This ALWAYS happens...

I get all the dishes washed, rinsed, dried and put away.
As I am finishing wiping up the stove top and counter, etc. I turn around and the little beggars are sitting at the edge of the kitchen linoleum staring holes into my head, begging for a bowl of can food.

So before I am ever finished with kitchen clean up
they are dirtying up more dishes.
The dishes are never done...

This ALWAYS happens...

I get all the dishes washed, rinsed, dried and put away.
As I am finishing wiping up the stove top and counter, etc. I turn around and the little beggars are sitting at the edge of the kitchen linoleum staring holes into my head, begging for a bowl of can food.

So before I am ever finished with kitchen clean up
they are dirtying up more dishes.
The dishes are never done...

Today I got within 8 ft of the new kitty. I tried to give it a treat of goat milk, but it ran away, and then mr. kitty ate the treat.

The new kitty has short legs and a wide stocky body and wide flat face. When it sees us, it crouches down very tight to the ground. Today Dh named it "Flat cat".

The weather was nice today, so Dh and i took a drive into town for a takeout pizza.

Today I washed my purple wool blanket so I can store it away until next Winter.
Have it on the clothesline and there is a brisk enough breeze to "fluff" it. 🙂

Today I washed my purple wool blanket so I can store it away until next Winter.
Have it on the clothesline and there is a brisk enough breeze to "fluff" it. 🙂

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
I had been wondering if the New Kitty was still coming around.
Sounds like the two cats have reached an agreement. ;D

If you had a "Guard" Turkey, Mr. Kitty would learn not to tease the Chickens. LOL

Yes, alone time, real alone time.
So necessary.
Only time I get that is when he's out socializing or his frequent grocery trips so it's not good alone time for me.

At least golfing is outside in the fresh air.
If they keep far enough away from each other and don't touch things and wash their hands, they should be alright.
Safer than a trip to the grocery store.

Sorry you weren't allowed to sleep in this morning.
At least the cats here wait until my eyes are open before they nag me for breakfast.

Beautiful cool morning here.

Scooter found where I hid Mousie last afternoon this morning.
I've been hiding his snacks around too.
This hunting for treasures seems to be making him happy.

The yellow Roses are lovely but my allergies from them are horrid.
At least the Lilacs only make me sneeze when I stick my face into their fragrant blooms.

Looking for some motivation to do something creative.
But have a bad case of "why bother?".

Will get outside and get some vitamin D before it gets hot today. 😉

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
I had been wondering if the New Kitty was still coming around.
Sounds like the two cats have reached an agreement. ;D

If you had a "Guard" Turkey, Mr. Kitty would learn not to tease the Chickens. LOL

Yes, alone time, real alone time.
So necessary.
Only time I get that is when he's out socializing or his frequent grocery trips so it's not good alone time for me.

At least golfing is outside in the fresh air.
If they keep far enough away from each other and don't touch things and wash their hands, they should be alright.
Safer than a trip to the grocery store.

Sorry you weren't allowed to sleep in this morning.
At least the cats here wait until my eyes are open before they nag me for breakfast.

Beautiful cool morning here.

Scooter found where I hid Mousie last afternoon this morning.
I've been hiding his snacks around too.
This hunting for treasures seems to be making him happy.

The yellow Roses are lovely but my allergies from them are horrid.
At least the Lilacs only make me sneeze when I stick my face into their fragrant blooms.

Looking for some motivation to do something creative.
But have a bad case of "why bother?".

Will get outside and get some vitamin D before it gets hot today. 😉

Good Night
9:30ish here

That's very good news CriticalMass.
Roommate is home and doing well.
Van had maintenance and won't eat all the money to fix.
Still sending good thoughts to your Cousin.
Hopefully that MRA will help the doctors know how to fix her.
Sweet dreams and restful sleep to you and Roommate (((HUG)))

Hi Tatoulia
I ran out of chocolate ice cream the other week.
It was so good and I miss it.

