good afternoon.

It is so nice out and raining here and I am enjoying the calm weather and fresh air. have to work tonight, but there is some chance I may just say I cannot... but, I kind of have to at least have this one meeting, even though I still feel so tired. I did sleep in today until 9:30, unheard of, so I must have needed it. My lungs feel clear now. Slight occasional coughing and congestion. I have a few hours before the meeting, so I will finish making the homemade tomato soup I started yesterday. I was given about 6 tomatoes and some cherry tomatoes so I skinned them and put them in a pot with a slice of onion and some garlic and simmered it down. Today I will blend it and eat it, maybe with a grilled cheese on sourdough.

Then maybe I will feel good enough to do this necessary meeting.

Thank you for the kind words Tatoulia, so nice to hear from you! SubC, good ideas for the cukes. Now can you just come over and make the salad for me? lol.

Boy I hope I feel better soon.

Good morning!

Hi Tatoulia!

I'm glad you stopped by! I'm sorry your weight is upsetting you. Just keep trying to make healthy choices about eating and moving. You are so good at evaluating the things you bring into your space now. I know you can find a way to do that with your body! Also, have realistic expectations. Some bodies are naturally bigger than other bodies. Pay attention to how yours feels, not how it looks.

Lila, I hope you keep feeling better. Cucumbers - maybe a Mediterranean style salad with couscous or bulgur ? Dice them up, add tomatoes, olives, feta, a dried fruit?

Hi Messi!

I miss you CM!

And yes, I wonder about road as well.

I didn't accomplish much yesterday. I'm not sure where the day went really - a lot of resting and reading I think. Just puttering around at small things.

But I did do the last of the painting (at least for this phase) in the basement so I am ready to do the rest of the wallpaper (and repaste the first section - the old "pre-pasted" paste did not hold) and then I can get someone to cut boards for me (I'm afraid of the saw) and start putting up shelves.

I did find mildew that needs to be cleaned :( and signs of a mouse, so traps need to be set today. It could be a mouse I already got though. And I got rid of one item. I also emptied an old can of primer, but that came from Dh area in the barn shop.

Bean's family came out at dinner time and we spent the evening with them. Dsil accidentally packed the small tent instead of the big tent, so he and Bean slept outside and Dd and Buddy stayed in the house from the start. Buddy stays up later than we do, but I made the responsible choice and went to bed leaving him up with his mama. I only woke once in the night, so I got almost 8 hours of sleep! I can feel the difference!

I'm not sure how late they will stay today because dsil's family is coming to their house at 4 to celebrate Buddy's birthday. They usually do a lot of prep for dsil's family, and I don't know how ready they are.

Buddy liked the two toys I got him. Hopefully Dd will take them home with her. (Sometimes she tells the boys my gifts are for here - her house is small.)

Dh is playing golf today. I'll come back and let you know if I get anything done.

Last post, I promise! Dear Lila! You are amazing! You were sick and stressed and sad and still able to make sure everyone had what they needed for the event! Please rest up as much as possible.

SubC I love hearing about the festival/fair you went to and all the people you met!

Messi, I swear sometimes I set out to do something and if I cannot find the right "tools," in your case gloves, it derails me. Great work staying on task and for doing something gross!

Hello everyone! I was talking a brief break from my errands and wanted to visit with you all! Lila, I felt that in my soul when you talked about being overweight and trying to find something to wear. I am so ashamed of my weight. It is discouraging to see how big I am. Sending you much love. Don't be upset with yourself. You are doing so well!

Back to reading so I can see how the presentation went!

SubC, yes, I did some nail trimming, but not all. The scenario your ddil had is what I was expecting, but she did a little better. I had treats and she let me take just the tips off about 8 nails on front paws. Ended happy and tail wagging but I started to see avoidance which is why I stopped. My goal today is to do it again. I did not want to make big cuts in case it got too close and hurt, so I barely tipped them. I need to do back paws and the front ones I missed. And, maybe, trim a bit more off fronts.

I am so sick of being sick!! I am getting better, but still coughing and stuffy. Super annoying.

A friend dropped off tomatoes and cucumbers today so I am making a very small pot of tomato soup. I am tired of pickles so I will eat some cukes fresh and probably juice some. Any other ideas?

I am still too tired to clean. But I did sort meds yesterday and got rid of about 20 bottles, some empty, some expired. I need someone to give me an energy shot. Coffee is not working.

Good morning.

Lila, did you get the nails clipped?

My ddil has a rescue dog who is so traumatized that they cut her nails one at a time. Sometimes two. Ddil shows a treat, asks "paw" and clips one nail, then gives the dog the treat. The dog walks away. If it went really well, sometimes ddil will hold up another treat and ask "paw" to see if the dog will come back. That's it for that day.

