Hi Tatoulia 🙂
I know why you are having upper GI issues.
You are aggravated and frustrated.
It's not what you are eating, it's what's eating you. (((HUGS)))
Here's a secret but don't tell Subclinical or CriticalMass....
I have ALWAYS thought/felt that dolls are just too creepy.
Which was hard when I was a child and would often be given the evil things.
The other thing I feel this way about is clowns.
The absolute worst thing in this world is CLOWN DOLLS!!!
But I do love to look at miniature houses and all their trappings and imagine that I am the person in there. ;D
This is the first and only doll house I have ever owned.
WAY TO GO! for doing those things to keep up the house and YEA! for iced tea. 😉

I was in the upstairs art and music room.
I did some good work there making the wasted spaces useful.
I after a disagreement with wive about extra kitchen cabinets . Moved the cabinets upstairs. Includes 8 feet of counter with 12 drawers and 1 wide open cabinet. With upper cabinets that match. I moved the cabinets 1 foot from the wall and made an area for large objects behind it.
but at the counter level. I cut foamcore into shelving so all the paper is now organizes as well as some of the drawing manuals. This includes the air brush machine.

I realized something.
I was giving my daughter most of the things I always wanted for myself. . I guess that can be my self discovery for the day.
I called a friend of mines mother wanter to get rid of some dinning room chairs. I got them and bartered them for a pair of bar stools that fit my art craft counter. Perfectly.

Also I've been working on graphic novel app.
so that I can better communicate what im working on .
so anyone intrested can see images of what I'm talking about..

my daughr er just textedvme b if she could have a sleepover.
so of course I said ok.
today was laundry day. And I did it all without waiting around for it. Thanks to the previous tenant leaving a functional washer.

Hello everybody! Good to catch up! Full day--we picked up the lamps and they are beautiful. They look fantastic in the bedroom--large, which is fine because I have high ceilings. I'll have to rearrange the art that is above the tables they are on. Hopefully arranging the art in bedroom will motivate me SubC to do something with the art in the living room.

After getting the lamps from the auction house with BF Then I took mom to the museum and we had lunch and we went to a stunning exhibit. Afterward I did her groceriy shopping then we stopped by BF's work to say hello. Then I met a friend for dinner. Insanely busy and so much fun. Doing a quick laundry now.

Heading into work tomorrow--

Good to hear of your progress Porter and that you are in communication with your daughter. Very pleased to hear that. . Tillie, hard to believe that 99F is something to cheer about! SubC you are doing great! You'll get the completely clean kitchen! You will get there!

I have the new lamps in bedroom and have the two outgoing ines ready and waiting to leave. BF wants them-he will likely re-sell, so I won't be taking to consignment shop. I'll let him take them instead. He wants to pay me which is ridiculous and will be a fight. I just want them out.

Good morning!

Tatoulia, I'm glad you have your lamps and they are making you happy. And that the old lamps are going out! I hope that the lamps to serve as a trigger to work on your art. 🙂

Porter, it's a good sign that your daughter is planning to come stay already. If you can leave the door open for her to move easily back and forth I think it will give you both space to grow and strengthen your relationship.

And I think it's awesome that you are creating a space that nurtures you! Having your own life that you can share with your daughter is much healthier for both of you than having your life be about trying to create a particular life for her. You are offering her a lot just by being a safe place she can always come to, and then college - wow. So many parents would like to do that for their kids and can't.

Also hurray for your stools and your washer and your art space! It makes me smile to picture your environment falling together for you!

I almost went to bed with a clean kitchen last night. Not clean:
Four little plants that need to be repotted on the counter
Papers on the kitchen table using one eating space
My "in box" (paper reem box full of stuff I need to handle) on the kitchen stool
Dh lunch box that he brought home from work at 9:30 pm and dropped on the counter.

Not bad I think.

My inbox is all the way full to the top again though. 🙁

Also, I have a new area I need to address. I'm sorry it is long.

I have a doll collection. My grandmother collected dolls and when I was young she also collected them for me and my cousin. She travelled all over the world and always brought us a doll, and also picked out special ones for birthdays, Christmas, sometimes other occasions (like an Easter basket).

After she died a four years ago, the family divided her doll collection. Many of them were sold, but we all had our pick first. There were five my cousin and I both wanted, and because she wanted fewer overall , we agreed that we would take turns picking and she could go first and have three.

Then I went on eBay to try to find the three I didn't get. Which led to me discovering new designers and buying dolls I had never seen before and also replacements in excellent condition for dolls I already had but "loved to death" as a child. At first it was ok because I kept my purchases under $20 and only bought one or two a month, discarding the worn out dolls when I replaced them.