So happy you are motivated to get back into that closet! 😀

It is one less worry that your Mom is content and receiving daily mail.
Still able to be connected to the world outside.

The one thing that helps lift the depression is acceptance.
Accepting that this is the way things are for now and we can do nothing to hurry it up.
At least the stores are better able to restock so we all can get what we need and want, just like before.

I always sort fabrics like with like.
Sheets & pillow cases, towels and wash cloths, etc.
And do dark things together and light things together.
Cold water wash loads and hot water wash loads.
That's how I was taught to do it.

Have had a bag of frozen raspberries in the freezer for a while, saving them.
Decided that tomorrow I will make a cobbler with them.
Just throwing caution to the wind and eating up all the food I have here on hand too.
I already ate all the cookies and candy in the house.

Today the write in ballots came in the mail.
I am happy to vote this way.
Steven threw an ugly fit, says it's a conspiracy to manipulate the outcome.
"heavy sigh"

Tatoulia,

I am so sorry about your friend. I'm afraid we are going to lose a lot of good people before this ends.

Let us know how the trip yo Narnia goes.

CM, good wishes for your roommate's recovery, and for your cousin.

Tillie, I really appreciate you keeping us up on all the news there. I really hope you get your cooler set up soon.

New kitty came by this morning to hang out in the driveway. Mr. kitty went out to join and they stared at each other from a few feet apart for a bit - too close for social distancing! Then new kitty followed Mr. kitty around the yard for a short time until Mr. kitty got annoyed and chased his shadow across the front yard. New kitty stopped at the edge of the woods and Mr. kitty came in for a nap.

Now Mr. kitty is outside pretending to hunt chickens. The chickens are not amused.

Dh has gone to play golf again. I am not sure how I feel about this golf playing. I'm not sure it is entirely safe. But I actually like having him gone for a little while. I generally like having him around, but having him here in the house working is somehow tiring from another person without any of the reward of actually being with dh. When he is here, even if he is out in the woods and I am alone, I don't feel alone. And I need alone time.

It is sunny and not too cold, and I want my garden to be nice and my stalls to be clean. But I don't have any motivation to do anything. I just feel tired. I wanted to sleep late this morning. I did sleep in a little, but Dh came at 6:00 and woke me up and begged and cajoled until I got up and made him breakfast. It would have been less effort for him to just make his own breakfast.

12 more days of video school.

Tatoulia,

I am so sorry about your friend. I'm afraid we are going to lose a lot of good people before this ends.

Let us know how the trip yo Narnia goes.

CM, good wishes for your roommate's recovery, and for your cousin.

Tillie, I really appreciate you keeping us up on all the news there. I really hope you get your cooler set up soon.

New kitty came by this morning to hang out in the driveway. Mr. kitty went out to join and they stared at each other from a few feet apart for a bit - too close for social distancing! Then new kitty followed Mr. kitty around the yard for a short time until Mr. kitty got annoyed and chased his shadow across the front yard. New kitty stopped at the edge of the woods and Mr. kitty came in for a nap.

Now Mr. kitty is outside pretending to hunt chickens. The chickens are not amused.

Dh has gone to play golf again. I am not sure how I feel about this golf playing. I'm not sure it is entirely safe. But I actually like having him gone for a little while. I generally like having him around, but having him here in the house working is somehow tiring from another person without any of the reward of actually being with dh. When he is here, even if he is out in the woods and I am alone, I don't feel alone. And I need alone time.

It is sunny and not too cold, and I want my garden to be nice and my stalls to be clean. But I don't have any motivation to do anything. I just feel tired. I wanted to sleep late this morning. I did sleep in a little, but Dh came at 6:00 and woke me up and begged and cajoled until I got up and made him breakfast. It would have been less effort for him to just make his own breakfast.

12 more days of video school.

I will watch some hoarders too! That's what started me out in the first place! Yes I'm going back in! I got some done last weekend and I want more done this weekend!!!! Keep moving forward!!!

