CM, Your project etc sounds hopeful.

I'm glad you found your keys!

Tatoulia, I understood. Wonderful that you could have your friends in so easily. And great news about kitty!

Mr. kitty and I had a discussion about which items he is allowed to kill. He is still maintaining that the shoe looked dangerous.

The tables fold into squares like a flattish suitcase. I can carry one in each hand. Right now they are in the scullery, but I will find them a spot in the studio.

No time for anything during the school week! But the goblins were ready and put to use.

Today I need to get feed before school, so that will take my free period.

I slept badly last night. My friend's son goes to court today. CM, please pray that they will reduce the charges. The whole family is just shattered.

Well, once the big kerfluffle with the keys was past, my day improved.

The big project that I'd done in the bedroom was to take off books from the top of a bookshelf, dust, and put up there this acrylic cube I found at a thrift store awhile back.

Sadly, as with many of my good intentions, the cube had been getting in the way and making the bedroom clutter situation worse. I'd bought it because my minimalist wannabe self likes clear acrylic, it's sturdy, and the right size to hold some large art technique books and science books.

In the process of getting it in place, I picked books to leave the house either temporarily to storage or permanently. Those got loaded in the van.

I've shaken up the status quo now! Badger is eying other hotspots that we will tackle as early as tomorrow.

The missing keys were in the driveway flowerbed, beside a pincushion flower that had put on seed heads that I wanted to harvest. Wish I'd discovered that before tearing the bedroom apart. But in a way, that also shakes up the status quo, so good may come out of it.

Stuff "fluffs" when you organize it, and the goal is to allow it to continue to breathe instead of compacting it down again to the molecular level. Hence the decisions to pare down. In 4-1/2 years of living here, at first with the "bare essentials" (LOL) I have bought new stuff or brought books and supplies over from storage.

That's going to have to stop. And reverse. In order for that to be possible, the storage unit needs more of the Badger Touch. It all entails a rather elaborate choreography, making sure storage is ready to receive things, making sure I really desire to keep those things for legitimate reasons, and examining things currently in storage because maybe I don't want to keep some of them anymore.

Sooo... to unwind and sleep for now, and up and at 'em in the morning.

Hi Tatoulia
Pepto, Mylanta, any thick chalky liquid med goes down easier when refrigerated. :D

Glad you had a nice visit!
Such freedom they have with no possessions holding them back.

WAY TO GO!!! being company ready!
Just a few things to make it more hospitable and no worries!
You have come such a long way (((HUG)))


A friend of mine was a flight attendant with American Airlines and her plane was in flight at the time on Sept. 11th.
Was a long time before she was able to get away from her duties to a phone and let us know her plane was not hijacked.

Happy that new Kitty has started to trust and relax.
Your Mom's patience is paying off, soon Kitty will be over whatever trauma she's had in her life.

SubC I misread as I thought you got chairs, not tables. In any event that was good to get them!

Cm it is very difficult to think of September 11th and of course, two of the planes left from here so it is very painful. Just awful. I was so scared and shocked and stunned. This was compounded for me because I'd just gotten back from Japan and my jet lag was extreme and all this news and information and my office didn't have internet and it was terrifying. And compounded by my jet lag and feeling so odd.

Tillie I know kitty doesn't want to go back to the vet. All's fine. So glad the smoke was better today!

My neighbor and her new husband (adorable and kind) were lovely. They got here around 3:30 and they were sweating. It was hot and humid here today. So I immediately gave them clean washcloths and towels and told them to freshen up. What a delight to have them here. We drank seltzer and talked then we visited BF and had a blast with him. I walked them around a bit then we came back here and I walked them to the subway. They are off! No agenda for coming back. They will, but they don't know when.

Did I tell you they sold all their stuff? Put very little into storage, which they prepaid for a year. They also paid a year's worth of insurance for anywhere in the world but the US. They got rid of nearly everything. Absolutely amazing.

What a thrill to have people here. All I had to do to get ready was change out the bathroom towels, put out a fresh bar of soap and a fresh toilet paper roll and move the cat mat on the couch. Can you believe it? Great. I did it. And I wasn't nervous or upset.

Mom's cat slept with her again last night and tonight when I saw the kitty, she seemed much more robust.

Okay I'm going to work a bit more then off to bed. Tillie I don't know why I suffered like that last night. I think there's something about trying to sleep and being in pain that keeps me from getting up and taking care of it. I only have tums because someone gave me a bottle and it's amazing that I've had to use them about five times now and they work so well. Normally I keep pepto in my fridge (easier to get it down if it's cold) but the tums are working for now.

Good Late Afternoon Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
Decluttering and organizing as if you were moving is a GREAT way to do it.
Get an image in your mind and daydream what your "new" home will be like and what makes the cut to be there.

Good Luck and Best Wishes that your dream comes true. :)


Hi Subclinical
Hope you got your Goblins all rolled up. ;)

Good luck getting all your goats sorted out and finding those few new homes.

WTG! finding shoes!
Makes perfect sense to buy 3 pair since they were the right size, style and price.
So much easier and less expensive that trying to find shoes in a regular store and shoes are something you need and use.
Now, sternly tell Mr. Kitty "PAWS OFF!"

Since you could no longer borrow tables at least you got them at a very good price.
I think they are the kind that take up very little space when stored and are light enough to carry around.

Hi Tatoulia
Hope your friends showed up and you have been having a wonderful visit.

So sorry you weren't well last night.
Maybe some herbal tea and Melba toast would sit better as a late night snack?
Take the Tums or bismuth just as soon as symptoms arise, don't suffer longer than necessary. (((hug)))

Did some sweeping on the front walkway this morning.
Then vacuumed the fridge coils under the fridge.
Since I can skootch the fridge out a little from the wall I washed the back of it and the wall & floor back there.
Then I wiped down the outside of the fridge too since I had the rag and bucket of wash water.
Washed the inside of the windows too.