Then I got additional hours at work and the addition was still in the phase we had presaved to pay for. It was a very good time to buy dolls because the prices were low, and I increased my budget and numbers. I discovered "lots" and ended up with dolls I didn't even want thrown in with the ones I did want, but then couldn't part with them. I still didn't spend more than my "discretionary money" but I was spending ALL of it on dolls. No classes, no books, no lunches out, no new clothes...

Then last October I realized that half the dolls I had bought in the last two months were dissapointing and I quit eBay cold turkey. At first it was really hard. I had gotten into a pattern of searching my list of designers every morning with my coffee and each evening before bed. I missed the thrill of the hunt. But eventually it got easy.

Currently the collection is mostly packed away because the majority of it was on a long shelf along one wall in the basement. When we built the addition, we replaced the hvac and the new unit divides the wall in a way that doesn't allow the shelf to go back. I look forward to one day having the dolls back on display, and meanwhile have a small shelf in each guest room.

In the last couple of weeks I started looking at dolls on eBay again. Generally the prices are much higher now and I have not been tempted and have been feeling that maybe that window when I was buying so many was just the right time for that. But this morning, I found a doll that I wanted when I was buying.

I do not have any dolls by this designer, because even when I was buying the prices were too high. But when I looked at her dolls, I had two thoughts "the one I would really want by her is this little boy, or maybe the girl version of the same doll" and "if I ever see one under x price, I'm buying it." The doll was actually listed without the designer's name, which I am guessing is why no one else had bought it - it showed up in "other listings" when I searched the seller from one of her listings. It was my boy doll, and with shipping, it was 30% under my x price. Less than half what they were selling for when prices were "low". So I bought it.

My budget has become more limited with the progress of the addition, and I am now completely out of spending money until fair week July 17 (I set aside $25 for fair and I will have premiums afterwards - the doll collection always wins me premiums 🙂 )

I am posting about this here because I need to be kept honest and accountable by people who won't simply say "you should never buy another doll. You already have far too many." (like my family because they don't understand why my collection makes me happy) but will also be honest and gently warn me if I start to have a problem again. I am hoping that is you guys.

I am still announcing everything I acquire here. So I hope you can see how I am doing. I will do a June summary for feedback in July if that is ok.

This is turning out to be a long day.

I had to go out.
I did not stop and save the red rocket swing or the tarp from the trash.
I stopped at the thrift store where I did not find a dress for my son's wedding, but I did find a display case that I thought would be great in my studio. Then I reminded myself that I spent all my spending money and left it.
I did not even climb up and look in the dumpster at the fairgrounds, which pretty obviously had all the left behinds from last weekend's auction in it. (I wanted to so badly!)
I did not rescue the screen doors from the trash to build a screen house around my blueberries (I told myself they probably have lead paint)
And I did not rescue the perfectly good chair from the trash.

And I haven't even done my hard thing for the day yet. I wanted to get it done this morning, but then dh called with a problem for me to solve and derailed my day. Now I am tired.

It was hard to let some of my possession  go when I moved.

 

To b e honest I would of just  crammed everthing in even if it were cramped if were not for my wife taking stands.

 

yes I'm in a state of normal.  Not minimal ism  just that there mostly  just furniture.  I could  have a dinner party in this House at the drop of hat. And very little clutter in the open.

 

the basement is at capacity.  But is well organized and we'll protected.  Its what took the longest to move as I sorted and reorganized 3 times before taking down to storage.

 

so after 6 months of real daily effort to change from a horder home to a normal home. It is done. And the wide and daughter aren't here to create dilemmas with clutter.

 

 

I spent more time in the art room adding bins and trays for taking art kits and groups of supplies and tools.

 

 

I have turned to a fantasy  for creative outlet.

.... back story

since my daughter was 3 in bathtub playing with bath toys.

I've always encouraged story telling and mapping out where characters in the story could be in reality.   Something I read s took to heart .

 

forward 11 years later.   The story my daughter and I are collaborating on is about  a hero on flying bike.

it's our way of letting my obsessions with things be turned into a fantasy story .

 

a family of five  mom dad, older brother, sister, and younger brother.  

The older brother was a free spirit. And created a flying bike  and t a liked to his sister about being set free in sky and to fly amongst the birds.

 

the setting is that drones have dominated the sky like big brother.  And older brother ventures out into the drone filled skies in defiance.  After a few months of celebrity  attention. He becomes famous, but is killed  by drone attack.

 

the story then turns to sister. Whom then leads a campaign against the establishment dominating the skies..

she forms unlikely alliances with artists and hackers.