I had Brigham's chocolate ice cream. My friend has vanilla to which she added tiny chocolate chips. She also had a very good, fascinating story to tell and I was riveted!!

Mom continues in a good mood. She's so great. She's loving my daily postcards, which I've upped to two a day. Other friends are also writing to her.

On Monday of this week I did every bit of laundry in my home. Imagine how great I felt!!! I will need to do more soon, but I don't think I'll make it anywhere near the washer this weekend. Although, people don't do laundry the way I do. They mix sheets with towels with shirts and I'm all about "like fabrics" in addition to sorting by color. So when I do five loads, they would've done two. They must think I'm nuts.

Tillie I hope Steven continues to work on the cooler. I don't want you overheating.

CM you've had a long day of worry. I am grateful your cousin is getting the medical care she needs and I am grateful your roommate is back home. How nice that she has a lovely family. Must make it much easier on you.

Okay back to bed. I've been laying down for a few hours. Just because.

My depression continues to be lifted and I am surprised and pleased.

I will watch some hoarders too! That's what started me out in the first place! Yes I'm going back in! I got some done last weekend and I want more done this weekend!!!! Keep moving forward!!!

I had Brigham's chocolate ice cream. My friend has vanilla to which she added tiny chocolate chips. She also had a very good, fascinating story to tell and I was riveted!!

Mom continues in a good mood. She's so great. She's loving my daily postcards, which I've upped to two a day. Other friends are also writing to her.

On Monday of this week I did every bit of laundry in my home. Imagine how great I felt!!! I will need to do more soon, but I don't think I'll make it anywhere near the washer this weekend. Although, people don't do laundry the way I do. They mix sheets with towels with shirts and I'm all about "like fabrics" in addition to sorting by color. So when I do five loads, they would've done two. They must think I'm nuts.

Tillie I hope Steven continues to work on the cooler. I don't want you overheating.

CM you've had a long day of worry. I am grateful your cousin is getting the medical care she needs and I am grateful your roommate is back home. How nice that she has a lovely family. Must make it much easier on you.

Okay back to bed. I've been laying down for a few hours. Just because.

My depression continues to be lifted and I am surprised and pleased.

Good Night
9:30ish here

That's very good news CriticalMass.
Roommate is home and doing well.
Van had maintenance and won't eat all the money to fix.
Still sending good thoughts to your Cousin.
Hopefully that MRA will help the doctors know how to fix her.
Sweet dreams and restful sleep to you and Roommate (((HUG)))

Hi Tatoulia
I ran out of chocolate ice cream the other week.
It was so good and I miss it.

So happy you are motivated to get back into that closet! 😀

It is one less worry that your Mom is content and receiving daily mail.
Still able to be connected to the world outside.

The one thing that helps lift the depression is acceptance.
Accepting that this is the way things are for now and we can do nothing to hurry it up.
At least the stores are better able to restock so we all can get what we need and want, just like before.

I always sort fabrics like with like.
Sheets & pillow cases, towels and wash cloths, etc.
And do dark things together and light things together.
Cold water wash loads and hot water wash loads.
That's how I was taught to do it.

Have had a bag of frozen raspberries in the freezer for a while, saving them.
Decided that tomorrow I will make a cobbler with them.
Just throwing caution to the wind and eating up all the food I have here on hand too.
I already ate all the cookies and candy in the house.

Today the write in ballots came in the mail.
I am happy to vote this way.
Steven threw an ugly fit, says it's a conspiracy to manipulate the outcome.
"heavy sigh"

Yay Tatoulia for decluttering mojo!

Tillie, fingers crossed the cooler gets completely up and running.

My roommate returned about 1:30 looking really pale. They hadn't given her pain meds to go home on. After her sister and hubby got the pills picked up and she took one, she felt better and had some color. She's been up and about more later in the day here.

