| Tatoulia | Posted: 27 September 2019 - 06:50 AM |
Good morning and coffee clinks!!! Starting Phase 12! Happy Autumn! There's a proverb that says, Life starts anew when it gets crisp in the fall. Let's do this!!!! | |
Replies (1187)
| Tillie | Posted: 25 October 2019 - 12:22 PM |
What a novel idea It is easier to declutter or rearrange items when you know what exactly you want in that space. Just read CriticalMass' link. Purses!!! HaHaHaHaHa 😀 | |
| Tatoulia | Posted: 25 October 2019 - 11:44 AM |
Tillie I'm so sorry about your health yesterday. I know you took good care of yourself. You are very smart that way and I try hard to take care of myself too. CM glad that situation was fixed easily! You need to clean out your purse! It sounds really heavy!!!! I need to clean out my purse, too. Mine is light but there are all sorts of Kleenex and cloth napkins and cloth dishcloths. So it's full and messy but light. Doesn't make it any easier to find what I need! She did it!! Mom's 90! Ok I had a fantastic idea for my next round of paring down things. I need to determine which things need homes and then eliminate things til they have homes. Example, every AM when I make my bed, I fold up a blanket and put it on a closet shelf. I had to clear out a shelf to do that and it's fantastic So today I was trying to figure out where to put something that I also use frequently but I don't want to have out. So I need to clear a closet shelf. SO EASY to look at it this way. Honestly, I feel like I invented something. | |
| Tillie | Posted: 25 October 2019 - 11:12 AM |
Good Morning Everybody Hi CriticalMass HAPPY BIRTHDAY TATOULIA"S MOM! 😀 After today the temps will dip down. | |
| CriticalMass | Posted: 24 October 2019 - 10:11 PM |
Just a flyby Got storage unit unlocked easily with spare key. Took the lock to the key guy downtown. He said the lock should be fine. So I got a new spare key made for it, and some lubricant. I didn't tell the backstory yesterday, which was that the key originally got bent in my purse! I made a boo-boo in trying to use it anyway, only later remembering I had the spare at home. Eeks. My purse apparently IS a black hole, as I've long suspected, with crushing gravitational and whatever other forces within its depths, capable of swallowing stars, crushing planets, and bending keys. (It's my fault for squashing so high a mass of junk in there - violating the laws of physics.) So I believe I'll get a protective case for the keys! And attempt to dejunk the purse. My shoulders and neck will thank me. Tatoulia, and everyone, keep encouraging me not to give up regarding the storage unit. Right now it's a necessary evil, but maybe that can change. Since last week or whenever I moved back in my bedroom, and the most recent visits to the storage unit, I just want to have things change somehow, radically. I need to discern what that entails. I'm starting with some more intense soul searching regarding why I keep some things. Papers and receipts for example. Like I'm really going to - WHAT? Balance every bank statement for years to the penny? And if I even could, WHY?! And that would be more fun than doing artwork, writing and sewing HOW, exactly? Well, my life has a lot of moving parts - income, clutter, mind quirks, whatever. But I'm feeling that I need to break the logjam so things don't get worse. Googling too in hopes of finding a hack or two that fits the current situation. Found this article and thought I'd share: | |
| Tatoulia | Posted: 24 October 2019 - 08:33 PM |
I'm out running errands with BF. Stopped by mom's to clean litter box and bring some of the party supplies. I am exhausted. I still have to take my garbage out. I'm a bit frazzled but for no real reason. | |
| Tatoulia | Posted: 24 October 2019 - 06:21 PM |
CM did you see the story about the woman who bought a partially completed quilt/embroidery project? She bought it for $6 at a flea market then put out the call for help. Well worth looking up. https://time.com/5709690/viral-quilting-project/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Ftopstories+%28TIME%3A+Top+Stories%29 See if this link works. Extremely dear story. | |
| Tatoulia | Posted: 24 October 2019 - 06:16 PM |