 

videos of her are made every time she leads her network to a goal.   there's the struggle of the sister to keep the younger brother from going into all out war against the government.  because the sister knows the older brother was about freedom in the skies and not just being strong vs the those whom control the skies.

 

.....

I'm so very pleased  to be working on this in the art space.

after the last 3 years my daughter has become interested in storyboards. So the graphic novel app is helping me turn my earthen homes ideas and flying bike ideas into a channel .

 

the story about a society so in fear of terrorism that it  can't ascend into a society of flying peoples.  

Her campaign turns to a spirit guide of large  crow. That she flies with.  So one of the comic books were talking about is the crows society and their battles with the drones.

 

when the two meet in the sky  the girl champion  and the bird king .  I start to imagine music videos where the two do some epics things while flying though the air together.

....

I chose the black crows because my daughter is going through a rebellious dark black clothes phase.

 

she sent a me an evil looking scarecrow today.

she's in love with the evil look in her art.  

 

And that's right up my ally with using hand drawn black letter caligraphify. In the caption boxes.

 

we've collaborated on 18 stories over the years.

so i nearly was overcome with emotion when she sent me her work. Because i thought i lost her forever too.

 

So again I feel like a little o u t of place.  my lifesty l e isnt surrounded by clutter and emotional outburst between my wife and I . But this new place where artistry is emerging.

 

My idea long ago was train my daughter to play her own music and make art fofor her I own videos

But tuning  t o wards what she wants.  to be a comic book writer.  I feel that it's not all been wasted.

After all I rarely finnish where I thought i would when start on projects.

 

I know how this will go this weekend.

Shell show up with 3 or four friends around 10pm friday night.

They play some you tube music from their fafavorite bands.

I'll take them all out for midnight waffles.

They'll come back and the art girls will draw all night.

 

I will keep my mouth shut about how feel deeper inside about her leaving.

Shes just using me and her room to stay in close contact with her friends.

I can't be mad at that. I set it up  that way in February

 

Going to sleep nonow.

Goodnight

If she is sending you drawings, she is not just using you. She is working to maintain an important connection.

She is a teenager. They need to know we are there, but they would prefer to treat us like furniture. That is normal and ok, even though it can be hard for the parent.

Keep letting her adjust to the new space in her own way. You will both find your balance.

I did my hard thing. If was not nearly so hard as yours!

Helloooooo 😀

Hi Subclinical 🙂
WAY TO GO! for having an almost clear kitchen! 😀
Having a collection that you enjoy and will have a way to display is FANTASTIC!
Sounds like you are very careful to stay within a budget.
Hope you are passing along those dolls that don't measure up to the fine standards you are striving for.
I don't really have any collections but I do have a tiny beautiful doll house that I truly enjoy and how excited I get when I find something that's perfect for it. 😉

Hi Porter 🙂
The best way to be a great parent is by helping your child to do all the things they aspire to.
You are doing a fantastic job helping your daughter. (((HUGS)))

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
So happy you had such a good time out and about. 😀
Have the new lamps inspired you to evaluate the artwork for the living room?

Hi to all you "silent" partners 😉

Went grocery shopping this morning.
Bought enough to last a while.
Was very glad to get back home, the cats were happy to see me too. 😀
I really need to wash the windows.
There are only 3 I can get to inside & out and I can also wash the inside of the bathroom window.
Two windows I can't get to inside or out due to his hoard and the other one has the evaporative cooler in it.
There is also the glass of the storm door to wash.
I have the bucket with all the things needed to do this task sitting here on the floor and plan to attempt this tomorrow morning.
Clean windows always seem to improve my outlook on life. 😀

Good morning!

Tillie, your post made me feel really good. I think that is the first time somebody besides my mom has said something nice about my doll collection. And my mom is an incredibly supportive person. She would say something like "you know I don't agree with robbing stores, but you looked really good on the news last night and I was proud of the way you surrendered right away when the police showed up." (Slight exaggeration)

Telling people that you collect dolls as an adult woman tends to get the same kind of response as telling them you have 27 cats. (I have one cat)

Anyway, I have NOT thinned out the doll collection. I know that I need to, but I have been discouraged from working on it by my lack of a display area. I feel like if I could get them all out and set up, it would be easier to make decisions.

This is another reason I should not be shopping. The odds of "buying multiples due to forgetting what you have" syndrome being high. And there are a few that are more common that I look at and think "did I buy that, or just bid on it so many times I feel like I bought it?" Particularly with dolls from the end when the shopping was getting out if hand.

As soon as I get my farm squared away I am heading off to see my mom! I went over everything with the farm sitter last night and she will come back tonight.

