Hello everyone!

Cm I can feel your frustration and weariness. Can you ask yourself a question? In terms of this time last year, have you made progress? In what areas? Is it, in your mind, measurable? I think if you can take a quick pulse on your progress, it might help you. And I think you'll see that you are moving forward.

Let's take that progress and help you to make more before year's end. Would we be able to help you get back into your bedroom? I know you are eager to organize your storage before adding to it. Is it possible to make the bedroom more livable in the meantime? Again, I'm not trying to set priorities for you, I'm trying to help you move past the bad feelings and frustrations.

Tillie I love hearing about your cooking! My own little cat is sitting next to me right now. We had our cleaners today and I have an expertly made bed, which I then tested out by napping on it.

I can't decide if I'm going in tomorrow or not. I need to look at my calendar and see if I can get away with working at home.

I got a lot of things done before the cleaners today but still don't have the closets where they need to be. I am being extremely thoughtful with the hall closet. And I'm happy with it. I'm not sure I can fit my air conditioner in it. But I sure would like to.

I did laundry and laundry and laundry and now I have my comforter with duvet cover on the bed. I washed the quilt I kept at the end of the bed and put it away. From taking the duvet off the closet shelf, I have room to put the other quilt away. The thin white quilt is now folded at the end of my bed. That's a year-round staple. Tillie I couldn't remove that tiny spot of blood but I swear it's faded. I did a lot of laundry today and if I stay home tomorrow I will do a quick load of delicate darks. This time of year I've switched from white and ivory tops to navy.

So I bought a light therapy lamp at the suggestion of my dr, to help with my depression. I started using it today. I started with 20 minutes. I am curious to see if this helps me along.

I saw mom only for a second today to drop off her clean dishes. There was an aide in the hallway, so I asked her to unlock mom's door for me. I caught a glimpse of the cat as she ran to hide. So yes, the ladies are hanging out together!

I just texted my cleaning lady regarding the clothes I have for her. She's been sending two other ladies (mother and daughter). I texted Luciana last week to see if I should give them the clothes and she said she'll come get. I did get the impression that the ladies tend to struggle a bit about who gets the dresses. I might be able to find a pair of shoes for them too. I'll look through the shoe boxes.

Ok Luciana comes tmr for the bag. I'll challenge myself to see if there is anything else I can give her. I think I am wearing all the clothes in my closet but a quick look around cannot hurt.

One of my business partners emailed today to see if my address has changed, as they are getting their Christmas gifts ready. I hated to do it but I wrote back that I am grateful for their friendship and support and that is the only gift I need. It was tough to do but worth it.

I only keep about 1/10th if what they give me. Last year included a beautiful grilling set, apron, very nice implements, etc, maybe a cookbook and a chopping board. I kept the chopping board and gave away the rest. One year they gave a very nice suitcase and a lovely suitcase tag and a very nice travel pillow. I gave the suitcase to a homeless guy we know and I kept, and have used, the travel pillow. In fact, I donated my travel pillow and kept theirs. But alas, I'm better off with none of it.

It was easy to write and I was gracious but I still found it hard to press send. This particular business partner also makes a large donation to a cancer charity and I am grateful for that.

So, sight unseen, I've decided to skip it. The things that arrive at the office, I just distribute at the office. Whoever wants, can take. I used to take the food baskets to my mom's and spread around there. But I'm getting to the point where I'd rather not receive at all.

Look how far I've come! I used to grab up those freebies, useful or not. Now I see them all as not useful.

House is very clean. I still have a few dining room closet things to deal with. I don't use that room as a dining room but it's the one with the shelves for mom's china. The one I'm supposed to be cleaning.

Okay I'm going to do an hour's worth of work then go to bed. We are having high winds and rain. I wanted BF to spend the night with us but he's insisting on going home.

Good Evening Everyone

Sun just going down now.
Was a good day.
Scattered clouds but overall sunny and warm.
Both cats came outside with me and Scooter behaved!
Spent a long time updating and fixing my laptop computer.
Cooked hash browns and eggs then cleaned the kitchen.
Tomorrow is predicted to be cooler with more scattered clouds too.
Thinking of going into town tomorrow.
Maybe, just maybe the store will have fully stocked shelves and I will be able to get the things I couldn't last time.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
What a shame that all your plans get shoved aside by life's events.
(((HUG)))
That's so frustrating.

