Good work getting the furnace stuff done! Good feeling. SubC I am sorry to hear that there are some changes to your husband's retirement plan at work. That is never a good thing.

SubC I took the bag of the other coats up to my car and put in the trunk. I will make a much-needed trip to goodwill on Saturday. I too couldn't bring myself to put in the garbage I took the recycling out and put in the bin.

The three coats in the dryer look very nice. I just put the dryer on for a bit longer.

Cm I am like a performer who seems really extroverted but shuts down when alone. So I am up and bright and cheery when in public. At home I am very quiet. I tend to go to things alone because I don't like to be ON all the time. If I am quiet at work, I do get a lot of whether I'm feeling okay. The CEO praises me for always being so cheerful and up and kind and I've told him a few times that there are days when it's more effort than anyone would imagine.

I too have resting b}€# face except I like people to know that my b/)€£ face never rests, it is always ready for battle.

I'm going to shower now. Not done with the closet but I need to shower.

Tatoulia, I had to smile when you said that about a sour look on your face. It's an inside joke between my roommate and me. We are both introverts, and introverts are often said to have Resting B!+€h Face, etc. A couple of bosses ago she had one that was a real piece of work. That boss told my roommate she had "a sour look on her face." Introverts also get asked if we're feeling well, when we're simply pensive or preoccupied. Meh.

Sending you courage to deal with the scary closet. And you know all of us here, we get it.

Tillie, thanks for words of encouragement. I have to parcel out tasks according to mental energy and sometimes physical energy. It beats pushing too hard and crashing.

Hello to SubC in your busy life too.

I'm still frustrated, though maybe if I salvage some of the afternoon I'll be less so. The furnace fall stuff is done.

{{{ Group Hug }}} because sounds like we could all use one.

Tatoulia,

You can do it.

I see you pouting.

I imagine the badger growling and tugging at your socks.

I hope you will take the coats to goodwill - they will take anything, really. They recycle fabric.- but just get them out.

Cm, I hope you are finding done clarity and peace.

I have all my lesson plans done except Wednesday. Wednesday will be fast because it is basically "keep doing what you have been doing." (Finishing projects)

But it is dark today and I am down. So many good things in my life and still...

Dh got some bad news at work today. They made some changes that throw a wrench in our retirement plan. I'm sure we will talk about it tonight.

I made applecake.

I can only do this if you imagine the sour look on my face.

Second load of coats in washer. Have two for drycleaners. Not sure of what I will do with bag of remaining coats. I may just put in garbage tonight. Threw out all bags in the closet. Shopping bags. Put in recycling. Found an old Furla leather purse to donate. Also have an old coach bag that I'll have to decide what to do with. I bought it in 1990 after returning home from Europe. I was midway through grad school. Came home with a serious intestinal parasite yet had enough $$ leftover to buy an expensive bag. I might give to the cleaners.

I found a coat I'd been wondering what happened to it. Will take two coats to drycleaners. I have 6months to fit into them before giving to my cleaners.

I am unhappy but I am doing it. But please, everyone, can you picture me pouting?

Ps I watched an episode of hoarders last night to help me out. And it was a big help. For me. The lady in the episode was truly too far gone. They made it livable but it seemed doomed. And sad. Family was terribly upset and the woman was just so sick. Sad episode. But it helped me. If Cory and the Dr and the family could try, I can deal with my one last frontier of filth and fright.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi CriticalMass
So sorry you have a heavy and troubled soul ((((HUGS))))
Wishing you inner peace and acceptance.
Good luck remembering and juggling all those things that need doing.

Hi Tatoulia
Badger is laughing at your feeble restrictions.

NEIGHbor, that's funny! 😀
Good luck getting the garbage out and the closet ready for repairmen.

So much to do this week...
With my limited stamina, I decided to try going into town several times since I can't do it all in one day trip.
Plan today to go to bank and get some cash and fill some water bottles.
Wednesday I will go get my free flu shot.
Then one day I will grocery shop.
I get so exhausted and sore doing just grocery shopping and spend the rest of the day and the next day just recuperating.
Now that it's cooler, going into town can be more laid back and not rushed.

Sagebrush blooms in the Fall. It's all in bloom around the house and the bees are loving it.
It's so pungent and it makes my eyes water, nose stuffy and coughing.

Cm I echo Tillie's remarks. Wishing you some peace and some order. Tillie that's a good idea to break up your errands. I frequently do so too, sometimes due to the amount I can carry and other times to ensure I am walking enough.

