Good Morning Everybody

Watching the sun rise.
Very cold and breezy but clear cloudless skies.

Saturday...
Anything going on with anybody today?

I'll continue to putter around inside.
Do a little tidying up and continue with alterating a dress whenever the cats allow it.

Been having more cottontail bunnies frolicking around together in my yard.
Scooter and I spend a lot of time watching them. 🙂

Hi CriticalMass

YEA! for your roommate!
The more she gets done the more usable space you get! 😀

Yeah, now that computers are smaller people don't need big desks for them any more.
Glad that desk is gone.

So much easier now that computers don't have those big bulky towers or those big fat monitors.

Thank you for explaining that painting! 😀

WOOHOO! that Justin Case's stuff is ready to go!

Poor Boy Kitty (((((HUGS)))))
When Twinkle's had a dental appointment with no food or water over night Scooter really suffered when he found the bowls were missing.
Those feral babies never get over having been hungry before they found their forever home.

Sounds like you are doing very well with your new computer and learning all it's functions.

Again I apologize for these quick, out of context drive bys, but better than no posts at all, and I can integrate better into the wider discussion maybe by next week.

SubC, so glad your daughter was okay.

After several days of nice weather here, it turned rainy and sleety, and is supposed to get worse overnight and tomorrow. Bright side, we're probably safe from grass fires for awhile now.

I had taken that disassembled computer desk of my roommate's to the curb and put a free sign on it last weekend. No takers. So Wednesday I attempted to reassemble it, thinking maybe it would attract someone. I couldn't get it back together, though. She had had an extremely heavy computer CPU and boxes of papers on it. I expect it warped subtly - the holes for the screws just refused to line up again.

So I took it all back apart! And just a little while ago the garbage pickup hauled the pieces away. It's for the best, I think. One board on the base had some evidence of cat pee on it. Someone could replace that, but most people won't go to the trouble. The trend is away from big chunky computer desks - and big chunky computers at home for a lot of people.

She has been putting her books from my bedroom onto her new shelves. Three shelves are free and I've started placing my art supplies in tentative places on the empty shelves at my disposal. This is making me feel hopeful that my inner artist will re-emerge and be productive.

I installed the Instagram app on my smartphone and deleted the Barbie pictures where the dolls' heads were cut off! I kept a list so I can resize them to include the full picture and repost them, plus some more. I'll also post at least one of my art supply shelves when I get them how I want.

The painting - I was going to tell you all about the painting. I did it in 2007 on watercolor paper with acrylic, a bright, lively abstraction. My former roommate liked it. I had decided I generally don't want to frame my paintings in the conventional way; I prefer the "gallery wrap" look, or even a frame but with the painting itself extending onto it. A symbolic statement that the art can't be "contained" anymore than creativity itself can.

But I ended up giving her the painting in barter some years back. She took it and had it put in a big frame with a mat and glass. It looks sharp for what it is, but it isn't how I would've finished it. At the time, I let it go since it was not in my possession anymore. But another few years passed, she decided she didn't want to try and ship it back to the Philippines, and she might be staying in the States to retire, so she gave the whole thing back to me!

I have kept it in a ginormous box which is another thing that took up space in my bedroom. I think my current roommate and I weren't sure whether it could be hung safely without someone to help us find a stud, and then I was toying with the idea of finding a place to put it on consignment.

Now - I am thinking of removing it from the frame, selling or giving away the frame, mat, and glass, and just keeping the painting with my other flat works till such time as I can mount it in my preferred manner. One thing I could do is paint a bunny themed painting to put in the frame and donate it to the bunny rescue for auction.

I hope in the framing process they did not trim any of it down to fit. There is a size discrepancy which makes me wonder about that possibility. I won't know until I look. And I'll just have to accept what is. I'm very possessive and mama-bear about my art! SubC, can you relate? I want to win the lottery and have a real studio!!! It'll be okay though.

