Good Night
9:30ish here

That's very good news CriticalMass.
Roommate is home and doing well.
Van had maintenance and won't eat all the money to fix.
Still sending good thoughts to your Cousin.
Hopefully that MRA will help the doctors know how to fix her.
Sweet dreams and restful sleep to you and Roommate (((HUG)))


Hi Tatoulia
I ran out of chocolate ice cream the other week.
It was so good and I miss it.

So happy you are motivated to get back into that closet! :D

It is one less worry that your Mom is content and receiving daily mail.
Still able to be connected to the world outside.


The one thing that helps lift the depression is acceptance.
Accepting that this is the way things are for now and we can do nothing to hurry it up.
At least the stores are better able to restock so we all can get what we need and want, just like before.

I always sort fabrics like with like.
Sheets & pillow cases, towels and wash cloths, etc.
And do dark things together and light things together.
Cold water wash loads and hot water wash loads.
That's how I was taught to do it.

Have had a bag of frozen raspberries in the freezer for a while, saving them.
Decided that tomorrow I will make a cobbler with them.
Just throwing caution to the wind and eating up all the food I have here on hand too.
I already ate all the cookies and candy in the house.

Today the write in ballots came in the mail.
I am happy to vote this way.
Steven threw an ugly fit, says it's a conspiracy to manipulate the outcome.
"heavy sigh"

I will watch some hoarders too! That's what started me out in the first place! Yes I'm going back in! I got some done last weekend and I want more done this weekend!!!! Keep moving forward!!!

I had Brigham's chocolate ice cream. My friend has vanilla to which she added tiny chocolate chips. She also had a very good, fascinating story to tell and I was riveted!!

Mom continues in a good mood. She's so great. She's loving my daily postcards, which I've upped to two a day. Other friends are also writing to her.

On Monday of this week I did every bit of laundry in my home. Imagine how great I felt!!! I will need to do more soon, but I don't think I'll make it anywhere near the washer this weekend. Although, people don't do laundry the way I do. They mix sheets with towels with shirts and I'm all about "like fabrics" in addition to sorting by color. So when I do five loads, they would've done two. They must think I'm nuts.

Tillie I hope Steven continues to work on the cooler. I don't want you overheating.

CM you've had a long day of worry. I am grateful your cousin is getting the medical care she needs and I am grateful your roommate is back home. How nice that she has a lovely family. Must make it much easier on you.

Okay back to bed. I've been laying down for a few hours. Just because.

My depression continues to be lifted and I am surprised and pleased.

Yay Tatoulia for decluttering mojo!

Tillie, fingers crossed the cooler gets completely up and running.

My roommate returned about 1:30 looking really pale. They hadn't given her pain meds to go home on. After her sister and hubby got the pills picked up and she took one, she felt better and had some color. She's been up and about more later in the day here.

I finally got word on my cousin. They got it worked out today to transport her to Kansas City where there is an MRA machine. Like an MRI only it can image the insides and linings of blood vessels.

My van got the oil changed, the AC is okay, but it needs a new valve cover gasket. I had wondered when it might because there had been some leakage. My stimulus money did come on Wednesday, and I think it will take a chunk but not the whole thing. And I think it's a good investment to prevent bigger problems. So that is set to happen on Tuesday.

We are all pretty tired from this day that started at Zero Dark Thirty. I feel confident I will sleep well. Hoping my roommate does too, and her family.

You so CAN do it Tatoulia!
It all begins with the thought and mood mojo.
That's really the hard part, the thinking about it and then wanting to get it done. :)

That diningroom closet?
YEA! you're going back into Narnia! ;)

Let the music play!!!

An ice cream social sounds like a lot of fun!.
But you neglected to tell us what flavor ice cream you had.
Bored lonely people really want to know. LOL

From the news on my internet homepage, your state is still very infectious.
Nevada is a tourist destination. With all resorts and casinos and everything all shut down
Nevada is a very quiet place without all the tourists. Lots of small rural communities and Indian Colonies, Airforce/Navy/coast Guard bases and bombing ranges, lots of BLM and deserted desert.

You have high humidity, because the air is so dry here I have a lot of static electricity.


ANNOUNCEMENT
A&E put up more episodes of "HOARDERS" on Youtube.

So, lots of free episodes to watch to help motivate. :D

Tomorrow Netflix will have episodes of "HOARDERS" again too.



He has done a little bit more toward setting up the cooler.

Tillie! I'm so pleased about the virus news in your county! Boston continues to have a lot of people exhibiting truly unsafe behavior. Very upsetting.

Good for you to get your water! That will taste so yummy. Nothing beats a cool glass of water.

I missed my yoga class tonight. I thought it was 5:30. It was 4:30. Oh well. I'll go back to Tuesday nights because I know when those start.

I had an "ice cream social" with a friend via FaceTime today. I've gotten good at this. It feels like an absolute visit!

It got sunny and humid here today. I ran up to see BF for two seconds then ran to grocery store quickly for ice cream. So humid and I hopped in shower the second I got back.

I'm going to lay down a bit. I'm really, really happy with my decluttering thoughts right now. I'm ready to let go. So I'll be back in my dining room closet later tonight or early tomorrow.

I am so pleased with how I'm thinking. If I put on music, I can do it!!

