Every year the tiny little green finches and yellow finches would come pick all the apricot blossoms off the tree.
At most I would get 12 apricots.

This year I had that terrifying blood thirsty hoard of beautiful little migrating butterflies visiting the apricot tree so the finches stayed away.

My apricot tree has so many tiny apricots growing that the branches will be bowed down in danger of breaking due to all the weight as they grow.

Hundreds of apricots!
The robins will be so happy.

Hi CriticalMass
((((HUGS))))
I'm sure that on some level she knew you were there with her and was very comforted by that.

From experience with patients who were unconscious and or sedated for a time, they would tell me that they knew I was there, heard my voice and it comforted them.

VERY HAPPY Bunny is feeling better!!!
Probably just a slight case of bunny colic, I periodically get that too.

Thank you so much for taking the time to check in here. (((HUGS)))

---------------------------------------------

The roofing contractor will start work here in about two weeks!
It will cost 3040.00 and the insurance money will cover all that!

Steven is very slowly starting on getting the evaporative (swamp) cooler ready.
It's 89 degrees on the shady back porch and 82 in here.

Washed 4 loads of heavy winter stuff.
Insulated drapes and my super warm down jacket.
Still have more stuff like Winter bedding to do next time.

VERY quick update

Friend remains on full life support. With ventilator she can't talk and is sedated too. But yesterday she was aware, off and on, that I was there. I put on the Catholic channel EWTN so we could listen to the Rosary and other programs and I prayed along with them out loud. Laid my rosary's beads on her hand; maybe she felt that. Hope so. Connection.

Last night we had a scare with roommate's boy bunny. He's young and very healthy and a chowhound. But he had severe gas and wasn't eating. I did what I could because of course these things always happen when the vet's not in. This morning we got a 9:00 appt., x-rays showed no blockage (whew!) so we just give him his pain meds and hand feedings. He is perking up. So thankful. We did NOT need another thing to feel sad about!

Everybody take care - Tatoulia, I'll pray your tests come out fine.

Good Morning Everybody

Good Luck Tatoulia locating the boxes and hopefully they will still be in useable condition.

I'm very grateful that I had the chance to know all the oldtimers here.
They had lived fascinating lives and had interesting tales to tell.

Going to be another hot afternoon.
Planning to do some laundry.
Should do some weeding in the garden.
Really should do some general housekeeping.
Really, really just want to play.
Not yet 8:00am so I will see what the day brings.

Been a hectic week for me.
Dental appointment then Steven falling in the tub & having to redo the shower curtain.
Having to go shopping for new bath mats and getting food while I was there anyways.
Discovering aphids on the rose bush and having to get the sprayer all filled.
So many other little things that just happened and I had to respond rather than doing things I had planned out to do in my own time.
Plus when it gets hot in the afternoons I just melt and can't function very well.
Scooter melts too, all pooled out in a puddle.

Yay for the new bath mat!!!!!

BF is losing his "fan base," all the long time people who supported him before the neighborhood changed. Men and women whom are referred to as Mr and Miss, rather than just their first names. It's sad to lose a generation.

I'm still leaning toward geraniums and petunias. White and pink maybe. It's still a bit cool here for them.

I think I need new boxes this year. I'm not sure where I am on having the actual boxes. I get a large size because my windows are large. I'll poke around under the stairs this weekend and see if my boxes are still here.

Wishing everyone a lovely, lovely day. It's going to be rainy here today.

Have you decided on what varieties of flowers for the flower boxes?

Congratulations on 15 good years together!

Don't apologize for using terminology for all our various body parts.
We all have bodies with various parts and talking about them is perfectly acceptable.

I am very glad you made the appointments, especially since your breast has been hurting lately.

WAY TO GO! Shredding!

Sorry to hear you have a funeral to attend.
After all these years living here I know more people in the cemetery than I know who are still living.

I took a shower this evening and really enjoyed my new bath mat.
It felt smooth and silky on my feet.
Earlier I was out enjoying the lilac blossoms
when I noticed the rose bush has/had aphids.
Got out the sprayer and treated it, should be alright now.

Tillie wow the heat has arrived for you! I will sleep with one window open tonight. My bedroom windows are not on alarms because I have the grates. The grates are decorative in addition to being safety devices. I can finally have window boxes again this year. It's been two long years without them due to the construction.