I finally got word on my cousin. They got it worked out today to transport her to Kansas City where there is an MRA machine. Like an MRI only it can image the insides and linings of blood vessels.

My van got the oil changed, the AC is okay, but it needs a new valve cover gasket. I had wondered when it might because there had been some leakage. My stimulus money did come on Wednesday, and I think it will take a chunk but not the whole thing. And I think it's a good investment to prevent bigger problems. So that is set to happen on Tuesday.

We are all pretty tired from this day that started at Zero Dark Thirty. I feel confident I will sleep well. Hoping my roommate does too, and her family.

Yay Tatoulia for decluttering mojo!

Tillie, fingers crossed the cooler gets completely up and running.

My roommate returned about 1:30 looking really pale. They hadn't given her pain meds to go home on. After her sister and hubby got the pills picked up and she took one, she felt better and had some color. She's been up and about more later in the day here.

I finally got word on my cousin. They got it worked out today to transport her to Kansas City where there is an MRA machine. Like an MRI only it can image the insides and linings of blood vessels.

My van got the oil changed, the AC is okay, but it needs a new valve cover gasket. I had wondered when it might because there had been some leakage. My stimulus money did come on Wednesday, and I think it will take a chunk but not the whole thing. And I think it's a good investment to prevent bigger problems. So that is set to happen on Tuesday.

We are all pretty tired from this day that started at Zero Dark Thirty. I feel confident I will sleep well. Hoping my roommate does too, and her family.

You so CAN do it Tatoulia!
It all begins with the thought and mood mojo.
That's really the hard part, the thinking about it and then wanting to get it done. 🙂

That diningroom closet?
YEA! you're going back into Narnia! 😉

Let the music play!!!

An ice cream social sounds like a lot of fun!.
But you neglected to tell us what flavor ice cream you had.
Bored lonely people really want to know. LOL

From the news on my internet homepage, your state is still very infectious.
Nevada is a tourist destination. With all resorts and casinos and everything all shut down
Nevada is a very quiet place without all the tourists. Lots of small rural communities and Indian Colonies, Airforce/Navy/coast Guard bases and bombing ranges, lots of BLM and deserted desert.

You have high humidity, because the air is so dry here I have a lot of static electricity.

ANNOUNCEMENT
A&E put up more episodes of "HOARDERS" on Youtube.

Tomorrow Netflix will have episodes of "HOARDERS" again too.

He has done a little bit more toward setting up the cooler.

You so CAN do it Tatoulia!
It all begins with the thought and mood mojo.
That's really the hard part, the thinking about it and then wanting to get it done. 🙂

That diningroom closet?
YEA! you're going back into Narnia! 😉

Let the music play!!!

An ice cream social sounds like a lot of fun!.
But you neglected to tell us what flavor ice cream you had.
Bored lonely people really want to know. LOL

From the news on my internet homepage, your state is still very infectious.
Nevada is a tourist destination. With all resorts and casinos and everything all shut down
Nevada is a very quiet place without all the tourists. Lots of small rural communities and Indian Colonies, Airforce/Navy/coast Guard bases and bombing ranges, lots of BLM and deserted desert.

You have high humidity, because the air is so dry here I have a lot of static electricity.

ANNOUNCEMENT
A&E put up more episodes of "HOARDERS" on Youtube.

Tomorrow Netflix will have episodes of "HOARDERS" again too.

He has done a little bit more toward setting up the cooler.

Tillie! I'm so pleased about the virus news in your county! Boston continues to have a lot of people exhibiting truly unsafe behavior. Very upsetting.

Good for you to get your water! That will taste so yummy. Nothing beats a cool glass of water.

I missed my yoga class tonight. I thought it was 5:30. It was 4:30. Oh well. I'll go back to Tuesday nights because I know when those start.

I had an "ice cream social" with a friend via FaceTime today. I've gotten good at this. It feels like an absolute visit!

It got sunny and humid here today. I ran up to see BF for two seconds then ran to grocery store quickly for ice cream. So humid and I hopped in shower the second I got back.

