Happy belated birthday dear SubC! What a nice day you had! Hello everyone! Lila and Messi! And CM!
I've been reading a lot lately and otherwise just hanging out. Finally getting cool here. Right now my 18 yo cat is snuggled up.

I've been working really hard on finishing things. And I'm not talking big things, I'm talking small things. I stop just short of finishing things and I cannot keep doing this. I think I've mentioned it before. I'll be making my bed but I won't straighten out the quilt at the end of my bed or I'll leave the pillow askew. I'll take my pills and leave the bottles out. I actually say to myself, I'll finish later so now I say, I'll finish now. This may seem small to you but it's helping me out.

I am trying to continue to do stuff that makes my life easier. That's all I can do.

I'm having unplanned surgery on my hand on Monday. It has been bothering me and I saw a surgeon on tuesday and I've managed to get it booked for Monday. So that will be an adventure. I have had a few hand surgeries over the years and I'm glad I took care of this now instead of waiting til it gets bad. It'll be good to get it out of the way before I travel overseas to see the BF. But boy she was able to schedule it quickly. It is my dominant hand but the handling of the surgery is different now. Now they want you to use the fingers immediately, whereas in the late 80s/early 90s, it was a giant splint bandage situation, no bathing, and with no use of the hand for weeks.

I haven't told many people. I had dinner with a couple of girlfriends last night and didn't mention it. I took off Monday and told my supervisor that I'm having hand surgery but I don't expect any real recovery time. I do remember it hurt a lot but I should be okay. She told me to feel free to take Tuesday off if I need it.

So that's my news. I'm chipping away at neatness and completing all tasks.

Lila, I do not have advice for you on your clothes. I do wish you had a way to hang them so you can see what's what. Messi I'm so grateful you are here.

Good morning!

Messi, I'm sorry you didn't get the day off!

Tatoulia, I hope the surgery goes smoothly with minimal pain.

My class was a little disappointing - not exactly what I was expecting - but the instructor is very good and I have decided to focus on what I CAN learn from it.And I have a friend in the class who is in the same situation (the class description was poorly written. We have already given that feedback)

Birdy's family got back last night and I stayed up a little too late, but I am ready for school today. Dsil will bring buddy to school at the end of the day and I will bring both Buddy and Bean home with me. Their momma will join us after work for dinner- dsil has plans.

Shockingly, I did not finish all the things I planned to do while Birdy's family was gone.

Tatoulia, that ties in to the finishing things and making your life easier. I was watching a YouTuber (whom I will have to paraphrase because he's a little raw) and he talked about dealing with your life when it is a mess and you have a giant todo list that is making you feel overwhelmed and awful about yourself. He said - write it all down, all of it, every single thing in your brain. Then go through and select the items that, if you don't do them, will make tomorrow worse. THAT is your actual todo list.

Then add one item that, if you do it, will make tomorrow better, and one item that if you do it, it will be off your list forever. (Or at least for a long time - like "wash dog"). Then add one fun/cup filling thing - that is your "winning at life list"

So, based on that, even though I didn't finish my list, I was winning at life yesterday.

As part of my day yesterday I stopped at school to load the kiln. I got talking to the building manager and helped her move some chairs. When we got to the storage room where the chairs were going, she sighed because there was a little wooden bookshelf in the way. I said "it's a nice shelf." She said "you want it? Take it home!" So now it is in my studio loft waiting for me to reorganize the mess I have created there so I can use it for inventory (I have been planning to add shelves to that space) I think that is a plus one.

Hi CM and Lila!

Off to see if I can "win at life" again today - lol!

Tatoulia, thanks for your thoughts on finishing things. I am having a problem with that, so then things pile up (and how!) and it is not a happy situation. Saying "I'll finish this now" seems like a good way to approach this.

I also have issues paradoxical to this, when i get fixated or stressed out about finishing something NOW or in a particular time frame when it is not possible or practical.* I get panicky or I stay up too late to finish or I keep working on it when I should be doing other things... and/or I belittle myself and feel that I'm bad for not getting it done. When I could just appreciate the situation and know that even just starting is worthwhile, change happens bit by bit, "I'll finish this PIECE of it now"... I guess I need that part of the serenity prayer - grant me the wisdom (clarity) to know the difference - to help me use many tools for better change. Thanks for sharing one of yours.

Good luck with your hand surgery! I hope it goes well, with minimal pain and quick recovery. It seems there are good improvements in the field. I am looking to have hand surgery in the coming year, Sonex for carpal tunnel syndrome.

