So, what has everyone been up to?

I have bee n doing dishes, laundry, and food.

I found two lovely stoneware loaf pan in my basement that I forgot I had. I baked fresh loaves of Bean's hot bread in them and am now content to get rid of four non-stick loaf pans that are hard to get clean.

The last butternut squash from last year is baked and mashed and in the fridge so Bean and I can make biscuits tomorrow. And, I helped Dh install Internet in the studio barn! This means that when I am working out there I can put my earbuds in and play music on my iPad! Also other things, but I think I'm most excited about that. The commercials on the radio are awful and there is no cell service because the studio is a metal building.

Ok, off to empty the dishwasher.

Good morning!

Lovely to have more of the group here!

CM, chatter away! I must ask though - have you gotten rid of the dolls that are being replaced?

Really, I am not patient. I am one of those people who has been known to abandon their shopping because the checkout is taking too long. And if you are an adult spouting stupidity I will cut you off. Heck, if you are a kid spouting stupidity I will cut you off, but I will be nicer about it. I will also cut people off and say "this is a great conversation, but unfortunately I have something else to do." I will not wait for you to do "one more thing" before we go somewhere. If you have alternative transportation, I will leave you - I will tell you I am leaving and give you a choice, but I will leave. If you are ten minutes late I will call you to make sure you are ok. If you are ok I will be annoyed that you are late.

But if you are wearing a trainee badge, and I have time, I will get in your line on purpose and wait as long as it takes, and smile at you and thank you for the things you are doing right, because I know a lot of people have probably yelled at you today and you are LEARNING. If you call me and say "I have to stop at Mom's, so I may be late because it's so difficult to get out of there" I will bring a book and wait a long time. If I UNDERSTAND what is going on in a situation, I can avoid frustration and so I don't need patience.

Patience runs out. Understanding grows.

If it's not too humid you could put powdered sugar on the cupcakes. Chocolate ones anyway - it's pretty.

I'm sorry your waterpark is closing CM. And I hope the computer thing resolves!

Lila, yes, the decisions are exhausting. I think that's how we all got here. Very nice job with the ice tray! My mom has some Tupperware celery keepers that she uses as cookie jars - they go in the freezer, seal well, and are just the right size.

I did not clean up after myself yesterday. I tried, but it was just too much. I did run the dishwasher once, and I did *something with all the produce I brought in - even if it was just rinse, bag and refrigerate. Nothing is rotting on any counters. The dehydrator is full of beans.

Lila, I didn't look up the sandwich because I want to have a pint of dried beans as snack food for every week of the school year and I probably won't get that many. Right now I am working on eating up the fresh squash - squash fritters today I think.

Ok, gotta go be productive. Sorry about the book.

Hi Road! Come back!

I haven't done a lot but I put out the one fire. I'm not naive enough to think there won't be more,but perhaps a gap between them? I'll take what I can get.

Lila, for some reason your situation is making me hark back to breaking up with my boyfriend many, many moons ago. I didn't handle it well at all. It sounds like you are doing constructive things to move forward. Let me just say, Bravo. And I'm sure there are times when you get all the feels, but you are holding steady, it sounds like.

SubC and Tatoulia, patience with the young and the old, and everyone in between, is indeed a virtue. I'll be attempting to get better at it till I'm six feet under, I'm sure.

Hoping for a productive week, rabbit club event next weekend. I've done most of the graphic stuff for it such as announcements for social media. May need to make a sign, we'll see. And cupcakes. Looks like the weather will be down 10 degrees on Monday, but back up around 100 for the event on Sunday. Bleah. 😝 Thinking of options for cupcake toppings other than frosting which melts. Fondant or sprinkles or something.

I'm sad that my fire to put out kept me from making it to the water park on Friday, which was the last weekday it was to be open this summer. Weekends are all that are left and then after Labor Day outdoor pools are over for the year. 😥 The water parks are a huge destresser. I am like a little kid, all the years and cares just fall away. Well, there'll still be indoor swimming, and it's pretty good but more subdued.

I brought my "model" dolls (18" American Girl size) in from my van where they have been riding around longer than I ever intended. These are newer ones to replace some that weren't in good shape. And I donated more than I am keeping. So now I need to get them out of their boxes and recycle the boxes, and the dolls will take up less room. My roommate and I are planning some joint doll clothes crafting ventures with her knitting and my sewing. Items for these larger size dolls and Barbie size also. There is a market for the clothes online.

The new computer is still in limbo. I'll be continuing to back up data in preparation. Need to order a battery for my old tablet and attempt data recovery from it. 🤞

There are larger things looming but it stresses me to think too much about those. So forgive me if I ramble vaguely about miscellaneous stuff a lot of the time these days.

