update -

I need accountability so will be updating about my clothing issue today.

I took the clean bin into my bedroom and put it on the bed.

I opened the closet, folded the concert t-shirts and put them in the bin. Then I felt stuck and took a break.

Went back in and decided I have to try everything on to know what fits.

Started putting "too small" and "next summer" things in the bin.

Put the "snug but would fit if I lost a couple pounds" items in one section of the closet.

Took each item that fits now out and draped it over the rocking chair. As I was doing this, I realized I do not need to have the snug clothes up here. I think I have enough that actually fit. I will probably put the snug clothes on top in the bin.

I have gotten through about 1/3 of my closet! There are a lot of empty hangers! And, I was able to donate one shirt!

Back later, wish me luck!

Making future me happy! I will incorporate this!

Yesterday I did not get the clothes worked on. But I did:

- load and run the dishwasher
- wash 3 loads of laundry and put 2 of them away already
- made a pie for TotsDad's birthday
- made fresh rhubarb syrup
- took everything out of the fridge except the veg/fruit drawers, tossed what was no good, washed out the shelves and put things back. I have not done this in over 6 months (the washing shelves part).

I also went to a concert with a friend which was super fun but now I am exhausted, so staying home today.

I did ask my Son to bring up a bin and lid from the garage last night. This morning I washed it out (it was dusty) and I WILL use it for the clothing sorting project today. Most likely for the hanging things that I don't wear. Hoping to make some progress today.

SubC, I read your post and wanted to comment before reading further. I started something a few months back where I make Future Me happy and it's become automatic. Such as, getting garbage and cat boxes ready the night before trash day; putting my work stuff (pens, headset, etc) back into the the bin the night before I'm headed back into the office, so it's not just sitting on the coffee table, etc. and it's pretty much automatic now. So all of these thoughts are dove-tailing nicely together. Thank you!

Good morning!

We were all tired last night and everyone else is sleeping in, but I slept badly and couldn't. I am trying to be quiet.

Yesterday was a school day and I made a pasta bar for 8 people for dinner, so there were a lot of dishes. I ran the dishwasher last night, but there are still a lot of dishes to go in the next load this morning. I have volunteered to make French toast. I bought the bread at the farmer's market. Thursday was the last day it was open this year.

Birdy goes home tomorrow, and dd1 will probably come back today with Bean and Buddy. It is so cute to see Buddy and Birdy playing together. I have an art project I want to do with all 3 of them.

I did not "win at life" yesterday, or even finish my basic todo list - because I left myself more work for this morning, but I am definitely filling my cup!

Tomorrow after everyone is gone will be a catch up day before Bean and Buddy come on Monday.

lol Lila, I was reading along and thinking "I will tell her to put those sentimental things in a box..and then.."

Long busy day at school. Enjoying my boys.

good morning friends!

SubC, my bedroom closet has a bar inside that is 8 feet long. So 6' behind a sliding door and then one foot on each side. I have a small square shelf unit on one end (1 foot square) with shoes and things, so I really have 7' of real hanging space. You would think that would be enough, with me only wearing 5 things...

One side of the closet (3') is stuff I NEVER wear. Like literally have not worn in 5 or 10 years. But things I saved hoping to eventually wear them. Emotional things, like concert tee shirts, the jacket my dad gave me 40 years ago... ugh. Now that I type it out, it makes sense to fold ALL of that up in a bin and move the bin to the sorting room. At least then I could use that 3' of hanging space for clothes that I can wear.

Thinking about this, I need to bin up clothes that do not fit and get them out of my room. I have high hopes to lose weight and wear them (most would fit in 10 or 15 pounds) so I would box, label, and feel fine about them being in another room for "later." I can also attempt to donate some things as I go.

So I will work on this today. Taking things that do not fit out of my room. And trying to donate what I can. I am sure if all that was in there was things that fit, I could hang most of it or have it in drawers. Easier to wear and would make me happy.

I liked your Winning at Life thing, too.

Hi Messi and Tatoulia! I am glad you're here posting. I hope your hand surgery goes well, Tatoulia.

I also have made a decision not to buy anymore sugary things. I actually got rid of a whole bunch of what I had here. The goal is to get "off" daily sugar. I am kind of addicted. I do have a few sweet things here, but they are healthier things, and once they are gone I am not replacing them. If I really want a cake or whatever, I will have to bake one. Which honestly I am too lazy to do.

Tatoulia, thanks for your thoughts on finishing things. I am having a problem with that, so then things pile up (and how!) and it is not a happy situation. Saying "I'll finish this now" seems like a good way to approach this.

I also have issues paradoxical to this, when i get fixated or stressed out about finishing something NOW or in a particular time frame when it is not possible or practical.* I get panicky or I stay up too late to finish or I keep working on it when I should be doing other things... and/or I belittle myself and feel that I'm bad for not getting it done. When I could just appreciate the situation and know that even just starting is worthwhile, change happens bit by bit, "I'll finish this PIECE of it now"... I guess I need that part of the serenity prayer - grant me the wisdom (clarity) to know the difference - to help me use many tools for better change. Thanks for sharing one of yours.

Good luck with your hand surgery! I hope it goes well, with minimal pain and quick recovery. It seems there are good improvements in the field. I am looking to have hand surgery in the coming year, Sonex for carpal tunnel syndrome.