It is a 13 hour drive. Mom is a mid level hoarder with a big, beautiful house full of shelves and closets, so she is just a person with a LOT of stuff. I am going to help her do some cleaning out (she is very excited because she found every letter I ever wrote her from 12 summers at camp.) Starting with "hi I am not home sick. It is hot. I like my tent." And ending with the ones where I tell long rambling stories about the campers and explain that I will not be coming home because I am spending the weekend here because I am dating this guy on staff (now dh) and enumerate all of his virtues - those should be funny.

Then we are going to dh parents house on the way home. I am taking some of the magazines so that I can read them in the car and recycle them.

P.s. I love dollhouses. I have a sturdy little basic one that my great grandfather built my grandmother from scrap boards when she was little and has been played with a lot by many children, it has very basic block like furnishings and the cast of residents has changed often. When my dad was little it was a garage for cars and sometimes a barn or dog house. I used to have a fancy one, but it got smashed in a move, so now I have the pieces in the workshop studio (hoarder thinks she will fix it) and some furniture in a box.

Good morning!

Tillie I'm happy you got to the store! Good feeling! SubC I love that your mom has you Camp letters! So much fun! Enjoy your week away! I know that feeling with eBay--I went through a heavy & active eBay situation many years ago with Christmas stamps and First Day Covers. Luckily the collection fits in two shoe boxes. Definitely try to find a way to display and figure out what you own. I bet there'll be some surprises! I'm amazed that as you replaced dolls you were able to get rid of the worn versions--good work!!!-I tend to keep the original and the replacement of whatever *it* is. But now I'm in reduce, recycle, donate mode so I've broken that cycle.

I am home today--having some heartburn--new development--will need to see dr.

Have a lot of work to do today plus I have a great deal of mom's laundry to do. Hopefully will find some time for housework--humidity comes back tonight.

Hope all is well, Porter, Anony, CM & others!!!

Hi everybody

I'm proud of myself because I've been tackling "boring stuff." You know, the paperwork and things we tend to procrastinate on. It feels good to get it done, and playing music while I work helps. There are three distinct batches right now; I'm on the first of them. When all three are gone that will reclaim about a cubic foot of space, but in prime areas like desktop or sewing machine real estate. So a very motivating goal! Eyes on the prize! Will report in as I complete each set of papers.

And . . . drum roll . . . I cleaned the bunnies' litterboxes this morning! Go me! *fist pump*

Porter, glad your daughter's keeping in touch. There's a bond there, for sure. Creativity is such a great way to bond, too. I'd always pictured myself doing art and things with the children that I never ended up having. Well, that ship has sailed and it's okay. I think sometimes of volunteering with kids, like at our parish school. Too much on my plate right now but maybe someday. I like your idea of making a storage space for large items. I have paintings and paper pads, canvases, etc. to store and it makes sense to not just have to cram stuff like that in anywhere.

Subclinical, I like dolls too. Mainly play dolls like I had as a kid, Barbies, American Girl (and counterparts by other companies). I can't afford many, and I have really been a lot stricter with myself in recent years. I have three large dolls - a My Size Barbie, and a Patty Playpal type (off-brand) that's the size of a 3- or 4-year-old child. And another off-brand Playpal type that's like a year-old or so baby. Plus the well-loved baby dolls I had growing up. I sold most all my childhood Barbies (wish I hadn't!) but I still have a few. This is my "sentimental" collection.

I also have a family of Tammy even though I didn't know about Tammy until I was a grownup. Guess they didn't have them in my area. Back in the 90s I had a craft/vintage booth and I'd "flip" thrift store dolls. After that fizzled, I sold or donated most of those except the Tammy Family. (If you ever see the little brother Pete/Salty for a cheap price (<$25) let me know!!! He's the rarest and the only one I lack.) I like the vintage and innocent look of the Tammys. I also have a couple of Penny Brites, a similar doll to Tammy's sister Pepper.

The American Girl 18" size I bought as an adult so I could sew and sell clothes for them. I also bought more Barbies and Kens, Skipper, Stacie, etc. for the same purpose. I like to have several "model" dolls of different ethnicities. And now Mattel has started making the Tall, Curvy, and Petite Barbies so I got one each of those and took measurements for sewing. Then in July the Kens are coming - Broad and Slim. I already have a recent Original Ken but I'll pick up a Broad and a Slim for pattern drafting.