Weird weather today. It feels perfect. Warm and breezy. But it reminds me of tornado weather. When I was a kid, living in the Midwest, I could feel a particular type of "beautiful weather " and I'd know there would be a tornado watch before the day was out.

I have entered the closet. I don't want to say too much about it. Tillie May recall and I know that LR would recall my Dreaded Closet. I can't say more about it. It's the one I pretend doesn't exist because I am afraid of it. I'm not being cute. I hate that closet. I have taken out six coats. Three are in the washer. They will be donated, hopefully to my cleaning ladies. The other three are in a big plastic bag. They will go to goodwill or I will wash them or I will freak out and put them out back tonight. I also found a complete set of hot rollers. Probably from 20 years ago.
I am unhappy in the closet. But I've started. And this is huge.

I'm here, sorta.

This past few days wiped me out physically and mentally.

Weather changes, and more forecasted, though rain is finished for the time being. Ragweed allergy lingered but may be departing.

The delayed autumn season has rudely shoved aside the summer that overstayed its welcome. Leaving us humans to scramble to deal with the need to winterize.

My mental exhaustion was partly from having to think quickly with the lady I sit with, depending on her memory functioning at any given moment. More often her mind is slipping gears, and her speech harder to understand, and if I don't follow her she becomes irritable. Sometimes if I find mariachi music on Youtube and get her singing, it shifts her in a better direction.

Roommate's car needed new battery and some doohickey replaced. Mechanic's daughter had just been the victim of a freak accident where shards from a dropped glass flew up into her eye. She will be seen by specialist tomorrow and have surgery this week. Unknown whether they can save the eye and her sight.

Roommate is buying parts to attempt again to make her DIY greenhouse functional. The one that I had a meltdown of frustration with in winter 2017. It's understood that I'm going to pretty much observe from a distance unless there's an easy task I can help with. I just hope she's sure about this and that it works out for her.

Furnace to be cleaned tomorrow. All these THINGS that have to be fitted in and juggled when I've been thinking I was finally going to get a week to regroup, get my bearings, possibly even accomplish something? What a dreamer I am. Bleh.

I know God is hearing my prayers about the things that trouble me; I just have to wait on the answers. Did a fair amount of crying today, both venting and the kind one does when one's heart is trying to put pieces together and gaining insights even while there is pain.

Took a nap late.

Boy kitty has wanted to sleep with me these cooler nights. I love it.

So. Many. Things. To remember and to do and to think about.

I'm suspending the badger's phone privileges!

Glad to read your posts! Lovely that you had a visit with your neighbors and trying like heck not to say NEIGHbors when referring to the horses.

When I was in VT my friend baked a tart with apples from her yard. Yummy! And the fresh farm stand apples sound delightful, SubC.

Closet needs two hours. Must do tmr so as to get garbage out.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Subclinical
OK next best thing to apples from your own trees. 😉

It does seem that you have spent a lot of time patching up the fence.
So good that you have another place for your escape artists.

WTG! for excellent budgeting during Summer break!

How is Fraidy goat? hope he is no linger afraid & nervous.

Hi Tatoulia
Been chuckling since reading your post.
Badger has mysterious ways to get things done.
He managed to make it so the phone company must do work in your closet to force you to get in there.
HaHaHaHaHa ;D

Good luck dealing with all the ghosts, monsters and skeletons.

Watered lilac bushes, garden and grass today.
I moved a whole bunch of his clutter out from the very front yard/carpark area where he already has three derelict vehicles rotting into the ground since I was out there anyway.
Two very large metal shelve units, a portable fire pit, three large pieces of decomposing composite/particle board, a metal windmill twirly part and a bunch of smaller assorted crap and a large tree branch that fell off a tree.
Now he can park the truck there and stop blocking in the car.

He will pitch a fit just because I moved them to the side yard where there is already a massive hoard of his other wonderful "stuff" that he has never used or had a use for.
But the wasps and spiders absolutely love all that stuff to nest in undisturbed.

Made a grilled cheese sandwich with dill rye bread and pepper jack cheese. Very tasty.
Had a very nice long chat with my neighbor and her horse out by the road.
She got a new black & white pony as a companion animal for her other horse but that horse still cries when the other horse goes riding.
While we talked the horse ate the tall grass by my driveway and trimmed a tree for me.
Good horse. 😉

Tatoulia, just think how hard it would have been to let them into your closet before all of your hard work!