Yesterday I taught, picked up glaze and 400 lbs of clay for school and delivered it back to my classroom, stopped at the grocery store, cooked dinner with Dh, and ran a load of laundry.

That was really good for a school day. I slept a little better last night - almost 7.5 hours and I only woke up once and went right back to sleep!

I'm not sure what I'm going to do today besides try to get a little rest. Bean's family is coming over to camp again some time today. Maybe we will go swimming in the pond. I also have some things to get done for school next week, want to make more progress on the basement, and also want to prioritize getting some clay work done in the studio. Besides reducing the chaos in the house/studio/barn.

hi Messi and SubC. Messi, I hate the stuck tired feeling. I am there now myself. Do you find anything that pushes you out of stuck-ness?

Subc, it does sound like you are being quite productive. You have a lot of your plate.

Hi Tatoulia, wherever you are. I wonder how Road is, and her son.

I am still sick but improving. I worked from home some yesterday and got little else done. Today is my actual day off, so, supposed to be doing laundry, taking trash out, etc, but am so tired.

I decided I would have one goal today: to clip my dog's nails. I have not cut them since I got her earlier this summer, and I know I should have. It is only harder when they get longer. I dread it, so have kept putting it off. I finally decided this is the day. So I went to get the clippers and the stopbleed powder (just in case) and they were not where I have kept them for years, because I cleaned. THIS is one of those reasons I hate cleaning and decluttering. I move things and can't find them. I looked "everywhere" and still nothing. I did not give up and looked "everywhere" again and found them under a pile in my room. It took about 20 minutes. I was frustrated so I just brought them out to the living room and am waiting until I feel happier to actually cut her nails. I can't start with a frustrated energy - dogs can sense that. I did handle her paws and tell her she is a good girl, so as to start a good/not anxious experience. Ugh, I really don't know how this is going to go, it could be super hard and frustrating or could be okay. I will try in a half hour or so.

Beyond that, I would like to get some of my spaces picked up a bit but am super unmotivated, still coughing and tired. We'll see. But if I clip her nails I will count today a success.

Good morning!

Lila, I'm glad you got time with your aunt, even though it was hard. And that your presentation went well.

Being under stress makes your body more vulnerable to germs, and with traveling and the hospital it's not surprising you got sick. I hope you get rest and recover quickly.

Messi, I hope you got a good night's sleep too. I've been struggling to sleep, so I'm very aware how important it is. Last night I managed to sleep for two hours and then almost five, which is really good for me lately.

I pushed myself to have a pretty productive day yesterday - I took care of a couple of small tasks in the barn, washed and dried two loads of laundry, cut some cattails to dry for fall decorating, picked a few things that are still holding on in the garden, baked two kinds of cake, popovers, and bread, and made up our bed and the bed inBean's room with clean sheets (the kids are coming out tomorrow to celebrate buddy's birthday).

Then I got corn at the farmers market, returned my overdue library books, checked out a few more, and picked up feed. I ran the dishwasher once but did not completely clean up the kitchen.

And of course, with all that, I still had things left on my list and have trouble feeling like I'm getting anywhere.

This morning I have my lesson plans ready, but I need to wedge some clay before I leave for school. Teaching has been wiping me out every day, so that is all I am expecting of myself today. Maybe stopping at the grocery store on the way home - we're out of peanut butter for Bean.

Welcome back, Lila. I'm glad you were able to spend time wth your aunt. I'm sorry you're sick and hope you rest and recover soon. You have been going gangbusters really.

I have been kind of stuck and tired, so the first goal is to go to bed sooner; and so... morelater.

I am back. I have not totally caught up on posts yet, but some. I just thought I would update for now.

Everything went fine, I had something nice to wear that I felt good in and my speaking engagement went well with a lot of very nice positive feedback. The dog sitter came and was a good fit, she stayed in my house while I was gone and did a good job! I sat in the hospital for days and it was hard but I am glad I went. I said my goodbyes. I think she will linger for awhile but her mind is mostly gone.

Then I got sick on the last day of the trip, came home and had my biggest event of the year starting so I had to mask up and go in and do several hours of prep. I got my team all ready and documents ready so they could do it without me. I hated missing it but no one wants a leader at a big event who is coughing her guts out and looking ill, so I went home just as people started to arrive. I heard it went well but I was missed, so now I am doing follow-up with the team and prepping for the next thing, this coming week. I am still pretty sick, but I think I can work from home today. I was so sick yesterday I did nothing.

So my house is still decent from how I cleaned it before I left, but there are boxes in my room that I stashed and need to go through. I don't think I feel well enough to do much house work today.

