Tatoulia, I'm really sorry about your mom.

Dh step grandmother had dementia, and she forgot everyone but Dh grandfather. I sat with her one afternoon. She would fall asleep, and then wake up and not know where she was or who I was, but every time she would just look around and then look at me and demand "where's Jack?" I would say "he went for a walk. He'll be right back." And then she would settled down and say "oh. Okay." Sometimes she would start to tell me a story or ask me something triggered by something she saw in the room, but in a few minutes, she would drift back to sleep. And then in five minutes, or twenty, she would wake up and ask "where's Jack?"

You did a great job on the vases! And Lila, you are doing really well on the food!

I'm sorry your mom didn't know you, Tatoulia. That's sad, even though you are well prepared for it. I never had that experience with my parents, as they died young, but my grandma had dementia. She did know me but forgot a lot of other things. In my work now, some of what I do is spending time with the sick, dying, etc and there have been people I visit regularly who forget who I am and it is sad. But I still see their joy to have a visitor even though they think they are making a new friend every time I show up.

I opened the freezer and was looking for something to eat. I tend to take leftovers, put them in baggies and freeze them for later. But sometimes I don't write what it is or the date on the bag...(I am getting better about this). I sorted the door of the freezer which was overflowing with small portions of things, and I did have quite a few little bags of mystery food that looked old and frostbitten and I just tossed them. Also when bananas get too ripe I tend to throw them whole into the freezer, which works fine if you use them within a month or two, but when you keep doing it you end up with years-old, black, shriveled messes. So I threw out like 6 really old gross looking bananas too.

I do not count food items in my tally but I did toss a good amount of small baggies and wiped out the shelves and rearranged. It looks much better now and I see what is there to use. I found a baggie of breaded mushrooms that were not old, and put them in the air fryer for my lunch.

So, I am getting little things done here and there.

I have some bags of spinach I need to cook.

Great bible quote, Lila. My mother was a scientist! I love how you are living your life and I support you. SubC that's a great way to look at the food. I am firmly rooted in my buy each day which I know is foolish but it is something I have been doing for decades.

I did about thirty minutes and I made two bags of vases to go to goodwill. BF used to send me flowers frequently. I even packed up the vase from the first time he send me flowers. Before we even dated he sent me flowers to my then-office.

I also packed up some little things to let go of. I'm really proud of myself. Not proud enough so let's say prouder.

I spent a lot of time this afternoon with mom. I've been watching it come my way and I finally happened. She did not know who I was today. It sort of faded in and out. I'm prepared so I am good with it.

I have more stuff to pack up to get rid of, but I did a bunch today and I am pleased. I struggled with a few items. I'm still struggling with a few more.

Good morning! SubC I love hearing about what you are doing, getting, etc. Really it is great that you are picking and choosing what you get, and getting quality stuff. I did laugh at the thought of you having a shed hoard... lol!

Hi Tatoulia! I feel so blessed to have what I need and for generous contributors to the food bank. I won't complain about my state of low income, because I do have a degree and could be working as a scientist if I wanted, but I have CHOSEN to work part-time (so I am available to my kids and grandkids, especially Teen who is high needs) and have chosen working in a field where I earn about 1/3 the hourly wage I would as a scientist... because I love my work. Yes, I also volunteer there a lot, because I love it. I have never found anything as fulfilling and meaningful as serving God as a career. I feel like I am finally doing what I was made for. So if I want more money I always have the choice to go back to science. But I prefer a rich life to a rich bank account.

I will wax poetic for just a moment, if you will allow me - even those who are not religious . There is a scripture in the Bible in Proverbs 30 that I pray: "Lord, give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."

I kind of like that thought.

Anyway, this morning I stayed home, had coffee and a pumpkin oatmeal pancake that Teen made the other day, and watched church online. I noticed that someone spilled honey or something into the utensils drawer in the kitchen, so I took out the plastic organizer and put it in the sink and washed everything. It is drying and then will be put back clean. It is good that I did this - I threw out several items of trash, one old too-small chip clip, and donated 5 utensils I never use or duplicates!

This brought my Daily Tally to 590/1000. Only ten more to go to hit 600! Goal is 1000 items gone from my home in one year (by February).

I also wish that Lila would throw out the expired canned goods, although I do realize that some things are marked with what is actually a "best by" date and are fine afterwards.

Lila, may I propose this - look up the substances in the cans and if they are safe to eat.

(My Dh also takes expired medicine. He says "look, it isn't going to kill me, it just might stop working. If it doesn't work I'll throw the rest out.")

Then, toss any that might not be safe to eat and number the other cans 1 (best) to whatever.

Let's say you can go to the foodbank once a month - this month, try to use can #1. At the end of the month, see if you have anything left over from the food bank. Count that many cans from the highest number and throw them out.

Willing to try it? How often can you go to the food bank? Here it is once a month for the prepacked nonperishable groceries and any week for bread and pastries and whatever fresh extras are out.

I finished canning the applesauce. Nothing broke. It took all morning instead of the 30 more minutes it would have taken because I had to clean up the kitchen, set up, and heat everything back to boiling from cold.

Tatoulia, clean up one thing, ok?

Yay for saving money on parking, SubC!

Lila, I am excited that you threw out the expired canned goods and wish you'd throw out the ones that are only two years out of date. Seriously, don't do it. I'm glad you can get good goods at the good bank!!!

For all my noise above about expired food, I will take medicines totally out of date. So I'm truly inconsistent.
If I could even put on a 15 minute timer I'd feel better. I'm doing zero.

I love hearing about the things you do, SubC and I never think about the cost. When I started to read about the two new chairs I thought, oh no, and then I kept reading and made by a local craftsperson and I was all heck yes! I do not like the cheap stuff on Amazon but respect the fact that it takes money to be able to reject the cheap stuff. I get that. And Amazon fills very real need in this country.

I have not gone to a food bank but many of my neighbors go. When I volunteer at soup kitchens I think of it as feeding my neighbors and I enjoy that. Good banks are wonderful and I am grateful that we have them. I don't know what the future holds to be sure so I keep that in mind, too.

I've been spending a bit too much lately too, esp. now that we have an overseas property we have our eye on and we have about a year's time to buy, based on the seller's timeline. So I shouldn't be spending a dime right now.

I am up early for me. I'm doing two loads of laundry and I usually finished folding last night's laundry. My house is a mess. A true mess. The childhood ornaments that I am keeping are all over the place and I need to deal with that. I cannot remember if my young friend from work is sleeping over this week. Plus I cannot love in this mess.