I'm going to lay down a bit. I'm really, really happy with my decluttering thoughts right now. I'm ready to let go. So I'll be back in my dining room closet later tonight or early tomorrow.

I am so pleased with how I'm thinking. If I put on music, I can do it!!

Tillie! I'm so pleased about the virus news in your county! Boston continues to have a lot of people exhibiting truly unsafe behavior. Very upsetting.

Good for you to get your water! That will taste so yummy. Nothing beats a cool glass of water.

I missed my yoga class tonight. I thought it was 5:30. It was 4:30. Oh well. I'll go back to Tuesday nights because I know when those start.

I had an "ice cream social" with a friend via FaceTime today. I've gotten good at this. It feels like an absolute visit!

It got sunny and humid here today. I ran up to see BF for two seconds then ran to grocery store quickly for ice cream. So humid and I hopped in shower the second I got back.

I'm going to lay down a bit. I'm really, really happy with my decluttering thoughts right now. I'm ready to let go. So I'll be back in my dining room closet later tonight or early tomorrow.

I am so pleased with how I'm thinking. If I put on music, I can do it!!

Ate the last 2 eggs for brunch today.
Scrambled with a bit of cheddar cheese melted in and 2 pieces of buttered rye toast.

Have no plans to make any recipes that require eggs, so I'm good. 🙂

Ate the last 2 eggs for brunch today.
Scrambled with a bit of cheddar cheese melted in and 2 pieces of buttered rye toast.

Have no plans to make any recipes that require eggs, so I'm good. 🙂

Happy May
or not, whatever...
It is May 1st.

Left home at 9:45am and returned at 10:30am.

At the bank I very briefly spoke with the teller through the intercom.
The water depot has 4 filling stations with more than ample room between them.
Spoke to no one there as I filled my bottles.

The water depot machines take 1s and 5s, quarters, dimes and nickels.
Since I have not been out buying anything other than water I was out of everything but 20 dollar bills.
That's why I had to go to the bank and get 50 dollars in 5 dollar bills. That or go into a business and see if they would give me change, exposing myself to virus.
Now I have all my water bottles filled and have plenty of small bills for future refills.

Steven is still in bed.
Beautiful morning where he could be setting up the cooler.
-----------------removed my remarks to keep it PC--------

Good Morning Everyone
Iced chai masala "Clink!"

Hoping with you CriticalMass that no news means good news about your Cousin.

Happy Roommate's family are with her today.
They sound like wonderful people and will help put her mind at ease.

Fingers still crossed the van costs nothing more than new oil and oil filter, XXX

Keep up that good feeling about cleaning and decluttering momentum!
Don't stop doing all the precautions to keep yourself healthy, no matter what the idiots are doing (((HUG)))

Hi Subclinical 🙂

Hi Tatoulia
That cake sounds delicious. Happy you felt like cake making again 🙂

YEA! for the pretty paper plates and napkins and at a super discount too!
Little Sister Kitty will be so happy to have someone take care of her litter box.
You take such good care of the Cleaning Fairies (((HUG)))

Honestly, we are never "done" decluttering.
But there is no backlog of decisions to make.
Seasons change, new items are brought in, our moods shift.
Tiny decluttering sessions need to happen at least once every year.
Otherwise we all end up with just too much stuff.
LOL 😉

OK, need to do cat things and get dressed.
Plan to be at the bank about 10am. then fill the water bottles.
Will come right back home without any people contact.

My county is still only 3 infected one death and about 150 people tested negative.
They only test sickly people.
Today all the county officials will get together and make plans and decide how to proceed with the shut down and if/when some places can open.
No matter what they say I will continue to self isolate and take precautions at the grocery store, the only place I ever need to go.
Thinking I will cancel/reschedule my dental appointment that's in June to sometime in the Autumn, just to be safe.