Tomorrow morning Twinkles has his follow up Vet appointment.
He looks great and tells me he is fine and doesn't need to let the Dr. see.

Planning on washing the outside windows & screens and hose down the walkway tomorrow but may do it day after, we'll see.

Been a very pleasant day.
Smokeless and cool but not too cold.
Have all windows open to let in the lovely breeze and no need today for any fans or the cooler.

September 11

Never Forget

Hello all

I did some reorganization of books in my room. Some must go to storage or donation.

Then I got distracted and could not find my keys and almost lost my mind.

Some days I'm strongly feeling I want to live elsewhere, and it's nothing against my roommate. But we have such crowded space, and again I just want to have space and time that is MINE. But of course careful discernment and planning are essential.

In the meantime, I'm going to declutter and organize AS IF I'm moving fairly soon. After so many frantic moves, I can channel the state of mind: Do not dither, and take no prisoners. But some things on paper will get entered in the computer since there's time, or physical items finally sorted and neatly boxed. If they're really worth it. This strategy will make me work fast, yet not feel horribly under pressure.

I am getting close to making an appointment with my pastor for spiritual encouragement to take the scary next step of contacting the senior center and/or this local nonprofit Christian life coaching place.

The latter may be not too scary because they have the coaching, which is less formal than Therapy with a capital T. (And which I've had too much negative experience with hence feel burned out on.) They also have therapy at that place, but I don't have to get scared by looking that far into the future. I mainly need to find out what I'm up against re any housing options, and if necessary, (gulp) jobs...

Again, very much baby steps at a time in all this.

Fantastic finding three pair of shoes, SubC! Very pleased you found them and bought them! Good job on the chairs, too, although I'm sorry you had to buy them instead of just being able to borrow them.

I'm waiting for my friend and new husband. I thought they were coming dinner time then lunch time now 3 PM. Makes no difference to me.

I didn't do any laundry today because they said lunch time but now I'm quickly doing my sheets. I had changed my sheets but no laundry.

It's hot and humid today. Very unpleasant for me. I had a terrible night's sleep. Had reflux and was in terrible pain. Finally got up at 415 to take a tums and then didn't fall asleep til 6. Really awful. I'd had a cup of yogurt with granola just before bed and it gave me terrible heartburn. So I'm going to have to not have those things again. Truly awful.

Yay for mom and cat!

Forgot to tell Tatoulia tat I am glad she is taking her trip.

I got the vocabulary done in time yesterday. The new schedule is very hard - yes, i'm Ready for bed at night! Today I still have to roll up a bunch of goblins for the Dungeons and Dragons group - i'll Probably do it at lunch. Actually, i'll Probably just write out a list of numbers with a normal distribution and skip rolling.

I have 17 goats. New buck will make 18. Ideally I would have 16 or fewer. I have a buck I need to sell after/during this fall, plus three (or four) weathers and a non breeding female. I just can't seem to get listing them to the top of my list and word of mouth hasn't been enough this year.

Yesterday I stopped at goodwill before work and found 3! Pairs of nice everyday shoes I can wear to work. I bought all three. The prices were good and they often have nothing in my size for long stretches. My closet will be too full again, but I won't have to worry about shoes for a long time.

Also yesterday I asked the building manager if I could borrow some of the small folding tables from the furniture closet for my shows (I have done that before). she said our new furnishings person is selling them because none of the teachers like them. When I looked, we were down to 9 from 15. So I bought the last three that have all their feet and strap handle and stay closed when folded for $10 each. Convenient and cheaper than new ones. Bummed about the no more borrowing though.

WAY TO GO!!! Kitty!!!
Very happy to hear that the cooler nights have prompted Kitty to take advantage of a warm bed. ;D

Depends on which way the wind is currently blowing as to the air quality here.
Most of today it was very thin but as the evening breeze popped up the smoke got thicker.

The latest news is there are 22 wildfires burning in California/Nevada area and the Walker fire is the one I think is causing me the most smoke.
That's because the smoke is heavy on the pine smell.

Today definitely was an early Autumn day.
Supposed to warm back up this weekend, but not too hot.
Tried on my jeans today to make sure they still fit.
They still fit.

Cleaned all the cat fuzz, lint, dust, dirt and dead bugs from the window tracks.
Soon I will need to cover the windows in plastic. :p

Tillie is the air a little better? I note your font is either green or blue!

I'm going to bed now. Will listen to my tape and call it a night.

Mom's cat spent part of the evening in the bed with her!!! Last night!!!

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
You have such a full and busy life!
With all you are doing every day no wonder you have lost some weight.
Sounds like the only time you get to sit down is when driving somewhere.

How many goats do you have?
Hope the new buck with a new blood line works out for the lady goats. ;)

Bet when bedtime comes each night you are more than ready.
Take care of yourself and post updates when you can. (((HUG)))


Hi Tatoulia
Your former neighbor friend sounds like she is living her dream life.

WTG! on chipping away at your backlog and keeping up with the usual regular daily tidying ups.


Sometimes I feel that what people actually weigh isn't a good judge of things, doesn't tell the whole story.
We are often better off using measurements like how our current clothes fit.
Anyways, that's what my Granma taught me.
If your clothes start to feel tight just don't eat that piece of cake but continue to eat proper meals and don't go out and buy bigger clothes.

WTG SubC on such a productive day that had a good mix of work with some time for coffee with a neighbor/friend! You do so much!