All in all, it's been a happy time around here with both of us getting fired up to revamp the living spaces as best we can. A lot of Justin Case's stuff is due to go away when the rain/ice/snow is gone. Happy happy!

My roommate's car is being repaired - which was supposed to happen 2-3 days ago but got held up. The usual pattern. So I'll be leaving in a bit to go across town and pick her up, allowing some extra time for iffy streets and Friday rush hour.

It'd be nice if the worst of it would miss us, but I'm not holding my breath. I hope church will be doable. Rest of the time we'll probably veg with our projects and Netflix. And cats on laps. Heck, it's January, it is what it is.

Had hoped maybe this weekend we could go see the Star Wars movie. Maybe next weekend; she is off on MLK Day so there will be less time crunch. Might be ideal.

Boy kitty has a dental cleaning appointment on Monday, and has to have no food after midnight Sunday, thus be sequestered. I have a feeling he will not be quiet about any of it. It's hard enough on the girl, but with his feral start in life he really gets upset. Poor little dude. I will have to get a stuffed animal to sleep with that night! 🙁 Poor substitute...

I got some done with making this computer feel more ready to go - copying documents from the old computer backup to the new one's Documents file. I had an app that would make the file folder icons color coded, and I will probably find something to do that on this computer as well. I love to color code! #NerdAlert

Well, that's enough for a "quick drive by," LOL!

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Thank you

Very glad your daughter wasn't injured.
Hope your weekend plans are simple and you are able to take it easy.
Don't be hard on yourself or push yourself too hard.
Take time to take care of yourself (((HUG)))

17 degrees here. Everything is iced over.
Plans are to stay home and stay inside.
Yesterday started disassembling a dress to alter it.
Will continue on with that project today.

Hi Tillie,

Good job eating clean!

I took the bunny out to sit in the sun with me at lunch yesterday. Heart daughter came by to sit with me and I updated her on my friend's son. She asked me what else was wrong and I just told her I can't cry at school.

I sent heartgrandson's very late gift home with her.

My younger daughter had a car accident yesterday. She is ok. She's coming home for the weekend.

I am mostly winging it at school today. I have three discussion topics and a game. I was going to take a chicken, but it is raining and I am tired.

Good Evening

Got some snow, might get some more tonight.

Did well again not eating crap today. 😀

Almonds, tea, oatmeal, 2 bananas, an orange & some frijoles.

My sweet tooth is not happy but I honestly have to get the sugar consumption under control.
The cravings are worse when I am being annoyed and frustrated by someone.

Good Morning Everybody

Good possibility it might snow today.
That's alright, I'm not going any where or have any outside things needing done.
Have some scraps to put out under the evergreen tree for the birds where it won't get buried if it does snow.
Hoping there will be no distractions from him to keep me from doing what I want to do today.
I want to sew.

Good Evening

Hold your little snuggle bunny close Subclinical
(((((HUGS)))))

Hi Tatoulia
YEA! for a fresh hair-do! 😀

WTG! for all the bedding laundry!
Sleep softly tonight in all that clean freshness. 🙂

YEA! for having a clean kitchen to wake up to.

Good luck and have a good day tomorrow at work.

So far today I have eaten NO sweets or other such nonsense.
Had some almonds, some of the frijoles I made up yesterday, two small bananas, an orange.

I am a little bit broken tonight.

Another lost child.

I'm taking my new bunny to school tomorrow just because I want to.

Glad you got to vacuum today, Tillie. And clean the bathroom.

I washed my blanket, thin white quilt and duvet cover. Nice fresh bed for me! I changed my sheets but didn't wash them yet. I wanted to focus on the big stuff.

Hair cut and colored, feels really nice. I'm going to put on a shower cap and take a shower before climbing in my clean bed.

I don't want to, but I'll be going to work tmr. I'd love to stay home but there's a meeting that would best be done in person instead of being part of the conference call.