I am just going to try and do emails and computer work for a couple hours, enjoy my dog, and rest. I did load the dishwasher so at least there's that.

Good evening.

My accomplishments for the day are dropping some things at the thrift store, getting my mammogram, washing two rugs and nine mat squares, and making incremental progress on cleaning up the basement.

I also put away some clean laundry and kept up with dishes, milk, and eggs, but not packaging.

I went in the thrift store to look for a lampshade - which I did not find, but i did get very overwhelmed with all the stuff and encouraged to not shop and to keep paring down.

Hi Messi,

I'm guessing the "enjoy today" was for yesterday with the boys. And I did.

Today was driving and hours in a waiting room, then picking up medicine and soft foods to feed Dh.

Other than that, I have done morning milking and chores and loaded and run the dishwasher. I slept really badly last night, so I'm pretty tired.

SubC - sounds like a good weekend! Enjoy today.
Just a quick note as I go off to walk the dogs. I have an eye doctor appt. this morning. Hope to get a few things done as this is my day off. Trying for a trip to the compost, (meaning clean out the refrig), yard work, laundry, grocery...
Thinking of you, Lila.
Have a great day everyone!

Good morning!

The festival was good. The work was pretty high end, so I managed not to bring home anything except a little paper collage kit packet attached to a flyer about the book arts society - which I'm actually interested in. Honestly, I'm interested in most of it - but particularly the paper, cloth, yarn, thread, wood, basketry skills. And clay of course. Glass and metal intimidate me. The basketry people meet too far from my home. Everybody is somewhat far, but they are somewhere I know I just won't go - a very long drive near nothing else.

The Book arts people meet far away, but right off a highway I drive for work - a few exits further south but only one block from the exit, so I could actually get there slightly faster than I get to work.

I saw three potters I know, the parent of a student I like, and the former student who told me about the event. It was good catching up with her.

The shop took most of the clothes and gave me a little bit of money. I feel good about it. There were a lot of young people shopping and their prices were reasonable, so I feel like the clothes will be used and enjoyed by someone.

I left the festival feeling inspired, but by the time I got home I was worn out from the driving in unfamiliar places. (The shop was actually a detour into the city and I had to navigate one way streets and on street parking) I took two wrong turns, but they were both on the same road due to my inability to figure out a six way intersection between a four lane road and two two lane roads and both times I turned around first chance at the same warehouse entrance and went right back and got on the correct road. ( i think I did it on the way home because it looked familiar from the way there - duh!)

I have the boys today instead of tomorrow because Dd is out of town and it will give dsil a break, and Dh has oral surgery tomorrow so I'll be transporting and taking care of him. Hopefully I will get some basement, yard, or creative work done as well.

Good morning.

Yesterday I took the destroyed rug back and threw it away. The building manager was delighted to see my truck again. She cleared out a storage closet and sent me home with - 1 giant log tripod, a patio end table, a shoe rack, five "portable" folding tables (they are heavy) a strange thing that might be a little table or a bench, two rug remnants, and a rolling hanging file cart. I put the patio table on our back porch, the logs in the yard, and the rest in the garage until I decide if they are useful here or donations.

My inner squirrel is very excited, but I am concerned about my decision making.

Today I am traveling to the other side of the city (outside the city) for an arts fair of regional crafts people. There will be demonstrations and shopping and hopefully inspiration. There is a resale store nearby that buys vintage clothes and I have a small bin (already counted out) that I want to take on the way home to see if they want them. I am less worried about getting any money for them than I am about giving the clothes the opportunity to find someone who will appreciate them. They are really nice quality but not appropriate for the place that gives people clothes for interviews or fancy enough for the free prom store.

My Dh is back. I slept much better yesterday.

Good evening!

I got lost both on the way to the recycling and on the way home. Saw some new parts of the city.

I LOVE the reuse shop! I got the carpet squares and wallpaper I wanted and some stone tile for the dragon cave I want to make next to the bookshelf where there is a hole in the wall, and corks with pretty wooden caps to add to some of my pottery bottles for the Christmas show, and some display corner pieces from a framing shop that I think will make really cool little wall shelves (I only bought 4) and ideas for a bunch of projects that I did not buy the materials for, but I can in the future. My total was twelve dollars and change, but I gave them $20 because they run on grants and donations and they are taking my recycling. I was really stingy because the tip fee on the truck would have been $50 and the stuff would have gone to landfill. But they only take cash in the shop and I had a 20 and a handful of change.

I also brought home the rest of the school rugs that hadn't been thrown out to wash and donate, but one is completely worn out and I am taking it back and throwing it in the dumpster tomorrow.

So that was my adventure. I have no idea how to count all that.