This may be of interest to some of you: I saw online this buzz about "Mind After Midnight" - a new study regarding how our brains are not really geared to being up doing stuff in the night. Bad news for night owls 🦉 like me. However, I'm paying attention, because I see myself so much in the pattern they describe of the sleep deprived - poor executive functioning, tendency towards pessimism, etc. If sacrificing some of my nocturnal doings could pay off in terms of feeling better and accomplishing more, well...

So anyway, thought I would share that in case it's helpful.

I haven't read anyone's posts but SubC's post on doing loving acts. I need that to sink in. Thank you for a lovely and loving post, SubC.

Thank you SubC for the encouragement!

I find this activity so draining that I have to do like ten minutes at a time and then take a break. Too much stuff, too many decisions! But it feels good as I cull things and find places for things.

I have some tubes of things, like face wash or hair gel, that stand on end but the end has a cap that dispenses. I don't want them in there on the wooden shelves in case they leak. I thought about tossing them in a drawer but I want things neat and not leaky.

So I went around the house looking for a bin that is longer, for those tubes, but short enough to fit in a drawer... I could not find anything until I saw an ice cube bin on the counter and wondered... hmmm. And it fits perfectly! I hesitated a bit, thinking, "this is for ice!" but then realized it has been sitting on the kitchen bar for MONTHS. May as well make use of it! Win win.

Yes!

Start by getting it back! It's better to have more things where they go than a few things perfectly organized!

I find that the first step here is just getting them in the right building! Then the right room, then the right storage area, then neatly organized. Every step is a chance to purge and at every step purging gets easier.

updating for motivation:

I took the kitchen trash out and it leaked. I cleaned that up.

I am slowly working on putting all my stuff back into the vanity drawers, some in the little bins I have, and also putting things in the vanity cabinets. I struggle with thoughts of 'where is the RIGHT way to put things away' and 'what is the BEST way to organize this stuff?' But, I am forcing myself to just get it done, and be happy it will be clean and neat. I tell myself, I can always reorganize things later if I wish.

Thanks SubC, and yes!! That is a good thing to hope - that he fills his car and leaves the food so I can throw it out. Honestly there is so much trash and junk in his den that someone is going to need to take a full load to the dump once he has all his things out of there, unless, of course, he takes his trash with him. There are empty bottles, plastic food containers (empty but not washed), probably enough plastic bags (dirty, with holes, etc) to fill a yard waste bag and enough dirty napkins, used paper towels, used paper plates and such to full my trash bin. Plus the old, literally broken in pieces recliner, an old wooden chair too rickety to use, and tons of old clothes from the 70s with holes in them. I will be so happy when it is all OUT of my house. Seeing the master bathroom being trasnformed as I move his junk out of there and clean it is wonderful!! Like a dream come true.

I saw a recipe for marinated green bean sandwiches online that has high ratings, and thought of you SubC. It looks tasty. If you google it, it comes up.

I got all the towels folded and put away.
I loaded the dishwasher and ran it and it is drying.

I am running out of stream.

Nice job Lila!

Very good that you made progress using what you already have!

I hope the ex fills his car and does not take the food, because then you can throw the food out and be rid of a larger amount of stuff.

I picked up my car this morning. The bill astronomical, but not as bad as buying a new car. Let's just put it this way - I now have a AAA membership because it saved me $200. And I will now be joining the "buy nothing" club.

I also went to the feed store (because unfortunately I still need feed.)

I cut Dh hair and did chores and put the dried basil away and cut up a bazillion yellow beans.

I have more to pick and cut up and hopefully get in the dehydrator tonight.

post 2 today, update:

so far I:
- wiped out the bathroom vanity drawers
- found small bins that fit them, and put makeup in one and put it in the drawer
- sliced the last of the tomatoes and had a sandwich for lunch
- folded the two baskets of towels and put most of them away

Now I am enjoying my iced coffee. Next I will fold the towels that are on the couch (been there a week) and put those and the rest of the other folded towels away.

Ex will be here in a couple of hours so I am wandering around making sure his stuff is in there and my stuff is put away where he won't take mine by mistake. I know he said he is only taking a couple things, but I secretly hope he loads up his car, at least.

What are you guys up to?

Good morning all, happy Saturday! I enjoyed reading your posts this morning.