Ate the last 2 eggs for brunch today.
Scrambled with a bit of cheddar cheese melted in and 2 pieces of buttered rye toast.

Have no plans to make any recipes that require eggs, so I'm good. :)

Happy May
or not, whatever...
It is May 1st.

Left home at 9:45am and returned at 10:30am.

At the bank I very briefly spoke with the teller through the intercom.
The water depot has 4 filling stations with more than ample room between them.
Spoke to no one there as I filled my bottles.

The water depot machines take 1s and 5s, quarters, dimes and nickels.
Since I have not been out buying anything other than water I was out of everything but 20 dollar bills.
That's why I had to go to the bank and get 50 dollars in 5 dollar bills. That or go into a business and see if they would give me change, exposing myself to virus.
Now I have all my water bottles filled and have plenty of small bills for future refills.

Steven is still in bed.
Beautiful morning where he could be setting up the cooler.
-----------------removed my remarks to keep it PC--------

Good Morning Everyone
Iced chai masala "Clink!"

Hoping with you CriticalMass that no news means good news about your Cousin.

Happy Roommate's family are with her today.
They sound like wonderful people and will help put her mind at ease.

Fingers still crossed the van costs nothing more than new oil and oil filter, XXX

Keep up that good feeling about cleaning and decluttering momentum!
Don't stop doing all the precautions to keep yourself healthy, no matter what the idiots are doing (((HUG)))

Hi Subclinical :)


Hi Tatoulia
That cake sounds delicious. Happy you felt like cake making again :)

YEA! for the pretty paper plates and napkins and at a super discount too!
Little Sister Kitty will be so happy to have someone take care of her litter box.
You take such good care of the Cleaning Fairies (((HUG)))

Honestly, we are never "done" decluttering.
But there is no backlog of decisions to make.
Seasons change, new items are brought in, our moods shift.
Tiny decluttering sessions need to happen at least once every year.
Otherwise we all end up with just too much stuff.
LOL ;)


OK, need to do cat things and get dressed.
Plan to be at the bank about 10am. then fill the water bottles.
Will come right back home without any people contact.

My county is still only 3 infected one death and about 150 people tested negative.
They only test sickly people.
Today all the county officials will get together and make plans and decide how to proceed with the shut down and if/when some places can open.
No matter what they say I will continue to self isolate and take precautions at the grocery store, the only place I ever need to go.
Thinking I will cancel/reschedule my dental appointment that's in June to sometime in the Autumn, just to be safe.

Saying prayers for your roommate, CM. Another rainy raw day here. It's gotten so I don't recognize the sunny days because they become rainy at some point, too. Waiting for some news on your cousin, too.

Tillie I would love to see the wild yellow rose! When I had my appendix out, in my 30s, my mother brought me a tiny rose plant with yellow roses. I've loved yellow roses ever since. Maybe I could find some for her for Mother's Day.

They found someone to clean mom's cat box. I think I'll put a $20 in an envelope for mom to give yo him. I'm due to leave a drop off for her. I bought some pretty spring paper plates (reduced to 32 cents a pack) for her and kitty to use. I also bought packets of napkins and have been sending them around.

I want to mention that every time the cleaners are here, I make them a care package with TP. paper towels and other things. In the beginning I included bottled water because it was impossible to find. I still include TP because even though you can find it on occasion, the prices are sky-high. Even at ?reputable' stores like CVS. So I include a care package as well as an additional 10 until this craziness is over. They only have enough work for one house a day. And still, when I asked about having the mom sew for me. The daughter said no charge. These are good people. And as soon as mom can have people in, I'll have her place cleaned from top to bottom.

That's an interesting comment about getting away from our stuff during the day, Tillie. That resonates with me. I'm proud to say that there's still more to go as that means I haven't decided that I'm Done and that I'll go back to where I was. I'm having fun seeing my decisions in my kitchen. I'm feeling positive today so I hope to report back some progress soon.

Thank you all for bearing with me.

For BF's birthday, I made an almond cake and it was lovely. First time making it. You use a can of Solo Almond Pie Filling and my goodness it was a nice little cake. I'll post a picture.

Tatoulia, my condolences on the passing of Officer Buckley. Sounds like he was a good and loyal man who did a great job, and will be missed by so many.

Tillie, thinking about you, and sending you strength. I have little patience for paranoid conspiracy theories re this pandemic - even just reading about them. To have to be screamed at and endangered in someone's obsession to drive home their point... so wrong.

You are coping the best you can and it is an energy drain. I'm glad you have the cats and nature to give moments of distraction. And projects to give a sense of accomplishment.

SubC, my heart is with you; hoping that helps to know.

My roommate's sister and brother in law arrived yesterday afternoon. They are the kindest, sweetest people one feels immediately at ease with. He was nuts over the dog and the feeling was mutual. I'm glad. We think the dog's previous owner must have been a guy, as he responds so happily to men.

We all went on a walk. Weather was perfect. Things weren't so crazy in the neighborhood as that other time with loose dogs, so I'm relieved. Doggy and I will manage to get along. Maybe I'll even feel more relaxed with him again. Sometimes one gets in a rut and having a change in routine can give a fresh perspective.

They (humans - doggy stays here!) and my roommate have probably arrived at the surgery place by now. I slept intermittently waking to pray for her and my cousin and everybody. My prayers were not eloquent, maybe not even coherent. But it's not a contest.