I think I have also resolved the dehumidifier problem, but I won't be sure until my card is credited back. I am least have a name and direct email of a person now.

SubC -
Good Luck!
with the recycle and the dehumidifier

Good morning!

Ok Messi, where is the first place you looked for the gloves? Put them there.

Both of your ideas for tackling jobs are good ones. Lately I've been telling myself "you can do anything, but you can't do nothing." Meaning, if I am just consuming electronic content, I need to stop and do something in the house or yard (even just walk around) or go to bed. I do allow myself some time to read or post online, but video or "window shopping" is a no unless I am also eating or cleaning up. (I like to put podcast type YouTube's on while I do dishes for example - my mom always had the radio on when she cleaned.)

I'm really sorry about your lost books and papers. My dehumidifier has actually become a new headache. FedEx smashed in the side of the box and damaged the dehumidifier. The company said that because it is "B stock" I can return it, but they won't replace it.

They told me to replace the damaged packaging as best I could, and they would have FedEx bring a label and pick it up between ten and two this past Tuesday. Fed ex did not come. Then they also sent me an email that said I needed to print a label and drop it off at a drop off location within seven days - it is too heavy, and the integrity of the box is questionable.

I was gone for work during their service hours yesterday, so I have to call them again this morning. If they don't pick this up by the end of the day tomorrow and refund me, I am going to open a dispute with my credit card company.

Nothing is ever easy.

My plan for today is to work around the house in the morning cleaning up and gathering recycling, and then drive the truck into the city to the big recycling/reuse hub. I have made the trip twice and gotten lost both times, so wish me luck!

The other two trips I just dropped off, but this one I am going to let myself shop their reuse store. All construction based items (carpet squares, wallpaper, tiles.) are 25 cents a pound. Everything else (fabric, containers, egg cartons, jars, flower pots, craft supplies.) is $1 a pound.

I am looking for some carpet squares and maybe some different wallpaper to work on the basement, but I will be rewarding myself for bravely driving into the city by wandering around the shop and brainstorming possibilities presented by their materials. I've never been in the shop before. Drop off is by the entrance, the store is on the third floor. I think they want to discourage people from spontaneously picking up items they don't need - lol!

Ha ha, Yes, the rubber gloves showed themselves just as i was getting ready to move the last yucky item, dontcha know, a few feet from where i was working. ;-)

This was a yucky job in the basement, moving and removing things in preparation for plumbing work or JUST NEEDING TO BE DONE. It included getting rid of some valued books and papers that were put down there before I understood that it was somewhat damp and not suitable for storage. I'm valuing your dehumidifier, SubC.

Sometimes I'll have a list of things that might(!) need to be done and one tactic is to choose a small thing just to get myself started.

Another tactic I've been trying recently, only when I have enough muster, is to start with the one I put off the most. This job was like that.

Sometimes you just have to put it off til later or the morning so you have more energy and sunlight, and sometimes you have to do it so you won't have to face it in the morning.

but now i'm up too late... lol

I can't find my rubber gloves to do a cleaning job. I'm sure they'll turn up someplace goofy as soon as I'm done, using these thin food-prep gloves, lol.

Good morning!

Tatoulia, it is good to see you!

My weight has been up and down, but seems to have settled in the range of about half of what I wanted to lose gone. Dh has been pushing me to start some (gentle) weight bearing exercises. We did them together before he left yesterday and I hurt my knee. I told him they will have to be modified. The reintroduction of many stairs when school started wasn't bad this year, so I have made some progress. Like the house, but by bit.

Lila, I forgot to say, my farm sitter always cleans up. Not just after herself - she leaves everything more cleaned up than I cleaned it up for her. It makes me feel bad. I asked her to stop, but she said "I don't mind, I don't have that much to do." I told her to read a book or lie in the hammock and watch her kids play. But she still does it.

Lila, I am thinking of you and your aunt and your cousin.

Messi, thank you for your kind words.

SubC, that is amazing about the rug!

I'm trying to work on my weight. I am not committed and then I begin to hate myself for it. Vicious cycle. Went to the Y on Saturday. Had a full physical on Friday and then went to the Museum of Fine Arts on my way home. Had a late lunch and then went to a few of the galleries.

I'm keeping up okay here.

Getting excited to see Bf in December and really must be in better shape for the trip. I owe it to myself to be healthy, now that I do not have any responsibilities and I can finally enjoy myself. Messi, my long term romance turned into a Long Distance Relationship when he moved overseas for work in 2023. I saw him last year in December and we are meeting up again this year in December.

Lila, I hope you had something to wear that you like.

I spent the weekend mostly relaxing with my Dh because he left for the week for work this afternoon.

He'll be back Friday night.

