in the upper 60's so more outdoor work, edging beds and maybe spreading some mulch. My muscles tell me the going will be slower today. Still it feels wonderful. :)
diane
Posted: 10 March 2014 - 06:54 PM
I woke up too early also, so can relate. I started cleaning kitchen, amazing how dirty it was, doesn't seem that long ago that I cleaned it well. Spent several hours cleaning counters, microwave, stove, a few cup boards. threw away expired canned food and vitamins that were in cupboard. Cleaned off stuff that had gathered on counters. Once again, without maintenance it takes way to long to clean. I did not stop until I completed tasks. I did stop for tea etc. but did stay focused with much effort to stay focused. My reward was to work on deck area. I cleaned out more dead plants from planters. Not sure what else I did but have been busy all day, and happy about it. Rained all morning and on and off this afternoon. Helps me stay inside and clean when raining. Also knowing friend will be coming over, made me really want to accomplish some things. After I cleaned counters etc., decided to put my little primrose in a bigger planter, raining outside so did on counter, well you guessed it, dirt flipped all over counter, so got to clean again. Thanks for posting so I can keep up with what you are doing and how you are feeling. I know what you are saying tillie, this group lets us connect without the pressure of in person friends. I appreciate you all so much.
Tillie
Posted: 10 March 2014 - 08:44 AM
Good morning :)
Wish the cats had some way for me to adjust their clocks. So dark outside at this hour. Planning to clean the house this morning. Need to brush some cats too, it is hair ball season. It is so good to read about all your daily doings and thoughts. Here in my real life I don't get this kind of interaction with any humans, just my cats and the animals that come through my yard. You all make me feel hopeful and happy. :D Be careful this week. People have more accidents while adjusting to the time change.
Roxie
Posted: 10 March 2014 - 06:16 AM
Today I thought of Mare, who used to post here, and wondered how she is.
Dave, I am grateful you are in remission, too. You bring such humor here that I appreciate.
Dianne, know what you and Diane mean about longer sunlight hours. Yes! Of course it takes a little longer for my cats to adjust to meal time, and waking me up.
I don't think I got much done yesterday. I'm not even sure I can remember doing anything. Guess it's okay to have down days, too. I know tomorrow I go back for a checkup at the doctor's office, so I'll mention the numb fingers and sore thumb, etc. Whenever I have an appointment somewhere it feels like a burden somehow. Weird. Performance pressure? :)
diane
Posted: 09 March 2014 - 10:28 PM
Thanks Dianne and Roxie for reminding me how good it is that I can figure out how to do things "good enough" to make it work. I agree with the happiness longer, sunnier days bring, it is like a new start with longer days. Today I was outside most of the day, except when it was raining. was happy most of the day. Did dishes this morning while watching a minister on tv, just by chance. He was talking about reaching out to people even if you feel you have nothing to off. I called a friend that has been sick, it was so great. In chat I was reminded you can not organize a hoard.
Dave
Posted: 09 March 2014 - 11:58 AM
Roxie,
Comes from something SusanL said. She was being grateful for a family member having another birthday after an incident with cancer some time ago. And I had commented about not just a birthday but every day and maybe I should be posting as a reminder to me.
Yes, I had prostate cancer several years ago. I think it likely that I am still alive at this point because of modern medicine.
The point of all those posts was not to try to anger SusanL or to make anyone feel sorry for me. It is an effort on my part to restore a way of thinking that I have lost, that, even in the face of some undesirable surgical side effects, each day of my life is a gift, coming from the knowledge and skills of a lot of different people.
Dianne
Posted: 09 March 2014 - 11:35 AM
Hey Roxie, big smile about the clocks. If the computer and my cell didn't self-adjust I'd be guessing too. Ridiculously happy here about the time change. I know it's the amount of sunlight that makes these days better but just the idea of looking at the sky at 7:00 p.m. and seeing light makes me happy! Roxie, I finally discovered Pharrell's *Happy* song too, what a great energizer!!
It was Dakota's ashes I picked up not Jack's but thank you for being happy for me. :) I've always buried my babies, this was the first cremation. It cost about the same as it would have to dig a big enough grave. Thanks to the loving care of all the people involved it was a comforting experience.
Diane, I second everything Roxie said.
Karl thanks for Krispy Kreme reminder.
After maintaining today I have a potty pad box of papers to go thru. One hour limit. Then 30 minute limit on going thru shoes and purses for donations. I'd like to finish but I know I'll start to drag and then the churning starts. My timer is a great little reminder to push thru and then stop before burn-out sets in. Like a person helping me without the judgment. :)
Roxie
Posted: 09 March 2014 - 09:54 AM
Good morning, all. I trust my clocks have reset themselves, otherwise I don't know what time it is. :)
Jennifer, welcome. I was thinking maybe Cory would be wiling to set up a place where folks could post before and after pictures. I would not mind sharing a few of mine, then other folks could, too. I think it is inspirational. Good going on getting things ready so you can have workers come in!