* It occurs to me that sometimes this could be the result of having chosen "I'll finish this later" instead of "I'll finish this now"

Good morning!

Messi, I'm sorry you didn't get the day off!

Tatoulia, I hope the surgery goes smoothly with minimal pain.

My class was a little disappointing - not exactly what I was expecting - but the instructor is very good and I have decided to focus on what I CAN learn from it.And I have a friend in the class who is in the same situation (the class description was poorly written. We have already given that feedback)

Birdy's family got back last night and I stayed up a little too late, but I am ready for school today. Dsil will bring buddy to school at the end of the day and I will bring both Buddy and Bean home with me. Their momma will join us after work for dinner- dsil has plans.

Shockingly, I did not finish all the things I planned to do while Birdy's family was gone.

Tatoulia, that ties in to the finishing things and making your life easier. I was watching a YouTuber (whom I will have to paraphrase because he's a little raw) and he talked about dealing with your life when it is a mess and you have a giant todo list that is making you feel overwhelmed and awful about yourself. He said - write it all down, all of it, every single thing in your brain. Then go through and select the items that, if you don't do them, will make tomorrow worse. THAT is your actual todo list.

Then add one item that, if you do it, will make tomorrow better, and one item that if you do it, it will be off your list forever. (Or at least for a long time - like "wash dog"). Then add one fun/cup filling thing - that is your "winning at life list"

So, based on that, even though I didn't finish my list, I was winning at life yesterday.

As part of my day yesterday I stopped at school to load the kiln. I got talking to the building manager and helped her move some chairs. When we got to the storage room where the chairs were going, she sighed because there was a little wooden bookshelf in the way. I said "it's a nice shelf." She said "you want it? Take it home!" So now it is in my studio loft waiting for me to reorganize the mess I have created there so I can use it for inventory (I have been planning to add shelves to that space) I think that is a plus one.

Hi CM and Lila!

Off to see if I can "win at life" again today - lol!

Happy belated birthday dear SubC! What a nice day you had! Hello everyone! Lila and Messi! And CM!
I've been reading a lot lately and otherwise just hanging out. Finally getting cool here. Right now my 18 yo cat is snuggled up.

I've been working really hard on finishing things. And I'm not talking big things, I'm talking small things. I stop just short of finishing things and I cannot keep doing this. I think I've mentioned it before. I'll be making my bed but I won't straighten out the quilt at the end of my bed or I'll leave the pillow askew. I'll take my pills and leave the bottles out. I actually say to myself, I'll finish later so now I say, I'll finish now. This may seem small to you but it's helping me out.

I am trying to continue to do stuff that makes my life easier. That's all I can do.

I'm having unplanned surgery on my hand on Monday. It has been bothering me and I saw a surgeon on tuesday and I've managed to get it booked for Monday. So that will be an adventure. I have had a few hand surgeries over the years and I'm glad I took care of this now instead of waiting til it gets bad. It'll be good to get it out of the way before I travel overseas to see the BF. But boy she was able to schedule it quickly. It is my dominant hand but the handling of the surgery is different now. Now they want you to use the fingers immediately, whereas in the late 80s/early 90s, it was a giant splint bandage situation, no bathing, and with no use of the hand for weeks.

I haven't told many people. I had dinner with a couple of girlfriends last night and didn't mention it. I took off Monday and told my supervisor that I'm having hand surgery but I don't expect any real recovery time. I do remember it hurt a lot but I should be okay. She told me to feel free to take Tuesday off if I need it.

So that's my news. I'm chipping away at neatness and completing all tasks.

Lila, I do not have advice for you on your clothes. I do wish you had a way to hang them so you can see what's what. Messi I'm so grateful you are here.

Well, turns out i don't get the day off from work, so no plumbing today. All is not lost, however. I need to remember that. And, lol, someday I'll find some of those things that are not "lost", (just waiting in a "safe" place I can't remember)

Good morning!

Messi, I hope you don't get a pool today.

Lila, I don't know about the clothes. I wish I could see your room. I know you don't want to get rid of anything, but at the very least, if things don't fit, they should not be in your room. If things are piled up and you aren't wearing them, that is much like things are gone and you aren't wearing them, except you have to live with the piles.

I made some really hard decisions on the last round of clearing out my closet, and I love my closet now. If I'm honest with myself, I could probably thin it out a little more, but it's very functional and pleasant to look at now.

How much hanging space do you have? (Full height linear bar feet) not empty, just total.

I am tired again this morning. I didn't sleep well last night. I also didn't finish my overly ambitious list yesterday. I need to remember that on school days, "success" is school+1. I had a good school day, I stopped a tj's to buy ravioli for Birdy's return, and I moved the rooster pen. Plus a friend stopped by for about half an hour in the evening. That is school+3.

This morning I start a class at the city studio. It's the first time I've taken a morning class, so we'll see how it goes.

My plan is to come home and reset the house (including things I didn't do last night) because Birdy's family is coming back tonight.

Maybe I will update later if I manage more than the minimum.

Hi Tatoulia! CM, I hope you are still out there. I keep waiting for your super-long post or just "I'm back! My computer wouldn't let me post!" Or whatever is keeping you away.