Running the dishwasher and I want to wipe down my kitchen counters.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
Keeping up with things counts BIG TIME!
WAY TO GO! for maintenance! 🙂

Well, he finally woke up and I have vacuumed everywhere.
Got the bathroom cleaned without him throwing me out when I was half way through too.
Right now I am all caught up with maintenance.
Time to think about eating something.

Getting my hair cut tonight. Really needs it.

I'm doing the usual laundry and trying to decide what's for lunch. I had terrible nausea last night. The cold air on the way home helped.

I'm washing some of my bedding, too. The thin white quilt.

I'm keeping up with things here but no measurable progress. I want progress so I'll have to look alive.

Good Morning Everybody

That is discouraging Subclinical
Unfortunately that is how most all major retailers deal with returned merchandise, even those who charge a "restocking" fee.

My heart breaks for your friend.
Still hoping for a better outcome for her son (((HUG)))

Get the goggles adjusted and get back in the swim of things. 😀

Planning to vacuum thoroughly today.
Just hope he doesn't sleep all day so I can run the vacuum without being yelled at.
Need to clean the bathroom too.

Hi, going to be me focused.

Except, CM, wow! That was overwhelming!

It was pretty much good to be back at school. Two of my students are not returning. One left the program (no other information) and the other is just leaving my class. She has been struggling to attend all semester, but I am sad that this is how it turned out.

My friend is trying to raise funds for her son's defense. He has another hearing at the end of the month, but for now he is still scheduled in regular court in March. She had to put her daughter in residential care on suicide watch.

I cut my swim short because my new goggles were leaking (I broke the old ones in December and I think I just need to get the strap adjusted right) and because I am out of shape.

I dropped off the recycling and some trash, and I returned the lights that the sent me. Menards refunded the whole cost - shipping, handling and all, and I was feeling pretty good about them. Then the transaction was over, and the girl tossed my package - new in box lights, plus bubble wrap, paper packing list and cardboard box - all 100% recyclable, directly into the trash can behind the desk. Apparently it costs too much to check the lights and restock them. So, I am done shopping there. I need to write a letter.

Full day coming today. Not really making it on the letting go front.

Good Evening Everyone

My Goodness CriticalMass! :/

Hope you have been having bunny & kitty snuggles and are ready to get a good night's sleep. (((HUG)))

Well, kitchen is clean.
Dusted the livingroom.

Did a lot of decluttering of tiny dribs & drabs.
Small bit of cheese, small bit of salsa, tiny stub of beeswax candle, a few pine scented incense, 5 slices of bread from the freezer, remnants of blackberry jam, etc...
Finished burning the candle. Burned the incense.
Made frijoles, added the cheese & salsa.
Had a peanut butter & jelly sandwich.
Finished the jam, fed the birds the leftover bread.
No more little bits of dribs & drabs. 😀

CRAZY day!

Right after my previous post, I needed to prepare to leave the library. There was a kerfluffle, the librarian asking if anyone had a white van parked on the north side of the building.

My van is indeed white, but parked elsewhere. I got up to leave, smelled smoke. Saw fire trucks coming. There was a grass fire on the lawn of the church next to the library. Grass is really dry here It could've been somebody's cigarette, but there was also a large grass fire near downtown, so maybe a cinder drifted.

They got it out quickly but the engine was blocking me in. I had a throat full of smoke but I'm fine now.

Experiencing technical difficulties with my mood. One of my trickiest to deal with friends called me last night and was, well, tricky to deal with. I didn't get enough sleep, either.

Just now, at the library computers, I had to deal with a guy playing music too loud. Earbuds don't really help a lot. Hope he wasn't high or drunk because when the librarian got after him THE 2ND TIME mind you, he up and left. I have to go out to the parking lot in just a minute here.

Safety check later...