You have come a long way! Be proud of yourself!

Hello! Well I am going to have to work on my closet because the phone company needs to do work here and it's all in a closet. I'm so upset. They will be here Wednesday.

I say I am upset but I am not. It will force me to deal with the monsters and the skeletons in my closet. Garbage goes out tmr night. So it's today and tomorrow.

I am upset but I'm not. I will face this.

Thanks!

Tillie, these are not my apples. I have two apple trees, but the critters always get all the apples before they are ready. We went picking at a local orchard that has been in business for over 100 years. I started taking the kids there when they were little.

I didn't patch the fence yesterday. It is so bad that I just moved them to the other field. I think it is time to replace some of the fence. I need to save up some money though - I had $160 left before I got paid. (Don't worry, we have savings and dh covers most of our needs.) That is farm/pottery/things I want money. Except the mortgage. I pay that. But I only get paid October-June, so the $160 means I budgeted pretty well. Even with buying the new goat.

I think badger wants IN to the closet. good luck Tatoulia!

Good Evening Everyone

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK Subclinical!

Yes, I made the Lonely Cricket post.
WTG! cleaning stalls and you probably also did the other things!!!

It's so nice that your teaching job brings you so much enjoyment.

YEA! for repurposing those Tshirts!
I'm jealous. I used to have two beautiful apple trees and apples from your own trees are always the best.

Hi Tatoulia
I just made a small pot of spaghetti.
WAY TO GO!!! for finishing completely!
Some days I get busy & scatter brained and look around and find that I have many projects that are not finished.
So I force myself to take a breath and just finish.
Feels so much better after they are done and stuff is put away where it belongs.

Badger, Badger, Badger is in the closet and demands that you let him out!

Was a very nice day here today.
When it warmed up outside I went out and kinda sorta washed the car.
Did wash the car windows very well.
Then watered the trees.
Let Scooter & Twinkles go outside but then had to bring them right back in.
Jack came by and they (the idiot animals) both want to fight with him.
Jack doesn't want to fight but will defend himself.
This evening I gave myself a pedicure.

Hello CriticalMass 🙂

SubC, Happy birthday 🎈🎉🎁🎂🎊! What a great time of year for a birthday!

Nice and cool here. Beautiful sunny day and I walked around quite a bit then came home and napped. Then I got up to visit mom.

I'm keeping up with everything here e Celt my goal to work on my closet. I wonder what is wrong with me.

One thing I've started to do is finish something. If I see something out of place, I put it in its place. Not a way-station along the way. Does anyone do that? You dongalf the job then decide to finish later? Example: I was closing my bedroom windows and the top windows had slid down so I couldn't lock them. I fixed one and in my mind I thought, I'll do the other one later. So I stopped myself and did them both. I do that a lot. Half-way. So I've been doing everything right away and I feel like a regular human being.

Closet time in the AM! Let's do this!

Tillie what will you be cooking??!!??

Hi Tillie,

We're you the lonely crickets? I'm sorry i'm not around much these days.

My "birthday week" has started and my oldest Dd is coming out to go apple picking with me this afternoon.

It's a gorgeous fall day. I cleaned stalls this morning and I also need to mend fence and pick tomatoes. Dd likes tomatoes.

Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy, so I will use it for my new October goal of getting my lesson plans done for the whole week. (Except I forgot some materials, so I will still have a bit of prep Tuesday night) i'm Excited about what is going on in most of my classes right nw, so it shouldn't feel like a chore. In fact, we have so many big projects happening, I might get two weeks under my belt. I'm also going to bake some apple cakes - one to freeze and one to eat.

I used up five old t-shirts this past week for a project in one of my classes.

Good Morning

Good Morning Everyone

I thought the cricket post was cute but I guess somebody thought it was spam and deleted it. ;p

Hi Tatoulia
How sad.
Very nice of you and BF to go over to comfort them. (((HUG)))

Some days we just need to let life to go on around us without participating.
Even machines need some down time before they can reboot.

Would have enjoyed going into town this morning but he has the car blocked in the driveway with his truck.
He won't be up until well after noon and by then I won't want to go anywhere any more.
Last night I washed a load of my clothes and have them drying on hangars in my room.
The kitchen is clean.
I need to cook some food so the kitchen will need to be cleaned again.
The weather forecast says it will be "yo-yo" temperatures all next week.
Very cold one day and the next day upper 70s.