Good work getting the hoses ready for winter, Tillie! Did you winterize the pipes today? I'm exhausted. I still have to go to mom's to clean the litter box and there is still lots of stuff to be done here. I have the flowers and they look really pretty. I have them in a sandwich glass pitcher my mother got as a wedding gift. I'll take pictures and post. I'm tired. I got frazzled today. I have the cookies-oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip and m and m chocolate chip. Garbage needs to go out tonight. I have the cutest cat right next to me, begging me not to feel frazzled. Bf met me halfway and we walked home together. I love him so much. Hello SubC, CM, Tess, Ellie, Joan. | |
| Tillie | Posted: 24 October 2019 - 10:56 AM |
Good Morning Everybody YEA! CriticalMass Very happy Tatoulia that you took that photo of the empty storage! Don't know why but Scooter's cloth mousie was drowned in the water bowl over night. Yesterday after I watered the garden plants I detached the hoses from the faucet and have them drained & where the sunshine can warm them making them easier to roll up to put away. | |
| Tatoulia | Posted: 23 October 2019 - 09:44 PM |
November 28, 2014. What a relief, nearly five years later, to no longer have the expense of the storage space and the weight of the possessions. I kept nothing that was in there. Nothing. It was filled to the brim. I found the picture and posted it on Instagram. | |
| Tatoulia | Posted: 23 October 2019 - 09:20 PM |
You passed the pop quiz! Congratulations on getting the key out of the lock! Great work. The day I cleaned out my storage space was a great day for me. Now, my situation was different so once I got going, I couldn't stop. My storage was an extra room. Stuff I was saving. Yours, I seem to recall, is due to the fact you moved in with a roommate so much of your stuff you'll use when you have your own place again. I had been at a conference and one of the speakers had us make a pledge, and I pledged to get rid of my storage place by the end of whatever year we were in. I either got rid of it by Nov 1 or maybe it was Dec 1. I'll find the photo of the empty storage and post it. I let it all go. I kept the hard stuff for last and by the end, the hard stuff was easy. I will be addressing my headaches with my dr. Maybe the new combination of meds. My lecture tonight was excellent! So enjoyable. Ellie I hope you are relaxing. Tillie I have posted a few pictures if you can head over to Instagram! Goodnight, dear friends. Excellent job in resolving your issue today, CM!! Hello SubC Hello Joan, I'm thinking about you! | |
| CriticalMass | Posted: 23 October 2019 - 07:17 PM |
I passed the Pop Quiz! And the bit of key is out. I also remembered that I have a spare set at home. Tomorrow I'll see if I can get in. Tillie, I saw the hacksaw blade mentioned online. I didn't try that, but thanks for the testimonial which I hope none of us will ever need! 😉 I used dental picks, tiny screwdrivers,and other assorted implements. And many prayers! There was a hole on the back of the lock and I used a hammer to pound one of the small screwdrivers chisel-fashion, which helped the most in getting the key back to the surface enough to wiggle it the rest of the way with the picks. I'll probably purchase a new lock, since I don't know if I damaged this one. That's okay. Longing for the day I can have my own place and not need a storage unit, hopefully ever again. I'm going to do some praying about all of that - the best way to rebuild my financial stability, whether a part time job is doable, etc. Regarding the job thing: A few days ago, my curiosity piqued again as to whether part of the reason I struggled so with employment (and feel dread contemplating it - even nightmares are not uncommon) might be that I have a touch of the Aspergers/autism that runs on the maternal side. So I took a test I found online. Scored 28 points. 34 is the level for autism, though the test is just one online test. There were a few questions that I almost could've answered opposite which might've increased the points. I realize lits of people wonder if they're on the spectrum these days. And I know it probably wouldn't make a lot of practical difference at my age. But I was curious. The average score in a control group was 14 point something. Also, women on the spectrum who blog about it say there are female characteristics that are not yet well studied, as with female ADHD. Well, like I say, I was curious. I'll let things ride on that for now. If there's something I need to know, I'll know when the time is right; if not, no harm done. Hope I didn't digress too much - I'm still absolutely thrilled to get that lock and key situation sorted!!! | |
| Tillie | Posted: 23 October 2019 - 06:43 PM |
CriticalMass Hi Tatoulia Wish you could shake these constant headaches. 🙁 So wonderful you are here with us. YEA! for cleaning fairies! | |