Last night I took everything out of the six drawers in the master bathroom vanity. Three were ex's so I put those things in a box and put them in his den. I sorted the stuff from mine and threw away about 1/3 of it... expired stuff, things I never use. I found several things to donate and put them in the box. I got tired, so left all the stuff on the floor. This morning I will go in there, wipe out the inside of the drawers with pledge, and put things back. I would like to have some little bins that fit in the drawers to organize better, but instead of going to the dollar store, first I will look around the house and use any empty little bins lying around. I know I have some.

Also I put something away in the garage this morning, and when I opened the door, there was glass shattered from one end to the other. You may remember I just cleaned up broken glass and pottery in there a couple weeks ago from a teen rage. This time, I had no idea it had happened. So many feelings came up when I saw it. Anger, hopelessness, frustration, sadness, and I had a lot of negative thoughts, but I just shut the door and left it there. When teen is up, I will calmly tell them that they can either sweep it or use the shop vac, but it has to be cleaned up. I have no way to reinforce this, but I hope they will clean it up, but if not, I will have to do it. They know this. We'll see.

Ex is coming today to get "a few things." I put a few things I came across of his, into his den. I put his expired food in a bag and box and texted him to take it. If he doesn't, I am putting it in the trash.Apparently he is only taking a few, very few things. I hope to talk with him next week about what his intentions and plans are, but for now, I am just picking up anything I come across of his and putting it in the den, so it is consolidated.

Also my son vacuumed yesterday and washed 2 loads of towels. I brought the baskets of towels up and want to get them folded and put away today. Might sort some out and put them in the den for ex to take, because I have too many and he is probably going to ask for some.

Also I REALLY REALLY wanted iced coffee this morning, and almost went and bought some, but thought of you all and instead I brewed a pot of strong decaf, and added a little cold water, put some in a cup in the freezer to chill and the rest in a mason jar for another time. I also have no ice but filled a tray so when that is frozen I will have my darned iced coffee.

Goid mirning!

Good to see you Tatoulia and CM! Still missing Road and wondering about our new people.

Tatoulia - here is what I think about patience. Patience is about suffering. It is the ability to tolerate things that are causing negative feelings. I have no patience. But people accuse me of being patient with my kids all the time. It isn't patience, it's understanding. When you understand what is causing the thing people think you have to be patient with, you can ignore it and focus on addressing the cause - when Bean helps me do the chores, it takes much longer than doing them alone, and sometimes feed gets spilled or things get wet that shouldn't, or he distracts me or surprises the goat and buckets get kicked over or stepped in. Because Bean is learning everything, and he is small. But it doesn't matter. Because on those days, I am not doing chores. I am nurturing a love of the animals in a child and with any luck, I am crafting a skilled teenager who will WANT to help me when I am 70.

Try to think of it not as doing a sewing project, but as helping your mom have a sense of accomplishment. It's not about what you are actually doing, it's about helping your mom feel good about what you are doing. Don't take it personally if she tells you everything you are doing wrong - thank her for pointing something out you didn't see or teaching you something you didn't know, or "helping" you do something you've never done before. Your Mom doesn't really want the project - you could hire someone for that - she wants to believe that she still has sewing skills. It doesn't matter how the project turns out as long as you take all the blame and give her all the credit.

It's not "Bean, don't touch the goat when I'm milking!" It's "wow! The goat was really surprised! Was that scary when she jumped? She probably got scared because she couldn't see you and she thought you might be something that eats goats. Goat, this is Bean. Don't worry, he does not eat goats! Now, let's get a new clean bucket, and if you want to touch the goat, you can tell me and I'll help you so she doesn't get scared again."

"You're doing that all wrong!" "I know. I never learned how to do this. I'm glad I still have a chance for you to teach me." - because you are glad, not because you want to sew, but because she's your mom and she's still here, and she wants to do this with you. So just remember that part.

Lila, good job on the medical stuff!

I forgot to confess yesterday that I took Bean to the grocery store after I picked him up. I let him help shop, so we ended up with a watermelon and a toy car. He requested the watermelon from across the produce section, but I just saw him eyeing the toy cars, and I asked "do you want a car?" and pushed the cart next to the display. He picked out a green one and hugged it tight so I bought it. Now it has to live here because his Mom doesn't want a bunch of toys. She would say "he has cars." So that is a new thing in the house. We will finish eating the watermelon.

Drive by!

I'm doing a no-spend August, which means I can only buy groceries and necessities. I have spent a lot in the last two months.

Cleaners came today instead of Wednesday. They also cleaned mom's place today. I don't know if I mentioned this but in a recent team meeting with all of mom's health providers, one of the nurses said how pleasant it is to be in mom's house now. Honestly it used to be so filthy. So the amount I'm spending is worth it. I can also be in her house without thinking I'll crawl out of my skin.