I checked my email several times yesterday for news on my cousin, but there wasn't any. Hoping that means they were simply busy helping her. I'm not going to check again until after my roommate is back home. Whatever is, is, and my mental health needs no more to process for just a few hours. Then I'll look.

My van is getting an oil change and a going over. I pray nothing costly wrong with AC. I could forego AC for awhile to save money, as long as that wouldn't damage anything worse. I hope I get my van back today. Today is payday, which helps to know.

Our Governor announced a 3 phase reopening plan starting the 4th. The 18th is the next phase, then June 1st, and complete lifting of restrictions June 15th. With leeway for counties to keep stricter guidelines. Our county commission to meet today. I hope they are cautious. Churches, it said on the news, are not rushing to resume services and as much as I miss going, I feel relieved at that.

I plan on continuing my safety precautions regardless of what some champing at the bit folks do.

Still feeling good about the cleaning and decluttering momentum. Weather has been nice. Rain on Sunday it sounds like. But we need some, and it's not that chilly winter hanging on rainy pattern we'd been in.

Stay safe everyone.

Good Evening Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
So very sorry to hear about your Dear Friend Officer Conrad Buckley and his wife who's now sick.
((((((HUG))))))
Thank you so much for telling us about him & his beautiful wife and all the wonderful times you and BF spent together.
That means so much to us.

June 1st will give you all plenty of time to set things up and also to see how this pandemic is going in your area.
Also hoping that there will be plenty of testing for people to see if they have immunity and some safety.

YEA! that you have some extra TP!
That's something that will be used up in time so a good thing to have on hand these days. ;)

People all over the world, stuck inside their homes all these weeks are also now acutely aware that they have too much stuff.
Before, they would be able to leave the house daily and get away from all their stuff so it didn't bother them as much.
Different story having to stay home with it 24/7.
LOL ;D
WAY TO GO! for eliminating some travel papers!
And so glad you are mailing the work shredding to the office!

Even Steven has a bunch of stuff in the truck to donate soon as there is any place open to donate it.

YEA! for having the cleaners in so your home is a fresh clean pleasant place to be.
How wonderful you have found another seamstress.
It was stressful for me waiting on the other one you hired last time.
Being all alone at home I haven't found anyone making masks and I have no motivation yet to make any for myself.
The bandana worked fine last time I grocery shopped.
The bandana is blue with yellow and is from the "1990 transanarctica expedition" and has little sled dogs (Huskies) printed all over it.

So great your Mom is well and happy!!!
That is wonderful that you have all your postcards and can brighten her days with them.
You did tell us about the infections and all.
Every day brings us closer to knowing no more are infected there.

I made plans this afternoon to go into town tomorrow to the bank drive through for some cash then the water depot to fill 4 bottles.
So I went to put the bottles into the car and discovered wasps are nesting around the door hinges and in the side view mirrors.
Probably also under the hood too but I'm too afraid to stick my fingers in there to release the catch.
Sprayed the wasps I could see and put the wasp spray can in the car in case I need it when I am in town or even worse, driving to town.
Another hazard of sheltering at home for weeks. :p

Maybe later next week I'll get brave enough to grocery shop.
Really missing fresh produce.
Dreaming of watermelon and cantaloupe that will be in season soon.

Everyone-I am here and thinking of you all. SubC I truly love you for telling me not to read a certain part of one of your posts.

Cm I am sorry for your cousin. SubC please share whatever you need to. Tillie I've missed you so much!

I'm praying for all of you, all of us, myself included. I couldn't make it through this without you.

My cleaners came this week and they had sewed masks for me-the mom had seen them. So I showed her my fabric (just a yard) of what I want to buy for a new shower curtain and she will sew it for me! I told her I'd pay her (naturally) and the daughter said no charge but I then told them how much I'd pay and so I've ordered the fabric. I'm really excited about this. My last two seamstresses have been a bit dicey to deal with.

I don't know where I left off about mom's. Three infected, one gone. I don't know if the other two are still alive. Mom is very happy and enjoying all the postcards I'm sending her. I'm doing at least two a day and no where in sight of getting through how many I have.

I grabbed some travel materials from a 1990 trip to Europe and went through them. Was able to get rid of about half, including my very expensive plane ticket. The one with the red carbon paper.

I mailed my work shredding today. I'm just not going to shred all that paperwork here. Too time consuming.

My department is now doing our own happy hours. We had coffee talk Tuesday AM and happy hour today. It's great to see everyone's faces.

I have so much to get rid of. I have so much to go through. And I'm going to do it. I've ended up with too much stuff. None of it is new except a bit of extra TP. It just feels like things have piled up. I pulled out quite a bit from dining room closet over the weekend and shredded some. Then put back in before cleaners came. I will do again the weekend.

I still have that one bag of donations. Not much more. I'll put in car for now. I haven't been to my car for about a month. I should start asking BF to start it for me once in a while. Or drive it somewhere.

It's rainy and cold here all the time. Even if we have a semi sunny day it still feels cold.

This is just so weird. It's just so weird. My office is closed til June 1 and they have assembled a committee to figure things out. Spacing, configuration, cleaning, whether people should work staggered days, etc.