Also -

I need to find a solution to this ongoing-for-years clothing issue. I know we have talked about it before. But it just is not getting any better. I did get rid of a lot of clothes and I have stopped buying new things (expect for when I had the speaking engagement).

My bedroom once again is overflowing with clothing (clean, at least). Piles of clothes on my desk, my office chair, the rocker, in a basket, all over. Plus a full closet and mostly-full drawers. Yet I wear the same 5 things all week for the most part.

Now it is getting cold and I still have summery things out because I have like SO MANY cardigans that I can wear over summer things.

Can you guys help me think of some new way to deal with this, that does NOT involve donating or giving things away right now? I have sorted it all multiple times and there is practically nothing I would want to give away right now. Maybe in spring though.

I don't know how to get out of this clothing pit! I need to make the clothes more visible and accessible so I can actually wear them! I have some super cute things but always wear the same 5 because the rest are in piles.

I need to be able to SEE the shirts and cardigans so I can see what matches/looks good together. But there is just so much and I don't even know what fits.

Help? I want to work on this on my days off!

hello friends!

Messi, it sure does feel like there is just not enough time! I used to get up really early, like at 5am in the summer, which seemed to give me enough time in the day to get more done. But I am too tired to do that now, plus it is dark until 7 anyway and very hard to pry myself out of bed in the dark.

Hi SubC and Tatoulia and CM!

I had such a rough day at work yesterday that I called in a half day today, last night. I NEEDED to sleep in, shower, and rest a bit. So I am enjoying that, catching up on dishes and such, and will go in to work this afternoon (I help lead a class tonight).

I am making new goals of fighting my tendency to be comfortable (lazy) and indulgent, to have a better life.

Isn't it interesting? I tend to not move. I tend to sit and relax as much as possible at home. I watch a lot of tv now, bad habit I got into the past year, and also read, and also sit around snacking. I eat way too much and too often. I choose comfort foods over nutrition. I have become truly lazy at home, although I am a very hard worker/go getter at work.

As a result, my home is not clean/organized enough, my yard is a mess, and my health is not great. It is so much easier to sit down and eat some chips and a microwave fettucine and a coke than it is to actually make some vegetables. Sheer laziness and comfort seeking. I want to work on this character issue in myself.

Hello Wednesday! Hi SubC! Hi Lila! Hello Tatoulia!
I have been having such trouble getting things done so feeling low and panicky. Monday was lost to a small oral surgery that required sedation and I slept most of the day. I'm still a little tender. So now I am going to put some laundry in and walk the dogs before going to work. I have taken time off work tomorrow to work on a plumbing problem. I will be trying new things so wish me luck. Hopefully I won't end up with a new swimming pool, lol.

Hi Messi!

Birdy's family headed out this afternoon. So far I am down six items from their visit (toys handed off for Birdy), so a net of down four this week.

However, that might get even better as they are going to come back! This weekend for a bonus visit after they see ddil's family. I'm planning to look around for more things they might want to take with them when they go home.

Right now I am catching up with dishes and laundry, clearing the floor of toys, and getting ready for school tomorrow.

sun Oct 12, 2025
Hello. Lila, your soup sounds so good, perfect for cooling weather!
I can sympathize with the dog bathing as I need to bathe my dogs. You are right, it is harder to figure out when to do it as the weather gets cooler. I am often at work during the sunshine hours when it is warmer and easier for them to dry. They also need trimming. All of it traumatizes them (and me) so I unconsciously delay. I really need to get it specifically put in the schedule.

Just popping in.

Yay for soup!

Very busy with my family! Seeing all the boys together is wonderful. Dh parents came and left, I think it went well. Dh mom brought me a lovely heirloom gift.

Birdy's family is still here. They will be taking some things, so stuff update later.

Some of us went to the renfest yesterday. I bought a Christmas gift for ds and some leather scraps to make things. I know I don't need another project, but I couldn't resist. Bean wore the tunic I made him. Birdy loved it!

The basement playroom has had a test drive and shows promise.

update - I made the soup!

It is so delicious and I used up a lot of random things that needed to be used! Two onions on their last legs, garlic, greens that had to be picked through to find what was left that was good, some shredded Parmesan that was drying out, a box of veggie broth, frozen sage/thyme/rosemary sprigs, two plant based italian sausage links from the freezer, a couple of potatoes, and a splash of coconut milk creamer (unsweetened). Wow, it is sooo good. I am going to add the rest of the (good) greens to the leftovers for another day. And my fridge and freezer have more space now!

I also unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, and asked TotsDad to take out the kitchen trash. Feeling pretty good!

I wish we could have a soup day at your house too! What fun that would be! Maybe someday, who knows?

I did not get the soup made - that will be today - but I DID get the dog washed! What a task! I had my son lift her into the bath tub before he left for work and I washed her in there. omg what a mess. But she is clean and shiny and fluffy and happy. I wped up the floor and washed the towels but have not cleaned out the tub yet. No one uses that tub but I need to clean it up.

Today I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, played with the dog, and made myself french toast with fresh berries. It was so good. I have not had french toast in probably 8 or 9 months.