Are you feeling okay about acquiring the wire stuff (too early for me to remember what you called it)? I chuckled at Later! Justin Case's hopeful friend.

WTG on the weight loss! I've stopped weighing myself and am working on the peacefulness I feel when I'm not overeating. I have one skirt that is tight so that will help me gauge my weight. Also I see dr in November.

Have a great day, all!

I am reading, but can't keep up with everything that is going on! Please forgive me if I just tell you what I am up to and comment now and then on your lives.

Yesterday was quite full. I still have a vocabulary sheet to finish this morning.

I made three phone calls, did lesson planning, gave the goats routine medicine, worked on my pottery, sent some administrative email, did laundry and dishes, and made dinner.

I also arranged to go see and probably buy a new buck in Ky after work on Friday. It will be a late night.

And I called my son's other Mom to find out what is the best way to contact HER son, who I call my other son or extra son - the boys were joined at the hip - who has just bought a house close to me incidentally. Anyway, I wanted to borrow his festival tent for my booth because he is currently doing only limited custom work.

She told me the tent was still at her house and I should come get it and invited me for coffee. So I did that. She also gave me ten wire shelves of the type I used to make the bunny run for the yard. So I can make a second section of bunny run, or possibly a chicken tractor. Unfortunately it is a project for later. Hopefully Later will remember to do it.

I have to go in a little early today to make copies, but not as early as tomorrow because I have first period open on tu/th. Might try to stop at the grocery store with the juice dh likes on the way in. Swimming with Dd tonight, then regular grocery store and home late. Dh might make dinner.

I lost 4 pounds last week! Lots of stairs at work and no time to snack. I know that's not sustainable, but I wouldn't mind if I kept losing a pound or two a week! It would put me in my goal range by thanksgiving.

Tillie you are so sweet. I would've never gotten out of this hole without everyone's help here. It would have never happened. And there's still more digging out to do!

I worked and worked and worked tonight so I haven't seen mom. I finally took garbage out and I did go see BF for a minute.

My former neighbor, whom I adore, is coming for a visit on Wednesday. She and her then-husband moved out in 2013. I bet she won't believe the changes here in Boston. She and her husband split but are still good friends. She got married last week, and she and her new husband have quit their jobs, sold their things, and are going to travel the world. I have no information other than that. I don't even know how they are getting here from Oregon. She loves traveling and apparently her new husband does too. I am looking forward to seeing her and meeting him.

Debbie I missed the part about changing your seat cushions. I do it frequently and it's not all that hard. Just have a screwdriver or pliers at the ready. Sometimes I mis-staple something and those are the best tools to take out the staples.

I am not crafty and I'm not good at stuff and this is the one thing I can do. I chuckled at your man hands remark.

I haven't packed up the dishes yet but they are as good as gone. Mentally their bags are packed.

Sending everyone much love.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Hi Debbie
Only 9 more days!!!! :D

GREAT giving away that mower you will no longer be needing.
Always nice when things go to someone who has an immediate use for them.

Fruitless Mulberry trees are lovely for shade, don't grow too high and get established relatively quickly.

There really are not a lot of wildfires near where I live.
But the winds bring in the smoke from California and CA burns an awful lot.

Have fun redoing your dining chairs. Fresh new look.

Very good the tapes worked for you to quit smoking.
Somethings work for some people but not for everyone.
Motivation plays a major part in achieving success.


Hi Tatoulia
Without having a fan on I would go absolutely crazy.
Must have air, moving air!
Even if it's moving just a tiny bit.

It is exciting to watch how you have been changing.
Like watching a Caterpillar morph into a Butterfly.

Fingers crossed for good blood test results.

Tillie I hope the air clears soon. Do you run a fan inside to keep the air circulating? I generally need air moving around me. I sleep with my ceiling fan on most of the time. I just like the breeze. It also helps in an airplane to keep me feeling less claustrophobic. When my brother used to be in the hospital a lot, I used to order up a fan for him and eventually I just started bringing a fan for him. Helped to keep him calm.

Debbie you are doing great! I'm excited about the next chapter of your life! And I'm so glad we are going with you!! Good work on getting rid of the mower.

My mother doesn't save for best (the way her mother did), she wants to wear the best and still keep the crummy. It's letting go of the crummy that drives me nuts. The constant belief that each little scrap could be used for something. That her dirty old shoes should be washed, with a tooth brush, and then worn just around the house. She is in her room 23 out of 24 hours a day. Wear the good stuff!. So I keep chipping away.

Tillie I'm doing it, going to donate the dishes Pretty exciting time to be me. I'm just going to take a picture and call it a day. I think I can keep my tea in that spot. Right now my tea is kept in a couple of different places. But first I will meditate on the open space. See what will work.

Great job quitting smoking with tapes, Debbie! My nutritionist gave me CDs (I call them tapes) to focus on relaxation and mindful eating and it is a big help for me. I have about 35 lbs to go. I lost 35 in 2018 but have remained steady in 2019. So I am now working on the next weight loss.

Isn't weight watchers fun? I enjoyed that program immensely. Sometimes I'd have to go to bed early if I ran out of points. Yikes!


I'm back from getting my bloodwork done and now I need to work some. All of my laundry is done.

Hi all! 9 days to closing! I got rid of my old lawn mower to my sister. Yea! It was self propelled but the gears are plastic now, so when they go it's toast! But it works still and she has 2 houses and this way her grandson doesn't have to move mower back and forth. I had someone take off the extra stuff that made it self propelled but it was still too heavy for me to mow 1/3 acre. I used it for the ditch/culvert that was so steep. But I don't need it anymore and she can use it. Next year I will have either a rechargeable mower or a riding mower or a service! Then she can have my newer self propelled mower. My new yard is actually ½ acre. But it is flat without ditch or trees so easy to mow. I will plant a few ornamental or fruit trees. I need some shade. Anyone with suggestions for Zone 5? NO MORE MAPLES! Love the tree hate the seeds! Don't want anything that will get huge either. I planted one in the backyard from seed that grew about 25 feet high in 10 years! Yikes!