| Tatoulia | Posted: 23 October 2019 - 05:06 PM |
I like the "pop quiz" remark but I'm sorry you are going through it, CM. I'm just so sorry. Tillie my cleaners came and ended up doing the whole house. I was going to pay a lesser sum for just the kitchen and the bathroom but it ended up being practically the whole house so I paid full rate. They brought me a lot of chicken pies. I took a picture. Still warm and I ate two. She told me to freeze them. I have my lunch for tomorrow! I'd already made my own bed since I thought they were coming tmr. They were cleaning my neighbor's house and had enough time to do the kitchen and bath. Then one of them ran to get my pies and traffic, etc meant the house was fully cleaned. So I'll skip next week. Tillie I'm so happy you got me here. This was a group effort and it has made a significant difference in my life. I came up with a pair of mittens and another dress and a skirt for her too. I also had them make the foldout with me. I'll pull it out and dress up with blankets and quilts tmr night. I have a giant headache and I need to get showered, etc for my lecture. There's a great course on Ancient Nubia that the MFA will be holding but it's Wednesdays during the day. What a shame. I am going to go to their Sunday lecture on sugar. I think it's the first or second week of November. | |
| CriticalMass | Posted: 23 October 2019 - 03:06 PM |
Trying hard not to think this week is jinxed... Went over to my storage unit to grab one quick thing - and the key broke off in one of the two padlocks. I am praying and asking God for patience and to trust that it's going to be okay. I was just praying this morning asking forgiveness for all the times I blow up and have hissy fits and cuss, etc. I was not expecting there to be a "pop quiz" today on the subject of patience. At least I can see the humor in it. I'm off to buy a set of lock picking tools in hopes that I can get the stump of key out without having to spend money on locksmith services. Stay tuned! | |
| Tillie | Posted: 23 October 2019 - 10:45 AM |
Good Morning Everyone We sometimes "toast" each other with our tea, coffee or other beverage. Hi Tatoulia Today I plan to water the flower garden, cook something and clean the kitchen. | |
| Tatoulia | Posted: 23 October 2019 - 09:15 AM |
Good morning! We had rain last night and this AM and now it is a sunny Fall day. I'm taking mom to get her hair done today. I told her to meet me downstairs in her wheelchair so I can keep things on schedule. I also have a lecture tonight but I'm not joining my friends for dinner. I feel overcrowded with things to do. I finished a giant project at work yesterday and my other giant project is coming close to completion. These two projects factor into my bonus. I'll be glad when they are done. I am waiting to see if cleaners are coming today or tomorrow. Honestly if they can just squeeze in time to do bathroom and kitchen, I'll be happy. Cm! I'm glad you are making progress! I'm glad you found that blog! I do hope all went well at the doctor's office. My next visit is on Veterans Day. I haven't had blood work in a few weeks so I'll try to stop up next week. I generally like to go every week or every other week but after my last one, my doctor said I could take a break. Ellie i hope you felt a ?good exhaustion ? the next day. No one wants to be exhausted but I hope you kept your progress in mind!!! It can get overwhelming! I'm busily getting things ready for mom's party. I have all of the plates, napkins, etc. I have the platter washed and ready for the cookies. I finalized the flowers yesterday and will pick up tmr. Okay back to work for me. Ellie, I work from home two, sometimes three days a week. Tillie what are you doing today? I'm going to fight the urge to goof off and have a productive day. | |
| Tillie | Posted: 22 October 2019 - 09:59 PM |
Good Evening Everybody Hi CriticalMass YEA! the grumpy mood was gone! I'm glad roommate is inspired to try to keep a plant alive over Winter just as I am glad that your Barbies inspire your creativeness. Looking forward to dr. appt and bunny club updates. Hi Ellie Watered the grass today, maybe the last time this year. | |
| Ellie | Posted: 22 October 2019 - 09:04 PM |