Good Morning Everybody
"Clink!"

Supposed to get up to 70 degrees today, YEA!
We get a tiny weekly "mailbox" news letter. Just comes free in the mail.
It tells of local events, sales and store hours, etc.
Read that I can get a free flu shot on the 9th.
Same people and place as last year.
Supposed to be a bad year for flu and I don't want it.
Still have a bad lingering cough from all the wildfire smoke.

My kitchen is a mess so today I will do something about that.

Scooter has been pestering Twinkles and it was getting worse.
Twinkles finally had enough and is now batting at him and chasing him around the house whenever Scooter acts up.
So glad Twinkles is standing up for himself.
He is normally such a sweetheart and puts up with too much.
Scooter deserves the payback. ;D

Good morning, Tillie, Scooter, Twinkles and Jack. And hello crickets!

I had an unproductive day yesterday. I didn't go to work, I didn't get dressed, I didn't work on my closet and I didn't walk. But I did get showered and dressed at 5 to go visit a neighbor whose son had died suddenly and unexpectedly. BF made a large platter of cheese, fruit, crackers and nuts and we both went over. I ended up staying for a few hours. Very sad situation.

I'm late for work. Tillie it has been significantly cooler here and more like fall. Last night was a bit drizzly with much cooler air.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
Thank you

YEA! for working on a closet. Any amount of time spent is good progress.

Very glad your class went well! 🙂

Hope the new product removed that very old spot for you.
But I am not holding my breath...

How nice it will be to sleep in your fresh clean professionally made up bed tonight.

WAY TO GO!!! Miss Kitty! ;D

Hi CriticalMass
Thank you

WAY TO GO!!! with your quilting!!!

Great getting donations all ready to drop off.
So sorry your bed is not giving you the proper support and cushioning.
My bed sucks too, it's the couch pull out.
Makes my legs dance all night sometimes.

Good luck next week after all this sitting this week getting your room sorted out. 🙂

Was frigid over night but warmed up quickly after the sun rose.
My laundry dried beautifully out on the line.
Got some water on the garden and grass.
Need to get out my jacket and lightweight coat.
Have a memo for that on a post-it, really must remember.

Let Twinkles go out this morning.
He and Jack ran into each other and "words" were exchanged.
Managed to get between them before anything worse happened.
Put Twinkles back inside.

My Ash tree is gorgeous. All decked out in gold leaves.
Peach tree is mostly still green with patches of peachy colored leaves here & there.

Drive by

Sitting for my lady this week. Yesterday was the busiest day w/quilting a.m., holy hour afternoon, & sitting p.m. Today quilting a.m. - pleased how fast and productive I was, I think I must've quilted nearly 10 feet! Sitting again tonight.

Tomorrow is payday! Then sitting in the eve again and on Friday all afternoon and Saturday early till midafternoon.

Been doing small projects around the home too. Pulled donations in van together to be ready for dropping off.

Next week will go all out on reclaiming bedroom. I could try flipping mattress again. Roommate had a foam topper thingy on it but I'm a terribly restless sleeper and it annoyed me. So when hers had to be tossed I gave it to her.

Maybe I should just tie a pillow around my butt, LOL. I thought I had ample padding but it's something how hip bones are pretty close to the surface even on non-skinny people who side sleep. In a couple weeks I go back to the doc & I sure hope I will have gone to the gym finally. Plus she is going to try the adjustment if something's out of alignment.

Tillie, I wish I could help you get Medicare, Medicaid, or both. I helped a friend with paperwork to get her Social Security Disability. I can go into my "talk like a lawyer mode." It's an app in my brain I can switch on, borne of being an English major and knowing them highfalutin' words, plus what others (including my attorney) have told me and I've studied re disability.

Tatoulia, lil kit is special.

SubC, three cheers for papa goat to be!

Washing my thin white quilt. I have a new product to take out stains and I'll be interested to see if it can take out a tiny little blood stain from a bloody nose so many years ago.

I've stripped the bed for the cleaning ladies.

I'm working and trying to get things done. My four/legged intern is helping. In her mind.

Tillie I am sickened by your treatment. I have heard horror stories about trying to get benefits and your is certainly the worst. When I used to fight for my brother's benefits, I'd frequently ask, what do people without advocates do? The treatment and attitude are sickening.