I've looked around in general and I definitely have what Tillie used to call Clutter Creep. So I'm going to have to deal with some of it today. I am on a short schedule because I'm going to members night at the MFA for the Sargent exhibit. I'm also experience Weith Creep so I don't have a fancy dress to wear. But I've been giving some thought about what would look nice. The shoes that I would enjoy wearing are at work and I'm not sure that I have time to walk down to the office to get them.

Mom was in bed when I got over there last night but she heard me come in so we talked. She doesn't know where she is and it's very hard.

I have to spend at least half an hour dealing with the clutter. Wish me well (of course you wish me well. This is my way of wishing myself well)

Good morning!

Lila, great job keeping things together! And the cooking is also great! I hope you get your day at home today. No pressure on the 4 hours, I just wasn't sure if that was a goal.

Tatoulia, I hope your mom was awake and you got a visit.

Dh and I ended up ordering two chairs to go by the woodstove, and he will take his chair that is there right now upstairs. We won't get them until maybe February because the guy has to make them.

I feel weird posting about all the spending I have been doing lately. I feel like I am bragging, but I just want to share my good things with you guys. (Like my shed and being able to buy good quality chairs from a fairly local guy who makes them). We usually live pretty frugally, our big spends are some mid priced restaurant dinners, symphony concerts, and trips to visit family. But Dh has been working huge amounts of overtime lately and we had a savings plan that would let us keep our lifestyle intact in retirement. Now Dh thinks he is going to work two years longer than we planned and he got promoted. He has decided that we should spend that extra money on things to make the house nicer and our lives easier. (I had already saved up for the shed over a couple of years)

He doesn't want to spend it on lifestyle changes because then we will have to cut back when he retires and we will miss it. So we still walked three extra blocks last night to our concert so we could park in the $5 lot instead of the $10 lot. And we ate at home before the concert because we already went out when my parents were here. And we're not getting tv or trash service or anything like that.

I have had times in my life when the water was shut off and when I had to ask the public health nurse how much the vaccine would cost to see if the baby got it at this visit or not because I needed bread and enough gas to get home. (I've gleaned and picked up at a food bank too) and there was a short stretch when I lived in my car. So I am aware that I am extremely lucky. And if I were the boss of the world water and essential health care would be free. Well, at least a base amount of water. I don't want to pay taxes so you can wash your car and water your lawn, but you should be able to drink, cook, and bathe.

I started to just delete all that because it's so off topic, but basically, if the shopping bothers you, let me know and I won't tell you about it, ok? It is kind of "in" stuff, but not really the kind that gets hoarded. (I definitely can't afford to hoard sheds, or furniture unless I get most of it off the curb.)

Lila, that's great that you are cooking! Yes on avoiding the fast food and take-out and using what you have at home!

I need to run to mom's now. A little late but I fell asleep. Hopefully she's still awake.

Good job, Tatoulia!! That's good progress. I'm glad to hear from you today.

I made myself some chai from scratch since I was in the spice cabinet and had everything I needed. It was delicious. I put honey in it and hemp milk I got at the food bank.

The soup also turned out good and I froze half.

I also made pasta salad for lunch. Son loves it too.

My goal is to use what we have, stop spending money, hit the food bank as necessary. I have a lot of bills to pay and I really cannot afford to buy much of anything.

I am keeping the kitchen nice and the counter/bar and table cleared off.

Hi I'm not caught up by any measure. Last night I finally tackled the box of my childhood Christmas stuff. I was able to get rid of at least half. I packaged up everything nicely and took it to Goodwill. I also packed up a two things from my bedroom, including a Wedgwood clock that I like but it is in a color-lavender- that I do not like. I bought it several years ago for three dollars. It's the only clock in my bedroom but since I don't like the color, off it went. I had to go to BF's house to take care of something for him and then I met a friend for thrifting and lunch. I had to find a tray table of sorts for mom since her dining room table lost a leg from the abuse it took from her wheelchair. The thing I found for her is adjustable in height and is on wheels. It should be a good choice for her. Then my friend took me to costco so that I could get juice and something else. So a pretty productive day. I have not visited mom nor have I taken the table to her.

I mainly stopped by here to tell you I tackled some Christmas stuff and got it out. Stay tuned for more progress! It feels so good to reduce.

Hope you are all well. I will read your posts tonight.

Good morning!

I did end up going to the new food bank, and it is pretty nice! They have a place that does gleaning after the local farmers (with their permission) so there was a lot of fresh produce. Apples, onions, potatoes, a butternut squash, greens. I even got some strawberries, although they came from a donation (not growing locally right now). I got a pound of ground beef for the family and a pound of Impossible beef (plant based) for me. A loaf of bread, some masa, a can of corn, and a couple of turkey/stuffing meals for Son. So that was a big help.

This morning I am making acorn squash soup out of the rest of the squash I cooked the other day. I simmered it with some carrots, garlic, onions and spices in vegetable broth. It is cooling now and I will blend it with a little bit of half and half, just a bit to help it be creamy. I'll freeze half since I am the only one who likes it.

I don't know if I will get the 4 hours in this weekend - doubtful. But, I am working on things bit by bit.

I pulled all the spices out of the spice cabinet, washed it out, consolidated several jars, threw out a few that were old duplicates. I put everything back and it looks very nice and everything is easy to find.

Loaded and ran the dishwasher.

Called and went online to find balances on about 8 gift cards I found, wrote the balance on them in sharpie and put them in a small bin with all the coupons I found so far, so I can use them.

Remote deposited a couple of checks and did a balance transfer. Answered some emails.

Enjoying a nice calm day. I am supposed to work tomorrow but it is likely I will stay home one more day.

Good morning!

It is raining.

I slept 11 hours. Woken once by a nightmare and once by the cat throwing up in my room.

Lila, great job on your kitchen! Are you going to try to put in those 4 hours this weekend?

I think your food choices were good. Don't worry about going to the food Bank. I have worked at food banks and my biggest take away is that half of what they offer you is being diverted from food waste already. So if you ate those old beans instead of getting new beans from them, the new beans would eventually become old beans and get tossed or fed to somebody's chickens.

CM, at first I thought you were talking about studio apartments. Based on what I have going on out in the workshop barn, I would say we fill studios up. I still need to do so much work on mine!

My shed did come. I'm looking forward to working on getting it filled (sorting through all my garden things and having them in one place) and landscaping around it. It's so pretty! And the windows have screens, which I didn't know. And it locks.