I have so much to get done today. Making soup, doing something with rhubarb and cucumbers and tomatoes, opening mail and packages, cleaning... all the stuff that always has to be done. I did most of the laundry yesterday and will do one load today and maybe my sheets if I am not too tired.

What is everyone up to? We need some friends to come update!

Thanks Lila!

Wish you could come by and make soup from stuff in my fridge! I'd make bread and then we could eat and chat while I worked on the counter of doom. - great gift!

You need more rest to help you stop getting sick!

I did every single thing on my list yesterday! Plus I finished glazing an extra piece and loaded and started the kiln at school. My vitamins are still out of stock though. (And the post cards weren't ready, but I remembered to ask for them, so *I* get credit)

This morning, big push to clean up and a feed store run. Then farmer's market this afternoon. Dishes, laundry, and lesson prep and I call it a day.

Happy late birthday, SubC!!! Wish we could stop by and not give you anything, lol!

This is just a drive by update. I was sick, got better, went on another work trip out of town (2 days), came back and worked a ton catching up on everything. Only had one day off that was not much of a day off. Today I have the morning off because my boss is sick and his event that I support got cancelled. I still have to go in this afternoon for the class I am facilitating at night. It was nice to have rest this morning, since I worked til 9 last night.

I am trying to keep habits like not letting dishes pile up and making sure they all get washed, getting trash out every trash day, getting more sleep.

I am researching natural immune support and autoimmune thyroid help and probably ordering a few supplements.

I would like to wash the dog today as it is cold at night now (40 degrees give or take) and not getting hot in the day anymore. In fact, today is supposed to be 78 and then after today it won't get above 72ish. So, to have the best "drying experience," I would have to wash her today before noon and have her outside in the sun for awhile and maybe blow dry her too, before I go to work. That takes a lot of energy and I have no helpers, so we will see.

I also would like to make soup, but that may have to wait until tomorrow.

Back on my day off (Fri/Sat) to catch up on decluttering and put some effort into that!

I spent the whole day yesterday taking care of one work job that has been hanging over my head and then catching up on laundry and dishes and CLEANING the great room floor. Then Dh came home, wore his shoes across the floor (we have an ongoing disagreement about shoes in the house) and informed me that there is still a sticky spot near the fridge. I could hear his shoes tracking the sticky spot. I said "well, wipe it. I am done." He did not.

So anyway, I did not deal with stuff, so I just added my birthday gifts to the tally.

This morning I have a few materials to ready for class. Chores to do, trash and recycling to take, and a full day of classes to teach.

After school I'm planning to go down to the city studio and finish off glazing a piece and get some postcards to advertise the fall pottery sale. If I have anything left in me, I am going to stop on the way home for covid and flu shots and see if my iron tablets have been restocked yet - I am running low, but I do not want to switch brands.

Dinner, chores, bed. Any higher expectations will be setting myself up for failure.

Good morning!

Thanks Messi! I saw your post yesterday and appreciated it, but my day was too full to write. The moon was beautiful! It rained last night, but I sat with it yesterday morning and caught a glimpse of it over the trees before the rain started.

I had a good day with my boys. Dsil didn't come for dinner (which was fine) but Dd brought a lovely spread with a delicious cake and gifties funded and planned by Dh and my two girls. My mother (whom I talked to) also sent gifts, and so I have been showered with many little treats - chocolates, tea, lotion, jam, and in the "non consumables" category two pairs of fall themed socks, two new tea towels (cats and maple leaves), a coaster with cinnamon inside that smells good when warmed, and two used (my preference) books - one funny, one interesting. Also a 2026 calendar that is "semi consumable" since I often save them.

Birdy called twice - once at lunchtime with ddil and once after dinner with ds. Ds also sent a picture of Birdy looking between his legs that said "bringing your gift on Saturday"

I also got email notes from heartdaughter, Dh parents, and my best friend. So I feel very remembered and celebrated.

Then the clock chimed and my coach turned back into a pumpkin. Today is my big day to get everything cleaned up and organized for the week. I am hoping I will find a few things to part with during the process, so I will update my tally later.

at least i got the dogs to the vet and the hedge trimmings into the collection can for tomorrow. beautiful full moon.

SubC - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Good evening!

I took the clay back to school, loaded and started the kiln, threw out the house trash at the gas pump (got gas) and picked up a couple of things I hadn't known we needed at the grocery store.

Also went to the city studio this morning, left three things to be fired, and bought some more glaze for school - which I left on my cart at school. Have to put it away Wednesday before I unload the kiln.

Dh made dinner and helped clean up the kitchen this evening. Most of the dishes are done and I'm catching up on laundry and general pick up. I made a cake.

I'm looking forward to the boys coming tomorrow.

Good evening!

Hi Tatoulia!

Dd borrowed the truck today to haul some things they were clearing out to a work dumpster (with permission) she took the trash I forgot to throw away plus some largish things we needed to get rid of, so I am caught up on barn trash for now.

Things Dh did to help me today: fix the dehumidifier!
Also recut my shelf boards so I can put up three more shelves, but he did that late this evening, so I am not going to try to put them up tonight.

Today was mostly trying to catch up.

I finished rewedging all the scrap clay that has come home from school so far this year and used up a small amount of remix that was already in the barn from last year to do it. That is in my car to go back to school tomorrow.