As a side product of reducing my life, I have had to give up the idea that I need to save everyone, and that has proved to be so helpful. But I still advocate for my elderly neighbors such as helping to get a wheelchair for my neighbor when his was stolen, and helping another neighbor with his groceries and medications. I'm happy to get them what they need. But I'm no longer ?taking on new patients'.

Ok I worked on one closet last night. Not the 30 minutes but a good deal of time. Today I completely forgot that it's the cleaning lady day. I'm pretty excited.

I'm dressed, which is what I need to do if I want to be productive. My class went well and I stayed at work late last night, then passed by a store to buy the knife I need. I'll make my squash tonight as I don't know what time the ladies are arriving.

I need to brush my kitty more. Her neck is a little lumpy. Let's see if she'll let me!!

It was cold all day, tomorrow is supposed to get up to 60 degrees.
Did cat stuff, even brushed Twinkles.
Washing towels, wash cloths, sheets & pillow cases tonight and will hang them tomorrow morning after the sun comes up.
Tomorrow I also plan to put a little water on the garden and the grass.
Secured the insulation strip around the front door today. That should help keep the drafts out better.

Good Morning
"Clink!"

Hi Tatoulia
We are all very invested in your Mom's new cat and love hearing all about her.
We are so happy she is doing so well now. 😀

With the two of you helping Mom up & down the steps
cookie making sounds like a wonderful outing for her.

Starting now it will be even harder to resist all those holiday sweets.
Good luck. Pick and choose what special treats to enjoy and may the lesser sweets not tempt you.

Hi Subclinical
That is a good goal.
Even if by Monday you have all but the Friday classes figured out it will be very successful.

Hope the medication halts the progression for your macular degeneration!
It's amazing what they can do these days for eye problems that just a few years ago were unheard of.

WTG! Billy Goat!!! ;D
Hope this turn of events helps him to relax. HaHaHa

Without any health insurance I have not gone to a doctor since 1989.
At that time I desperately needed surgery but could not afford it.
Physically, I'm a mess.
I tried to get medicade and that man basically told me to go die.

Anywho...Another very chilly day but last night was just a tad warmer than the last few nights.
Supposed to be a little warmer rest of the week.
Have no need to grocery shop this week.
So I will start winterizing the windows & pipes.

Tatoulia,

Way to go on being ready for your class! I have today covered and am working on tomorrow. Eventually I want to be ready for the whole week on Monday night!

Actually, that is a good October goal.

Tillie, I hope you start feeling better. I'm sure you are ruling out anything you can do medically, right?

I went to the eye doctor yesterday. I have macular degeneration starting, but they have come so far since my dad was diagnosed that the dr. put me on twice daily meds and said there is a better than 90% chance that if I take them, the degeneration will never get bad enough for me to notice!

Also I ordered new glasses.

My little buck finally figured out his job this morning, so hopefully babies end of feb/start of March.

Tillie, I'm so sorry that you are exhausted. I am so sorry. And exhaustion is both physical and mental. I'm just so sorry.

My mother, although decades older than us, wakes up tired. She's in physical pain (like you) and I think the dull rhythm of her days are also exhausting. I'm grateful she has s new little buddy cat.

The opening of the door seems to spook the car. I have to knock whether it's locked or unlocked, and thevteo things seem to send her flying. Maybe I'll start saying her name or mom's name when I walk in, so she gets used to it. I love that she came out and meowed three times.

Kitty is now eating on the table we set by the door. I bought this for our other cat. This way mom doesn't have to bend down to feed her/change her bowls.

Mom was very much restored from our baking adventure at our friend's house. My friend is very heat and very clean and her place is decorated so cutely. We didn't leave the kitchen but there is so much room. Mom seemed so happy and it's such an easy thing to be with my friend. We are going to do Christmas cookies next time around. There are three steps mom needs to take to get in. It is very difficult for her but we help her and make sure she takes her time.

Cm I didn't realize you've been sleeping on the couch. I do hope you can clear off your bed and get s new mattress. I want you to be able to sleep peacefully and hopefully your pain will resolve.

I've been stiff lately and I can tell I've gained weight by how my clothes fit. So that's a good reminder to lay off the sweets!!

Going to bed now. Running a second dishwasher load now, as I managed to use an inordinate amount of pots and pans while cooking tonight.

Goodnight, everyone. Thank you for listening to my ramblings. I'm sorry I'm a bit obsessed with mom's cat. She seems to extraordinary to me.

Garbage out, cat box cleaned. Made dinner. I over cooked the shrimp. Going to take recycling out then call it a day. I'm ready for class.