Subc, I had no idea cats chewed shoes! Glad you slept well (a few days ago). I eat ingredients too! I start with vegetables and then potato or rice and a lot of times I get full before I get to the starch. I am working on stop eating when you aren't hungry. You can have more later, right? My parents were clean your plate strict and it is a hard habit to break. I was doing it to my gnephews too! Trying to make them finish stuff. But my nephew asked me not to and so I stopped. Now I give them tiny servings and wait for them to ask for more. I thought I should do that too and it worked!

Glad you got to keep DH at home. I have funny dreams where I am rescuing things that are thrown out or I just find. Mostly I dream of driving over terrifying bridges while I try to stay awake. I have issues with bridges but have never gotten sleepy driving in real life. So these are my reoccurring nightmares. I'm sure there a deep meaning in there haha!

Glad the art fair came back, you enjoyed it, and can be part of it next year!

Tatoulia, thanks for telling me where the name came from! I love it! Glad the storm missed you! Glad your Mom gave up the shoes too! My husband did the same thing, when I bought new shirts, hankies, socks, or underwear for him, he would save it. I finally said the reason I bought it is you need it now, your old stuff is holey or not real white and I want to get rid of it. So he did eventually use the good stuff! But his first reaction was to save it for "good". When my Grandmother died she had dressers full of new clothes she never wore. In gift boxes still. What a shame! But she always dressed well so maybe she just didn't like the gifts.

You are so good to your Mom! I am glad you got the coffee maker out and replaced without her getting an extra box too. I have to say I have trouble getting rid of bras because they are expensive and hard to fit. And then by the time I want a new one they have discontinued that kind. Arrrgh! This year I found one I liked and bought 3 of them. Of course then I lost 15 pounds and probably need a smaller size haha. But they are fine really so far.

I used tapes to quit smoking about 38 years ago. They were on cassettes and it worked so well for me. I learned self hypnosis and also got over insomnia with tapes. I tried them for weight loss, but it wasn't much help there. I gave the quit smoking tapes to 4 people and it did not work for any of them. I think I was just ready, lucky, and very suggestible!

Glad your Mom got to see the kitty, and got her bathroom fixed and the rug shampooed. Good to hear the trip is confirmed too. Yea for more out to Goodwill! I have several bags to drop off myself.

Gosh Tillie, so sorry about the smoke! My neighbor used to burn stuff that reeked so I couldn't breathe! We asked him not to and he was very good about it. I think the wood had been treated with chemicals and I closed the windows and still couldn't breathe. You seem to get a lot of fires and smoke where you live.

CM glad you had a good day with your lady and her gdaughter. How nice that you gave her dolls and she still enjoys playing with them. Happy you got your sewing machine part replaced so you can use it without a wait. I actually bought material last night and am replacing the seat covers for my dining chairs. I am just waiting for the stapler to come today to get it done. Wish me luck because I am not good at stuff like this, but it should be okay, I hope. I like crafts, but I have huge man hands and even scissors are hard to use!

Today I went to weight watchers, (small loss), the gym, Aldi's, Walgreens (my hair dryer quit this morning and my hair is so frizzy) and the library. I am finishing up the freezer food and packing all the last few dishes etc. My nephew came and helped me get the box springs down, Yea! So now I better finish mowing the lawn and make some appointments for utilities at the new house! Have a great day!

WOOHOO!!! Tatoulia!

You are really on a roll!
I do remember you reducing the dishes.
Very good decision now since they are never the dishes you reach for.

At your Mom's keeping the best makes it easier to let go of the rest.
Quality over quantity makes it easier to find what you need when you need it. :D


Smoke is a little lighter than earlier but windows still need to be closed.

Last night at mom's I also grabbed a pair of sunglasses to donate. I had found her old 1980s Christian Dior ones and a while back, I had new lenses put in. So no need to keep the other pair of dimestore ones she had. Today I looked at my sheets and pillow cases and have three more pillow cases to donate.

I've also made a decision on my old vintage 1950s dishes. Tillie might recall that I had previously chosen a certain number of salad plates and a certain number of dinner plates to keep, and I donated the rest. I haven't used any of them so they are also going to be leaving my residence. Just like that and they will be gone.

Good Morning Everybody
Smoke rolled back in sometime before sunup. :p

Hi CriticalMass
So nice you got to "play" Barbies with the girl.
Glad you didn't attempt driving and stayed over.

YEA! for Amazon having what you need at a decent price too.


Hi Subclinical
So nice you went to the art fair.
Fingers crossed that next year it works out for you to participate.

Interesting dream you had.
This Summer you "rescued" many things from your own home and brought them to the school.

Hi Tatoulia
Happy the cat finally materialized.

Fastest way to ruin bras is to put them into a dryer.
Six new ones total is so much better than dozens of old ones.

We are all very happy you have confirmed your travel plans.
Miss Kitty will miss you but she will be fine.


The smoke makes me tired, groggy, wheezy.
The cats too.
No ambitious plans for today.
It is nice that the days are now cooler and the nights even get chilly.
Time to swap out the blankets from Summer to Autumn weight.

Mom called late last night to say kitty was out and about. Mom has had a guy in to fix her bathroom for two days and then yesterday in addition to that, he shampooed the carpet. So it made sense that our little one had to take cover.

Folding mom's clean and dry bras today and there was one more I met go. I also ordered her two new ones. So now she'll have six new, which is all she needs. And I'll wash them each week as her laundress puts everything in the dryer, which ruins the bras.