Your roommate's allergies are terribly and out of control.
Wishing she could find something to help with them.

You need to sleep. Good solid restful sleep makes all the difference in the world to our mental health and clarity.
You said your mattress was lumpy and painful.
Is there any way you could fix or turn it?
Once I fixed a saggy mattress that was killing my back by placing a board under it.
Made the bed properly firm yet still padded.

Please explain the bed/sofa issue to your doctor.
They may then be better able to help you.
(((HUG)))

Going to be another lovely day here weather-wise.
Planning to take litter boxes outside and scrub/scour/sanitize them.
Can't do it easily in the Winter without the hose.
So much easier on my back out in the yard with the hose.

Checking in also.

This is one of those weeks that looked as if it was *finally* going to be open and unstructured, only to fill up right beforehand. I've done my best to be a good sport about it, but I feel like around 90% of my weeks that look like good prospects for attempting to bring some order into my chaotic universe, suddenly change into just another week of having to put my plans for hoarding recovery efforts, or satisfying lufe accomplishments, on the back burner.

My roommate had been dealing with the ragweed - and whatever else - allergies off and on. I'd been praying it wouldn't escalate into one of her infamous long drawn out miserable battles. For her, the term "seasonal" allergies takes on the meaning of "ruining entire seasons of one's life."

She had seemed to be battling back, then it all returned and worsened. Early this morning she came into the living room and sat in her upright glider rocker. I am volunteering to surrender the sofa; I'd originally planned to attack the bedroom and move back in there.

Things drag out until they become urgent crises, and this is a pattern I hate but seem practically incapable of significantly changing. It drives me to near despair, and keeps me in a state of constantly elevated baseline stress. Which then muddles my brain and scatters my thoughts and saps my energy further. UGH.

Sorry to sound like Debi Downer. There have been good things too, scattered amidst the crazy. But what I'm sorely missing right now is any consistent structure and flow.

And of course I feel so awful for my roommate. Wretched allergies from Hell. 🙁 I can pray, and if there is some thing I can do... well, clearing the couch is a thing. I hope I can transition back to my room quietly, actually make room to walk and sleep, etc.

Tomorrow is my followup with the doctor about the back and hip. Sleeping out here on the couch basically cured me. I don't know what going back on that bed will or won't do. Just have to hope for the best.

Wish me luck...

Good Evening Everybody

Had a nice lazy relaxed day.
Did a little of this & that, all enjoyable things.
Made a candle.
Mended two dresses that just needed a stitch in time.
Enjoyed the sight of the trees changing color and the pretty Chrysanthemum blooms, white and rust and yellow.
Thought many deep thoughts.
Played with a leaf hopper.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
We miss you but we do understand (((HUG)))

Hi Tatoulia
The plastic screening also degrades over time and develops weak areas prone to tearing.
I redo some of my screens with metal screen because cats easily make holes in plastic screen.

Big cities sure do have fancy sandwiches!
That does sound delicious. ;p

So very happy your Mom loves her new kitty so. 😀

Woke up at 5am but after a while was able to fall back to sleep.
At 9am got laundry hung out on the line.
Washed it last night and had it in a plastic bag.
Today will be another lovely warm day.
There is nothing pressing needing done in my yard/garden area, I'm all caught up.
Should do some cleaning inside but I don't wanna.
When the days are too cold to play outside there will be plenty of time to clean inside.

Right now i'm Going through a rough patch.

I'm still around. I like checking up on the kitties.

Carry on.

Tillie!

I didn't do much on my list today. I ran to the hardware store but they don't repair window screens. I think the one on Charles Street does and I'll call them tomorrow. I know kitty misses sitting in her window. I don't know who or what has been tearing up my screen but I'm pretty sure it's bird poop. I had fixed it myself in a few spots last year but since the phone guy pulled it out, there are just so many areas needing attention.

The things I did do on my list were mom-related. I brought her clean dishes to her and picked up more. And I went to two grocery stores with her. I also went shopping with BF (I bought nothing-yay me) and we stopped for a sandwich. It was a different place than we normally go and they also had a sweet potato sandwich. It was delicious!!! Very hearty bread with Granny Smith apples, mustard greens, blue cheese and walnut pesto. So tasty.

I did get two loads of laundry done. The best part of my day was spending time with BF. we don't get much time together.