It's cool here.

We had a lovely night at dinner tonight. Fifteen years we've been together. We haven't had a bad year yet. He was so handsome in his suit. Our first date he wore a suit. I wore a red skirt and a black cashmere sweater and black high heeled boots. Those were the days when I could still wear sweaters. And I was willing to walk in the city in heels. Now I have to wear flats but nice dress flats for when we are going out.

SubC I know the chaos will be tough. I hope the flooring goes in easily and efficiently. I am so proud of all that you have accomplished and I am in awe of what you get done in a day.

I just wrapped up the garbage for tmr. Will wash my face and climb into bed.

Oh! I made my mammogram and ultrasound appts today. I have my mammogram on Saturday and my ultrasound on Monday. I may end up taking Monday off since we have a funeral of a neighbor Monday AM. I don't want to have either of these appts but I am grateful for my medical care and my health insurance. So I will have them. one of my breasts has been hurting lately so I'll feel better after the scan. Sorry to use the word breast here.

Okay ready for bed. I got a lot of shredding done. I will send my coats to drycleaners soon. I didn't make it to PO today but that's okay. I hadn't filled out all the customs forms and other stuff I need to do.

Goodnight dear friends. Tillie I'm glad Steven is getting the pads for your cooler.

Hello Everybody

Hi Subclinical
Maybe by the time you want to make a mold
things will be easier there for you.
Right now I'm sure everything seems impossible.
Clearing out an entire room is hard, living with things all bunched up is hard.
Just keep thinking how nice it will be when it's all done.
Ida Wanna knows you have a LOT on your plate this weekend, hope she leaves you soon.

Hi Tatoulia
YIPPEE!!! you have your windows back!
Last night was the first time this year that I slept all night with my window open.
It was heavenly.

WTG! for all you got done!!!
So nice waking up to a clean kitchen.
Starts the day off on a positive note.

Yesterday I worked on fixing the shower curtain hardware.
Today I went shopping, bought food, sun screen and two fresh new bath mats.
My old bath mat was losing suction cups and having other issues.
Came home, put away groceries then cleaned the bathroom.
Did a load of laundry, the towels and stuff used yesterday to mop up the bathroom.

It is 85 degrees in here right now at 5:00pm.
Steven bought the new cooler pads and says he will get the cooler set up.
I need to launder all the heavy winter drapes, blankets and my coat, etc...

Shredded a lot of paper. Getting ready for dinner.

The scaffolding is down and I can open my drapes and shad again! Thank goodness for the sunshine!!! I've missed it!

I did three loads of laundry. I still haven't washed the duvet cover and will get to it over the weekend. I picked up my comforter from the laundry. They do such a nice job on my things.

I have the windows open and it is beautiful out! I am taking BF for his birthday dinner tonight. I wish he'd let me pay but he won't. It's a lost cause.

CM and SubC, please know that you have my prayers and support with respect to your loved ones. I know you are each going through difficult times but you are not alone-we are here for you. I am just so sorry.

SubC I understand about the molds. You've got a great deal going on with the Tetris furniture game! I am amazed by how much you accomplish in a day!

I'm going to do laundry today and also go to the post office. I have a bunch of things to mail, including a package overseas.

Last night before I went to bed I still had a big pile of pots and pans in the sink from dinner. I decided to take the two mi it's to deal with them, ran the dishwasher, then was thrilled this AM to have a nice clean sink. I still have to think about it, but at least I can see the dishes in the sink.

Oh dear Tillie.

What a job. I hope you got all the broken stuff on it's way out.

CM, I am glad you have some support.

I hear everyone on the molds, but I am just too tired right now. I don't want to throw them in the dumpster, because they are still good. I don't know where to take them to get them to someone who would want them, I might use some of them - I like a lot of them, but realistically I can only use so many, but they would be expensive and difficult to replace.... too tired. I am just piling them in front of the shelf that already has molds on it. So, when I want to make a mold, I guess I will have to use these, because I can't reach the others. Maybe it will be easier then.

My friend Ida Wanna has come to visit and seems to be settling in for a long stay. I am hoping that once the new floor is in (so overwhelming - this weekend we will play furniture Tetris and block off entire rooms from use, probably for all of next week) she will think about leaving.