Good Morning Everyone

Have a great day at school today Subclinical!
Toning up your muscles and getting the cardio work out from swimming is something great for your overall health.;)

Hi Tatoulia
WTG! for your Mom!
It's always nice to use something treasured and beautiful for every day use.
We all deserve to use "The Good stuff" regularly on a daily basis.

So far internet is working perfectly.
So maybe one out of six or so used routers he's picked up is actually good.
But the illogical logic of having all these questionable items stored around here still sucks. :p

Today I am forcing myself to do something.
Will start with cleaning the kitchen.

Well I'm glad he found a router that works. I know this reinforces his believe about usefulness but you have a router that works!!!!

Mom's been easier with the let-go. She's been pretty great about this and that. She had some hideous coaster that she was using. Really awful. It was like a project a child would do except I'm pretty sure it was made by an elderly person. She let me trash it and then I brought out a beautiful piece that was part of her grandmother's china set.

I am already running late for work. Let's chat again tonight!!!

SubC I gave away all the cookies except about five, which are in my freezer and which won't last long, I'm afraid.

Hi Tatoulia,

I gained so much weight in November and December that that three pounds is mostly noise, but at least it means I am putting the brakes on. I go back to swimming with my girl this evening as part of my "getting in shape plan" but what that probably means is that I will restore lost muscle, increase my appetite, and gain a little back this week.

Baking cookies sounds like fun. But I would eat too many!

CM, I am so excited about your project! I found myself wanting to come help make an assembly line for handing out books. Very curious about this painting.

I hope somebody takes the desk.

Tillie, I hope today is a better day.

All I have to do for my classes this morning is gather up some books and materials and make a few copies at school.
We are starting poetry in my language arts classes. I am excited about sharing some of my favorite poets.

I know that tonight I will be tired.

Hello Everybody

Hi Subclinical
YEA! for being ready for school 'cause you know what you'll be doing even though you aren't quite ready.

WAY TO GO! for just simply tossing those candy wrappers!!! 😀

Good bye recycling.

Hi Tatoulia
YEA! for birthday cookie baking!
WTG! for kitchen clean up & cat box cleaning & garbage out! 😀

Hi CriticalMass
I love those books and the BBC series too.

That is a big major project going on there.
Seems like a big complex shuffle going on but all that hard work will really pay off in the end.
WAY TO GO!!! bath of you (((HUG)))!

Didn't do anything ever since the internet fiasco started.
He is such a drama queen and sucks all the will to live out of everyone.
Hope tomorrow I have the will to go on living and actually do somethings.

Today I decluttered the notion that I should try to do something constructive when all I can do is curl up in the fetal position and just try to survive, somehow.

These are busy days!

My roommate's office is really changing! We have assembled and rolled in two wire shelving units now, and disassembled and gotten OUT one big computer desk.

The desk is out on the curb with a FREE sign on it; however, I may have to reassemble it to attract a taker. That wouldn't take long, since I took it apart and remember how to put it back together.

In my bedroom, I removed one shelf's worth of books and handed them through to her. But stuff was threatening to topple, I was tired, and I started to get aggravated, so we took a break.

Today I was able to pull the big painting from behind other stuff - and out of its even bigger box. There's quite a story about this painting. I'll tell the rest of it later. I think the big box can go away, because it is TOO big, and I may be taking the painting out of its frame. I never wanted it framed behind glass in the first place. That's the long story.

I'm sleeping out on the couch in the living room again until this project gets to where I don't have to pile things on the bed. Don't worry, I know this won't drag out very long, and it's all going to be very worth it.

This evening I got a phone call from a friend whom I love dearly but who can easily frustrate me. But I feel better now, after we watched an episode of "All Creatures Great and Small." I love those books and that show. All the actors are good. Peter Davison was in it before he became the 5th Doctor Who. He's the one we got to meet at the Doctor Who convention in 2016. 🙂 That was fun.

Getting major clutter backlog is helping me feel hopeful about being able to be more productive on my creative endeavors, though once in awhile it also brings some sad feels - like how long will it take, will I really conquer clutter, will I ever be able to earn enough money to get a place of my own...