I have the boys tomorrow, but Tuesday I am on my own schedule - which means I can jus5 putter about and snack when I get hungry.

I do have some th8ngs I want to get done this week. Staying on a reasonable bedtime schedule will be the hardest part.

I'll update if I get things done.

Thank you Messi! It is over and I got lots of compliments and kind words! It was actually great once I got there and was doing it. It's the lead-up that gets me all stressed out. I am so exhausted now I feel like I could just sleep!

But the dogsitter person is coming over in 45 minutes and I am just sitting down for 5 minutes between all the picking up.

I got all TotsFam's stuff taken downstairs by TotsDad.

I wiped down the really awful looking kitchen cabinets so now they look 80% better.

I had TotsDad clean the upstairs bathroom last night, so that is done, and my other Son scrubbed the rest of the stove and took trash out and is mowing the lawn. And he vacuumed.

I just need to quick dust the flat surfaces. This means I am doing a stash and dash, taking a large box and throwing everything from the doom counter into it and putting it in my room until I get back from my trip. I just need it to be a cleaned counter so the dog sitter doesn't say NO WAY.

There's other stuff to be done... wipe counters one more time and such, but I will do what I can.

If she is not comfortable staying (it is pretty decent but if she is used to a perfect house, well...) then I would be happy to pay her the same amount to come over 2-3x a day if she is willing.

Wish me luck. Once THIS is done, all the high stress stuff is over for now.

Lila,
I don't know which day your presentation is/was, but I hope getting finished reduces some of the stress. Your post rang so many bells for me. Dogs, house sitters, clothes, presentations... Last weekend I went through trials on those issues with the wedding I participated in. Safe wishes for your trip to see your aunt. So glad you will see her.

yeah that makes sense SubC. I feel pretty stressed over that stuff. One of my commitments is a public speaking thing. I am fine, usually, with short things or trainings or winging it or walking about something I am super familiar with. This is a longer one, with a bit of pressure to do it well, will be streamed and recorded, and I have to do it twice. So I have been working and re-working on it, doing practice runs at the venue, getting feedback and then editing... I need to just do a final edit, read it out and time it, and call it good. I also had to choose 4 more people to give brief spotlights of their experience at a course, so I had to pick, talk to them, wait for them to send me what they want to say, decide on any edits, time them, and put it all together within my time frame, plus work with another friend who is speaking briefly before me... so yeah.

Add to this that I am still fat, and very self conscious, have like 6 shirts that fit and almost all are not very nice (I have good winter clothes but it is hot here) and I was trying things on and getting major anxiety at how it clings to my belly etc. So today I know you can guess what I did. I went to the store to get something to wear that I feel confident in. I chose a store I have a gift card for, but when I went to check out after an hour trying on clothes, the gift card wouldn't work. So I paid cash and have to call about the gift card.

Anyway I will try the whole outfit on tonight and look in the mirror and see if I feel ok. If not I will return it tomorrow and go to another store. I am stressed out enough without having to feel like a spectacle in tight clothes!!!

I am not getting enough cleaning done but my sons will help me tomorrow.

Well Lila, if it were me, I would be really stressed because I had commitments to fulfill, someone I loved was dying, and a stranger was coming to stay in my house. Ymmv, but you being stressed is totally reasonable!

update 1 -

- watered the front plants/trees
- took out some trash
- 2 loads of laundry in the wash
- washed off one counter and the stove

Why am I so stressed???

hi SubC and Messi,

I caught up on reading and hope things are going well for you both this weekend.

I will be leaving in a few days to go see my aunt. She is in the hospital now but more stable at the moment. So I just need to get through the weekend and things will be calmer. I have a speaking engagement in a couple of days that I am working on, and after that, one training, and then I can leave for 6 days. I have to come back for a big event the day after I get home.

Also I am having a new dogsitter come over tomorrow to meet my dog and visit. It turns out my son will be gone on a different trip while I am gone, so I need someone to walk my dog etc and it is cheaper to have them house-sit. Which means, I have to clean the house before they come over to meet us on Sunday. So how do I get things in order? I have to clean and get the place decent or the sitter might decline house sitting. Any suggestions on how to get it in order quickly? I can't box things up and put them in the small bedroom because the sitter may be sleeping in there.

Hi Messi,

I teach ages 6-18 this year (1st grade up) I used to have kindergarteners, but they have been integrated into our preschool program which is Montessori accredited.

I have to tell you guys about some other things that happened yesterday. I've been working really hard on clearing out and letting go over the years and I am now able to get really stuck into this basement project.

You know I rescued the one green rug from the school dumpster, but I have been looking for a second, larger area rug. The basement also needs a dehumidifier.