I have showered and am dressed. I have a conference call this afternoon and immediately afterward I'm going to hospital for blood work.

I've confirmed with friend about my visit coming up. She and her husband are traveling right now and will get home the day before I arrive. I have car rented and it all should be great. BF will take care of cat for me. I wish he'd just stay here with her. It's not this coming weekend, the one after.

Cm good to hear from you! That is a long shift. So sweet about the little girl and the Barbie dolls.

Tonight is garbage night. I have a bag ready for goodwill and would like to augment it before taking it to the car.

Tatoulia, that was very good to focus on how many bras you were bringing back! Brilliant! I too am concerned about the kitty.

CM, I hope you got rid of the old cord and pedal. Justin doesn't need it.

Tillie wishing youno smoke!

An emergency happened at dh work, so his trip was cancelled. I'm glad to get to keep him, but I was looking forward to my alone time (more than the dinner party) i'll still work on my lessons when he leaves for work this morning. (He's currently "in a meeting" remotely.)

Yesterday evening we drove into a nearby small town that was having an art fair. It used to be an annual event, but then the lady who ran it died and it was cancelled for two years. This is the first year back. I signed up for information on participating next year.

While I was working in my studio this weekend I found four rubber stamps I can take to my classroom. Bit by bit....

Then this morning (after dh got up I went back to sleep for an hour) I dreamed that the other art teacher cleaned out her classroom and I was rescuing things from her trash. (I did not do that this year.)

Hi, I'm fine, just catching up on rest. I pulled a 15 hour shift yesterday with the lady I sit for. And I had woken yesterday morning at 2:45 a.m. as my mind thought it necessary to worry about how the day was going to go. Arguing back at my inner worrywart was probably a good mental discipline, but not much help in getting back to sleep.

Good news is that the day went pretty well. Her 9-1/2 year old great granddaughter was there in the morning. She's a bright, creative little soul. I had a couple more Barbies to give her, and she had a case of hers, so she went to town playing. I get great joy in watching a girl like her feel safe to play with dolls instead of having to grow up too fast. And I was about that same age when I had the most memorable fun with my own Barbies. Sweet.

Then she left with her dad to go to the state fair. So mostly me and my lady the rest of the day. There was a chance for an hour's nap for me when she went go take hers. The family was delayed getting back, so I bunked in on the couch instead of trying to drive when I wasn't sure about fatigue, eyesight, and anxiety so late.

Then I returned home in the morning in time to change and get to Mass, went a couple of places afterward, and came home to enjoy a solid three hour nap with NO DREAMS, the best kind. Woke feeling fairly human.

I ordered a replacement cord/foot pedal assembly for my sewing machine when I saw they were not bad priced on Amazon. Because our repair guy is still behind and he was going to solder the wires in the old one, but I need to be able to sew without an indeterminate long wait.

Tomorrow will be a further regrouping day, hopefully a productive one.

YEA!!! WTG!!!
For a very successful purge & tidy at your Mom's!
So relieved that she was willing to let the worn out bras go.
Nothing more useless and uncomfortable than a worn out brazier.

Good that you got in walking and listening to your tape.
That's taking care of you, your number one priority.

Did you ever find the cat?

Good to get rid of the flour and box of mix.
Wheat can go rancid and it would taste bad but not hurt you to eat it, but still, yuck. ;P
Wonderful that she can access the microwave now without having to move all those things first.

It is curious just what we can get used to doing without thinking about it.
We adapt to inconveniences that we make for ourselves. LOL

Should she need to bake it will be better with fresh ingredients.
Remember to tell her that as you clean out old questionable things.
Bet that smidgen of coffee would have been nasty rancid too.


The thick smoke has thinned out very nicely this evening thanks to a lovely breeze.
As long as the wind doesn't shift direction we should sleep well tonight.

I stopped back at mom's tonight and I told her that her bras are drying on the rack at my house and that I assessed them and picked out a few to throw out and she said, there may be more than a few that need to go. And I told her I have nine that are coming back her way. So that's good. (Btw she has more bras than I do and I go to work each day but I have enough and exactly the number I need).

I also, while I was over just now, I took an old container of coffee out. It has only a few spoonfuls left and I can only imagine the age of it. I also threw out two big bags of flour that were preventing her from using her microwave and a box of jiffy mix that was in the way, too. The jiffy mix expired last year. So now with those gone and the glass straw holder that I got rid of so many months ago without her noticing, she actually has access to her microwave.

Tillie you taught me this lesson and I think about it all the time. There is no reason to have to move things in order to use other things. Amazing. I think about that a lot.

I'm glad you are weathering the firestorm. I do worry.

For myself today, I walked and I listened to my tape and I read and I shredded paper. For mom, I did a fairly solid job of getting some useless stuff out with no consequences or hard feelings on mom's part. I'm sorry I didn't get her out this weekend but I did what I could. And she's very kind and sweet about it.

YEA! for removing the old coffee maker and the new box!

Good luck that maybe she will not be too upset about the tiny declutter you did.
Bring pacifying muffins (((HUG)))

Have a pleasant evening and don't worry about us, we'll get through this.
Just miserable while it's happening.
I don't know what will ever become of this planet.
Just very grateful that I got to see it back in the 1950s/60s.

Tillie that is one of my mother's cookbooks, too, and someday it will be mine.

I have the Betty Crocker.cookbook that I use frequently.

So I didn't see the cat at mom's and couldn't find her. The man had been back to work on the bathroom. When I cleaned her cat's box, I also snuck out a wicker basket with three compartments. It was dirty and empty. To alleviate my guilt, I took out her diapers too. I also took her bras to wash them, and there were the four new ones I bought her and maybe 14 old ones. I threw out about eight. She will be furious.