We lost our first friend to COVID19. Police Officer Conrad Buckley. One of the pictures of him on the news is one from a night that we were with him. Watching the fireworks from a parking garage. We are gutted. I learned yesterday. BF sat with it for a day before telling me. Two police officers stopped by to tell him because they didn't want him to hear about it from other channels. Very sad. We've been to countless weddings and events with him. They haven't mentioned his wife. She too is fighting it right now. She is extremely competent and lovely and drop dead gorgeous and so kind and I was always so happy when we'd go to an event and she'd be there. So lovely.

The shutdown and sheltering in place orders have been extended here.

I am relieved.

But I do not believe I deserve to be screamed and ranted at because of it.
It's not like he was obeying the instructions any way.
Plus he does not believe people die from the virus, that they all died from other causes, not exacerbated by the virus.


Been too many weeks since I last had a conversation with a human.

Subclinical,

Please share if you need to - we are here for you and it'll be okay. But only if you feel comfortable of course.

{{{ ♡ HUGS ♡ }}}

Good Morning or Greetings or whatever today

So very sorry CriticalMass for your Cousin (((HUG)))
Best wishes for tomorrow.

Sad to hear your sad update Subclinical (((HUGS)))
Will gladly trade you heat for that rain.


About 8pm last night Scooter started loudly "chirping" then began his "Mousie" singing song, he had finally located Mousie in the hallway and immediately placed him back in the water bowl.


We are living in "interesting" times.
Doing the best we can.
Bearing unbearable sorrows and constant fears.
We WILL get through this, someday.
Meanwhile, we all have to sit tight, hold on and keep doing whatever we can do to survive.
It's hard but we are stronger than we know.
There will come better days. (((HUG)))

Crossed with CM,

I am sorry for your sad news as well. And do please keep sharing.

I am not a praying person, and I don't know if God hears me, but I pray for your people.

my humans are fine. My cat is fine. My bunnies are fine. Other than that I am not posting because I think the total amount of sad might go up if I share it. Dh is sharing my sad.

Lots of rain. And cold. Wishing to barter with Tillie - I'll give you an inch of rain for ten degrees of temperature.

14 more days of video school.

I'm sorry, Tillie. Cold washcloths for now might help a little, and icy drinks.

I would be delighted if the van AC issue would have a simple, non-dire explanation.

Warning - truly sad news ahead

I just wanted to say in case anything happens, and because here we are in countdown for the arrival of guests today and surgery tomorrow - that last night I checked email again about my cousin.

The situation is worse with her. Original diagnosis of aneurysm at base of spine was incorrect. It is a leak out of her aorta and it caused a stroke. She also has blood clots in legs and one lung. However, no cognitive damage. She's had pain and some sleepless nights. And I don't know when they'll attempt surgery. Whether she is stable enough. Many unknowns.

I'm scared...

Will update when I can

What a week yet again

Good Evening Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
Happy to "see" you :D

Glad Roommate will see her Sister & BIL.
That will be good for her spirits.
Fingers crossed there will be no transfer of virus.

Roommate sure has some sad situations there with her Aunt (((HUGS))) for her.

Could easily be a little spilled oil from a while back that only started smoking since the air conditioner was turned on for the first time this years.
Fingers crossed XXX that your check will come and roost in your bank account until you are ready to use it.

WAY TO GO! the both of you for getting the place all tidied up for company!
My ceiling fan is spinning on high.


Did a lot of little easy and quick things today.
Cleaned my Winter shoes and slippers and put them away.
Re-did my bug repellant sachets and got them all tucked into drawers and bins where my clothes and Winter bedding are stored.
Have all but one space heater stowed away. May need that one, I have seen it snow here on the 4th of July and Mother's day before.

Scooter has ben digging through all his toys calling Mousie.
Mousie is on the floor in the hallway but Scooter hasn't found him yet.

Steven has done nothing.
The cooler is still siting disassembled and idle.
It's hot today and the forecast is for hot tomorrow and even hotter the next day.
Good thing about feeling ill from the heat is it's keeping me from eating and I do need to lose some weight. :p

Hi

Busy days

Roommate finally heard back from the doctors that her surgery will go ahead early Friday. Nothing like being left hanging wondering!

Her sister and brother-in-law will come, stay in a hotel, and drive her. They want to. I pray there is no Covid19 carried by them, at the hotel, or at the surgery place. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for her getting to have them. I like them too. Just want us all to be safe.

Her aunt has tested positive, one of 42 residents of a nursing home in Ohio (we think, unless she has been moved) who have. Shes the older sister of roommate's mother, and also has Alzheimers. So sad.

Yesterday we went in my van across town to her work to take some items she had here and pick up her plants. Also took lettuce and carrots to the bunny shelter. On the way back, running the AC, at an intersection I saw and smelled some pale wispy smoke from near the driver's door. I freaked.

But I prayed and calmed down, tried driving without the AC. It seemed okay. And I managed to get hold of the mechanic. Supposed to get oil change tomorrow, been needing to. He thinks funky smoke was a bit of grease - which I pray isn't indicative of a big problem. He'll have to look under the hood.

I SO pray that no big car repairs eat my stimulus money... really want that to be seed money for a place of my own when the time is right. That's why I freaked, because I don't even have the stimulus yet; if it's gonna go away like every other chunk of money I've thought was going to lever me slightly out of the poverty pit, at least let me wave to it in passing!