I washed all the eggs and fit them in the fridge. I kept up with the milk. I ran the dishwasher twice. I threw some expired medicine in a trash bag that can go with me tomorrow.

I tried to straighten up a bit as I moved around the house, but there is so much to do!

Hi everyone! I am not up to date by any means. Going to read today and go to the Y. I think that's all I have in me.

Good morning!

I got more than 7 hours of sleep last night!

Messi, your opening line made me do a mental bounce and laugh. - pot is legal in my state, but so far no one is selling it at the farmer's market.

I took a bag of trash to throw out yesterday but forgot to do it. I even parked next to the bin at the grocery store! I did get rid of another pot though - I took two that had the same bad surface result to school to use as a warning example for glaze work. After I passed them around I threw one away. I'll throw the other one away after I show all the classes. I'm not saving them for next year. Hopefully if i leave the house today I'll remember the trash.

It was a long full day at school yesterday. Classes were very busy and intense, and I had to send a note to a parent about a problem with a child. I always hate that! I got another new student, who I think is a good fit, but that is always extra work.

The upcoming week is really full.
Tomorrow is brunch at the pottery studio and I have invited a new person. I hope to throw some pots today and then stay after brunch to prep them for my class that starts on the 16th.
Monday is my birthday. I have the boys all day and hopefully dinner with them and their parents.
Wednesday and Friday are school, and Thursday is the market again.
My in-laws are arriving Friday while I am still at school (Dh will work from home)
And Birdy's family arrives Saturday night.

So I have today and Tuesday to get the house together enough for company. Dh said he will help me today.

Getting ready for his parents is impossible. Their first visit we cleaned the tiny apartment all day. Right before they were due to arrive I got upset because I realized there were bugs in the light by the door. Dh said "don't worry about it." His parents arrived, and the first words were mil - "Hello! Do you know there are bugs in your light?" Eventually I stopped trying.

SubC - congratulations on the pot sales. Hope your day at school was fine and things are good heading into the weekend. This week was filled with vet visits for two dogs with eye injuries (?) and visits to computer tech.I did manage to do dishes. Sleep is wacky, I need focus on managing the sleep schedule...

I don't know if I mentioned that I did finally resolve the dehumidifier issue and get my money back.

Dh is going to try to fix what we have this weekend.

I did clean out the fridge. The chickens got some cukes.

The dishes and the laundry are running.

Water is on for pasta.

I spent a pleasant afternoon sewing in the open hatchback of my car and talking with people. I sold 7 pots, an ornament, and a hippo, and came home with 5 ounces of spiced honey, two cantaloupes, five green peppers and $68.

It was worth doing because of the commute (1.2 miles) the pleasant weather, and the sewing.

All I really still have to do tonight is chores and get ready for school tomorrow.

Good morning.

I'm sorry you aren't sleeping well Messi, it makes everything harder. I have no idea what decade you are in, but I can't sleep lately as a side effect of menopause. I just keep hoping to ge5 through it.

Last night I was really tired from a long day at school with parent conferences, and I managed to sleep from 10:30 to 5:15. I even went back to sleep instead of getting up at 5:15, but dh's alarm went off at 6 and I woke back up with a migraine, so it's been a slow start this morning.

I've decided to start a policy for October that if I leave the house, something else leaves the house. Yesterday it was a grocery bag of trash. (And the single stream recycling, but that isn't going to count)

Today I am only going as far as the little local market to try to sell pottery. If I sell anything, that will be great, but I can't count on it, so I'm going to clean the fridge out. I'm pretty sure there are a couple of things in there that can go to the chickens and I will count that.

The rest of my morning will be spent getting myself together for the market and working on pottery. I'm planning to take some handwork to the market for downtime (I think there will be a lot) and this evening I need to prep school stuff. That is my plan for today. (Plus dishes and one load of laundry)

Yay for Yoga, SubC!! I sure could use some. Hope you survived your long day. My day is long because I am being insomanaical (sic). I was feeling blue but late in the game I got 1- 1/2 things done and felt better. One by One is How things get done (however slowly, in my case). Have good days, everyone. (get more sleep than me)

Did yoga, did some pottery, cleaned up a few things in the studio and collected a plastic grocery bag of trash. Made small progress on the basement, but two of the boards were cut too long (I mismeasured), so I need more help.

Tomorrow is a long day at school because I have parent meetings from 6:30 to 8:30. Since class gets out at 3:30, I won't come home.

I need to pack food.

Good morning!

I had a good day with the boys yesterday, but my body is sore from carrying Buddy a lot. I have been skipping yoga too much.

Dh cut my first set of boards for the shelves in the basement last night (I'm afraid of the power saw) so hopefully I will get those up today, move some things, and get unstuck on that project.

I also started turning a linen pillowcase I bought for $1 at a sale into a tunic for Bean to wear to the renfest. (He needs a cooler option and use of materials bought for a "someday" project to actually do that project!) I am going to save further work on that for Thursday, when I plan to be set up at the local farmers' market with my pottery - I am very I confident about sales and want to make good use of the time.

Anyway, I'm feeling positive about my day. I'll check back later to report.

Hello all!

Messi, I'm sorry about your friends.