But overall, more good than bad - this living situation will be a lot less stressful on both me and my roommate for our having done this work. And we have more projects, bit by bit. Time keeps rolling on. It's less than 2 months till my church's quilt bingo! And spring is not that far off. Longer days, more energy - though we're not doing too badly right now.

Best wrap it up and start to prepare to bed down the bunnies and myself, and mister kitty will be along to share the couch, I'm sure.

I will read and respond to all the posts when the busy-ness settles just a bit.

Hello! A lot of posts to catch up on. I ready about half.

Congratulations CM! I'm pleased that your roommate made good progress! I hope it's contagious because I need to make progress!

SubC I like your bathrobe collection. I have four. Two summer, two winter. One of each is terry so I can wrap up in it after a shower. Summer is a short terry.

Tillie the dress sounds very nice! I'm sorry about the router problems and not sure if they've been resolved as I haven't finished reading.

SubC I am jealous of your weight loss. I'm a bit bloated from the holidays. I think I'll go do my relaxation tape and try to get back in track. I did walk around the city tonight. 35F and not windy. Absolutely beautiful. Perfect.

I baked cookies for my neighbor today. He turns 88 tomorrow. The cookies came out great and I took a bunch to BF and a few to mom. Sour cream sugar cookies. Very tasty.

Garbage out and cleaned litter box here and at mom's.

I cleaned up most of the kitchen after baking. Have one cookie sheet to wash.

Here is hoping on the router!

I am not ready for school. But I will be fine. I know what I want to do for classes and I will get it together in time.

Recycling is in the car.

Today I let go of sorting the candy wrappers and trying to save the foil and just put them in the trash bag.

OK
Some months back he picked up a router in it's original box.

Did not want to try using it because he would have to read the manual to get it up & running.
Since he acquired it not too long ago it was not buried too deeply in the hoard.

So, anyways...
he brought it in, looked at the small thin manual and connected it.
There was a password printed on the manual that I typed into my Roku and laptop.
It has been streaming beautifully for the last 4 hours.

Lets hope the router drama is finally over.

Good Monday Morning

Are you ready for school Subclinical?

Yesterday the queen and I had a lovely visit ;p
Have no idea if he will buy a new router or keep digging through the hoard for another old broken one.

He believes he is saving money by buying questionable electronics at thrift shops, yard sales or digging them out of dumpsters.
Then even when they prove to be garbage he still keeps them believing they have valuable parts that he can use to fix other broken electronics.
He does this with lawn mowers, weed eaters, vehicles, air conditioners, radios/stereos, space heaters, etc. anything...
He is not any good at fixing things even if they are fixable.
So all this stuff just sits here collecting dirt and providing shelter for insects, rodents and reptiles.
In reality his hoard is expensive and costs money, time, quality of life and risks our health.
But he protects and defends it viciously believing that it is prudent and valuable.

heavy sigh

LOL Subclinical 😀

Yep, made Jack that warm bed on the porch with a down comforter that had seen better days but was still warm. 😉

Perfect spot for that owl.

Any bit of added insulation will help in some way.
WTG! DH!

YEA! for that clear path!!! 😀

Almost noon.
Did all my every day cat chores and swept too.
Need to eat.
Internet connection still sucks. He's not here.
Doubt he will return with a new router. >:(

Tillie,

Let us know how the queen likes your new dress! 😉

Dh decided to spend the morning putting insulation in along the top of the wall of the basement section under the addition. Hopefully that will keep the floor warmer, and maybe the basement and maybe cut our heat bill a little.

To get to that job, he had to walk through my part of the basement (and yes, the path is still there.) on his way, he noticed a little clay owl sculpture that I made as an example for my class. He scooped it up and installed it on top of one of the kitchen cabinets so it is perched up there looking out over the room.