Just doing my best to stay calm and trust God...

Today roommate and I were both working on tasks to get ready for company. That helped my mind stay occupied, and gave the reward of accomplishment. I decluttered bags and boxes in the back room, took some doll sewing fabric out that'll have to go back to storage but hopefully not for long. Threw away an old ratty box. Yesterday I'd put my tools into a new toolbox. Got up on a stepstool and dusted ceiling fans. Swept the floor - it looks nice.

I'm pleased that Spring seems to have given me some energy and motivation. I'm not ready for 90s temps! Hope you get that cooler up and running, Tillie. Good luck to Scooter on the Great Mousie Hunt.

Good Morning

Very quiet and cool morning.
Even the birds are whispering.

Lets see...
Dishes are caught up
Laundry is caught up
Outside watering is caught up
House is tidy
Will wait to dust if or when the cooler has been turned on for the first time due to dust in the system blowing out.

So, nothing planned for today.
Twinkles wants me to brush him, so I will.
Scooter has still not discovered where Mousie is hiding so he can put him back in the water bowl.
That's the new game. I put Mousie in a different location and Scooter has to search for him.
I can tell when he finds him because Scooter starts singing loudly his "Mousie Song".

95 freakin degrees outside.
85 degrees inside.
Cooler still not set up and tomorrow will be hot again.

Watered the grass this evening and soon will go out and water the garden bed.
Soon as the sun starts to set.

Puttered around inside, did a little of this & that here & there.
Cooked a rice and veggie dish, it's very good.
Cleaned kitchen. Nothing worse than seeing a messy kitchen in a hot house.

Spent time this morning sniffing the Lilacs and will spend more time doing it again this evening. :)

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Tatoulia

Wishing your Cousin a speedy recovery CriticalMass.
Good to hear you and Roommate are getting things ready for the surgery recuperation.
Great time to do some decluttering. :)

Wishing everybody well in your area with the storms.
Heartbreaking to see the news whenever storms destroy everything in their path.


Wonderful you got to see some students Subclinical!

The reopening plans are confusing and no state, city or county has the same rules or timeframe.
What some consider necessary are quite illogical, like tattoo parlors.

My rural county has had only 3 diagnosed cases (so far) because we are rural and remote and we have ALL been sheltering at home.
Reno and Carson City have been shut down so nobody has been traveling to there to shop.
But once the big cities open up again there WILL be more virus brought back into my county.

The troubling thing for me is that the "authorities" know there will be more cases but they just don't want us all sick at the same time and overload the hospitals.
They want the economy reopened to generate money and are willing to sacrifice lives to get it.
Personally, I do not want this virus because at my age and with my health as it is and no medical insurance it is a death sentence for me.
All I have are my contingency plans.

Even if/when our local areas are all open for business as usual again we should all keep away from everyone and everywhere if at all possible.
Just continue to do whatever we can to protect ourselves.
Maybe in a year we will have a vaccine.


Don't have any real plans for today.
Clothesline is all full of laundry drying in the sunshine.
It will be hot here again and Steven still has not set up the cooler and the heat makes me ill.

Has been nice though to have clear clean windows and screens for me and the cats to look out from. :)

CM, I hope things resolve well for your cousin.

I spent four hours at school for pick up and drop yesterday (plus half an hour before to set up and half an hour after to start the kiln.)

I only had 12 out of 51 that didn't pick up, so not too bad.

A few of the parents brought their kids and a couple of my teens brought themselves. It was really good to see my kids again, even from a distance.

Two of the teens hung around and had shouted conversations with me in the parking lot. I think one of my boys would have gladly spent the day. And one of my little ones wore a twirly dress and spun and spun in the parking lot.

I picked some cilantro and a bouquet of kale from our school garden.

My state starts "reopening" at the end of the week. Friday is non-emergency health care (dentists, and mammograms and such - but not elective surgery) Monday is manufacturing, distribution, and construction. Dd is construction and they never closed, so I'm confused about that. I feel like most of those stayed open. Maybe manufacturing and distribution of non-essential items? Masks will be required for employees and customers (no mask, no service) and on the 12th we will have non-essential retail again, but not things like gyms, salons, barbers, and tattoo parlors. I'm not clear on restaurants.

We picked up a pizza for dinner last night. They seemed to think they would be open on the 12th, but I'm not sure they are "consumer retail"?

Companies are supposed to keep anybody who can work from home working from home.

I don't understand what makes this ok. Cases had leveled off, but then we had a huge spike after Easter, which imho was because people went to church and visited their families. I don't know how we're going to avoid another huge spike if we open up shopping. And people will start associating again, because if you can go in Macy's, you can go to your neighbor's house, right? I don't see anything that has happened that makes thIs any safer than it was in March.

Brought home a little more stuff from the classroom.

It never rains but it pours...

Checked email Sunday a.m. before my livestream Mass, and learned my cousin had been in ICU since Wednesday I gathered. She had an aneurysm at the base of her spine and blood traveled up around the spinal cord. They may do a surgical procedure.

The effects are like those of a stroke sort of, so she is having therapy with her legs and maybe will go to a rehab. Of all the times for this... but praying and have others praying.