Lila, I have that same experience with the decluttering and not finding a lot. It is slowly getting better though.

I had a good day at the renfest with Bean and his Daddy. I did not buy anything for me. A small toy for Buddy which I just sent home with Bean, and ice cream for Bean and his Daddy. Plus I tipped some performers.

I am trying to focus on experiences and useful things. (It was very hot, so I think the ice cream was useful and an experience)

I was tempted several times, but I thought about my basement, and how I do not have space, and how I would actually like to MAKE more things and none of the things was just so exactly right that I couldn't wait until next year, so I passed. Yay me!

hi friends!

Had a nice sleep, feeling pretty good today and had a few hours of work this morning. I am taking it easy, as I have to work on my two days off this coming weekend. So I can take a couple half days here and there. Things are getting easier now even with my weekly big event and the weekly class I am teaching. It is always easier after the first 2 weeks.

I started a no spend thread as well for those of us wanting to reign in the spending.

I am a little annoyed that I can't find things I need and then I get mad that I cleaned and decluttered and moved things, but the real solution is to get rid of enough stuff that there are not piles to look through. Everything in its place. I just still have too much stuff.

Sunday greetings. It has been a scattered week, so didn't get to posting. It's nice to catch up to your posts.

Feeling slow and blue like I haven't focused and gotten anything done, like i'm just getting through only some of the days' most important tasks. (dogs, work).

An acquaintance/friend was hospitalized and passed away this past week, as did my close friend's grandfather. Lots of missing people and reflection on this mortal coil.
The littlest dog injured her eye so we had anxiety and vet visits. The meds seem to be helping. Vet re-check tomorrow.
Took the computer to someone to repair it, so was without itfor a bit. It's back (phew) and now I'm trying to learn and get used to the changes in the computer.

I had an event cancelled today so I hope to get back on some kind of track. Yard work, laundry, and car stuff to start off. Well, actually, dog walks to start off. A great way to appreciate the beautiful weather.

Hope you all have a great day.

Good morning!

Lila I hope the hot food cleared your head and you feel better.

Yesterday I spent some time in my pottery studio - still doing more clean up and prep than actual work, but I started two items.

I took my broken Tupperware lids to the Tupperware lady for replacement and ordered one additional one that I had recycled. (I have to pick those up at the market on the 18th.) I promised my long unused (Mr. Kitty liked to travel in a canvas tote and my bunny sits in an open box) pet carriers to the animal rescue people (they even want the ones with missing doors for shelters) - those will also go on the 18th.

I got feed, but I have to go back tomorrow and complain because one bag was taped but not sealed over a hole and is clearly not full.

And I spent four hours hanging with Buddy while DD's brakes got changed.

I bought a tiny piece of pottery from a friend who had an actual arts booth at the arts market - so I will have to count that in, but I am going to the renfest today and almost guaranteed to do more shopping, so I will update later.

No more news on our friend.

SubC, I hope things keep getting better for your friend. That is a very difficult situation to be in! I am touched how you tried to help them. I always say persistence is my superpower, so I think you and I are quite similar.

How nice that the new teacher can help you! That is great!

I am feeling worse and wondering if, after catching something on my trip, I came home and caught whatever the grandtots have (some kind of cold/cough). Bummer. Hope not and hope with another rest day I start improving again. I am extra tired.

I ordered tamales to be delivered hoping the spiciness helps clear me up a bit. I am not a fan of spicy, but, it does seem to help with colds. I also:

- found some people to take the extra cukes off my hands so I don't have to keep dealing with them
- baked some sweet potato brownies to get the sweet potatoes used up

I am going to make baked potato soup later, quick edition, as I have a couple of baked potatoes that need to be used.

Aside from that, just watching tv and doing very little. I slept til 9:30 this morning and then the dog woke me up, and that is not like me, so I must have needed it.

Hi Lila!
It sounds like a good day.

Yesterday was exhausting here. It started with the news that a dear friend on vacation in Europe has been hospitalized in a small town where his wife cannot find anyone who speaks English and is trying to manage his care with google translate. She reached out not for help, but just to let us know. (Quote: "I know you can't do anything.") Helpless is not a feeling I like, and stubbornness is my superpower, so four hours later I was sending her the name and phone number of an international student who is a friend of a former student and a native of the country she is in so she can put him on speaker phone when she talks to doctors. Don't know if that will really help or not, but it made me feel less helpless. But our friend is still very ill.

Meanwhile I arrived at my classroom to discover that the building manager had propped a very large table up on edge at the front of my room in front of my whiteboard. It was not good timing. She told me it had to stay there. I told her it had to go because I could not teach in my room with it there. She said there was nowhere to put it. I threatened to roll it down the fire escape stairs. We stared at each other for a few minutes and then I got another teacher to help me stuff it in the freight elevator.

Full busy classes, a new student - love her! Met the woman who is taking over the Wednesday classes of the woman who is leaving in the room next to mine - like her. Rushed out of school to drop things off at the city studio before they closed, ran into a friend, made rash promises to him about studio time, back to school to switch over the kiln, stop at fancy grocery store to buy some "treats" we haven't had for a while (fancy cheese, fancy breads, spiced nuts, fresh pasta and cookies) made dinner of fancy roll and spiced nuts in the car on the way home because I was hungry,
And then collapsed on the couch and ate half a pint of ice cream while talking to my mom on the phone. Dad is having some back problems and mobility issues.