Diane, I think you have no idea how clever and talented you are. You take so much for granted that you actually do, like "I installed brackets." That would be a big chore maybe requiring online research for me. lol
Dave, in gratitudes you keep mentioning cancer. Are you in remission or something? Hope you are okay. Hi to Mrs. Dave.
Karl, at least that bicycle ride will burn off an Krispy Kreme. hehe
Dianne, I'm glad you were able to handle picking up Jack's ashes, and that you could afford to have that done. I've had to give up getting ashes returned because with the rescue and my own big number of cats (previously) I just could not afford to keep doing it. I hope they all forgive me and come to me when I cross the rainbow bridge.
I didn't listen to radio yesterday so I only got a little done. I did a full load of dishes (by hand) and swept some of the kitchen floor on the side that is not done yet. I hope to at least sweep the rest, if not actually mop some or all of it today. I am very happy each time I see the clean side of the floor.
diane
Posted: 09 March 2014 - 12:14 AM
Good evening. It was grey and windy but in the 50's, so I painted the deck railing I scraped yesterday. did not do much inside today, just one load laundry, cleaned bathroom sink. Rolling clock ahead and going to bed now. See you tomorrow
Jennifer
Posted: 08 March 2014 - 02:15 PM
Today I am getting my pipes and water heater fixed!! And because they have to come inside to do it, to save myself the embarrassment of them seeing my hallway and bedroom (where the water heater is kept) the way it was, I cleaned it up! Step one-three done and in progress on my list and it feels nice! I still have a lot to do but it's something.
Karl
Posted: 08 March 2014 - 01:17 PM
Krispy Kreme is offering a free glazed donut on Sunday; perhaps I'll make that a bicycling destination for tomorrow. (4.2 miles, 22 minutes, according to Google Maps.)
Today's plan -- take some stuff to the storage unit. Probably do some sorting while I'm there. Maybe do some sorting at home too.
Tillie
Posted: 08 March 2014 - 10:36 AM
Spring forward, Fall back. We set the clocks forward one hour. This is when we lose an hour. Hate daylight savings. In Arizona we didn't have to do it.
Tillie
Posted: 08 March 2014 - 10:13 AM
ATTENTION
TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT TO SET THE CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR :D
Dianne
Posted: 08 March 2014 - 10:05 AM
Unexpected babysitting tonight so I'm not planning on getting into anything I can't finish today.
usual maintaining
complete cleanup of myself including some sparkly nail polish my granddaughter gave me
change and wash sheets
unload back of SUV that has had bags of feed to weight it done since no more threat of snow driving :)
Tillie
Posted: 08 March 2014 - 09:36 AM
Good morning :) Been up since 5:00am. Playing with the cats and getting lots of kitty kisses this morning. :D Yesterday I removed the plastic from the windows. It is noticibly colder in here & usually I wait till April before doing that but I just had to let all the unfiltered light in. Felt like I was smothering. Apricot tree is all in bloom now and that attracts a large flock of tiny green finches who, for some reason, pluck off all the blooms. Other birds do that too but they don't arrive here in large flocks to do it. Twinkles, a very large orange & white long hair boy cat has been taking his afternoon naps in the middle of the blooming Daffodil patch. He looks so pretty there. :D Next storm system is due here by Sunday night. Planning to rake the lawn and do some other yard stuff before that storm gets here.
Well I have the photos taken of my place, so now the work begins. I'm trying to figure out exactly where to start. I was going to do the cat room but it's really late and I dont want to take on such a big project this late. Maybe I will just do the litter boxes in there and out here tonight, and start the rest tomorrow when I have all day.
Karl
Posted: 08 March 2014 - 12:18 AM
I did some errands by bicycle, then talked to a friend who's been trying to help me out. He (correctly) notes that I should have a backup plan in case Landlady Anna doesn't come through. He knows someone who's expressed some willingness to rent, but only to "a dog person" (specifically, someone who would enjoy the presence of her dogs, not just tolerate them). I don't think I can qualify there -- I really need pet-free space most of the time.