Yesterday when I went to drop off the recycling at the city park, someone had shoved a rolled up rug into the top of the recycling dumpster. That is a contaminate, not a recyclable. The outside of the roll looked clean, and the edge of the rug had shades of blue. I yanked the rug out, unloaded my recycling, and threw the rug in the back of my car, thinking "worst case, this is going to have to go in the school dumpster and I will offer to pay for the disposal"

This morning I unrolled the rug. It is beautiful! It smells fresh. It is not exactly what I was looking for, but is really close. I have not been able to find exactly what I want, and the cheapest "close" is about $80. I have vacuumed it and the canister was almost empty. I think it is clean enough to just put down, but I am going to power wash it anyway, because I have a power washer and that will remove any doubts.

Then, last night I found exactly the dehumidifier I want, on sale as "new, open box", from a dealer with a 30 day satisfaction/return policy at 15% off the cheapest price I have seen, free delivery!

I slept on it, and when it was still there this morning, I ordered it!

I feel like the universe is rewarding me with good things for making space in my life to recieve them.

SbC - I posted before seeing your post about your first day. What ages/levels do you teach?

SubClinical - I hope you had a great first day at school. and a great second day. What you do expands those lives you are changing. (-:

Goid morning!

Messi, the important thing is that you did the job. Even though conditions were no longer optimal, you still did it! Extra points for pushing through!

I survived the first day of school. I think it went well. I do have two students who are going to be difficult. One is just very young and immature and will hopefully grow with support. The other one needs an attitude adjustment. I'm hoping he is just stressed about being in a new place and not showing his best side. I talked to the director about him after school and if he keeps interrupting, attempting to redirect, and complaining while I am talking to the class, he's going downstairs to talk to her next week.

I accidentally assigned a homework online to a section of a class that hasn't met yet as well as the one I had today, and two of those students have done it already!

After school I stopped at the offsite craft storage (reuse shop) to pick up some brushes for school (20 brushes, 1.66 including tax!) and made it over to the city studio for a lecture they offer twice a year that I keep wanting to attend. Last time I tried Dd interrupted with a need for emergency childcare. This time I managed to make it through the whole thing. It was good. Then Dh called and invited me to meet him for dinner at our favorite food truck by a park. Good day, but very tiring.

Today I rest, do some things at home, and prepare for my first day with my Friday kids.

After an emotional weekend and holiday, and a day of beautiful weather, this evening I waited til it was dark and starting to rain to pick up some brush trimmings and put them in the garbage can, the day after collection. Lol, the rake I was using had a label on it that used to say, "True Built", but some paint got on the letter "B" to change it and when I looked down at it, it says, "True Guilt". Could be.

Lila, I am thinking of you and your aunt and sending best hopes. Stay with the love - for your aunt, for your cousin, for yourself. Be safe, especially if you travel.

Oh Lila, I am so very sorry about your aunt.

Don't worry too much about your schedule. People are the most important.

I had almost never missed a day of school, then Buddy had his operation and Bean needed me, and we got Covid, and I missed almost three weeks. And the world didn't end. It took a couple of weeks to get everything back in order. That was all. So now I remind myself that I can miss three weeks of school and the world won't end.

Take the time and space you need and I bet you will be pleasantly surprised to discover how much of what you do is not critical.

Also, take care of yourself. It is ok to spin out and indulge now and then, but remind yourself that you need real self care. Your friend subc would like you to have a glass of water and a fruit, or maybe even a vegetable. Walk, read, pray, talk with a friend...brush your dog. Take care of yourself.

hi guys,

After I posted I worked on my bedroom a little more. Only one item in the donate box, but it is one item.

I got derailed when I got a text saying that my aunt is not well. After talking to my cousin, I called my aunt who sounds like she could die any moment. She could barely get words out as she could not breathe. Her lungs are bad, she is barely eating, she just got put on hospice a few days ago. My cousin said she thought she is not long for this world. Before I called her I had booked a flight for late Sept, planning to go see her one last time. After calling her and getting more details, I booked another flight for next week. I have 24 hours to cancel one of them... probably the later one.

This made my cry, made me stressed, and it felt like it scrambled my brain. After I spent all that time carefully organizing the whole month in my planner and figuring out when I would need to work, suddenly it feels like all the organized things got dumped into a pile. Kind of like when those flat magnetic shapes are built into a castle and then someone knocks it down. I can barely process it along with her impending departure from this world. Will I make it in time?

I had just started to feel relaxed a bit and comfortable about upcoming courses and classes and leadership roles and public speaking. I am trying not to let the scrambled brain turn into anxiety and chaos.

Anyway, instead of finishing my list, I ate candy and ice cream and pizza, binge watched tv, and scrolled the web. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow along with an event, so, hopefully I will get some sleep and wake up with a clear head.