And just got an update that my friend is doing a bit better - he was able to get out of bed to go to the bathroom.

I also learned in our conversation that the new teacher lives near an art and handcrafts themed thrift store that I would like to support but which has very limited, hard to pull into on street parking in a heavy traffic area. And she shops there regularly. She is happy to take my donations to them!

This should help me with the basement project!

Meanwhile, dsil and Buddy are coming this afternoon so Dh can do DD's brakes (Dd is taking Bean to the pool in dsil's car) I am popping over to the monthly "arts" market (which is more market than arts) to exchange my broken Tupperware lids with the Tupperware lady and pet kittens (see, not arts) and many projects to work on.

Wishing everybody a good day!

post 2 today -

Today went by SO fast. Since my last post, I have:

- dried and sorted my laundry
- unloaded and reloaded again the dishwasher
- made tomato soup from the roasted fresh tomatoes
- made 2 kinds of refrigerator pickles
- took trash out

I feel like I did more, since I am so tired. Tomorrow I will do more! But it was a good restful day. Oh, I also ordered some tea which came already and will drink that soon. It is mullein, supposed to help with coughing.

hi guys!

SubC, good for you keeping accountable and posting so we can read when we get here! When I read you found a mouse, I thought you meant when you put the towels away you found 2 more mice! LOL... and then you were going to donate them?? ha... had to re-read, but it made me laugh! You are getting a lot done!

I am still coughing but I took suppressant and other cold meds and worked all week. I am feeling fine aside from the lingering cough so I am sure I am not contagious. I was not coughing at work except for an occasional bout, during which I secluded myself.

Today and tomorrow I finally have days off! I need them. I worked so hard this week and got all caught up. I had week 2 of my biggest program of the year and worked very hard prepping, helping, supporting the team etc that day. I didnt get home until 9:30 at night and then had to be up and back at work at 8:30am to support my boss' class and then have a meeting, and came home a bit and then had my first evening teaching a new class, which went well! Got home late and went in again in the morning for my other once a month big program and that went super well too. But I was wiped out and need to rest! Probably the busiest week I will have for another 3 or 4 weeks.

Last night I unloaded, loaded, and ran the dishwasher to prep for today. I also looked up and wrote down pickle recipes and placed a grocery delivery order for this morning.

Today I:
- roasted tomatoes to make soup or sauce with later
- washed off the stove top
- put in one load of laundry so far
- talked with ddil and the grandtots a bit
- went outside and trimmed my trees. The branches in front were hanging on my car and making a scraping sound when I pull into the driveway, and also hanging too low over the sidewalk for pedestrians. So I got that all trimmed up, branches in the green recycle bin and out to the road. I filled it up!

I am off to a good start.

I found the ghosts.
I found the grapevine wreathes I want to use to do a craft with mil when she comes to visit in two weeks.
I cleaned up the room where Buddy's parents will stay, but I still need to clear a space in the attached room for his pack and play.

I took a grocery bag full of trash to toss out at the grocery store and I bought cow milk for Buddy and Bean. (And a few other things - I looked at my groceries and the only things I can't eat, compost, or recycle are the fruit stickers, the stuff they wrap the banana ends in and the banana tape. I have a large roll of banana tape rolled around a cork that I actually tape things with, but I don't need tape often.) it's ironic (and annoying) that only the whole fruit creates trash.

I moved a few more things into the play area of the basement.

I had to wash all the cleaning towels because there was a mouse, and when I put them away I found two more to donate to the city studio. I'll drop them off tomorrow when I take the ghost hands to be fired. I also found three pots I accepted that I am never going to rework. - they went in the trash bag.

Good morning.

Talking to myself again.

I did not find the thing I was looking for at school yesterday. I did get my maps done in the morning and have a good teaching day. I will be out in the studio again for at least part of the day - what I am looking for are some little ghosts made from Birdy's handprints that need their second firing. I want to have them done when his family comes to visit in two and a half weeks. I can't remember where I put them!

I also need to spend some time in the room they will be staying in because it has become a staging and storage area.

The basement project is coming along well. I'm starting to have a more complete vision for it, although I am also running up against the reality of x+y amount items will never fit in x amount of space. I need to make some harder decisions.

One of the things I need to do is work on having an abundance mindset. I need to not save things because they "might be useful" or I "might want them." We are lucky to be in a position financially where I really don't have to think about small expenses any more. I realized the other day that while I still shop pretty frugally, it has been years since I denied myself the good jam at the grocery store because it was a dollar more or tried to stretch what we had solely so that I could put off shopping for one more week until a paycheck came in. If I give a thing away and want it in five years and it costs $20, I believe I can go buy a $20 thing.