My temptation is variety and diversity, and right now Mattel is dangling temptation in front of me! If I keep them in neat boxes and don't buy more than my sewing and picture taking really require, okay. And I must market the clothes to support the financial outlay for my habit. Otherwise game's up. Oh, and, I saw Monster High dolls for $5.00 each at Walmart and was a bit tempted to get a couple of them for sewing - but then they were gone. Tabling that decision for now - get the Kens and focus on the Barbie universe first.
Between dolls and alcohol inks and beading, I've been bit by the acquisition bug these last couple of months. I guess it's the spring/summer energy making me want to be more creative and it fuels the desire to purchase some new supplies. Must make sure I USE what I have and not keep "hunting."

Oh, and, subject change - did you say you have a pet bunny too?

My roommate starts her vacation tomorrow through next week. I'll have less private time but I do intend to be firm about carving out time to work on my own projects. I'm on a roll and I don't want to lose the momentum. If I have to go to the library some of the week that's easy enough. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy hanging out with her, and she's not clingy or wanting to go go go, but I'm getting really protective of my time.

She goes out of town this weekend, and the dog to the kennel, so it'll just be me, the cats, bunnies, frog and toad. Some possible severe weather is forecasted. Two years ago when she went out of town for the 4th of July weekend there was a bad storm with power outage. I hope there will NOT be a repeat! What a mess that was. I have more of a storm kit now, and I'm charging my backup power devices etc. I'm not going to buy any food that needs refrigeration; I can get by on what I have rather than lose the $$$ if power fails. Really hoping it won't!!

Hi Everybody 🙂

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
YEA!!! WTG!!!! for clean bunny boxes! 😀
Great work tackling those boring items.
I too hope you don't have adverse weather & power outages while you are home alone, except for the menagerie.

Hi Subclinical 🙂
Your old quaint doll house sounds lovely and even more so because it's been well loved all these years.
My dollhouse was a refurbish, salvage job.
There was a LOT of things I had to do for it.
First I had to clean all the dirt/dried mud out of it.
Paint inside & out. Make/install window frames and doors.
Build a stair case and reattach the roof, etc.
It's very tiny, 14 by 14 by 7 inches.
Anyways... what I am getting at is it is possible to fix your doll house if you are motivated to see it restored. 😀

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Hope it's nothing too hard to get under control and you are soon all better. (((HUGS)))

Early this morning I went out and watered some garden stuff then I removed window screens, washed windows & screens, swept & hosed the porch and walkway, had a conversation with a neighbor, lit the burn barrel and emptied scrubbed scoured & sanitized all 3 litter boxes, came back inside and washed this side of the windows & window sills, repaired some screens where the cats have leaned on them making them loose, made an important phone call & remained on "hold" half an hour, sorta cleaned back porch, good enough...
It's now 1:35, lunch time.
Soon I intend to shower and wash my hair, during the heat of the day it feels so good to be all wet. 😀

I love hearing about everyone's doll houses! I am not a big fan of dolls--but oh how I loved my (uninhabited) dollhouse my grandfather made. I still have some of the furniture. in my mind's eye I can picture the way it was set up at Christmas when Santa brought it to my sister and me.

Great work CM on bunny boxes and for working through the boring stuff. Good to read how much you and Tillie have done. For me, it's after 7:40 and I'm writing an article for work. I'm frustrated. I was fasting today but it was too hard to research and write so finally I made dinner.

If I'm still making no progress after my next stab at it, I'm going to have to switch gears and do some housework.

Hi all!

Porter, I will often have trouble with the "feel" of a space when I get it cleaned up. Your are also dealing with a lot of other changes! It will take time.

CM, I definitely think a target date is a good idea. No don't think I would ever get anything done without deadlines. Although, I usually gave to make them external - even if it is only by asking someone to hold me accountable.

I hope your Dr Who gets fixed.

I did a lot of things today, but I avoided most of the things I really needed to do. My bunny got brushed and a fresh litter box at least.

I had phone calls and e-mails, and a bank deposit and class, and in the middle of everything I stopped at the thrift store again and bought some cookie cutters for my studio that I don't actually need, but really like. So I'm feeling conflicted about that.

I did take another bag of landfill trash out and give my teacher a box of syringes (for decorative slip trailing - clay work) because I had too many stockpiled in my studio.

I brushed my bunny while I was avoiding other jobs, and changed her litter box, so she is happy.

And I am cooking dinner. I'm trying to keep my people from eating out and use up the food that is in the fridge before we leave on Thursday (going to see my parents, then his)

Hi Everybody 🙂

Hi Subclinical 🙂
Way To Go!
You have been doing so much!