* It occurs to me that sometimes this could be the result of having chosen "I'll finish this later" instead of "I'll finish this now"

good morning friends!

SubC, my bedroom closet has a bar inside that is 8 feet long. So 6' behind a sliding door and then one foot on each side. I have a small square shelf unit on one end (1 foot square) with shoes and things, so I really have 7' of real hanging space. You would think that would be enough, with me only wearing 5 things...

One side of the closet (3') is stuff I NEVER wear. Like literally have not worn in 5 or 10 years. But things I saved hoping to eventually wear them. Emotional things, like concert tee shirts, the jacket my dad gave me 40 years ago... ugh. Now that I type it out, it makes sense to fold ALL of that up in a bin and move the bin to the sorting room. At least then I could use that 3' of hanging space for clothes that I can wear.

Thinking about this, I need to bin up clothes that do not fit and get them out of my room. I have high hopes to lose weight and wear them (most would fit in 10 or 15 pounds) so I would box, label, and feel fine about them being in another room for "later." I can also attempt to donate some things as I go.

So I will work on this today. Taking things that do not fit out of my room. And trying to donate what I can. I am sure if all that was in there was things that fit, I could hang most of it or have it in drawers. Easier to wear and would make me happy.

I liked your Winning at Life thing, too.

Hi Messi and Tatoulia! I am glad you're here posting. I hope your hand surgery goes well, Tatoulia.

I also have made a decision not to buy anymore sugary things. I actually got rid of a whole bunch of what I had here. The goal is to get "off" daily sugar. I am kind of addicted. I do have a few sweet things here, but they are healthier things, and once they are gone I am not replacing them. If I really want a cake or whatever, I will have to bake one. Which honestly I am too lazy to do.

lol Lila, I was reading along and thinking "I will tell her to put those sentimental things in a box..and then.."

Long busy day at school. Enjoying my boys.

Good morning!

We were all tired last night and everyone else is sleeping in, but I slept badly and couldn't. I am trying to be quiet.

Yesterday was a school day and I made a pasta bar for 8 people for dinner, so there were a lot of dishes. I ran the dishwasher last night, but there are still a lot of dishes to go in the next load this morning. I have volunteered to make French toast. I bought the bread at the farmer's market. Thursday was the last day it was open this year.

Birdy goes home tomorrow, and dd1 will probably come back today with Bean and Buddy. It is so cute to see Buddy and Birdy playing together. I have an art project I want to do with all 3 of them.

I did not "win at life" yesterday, or even finish my basic todo list - because I left myself more work for this morning, but I am definitely filling my cup!

Tomorrow after everyone is gone will be a catch up day before Bean and Buddy come on Monday.

sun Oct 12, 2025
Hello. Lila, your soup sounds so good, perfect for cooling weather!
I can sympathize with the dog bathing as I need to bathe my dogs. You are right, it is harder to figure out when to do it as the weather gets cooler. I am often at work during the sunshine hours when it is warmer and easier for them to dry. They also need trimming. All of it traumatizes them (and me) so I unconsciously delay. I really need to get it specifically put in the schedule.

Hi Messi!

Birdy's family headed out this afternoon. So far I am down six items from their visit (toys handed off for Birdy), so a net of down four this week.

However, that might get even better as they are going to come back! This weekend for a bonus visit after they see ddil's family. I'm planning to look around for more things they might want to take with them when they go home.

Right now I am catching up with dishes and laundry, clearing the floor of toys, and getting ready for school tomorrow.

Hello Wednesday! Hi SubC! Hi Lila! Hello Tatoulia!
I have been having such trouble getting things done so feeling low and panicky. Monday was lost to a small oral surgery that required sedation and I slept most of the day. I'm still a little tender. So now I am going to put some laundry in and walk the dogs before going to work. I have taken time off work tomorrow to work on a plumbing problem. I will be trying new things so wish me luck. Hopefully I won't end up with a new swimming pool, lol.

hello friends!

Messi, it sure does feel like there is just not enough time! I used to get up really early, like at 5am in the summer, which seemed to give me enough time in the day to get more done. But I am too tired to do that now, plus it is dark until 7 anyway and very hard to pry myself out of bed in the dark.

Hi SubC and Tatoulia and CM!

I had such a rough day at work yesterday that I called in a half day today, last night. I NEEDED to sleep in, shower, and rest a bit. So I am enjoying that, catching up on dishes and such, and will go in to work this afternoon (I help lead a class tonight).