Saying prayers for your roommate, CM. Another rainy raw day here. It's gotten so I don't recognize the sunny days because they become rainy at some point, too. Waiting for some news on your cousin, too.

Tillie I would love to see the wild yellow rose! When I had my appendix out, in my 30s, my mother brought me a tiny rose plant with yellow roses. I've loved yellow roses ever since. Maybe I could find some for her for Mother's Day.

They found someone to clean mom's cat box. I think I'll put a $20 in an envelope for mom to give yo him. I'm due to leave a drop off for her. I bought some pretty spring paper plates (reduced to 32 cents a pack) for her and kitty to use. I also bought packets of napkins and have been sending them around.

I want to mention that every time the cleaners are here, I make them a care package with TP. paper towels and other things. In the beginning I included bottled water because it was impossible to find. I still include TP because even though you can find it on occasion, the prices are sky-high. Even at ?reputable' stores like CVS. So I include a care package as well as an additional 10 until this craziness is over. They only have enough work for one house a day. And still, when I asked about having the mom sew for me. The daughter said no charge. These are good people. And as soon as mom can have people in, I'll have her place cleaned from top to bottom.

That's an interesting comment about getting away from our stuff during the day, Tillie. That resonates with me. I'm proud to say that there's still more to go as that means I haven't decided that I'm Done and that I'll go back to where I was. I'm having fun seeing my decisions in my kitchen. I'm feeling positive today so I hope to report back some progress soon.

Thank you all for bearing with me.

For BF's birthday, I made an almond cake and it was lovely. First time making it. You use a can of Solo Almond Pie Filling and my goodness it was a nice little cake. I'll post a picture.

Good Morning Everyone
Iced chai masala "Clink!"

Hoping with you CriticalMass that no news means good news about your Cousin.

Happy Roommate's family are with her today.
They sound like wonderful people and will help put her mind at ease.

Fingers still crossed the van costs nothing more than new oil and oil filter, XXX

Keep up that good feeling about cleaning and decluttering momentum!
Don't stop doing all the precautions to keep yourself healthy, no matter what the idiots are doing (((HUG)))

Hi Subclinical 🙂

Hi Tatoulia
That cake sounds delicious. Happy you felt like cake making again 🙂

YEA! for the pretty paper plates and napkins and at a super discount too!
Little Sister Kitty will be so happy to have someone take care of her litter box.
You take such good care of the Cleaning Fairies (((HUG)))

Honestly, we are never "done" decluttering.
But there is no backlog of decisions to make.
Seasons change, new items are brought in, our moods shift.
Tiny decluttering sessions need to happen at least once every year.
Otherwise we all end up with just too much stuff.
LOL 😉

OK, need to do cat things and get dressed.
Plan to be at the bank about 10am. then fill the water bottles.
Will come right back home without any people contact.

My county is still only 3 infected one death and about 150 people tested negative.
They only test sickly people.
Today all the county officials will get together and make plans and decide how to proceed with the shut down and if/when some places can open.
No matter what they say I will continue to self isolate and take precautions at the grocery store, the only place I ever need to go.
Thinking I will cancel/reschedule my dental appointment that's in June to sometime in the Autumn, just to be safe.

Tatoulia, my condolences on the passing of Officer Buckley. Sounds like he was a good and loyal man who did a great job, and will be missed by so many.

Tillie, thinking about you, and sending you strength. I have little patience for paranoid conspiracy theories re this pandemic - even just reading about them. To have to be screamed at and endangered in someone's obsession to drive home their point... so wrong.

You are coping the best you can and it is an energy drain. I'm glad you have the cats and nature to give moments of distraction. And projects to give a sense of accomplishment.

SubC, my heart is with you; hoping that helps to know.

My roommate's sister and brother in law arrived yesterday afternoon. They are the kindest, sweetest people one feels immediately at ease with. He was nuts over the dog and the feeling was mutual. I'm glad. We think the dog's previous owner must have been a guy, as he responds so happily to men.