For years this cousin has been my ride to see the out of town family. Her husband has health issues and can't drive. But first things first - just want her to be okay! They both just retired last summer.

Roommate's surgery plans still need cardio doc to sign off, hope that doesn't create confusion as to whether it will happen on Friday or not.

We've been preparing, I made a big list of what I need to do plus any things she's wanting to do that involve or affect me. She's in a decluttering mood, too, which is contagious and might be the motivator I've needed. I took some of her unwanted gardening items to another friend, and we may take pet items to the shelter for dogs and cats if they're accepting donations.

Possibility of severe storms tomorrow evening... Sunday was 29 years since one of the bad tornadoes that hit nearby Haysville, McConnell AFB, and Andover, with 21 fatalities. A sad day.

But, I am just doing my best not to worry.

Good Morning Everyone
Still morning here.

Hi Subclinical
That is sad about the unfinished school projects that will not be finished.

YEA! for more baby goats!
So sorry you lost the one Mother and I wish her Kid all the best.

Interesting to hear about your breeding outcomes.
I used to raise AKC registered Cocker Spaniels and it was interesting to see the outcomes.

YEA! for things growing in your garden and the trees!
My sweet basil and chives always survive the Winters and come back.

Good luck with all your plans for the week and keep up the good hygiene practices.


Well, I washed all the windows inside and out that I can reach.
Living area, dining area, storm door and the window in my tiny room.
Bathroom window is too hard to reach from outside but I was able to remove the window pane from inside and get that done both sides.
Living area window with the cooler installed in it I can only reach the inside.
Also hosed off the front porch and the door mats.
Both his bedroom windows are impossible to reach inside or out due to the clutter.

Want to do the back porch but he has crap stacked all around there and would pitch a fit if I got it wet.
But soon I will wash off that filthy porch. (evil grin)

Before I went out I did two wash loads of some of my bedding and it's drying on the clothes line.
Beautiful day, sunny and will get into the 80s.

Now to rest and find something hopefully not fattening for lunch.
All out of fresh veggies & fruit to munch on.

Yesterday i stopped at dd1's house and traded eggs for the box of glazes I had delivered to her (limited delivery area) through the porch "airlock." I wore my mask.

Then I went to school and emptied the rest of the lockers (except two kids who haven't shown up for pick ups) and packed up their stuff with glazes for them to use the next two weeks. It took 4 hours. It was nice to be in my classroom again. I miss my classroom.

I measured things so that I can work on planning a social distancing set up for my classroom for next year, and brought home some stuff. One thing I know is that less is going to be stored in my room next year because of surfaces and cleaning.

The goat finally had her babies yesterday evening - I had decided I had her breeding date wrong and stopped checking on her obsessively, so I missed it, but when I went out to do chores the babies were still wet - two boys and a girl. The girl is lovely. That makes ten baby goats - four girls and six boys. One of the girls has a breeding fault I didn't notice until she grew a bit. That was disappointing because she is my "fancy on paper" goat for this year, but I am planning to keep the other three. I will definitely keep one boy this year, and maybe a second. I need to look at the genetics and think it through.

I have two more goats left to kid. One any time and one in mid-to-late May. They were both "field bred" so no dates.

Tatoulia skip this. I did lose one of the older goats this week. It was sudden and surprising. She kidded this year, but appeared in good condition. Her baby is young to be weaned, but he is eating feed and straw, so I think he will be ok.

My peas are coming up, all the trees have been flowering. I picked cilantro and kale yesterday that over wintered in the school garden.

I have a lot to do this week, starting with running the pick up and drop at school today and then firing the kiln. A bit stressed about all the people and surfaces, but I will keep my distance and wear gloves and my mask and wash my hands.

I need to clean stalls and plant more strawberries and get things together for the week.

My cousin The guidance counselor is sleeping late and has spent entire days in her pajamas. I am working ten extra hours unpaid this week, (I get paid for "classroom hours" plus 45 minute lunches and one planning hour per week.) plus effectively doing half my weekly commute. Actually, my hours dropped when we cancelled my two classes, so it is possible my April check won't include lunches.

I threw things in the garbage at school yesterday. Projects that are never going to be claimed. It made me sad.

Good Afternoon

Been doing laundry.
All the heavy window coverings I took down and a quilt.

Went around the house spraying bug barrier since I keep seeing spiders inside.
Really big fat one this morning, "shivers".

Plan for tomorrow is to wash windows and window screens.
Hoping nothing interferes with my plans.

Twinkles found a new hatched baby yellow finch dead in the garden this morning.
I checked all the nearby trees and did not see any nests above the location.
Wonder where he came from???

Good Morning
Iced chai masala "Clink!"

Pleasantly cool morning and it will get up in the low 80s again today.
So nice having windows open all day & some over night.
But the dust in here just keeps getting deeper.
Should concentrate on removing it but it will just come back before the day has passed plus NOBODY will be dropping by to see my dusty house.

To be able to reach the trees way out front I hook 3 hoses together.
Yesterday the "tree" hose developed a large hole.
I know for a fact that Steven has millions of hose splicers/menders in his hoard.
But he can't remember if he does or where they would be...
He always thrift shop/yard sale buys things like that so if he ever needs them (Justin Case) he has them and doesn't need to go to the store and spend higher store prices to get them.
Well, now he plans to go buy some at the hardware store to fix the hose.