I am making new goals of fighting my tendency to be comfortable (lazy) and indulgent, to have a better life.

Isn't it interesting? I tend to not move. I tend to sit and relax as much as possible at home. I watch a lot of tv now, bad habit I got into the past year, and also read, and also sit around snacking. I eat way too much and too often. I choose comfort foods over nutrition. I have become truly lazy at home, although I am a very hard worker/go getter at work.

As a result, my home is not clean/organized enough, my yard is a mess, and my health is not great. It is so much easier to sit down and eat some chips and a microwave fettucine and a coke than it is to actually make some vegetables. Sheer laziness and comfort seeking. I want to work on this character issue in myself.

Also -

I need to find a solution to this ongoing-for-years clothing issue. I know we have talked about it before. But it just is not getting any better. I did get rid of a lot of clothes and I have stopped buying new things (expect for when I had the speaking engagement).

My bedroom once again is overflowing with clothing (clean, at least). Piles of clothes on my desk, my office chair, the rocker, in a basket, all over. Plus a full closet and mostly-full drawers. Yet I wear the same 5 things all week for the most part.

Now it is getting cold and I still have summery things out because I have like SO MANY cardigans that I can wear over summer things.

Can you guys help me think of some new way to deal with this, that does NOT involve donating or giving things away right now? I have sorted it all multiple times and there is practically nothing I would want to give away right now. Maybe in spring though.

I don't know how to get out of this clothing pit! I need to make the clothes more visible and accessible so I can actually wear them! I have some super cute things but always wear the same 5 because the rest are in piles.

I need to be able to SEE the shirts and cardigans so I can see what matches/looks good together. But there is just so much and I don't even know what fits.

Help? I want to work on this on my days off!

Thanks Lila!

Wish you could come by and make soup from stuff in my fridge! I'd make bread and then we could eat and chat while I worked on the counter of doom. - great gift!

You need more rest to help you stop getting sick!

I did every single thing on my list yesterday! Plus I finished glazing an extra piece and loaded and started the kiln at school. My vitamins are still out of stock though. (And the post cards weren't ready, but I remembered to ask for them, so *I* get credit)

This morning, big push to clean up and a feed store run. Then farmer's market this afternoon. Dishes, laundry, and lesson prep and I call it a day.

I wish we could have a soup day at your house too! What fun that would be! Maybe someday, who knows?

I did not get the soup made - that will be today - but I DID get the dog washed! What a task! I had my son lift her into the bath tub before he left for work and I washed her in there. omg what a mess. But she is clean and shiny and fluffy and happy. I wped up the floor and washed the towels but have not cleaned out the tub yet. No one uses that tub but I need to clean it up.

Today I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, played with the dog, and made myself french toast with fresh berries. It was so good. I have not had french toast in probably 8 or 9 months.

I have so much to get done today. Making soup, doing something with rhubarb and cucumbers and tomatoes, opening mail and packages, cleaning... all the stuff that always has to be done. I did most of the laundry yesterday and will do one load today and maybe my sheets if I am not too tired.

What is everyone up to? We need some friends to come update!

update - I made the soup!

It is so delicious and I used up a lot of random things that needed to be used! Two onions on their last legs, garlic, greens that had to be picked through to find what was left that was good, some shredded Parmesan that was drying out, a box of veggie broth, frozen sage/thyme/rosemary sprigs, two plant based italian sausage links from the freezer, a couple of potatoes, and a splash of coconut milk creamer (unsweetened). Wow, it is sooo good. I am going to add the rest of the (good) greens to the leftovers for another day. And my fridge and freezer have more space now!

I also unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, and asked TotsDad to take out the kitchen trash. Feeling pretty good!

Just popping in.

Yay for soup!

Very busy with my family! Seeing all the boys together is wonderful. Dh parents came and left, I think it went well. Dh mom brought me a lovely heirloom gift.

Birdy's family is still here. They will be taking some things, so stuff update later.

Some of us went to the renfest yesterday. I bought a Christmas gift for ds and some leather scraps to make things. I know I don't need another project, but I couldn't resist. Bean wore the tunic I made him. Birdy loved it!

The basement playroom has had a test drive and shows promise.

Good morning!

I got more than 7 hours of sleep last night!

Messi, your opening line made me do a mental bounce and laugh. - pot is legal in my state, but so far no one is selling it at the farmer's market.