I need to get some things done and off my plate. Today - last class i'm taking (but I can go back to do glaze work for a short time) followed by a lunch/baby shower for our teacher, then I teach, then swimming(?) i'm trying to decide if I should come home instead, but realistically, it is supposed to be rainy and dark, and I won't accomplish anything. I came straight home yesterday and didn't accomplish anything. I just hung out with Ida.

Hi CriticalMass
I'm very grateful that you have your mutual friend there with you.
Wishing you peace and strength ((((HUGS))))
You are always in my prayers.

I'm fine with accidents after I check and see that there's nothing that can't be fixed.
Good to know that you take precautions in the shower and use the chair!

Hi Tatoulia
Wonderful that that little lesson is helping you so much!
So much easier when we can just reach in and get what we want without always having to move other things out of our way.

That's good news the lobster roll place is doing so well, means they will be around for a long, long time. 😉

WTG! for chipping away at the closet!!!

Hi Subclinical
Good luck getting the room cleared out without too much hassle.

Happy the surgery looks promising.
Fingers crossed "X" everything works out.

Best wishes for the garden veggies.

Been hot in the afternoons last few days and tomorrow is going to be hot again too.
80+ degrees.
Planning to go grocery shopping early in the morning.

Quick flyby

SubC glad to hear hopeful regarding your relative's surgery.

Tillie, hope you aren't too stove up from the Steven shower drama. I don't like standing in the shower at home - once I get soap and water in my face I don't always trust my balance. So I put one of those plastic patio chairs in.

Tatoulia thanks for the prayers and good thoughts for my friend.

Our mutual friend had called earlier and we tslked about what the nurse had told her. They tried a "sedation vacation" but it didn't go well. It's hour by hour. Her family came. But there's no concrete timeframe either. More news as I get it. The mutual friend and I are supporting each other.

Yes you won! Nice little taste of victory! Glad you have the hardware fixed and back up.

SubC I had a similar thought as Tillie's when you mentioned that you brought home molds. Just don't let them be in your way.

I've been thinking a lot about something I learned here from Tillie. About if we always have to move something to get what we need, then shouldn't we relocate, or eliminate that thing that is always in the way. I think about that a lot. And if I need to move something to get what I need, then I can usually (now) get rid of it. And that's been a lifesaver for me.

I finally bought sneakers today. I felt that my feet needed more structure (I feel like I'm talking about a young child who needs a more structured day). I like the ones I bought. Nearly weightless.

I haven't really done much around the house. I went to the office today. I'll be home tmr. I'm chipping away at my bedroom closet. I'm gearing up to make more decisions regarding what is staying and what is going. I'll drop the suits off at the drycleaners tmr. The ones I'm donating.

Tillie I'm thrilled you already knew about the lobster roll place. The quality of their food is very high. Their business seems to have picked up quite a bit. And they've just opened a second location, out of the city and in Salem. They definitely had a rough start. That corner has been a Bad Luck Corner for quite a while. Used to be a hair salon and was very successful. For decades. Then a terrible pizza place with careless selfish owners, and it would close for six months at a time then reopen under ostensibly new Mgt, but it was always the same two spoiled selfish boys and their mom who literally once parked her jaguar onto the handicap ramp on the sidewalk. Like it was her driveway. They were terrible neighbors and there was always madness at that corner. Then another pizza place finally opened there but they couldn't shake all the awfulness of the other place. Even their signs saying we aren't them didn't help. So I'm glad the lobster place now seems to be fairly busy. It's cramped and not exactly a restaurant. I take my stuff home or up to mom's. When you visit I'll let you choose where to eat. I want them to succeed and I have Gino they are finally doing it.

Okay I'm off to my bedroom. Goodnight dear friends.

Hi Everybody

Hi Subclinical
WTG! for all you got done!
Hoping you have a plan for the molds you brought home.
If you are keeping them but not planning to use them soon
please find an out of the way place for storage so they aren't in the way of what you are doing in the studio right now.
You have worked so hard to gain the elbow room you have now.