I am going to sign up for a local holiday fair in three weeks. I don't know how it will go, but it will give me a chance to connect a little more with my neighborhood and hopefully turn some of my inventory into money. The set up fee goes to advertising and to the volunteer fire department, so no loss there. I would give the fire department $30.

Dh wants to drive to a furniture store we like out in the country (even more than us. Those poor people, if only they had a dollar general...) and look for a chair for his office. The cheap one he bought during Covid is falling apart and he has back problems and works from home two days a week now. So I better get moving!

Lila, think of the medical bills and suffering and compare that to 69 cents for a can of some food. Cost benefit analysis of tossing the old and getting new works out pretty simply then! ;)

I can't watch Hoarders at all - too depressing. But if it motivates you, go for it.

SubC, hope the shed comes.

Random musing re creative space - attended an art opening a week ago, and I realize that those old repurposed warehouse studios have so much room! If I had one, would I fill it up too much? It's only a dream anyway at this point. It seems like a lot of space, but perhaps that artist was just a neater and more minimalistic person than I naturally am. But a studio does really offer a lot more workspace than your average house, where you have to fit it in around other purposes the standard rooms are given over to. Oh well.

Have a good weekend, all.

the Lila show, episode 2 today...

Yesterday afternoon and evening I:

- went shopping
- picked up Tot, brought her to my house and made a cake together
- cleaned off the kitchen table. Wow, that was a lot... and I admit I threw a few things into the spare room to deal with later, but not a lot.
- cooked a fancy recipe for dinner and had the 3 granddaughters, son and DIL, Son who lives here, Teen, and another son with his girlfriend all over for dinner!
- enjoyed time holding the kids and playing and talking together. It was so nice.

Now my kitchen table, bar/counter, and all kitchen counters are not only decluttered, but CLEAN. I cannot remember the last time this was so. I am very motivated to clean the rest of that area... one freestanding wooden cabinet with a stereo on it, all the appliances, little shelves, spice rack, and floor. I could get all of that done in about 2 hours. Oh and the light fixture.

Then... if I really worked on the living room, I bet I could get that done in 2 hours too (on another day probably) so wow, my main living areas are coming together. I have a small entryway to mop and then people could come over and COME IN without me being totally embarrassed!

I do need to have the carpets cleaned. They smell like dog. Which means I need to wash a certain dog as well.

What are you all up to today?

Good morning! ohhh nobody's here yet. Come back friends!

Today is trash day. I decided at 7:30am to clean out the closet downstairs where my ex would put canned foods. He would buy whole boxes of things and shove them in there and we could not easily get to any of it. I would ask the kids if there were any beans, or tomatoes, or whatever down there and they would look and say no. Well this morning pulled out boxes and empty wrappers and two milk crates 2/3 full of cans.

I found many cans expired in 2019, of guess what, tomatoes, beans... a few other things. Anything expired less than 2 years I kept and brought some upstairs to use. The rest went into the trash.

I know some things COULD have been okay, as canned foods last a long time, but tomatoes I was told are risky if they get too old, and many cans were dented. So off they went to make room for new, because I am going to the food bank today. I have not gone in years but my finances are in the toilet. Yes I feel guilty throwing food away and then going and getting more, but I am feeding very young children and don't want to risk them getting sick. It's over now and I won't shove cans in there anymore. I can use that space for other things now. I have a big shelf of food I did not sort through but that is for another day.

post 2, update -

omg so tired. So far I:

- let the squash cool, scraped the squash into a dish and put it in the fridge

- cleaned off the bar/counter!!! Yes the whole thing!! It was so gross when I got down to the dust layer. But I did it! Wiped down the keurig, food scale and phone and put them back on it but it is totally clear otherwise!

- okay, I did move a few items to the kitchen table to get that done. I am working on that now,

- sorted a stack of papers from the kitchen table, filed some, threw some out.

- had Son bring up the baby swing and put batteries in it to use tonight for Star.

That was a lot, and I have to go shop and pick up Tot in half an hour. Then we will make the cake together. Will clean up, work on the table, and get the baby toys with her.

I feel like I got enough done today and am happy with the results. Son is going to vacuum, and maybe even mop if I can get him to, while I am gone getting Tot.

I even did a little work from home because I got a couple calls, texts and emails.

I made some solid progress today and really pushed myself!

Good example for the kids, SubC. Really cool!

I took vitamins and feel sort of nauseous, so I am going to eat a banana muffin I baked and froze a few months ago. It is warming up in the toaster oven.

I am doing good but tired.

I sorted things on the table. There were 4 winter squash on the table from spring... surprisingly still seem good. So I poked holes in 3 of them and put them on a cookie sheet at 400 degrees for a half hour. They are cooking now and I will scrape them out, freeze some and eat some for dinner tonight.

I wiped the counters down in the kitchen again to keep them nice, and wiped off the blender, fish oil for the dogs, and pencil sharpener and put them where they go. I put some things away and threw out any trash. I put some boxes downstairs for Son to take out. I have a lot more to do but needed a rest.

I picked up all the dog toys and took out 3 that no one plays with to donate, one that is practically new that they don't care about to give to my friend who has a new puppy, and threw one away. That is five items down!

I have hoarders on - if you ever watched the episode with Carl in it, it is terribly sad but makes me stop and think. I am not "watching" it but it is on while I am cleaning an typing.

I need another cup of coffee with my muffin... so low energy.

Thanks Lila! I felt brave. I am always telling my kids that being brave isn't not being scared, it's being scared and doing the thing anyway. If you aren't scared, you aren't brave, you're just not scared.

I also have a quote I put up sometimes that says "Always speak your truth. Even if your voice trembles."

I couldn't go back in the classroom tomorrow if I didn't speak. In fact, I told some of the kids I was doing it to back myself into a corner.

I really hope you have fun baking with tot, and I'm glad you got your down day.

I feel a little better. My shed is late though.

Go get your ten things!

SubC!! You are brave! I am so proud of you for stepping outside of your comfort zone for something important! I am so touched that you did that. What strength and I pray they will listen and you will win this important cause!

CM, oh I miss screen porches! I grew up back east and now live in the PNW and where I live now you almost never see a screen porch. I have dreamed about adding one. So nice.

I am off again today. I got my lazy, do-little day yesterday and so am happy to get started working on things this morning. Just had coffee and am starting to feel energy.