I took a bag of trash to throw out yesterday but forgot to do it. I even parked next to the bin at the grocery store! I did get rid of another pot though - I took two that had the same bad surface result to school to use as a warning example for glaze work. After I passed them around I threw one away. I'll throw the other one away after I show all the classes. I'm not saving them for next year. Hopefully if i leave the house today I'll remember the trash.

It was a long full day at school yesterday. Classes were very busy and intense, and I had to send a note to a parent about a problem with a child. I always hate that! I got another new student, who I think is a good fit, but that is always extra work.

The upcoming week is really full.
Tomorrow is brunch at the pottery studio and I have invited a new person. I hope to throw some pots today and then stay after brunch to prep them for my class that starts on the 16th.
Monday is my birthday. I have the boys all day and hopefully dinner with them and their parents.
Wednesday and Friday are school, and Thursday is the market again.
My in-laws are arriving Friday while I am still at school (Dh will work from home)
And Birdy's family arrives Saturday night.

So I have today and Tuesday to get the house together enough for company. Dh said he will help me today.

Getting ready for his parents is impossible. Their first visit we cleaned the tiny apartment all day. Right before they were due to arrive I got upset because I realized there were bugs in the light by the door. Dh said "don't worry about it." His parents arrived, and the first words were mil - "Hello! Do you know there are bugs in your light?" Eventually I stopped trying.

Hi everyone! I am not up to date by any means. Going to read today and go to the Y. I think that's all I have in me.

Good evening!

Hi Tatoulia!

Dd borrowed the truck today to haul some things they were clearing out to a work dumpster (with permission) she took the trash I forgot to throw away plus some largish things we needed to get rid of, so I am caught up on barn trash for now.

Things Dh did to help me today: fix the dehumidifier!
Also recut my shelf boards so I can put up three more shelves, but he did that late this evening, so I am not going to try to put them up tonight.

Today was mostly trying to catch up.

I finished rewedging all the scrap clay that has come home from school so far this year and used up a small amount of remix that was already in the barn from last year to do it. That is in my car to go back to school tomorrow.

I washed all the eggs and fit them in the fridge. I kept up with the milk. I ran the dishwasher twice. I threw some expired medicine in a trash bag that can go with me tomorrow.

I tried to straighten up a bit as I moved around the house, but there is so much to do!

Good evening!

I took the clay back to school, loaded and started the kiln, threw out the house trash at the gas pump (got gas) and picked up a couple of things I hadn't known we needed at the grocery store.

Also went to the city studio this morning, left three things to be fired, and bought some more glaze for school - which I left on my cart at school. Have to put it away Wednesday before I unload the kiln.

Dh made dinner and helped clean up the kitchen this evening. Most of the dishes are done and I'm catching up on laundry and general pick up. I made a cake.

I'm looking forward to the boys coming tomorrow.

SubC - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

at least i got the dogs to the vet and the hedge trimmings into the collection can for tomorrow. beautiful full moon.

Good morning!

Thanks Messi! I saw your post yesterday and appreciated it, but my day was too full to write. The moon was beautiful! It rained last night, but I sat with it yesterday morning and caught a glimpse of it over the trees before the rain started.

I had a good day with my boys. Dsil didn't come for dinner (which was fine) but Dd brought a lovely spread with a delicious cake and gifties funded and planned by Dh and my two girls. My mother (whom I talked to) also sent gifts, and so I have been showered with many little treats - chocolates, tea, lotion, jam, and in the "non consumables" category two pairs of fall themed socks, two new tea towels (cats and maple leaves), a coaster with cinnamon inside that smells good when warmed, and two used (my preference) books - one funny, one interesting. Also a 2026 calendar that is "semi consumable" since I often save them.

Birdy called twice - once at lunchtime with ddil and once after dinner with ds. Ds also sent a picture of Birdy looking between his legs that said "bringing your gift on Saturday"

I also got email notes from heartdaughter, Dh parents, and my best friend. So I feel very remembered and celebrated.

Then the clock chimed and my coach turned back into a pumpkin. Today is my big day to get everything cleaned up and organized for the week. I am hoping I will find a few things to part with during the process, so I will update my tally later.

I spent the whole day yesterday taking care of one work job that has been hanging over my head and then catching up on laundry and dishes and CLEANING the great room floor. Then Dh came home, wore his shoes across the floor (we have an ongoing disagreement about shoes in the house) and informed me that there is still a sticky spot near the fridge. I could hear his shoes tracking the sticky spot. I said "well, wipe it. I am done." He did not.