I am back on the letting go path. I have been doing laundry and making up the guest beds. I decided that an old feather/down comforter that is too much feather and not enough down can go. It has feathers with sharp shafts that work their way out of the batting When you wash it. I will take it to the thrift shop and maybe someone will buy it, if not for a bed, it would be good for a dog. my mother would give the dog old worn out blankets to make a nest in the doghouse all winter and then throw them out in the spring.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Subclinical
YEA! for having a "company" robe And still get to wear the old favorites.
Giant fat Elmo LOL 😀

Rosemary tree sounds nice.
Hope it lasts.
I gave up on potted plants but my cactus is still alive, kinda sorta.

WTG! for deleting all but water, tea & coffee weekdays and no eating after 8pm and losing some weight!
Simple little changes like that make a huge difference and aren't too hard to stick to.

YEA! for marathon shopping yesterday and getting good food for the critters and you. ;D

Hi CriticalMass
YEA! for roommate and for you helping her!
The sooner she gets rearranged in there the sooner you get that shelf space in your room. 😀

Even with the distractions keep your chin up and do what you can today.
Feeling out of sorts in the beginning of January is very common.
Get as much rest, sunlight and nourishing food as you can.
The longer days will start to improve everybody's outlook soon. (((HUG)))

Maybe today I can start alterations?
Maybe today he will go buy a NEW router and quit digging out old outdated used sketchy thrift shop ones from his hoard???
Maybe today I'll have tea with the queen 😛

Sunny & no precipitation the next few days.
No yardwork to do but should get outside a little anyways for the vitamin D.

Yay Tatoulia for finding your gloves!

So good to hear about how you are taking care of yourself.

I actually have four bathrobes - a faded light cotton summer robe that I have had for 30 years - this is the one dh was hoping the kids would replace, a cotton terry robe that used to be dh's that I wear when my hair is wet, and a warm red fleece robe a size too big that I got at the thrift store that makes me look like a giant fat Elmo but is still good. Plus, now have a very pretty grey and white fleece robe with a shawl collar that is my size. We are calling that my "company robe".

Tillie,
we like the same kind of dresses! I keep resolving to never buy another dress or skirt without pockets, but then I will get tempted....

I have hope for the town. The chamber of commerce is trying very hard, but there are a lot of personalities. I am not good at interpersonal politics, so I have been trying to get involved while keeping my head down. Yesterday I bought feed and had the most delicious pancakes for breakfast! We also picked up two of the last spaghetti squash. He said there might be greenhouse broccoli next week!

I am very sorry about your router and internet troubles.

CM, that is great progress!

I hope you get all your payday things straightened out today. You reminded me that I need to get receipts in order to turn in when school starts back on Tuesday.

I did not do the letting go yesterday. In fact, I bought three new animal cookie cutters for my studio at the big grocery store (it has a kitchenwares section)

Basically I accomplished nothing except the trip to the grocery store. I don't think I can adequately describe how huge and overwhelming that place is. It is like the mall of America of grocery stores. But we got many yummy foods and dh fixed me a dinner fit for a queen. Very healthy too.

I lost three pounds last week by reducing my drinking to water, tea, and coffee on weekdays, not eating after 8pm, and asking dh to cut back on pasta and potatoes in our meals. We bought two kinds of pasta made from legumes at the store to try, in addition to the spaghetti squash.

I also got a rosemary Christmas tree on clearance that I am going to repot and try to keep alive (by that point I was too exhausted and glazed over to remember not to take on a new project) and probably too much delicious bakery bread. I think I will put some of the bread (parts of loaves) in the freezer for later.

5 of my books came in the mail (still waiting on my teacher's guide) one of them looks like I won't be able to teach it after all (not appropriate for the age level I had planned) but I enjoyed reading it last night.

Today - house in order, decorations cleaned up, and school prep. The weatherman promises sun this afternoon, so I will try to do a couple of hours outside. I'm sure that has been good for my weight as well.