I feel a bit better. I am having Tot over to bake a cake later. She always has some kind of cold so no one is worried she will catch something from me... maybe mine is just residual from what Son had last week. I am not sick sick. Anyway, here is what I want to get done today:

- clear off the kitchen table so we can eat
- clear off the kitchen/bar because enough is enough
- go in the garage, find the little baby toys for Star and wash them. Maybe look through the teeny baby clothes for her as well and see what DIL might need. And some blankets. Sheesh, I just cannot get rid of this stuff I saved from my grands... but I can use it or see if DIL wants it.
- try to get Son to vacuum and help me mop

I also have some calls, emails, and such to make. That is enough for today, except maybe while I am doing this stuff I can declutter. I will aim to declutter 10 things today.

I will report back on how I do with my goals. I hope to hear from you guys too as it is motivating for me!

Good morning!

Good job on the storage unit CM.

Lila, being able to put your clothes away is progress.

I feel awful this morning. Last night I went to a three hour zoning board meeting to speak against rezoning part of the field that abuts my property for a DollarGeneral. It's funny, I can handle a classroom full of kids all day, but put me in a room full of adults and my fight or flight response goes into overdrive. I shook the entire three hours. But I guess I did ok, because after I spoke, my neighbor leaned over to Dh and said "you married up."

There were over 150 people from my tiny community. All opposed. The realtor for the property owner and a representative from Dollar general spoke in favor. The property owner signed into the meeting, but read the room and left before they called his name. I think we might actually win.

The mayor spoke against on behalf of the council. The township trustees sent a representative to register their unanimous no vote, and the fire chief spoke against them on their safety record and listed the upgrades that would need to be made to our hydrant system to adequately protect their building.

The Dollar General guy identified us as a "food desert" because the nearest grocery store (which delivers) is 7 miles from their proposed site. (The general store, which sells food, is 1.7 miles) The room actually erupted in laughter. Later, one woman read the definition of "food desert".

I mean, seriously, most of my community can buy eggs, herbs, vegetables and honey within a mile or two of their house if they don't produce their own. Meat is a little farther if you don't hunt. Fruit is only available in season. Milk under the table because of regulations. We have a farmer's market.

One guy in his 20s stood up and said name, address, "I've lived here all my life. I've never been hungry. But if I was, these folks would help me out. I don't need some out of state company to sell me an overpriced bag of chips."

I didn't get to bed until 11. I'm now suffering from the after effects of adrenal overdrive. But, my garden shed is getting delivered today!

One more P.S. Lila - hope you feel better soon!

It certainly is progress, Lila, so good for you!

I am glad you understood my last post in the spirit intended (descriptive), because I wasn't sure if I was getting the tone right or not. Because some of this stuff is so heavy duty to talk about, I have to be careful not to edge over into a rant. Thanks for understanding. I'm sure, too, that you'll get there with creating that staging area - and with someday not even needing it because the whole place will be how you want it. Poco a Poco!

I'm sitting out in the screen porch listening to the leaves rustle and have the lighted Halloween pumpkin for a bit of autumn ambience.

oh, I also hung up or folded and put away a lot of clothes that were draped over furniture in my bedroom. It's progress.

I am trying to get some things done.

I took two large jackets out of my bedroom, looked them up on ebay to see if they are worth selling (they are not), and moved them to the room downstairs where clothes for Teen that they are not using are. I have donated a lot, but kept a tub or so because whenever I donate, they get angry and say they wanted the stuff. So for now I am leaving the jackets there for a little while.

I picked up a lot of papers and things off my bedroom floor, sorted them, and threw away about 80%.

I am tired so I think I am going to take it easy tonight and then get up in the morning and have a good decluttering session tomorrow. Then I think Tot is coming over to help make a cake.

I get in a mindset sometimes where I just want to be alone and not deal with any people.

I keep thinking about going in the garage and purging, but then I feel incompetent to do it.

Thank you for explaining about the storage unit and the history, CM. Definitely I am glad I have my house, and I think you are right about what I really need is a staging area. I started to form one out of a small bedroom upstairs, but it got packed with stuff. I will keep trying.

SubC, it is an actual tv that a friend gave me recently after Teen broke the other one. I actually have Hoarders playing on it right now as I type, as a motivator to declutter today. I don't really pay a lot of attention to something like that show. I just look up from the bills or papers once in awhile and think "omg, I don't want to be like that!" and then get up and toss a few things.

I was supposed to work all day today but Teen woke me up super early having a meltdown, and I felt sick like I am getting a cold, and a headache, so I called in. I am just going to stay home from now through the weekend to try and get over this throat/cough whatever. But I don't want to waste the time. I want to get things done.

I can do some work from home tomorrow. Today I am too tired. But I will try and work on decluttering a bit and cleaning.

P.S. miscellaneous

Tatoulia, I'm glad some things are getting easier. Poco a Poco, vamos a llegar. Little by little we will arrive, whether that's the ultimate thing of getting to Heaven which is what my Franciscan Friars were meaning, or simply the small achievement of healing from sad times and taking charge of the day to day as one's energy returns.

Lila, thanks for the prayers. They are much appreciated. I bet what you might be feeling with regard to the storage unit is simply that you need a staging area. This is not pretty, but you probably weren't in on all my original story when I began posting here in 2015. Being essentially homeless had my roommate not taken me in, because my income is too low to afford decent places (the low income ones in my town are in unsafe areas, far from my church and friends and other places I need to drive to, a scenario that just doesn't work for an agoraphobic, some are high rises which also scare me, or my pets wouldn't be allowed), was why I had to either throw away pretty much everything I had, or choose to rent a storage unit.

I had a lot of stuff even after downsizing, including family photos and such. And I had/have stuff that can probably go. But going through it and deciding take time as we all know. So - decent apartments won't rent to me but storage unit people don't ask questions. Of course it would be great if I could put the $$$ I spend on storage towards living quarters rent, but that's not how the system is set up.

All that to say that the storage unit is not an optimal solution but is was what I can do in a crunch situation. It does need sorting through, I do want to get rid of a substantial amount of stuff from it, and hopefully at some point I'll figure out a solution to increase my income and be able to move from my roommate's place to a residence like maybe a senior apartment or dare I hope a small rental house. And at that point, neatly transport my things from roommate's and my remaining pared down things from storage, and integrate them in an organized fashion into the new place, sweep out the storage unit for the last time, and never have one again.