So that's what I got done. A lot of walking and a lot of talking. Now I'm completely exhausted. I have started to put away things from the closets and have made more decisions. Oh and cat box clean and garbage out.

Goodnight dear friends. I didn't get to hold mom's cat this weekend. I found her secret hiding spot and I don't want to disturb her. Yesterday I saw a back foot and a tail. Today I saw either her belly or her back. She was definitely sound asleep. Mom said tonight that she loves her so much that it hurts.

I'm busily preparing for mom's 90th Birthday. Will be here in under two weeks!

Hi Tatoulia

YEA!!! for gaining a hall closet and eradicating that dreaded closet!!! ;D

So nice that you can now use it for things that you need and use.

Purple cabbage nestled in some mums would look quite nice.

Been having fun outside in the sunshine soaking up all that vitamin D.
In and making some food now.

Hello! Yes it's after 12 noon and I'm in my jammies. I need to hop into shower and hop to my To do list, which is long and unwieldy.

I dreamt of putting things in closets last night. Nice, big closets. I think I can fit one of my AC units into my hall closet. Yes I have a ball closet. Formerly known as The Dreaded Closet.

Ok lots to do. Will check in soon!

Tillie I need to swap out my window boxes. I want cabbages or mums or something.

Happy Indigenous peoples' day

Going to be another gorgeous day.
The inside of the house needs some cleaning but I will spend the day outdoors enjoying the Autumn.

Good Night...

It's been a beautiful day here today.
Sunny and warm, 70 degrees.
Did a few little things in the garden.
Twinkles and Scooter both spent a lot of time outside.
Twinkles is still out there.
Scooter was very good.
Played with grasshoppers in the garden area. Didn't look for fights, kill anybody or jump the fence.
He's very tired now and inside sleeping on the couch.
I cleaned and tidied up a little in the house.

Good Morning Everybody

Slept in this morning. 🙂
Have a short list of things needing done today but nothing strenuous.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
Always good to put on fresh sheets after being in bed longer than usual.
Next time you get in bed it will be so fresh. 😀

Kitty and Mom are true night owls!

Went outside and it is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Watered lilac bushes and garden.
Got out the clippers and cut down the overly tall cat mint (catnip).
That stuff just keeps growing, even keeps fresh green leaves under the fallen leaves/snow all Winter.
Jack helped me until he got too bored.

Also straightened out my yard/garden things I keep stored in the pumphouse.
Rolled up one hose.
Emptied my Sprayer, no bugs/aphids to spray now.
Caught a big green grasshopper and gave it to Scooter.
He could not come outside because he would pick a fight with Jack.
3:00pm now and I am thinking about making some French toast.

I love the image of the cats sleeping, Tillie. Today I stopped by mom's and was able to discern a tail and a foot, curled up in a special spot. Apparently the two of them watched tv til 4AM!

I met a friend for breakfast then I went to mom's to change out the litter box. I visited with BF then took a short walk. I've stripped my bed. I slept so much Thursday night and Friday day and night that I think I need to change the sheets. I'll still have the cleaners do it on Wednesday.

I'll do a load or two of laundry before heading out. Fall day here, which is nice

SubC how awful to break your glasses. I'm bet you have headaches and feel a bit disoriented. This time I bought two day fine pair, and one is considered unbreakable so I wear
them in bed. I actually managed to chip a lens when I stood on them but the frames are fine. They are called ic! Berlin and I'm happy to have them. I've never really had two pair at the same time before and I love it. I do need to go to the optician and have her fix my unbreakable ones.

Cm I am glad you weren't in an accident but what a shame regarding more car expenses. Good that your roommate is willing and able to help you out.

I am much improved today. I ended up going to sleep around 2 PM. even though I'm salaried, I'll make up the time this weekend so I don't have to use a PTO half day.

I will go put clean sheets on the bed and start doing other things to put my house back together.

Good Morning Everyone

He Subclinical
Glad you had fun at the dinner party.
Have a wonderful time this weekend.
If you can't get the lesson plans completed this weekend due to your glasses then next weekend you will with new ones. 🙂

I have a pair of glasses for up close/reading and a pair for distance/driving and the most hated pair of bifocals that I would only wear if something happened to either of my other glasses.