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Did the new lamps arrive?
Hoping you & your Mom will be at the museum (((HUGS)))

Hi Porter 🙂
I have found a sneaky way to watch "Fear The Walking Dead"
I also have a non-legit way to watch other TV & movies.
Everything is online somewhere ;/

Hi Joan 🙂
I watch wonderful documentaries on Youtube.
My Blu-ray player plays Youtube onto the tv so I can enjoy them all on the bigger screen.
Unfortunately, there is so much more to watch than there are hours in the day to watch it all. ;D

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
I am sooooo jealous that you will get to watch ALL Dr. Who episodes!!! 😀
Been a BIG fan of the series since 1974.
At Star Trek conventions I managed to buy LOTS of really cool Dr. Who stuff. 😉
Having a "target date/deadline" is a great idea.
Without one we tend to just keep putting things off until later, until it's almost too late.

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
Hoping the spiders & other spooky bugs have not carried you off (((HUGS)))

Only been getting up to 99 degrees ;P
Yesterday I managed to clean the house. Didn't do everything but did get all the important stuff cleaned.
Today I watered everything outside very early this morning.
Still have not gone grocery shopping.
Maybe early tomorrow morning I'll go???
While I was out watering I hosed off the car. It was covered in tree stuff and lots of bird stuff.

TTYL 🙂

Hi Tillie!

I hope you get some food soon!

I did not go to bed with a clean kitchen last night, but I keep getting closer. Maybe tonight?

I started my next class session today, and I did two of my hard things. Neither one was as hard as it had become in my head. I will do a third hard thing tomorrow, and then hopefully everything else can wait a week while I bounce around family gatherings.

No ins or outs today, but my class seems likely to result in me creating a bunch of useful ins. I think that is ok. I just need to keep up with the studio.

Tillie, I'm doing a little bit not a lot. Please don't be sad--it is hot where you are and you'll have the time to clean!

I am drinking lots of water and trying to get some small stuff done.

I got a bag to donation center yesterday. That was satisfying.

I have changed my sheets and decided to take one of the layers off. I like the weight of more layers but I need to be realistic too.

I'll take the quilt to the laundromat snd have them wash it for me.

I'm getting two lamps tomorrow-a pair, so I need to box up the two lamps in my bedroom for the consignment shop. The two I'm getting are beautiful. I really like the lamps in my bedroom but they must go. I don't have my car today--loaned it to a neighbor--so I won't be able to get the lamps to the shop this weekend. That is what next weekend is for. We have a long weekend due to holiday--Monday & Tiesday off. We will likely have a short day on Friday but I'll stay late anyway. End of quarter and I have a lot to do before I start in on my reports.

I'm pushing thru the frustration.

Tatoulia, that is very good with the lamps. I would have a hard time getting rid of the ones I liked.

The biggest step for me is not getting things in the first place. It has been easier the last couple of years because my parents and in laws - who are gifts people - have been willing to give us gifts for the addition - dedicated checks for specific parts of the job - which has been really helpful. If we built the addition more slowly, it would cost us less I guess, but we are already on year three (we are doing a lot of the work ourselves) one or two more Christmases and it will be done.

I went to the grocery store today. I stocked up on hot cereal for winter (2 bags) and spaghetti sauce (6 jars) because they were really cheap and had far away expiration dates. Besides that I stuck to my list.

I dropped off three big boxes of recycling on the way there and took a plastic grocery bag of trash.

I also stopped in the thrift store. I need a dress for my son's wedding in September. I didn't find one for me, but I found one I think my mom will like (she is trying to find one too) and bought it ($2.66) I am going to take it to her next week, so it doesn't really count as an in.

I cleaned up the kitchen and put some things into the landfill bag. (why is there so much plastic on food?!)

I put the laundry away and I found a scarf I can give up.

Sometimes the slow pace wears me down. I really believe it is getting better, but at this rate, when will I feel done? Ever?

Great work on the trash & recycling! Also, congrats on finding a dress for your mom! I hope it fits and she likes it! That's exciting that your son is getting married soon! I think you mentioned it before but maybe it didn't sink in.

I didn't do much here today but tonight at mom's I changed her sheets and worked on her laundry and brought the rest of her laundry here. We had a very pleasant evening together and I'm thinking about taking Tuesday off and taking her to the art museum. We shall see.

Getting rid of the lamps is fine. I'm trying not to form too many attachments to things. I'm trying to say that I've loved things enough. These lamps I liked but not loved. Plus I have no room once the new ones are here. I'm very excited about my new ones. I think we'll be picking them up on Tuesday. I'm ready in any event.

I'm showered and have clean sheets. Think I'll climb into bed.

I don't know if we will ever be finished but we're trying, right? I have so much artwork to sort through and hang. I think I'd feel a lot better if I could make some decisions on my art right now.