Messi, you posted while I was typing. I didn't see your post.

You cleaned things out of your car!

How was the dog walk? Did you do any laundry?

Some days you just need to rest.

I did chores, put the second load of laundry in the dryer, loaded and started the dishwasher, set up the coffee maker and now I am going to bed.

Good progress on the desk Lila!

My planner is not ready, but I have tomorrow because classes start Wednesday. Tomorrow is my first big work day for bringing it all together. Today was vacation.

I did stop at school, empty the kiln, discover somebody slipped in a piece made from the wrong clay and now I have a shelf to grind, leave some things in my room, and make the copies I need for the first day (mostly, I might need a couple more welcome letters, but I can do those quickly Wednesday morning.)

The boys are home and I am sitting with a glass of wine listening to the light jazz Dh has on. He was great today! He did a building project and drove RC cars with Bean, and took him for a ride in the rowboat. He also helped me take both boys swimming and helped with baths afterwards. Even played with them while I got a shower,

Then when I left to take them home, he vacuumed up all the crushed Cheerios and made dinner - which was waiting for me when I got home!

Even though we fight sometimes - he's a keeper!

Besides having a great day with my boys and my classroom stop, I've run two loads of laundry and emptied the dishwasher. There is plenty to fill it!

I did have one diet soda, and some cookies. (Plus this wine.)

O my. You all have been doing all kinds of things! I needed a litte inspiration and now I have it. Great, Lila! Great, SubC! Keep healing, Tatoulia!

I thought today I would get some things done that I don't do on a work day, but...not. (yet?) Very tired, somewhat foggy. It was a busy, emotional weekend that took more than I thought it would. today was more unplanned-for people time. (good thing) which required cleaning out some things in the car. (good thing)

So with a few hours left in the evening, I needed a little inspiration and focus.

I will walk the dogs
Do some dishes
Wash some laundry
Fold some laundry

first thing, put shoes on for dog walking...

Progress report:

- wiped off the desk with a microfiber cloth
- put away things on the desk that go elsewhere
- scrubbed inside the toilet in my bathroom and disinfected/wiped down the outside of it
- disinfected/scrubbed inside my bathroom sink and faucets
- threw away some trash

Hey it's a start! Take a brief break, then will work on it some more. But it is MUCH better, that needed to be done!

Aw man, Tatoulia, I hope the infection continues to clear. Thank you for checking in! I need to go back and read the scriptures again. They are good for getting in the right mindset!

SubC, the alone time sounds very nice! I am enjoying the quiet here with the grandkids at their counsin's. But I miss them too and it will be nice when they get back.

Today I slept in, made coffee, eggs, and toast, and spent time with TotsDad. I spent time reading on the deck with my pup.

I also asked TotsDad to change a light bulb in my master bathroom that has been out for... maybe 4 years?? It has a cover that I was not sure how to open, and I am short, and I just put it off because there is another light in there. Well in no time flat he had it changed, I washed the bugs out of the light cover, and he put it back on. It is so much nicer in there! I can see everything! This will make it more attractive to keep working on that bathroom and making it nicer.

I finished writing out my home planner last night. Happy September!! New things in my planner:

- a section where I will write what I spend
- a section of health things I am working on
- improvements to my health/a habit tracker
- defined goals for each month
- a list of projects and things I have delayed for months or years, to try and do a few each week

Today's goals:
- eat better (I am thawing salmon, will have with vegetables)
- take a walk
- organize my meds and supplements
- 10 items decluttered
- work on my bedroom and bathroom
- wipe off the desk
- brush the dog, trim her nails, and wipe out her ears

Anything beyond that is bonus. If I get 75% of that list done I will be pleased.

Oh dear Tatoulia, I'm sorry about your infection. That sounds awful! Glad you are on the mend.

It's funny - I don't live alone, and I am really looking forward to Dh overseas work trip next week. I will have time all by myself from Monday night to Wednesday morning and again from Wednesday night to Friday morning. The only thing better would have been if he took the trip before school started. How I would love four straight days alone!

Lila, you did something.

I always tell myself I am going to get extra ready ahead of time and I never make it. Maybe this can be the year for both of us?

My dad has high cholesterol. There are only three options - reduce fat and sugar in your diet, exercise more, and medication.

(Well, there is also drink a lot of alcohol, but do not recommend. That reduces your cholesterol by damaging your liver. My dad tried that years ago and he would joke that he had fixed his diet and he was maxed out because he couldn't run any more and still find time to drink, and he couldn't drink any more and still run. It would have been funnier if he was drinking less at the time. But he's good now.)

The boys spent the night. We had fun and will hopefully have a good day today but I am tired. Buddy was up from midnight to one.