We all went on a walk. Weather was perfect. Things weren't so crazy in the neighborhood as that other time with loose dogs, so I'm relieved. Doggy and I will manage to get along. Maybe I'll even feel more relaxed with him again. Sometimes one gets in a rut and having a change in routine can give a fresh perspective.

They (humans - doggy stays here!) and my roommate have probably arrived at the surgery place by now. I slept intermittently waking to pray for her and my cousin and everybody. My prayers were not eloquent, maybe not even coherent. But it's not a contest.

I checked my email several times yesterday for news on my cousin, but there wasn't any. Hoping that means they were simply busy helping her. I'm not going to check again until after my roommate is back home. Whatever is, is, and my mental health needs no more to process for just a few hours. Then I'll look.

My van is getting an oil change and a going over. I pray nothing costly wrong with AC. I could forego AC for awhile to save money, as long as that wouldn't damage anything worse. I hope I get my van back today. Today is payday, which helps to know.

Our Governor announced a 3 phase reopening plan starting the 4th. The 18th is the next phase, then June 1st, and complete lifting of restrictions June 15th. With leeway for counties to keep stricter guidelines. Our county commission to meet today. I hope they are cautious. Churches, it said on the news, are not rushing to resume services and as much as I miss going, I feel relieved at that.

I plan on continuing my safety precautions regardless of what some champing at the bit folks do.

Still feeling good about the cleaning and decluttering momentum. Weather has been nice. Rain on Sunday it sounds like. But we need some, and it's not that chilly winter hanging on rainy pattern we'd been in.

Stay safe everyone.

Saying prayers for your roommate, CM. Another rainy raw day here. It's gotten so I don't recognize the sunny days because they become rainy at some point, too. Waiting for some news on your cousin, too.

Tillie I would love to see the wild yellow rose! When I had my appendix out, in my 30s, my mother brought me a tiny rose plant with yellow roses. I've loved yellow roses ever since. Maybe I could find some for her for Mother's Day.

They found someone to clean mom's cat box. I think I'll put a $20 in an envelope for mom to give yo him. I'm due to leave a drop off for her. I bought some pretty spring paper plates (reduced to 32 cents a pack) for her and kitty to use. I also bought packets of napkins and have been sending them around.

I want to mention that every time the cleaners are here, I make them a care package with TP. paper towels and other things. In the beginning I included bottled water because it was impossible to find. I still include TP because even though you can find it on occasion, the prices are sky-high. Even at ?reputable' stores like CVS. So I include a care package as well as an additional 10 until this craziness is over. They only have enough work for one house a day. And still, when I asked about having the mom sew for me. The daughter said no charge. These are good people. And as soon as mom can have people in, I'll have her place cleaned from top to bottom.

That's an interesting comment about getting away from our stuff during the day, Tillie. That resonates with me. I'm proud to say that there's still more to go as that means I haven't decided that I'm Done and that I'll go back to where I was. I'm having fun seeing my decisions in my kitchen. I'm feeling positive today so I hope to report back some progress soon.

Thank you all for bearing with me.

For BF's birthday, I made an almond cake and it was lovely. First time making it. You use a can of Solo Almond Pie Filling and my goodness it was a nice little cake. I'll post a picture.

Forgot to mention...
This morning my wild yellow rose started to bloom.

Tatoulia, my condolences on the passing of Officer Buckley. Sounds like he was a good and loyal man who did a great job, and will be missed by so many.

Tillie, thinking about you, and sending you strength. I have little patience for paranoid conspiracy theories re this pandemic - even just reading about them. To have to be screamed at and endangered in someone's obsession to drive home their point... so wrong.

You are coping the best you can and it is an energy drain. I'm glad you have the cats and nature to give moments of distraction. And projects to give a sense of accomplishment.

SubC, my heart is with you; hoping that helps to know.