Honestly, next year I'm going to be "rich", because when Dh did our retirement planning, the numbers worked out for us to keep living in basically the same style as now if he retired next month and I retired at the end of this school year. However, I'm pretty sure I will want to teach next year, and due to health insurance reasons, we've realized he can't retire until the end of 2026. Plus he recently had some job changes, and he likes his job better now, so he might work longer than that. We do have some ideas for major projects we might want to do with that money (remodeling a poorly laid out 45 year old bathroom that has the original cheap fixtures for example) but I am trying to get to a place where I can tell myself "you still have 5 bins of yarn. You are not going to knit anything before Christmas. You are probably not going to knit anything this school year. Save one bin for crafts and possible knitting projects and if you need yarn, go to one of the many amazing yarn stores in the city and buy exactly what you need for the project you are about to do!"

But having typed that, I want to knit. Where is the smacking yourself in the head emoji?

Ok, I really need to get my day moving. I'll check back later!

Good morning!

I'm going to try to be quick because I didn't do my maps yesterday. I did do yoga and ticket and lesson plans, and I cleaned up more than I messed up (again, one pot waiting for next load) - the kitchen looks good

My "three things" were sort of fuzzy -

I set out to find a thing - I did not find the thing, but I did make the barn studio cleaner and collect a plastic grocery bag of trash to drop when I get gas this morning. I also found some recycling and things to take to school and use up there.

I worked on the basement project - put down more mats, moved a rug, and Dh helped me carry the play kitchen down.

I washed and dried the laundry that had accumulated in the barn studio, I made a phone call I needed to make, I found and ordered a replacement thing for Bean, and I talked to dd1 and ds on messenger, ddil on FaceTime, and dd2 on the phone. I also made dinner.

So I think it was a goid day in spite of not doing the maps.

Today - school and then it depends on wether or not the thing I was looking for yesterday is in my teacher closet.

Gotta make maps!

Good morning!

I officially had a successful day yesterday.

The boys and I had a good day
I switched the kiln over on the way home
And while I did not literally clean up after myself (there are some dishes from last night waiting to be washed today) I did effectively clean up after myself because there are still fewer dirty dishes.

I also spent a few minutes in several room to make them just a bit nicer - put something away that had been sitting out, dust a surface, that sort of thing. I returned two library books on the way home. And I did yoga.

Today is a bit more nebulous and I have a long todo list. I am calling it a "menu of options"

Dh asked me over breakfast how I'm going to know if my day is successful today. So, here are my "must dos"

Yoga
Prepare maps and lesson plans for school tomorrow
Order my ticket for the Renfest on Sunday (sometimes they sell out, and I have plans with Bean's clan - this requires me to find a coupon.)
Continue to clean up after myself (this really should be a habit)

Also do three additional tasks from my menu of options.

The basement project is far enough along that I was able to take both boys downstairs to play in it while it was raining yesterday. Bean and I discussed my plans and agreed that a compressed housekeeping area should be installed in a specific corner with the giant Lego blocks (anybody remember chubs baby wipes?) nearby so that things could be moved out into the open area and "walls" created. (The walls will only be one or two blocks high, I don't have THAT many baby wipe containers) this will involve laying down some more floor mats (I have enough washed I think) and carrying the play kitchen down from "Bean's" room (Buddy now takes his naps in there, and Bean's parents also sleep in it when they stay over)

Yesterday the forecast said rain all day today, so I thought that would be my focus, but now it just says a little rain in the morning, so maybe not.

I sat around drinking coffee with Dh for a while this morning, which was nice, but he is off to work now, so I am going to get started.

Good morning! Happy equinox!

Lila, how are you feeling? I'm sorry I can't come make the salad.

Messi, I don't know what you do for your job, but I think crashing after work is perfectly normal behavior. If I do school plus one thing I call it a good day.

I'm so proud of you for tackling your "don't want to do" list! And for dealing with an uncomfortable phone call! That had to be really hard.

Today is a Bean and Buddy day. I'm going to be pretty tired. I was up at 4, so I only got about six hours of sleep last night - woke up briefly at midnight, and I couldn't get to sleep at bedtime.

It's supposed to start raining around ten, so we will be inside today. My goals are to have a good day with the boys, switch the kiln at school over on the way home, and clean up after myself.

I need to work on paying attention to my accomplishments and the good things that I do, because I've been feeling pretty down on myself this week. A lot of emotions coming to the surface and I'm not even sure why. My boss sent me a nice email last week telling me she appreciates everything I do for my students and the school. Sometimes I feel like I need to work because my job is the only part of my life where I actually feel successful.

O my goodness. I had a just written a message here and was just getting to the end of it when there was a computer hiccup and I lost it, lol.

Recap, lol:

You all have been doing a lot, including baking and cooking. Sounds great, sampling would be fun!

Lila - you just keep going, doing for others. I hope you get to relax and keep healing. Chill with your pup?

SubC - you have so much going on with school, and family and house and supplies and projects! I understand about being tired after a school day. School requires so much energy (including home-time planning). Congrats on the progress with the basement. It encourages me. I need that.

I've been feeling like a dud this week. I would plan to work on somethng after work, but just crash when I got home. I mostly just manage to walk and feed the dogs, bless them! and not too much else. I did get down to my basement to assess the next step, which included living through (lol) an uncomfortable call with a family member about it. Good progress.

Last night after muddling around, i made of short list of things I needed to do, didn't want to do, and wanted to do. I started with the first thing on the didn't want to do list. This helped stop the muddling and was good to get done.

I am now going to drop off the composting and walk a dog. It is beautiful out. Enjoy the evenng!