So anyway, I did not deal with stuff, so I just added my birthday gifts to the tally.

This morning I have a few materials to ready for class. Chores to do, trash and recycling to take, and a full day of classes to teach.

After school I'm planning to go down to the city studio and finish off glazing a piece and get some postcards to advertise the fall pottery sale. If I have anything left in me, I am going to stop on the way home for covid and flu shots and see if my iron tablets have been restocked yet - I am running low, but I do not want to switch brands.

Dinner, chores, bed. Any higher expectations will be setting myself up for failure.

Happy late birthday, SubC!!! Wish we could stop by and not give you anything, lol!

This is just a drive by update. I was sick, got better, went on another work trip out of town (2 days), came back and worked a ton catching up on everything. Only had one day off that was not much of a day off. Today I have the morning off because my boss is sick and his event that I support got cancelled. I still have to go in this afternoon for the class I am facilitating at night. It was nice to have rest this morning, since I worked til 9 last night.

I am trying to keep habits like not letting dishes pile up and making sure they all get washed, getting trash out every trash day, getting more sleep.

I am researching natural immune support and autoimmune thyroid help and probably ordering a few supplements.

I would like to wash the dog today as it is cold at night now (40 degrees give or take) and not getting hot in the day anymore. In fact, today is supposed to be 78 and then after today it won't get above 72ish. So, to have the best "drying experience," I would have to wash her today before noon and have her outside in the sun for awhile and maybe blow dry her too, before I go to work. That takes a lot of energy and I have no helpers, so we will see.

I also would like to make soup, but that may have to wait until tomorrow.

Back on my day off (Fri/Sat) to catch up on decluttering and put some effort into that!

I did clean out the fridge. The chickens got some cukes.

The dishes and the laundry are running.

Water is on for pasta.

I spent a pleasant afternoon sewing in the open hatchback of my car and talking with people. I sold 7 pots, an ornament, and a hippo, and came home with 5 ounces of spiced honey, two cantaloupes, five green peppers and $68.

It was worth doing because of the commute (1.2 miles) the pleasant weather, and the sewing.

All I really still have to do tonight is chores and get ready for school tomorrow.

I don't know if I mentioned that I did finally resolve the dehumidifier issue and get my money back.

Dh is going to try to fix what we have this weekend.

SubC - congratulations on the pot sales. Hope your day at school was fine and things are good heading into the weekend. This week was filled with vet visits for two dogs with eye injuries (?) and visits to computer tech.I did manage to do dishes. Sleep is wacky, I need focus on managing the sleep schedule...

hi friends!

Had a nice sleep, feeling pretty good today and had a few hours of work this morning. I am taking it easy, as I have to work on my two days off this coming weekend. So I can take a couple half days here and there. Things are getting easier now even with my weekly big event and the weekly class I am teaching. It is always easier after the first 2 weeks.

I started a no spend thread as well for those of us wanting to reign in the spending.

I am a little annoyed that I can't find things I need and then I get mad that I cleaned and decluttered and moved things, but the real solution is to get rid of enough stuff that there are not piles to look through. Everything in its place. I just still have too much stuff.

Hello all!

Messi, I'm sorry about your friends.

Lila, I have that same experience with the decluttering and not finding a lot. It is slowly getting better though.

I had a good day at the renfest with Bean and his Daddy. I did not buy anything for me. A small toy for Buddy which I just sent home with Bean, and ice cream for Bean and his Daddy. Plus I tipped some performers.

I am trying to focus on experiences and useful things. (It was very hot, so I think the ice cream was useful and an experience)

I was tempted several times, but I thought about my basement, and how I do not have space, and how I would actually like to MAKE more things and none of the things was just so exactly right that I couldn't wait until next year, so I passed. Yay me!

Good morning!

I had a good day with the boys yesterday, but my body is sore from carrying Buddy a lot. I have been skipping yoga too much.

Dh cut my first set of boards for the shelves in the basement last night (I'm afraid of the power saw) so hopefully I will get those up today, move some things, and get unstuck on that project.

I also started turning a linen pillowcase I bought for $1 at a sale into a tunic for Bean to wear to the renfest. (He needs a cooler option and use of materials bought for a "someday" project to actually do that project!) I am going to save further work on that for Thursday, when I plan to be set up at the local farmers' market with my pottery - I am very I confident about sales and want to make good use of the time.

Anyway, I'm feeling positive about my day. I'll check back later to report.