You can join us anytime! 😀
Then we can head over to Subclinical's place to see her wildlife.

With all that running around you are doing don't fret over enjoying a few special treats.
They won't register on the scale or make your clothes too tight. 😉

Lots of sunshine here today but the wind is too brisk to light a bon fire.
Some high gray clouds are starting to blow in now.

HAPPY SOLSTICE!

My mother keeps saying I'll feel better upon and solstice and I do believe she's right! I did two loads of laundry this AM, starting wrapping the Levi's sweatshirts we bought for the neighborhood children, went to post office to mail two cards for BF, went to visit BF to bring him a laptop case I received as a gift, went to mom's to write out Christmas cards, went back to Post office, then To grocery store. I'm home for a bit to eat and nap, then will go out again to run more errands for BF. he is working all day and all night. I don't mind running myself ragged for him. He does it for me 363 days a year. I can do two for him.

He also, on the way in, picked up a gift for one of my girlfriends to give her husband. So he's definitely doing what he can.

Tillie can I join you and the little ones to watch the wildlife?

HAPPY SOLSTICE Everyone!

Have a most wonderful time Subclinical(((HUGS)))

Hi Tatoulia
You sure have changed!!! (((HUG)))
Wonderful you no longer feel that need to possess half a dozen of things to bring back happy memories.
Good luck reducing your plastic containers and gaining all that priceless space.

Have treats outside for all the visiting wildlife.
They all love pears.
I spread the food out under the evergreen that grows right outside my dining area window where we can watch them.
Have my candles ready to light soon as I get up. 🙂

SubC you sound happy and prepared! I have found not using all of my Christmas decorations is actually more joyful for me. So I hope you find it the same! It's (now) fun for me to decide who will be making an appearance this year.

I'll post pictures of what I did this year. Modest but making me happy.

Thanking you for your friendship, SubC.

Tatoulia, I'm glad things are going so well for you.
today the insanity begins.

Cleaning and wrapping! Dh is going shopping for food. My tree is decorated and my classes wrapped up for now (much to do over break, but there will be time after all the company leaves also.) I did not put all the decorations out this year, but I am happy with what there is. I have a small handful of ornaments to ask the kids about and then pass on.

Tonight is my new year. No time for quiet contemplation this year, but my boy will be home and I will have a fire, light my candles, and enjoy that. And my house will be as clean as it is going to get this month!

If you don't hear from me, know am thinking of you and hoping your holidays (including your birthday Tillie) are lovely!

Hello everyone!

A heavy day at work today but did meet a friend for lunch. Had salmon on a salad and it was delicious. She ordered a glass of wine and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. At the end of the lunch, she had decided to skip the rest of the day at work! So much fun! If I weren't up against a deadline, I would've joined her!

I got a lot of work pushed through today. What a relief.

I then did BF's shopping for him tonight. Just a few things but man the stores were busy and it was really really warm. I also met him at Lord and Taylor last night as he did his shopping. I didn't get home til after 10 last night and tonight.

Going to go lay down. I'm in my jammies and kitty is fed. I've called mom and she and her little one are well.

I did buy a box of Christmas cards tonight but I'm okay with it. I don't have any that are happy holidays vs Merry Christmas. I do have Happy Hanukkah cards but no just plain Happy Holidays. So I'll use this box tmr when mom and I do our cards. We will also continue to use up my plastic containers. I want to empty them and get rid of them. I take the time each day to marvel at my space and livability.

Cm I am proud of you. You are taking care of things and progressing forward. SubC your party sounds nice and how lovely to get homemade cards and sweets. I love hearing about your tea towel and the crèche. Our family crèche is long lost. But I remember it, and that's all I need. Today. Ten years ago I would have had to replace it seven times over.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
WAY TO GO!!! with all your sorting out, decluttering and organizing what remains!!! 😀

Good luck with the book sorting out.
Please do store them in smaller batches so they are not too heavy to move. 😉

Hi Subclinical
Happy you had a good day and a fun party!
Have an other wonderful time this weekend.
Enjoy your fudge making, the fantastic smells that makes.

Really quick, thought I posted this morning!

CM, I'm really gaping for you about the file box! Way to go!

I am glad you gave your new treasure Tatoulia. like pretty tea towels too. Have an anchor embroidered one from my ggmother that I use as a dresser scarf.

I put out the nativity set with grampie's little cow/sheep.

Good day with the kids. Good progress with some of them, and a fun teacher party. Was gifted several baggies of cookies, some candy, and a few heartfelt handmade cards. ❤️

Our very important party with our friends is scheduled for Monday night. I finished up stocking shopping today, so wrapping to do saturday and I can make fudge on Sunday.

Quick check in again, longer post soon.

Glad Tatoulia found the keys and Tillie something to pretty up the kitchen. SubC's bunny baby sounds adorable.