All the organization and decluttering books and websites are geared toward people who have an entire residence of their own, even if shared with family. Not shoehorned in around the main resident's prior existence (don't get me wrong, I'm thankful that she made room for me). But the advice is always about how to clean and declutter "your house/apartment" and it has to be a lot easier to do that, because then a person isn't limited by daylight hours, weather, what a vehicle can hold, etc. The kitchen, bathroom, etc. are essentially your own, for instance, even if some sharing occurs.

So I think although it's hard, and I don't mean to imply it isn't, dealing with a house is easier than dealing with a storage unit, and storage units are a trap for people who have a house but think that a storage unit will help them deal with extra stuff. It will increase the difficulty, not lessen it. Because then the excess is viewed with less urgency and downsizing can be more easily procrastinated indefinitely.

If a staging area is what is needed, that can definitely be created in some part of the house. It might be small to begin with but it can grow.

Belated Happy Birthday, SubC! I have a handful of posts to go back through so I missed that.

I'm thinking my little scheme about pulling out the quilting fabric by one color at a time, and grabbing the right amount of plastic shoe or sweater size boxes (there is a ready supply of empty ones) and then bringing it back to the house to do that color, might work. Then take the finished neat organized boxes back and stack them, and fetch the next color.

I could do multicolor, then just follow a rough ROYGBIV sequence with any additional in between colors or things like pastels dealt with as they arise. And neutrals. Solids separate from prints because they are used for sashings and stuff.

A couple days ago I made a quick list of standardized pieces to cut for block piecing. Not too many sizes or shapes. It should simplify and speed things up. Still needing to get the sewing machine cleaned but I will soon.

This quilting and fabric focus is but one area among many, of course, and I won't neglect the others. It will, however, be a thing I can do when the weather is not cooperative. Dealing with only one color fabric at a time will ensure that I don't get bogged down in the sorting process. And it can go back to storage quickly and not clutter up my living space.

Also, in putting the stuff into boxes I will downsize pieces of fabric that are bigger than I can realistically use - if I like it, cut off a small piece then pass along the bulk of the rest. Get rid of any fabric that I never really liked but was trying to "rescue" (yes, I've done that - sheesh) and just work with the ones that truly spark joy.

We have lost those thrift stores here but there still is that fabric thrift store and they are having a swap/sale type event the end of this month. I plan to take some fabric and just donate it but NOT acquire any new. I'm really getting over the desire to search for new fabric. What has been a game changer in that area is my shift from wanting to design whole quilts to being content just making basic stash-busting scrappy quilt block sets, passing them on to someone who has room to assemble entire quilts a lot more easily.

It has helped to have the question settled that the church guild does intend to keep on quilting, including making new quilt tops. And the beauty of my new modus operandi just making blocks is that even if the church quits doing it at some point, the block sets could be given to some other local quilting charity.

So. That's my plan for hacking the weather challenge. Because weather has been a major holdup so often, and I just can't keep letting it be. Motivation has been a big enough problem but I've got some now, and I want to run with it.

Haha, Danish Bread sounds yummy!

Had success at storage yesterday, neatened up a small area considerably and got about 2 cubic feet of donations plus tossed some trash.

Unfortunately, later got a migraine - from bending and lifting? Weird. Not a bad one, though.

SubC I have been meaning to comment re that thing you said a few days ago about how ultimately everything's gonna burn up in the sun or something one day a long time after we're all dead (I'm paraphrasing). I have had that very thought! It probably is helpful when we get too stuck, to give some perspective.

This morning went to Pilates with roommate. It was my first time ever and I don't know if that class will fit my schedule, but now at least I know what it is like.

Saw a weather forecast - good thing I got some done yesterday because it's starting to be "breezy" and the next three days are set to be "windy" (also a storm Thursday) - breezy is already going to make it harder to work at the storage unit; however, I might know a way around it. I wish it wasn't a big old open garage door. I don't know if maybe pulling it down all the way would work...? Or most of the way. Or another thing, I have assorted bags of quilting fabric and I have plastic boxes - perhaps bring them back and finish the sorting by color here.

I texted my cousin "Before" photos and one "After" photo yesterday of the area I got organized. That is rather cool to be able to do that. I'm not good with having people come help me in person; it gets me frazzled. But this form of virtual teamwork is positive and motivating.

Been so busy that I haven't even gotten Harry to Hogwarts yet. Still only on Chapter 2 of the first book. Lol!

Good morning!

Tatoulia, sorry about the work mix up. Now I also want a danish.

Yes, it was my birthday, thanks for the good wishes both of you.

Lila, video is a challenge. It catches your mind and lulls you. I saw a study once where your brain activity while watching tv/videos is the same as while sleeping - but your body doesn't get a rest. Hopefully that wouldn't be true for an instructional video.

Are you watching on an actual tv? We don't have tv, so I just watch online - mostly YouTube. It's bad because there is always something I want to watch if I pull it up, but it's good in that it is really portable. I try to tell myself "ok, you can watch this, but you have to do it while you.(chop vegetables, put away laundry, wash dishes, clean up.)"

I got back to yoga again this morning. Dh has an early start and it is cold here, so I'm going to wait to do chores until after he leaves for work.

Happy birthday SubC!

Hi Tatoulia! Now I want a cheese Danish.

I wasted a lot of time watching TV today. I did my laundry (2 loads), ran the dishwasher again, washed a few dishes, wiped the counters.

I put an old dog toy in the trash.

I got sidetracked by an email telling me my email storage was almost full and having me look at old emails with attachments. Well the attachments were videos and pictures of Teen as a little one, and my dog I lost, so I downloaded them and deleted them off the email storage, which brought me down to 88% used. That is enough of that for now. I am all emotional from looking at that stuff.

I guess I needed a day of just doing nothing.

I have to work very long hours the next 3 days. Then I get two days off. Then another long day. I am so over it.

I think what I need to do is not allow myself to watch any TV unless:
a) I am really sick
b) I worked all day and need to decompress, or
c) I am watching something educational just briefly (10 minutes) in between tasks or while I eat breakfast or lunch.

Okay. I will do better.

If I read your post correctly, happy birthday SubC! Yay you! I am getting my feet under me and it feels good. A giant bag of recycling out tonight and cleaned someone's litter box.

I worked from home today. We don't have this day as a holiday. I thought I had a 930 AM meeting so I stayed home. Turns out the meeting is tomorrow AM.

Cm I'm so glad you found your books! Sending my support as you go to the storage unit!

I need to do some decluttering this weekend. The week is already eaten up with stuff.

Lila you are doing great.

CM I thought that you meant to write danish bread! Okay I have a small cat who is ready for bed and who can blame her?