When neighbor friends were preparing to move they gave me a coffee can FULL of hose fixer items and Steven took them from me because he's a man and those are man/hardware type things.
Wish I had fought harder at the time to hold onto them myself.

Anyways, he is supposed to get the evaporative cooler all set up but he can only concentrate on one thing at a time.
He can only do one little thing a day and he won't do anything else all week long because he did that one little thing on that one day.
But he would come to your house and work all day long to help you fix up things at your house.
He's gone this morning to work on someone else's house again. >:(

Sending love to all and a special hug to Tatoulia.

Tatoulia
Words can not express how relieved I am that your Mom tested negative.
We can breathe a little easier today. (((HUG)))

Today I cried tears of relief instead of all the regular tears of grief.

Yes, we are all in this together and like Queen Elizabeth said "We will meet again".


Hope you do get out for a walk in the fresh air and sunshine.


Subclinical
How very discouraging this video schooling is.
So many of the students all around the world are not responding to it like they do in a classroom setting.

WAY TO GO! getting your house better today!
Wish I was so motivated.

Did some watering.
The Ash trees are starting to leaf out.
Lilac flower buds are getting big and fat.
Honeysuckle is sending out lots of leafy tendrils.
Catmint is doing very well and gets lots of random assorted cat visitors.
Light burn barrel.
Started up the car to keep the battery charged.
Hosed all kinds of crap off the car, spent Apricot blooms, bird poop and thick dust.
Killed a few queen yellow jacket wasps.
When the sun isn't so intense I will water the grass.
Ate lunch and am watching more "Dark Shadows".

I know what great energy you bring to your job, SubC, and I completely understand your lack of motivation. I'm both unmotivated and distracted. It's so hard right now. It's like I'm in a constant state of heartbreak.

I do believe, if you can forgive the platitude, that we are all in this together and we will all emerge.

I am going through papers now. Will shower soon. See if ND would enjoy a walk.

Oh Tatoulia,

I am sorry about the resident, but so glad for the news on your mom!

I'm feeling a very low level of motivation about my job. My first class yesterday only two students showed up. I had to turn the class after lunch into an independent project because my video crashed. 16 more days of video school.

I am working on my house today.

Mom's tear came back negative! They tested eight residents who had that aide and two tested positive. The first positive resident has died.

When we got the news, BF admitted he'd suffered terrible stomach problems.

Mom is very happy. I didn't tell her that the one resident died.

They've taken even sharper measures to protect the residents. And I'm very grateful for that.

I feel the best I've felt right now. I've been a ball of nerves and even after getting the good news, it took me the last 20 hours to adapt and adjust

Thank you for standing by my side. I'll write more later.

Love you all so much.

Good Morning

Will be hot today, 80s.
Going out in a bit to water some things.

TTYL :)

Hi CriticalMass

I've been mindlessly eating too and not anything good.
Scooter and I are both phat.

Walking bunnies in a stroller sounds like so much fun!

Start calling the thrift shops and asking them when they will be taking in donations.
With so many states/cities/towns ending the quarantine, thrift shops will be opening up again so they will want the stuff.

Next Friday, that's quick.
Enough time to get things ready there for her recuperation.

Hope the relatives only come for a little day visit or get a hotel/motel room for overnight.
I'm sure you can help roommate with whatever she needs while she's down.

Jealous of your rain clouds and lightening.

Rain here today too. Sky got so dark from about 1:00-2:00. The bulk of the clouds are past now and it's lightening finally.

I'm gaining quarantine weight. Mindless nibbling, extra sweets, little if any exercise. I'm going to cut back on eating, and though I still have zero desire to go on roommate's dog walks after the latest fiasco, there is the bunny stroller and her two bunnies in need of bonding. The stroller distracts the bunnies from murderous intent toward each other.

Her surgery is a week from today. Enough time to prepare but not so much that we get complacent and I forget what day it is. And probably ideal time for her to prepare yet not worry too much.

Several of her siblings are offering to come and help. We are both apprehensive due to the crowdedness and clutter. Her sibs have good paying jobs, spouses, kids and grandkids, nice roomy homes, etc. Sometimes they pick at her for her clutter, having several pets, etc.

They're nice people and not intending to be mean, but they don't understand how a single woman has to be chief cook and bottle washer, how if things break down it's not as simple just to repair much less replace them, etc. And why pets for companionship when you don't have kids mean a lot.

As for me, I will have to up my decluttering game just enough to be able to get my stuff out of the common areas and close my bedroom door. Sigh.

After she recovers, I guess I'd better just resign myself to going to the storage unit and trying to deal. This is not how I'd pictured this spring. None of us expected all this craziness. Wonder if/when thrift shop donation centers will reopen.

Whatever...

Stay safe ladies

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Hoping you are having a good day today.

Hi CriticalMass
Hope you are having some fun today.

Hi Tatoulia
You are ever in my thoughts and prayers ((((HUG))))


Been up & doing stuff all day.
Swapped out the Winter drapes for Summer drapes/curtains.
Straightened the towels and wash cloths, found a few to designate for rags.
Made lemonade.
Refilled bird baths with fresh water.
Started working on my potpourri, handkerchief sachets.
Killed some wasp queens under the eaves.
Did a bunch of little miscellaneous tasks.