This week the temps will be just above freezing over night and high 60s to 70 degrees during the day.
So, this week I will water one last time and also winterize the faucet and last two windows.
While the sun is shining I will warm the hoses to make them easier to roll up to store away.

Washed my clothes last evening and they are hanging in my room to dry.
Will put them away soon as I finish my tea.

Twinkles is still asleep in his bed on the rocking chair.
Scooter is still cuddling in my bed.

The headache is from reading with the back up glasses.

I can't keep up with everything going on here right now.

I survived the dinner party (ok, it was fun)

So much to do at home today, dd2 is coming down and we are going to a big local festival with both girls and dsil tonight.

Tomorrow dsil and I are going to the renfest.

Monday I get new glasses.

My fence is a disaster.

My house is a disaster.

There are many projects I want very badly to work on.

And I need to get all of my lesson plans done ahead again, because that was good.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Sorry about that mishap Subclinical.
Have fun tonight.
Relax and get rid of that headache.

Hi CriticalMass
Very relieved you now have proper brakes and that you were able to gather up the funds to pay for them.

You have many interests and need the creative outlets.
It's because of limited space that you can't do many of them easily.
Lets get storage organized where you can put in and easily get back out the things you need to be creative with.
This way your home spaces will be more opened up where you can create. 🙂

This would need to be "like with like" in easily carried storage solutions.
Wish I was there to help you.

Badger wants a feta and cucumber sandwich. ;p

I covered the ancient cracked splintery and breezy wooden back door with plastic.
Already noticeably less air flow through the rattily panels.

Tillie, so sorry about the power situation for you and all others affected. I pray no one comes to harm with it, but it's no small hardship at best.

My van has her new brakes and rotors. Just the front. I paid what I could and my roommate will lend me the rest. I was just getting my past debts to her almost paid down, sigh...

However, my mechanic said he was sorry, he meant to look at the brakes sooner (he's had a year of health problems and family crises). Basically said they could've failed spectacularly anytime, and I might've been in a really bad accident. Even one without injuries/fatalities that just rendered the van non-driveable would be terrible enough.

So considering that is helping me be grateful.

It turned cold here night before last. Not as bad today as yesterday. Luckily there was no hard freeze; my roommate's and my outdoor flowers are okay. She was feeling depressed at the prospect of losing them suddenly. It's hard on her when the days get short and she has to go to work in the dark to a windowless place, doesn't even get time to go outdoors for lunch some days, then has to drive home in the dark.

The household has been its usual never a dull moment. Dog woke us up 3:30 a.m. when he vomited. I was awake till 5:00 and even afterwards dreams ruined my sleep. And I guess not to be outdone, the boy kitty had left a hairball; I didn't see it. Ack.

Yet I have more energy than I would've thought. I may crash later. But I started back to work on my disaster bedroom. It's going to take a few more days, and I believe I need to return about half my Barbies here to storage. They do have a place there already, though.

When I do return to sleeping in my bedroom it will feel strange. My allergies let up but my roommate's haven't. Sometimes she opts to sleep on the couch if she's congested. So I'm cognizant that at some point I may need to yield it. And if so, the dog will sleep with her, and it will have hair and dog smell. (When I sit there, if I get to, I put a sheet over their sheets during those times.)

There are three places in the living room to sit for TV, two of which are upright chairs that I get squirmy in, and they are too accessible to the dog. The couch is easier to block him from because of other furniture. I hope we don't have to switch.

I know this all sounds so First World Problems. Enough about it.

I am pleased that I'm getting my art supplies gathered, cleaned, and stored accessibly in my room. Some of them I had taken back to the family room two or three years ago because I certainly can't paint in my bedroom. Then crises kept me from finishing the painting. I'm going to try again to make it work.

Also, the place where I attempted to paint is also the same spot where I try to sew. It's supposed to be shared workspace. Plus it's currently cluttered. Sigh again for the unfinished sewing. The clutter is being dealt with, though. I found a better sewing box, and some other steps to be taken for a neat way to stow quilt rulers, equipment, etc. is in the works.

Still, it's a lot of interests I juggle, and I know that complicates things, but they're like my children, I love them and don't want to get rid of any! I've never been able to specialize and have a narrow focus - and my creative things energize each other.

Well, better wrap up for now - Badger wants lunch.

Hi!

Broke my glasses, wearing back ups. Headache. New ones on Monday. Dinner party tonight. Crazy busy!