Hi Tatoulia
Thank you 🙂

Was busy this morning doing lots of assorted chores when Steven went in to shower.
Soon after I heard a very loud terrible noise and knew he had fallen in the tub.
Did advanced first aid and deduced that he was alright, did not hit his head, nothing broken, no bleeding.
Anyways, I spent many hours doing repairs so the shower curtain could be hung again since he grabbed the curtain and destroyed the hanging hardware.
The tub has the side and the back end open so we used a track with hooks hanging from to hang the curtain hooks off of.
Most of the hardware was destroyed, needed to be replaced.
He made two trips to the hardware before he brought me everything I needed.
The shower curtain is hanging properly again and Steven came down hard on his butt so it will bruise along with his bruised ego.

For years he has been mad at me for "wasting" money buying bath mats.
He has sneered at me for being so stupid to always use my bath mats.
He finished his shower this morning standing on my stupid wasteful bath mat.

I think I won that argument! ;D

Popping in - cleated more molds from the classroom, but brought them home.

Initial surgery for relative looks hopeful.

Tillie, we knew there was nothing wrong with you! 🙂

Hope the roof goes quickly!

CM, so good to hear from you! I am glad your handyman is back in action, and that you feel ready to plan for the storage unit!

I hope that you get good news on your friend. My mom contacted me Monday to tell me that a member of dad's family was diagnosed with cancer. She is one of the few family members dad has a relationship with, and we were close when I was a kid, so I am hoping for a good outcome as well. I am fortunate ate that my life is structured such that most of my "losses" are through graduations.

Still mostly trying to keep up here. The class I am taking ends this week, and lots of end of the year school stuff. I made ice cream and planted beets yesterday. I don't think I will have much of a vegetable garden this year, but planning on beets, beans, tomatos, and squash. Anything else will be a bonus.

Big disruption coming this weekend when we move everything out of the room so we can get our floor.

Congratulations Tillie! You definitely earned that hamburger!!! Also glad the roofer came by. Fingers crossed it can all be done swiftly.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Back home from the dentists.
They tried their best to find something wrong with me but failed!

To celebrate I stopped on the way home and bought myself a hamburger.

Beautiful today, calm, warm, no clouds at all in the sky.

CM! Thank you for the long, newsy, thoughtful, hopeful post. Thank you so much. I am including your dear friend in my prayers, you can be sure.

I'm glad you rejected the idea of renting another unit for a staging area. Of course I would have supported you but I know first hand that my similar ideas in the past have not gone as smoothly as I would've hoped.

I am thankful that the handyman is doing better and is back to work!

I have a beautiful oil painting, from the 60s, of Notre Dame in the fall. I bought it at auction and I love it. I see it every day and it evinces a true feeling of peace and awe.

I will read the other posts later. Keep up the good work, CM. we stand ready to support you when you are at the storage space! And all the times in between.

Tatoulia
Would you believe I had already seen a video about
Lobstah On A Roll?

PBS has those food episodes and that was one I remember because I REALLY wanted to go there.

;D

HELLO CRITICALMASS!!!

Wonderful to hear from you!

YEA! the handyman is feeling better and you had your van serviced, AC done and sewer line cleaned.

Remember, we only "lose" our loved ones temporarily.
I sincerely believe that we will be reunited one day at the Rainbow Bridge.
(((HUGS)))
The hard part is how deeply we miss them until then.

Things like storage units and closets start to seem worse than we remembered them being.
It's always good to reevaluate them.
Makes the big monsters smaller and more easily vanquished.

Hi Subclinical
YEA!!!! for new flooring!!!
How nice that will be when it's all done.

Clearing blackberries and mending a fence is hard dirty hoy & sweaty work.
WAY TO GO!!!
Happy the goats obliged and showed you the opening.

SO very happy you did pottery and enjoyed some time outside.
Bet Bunny had a good day outdoors too.

Hi Tatoulia
Thank you.
Really wish I could just zone out but having been a dental assistant since I was 16 and then having a medical profession, I make sure the correct things are being done in the correct order.
I have no problem correcting people when they need to be corrected, even doctors.

Your asparagus pasta dishes sound so good!

When I have a throw blanket or small quilt out for the cats I often pull it over me if I get chilly.
The cats don't protest much as long as I let them snuggle with me.

Tackling one clothing article at a time is how I do it.
This way I know for sure if I will wear it or if it can go.

Roofer man came by.
Looked at the ceiling damage, went up on the roof, looked at that and did measurements.
Wrote stuff down and will get back to us with an estimate soon as he figures it out.