Carry on!

Everyone, I'm only a third of the way through the posts. The Bible verses were very sweet, SubC. I enjoyed reading them.

Was derailed last week with an infection that covered about a third of my face including one eye and my cheek. I am much better now. Had a telehealth on Monday and then an in-person Dr appointment on Thursday. I WFH all week, which was both good and bad. Good because I didn't have to take sick time but bad because I felt alone.

Going to go clean the cat boxes. It's always something.

Lila, Messi, SubC keep up the good work! You are doing great!

hi SubC! You are getting ready for school, and I am getting ready for classes and courses. We have a cycle at work that begins in September. So this week will be prep, and it rolls out constantly until early December. I get a very minimal break week in December but really am preparing for 2 more courses that start in January. Maybe if I get that prep done early, I can get more rest in the last half of December.

I do feel better when things are cleaner and done!
Yesterday I worked a few hours at home (work work) prepping for work today. Today I came home after noon, vacuumed, made food to eat, and worked on my planners (they start Sept 1 with the work cycle). I got the Home planner all ready and am working on the work planner.

However the only thing I did for my bedroom was bag up some protein bars and give them to TotsDad.I did have a volunteer training yesterday and a blood draw and a hair cut.

Tomorrow is a paid day off - another opportunity to work on my room.

I also got my bloodwork back today and my cholesterol is higher than ever. I have to get it down. I created a health section in my home planner where I am working on things. Cholesterol will be one of them. Although I am not sure how. I will have to do some research.

Good morning!

I painted the first section of the alcove and made some progress on lesson plans yesterday afternoon. No sodas, extra sugar.

Bean's family arrived late in the afternoon to camp in our yard and I spent time with them. They are still (asleep?) out in their tent and Dh has left for golf. I slept really badly last night, which is an issue because Bean and Buddy are spending the night tonight while their parents travel for a special anniversary party. I will have Tuesday to recover and finish getting ready for school...

Lila, how did your day go yesterday?

My only goal for this morning (before the kids leave) is to finish as much as possible of my lesson plans for this last class I'm not prepared for. I basically need to have the whole month of September sketched out before we start on this one..

Second post of the day.

I am cleaning up after myself.
Also, basement floor washed
Laundry running
Little table 30"*42" clear (can see slightly less of dining table surface, but that's ok)
More of the dining porch floor is clean.

So far, no diet soda. Or extra sugar.

How are you doing Lila?

Good morning!

I slept late today.

Lila, I'm glad you have health insurance. And I hope the cleaner is everything you hope. I have a really good vacuum that makes a big difference for me.

Does your house feel better this morning with all that cleaning done?

Let us know if you do some bedroom work. Remember, if you hit a hard thing like the dog hair - secure it and set it aside. You can circle back later!

Today I plan to scrub the basement floor
Work on lesson plans
And
Clear off the small table on the dining porch (some stuff will go out to the studio, some stuff will move to the dining table, some may go)

I may also
Do some outside work
Do some work on alcove shelves
Do some laundry

We shall see...

Nice work on the sorting and recycling, SubC! That does sound like a lot!

I came to a halt when I tried to work in my room, mainly because other things I HAD to do today, and some that felt more urgent and doable, were in my head. So all I did in my room was vacuum a bit. I hope to work on it tomorrow.

What I did get done today:
- trash out to trash can, 3x
- sorted the fridge and tossed anything old
- unloaded, loaded, and ran the dishwasher including the coffee pot parts and dog dishes
- hand washed the dog's elevated dish holder and wiped the floor that was under it
- ordered some groceries online to be delivered
- washed 2 loads of work things (tablecloths and aprons and towels, because I am the program director and the usual volunteers who do this were not there)
- washed 2 loads of my clothes and towels
- dried and folded everything, and will put my clothes away since they are on my bed
- brushed my dog and played with her

I also sat outside to read, made coffee and a nice breakfast of eggs and toast, worked on filling out my new planner which starts in September, took a few calls, paid bills

AND

researched my health insurance choices, talked to 3 brokers, and selected a plan. That was my #1 priority for today!

Oh! And I bought a new thing that I have wanted for about 2 years but could not justify spending $79 on it. It is a spinning cleaning tool with 6 different brushes and polishers on it, an extension wand, and it has a rechargeable battery in it! It was on sale for $39! I am excited because it runs for an hour and a half, and it is just what I wanted to clean those tough areas that need to be scrubbed. Like tiles, corners, sinks, baseboards. Scrubbing hurts my hands, so I think this will be so fun when I use it for my fall cleaning (maybe next weekend!)

I also relaxed and watched tv and stuff. I had a pretty nice and productive day overall.