Hello,

CM, I'm glad you found your books! Good luck on the storage unit. Ni'm also glad you have you cousin.

Lila, I think an area like the garage might be just the thing. Then if you make some space, you could work on an area that is a mix of storage and use like your room and shift some of the storage out.

Is ex still renting space from you?

I highly recommend a solid chunk of vacation. It makes a big difference.

Tatoulia, it sounds like you are getting your feet back under you. I'm glad.

My parents are gone (they texted that they have reached the bed and breakfast they are staying in tonight on their way to visit my dad's friend tomorrow) and Bean's parents took him home.

Bean and I carved his staying here Jack-o-lantern today and hung the ghost on the porch,

I am caught up on the barn chores which I slacked on while I had company, and almost on the dishes. Tomorrow I will catch up on laundry and finish canning the applesauce.

Hopefully I will also get some pottery done, because I only got one (the most important) piece done while my parents were here. Just too much going on. But it was a really nice visit.

My mom brought me two puppets and some rubber stamps as birthday gifts. And Dad took us all (7) out to a really nice dinner to celebrate.

We cross posted CM, so I am happy to read about your update. I prayed for you also, and believe God will give you strength and clarity. I pray the same for me, and all our friends here, as we sort through our "stuff," physical and spiritual.

When I read your post, my brain said immediately, "I wish I had a storage unit to sort." Haha, my reality said back, "your whole house is a storage unit to sort!" So true, the areas I do not use because of "stuff" have become storage units. There is a bedroom upstairs and one downstairs, unused and full of stuff. The whole garage is a storage unit. And honestly the family room has become a storage unit as well. My bedroom is harder, because the stored stuff is mixed in with things I use or look at daily. I think it would be easier for me to work on the garage or a storage bedroom, since many things have not been used in a decade. Maybe I will think of it that way. Sorting my in-house storage units.

I am thinking today of how I work so many and such long hours, much of it volunteer but necessary. I enjoy it, but I do not get long stretches of vacation like all the other (full time) staff does. They take weeks at a time. I wish I could have two weeks off. I have vacation days to use before the end of the year. I tend to take 2 or 3 days here and there, to watch my grandkids or whatever. But really I should lump all the days I have left together, end to end with my usual days off, and take a chunk for my own mental health and rest. Then I would have time and energy to really work on my house. I will look at my work calendar and see if and when I could do that, before the end of the year. It is hard to do because of me being a program director. But there is one week on October our program is on hold and it ends mid-December, so in there somewhere I could possibly take a whole week and a half.

oh look at this, no one posted since yesterday!

Another day, my day off. So far I:

- emptied the bathroom trash and put in a new bag
- loaded the dishwasher
- did a little freezer sorting and found cinnamon raisin English muffins (had half of one for breakfast with a plum) and a frozen vegan meal (will have for lunch or dinner today)
- gathered dirty laundry and brought the basket out to the stairs to take down
- decluttered one pair of shoes

I have so much to do but am just decompressing right now.

I am going to go to the storage unit today. The weather is beautiful. I'd rather be doing something more enjoyable on such a lovely day, but so be it - I will regret if I don't take advantage.

It's been harder than ever this go-round psyching myself up - but upon waking I felt more positive. And I had one of my little moments where an inspired phrase came to my mind, which I will share in case any of you can also benefit:

BANISH
DREAD

I made a little meme on my phone with it using my Quotes Creator app so I could remember it, like I did with Poco a Poco.

Also texted my cousin about my storage unit plans, the one who has been working on all the stuff from my grandma's house and her dad's etc. and this proved to be helpful - she said "no judgment" and so now I feel like I have a kindred spirit. We can help each other stay encouraged. What a blessing! It has been lonely trying to work up the motivation on my own.

Also, I located my Harry Potter books - they were actually in the bedroom, placed neatly in a plastic sweater box that was in good shape; I did this some months back apparently, had a vague memory. So I'm rereading in my downtime. It's kind of a little reward to look forward to.

It is not going to be easy to do all this when I still have 0 idea of where I will be someday when I no longer live with roommate, and what will and won't fit there. I realize none of us can predict such things, but I think it's easier for people who know they will be able to afford some kind of decent living space if they need to move. I wouldn't even have the storage unit if I wasn't in this renting only a room situation. But enough about that; if I think about it too much it will pull me down. I am going to pray a lot asking God for guidance with various aspects, and I've just gotta trust that He will give me what I need.

Poco a Poco!

hello again all. I caught up on your posts: SubC, 2 days is much better than 5! That's good. Tatoulia, I am so frustrated by Teen that I keep procrastinating doing anything at all with the lights or cameras or whatever - so yeah, good point about aggravating myself. Lights may be enough. CM, thank you for the update! Looks like everyone has a lot going on.

I worked and worked and worked. I left early today because I started to get a migraine aura. So now I am home for the afternoon, not sure if I have to go out this evening, but I am taking tomorrow off. I am BEAT!!

Today I:
- put a disposable glove on, went out in the backyard and gathered a whole paper grocery bag full of mushrooms that had grown in my yard from it not being mowed in so long. They are the toxic kind, so I didn't want my dogs getting into them or Son mowing spores into the yard.
- threw out 3 things and put a microwave cover thing into the donate box

That's it for now. I am so tired I am falling asleep when I sit down, but will slowly get some things done. I need to wash my clothes if I want to have anything to wear when I go back to work.

I am hoping tomorrow I can declutter at least 20 or 30 things and load them all into the car to be dropped off to donate.

Hello, hello!

I'm here.

Lila, the motion detector lightbulbs go in any lamp or light figure. They also come in floodlights. I also have lightbulbs that go on when it's dark. I have one in lamp in my house because I do not like coming home to a dark house and it's easier than having a lamp in a timer. I just turn the light in before I leave in the AM, and once the sun goes down, the light bulb lights up. I think with the camera, it only makes sense if you plan to tell your teen and/or intend to take firm action based on your plan. Otherwise, you are merely aggravating yourself. Again, you can throw these ideas right in the trash!

I'm working in getting rid of things. I feel like I have too much. I took my dinosaur Halloween costume to goodwill. BF wanted me to keep it, and now that he's gone, I was able to donate it. I also donated a winter coat that I bought last year while I was so heavy and nothing fit.

I took my sheets and towels to the animal shelter. I am slowly working my way through stuff. I went to Boston Symphony Opening night last night. I finagled a free ticket, which made it even sweeter. I am getting out more and went to the museum a week ago and didn't cry.