diane
Posted: 07 March 2014 - 08:04 PM
Sunny all day and no wind, so amazing, it seemed as if I was on a sunny vacation. Used my dremel scraping paint off deck railing. Took more of the screening off. I have it screened off to hide from the world. I tried to leave it off, and experience being in the open, and change my mind, stop thinking people are paying attention to me and my hoard, instead thought, openess allows people to see I am home and visit. Was comfortable for a short time, then had to put some of it back up. I feel like opening up the deck is a step I want to take to change my behavior, just need to do it in baby steps. My walls of stuff has been with me for so long, will take small steps to get rid of all excess stuff and all walls I have put up outside too. Has anyone else put up privacy screens up everywhere outside? It is kind silly as I write this, doesn't really make me safe, makes neighbors think I an a nutty old lady
Jennifer
Posted: 07 March 2014 - 07:20 PM
I have been encouraged by Dave to write here about my plans for today. I am going to write a case analysis for the film "The Informant!" for my legal and social environment of business class (which I am about finished with, I am taking a short break at the moment to come here) and then I am going to begin to take photos of my home. Should I post some here to show my progress? I think that may keep me motivated...however I am not sure if it's appropriate for the other people posting here or not? I won't post them if anyone is uncomfortable with that, but I personally am ok with it. I don't want to hide this stuff any more. After I take the photos I am going to start to pick things up, bag them, and take them down to the dumpster. I would like to get my "cat room" cleaned so I can put half the cats in that room (for now) so I can air out the rest of the house tonight without worrying about the cats jumping through the windows to get outside (they are not allowed outside). I think that should be enough for tonight.
Dianne
Posted: 07 March 2014 - 01:02 PM
Today I'm going to take some time to follow some of my own advice ~~ take a look at how long I've been licking old wounds and the unhealthiness of many of the walls and coping skills I use and take a little action to break thru.
Dianne
Posted: 07 March 2014 - 12:51 PM
Dave wrote ~ Sounds like a "Sit down on butt with jaw open moment!"
No. More like a "looking around, quiet realization and acceptance". I hope I continue to accept and not doubt it.
Dave
Posted: 07 March 2014 - 12:08 PM
Dianne,
What an amazing gratitude list.
Sounds like a "Sit down on butt with jaw open" moment!
Dave
Posted: 07 March 2014 - 12:04 PM
Barb, Darci,
You still around? Haven't seen any posts from you lately. Let us know how things are going sometime.
Other readers too: We'd enjoy you taking a minute to even just say hi!
Tillie
Posted: 07 March 2014 - 11:07 AM
Good morning :) Today is all clear skies, sunshine and no winds. Yesterday the wind raged here. I need to buy some sun screen, my old stuff is all gone and this weekend I am planning to work out in the yard. Planning to rake the lawn and do some pruning. Also like to get the litter boxes out there, scrub, scour & sanitize them and then let them air dry out in the fresh air & sunshine. For today my plan is to do a little bit of this and that, here & there around the house. Then go outside with all the cats since it should warm up all the way to 60 degrees today. :D T.G.I.F. Have a GREAT Friday everybody!!! :D
diane
Posted: 06 March 2014 - 11:46 PM
Dianne and Roxie, I am impressed at how much you get done daily recently. Today I worked on the deck, took some sun shade fabric down that was pretty tired. I found the railing under it was wobbly so put braces on it. It rained on and off all day, mostly dry though. winds were 50mph, so was fun trying to work and have things blowing around. I put all the old stuff in the garbage can, to be picked up in am. Last week I went out at midnight to put trash out, so today I put it out as soon as I cleaned up stuff. Still had a little room in garbage that I was sure I could fill, then remembered posts on here about running after the garbage truck, I have done that, and missing putting garbage out, have done that too. Realized, if I gathered more stuff to toss, could walk out to garbage and put it in, not that far to street (unless shoveling snow) Tomorrow is forcasted to be sunny, sure hope they are right about sunshine, I need some sun. Sure nice to have healthy soup ready to eat when I come inside and am hungry. Thanks Tillie for encouraging me to eat better, does make a difference.
Dave
Posted: 06 March 2014 - 09:41 PM
Well, if she was being straight with you before about remaining time for the other tenant, you ought to know pretty soon. I hope it works out ok. It's nice to hear you being upbeat about things working out.
Karl
Posted: 06 March 2014 - 09:04 PM
Two hours of bicycling today, with the primary goal being to take Landlady Anna the check. She was home, and she was surprised by the offer -- she said there was no need for any payment before signing the lease, but I told her to take it anyway. I hope it tips the balance in my favor.
(And I hope her surprise wasn't just a mask for awkwardness due to her having already taken someone else as tenant.)
Roxie
Posted: 06 March 2014 - 03:39 PM
Dianne, it sounds like you have a good handle on things and a good attitude.
Tillie, I love the descriptions of the wildlife around you. I enjoy any visits from wildlife around here, but don't have as much as you, I think.
I had another radio show to listen to, so I got all the fronts of the lower kitchen cabinets cleaned, and the front of the dishwasher. I swept and mopped half of the kitchen floor. I took my still boxed new kitchen ceiling light to the bedroom to wait until I'm ready to put it up. it, too, has been sitting on the kitchen floor since Christmas. :(
I took another recycle bag out to the car, plus three bags of newspapers to deliver to the vet along with the tests. I did that.
On the way back, I stopped to vacuum the car and take it through the self-wash. That felt good!
I'm pooped but I figure that was a fair day's work.