My roommate's sister and brother in law arrived yesterday afternoon. They are the kindest, sweetest people one feels immediately at ease with. He was nuts over the dog and the feeling was mutual. I'm glad. We think the dog's previous owner must have been a guy, as he responds so happily to men.

We all went on a walk. Weather was perfect. Things weren't so crazy in the neighborhood as that other time with loose dogs, so I'm relieved. Doggy and I will manage to get along. Maybe I'll even feel more relaxed with him again. Sometimes one gets in a rut and having a change in routine can give a fresh perspective.

They (humans - doggy stays here!) and my roommate have probably arrived at the surgery place by now. I slept intermittently waking to pray for her and my cousin and everybody. My prayers were not eloquent, maybe not even coherent. But it's not a contest.

I checked my email several times yesterday for news on my cousin, but there wasn't any. Hoping that means they were simply busy helping her. I'm not going to check again until after my roommate is back home. Whatever is, is, and my mental health needs no more to process for just a few hours. Then I'll look.

My van is getting an oil change and a going over. I pray nothing costly wrong with AC. I could forego AC for awhile to save money, as long as that wouldn't damage anything worse. I hope I get my van back today. Today is payday, which helps to know.

Our Governor announced a 3 phase reopening plan starting the 4th. The 18th is the next phase, then June 1st, and complete lifting of restrictions June 15th. With leeway for counties to keep stricter guidelines. Our county commission to meet today. I hope they are cautious. Churches, it said on the news, are not rushing to resume services and as much as I miss going, I feel relieved at that.

I plan on continuing my safety precautions regardless of what some champing at the bit folks do.

Still feeling good about the cleaning and decluttering momentum. Weather has been nice. Rain on Sunday it sounds like. But we need some, and it's not that chilly winter hanging on rainy pattern we'd been in.

Stay safe everyone.

Good Evening Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
So very sorry to hear about your Dear Friend Officer Conrad Buckley and his wife who's now sick.
((((((HUG))))))
Thank you so much for telling us about him & his beautiful wife and all the wonderful times you and BF spent together.
That means so much to us.

June 1st will give you all plenty of time to set things up and also to see how this pandemic is going in your area.
Also hoping that there will be plenty of testing for people to see if they have immunity and some safety.

YEA! that you have some extra TP!
That's something that will be used up in time so a good thing to have on hand these days. 😉

People all over the world, stuck inside their homes all these weeks are also now acutely aware that they have too much stuff.
Before, they would be able to leave the house daily and get away from all their stuff so it didn't bother them as much.
Different story having to stay home with it 24/7.
LOL ;D
WAY TO GO! for eliminating some travel papers!
And so glad you are mailing the work shredding to the office!

Even Steven has a bunch of stuff in the truck to donate soon as there is any place open to donate it.

YEA! for having the cleaners in so your home is a fresh clean pleasant place to be.
How wonderful you have found another seamstress.
It was stressful for me waiting on the other one you hired last time.
Being all alone at home I haven't found anyone making masks and I have no motivation yet to make any for myself.
The bandana worked fine last time I grocery shopped.
The bandana is blue with yellow and is from the "1990 transanarctica expedition" and has little sled dogs (Huskies) printed all over it.

So great your Mom is well and happy!!!
That is wonderful that you have all your postcards and can brighten her days with them.
You did tell us about the infections and all.
Every day brings us closer to knowing no more are infected there.

I made plans this afternoon to go into town tomorrow to the bank drive through for some cash then the water depot to fill 4 bottles.
So I went to put the bottles into the car and discovered wasps are nesting around the door hinges and in the side view mirrors.
Probably also under the hood too but I'm too afraid to stick my fingers in there to release the catch.
Sprayed the wasps I could see and put the wasp spray can in the car in case I need it when I am in town or even worse, driving to town.
Another hazard of sheltering at home for weeks. :p

Maybe later next week I'll get brave enough to grocery shop.
Really missing fresh produce.
Dreaming of watermelon and cantaloupe that will be in season soon.