Hello my new friends! Thank you for the tip to copy/paste conversations in order to see what I'm replying to, I like it! I'm going to use it next time, but not tonight as I'm not in a headspace where I can even think of replying to individual topics. I think it was Tillie last night, seconded by several of you, about being super careful not to have an over-productive day that wears me out. YEP!! You all were very, very correct!! Today has been a wash, I'm very drained and couldn't even approach logging on to make a plan this morning. Oh well, tomorrow is another day... Who the heck is this Badger person? Very curious... Just wanted to let you all know that, although I was quiet today, I was thinking of my new friends in this group. 🙂 OK, going back over into the Tuesday night chat. Bye for now, goodnight! | |
| CriticalMass | Posted: 22 October 2019 - 07:24 PM |
Oh happier day! I found that blog I couldn't remember the name of. I knew it was by a Catholic and that something about it played into my writing of my science fiction novel. So I found this ginormous site that had like 2500+ Catholic bloggers on it. Needle in a haystack, LOL - bit there it was, in the Rs. Rationalcatholic.blogspot.com, blog by a scientist. Finding it just made me happier and more motivated for the rest of the day. Still, the grumpy mood yesterday over losing the tabs, the accompanying frustration again with my living situation, and the fact that my allergy symptoms have relapsed somewhat (thanks, Kansas wind) - all that plus winter coming on make me realize I must get it together to be proactive, else seasonal depression could easily blindside me. Tatoulia, I bet you will really get good out of that lamp. That's the kind of thing a lot of us need, and you're further north than me. I'm going to refill my vitamin dispenser pronto. Vitamin D, B complex, Omega 3 for mood, C for immunity, and so on. SubC - mmmm, apple cake. Yum. Glad school is getting into the groove. Ellie, I second Tillie's suggestion when posting to open this thread in two browser tabs if you can, using one to read and the other to reply. I also do a "Select All" and Copy right before posting. Sometimes more than once if typing a long post in stages. I kind of get what you're saying about the lost tabs, Tatoulia. I know I'm an information hoarder; it goes with being a nerd. I really had been working on deleting some of them just recently and planned to do more. And this has happened before and I've survived. Some were just junk like looking up an item on Amazon, or the weather or social media. Happy 90th to your Mom! Hope all goes very smoothly with the party. Helped roommate with greenhouse renovation tonight, since my grumpy mood was gone. The greenhouse and I have had "words" in the past. And I fear she isn't going to beat the weather. But maybe she will. I'm trying to understand that for her, being able to keep a few plants alive over the winter is like cleaning a grimy thrift store Barbie and making her pretty again is for me, or having a great plot point for my writing spring to mind. Etc. And not think about that book I've seen, The $64 Tomato. I must keep my judgment and opinions to myself. Because Badger says so. I'll make a 2nd post about my dr appt Thurs, the bunny club event on the weekend, etc. That got skipped over. But this post is long enough for now. | |
| Tillie | Posted: 22 October 2019 - 11:57 AM |
Good Morning Everybody Hi Tatoulia Thanks for the info on the pond/fountain. Good luck with all your plans for today! I wear jewelry, only at home, never when I go out. How exciting! A 90th birthday party! | |
| Tatoulia | Posted: 22 October 2019 - 06:59 AM |
Tillie they drain the pool in the winter. The fountain is flat with a drain. So in the summer the kids can play in it-I have a really cute picture somewhere and will try to find. Since it's flat (no water in a basin at the bottom), they don't have to do much to winterize it. I haven't seen it running, in fact, during any of my walks lately, even before 9PM. The reflecting pool is a strict no entering policy, and the sign says "even when empty". I bet kitty is glad you fixed up the cat post! I ran to mom's last night after doing errands with BF and after initially hiding, her little cat came out. She's being a very good girl and using the cardboard scratcher. Ok Ive got a big day in front of me. I need to remember to breathe. I'm teaching during my lunch hour and I have a meeting at 10AM. Oh and I didn't get ready for my class so naturally I'm grateful that I did the slides all at once. Except that tiny bit at the end. Maybe I can do tonight. Mom's Party is shaping up. I'm pretty excited. Cm I'm glad you could sync the computer and retrieve some of your things. Tillie I realized last night, most people don't know that I lose things. It's so silly and it should bother me, I guess, but generally I find them again and I only allow myself a short period of time to look before giving up. It made me think about what would actually break my heart and it's acting given to me by a friend and some jewelry from my BF. | |