I had 3 latching transparent file boxes, and one of them didn't have much in it anyway. Now with the papers I've gotten rid of, it can hold the family memorabilia and genealogy research stuff.

Some of that will be digitized anyway. There's more stuff, photos and physical items like Dad's Air Force insignia, etc. In the storage unit. But in time, those things will be better organized. Right now the tubs I'd put it in years ago, I realized during my moves, are too large and cumbersome. That can be fixed.

Much much more to go but there is a momentum now, and one area or container cleared can make room for the GOOD stuff whivh is now in piles, though don't worry, there will be stuff from the piles that will simply go away during this process. Roommate and I will make a donation run this weekend.

Today I took some Harry Potter books to the bookstore for trade credit. I'm converting from ratty paperbacks to hardcover for the Potter series which I re-read. Other book series I sometimes go the opposite way with, from a mix of types to mass market paperback to save space.

All deemed worth keeping will be in neat, not too heavy tubs. Some books that don't earn their keep will be donated. This will take time. I hope this spring nothing will keep me from finally getting this accomplished. And with non-book items as well.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Hi Tatoulia

My kitchen sink faces the wall. So boring standing there washing dishes.
I found a pretty cast iron towel bar that has scrolly decorative ends.
It matches the soap dish I found at another time.
Anyways...
I hang the pretty little tea towels I pick up at the thrift shop for a pittance on the towel bar.
I enjoy having them to look at.
Right now I have a very pretty Winter scene hanging there.

BDay is right after XMas.

Laundry is drying nicely on the clothesline today.
Woke up with a killer headache and it just won't go away.
Depressing because I had other plans for today instead of feeling crappy.

Tillie you are living proof that we have enough. The towel is actually safety pinned to the handle so it doesn't slip off. I won't be able to use it. I will iron it at some point. I like it. It is extremely sweet. Thank you for looking at it

Ok time to get ready for work! I'm sitting with my happy lamp!!!

And Happy Birthday, as im not sure if the actual day.

That little tea towel is so sweet.
Even more special because your Mom made it. 🙂

Just remember to never grab it to wipe up spilled coffee or tea and stain it.

Those little things are what ties the past to the present.

I believe we will all start to feel better after the solstice.

On my 16th BDay my Granma gifted me with a small kerosene lamp that had belonged to her Mother.
That was 50 years ago!
I have it lit and burning on the counter almost every night this month.
Usually I burn the kerosene lamps in Summer because mosquitos hate the smell and stay away.
My Great Grandmother's lamps tie me to her and Granma.
Continuity. 😀

Tillie, when helping my mom with her things last week, I came across a sweet little tea towel she embroidered when she was engaged but not yet married. I took it and it's now in my kitchen. I just took a few photos and posted them on my Instagram. It's so very sweet. It's not ironed but I still love it. Even with washing and hanging to dry, it's got the gold marks in it. I love it and it looks really sweet with the plate over my stove.

So I look at this and think, I don't need to buy another thing.

I stopped to see mom tonight. She was asleep in her recliner and kitty was asleep on her bed. All around a very cute situation.

Well I've showered and I'm ready for bed. I am less frazzled. I'm working on it. My mother says I'll feel better after the solstice. She is very sweet.

That frankfurter sounds delicious. 😀

YEA! for a clean home!
If my maid ever shows up I am going to have to fire her. ;p

Wonderful you aren't feeling tempted to shop.
We are all here for you for the after sales if you need us.
If tempted, go look at what you already have at home.
Knowing what I have at home and what I do use allows me to "window shop" and be content to not buy.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a good clothes line day so I am doing laundry tonight.
Will get it hung out in the morning when the sun has risen.

Toasted bun makes all the difference, Tillie! I used to live Howard Johnson's frankfurter with the buttered and toasted roll. Extra relish.

I need to go to mom's in a bit but I'm exhausted.

Cleaners were great. So fast. So thorough.

Tillie my temptations to shop are nil. The after Christmas sales were always about wrappings and decorations and I still have too many. So I think I'll be okay. If I need help I will let you know! But for now I'm thrilled that I haven't succumbed!

Good Afternoon Everyone

WAY TO GO! Tatoulia!!! 😀
Now just hang on tight these last few days and you will be golden.
Please give us your promise now that you will NOT be tempted by any of those after XMas sales. (((hug)))

YEA! for cleaning fairies!
Sleep well in your professionally made bed.

Got everything on my grocery list.
Cats now have a 40 can case of pâté too so I am safe, for a while.
Was not inspired by any food offerings for my BDay.
What I really want is an old fashioned hamburger from a café.
The casinos here do a really good job making burgers.
Toasted buns, fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle with lots of those thick cut fries.
And genuine ice cream shakes.

I'm excited to learn what you choose for your birthday dinner, Tillie! Take and bake pizza, perhaps?