I got the new coffee maker set up and washed and I immediately put the old one in the box and whisked it away. I brought her the clean dishes and sat with her while she finished the dinner I brought her yesterday.

So now I'm waiting for her laundry to finish so I can hang it up. Then I'll go spend some time with BF.

That's the news here. I'm worried about you, Tillie, the cats and the planet.

Hi Tatoulia

I was outside washing the litter boxes this morning and Jack was helping me by rolling around in the dirt nearby.
Then he then ate his breakfast after I finished.


Coffee makers are generally made so cheaply that as soon as something/anything malfunctions it's time to replace them.
Good Luck keeping the box out of her site. ;)

WTG! for planning on chipping away some more on the closet!

Glad you have been enjoying your weather and getting in the walking.

I have only one cook book.
Used to have several but they never had what I wanted to know.
Some had very expensive ingredients too.
Years ago I got frustrated with all but one book and got rid of all the rest of them.
This one cook book has been everything I want/need a cook book to be.
It's "Fannie Farmer Boston cooking school cook book".
It's a paperback copy and it looks very well used.



Scooter's eyes are really hurting from the smoke today.
He looks so pitiful and decided to keep his red watery eyes closed unless absolutely necessary to try looking at something.
He also is not eating much and doesn't want to play.
He normally plays any time he is not asleep.

The Western United States has been suffering with years long drought.
A little rain in the Winter & Spring cause the wild grasses & shrubs & wildflowers to grow but then quickly dry out, making fuel for fires.
Did not used to be so many wildfires.
There are almost 1800 burning or have recently burned.

Oh Tillie how I worry about the fires! Hoping you are doing okay. Have you seen Jack at all?

I was able to enjoy a nice walk today and I bought mom a new coffee maker. Her old one had started to leak, and once that happens, it's time for a new one. It was just under 3 miles, round trip. I've already opened the box here, so when I take it to her I can merely life it out, sight unseen, and bring the box back home for recycling. I will also take her old coffee maker with me, as I think the city can recycle it. I'll check the website.

My dearest little one is asleep next to me. I hate to leave her but leave her I must.

I will chip away at my closet upon my return. I think I can find more books to donate and more papers to shred.

Good Morning Everyone
Cough, cough. cough...

Hi Subclinical
So sorry that your shoe was attacked.
Unfortunately domestic felines are never truly domesticated.

Happy you have been sleeping in and resting up.
Good idea to keep the desk set up since it won't be inconveniencing anyone.
Enjoy eating your simple "ingredients" and washing fewer dishes. ;)


Hi Tatoulia
WAY TO GO!!! with the challenge!!! :D
Wonderful that you are back to working on your mind and body.
Keep doing what makes you feel strong and happy.


Around 3:00am? Smoke rolled back in with a vengeance.
Woke me up.
The kind of day to stay inside with windows closed.
Hope it clears up soon.
Maybe I'll check the news and see where the fire is.
The smoke isn't just grass and brush, has a bit of pine wood smoke to it.

Oh I'm sorry about the smoke, Tillie. It must be so hard on your body. SubC I know you were feeling a bit anxious over the dinner party but it must have been a let-down when it was cancelled. I bring desserts when I go places. Most people like my brownies so I make brownies (which I frost with a chocolate buttercream) and I bring a quart of vanilla ice cream and sprinkles. Hey you could always bring some of your very own ice cream!

I've been sleeping well too. Nice fresh air here (wish I could send to Tillie) and cooler.

I'm working away on my September challenge. I'm counting the stuff I get rid of at mom's too. Yesterday I threw out her carafe of maple syrup, not much left, and it had molded. I told her I was throwing it out and she was good about it. She said she knew it needed to go. I know why she couldn't do it. We'd picked it up in VT together and it was super cute. So she wanted the memory of us even though the trip was terrible. So I just tossed it without saying anything more. Part of doing this means that I have to throw out my pattern of berating her.

I got the shoes thrown out so I won't be turning to sabotage....on shoes....but other things may turn up....broken.

Beautiful day here. Will sit peacefully and read. I'm back to doing to my relaxation/meditation tapes and my nutrition is getting better. I'm listening to the tapes from my nutritionist and already my food cravings and bad food habits have been shed once again. I'll do these for a month or so and then schedule an appt with her. I'm feeling strong and happy.

Debbie and CM how are you?? Cm what I would do to have one or your quilts! Please try to post some picture of them!! Tess how is it going!? Joanie I know you are working hard and I am cheering you on! Hello Anony!!!

Tillie, I am sorry about the smoke. I can't imagine living in a place where smoke was part of the weather.

I slept last night. Almost ten hours! I feel much better today. My new schedule is definitely going to need some mornings to sleep late and recover on the weekends.

Unfortunately, while I was asleep, mr. kitty started his day by killing my shoe. They are my every day school shoes and now there is a rip in the lining at the top of the heel. I am annoyed, because they are the ones I got brand new last year! I think I can still wear them, But now I need to look for school shoes again. If I need to I can wear my steal toed sneakers.

Dh has to leave today for work, so I will be on my own. I will miss him, but I will have a couple of mornings that are easier because he won't need me to make him breakfast or lunch. There will be fewer dishes because I will mostly eat "ingredients" as he puts it, and I think I will leave out my desk and make a big mess working on my lesson plans.

Relief
This evening some brisk winds blew in and moved the majority of the smoke.
The wind also brought storm clouds.
The thunder was exceptionally impressive but I didn't see any lightning.
I think about maybe 100 rain drops fell.

AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH

I jinxed myself talking about the smoke.
It has gotten so thick you can't see down the road any more, let alone a sunset.

Coughing & hacking.
My throat and eyes burn.

There is no wind or even a slight breeze.
It's dark outside and it's still afternoon here, should still be bright.

Should be grateful because it has been much better overall compared to past years.
I am an ungrateful brat. :p

Hi Subclinical

Oh Well...

Helloooooo Tatoulia

So relieved that nasty storm passed you all by.
It did enough damage to satisfy it's voracious hunger in the Bahamas.

About your frustration and unposted rant
I get it.
((((HUG))))
Never bring any shoe boxes within her reach again.
Just toss the shoes into a bag.
Perhaps sabotage is in your future?
Place a few tiny pebbles into her old shoes so she no longer finds them comfortable.
Would work best if she has insert soles to tuck the pebbles under.
Yes, I am pure evil. ;p

Keep dreaming and I wish all your dreams to come true.

Hello, hello! No signs of Dorian here! Believe it or not I slept til almost 11AM today, til Mom called me. So if it rained, it ended before I got up. I am not caught up on everyone ?s news because I saw Tillie's post and needed to let you know that it's beautiful and sunny here.

Yesterday I developed a sick headache during the afternoon. I had coffee and a Tylenol and I just felt sicker as the day wore on. I stayed late at the office to work on my cover letter and I applied for the job. I'm surprised by how much I want it. I generally take a nothing ventured nothing gained approach. So this time I feel like I have something at stake. Time will tell. And it's good to dream. And I love my current position and company so it will all be fine.

I had written something of a rant Thursday night then my phone ran out of battery so it didn't post. I was frustrated with my mom. I'd bought her two new pair of shoes because her shoes look dirty and old. And then she wanted to keep the old ones for wearing around the house. And I was gentle and said that if that's the case, let's return the new ones. Oh she was going to wash the old ones with a toothbrush. So I was being fairly quiet but said, I bought the new ones for you to wear not to save and wear the old ones. I finally succeeded. I did not win the battle on the shoe boxes. I did throw out the innards so we will never know her plan for those little bent sticks they use to keep the shoes in shape.


So I was pretty frustrated.

Debbie, Tatoulia is a name I made up. I call my cat Tatoulia sometimes. My BF is French and when we first started dating he had these little cards and notes on his dresser. One was either addressed to someone who's name was something like Tatoulia or was from someone whose name was something like Tatoulia. The little cards were written in French and from what little I could understand, they seemed very loving and very sweet. I haven't looked for them in a while but I remember thinking how sweet they were. (we started dating in our early 40s so the fact there were women before me couldn't possibly come as a shock).

Ok I'll write more later. There's a jazz fest in town and I've been to it once, brought mom s plate of food and a sweet potato pie and now I'll head back.

Dinner postponed, hostess sick. :(

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Subclinical

My default dish is always fresh cut up veggies.
Celery, carrots, cucumber, cauliflower, etc...
And a bowl of ranch to dip them in.

Very glad you are doing your pottery!
You just did some major work getting ready for school and working at the house and you NEED this creative outlet to help balance things out.

Poor Mr. Kitty missing out on his regular daily pettings. ;)

WTG! emptying a clay bucket!


The thin wildfire smoke has thinned out a little more.
My nagging hacking cough is so much less now.
Hoping the smoke stays away but there are still fires and will probably be even more.
The smoky dusty air does make some beautiful sunsets.
Plan today to empty, scrub, scour and sanitize litter boxes and refill with fresh litter.

Hello, good morning!

I hope CM is having a good day with her lady.

CM, howwas the show and tell?

Tillie, i'm Glad you didn't run out of kitty crunchies! Mr. kitty has been enjoying having dh work on the couch this morning. He says there has been a shortage of pets this week.

Been working on pottery - trying to take a break from my teacher stuff to let my brain rest, and do something away from the mess in my house.

Getting nervous about the dinner party this evening. I asked ❤️Dd what I could bring, and she said "anything" (not "nothing.") And then when I tried again, she said "really, anything." It will be fun.

My default would be wine, but there are at least two non-drinkers, including the hostess, plus me, who wouldn't drink because I am driving myself home.

I emptied a clay bucket in my studio.

Hi CriticalMass
Hope the quilt meeting got out early and you will get a good night's sleep for tomorrow.
Hope the lady and you are both well and fine tomorrow.

I have suffered from migraines all my life.
One thing that helped reduce the number was finding out what foods trigger some of them.
Of course it was cow milk, cashews (which I love) and some "food" additives.
My stupid sister was triggered by chocolate too but I can eat all the chocolate I want.
Tested my son and he was triggered by cow milk, cashews and oranges.
He was angry with me when he found out I was experimenting on him without his knowledge but it was good to know what his triggers were.
He thought I was being nice when I gave him a whole can of cashews and told him to eat all he wants. ;)

Happy Friday

Getting ready to go to church for the quilt guild's "show and tell" where we look over the quilts to go in the bingo next March. They said 6:00-9:00 but that sounds awfully long. I hope we finish much earlier.

Especially because tomorrow I'm sitting with my 96-year-old lady from 8:00 till late evening. Longest day I've done this ever. Just hoping she is having a good mind day and steady blood sugars - and me no migraines thank you very much. I had a couple momentary scares where there'd be a spot in my vision but luckily nothing came of them, Makes me nervous though.

Tillie, I like SubC's suggestion to move Steven's stuff instead of demolishing yours - but I get it, you wanted and needed to make a statement and it did get some results.

Debbie, I love toads and frogs! I have a White's Tree Frog in a terrarium. I used to have 6 tanks of various species. I was a frog hoarder! LOL!