Very bored with nothing to do and no one doing anything either.

spent the day working om the Cobb wall machine concept.
I'm very pleased with what I came up with.
I potentially came up with a concept could definately reduce co2 on a global scale.

It amazes me . When I was occupied with my clutter I rarely came up with original thought.

to bad tillie you can't harvest hot rocks in an insulated cooler at the end of the day and keep in the insulated box until the room cools to 62 then open the cooler near you.

Once I had no gas heat but had electricity.
I made tea water, just the water . Funneled into 2 liter bottles they are extremely warm especially under a house coat. I believe the same would work for ice water also but never needed to try it.

Hi Tillie!
I'm also sure that you will be feeling better soon. You are very resilient.
Sorry to hear about your toilet situation. It is always amazes me what really simple and solvable difficulties people can have when there is no-one to help. Of course, there would be more people in my life if people, generally, WERE helpful. . .

Hi Porter. Sorry to hear you're going through a lot, and feeling abandoned right now. I hope that you use the time to get to know yourself even better. Getting to know yourself is really the name of the game. Hah, yes, and then you can introduce yourself to others as your "best friend".

Hi Tat. You sound like you are taking things in stride. Good.

Hi Anony.

Hi SubC.

I am awake. I had a stomach ache when I decided to write a post, but I took a remedy and already it is better. I was hoping the remedy would help, but did not realize how badly I needed it. I spend most of my time paying attention to how I am doing, and keeping myself balanced out with an array of remedies, Rx, and supplements. It keeps me well enough to cover survival tasks, and most importantly, improves my health over the long run.

What I really need now is a new batch of allergy drops. The allergy drops that I began last fall have proved to be a key component of my health-improvement regimen. They affect almost all my difficulties very profoundly, not just what people think of as allergies. They affect my sleep, my mood, my digestion, my ability to eat more foods and not get sick - the list is endless. The drops need to be custom-made, and they have a new bookkeeper at the doctor's office who is asleep at the wheel. So there was some delay getting my order started. Drops should be ready very soon.

There is very little on TV. I really depend on TV a lot, not because I want to, but because of health issues. Yesterday I began watching the Einstein series (Genius show on the History channel). It is excellent. Big Brother is starting Wednesday. I enjoy following Big Brother in the doldrums of summer.

Take care everyone.

Hi Joan! Hi porter! And of course tatoulia, Tillie, and everyone else.

Joan, I'm glad your stomach feels better. I hope your drops come quickly. Do you have a way to watch video on-line? That might give you more choices.

Porter, I'm glad you are getting a chance to explore your creative side. I have this fantasy where I wake up in the morning, eat breakfast, do my chores, spend a few minutes tidying up my kitchen and then walk over to the studio where everything is organized and ready for me to get right to work....

I did go to bed with an almost clean kitchen last night. I am going to try really hard to go to bed with an all the way clean kitchen tonight. it is so much nicer to get up to.

Tatoulia, I went to bed with clean sheets last night too. I thought of you when I was making the bed.

Do you think you could make a small start on your art? Maybe find one thing you want to hang and hang it up?

I have done things in my house that (in theory) I change seasonally, but I just looked up and realized the pens are still in the snowman holder instead of the red beach pail. I think I will fix that right now.

Ok, done. Also changed the picture in the living room.

Now I need to go deal with some things I'm avoiding in my barn, and I have a class to leave for at noon. There are supposed to be drywall guys in my addition, but they are not here yet.

Joan, so happy to hear from you. I hope you get your drops soon and I hope they can be delivered to you. Life is a delicate balance and it is amazing how much the systems are interconnected. When I first got my brother on oxygen, I remember with amazement that the swelling in his legs subsided and that he stopped sweating profusely.

Beautiful day here. Going to try to forge ahead work-wise and home-wise. Cat is asleep on my bed.

I still haven't tackled my microwave. I would love to get rid of it. I need to clear it off and deal with whatever had collected beneath it the last 20 years. Just not there yet mentally.

SubC--our posts crossed! Congrats on the nearly clean kitchen and the fresh bed! I am so pleased for your vision of being able to wake up to a clean and clear environment! I need to remember to do that.

I do need to tackle this art work. I have to move a few around. I have hammer and hooks, do the only thing stopping me is me. I will report back later!

Hello everyone

Joan
ive been watching fear the walking dead and season 4 of alone. Eventually tv will be disconnect but for now those favorites. I missed all of season 3 of alone.
I plan to binge watch it someday soon.

I'm trying to deal with the fact that everything is in its place.
i leave and when i come back it's exactly the way i left it.
I've been so distracted by their messes and disorganized lifestyle. That normal doesn't seem normal.

but i will give this me and myself with I time a a serious effort to make the best of it and pursue happiness.