Good Morning Everyone

HI SUBCLINICAL! 😀

Hi Tatoulia
Glad you are trying to keep your free days free for more enjoyable and relaxing times.

Your late night sandwich sounds so yummy!

SP&S's actions seem punitive to me.
They are facing paying for all the millions of dollars of fire damage caused by one of their power lines.
So to punish all the customers when the wind might blow they cut off all their electric power.
They should have been upgrading and burying powerlines under ground long before the tragedy happened.
But they just kept paying their investors large dividends rather than footing the bill to upgrade.

So relieved that I don't have to go anywhere for at least a week and get to stay put.
Haven't winterized everything yet since we are still having lovely warm days between some very cold days.
Want to water things at least one more time before putting away the hoses till next Spring.
And I want to be able to open all the windows for fresh air on warmer days too.

That is criminal, Tillie. People need stability and food. Very upsetting.

I slept a lot. I'm awake now and working from home. I got up around 9 last night and made a feta and cucumber sandwich.

Just stiff and dizzy, with a headache. I'm grateful I feel like working as I don't want to use up a day if I don't have to. I'm at the time of year where I get a bit stingy as I like to have some days to cash in come January. Right now, taking into account the days in December I'm planning to take off, I have about nine days to play with. I try to carry over five to cash in.

I will shower and get dressed soon. Gray fall day.

SP&P is California's power company.
They have been found guilty of one of their power lines coming down in high winds and completely destroying entire towns and communities.

So....
They have decided to shut off power to random areas at random times for up to seven days or more at a time.

Here in Northern Nevada most all of our food and other supplies come over the mountains from California.

Warehouses without power cannot fill orders and load up trucks.
So many of the grocery store shelves were bare today because their orders weren't delivered.
It wasn't too bad but if this continues it will be.

Noticed the field where they used to keep sheep years ago has sheep in it again.
Love that field at lambing time. 🙂

YEA! Tatoulia for getting all inoculated!!!

Get a good solid night's sleep and at least you will be well rested tomorrow.

Lets see...bananas, ginger root, Granny Smith apples, cherry tomatoes, green grapes, lemons, peanut butter, blackberry preserves, eggnog ice cream, one medium size pumpkin, case of 40 cans of kitty pate`, kitty litter, corn bread mix, brownie mix, 4 cans of evaporated milk, sweet unsalted butter, 2 jugs unsweetened almond milk...
Put together with what I already have here will be plenty of meal choices.

I believe that when an animal is acting like an idiot it's the best way to describe them. 😉

Sometimes they go out of their way to find something to get all upset about.
Idiot animals. ;p

I love it when you call the cats idiots. Because I know you love them. The proof is in the idiot.

Got shingles shot and flu shot today. I'm not feeling all that great right now. Kitty's on the bed with me. I hope I wake up feeling better tmr.

I'm glad I got the shots today.

Tillie what did you buy for food?

Good Afternoon Everybody

Got grocery shopping all done and put away.
YEA!

Would be a cool & sunny day except for the frigid breeze making it cold.
I did wear a dress, maybe the last time I'll get to this year. 🙁

Let the cats go outside when I came home.
Twinkles behaved but Scooter jumped the fence and saw a cat and started screaming at it.
Scooter came when I called and I put him back inside the house.
Idiot animal...

Good Morning Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
So very sorry the vehicle needs expensive work.
Brakes are extremely important and I am glad you will have proper ones.
(((HUG)))

Hi Tatoulia
When the phone company here did the fiberoptic upgrade they dug up the road and the grass and cut through my lilac hedge.
It was a terrible experience all around and I never asked for it either.

Good luck with your straightening up plans and if you get the shingles jab, fingers crossed your arm doesn't ache.

Just about 10am here.
Very cold but sunny morning and I'm waiting till around noon to get groceries since it's not hot out.
On this date in 1972 I gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
My flu jab site doesn't hurt. Same as last year the band aid removal was the worst part.
Have my grocery list all made out.
Trying to decide if I will wear a dress or give in and start wearing jeans.

I would be writing a different post about the last few days but all of a sudden the fact that my van needs front brakes and rotors takes front and center stage.

Off to drain two bank accounts of a good portion of the little they contain. I'm supposed to feel grateful. Maybe intellectually a little. Emotionally, honestly, no.