Hello to Winter! Sounds so cute!

Cleaners come today! I'm so much less stressed than last time! Getting the clutter out is so helpful to me.

Well I've stuck to my guns on gifts and shopping and haven't bought beyond the $10 gifts. No heavy credit card debt awaits me! I haven't bought one wrapping or card or anything. Someone at work liked my Christmas doggie tissue paper so I brought the rest in for her.

I'm feeling pretty solid. Must get back to work now.

Good Morning Everybody
"Clink!"

Just putzing around waiting for the frost to dissipate before heading into town.
Have my shopping list all made out.
Promising myself that I will not deviate from the list.
One thing not listed is what do I want for dinner on my BDay???
Hoping for some inspiration when I get to the produce section. 😉

Winter sounds sooooo adorable! 😀

So of course Mr. Kitty won't acknowledge his existence.

WTG! for taking the recycling!

Enjoy your warm little snuggle bunny. 😀

Good evening!

The new bunny is delightful. I wish I could share a picture. He is a tiny little "blue" (grey) puff ball. I have named him "Winter" because he is like winter to me - grey and fuzzy and quiet and still. He mostly draws into a ball in a corner - but he is happy - he washes himself. Mr. kitty has declared him beneath notice.

The breeder had two elementary aged children, and so the bunny is accustomed to being handled and very laid back about it. He likes to sit on my lap.

He will be inside at night and out during the day (in the 40s) until he gets a bit bigger and has a chance to acclimate.

Dh would never admit it, but I think he likes Winter.

I took the recycling today.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Subclinical
Happy new bunny day! 😀

Very glad you and Mr. Kitty had that down time together and feel it was time well spent (((hug)))

Working out in the cold once your body heat is all gone is just too taxing and then we tend to get accident prone too.
In nasty weather just do the absolute necessities and get back inside as quick as possible.

Hi Tatoulia
YEA! for such a lovely evening! 😀

Boxes and packing and wrapping really make a huge difference once we get them all out of the house to recycling.
Scooter wants to hoard every box and all packaging that comes into the house and fusses when I limit him to just one box and no packaging (bubble wrap/paper/tissue) scattered all over the place.

Stay safe in the snow and ice (((hug)))

Sun is finally coming up.
No rain or snow predicted, just very cold, 17 degrees.
Today I will get ready for one last trip into town tomorrow this year.
Make my grocery list, get my empty water bottles to fill.

Good morning all!

Tatoulia, so glad you had a good time and that the keys were found.

Working less and public transit are both good things.

CM, 4" is a lot of papers!

I started out ok yesterday - I had a plan to get a bunch of outside stuff done before the weather got nasty. But then, after I did part of it, I was cold. So I decided to gave a snack and warm up. Mr. kitty came in and I guess Badger went out, because the next thing I knew, I had spent three hours on the couch with kitty watching videos that made me cry (story lines, not depressing truths) and my body felt like a wrung out rag.

I'm sure crying out all that tension was good for me, but I got almost nothing else done - one load of laundry put away and a few more ornaments on the Christmas tree.

And now I am regretting the lost time a bit. But mostly I am trying not to let it set me back with the stress. Because I slept better last night, and if I can sleep, everything will be better.

Still no firm plans with our friends, but it's bunny day.

Just back from the Holiday Pops. What a wonderful evening. We had dinner during the concert. Lovely evening.

I've git to wash my face and go to bed. I'll feed the wirkd's Cutest cat first.

I got the garbage out before the concert. I still have Christmas things in the dining room table. Just when I think all of my $10 gifts are wrapped, I remember the jams I bought in VT, or something else. But it's significantly wound down and I recycled all the boxes now that my meager gifts have been mailed. I've been gathering packin' boxes from neighbors who have a lot of things delivered. So I've recycled the ones I didn't use. That has helped me immeasurably.

Ever since mom asked if my medications are bothering me, I feel better about my panic. Plus I know that as I clean more, I'll feel better. And my ladies come on Wednesday so that will be very nice.

Tillie we are having a messy mix in the AM. Wish I could work from home. It won't be enough for them to cancel work but a girl can dream.

Ironically I'm out of cat litter and TP. I had to get the old kind instead of the scoopable. But that's fine.

I think BF and I should discuss going down to one car. He's been very good about taking public transportation recently. I want him to live longer and I know I can get him to work a bit less by taking public transportation. I need him around for a long time.

Goodnight all of my friends. We can do this.

Have a wonderful time tonight!!!

WOO HOO!!! YIPPEE!!! HAPPY DANCE!!!
You didn't misplace the keys!!! ;D

Maybe he needs to straighten out his coffee table.
LOL 😉

Relieved it's over now. No more fretting that you lost the keys and you are free to borrow the car again Sunday.

Kitchen is all clean, again.

Stay safe, CM!! You are doing great work!! I'm so proud of you!!