Ive put in some weight since BF left due to eating huge amounts of sweets. I've started walking again and am doing better. My mother's dementia has progressed and it's distressing.

I had lunch to day at a friend's house. They have two new cats so that was fun. A mom cat and her baby. Now im home, doing laundry before my walk.

Homemade applesauce sounds so nice, SubC! Cm I am glad you can get to your storage place in October!

It's been longer than I intended. Various things going on, including some times going swimming with roommate. She is doing so much better and will wrap up physical therapy next week. We are in the process of figuring out which classes one or both will attend and how they would fit in with other commitments. Probably how it will shake out will be that she will find pilates and a water exercise class and I'll go for the buddy system one or more times then I'll do my own thing in the pool or on treadmill or bike, etc. Also want to resume my own physical therapy exercises (the ones for my abdominal muscles because of the prior surgery) which I have the papers listing what to do. When I feel confident I can progress to using weight machines like I used to also.

I've worked on some clerical stuff for the bunny rescue, and plotting notes for one of my novels (more to go on that, and the manuscript itself, incorporating the changes and expanding). I've been waiting for things to settle a little since my writing buddy's September event and finally I seized an opportunity and started typing. Exercising helps my focus and cuts down on vagueness and procrastination.

Also have caught up with most of my neglected laundry. Swimming towels to wash got the ball rolling.

And I'm aware that October is prime storage unit decluttering weather so should be getting over there very soon. Getting a few ideas on where to start that will show results but not be overwhelming and scare me off. Also am picking at places here and there at the house, places that have not been touched in months and months. I find that doing anything at all breaks the status quo and leads to doing more. It's weird how if I leave a pile for too long, it sort of seems "fossilized" and more intimidating. It's dumb, but at least I am seeing it and doing something now.

I'd like to reread my Harry Potter books this month, too, and I realized I'm pretty sure they are down in the wardrobe behind a bunch of stuff and currently not easily reachable. Yet I can do something about that, if I am methodical and persistent and don't lose my patience. I could go to the library and check out their copies, but it seems kind of... what? Silly? When I went to the trouble to acquire my own. Harry Potter is one series that I like to have in hardcover. Although I wouldn't mind having ebooks too but I can't justify the expense at present. There may be a way to check out ebooks. I guess I could do that if it takes awhile to extricate the hardcovers. Accio books! Wish it were as easy as the magic spell. Or that scene in one of the movies where Dumbledore and Slughorn put that ransacked room back together. Now that would be great.

Good morning!

My brain is already working on lesson plans - lol!

I got 6.5 hours of sleep last night, but I'm really glad I went to my class. It was fun, and I got some cool pots, and a thing I have been wanting to try worked (so now I have to make a bunch more pieces while my parents are here visiting - which is fine, mom and I can chat while I work, I'll make her a cup of tea.)

Also there was a big cart of free ceramics magazines and I grabbed 13 for my classroom (restraint!)

As my parents are arriving as soon as I get home from work (or possibly a bit before) today, I probably won't be around until Monday night or Tuesday.

Carry on!

Lila, Tatoulia works 5 days a week, but I don't. This year I only teach two. I do have lesson planning to do, but I have a whole day with my grandson and two for the farm and house every week besides the weekends. I just have a lot of things that I do.

I tried to can applesauce today, but that went sideways on me. A jar broke in the canner in the very first batch, and now I don't really have time to deal with it because I had to wash out the canner and it takes too long to heat back up. I did manage to get the entire applesauce pot into the fridge. Also, I trashed the kitchen. And I am frustrated by the lost jar of applesauce.

So, I have to choose - miss class and finish the applesauce, or go to class and leave the kitchen a wreck.

I did manage to get my pots fired (although I think I will have to unload them with tongs) so I am going to choose option b.

My Dh will be upset, but my mom will understand.

I also still don't really have good lesson plans for tomorrow, but I will wing it. It will be ok. I know vaguely where everyone is and what they are working on, it will just be reactive instead of proactive. I taught that way 80% of the time all last year.

Good morning!

Yeah, SubC, fall is the crazy busy time of year. From Sept through mid December I have two days a week I have to be at work around 8:30am and don't get home til almost 9pm. Usually, I can swing it so I get to run home between 12 and 4. But, we have been having extended meetings until 2 plus it is the start of programs, so it is barely worth it to run home between 2:30 and 3:30. Sometimes I just stay.

I think your schedule sounds more exhausting, to me, because it is 5 days a week all day and you can't get a break really. I do get a couple of short days. Monday and Thursday (except one week a month) I really can either take off or just work 2 hours if I want.

Plus I can lock myself in my office or work from home! I am only teaching/leading/in big groups about 4 or 5 hours a week.

Anyway. I got up this morning to a much cleaner kitchen and am so glad I worked on it yesterday. Both counters next to the stove and the stovetop are clean. There were only maybe 10 ants. I need to finish behind the sink and the counter on the other side of the sink today. I am already clearing it off.

The bar/counter is a whole nother story, but maybe I will work on that too.

I am speaking to a different/new group this weekend on my usual day off, but it's just 5 minutes. People from other towns though. I need to prepare and also get materials to hand out. So I won't really relax until that is over.

Hope for some big decluttering when I finally get a day off, which could be Monday.

Good evening!

Lila, I'm sorry this is too late, but if you freeze the tomatoes whole, you can dunk them in hot water when you are ready to use them and the skins slide right off.

Your work schedule is rough!

I had a busy day yesterday and another today. Yesterday I had a low spot in the afternoon, but I got the rabbits groomed and cages cleaned, and all the laundry put away, and the bed made up for my parents along with the usual tasks, and throwing a couple of pots and trimming a bunch more.

Today I did yoga, dropped off trash and recycling, taught a full day, sent emails at lunch, had an hour of parent open house, loaded and started the school kiln, went down to the studio and painted a bunch of pots with mica, got some cold cuts at the store so I can feed my dad lunch, and put the mica pots under the fan so I can fire them in my kiln before class tomorrow. Plus chores and dishes.

Off to bed because there is much more I want to do tomorrow.

SubC, sounds like a very fun day really! Time with our grandkids is so precious. Yes, I am very blessed to have a dil who wants me involved. I would like to be even more involved, and hope to get myself together enough to be more helpful to her. I have five kids all adults. The youngest two live with me, Teen and youngest Son. The next oldest son, who fixed my plumbing, has the granddaughters.