| Tillie | Posted: 22 October 2019 - 12:34 AM |
Ellie you MUST stop yourself from working until you are frazzled, exhausted and having flair ups!!! That is called BURN OUT. Good Evening Everyone Hi CriticalMass Hi Tatoulia Lets see... I hot glued the sisal back onto Scooters cat perch scratchy post. | |
| Tatoulia | Posted: 21 October 2019 - 09:51 PM |
Yay Ellie! You did ALOT today. Great work! I love doing laundry. It's so satisfying. I had to learn to fold it and put it always, and I've been doing that for a number of years now. Again, it comes from having a place to hang and put my clothes. Tillie and others here helped me to develop good habits. I'm so excited you went to college here! I live smack dab in the city, and I walk absolutely everywhere. I work near South Station so it's a lovely, invigorating walk each day. The black cat is my cat and the only one who lives with me. The tiny striped cat is mom's cat-she died a few months ago. The lovely little pastel colored cat is mom's new cat. And the very old tiger cat is my BF's cat. BF's cat lives at BF's office. I am so excited by what you've accomplished and I'm so excited you know my city. You have no idea how happy I am right now. The one thing that I've always done, even in my worst filth and clutter, is I've made my bed every day. And I have changed my sheets at least once a week. That is something I've always managed, thank God. I generally recommend that people start with a made bed. It just feels so good. Cm we will get through this together. | |
| CriticalMass | Posted: 21 October 2019 - 09:43 PM |
Hi Ellie, and welcome. Sorry I'm in putting out fires mode but it's always a treat when a new person joins. Looking forward to getting acquainted. I synced my tablet to my laptop and in a convoluted process I can't remember (so yay, y'all are spared a boring description of it heh heh), I got SOME of the history back. But not the bookmarks and there are gaps. I can hope maybe what I did find will jog further memories. Tillie, I wasn't being critical of myself, really - Badger is trained to smack us when we do that, right? LOL. We need to introduce Ellie to Badger. Ellie, he is on my Instagram, @BunnyPlanetQueen. He is tasked with "badgering" us if we are ready to declutter yet simply dragging our heels, and he likes Sno-Cones and cucumber sandwiches. | |
| Ellie | Posted: 21 October 2019 - 08:50 PM |
I am downright giggly that I found a nice community to communicate with about these things! One down side... it's now 7:30pm mountain time... I've been going nonstop for 7 hours now. Sometimes when I get going on my household projects, getting started is the hard part. The concerning thing is that I go so hard, so long, when I finally get going, because I'm afraid once I stop I won't start again! Does anyone else have that thought process. So I just kept going all day, but now my fibromyalgia is in full swing and everything hurts so darn bad!! And I haven't even stopped yet. Now I'm doing things like cleaning up the cat and dog feeding mats, putting away last week's groceries, etc. Time to just call it a night very soon... Have a lovely evening, thanks to everyone who chatted today and shared your activities, challenges and thoughts. 🙂 | |
| Tillie | Posted: 21 October 2019 - 08:00 PM |
Hi Ellie WAY TO GO!!! You did a LOT today. We all post things that we need to do here then feel obligated to do our best to do them. | |
| Ellie | Posted: 21 October 2019 - 07:00 PM |
Oh my goodness Tatoulia, loved your instagram feed!! Your fur-babies are 100% adorable (we have 3 cats and a chocolate lab dog)... Your home pics are so inspiring! They are basically excellent "goal pictures" for what I hope to get my areas looking like some day. And bonus... loved the Boston pictures!!!!!! I had to do a double-take before I saw your caption, I was like "hey, that's Christian Science Center reflecting pool". I spent so, so, so many hours there during my college years, my college bf and I would go stroll around there all the time. Such a relaxing place to unwind in the late evenings... Fenway, Prudential Tower, oh all the memories of my youth. 🙂 Thank you for sharing! | |
| Ellie | Posted: 21 October 2019 - 05:41 PM |