Looking forward to a new bunny update, SubC!

Tillie he just called: the car keys were on his coffee table! Exonerated!

I need to get showered and dressed. We are going to the Christmas Pops tonight!!

Good Afternoon Everybody

Hi CriticalMass
Have fun following the clues to all your ancestors! 😀

WAY TO GO! Culling those unneeded papers!

Hi Tatoulia
Where would you normally put the keys when you return the car?
When you parked the car you HAD the keys.
So, from that point on it's anybody's guess where they ended up.
Does that parking garage have a lost&found?
maybe, if you dropped them in there some honest person found them and turned them in.

I understand how all that negativity and hatred leaves it's ugly stain on us Tatoulia (((HUG)))

WAY TO GO! mailing the package and working on reclaiming your table!

You all stay safe and warm!!!
The weather report says this is going to be a very bad storm.
Hope you all have nice warm foods and beverages, warm snuggly kitties/bunnies and can weather it out in your homes.

Sun is shining, no clouds but still very cold.
Did some cooking mainly to warm the house with the oven.
Kitchen is all set up for dish washing and I'll do that now.

Hi everybody

We're snow-and-iced in here. They closed the schools. Roommate is working from her computer.

I had gotten my DNA sample in, I think it was on Halloween it was mailed. Just found out the results had been sitting there - I am so bad anymore about not checking my email regularly.

So... according to Ancestry.com, I'm 56% England, Wales, & Northwestern Europe; 37% Germanic Europe; 4% Sweden (total surprise!), 3% Ireland & Scotland. I'd expected more German and possibly some Eastern Europe, and more Irish.

But it's of course more complicated than merely you live within a country or region and you have only one kind of DNA. Boundaries have shifted and migrations have happened. And what you inherit from each parent varies with your individual conception - siblings can get different results.

I pulled out papers I'd had - luckily on each side there had been relatives interested in tracing ancestors - and even got an accidental result from Google that led me to the name of the German town where my paternal surname ancestors were from before they spent a century in Russia.

This is going to be fascinating.

Also made a good start on culling the medical insurance papers. About 4" stack gone. I'm thinking one file box can be cleared and the genealogy and family stuff go in it.

Feel free to laugh, SubC. I laughed at the time. I thought it was hysterical. Now I'm in Tillie's camp, second-guessing the car keys. They are probably here. He has his second set today. But I need him to find the first set because unbeknownst to him, I need his car on Sunday. I need to be exonerated by then.

I used to accommodate my brother's mental illness to the detriment of myself. And I absorbed a lot of hatred and negativity. Whatever you need to do to cope, SubC. We are standing by your side!!

Loud sheets! Tillie!!!

I got up early and got the overseas package mailed. I'm double-checking the presents do I can put away everything and give myself my table back.

We are expecting snow/wintry mix tmr AM.

Good Morning Everyone

Yea! a new bunny! 😀
Have a wonderful time inside today with Mr. Kitty and badger.

Potatoes are sneaky and will purposely hide in dark corners where they can morph into demons. ;p

17 balmy degrees this morning.
Should get ambitious about doing something but nothing seems worth any effort.
Cats are happy to stay tucked into blankets.

Tatoulia,

I know it was awful at the time, but that is funny about the potatoes! I hope it has been long enough that you can laugh too.

Lights are very important!

This is the first time she has said she will sleep in the truck. Normally I have a bedroom available and they sleep in the bedroom or they bring their camper and sleep there anyway.
When they sleep in the house, she brings her own inflatable bed and bedding. Fil sleeps in one of our beds with our bedding. This time she has requested a towel, a washcloth, and a pillow.

My parents stay in the house, the loft, or a hotel. They like each other, so they only need one bed.

I will definitely make the fudge, but if we go there, I need to make it by Thursday. If they come here, I can make it Saturday, or maybe even Sunday, and I need to work on the back hall this week because for just my family, it is ok if there are boxes from the barn stacked off to the side, (I can even throw a festive tablecloth over them and lay extra coats on it) but with 17 people, I will need that space for an extra table.

I can't just say, well, do the fudge first anyway, because my girls will gladly help make fudge, but I have to do these boxes myself. Also, I don't want to be working on the back hall when mil is here. She will come out and start offering to throw things away for me. She always knows how I can get rid of lots of things she doesn't like.

I know mil has undiagnosed mental health issues, and I should be kinder to her, and I know dh would appreciate it if he didn't have to listen to me complain, but I tried really hard in the beginning. I thought we could be friends. And then I started to understand how she had hurt my Dh and feel like I needed to protect my kids from her, and now it has been so long and I am so tired, that I am just done.

I did not sleep well last night.

Tomorrow after school I am skipping swimming and going to get my new bunny. Today I am staying home with mr. kitty and badger. We got 3 inches of snow last night.