On the creative front
after some reflection while bored at work.
I workefd out how to automate the wall making process.
I'll try not keep going on and on like an obsession.
Basically something similar to a heavy steam roller that vibrates compressing the clay mixture into a wall that can go forever. And that the best idea for applying it is create a mass wall that surrounds the property and spirals inward.
. Then the second floor made of aluminum foam core
forms the second floor. And that is all covered by a gigantic aframe. Of foam core. Should only take one day for online video traning.

sigh. I just got home after a 3rd shift
I fell asleep I'll check in later

Porter instead of paying cable you could get a Netflix subscription for under $10 a month. I also have Amazon Prime, which includes free shipping, free music, free streaming videos for about $100 a year. I cut my cable cord over five years ago and have never looked back. I do use a Roku to stream directly to the TV as I don't find it comfortable to watch tv on a computer. Plus I got rid of my computer-only use iPhone and iPad now. I bring my work computer home with me when I'm working from home.

You have a lot of adjustments in a very short period of time. Joan's advice is solid advice--get to know you.

Hello everyone -

Joan, glad you dropped by, hope those allergy drops come real soon. It's good when we find one thing that is so very helpful.

Porter, glad your creative projects are a channel for the difficult times. And a positive accomplishment to boot.

Thanks for all the well wishes on my stomach and back - happy to report stomach seems all better. Back is 90% better. I went to the Y on Friday and just got in the warm pool and did mostly stretches for my back and general flexibility. I'd hoped to get in the hot whirlpool too but it was out of order. Still, what I was able to do seems to have been beneficial. I'm also sitting up in a chair at the kitchen table with my laptop instead of cross-legged in bed.

The bunny is eating like a champ, making up for lost time. I even suggested to increase her food a little since she had gotten rather skinny. We took the other 3 bunnies for a nursing home visit yesterday and the residents just loved them. It's so heartwarming to watch.

My roommate got BritBox so we could watch all the Classic Doctor Who in order. But we're having trouble getting it going - her Roku box is an older model, so maybe there's a back-compatibility issue, dunno. She's emailed tech support.

I'm going to keep decluttering stuff here in the house as per my plan. While I was swimming, I had a "pool reflection" (that's one thing I love about swimming, I can relax and think with fewer distractions, and a lot of times I come up with good ideas that way).

The thought was this: re my storage unit move, I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to set a "target date" in the fall. Even if it had to be changed (say it took longer to get helpers or money, etc.), if I treated it as a "deadline" it might help me set mini-deadlines along the way. I see this tip in a lot of articles for people with ADD, or articles on time management, and it makes sense. So I'm going to pick a time frame in the fall and then narrow it down. And I'll mention it to the social worker at next month's clutter meeting. I think she'll think it's a good idea too.

Hi CM! I like your idea of s deadline--esp if there's some flexibility so you won't feel trapped or pressured by it. It's good to work toward a goal. I need to make some goals too.

Beautiful day here. I washed my big blanket and will put it away til the Fall. The light quilt will need to go to laundromat.

I have a big day tomorrow--day off so I'm pretty excited.

I cleaned cat's eating area today and I'm about to run the dishwasher. Usually I run it at night. It might as well go now.

I'm going to watch the news and maybe nap. Took out two big bags of recycling (I hear you SubC, unbelievable amount of packaging) and I'll take out garbage later.

Hope everyone is doing well--glad you & bunny are better SubC.

Porter, I'm sorry. I hope your daughter will come back, at least to visit. She may just feel like she needs her aunt right now. I assume you will still have legal custody?

Meanwhile, it sounds like you are taking a healthy approach to settling in. I'm glad your coworkers are keeping you company.

Tillie,

I have a skunk too! Mine hangs out in the barn and sometimes eats my eggs. I've been fattening him up on the free bread. Those temperature swings sound awful!

I haven't been worrying about the bin labels right now since I may not have to move them. They don't need labels inside because they are uniform. If you open one and see Legos - it is all Legos. If you see mohair, it's mohair all the way down...

I got to the bottom of the stack of playmobil I've been carrying in from the studio barn, and when I picked the bin up, it didn't feel right. I opened it and it was K'nex. The good news is I was able to redistribute the contents to other bins so that they would fit in the space already given to K'nex - and I got an empty bin! I think the label fell off and somebody stuck it back on the wrong bin.

Anony,

sorry about all the bugs! My friend moved to Texas and released a chameleon in her house to catch her bugs.

Today my dd2 was able to come out to my studio, take a 3 minute tour including which materials she could help herself to, and throw pots for two hours. That made me feel really good! She also complimented me on the shelving.