Tatoulia, do the motion light bulbs need a special fixture? Or just work in any fixture? That would be helpful. The cameras would be to keep people from coming in and to monitor Teen doing stuff they should not. But a floodlight or something might be enough.

I am so tired all the time. Trying to get myself together and exercise, etc, although I have kept off the weight I lost on the decluttering pounds thread (15 I think), it is so slow. I would love to lose ten more asap, for my upcoming work trip. I will be walking a lot.

I was supposed to work this morning but worked 11 hours yesterday and am wiped out. Stayed home to help Teen. Wish I had a sub for tonight, but have to go work tonight for a couple hours. I am very thankful that work tomorrow morning got cancelled!! Because I have to work on my usual days off, Friday and Saturday. Plus Sunday.

Today I have been cleaning the counters. I got up this morning to a whole bunch of teeny ants all over the counters. I have not seen ants this year, so Teen must have spilled honey or something. Syrup I bet. The counters and stove were pretty dirty so I am doing one section at a time. It is slow going. Moving every item and washing it. Wiping the counters, spraying cleaner on it, letting it soak, then coming back to scrub and let sit again. Then wiping it down and putting things back and on to the next section. Also same for the stove. It is a lot of work but had to be done.

Also prepping produce. Washing and cutting some carrots someone gave me, grating some to freeze, peeling and freezing some tomatoes that are getting too soft to eat raw. They will be good in soup later.

Really wish I did not have to teach tonight.

Good evening!

Bean and I were so busy today!

Donut shop, Little people play house, toy bulldozing the driveway and real cutting back the bushes, playing floor hockey, sidewalk chalk, pretend cooking, puzzles, playmobil knights, finding and picking pie pumpkins, picking and eating tomatoes, shelling beans, building with blocks and toy animals, and drawing with markers. I am very tired. I am laughing at myself that I actually thought I would accomplish a couple of things this evening after I returned him.

Additions to the house:
Eggs, beans, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, a jar of pickles from Dd, and one marker picture

Also, I forgot to tell you yesterday that I actually took before pictures of the problem areas in my house. I'm going to compare after Halloween.

Lila I only read a portion of your post. The lightbulbs that are motion activated would work for you. I have a bunch here OF COURSE I DO. I don't know what they cost as BF gave me three full boxes of lightbulbs when he left. When he owned a grocery, I joked that I had never paid for lightbulbs and so now I still don't pay for them. I'm not sure what the camera will do for you. Are you curious about what's going on or afraid someone will break in. If the latter, may I suggest an alarm? I have my alarm on at night when I'm asleep and every time I leave the house. Just a thought. Also if you know anyone with a monitored system like ADT, ask them to get some stickers for you and you can put them on your door and on each window.

Ok I'm going to bed. That's my two cents on staying safe!

Good morning! Happy October!

White rabbits for CM!

Tatoulia, I'm glad work is going well and you are feeling better! Good luck selling your things.

Lila, you are doing really well. I'm glad your son could help you out. Very sorry about teen's "friends" though. I am thinking that teen finished high school? (Forgive me if I am wrong, that was a difficult time of year for me) what are they doing now?

I don't think I realized that your connection to your grands was through your son. That is really great that your ddil gives you so much time with them! Often dils favor their own mothers. You must be lucky in your son's choice like I am.

Yesterday I had another day where I just never really go started. I puttered a bit and did some laundry and dishes, but nothing significant.

Dh and I went out to a concert last night, so I am tired this morning, but trying to keep to a better schedule (I slept until 8:30 yesterday)

While we were out I tried to talk with Dh about how I feel like I am having so many useless days. He pointed out that last year I didn't have any days that didn't have something urgent happening, so maybe I should give myself a break and assume that I am going to need a lot more time off to recover from that. Like, if I did absolutely nothing for a year (clearly not possible), that would be an average of 50% intense days and 50% rest days for the two years. Since I already have three days a week scheduled this year, two more busy days a month puts me at 25% rest.

So maybe my goals for this year should just be enjoying my grandson(s!), having a good school year, taking care of my personal maintenance (I am overdue for both dentist and primary care and need Covid and flu shots soon), keeping up with basic home and animal care, and my two usual pottery sales.

Things like fun activities (renfest, concerts, book signings, craft fairs.) visits with family, food preservation, craft projects, classes, holiday celebrations and progress on the house or yard are bonus. If I do four of those a month, it makes sense that I just read and watch videos and rest all the other time.

In September I had a book signing, the renfest, a concert, 2 art festival visits, dinner out with friends, a class, an afternoon at the museum with Bean and Dh, shopping for a garden shed, and a weekend that DD's family stayed with us.

In October I have already scheduled - a class, a weekend with my parents visiting, two concerts, and a return to the renfest.

update:

- washed, dried, and put away all my clothes
- folded and put away clean towels
- donated 10 items from my bedroom and put them on the Daily Tally
- washed my hair

still working!

Tatoulia! Glad you are here!

SubC, haha, that made me laugh... I guess I will look at all this stuff and imagine that it is all going into the Great Incinerator in the Sky eventually anyway so don't sweat it!

My son came over last night and fixed the leaking toilet! It cost him $4 for a wax ring, which he replaced and it seems good as new. He also brought a "snake" that is powered by a drill and put it 25 feet down my kitchen drain, so my sink is unclogged too. This saved me at least $200 for a plumber! Thankful for my kind sons!

This morning so far I:
- gathered some trash to take out and put it by the door for Son (younger son) to take out
- loaded stuff into the dishwasher
- had coffee and started researching some things online, like security cameras. I need to get a few for outside. Teen has sketchy "friends" who sometimes turn out to be criminals, and I think it's time I get an actual system in place to watch and record, and maybe some kind of motion activated floodlight. Suggestions welcome.

Goals for today:
- get my planner set up for October
- declutter my room and get donation bags and boxes into my car
- clean the kitchen table, bar/counter, and kitchen counters
- figure out dinner: my son who did the plumbing stuff is bringing his family over for dinner tonight (he is the Dad of my 3 granddaughters) and I am probably having Tot spend the night.

I hope to see some updates later when I sit down for a break!

I'm here! Only read your post, SubC, and I can tell I have some catching up to do!

Friend was here from overseas. Had a really good trip. Bf will go see her in Greece in October.

Have had some good work focus this week. Let's keep that up. I'm doing better emotionally.

Off to bed. House is a mess but clean. I have some lamps I need to polish and sell. Going to see if I can sell some stuff. I never really do that. I generally just donate.