Had a huge argument with Steven because he started talking about getting a huge disgusting shipping container delivered to store more crap in.
He already has enough large storage spaces.
He just has WAY TO MUCH crap!
And the vast majority of his stuff is honestly crap. Broken, missing vital pieces, unneeded and lots of garbage, actual garbage, empty food containers, packaging, used paper plates, etc.

Hello -

Excuse any typos - auto suggestion was annoying me so I turned it off.

Didn't mean to let so much time go by again. I had been driving a week ago to make a savings deposit when I heard about Notre Dame being on fire. I went to the branch library nearby after doing my banking to see online. How sad. I'm thankful the cause was not terrorist related as too many things are anymore. I hope the restoration will be tasteful and durable.

Tillie, I'm guessing the insurance guy may have told Steven the insurance might get dropped or maybe even that government codes enforcement would get wind of the situation? Whatever it takes! And I do hope that for his sake - and yours - that he'll begin to find the letting go process easier and even satisfying. We all have to start from where we are. I can remember how stubborn and dug in I was at one time.

Our handy guy and mechanic is finally on the mend! He has done maintenance on both my roommate's car and my van, spring cleaned the sewer line and the AC. Sun porch might happen yet.

Holy Week was good - I wrestled with God for a short while about having to withdraw money two days after I deposited it for the van, but in the end accepted this was another time He blessed me because I was going to need it. Sunday Morning was sad seeing the news about Sri Lanka. Tatoulia, I'm relieved your friend is okay. How traumatic for so many.

I checked the situation in my storage unit the other day. It may not be as horrendous as I had feared. The trick is going to be dealing with segments of the stuff, rearranging in a sequence, and a few other strategies that I'm brainstorming. I have a "Plan B" - renting a smaller 2nd unit for a month as a staging area - but I think now such a drastic step may not be necessary.

Be all that as it may - there's something much bigger going on. I have a dear friend, Cindy, with multiple health issues. She's been hospitalized in ICU. Another friend of hers and mine is her durable power of attorney. Today Cindy agreed with the doctors' recommendation to be sedated and put on a ventilator to give her lungs a rest. All we can do is pray. She wants to survive and recover. It's in God's hands and those doing the doctoring.

I don't want to lose a good friend. Lost Larry just over a year ago. And several elderly family and friends this decade. Prayers and positive thoughts would again be much appreciated. Ultimately of course I want what's best for each person, though, and if an end to years of suffering and debilitation is the best, then I will deal, and live in hope of being reunited with them.

But anyway, wanted to let you all know this is going on so if I don't get as many chances to post you won't have to wonder. I'll post short updates on this and on what I am able to do with decluttering etc. Keeping busy may be good sometimes, other times resting and prayer and hugging rabbits and kitties may be the best therapy. Happy Easter/Passover/Spring/etc. to all.

SubC you are amazing!!!!!

Tillie, I keep forgetting to tell you how happy I am that the roofer is coming! I am sorry for the waiting though.

And tatoulia's workers are almost done!

I gave people coming to install my floor in a week (dh decided to hire it out) so there will be a lot of disruption, but won't it be nice for all three of us when our nests are all spiffed up?

CM, I am wishing your handyman will be able to take care of yours as well!

Tatoulia, you can keep your rainy weather! I am so happy to finally have sun!

This morning I took the compost out (fast thing from my list)
And ran the dishwasher (bonus)
Then I put the boy goats in their field to see if they would show me the hole (piggyback)
While I planted the elderberry bushes (big job #1)
They did! So I cleared blackberry canes until I got hot and tired (approved by dh) which took about 45 minutes, since it was late morning.
Then I took off my hot blackberry-thorn-resistant gear and patched the hole in the fence.

Made myself rice pudding for lunch and put away the planting and fencing supplies.

Then I started on big job #2 - adding a foot to my big fancy bowl. I keep going back to spray it so it will set slowly and not crack, so I can't get involved in anything else, but I did write a letter of recommendation I promised a student (another bonus from my list)

I keep reminding myself that this is my big job for the afternoon, just like the bushes were the big job for the morning.

I am also taking time to enjoy the gorgeous day as I walk back and forth from house to studio. - I put the bunny out in her yard pen too.