Kitchen is a mess.
Plan to get to that soon.

He was screaming and screeching at me that the write in/mail in voting scheduled is a plot by the Russians to overthrow the United States government.

"heave sigh"...

Tatoulia, you are not being dramatic at all! I do not want you to panic, but panicking seems perfectly normal.

They know and they have had time to make plans and I'm sure they will keep doing everything they can to keep your mom and the kitty safe. ❤️

Attendance was better today - something goid about the rain.

17 more days of video school.

At times, if push comes to shove
I strongly that one family member should be allowed to be with their loved one.
Keeping them away is just too cruel.


Hi Tatoulia (((HUG)))
Do you still have some antianxiety medicine?
Please take it, get a refill, you need it.
We all need something to help cope.

Having fewer things out helps to keep our minds from becoming too cluttered with visual stimulus.
Helps keep us calmer.

I have been sorting out and storing things in the car trunk.
The decluttering is soothing even though it's just a distraction.

Someday I believe that I will be able to donate these things.
4 cat quilts, one tiny blanket for the homeless kitties.
Clothes and soon some assorted linens will be added.

Since you live in a big city is there a place nearby where the needy homeless could pick up your items if you left them out?
Clothing, blanket, etc. ?


Having a hard time today getting things done.
I try but for some reason I lack any focus.

Steven has driven off somewhere.
Glad he's gone and taken his nasty disposition with him.

I am not being dramatic I'm just panicking but I really need to see mom and her cat again.

I have noticed I want fewer things out. It's helping me a lot to reduce what's visible.

I wish I had a place to donate things. This is a problem. I will have to find them new homes somehow.

Greetings and salutations

Hi Tatoulia
Holding you close (((HUG)))

Hi CriticalMass
Wishing you lots of happy distraction playing with your dolls.

Hi Subclinical
That is so sweet of her to help in this way.
Sorry half your students played hooky.


Steven has been staying out of the house and out of my way.
He has stayed home and there are noticeable changes in the hoard.

The small pathway through the carport to the garage is wider now, stuff has been moved.
Saw him carry things out and put them in the truck.
Lots of other things in his hoard have been relocated to other areas of the hoard.
Shuffling.

My plans for today are to get out the Spring/Summer window curtains.
Might even get them hung up.
Brush Twinkles some more. His long thick fur is shedding with the warmer days.
Really need to straighten my closet shelves. Stuff is where it's supposed to be but the stacks could be neater.
The pissant extermination in the yard is going very well.


Everybody stay safe and well (((((HUGS)))))

I'm here!! Thank you! Just not focused! Always here!

Tatoulia -

If you see this, just know

We are here for you

No matter what. ♡♡♡

I'm sorry. I'm so distracted and not reading the posts. Today's call was from her elder care services place to tell me that mom's morning aide is sick with COVID19. She last took care of mom a week ago, she's had different aides since that time. Mom was swabbed today. We are staying the course. I bought lunch for everyone at her doctor's office/elder care services place because I didn't know what else to do. I found out where they have lunch and sent a large gift card over to them. They can just take it with them when they want lunch and then bring it back for the next person. I told the woman not to say it was from me. I just want them to eat lunch.

Mom is doing well and her spirits are good. Bf took her some ok and other snacks tonight.

Cm I keep meaning to mention the Barbie hand. You are amazing.

I am so sorry I can't read right now. I did two loads of laundry and that felt good. We had a smaller happy hour today, just my department, and it was lovely and fun. I started to panic about 20 minutes in bug bi one could tell. I stayed on the video and muted myself.

Please stay safe and know that I will be reading again soon.

Boston's schools are closed for rest of the school year.

Well, they finally got around to telling the teachers. I'm tired tonight. Papers to check and I just don't want to. The weather was really nice today and nearly half my kids didn't show up.

18 more days of video school.

Heartdaughter went in stores and found prenatal vitamins and bleach for dd1. She is going around helping people.❤️

Good Evening Everybody

Hi Subclinical
Very glad you finally know.
Bet that video was fantastic for everyone to see. :D

So sorry for your Dh.
What a heavy burden to carry.

My wish is that when the states start reopening businesses they have very strict safety protocols in place first.
But I hold out no hope since too many "necessary" businesses are too lax as it is now.


Hi CriticalMass
Good luck getting the library books in the drop box.

Please send any excess water this way. ;D

Have you been getting enough physical exercise?
Your sleep may be better if you get yourself physically exhausted.
I know I sleep best after spending time doing some strenuous physical labor.
Doesn't have to be a LOT but more than what I get on "normal" or lazy days.


Been busy since I got up.
Filled the clothes line with linens.
Washed & dried all my clothes.
Removed a lot of fuzz from cat blankets, quilts couch covers, etc.
Then washed them all.
Washed rags and stuff and washed the washer to remove any fuzz.
Made spaghetti.
Did a bunch of washing of possible contaminated areas with an antiviral cleaner.
Folded and put away things from the clothesline as they dried.
Did a lot of random other miscellaneous stuff too.

Went to the main source of all the cat fuzz by brushing Twinkles.
Got 3 kittens worth off him.
Wanted to do more but he tagged my hand with his claw.
Maybe later I will do some more brushing of him, he is still asking me to brush him more.

77 degrees today.