Went into town early this morning because I was getting close to running out of kitty cereal/crunchies/kibble.

Discovered they put up new speed limit signs along the little stretch of highway that travels right through the town.
Used to be 25mph and now it's a mind blowing 30mph!

Tatoulia
Please let us know how much Dorian is hitting you there.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Subclinical
Teaching them to put away things and clean the surface is a great way for them to learn habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Sorry that setting up the coffee pot is not easily made a part of your nightly routine, yet.

Busy, tired and happy...
YEA!!! :D

You make them clean up by telling them they can't leave for lunch until they do.

But honestly, they are good kids. I just told them that English meets in my room in the afternoon, so along with cleaning and putting away the tools they use, I expect them to leave the tables clean.

Very busy, tired, and happy.

Forgot to set up the coffee last night. House is a mess.

Hi Debbie

Doesn't matter what the box springs weighs.
It is large and awkward and you need it wrangled down the stairs.
That is the perfect storm for you to get hurt.
So, don't do that. ;)

You may still have toads at the new house.
You will discover all sorts of wildlife surviving the suburbs.

Dogs & cats are helping us by crawling through spooky places and dusting and getting down all the cobwebs.
They should all be rewarded for their service. LOL ;P

Thank you for donating your bits & bobs.
Somebody was very happy to find them.

I live in Nevada. This county doesn't care if people live in squalor, there are no agencies to contact, there would be no fines.
As long as businesses pay their taxes you can open a legal brothel or pig slaughter house.

Any more, my possessions don't matter at all to me.
Only thing that mattered were my two cats and they are both now dead and buried in my garden.

Hi all! I finally read and got caught up on your posts!

Tillie I am sorry that he is such a stinker, but hate that you wrecked your things. Even if it worked a little, got him to mow. Can't you call the county to make him clean and mow? Or would that be too drastic and maybe expensive if they fined him?

I thought of you while watering my tomatoes yesterday; there was a tiny toad there and he started to run away but when I sprinkled him he decided to stay! I love toads, they are so cute. I almost want to take one with me but don't want to split up families haha! There were lots of butterflies too, so pretty!
I have a butterfly bush and a spider keeps putting his web from there to the umbrella on the patio. So I knock it down whenever I see it. But I saw the butterfly bounce off it yesterday!

I too have had to haul drinking water for 35 years. That is going to be so nice to have good tap water and sewers!

My nephew's dog got all fuzzy and webby a few times by going under their deck. It was a riot! Luckily it cleaned up easy, even the mud. It is a husky shepherd mix and they have fur that kind of wipes off as if they were sprayed with scotch guard! Glad you rescued Jack from the webs!

Your beaded curtain sounds lovely! I always liked those, but never had one. I too donated a bunch of beads and earrings to Goodwill recently because of past posts where you mentioned beading. I almost threw them out but if someone can make something pretty, so much the better.

The box spring is very light. Actually just a box. And I am stubborn about asking for help. But I know I need to get better about that!

Tatoulia, first where did you get the name? Does it mean something? Congrats on the $100 for the quarter! I would love it if my insurance gave $$$ for healthy behaviors. Once I got $75 for doing the cologuard test by mail. But that is it. I just got my silver sneaker card from them though and am going to join as soon as my present membership runs out.

Your Mom's kitty is adorable! Once she warms up it will be so nice for your Mom.

Good job on the closet and the challenge! Nice of the cleaning ladies to help out by breaking the soap dish haha! I did one once where you threw out 1 thing, 2 things, 4, 8, 16, etc. By the end of the month it was thousands! I had to count each folder and book to get to the end. But that was the first challenge I did and it got me excited to give away, throw away, and use up!

I hope you take the trip. I am that way, I always want to cancel when it gets time to go. But I went on a trip in January and had the best time ever!

Hope the new job comes through and you like it. I would miss working from home occasionally, but since I retired, I miss the people. I actually might get a part time job after the move just to have more structure and to meet people.

Subc, wow you are a good swimmer to almost keep up with a 27 year old! This year I finally started wearing goggles to swim and what a difference. It keeps your hair out of the way and my eyes don't burn when I open them. But I am afraid to breathe all my air out so I tend to hyperventilate! I do love the water though. It's nice your DD is swimming with you. I think I will join my DB & DSIL gym so I can see them more often.

Glad your daughter has enough room to have a party! I am hoping to host card parties at my new house. I never had room for stuff here. I used to do it anyway but once the younger generation came along, I let them do holidays. We always bring stuff to make it easier on the host. I always bring ham and an appetizer, do dishes and put food away, but it is still a lot of work for the host.

So glad school went well! How do you get teenagers to clean up after themselves? Threaten their Ipads? Good to hear the non-talker talked!

How fun you got to see camels and zebras! You never know what the day has in store!

CM, glad you made an appointment. I have had lots of migraines the last couple months, but I think it is the stress, and allergies. Thank God for Excedrin migraine pills! They work for me when nothing but an RX used to. I feel for you not having your own space and having to always move stuff to get to stuff. I am soooo ready to unpack and just be comfy!

Hope you all have a great day! Cool and cloudy here, but that made me deep clean the bathroom! So glad it is done! Ttyl!

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Subclinical
YEA! for working on the new routine!
Keep that up and soon the routine will become a habit. ;)


Have the hose on slowly watering the trees this morning.

Taught, fought traffic, ate, rested a bit, did chores and lesson plans. Today I go in a little later.

Still working on my new routine.

Tillie, I am glad he mowed the grass, but I don't like you tossing your things either. You don't have a bunch of extra unwanted things sitting around. Couldn't you maybe just move HIS stuff so that it is more in his way?

I'm proud of people for cleaning up and caring for their environments and taking care of their health!