I know how difficult the dentist appts are for you, Tillie. I am sure you have developed different coping skills over the years and yet I'll make a suggestion. I try to stay very calm and tell myself it's not me having the work done. I started doing this long ago. I try to mentally leave my body and while I don't exactly "watch" the stuff being done, I do try to pretend it's not me. It works well for me. In any event I'll be sending calming thoughts your way.

I love the thought of a little one asleep in the grass. I hope the roofer comes soon. My anxiety of having any sort of repair person over is matched only by the wait for the person. It's such a relief to say, well they are gone.

I'm full. I ate too much pasta. Delicious. This time instead of butter and garlic, I tossed olive oil, capers, lemon juice and zest, and Parmesan into a bowl. Quick cooked the asparagus then made the pasta. Delicious. Much better than the butter/garlic/lemon combo of a week or so ago.

Tillie if you look up Lobstah in a Roll (stupid name) you'll see the place where I get the tasty shrimp po'boy sandwich.

Yesterday at Easter dinner I had spinach salad with goat cheese and beets with a skewer of shrimp. Delicious. No dressing, just lemon wedges.

I'm now freshening up my blanket because I think it will be cold tonight. Last night I used kitty's freshly washed blanket. I had put it away for the season but pressed it into service for me last night. Maybe too much information. It's a throw I use on the couch in the winter. We both use it.

I see the scaffolding is still up but they've taken the wrapping down. The fire escapes look like they are being repaired but not quite up yet.

I am tackling my closet one item of clothing at a time. Will put one winter coat into dry cleaners but will hold off on the other one for now. Weather still iffy.

Hello All
Just now 12 noon here.

I got up and started right in on some tasks since today the roofer is supposed to come by to give us his estimate.
Washed the car windows and did all the usual daily cat related tasks.
Did a little tidying up inside and spent a long time outside with my nose in the lilac blooms.

Hi Subclinical
Bad boy goats!

WAY TO GO!!! for all that hard work you and DH did!

So very grateful your DH is trying to help you not to try to do everything all in one day.
Written down on a list it may seem Do-Able but in reality there just aren't enough hours in a day.

I'll never get tired of giving my thoughts when we are all trying to solve problems.
Brain storming is the best way to find solid solutions.

Hi Tatoulia
LOL Yes, the autocorrect really did a number! ;D
But I was able to understand what you were saying.

Glad the Sri Lanka friend was not hurt.

Wonderful the waitress noticed and complimented you!

Relieved this outside project isn't dragging on and you will soon get your windows back.

WTG! gathering up donations, doing laundry and especially for the asparagus dish!!!

Roofer said he'd come by after finishing up another job.
I am hating this waiting.
I have been waiting for months already.
Scooter & Twinkles went outside this morning.
Scooter is napping inside now and Twinkles is napping in the tall jungle of fresh Spring grass on the far side of the garage.

I went on a wasp hunt and found & sprayed a LOT of queens starting their nests around the house where the hoard isn't.
But I can see so many wasps flying around in the yard hoard but it's too dense to get through to kill the wasps.

High anxiety today because tomorrow I have to go to the dentist.
Xrays, cleaning and check up.
Just hate everything about this but hate dental pain even more.
Oh Well... 🙁

We all need to lean on each other. SubC I am thrilled that your husband can help you!

I have made a bag of work clothes. I am washing some of the blouses. I've gotten a lot of laundry done today and now I am making lemon asparagus pasta.

It sounds like the workers our back are bringing their work to a close. I cannot wait to have my shade and drapes open again. The lack of sunlight has been tough.

After a sunny start to the day, it is now rainy and raw. I love that. I can't help myself. This is my weather.

Tatoulia, I am glad to hear that.

You are super nice to me!

Sometimes I make Tillie tell me what to do too. I hope she doesn't get tired of it.

Today I am letting dh tell me what to do. I have been so frustrated with not getting things done, and he has been chastising me for trying to hold myself to unreasonable expectations. So last night I made my "must do" list for today and read it to him. He said "that is three days."

He picked two big things and a fast thing for me to do, plus one that can piggyback and one that I can work on until I get tired.

I am still thinking of that as "this morning" but I am trying to accept that it will be a good day's work. I just keep looking at the rest of the list and thinking "but when am I going to do this other stuff?!"