Hello everyone, Wow, I've been so isolated for so long, I forgot how lovely it is to have fellow human beings out in the world who I told my intentions to at the beginning of a day. LOL!! First, let me say that reading about your days (all of you), I want to thank you for sharing... hearing about the beauty of the apricot tree, the ordinary-ness of all those tasks that take up time in all of our days - such as Critical Mass dealing with technical snafus, someone else winterizing the windows, etc. - it's good to know I'm not the only one who gets sidelined and occupied with all those types of tasks! Where does all the time go? Second, although I started my day with a too-long list, I found it pretty motivating that I did put it out there to you all, knowing I'd come back in the evening to share the outcome!! So I sat in my bed from 6:30am-12:30pm, and was feeling pretty frustrated that it looked like another day was just going to pass me by. But then I thought about my intention to update here about what I got done, so I figured I'd better get my a$$ in gear so I'd have at least something checked off the list. So here's the late afternoon update: * dishes - not done yet, but I've gathered them from all over the house into the kitchen, so I anticipate I might actually load them into the dishwasher in a little while. * my bathroom - nope, not even on the radar yet. probably not a task for today * vacuuming the public spaces - DONE * my son's room. Whooo-wee buddy, that's the one I prioritized for the day. I am so worried about him... So I got his room lovely and DONE. All clean, generally organized, and I left much of his personal items in an easy to find, accessible manner. I hope he likes it and doesn't hate me for it, I'll know in a few hours when he gets home. I've got about 8-10 loads of his laundry all out in my kitchen, hopefully I'll at least get his bedding washed and back on his bed before he gets home, but it will take me all night and tomorrow to get the rest of it done. Gotta run but I'll come back soon. thanks to you all for being here! | |
| Tillie | Posted: 21 October 2019 - 05:31 PM |
I have a severe case of CRS (Can't Remember "Stuff") Only way I can address you all individually is by opening up another window and switching back & forth between my post and this page. I'm on a laptop computer, right click on reply and now I have both pages. I know phones don't have all the same features as a laptop/desk top. Tatoulia! You always lose everything??? | |
| Tatoulia | Posted: 21 October 2019 - 04:31 PM |
Oh I bet the apricot tree looks beautiful, Tillie! Great job on getting the weather proofing up! I ended up keeping my ivy. It's starting to turn and it looks so pretty. The rest I pulled up. I think having my sister stay over will be a much smaller sacrifice than last year when I had mom's friend here for many nights. Six, I think it was. Ellie, I used to have trouble keeping up with my dishes, despite having a dishwasher. It was largely attributable to having too many dishes and no where to put the clean ones. Now when I do my dishes, I think, look how nice it is that everything fits. Not only dirs every thing fit, but I've got room to spare. If you are on Instagram I can be found at Susie.7010. I post pictures of my apartment and random cats. I hope you'll check in to see how far I've come and no I don't have before pictures!!! Ellie you'll learn our names. And we forgive if you fail to remember what we've written. I'm the chief reason why we need to be forgiving! I only remember so much. Cm just forge ahead. Sometimes when I screw up I like to decide that I'm -free instead of -less. Especially when I lose or break something. I'm wallet-free, not wallet-less. It takes the sting out of it for me. You didn't lose your open tabs, you are free of them. Try it. You probably aren't aware of how often I lose stuff. And so a long time ago, I decided how light my pockets feel now that I'm free of my keys, etc. I once was trying to get out of a parking garage and I'd lost my credit card on my way from the office to the garage, and I was trying to tell the guy that I'll pay twice tomorrow and he said, oh yeah? I think if you'd actually lost your credit card you'd be upset. And I said, call my secretary, she'll tell you that I lose my stuff so often that it doesn't even register. Funny, though, when I did call my secretary to ask her for a credit card, on her way to the garage she actually found my card. It is garbage night for me. I'm always pretty excited. Mom's Party is shaping up. I'll post photos of the things I am planning. I'm going to bring over one of my nice tablecloths. It dry cleans nicely. | |