I have too much stuff. How do I know this? I'm having trouble putting everything away. So that means I have to take a look at things. I don't just want to stuff things in my closet.

Tmr I have to get up early to take someone to airport then I have to do a dreaded sewing project with mom. I know she can no longer sew (no eyesight) and she is driving me nuts. I don't know how to sew at all. This is a nightmare but I'll try. I have to not be mean.

I am neither creative nor precise, so this is exactly the type of thing I don't need in my life. I do not have the patience. But I will look for it with my mom.

My law is hanging open SubC, like, OF COURSE that is where beans come from, but I never, ever considered that you could grow one plant and eat both green beans and then, later, black beans from them. Wow. I need to grow some. Once they turn black, can you just eat them like that, or do you have to dry them?

I went in my room and got out a bin of meds and medical things and I threw out about half the stuff because it is expired, or I don't need it anymore. I had several inhalers in there from when I had covid a year ago. I kept them in case there is an apocalypse and no pharmacies exist and I need them, but meh, I am over it.

See you guys tomorrow.

So, all beans start out green. Some turn yellow, some turn purple, and some just turn brown and dry out. (Btw, cucumbers also turn brown and dry out like a thin shelled gourd)

The bump inside a bean is a seed, and again, they start out tiny and green, and turn different colors as they ripen usually white or black. Sometimes brown, yellow, or spotted. Black beans are black seeds from a bean pod. So, the variety of green beans that I grow is dual purpose - it makes a good snap Bean - green, or if you don't pick them, they grow big and lumpy, turn brown, dry out, and can be shelled for black beans.

Very tired. Will check in tomorrow.

SubC, wait... what?? about the green beans... letting them go... black beans? I feel some kind of epiphany coming on...

I answered emails.

I threw out old food from one cabinet and the cheese drawer. Stuff that is expired and that I know no one is going to eat. This is good, because it is making space. Some of my cabinets are totally crammed and I can't find anything. This will help me have space and not have everything shoved in there all hoarded up.

I brushed the dog. I video chatted Tot.

I really want to clean more, so maybe I will. But I have off tomorrow too so I can get more done!

Hi everybody!

Hi CM - who keeps starting all these fires?😉
I know it becomes exhausting. And it's the thing about "when you're up to your @$$ in alligators, it's hard to remember that your original objective was to drain the swamp."

Hi Lila, I'm sorry to hear about tot and acorn. 🙁

My beans are currently yellow beans. I'm letting the green ones go for black beans for winter. I dehydrate them with salt, cayenne, and just enough olive oil to make the spices stick, so probably not what you want for dinner. They make great snack food if you like spicy.

Nice job on your fridge!

I had a good day with Bean today. He made me vacuum.

post 2- hope someone stops by today!

I made the gazpacho and cleaned out the fridge. I didn't WASH it out, I just got everything out of there that was going bad, and rearranged.

I put WD40 on a squeaking thing. I cooked some pasta. Now I feel like I am losing steam and it is only 2:30. I think I will make some coffee. I wish I had some iced, but I could brew it strong and add cold water and ice it. I think I'll do that.

hi CM! So glad you dropped by! Nice to hear how you are doing.

Good morning SubC. Glad you are working on things still and got lots of beans! I assume these are green beans. I have some in my fridge a friend gave me. What are your favorite ways to prepare them? Maybe that will be dinner tonight.

I was so busy yesterday but it was a good day. Tot and Acorn are pretty sick. I dropped off soup and did a video chat, but can't go see them for another week.I hope you have fun with Bean.

I am OFF today thank goodness. So far I:
-washed off a dirty counter and dirty stove
-scrubbed burned-on stuff off the glass cooktop; Teen did it and I have it about 90% cleaned
-sorted berries and ate those and a mango for breakfast
-read on the deck outside, it is nice out
-pulled a few weeds and put them in the compost bin

I also sorted the tomatoes a friend gave me, and am going to make gazpacho today with those and cucumbers and a red pepper I have in the fridge. I also sliced 2 tomatoes and made a delicious tomato sandwich - one of my favorite things! It was on white bread with mayo, but still! I abandoned the bacon at least.

I need to sort the fridge but kind of dreading it. I will do that when I am getting out the ingredients for gazpacho (have to find that red pepper, and some onion and garlic).

Hi you two, and anyone else. 🙋‍♀️

Summer marches on. I keep having new fires to put out, and lack of resolution on pending matters. Plus things that pain my soul in deeper ways than I would feel comfortable delineating here. But I am holding as steady as I can under the circumstances.

Some annoying obligations are behind me. A few other things, and not all of them annoying but involving work. We got some rain days and days ago but are back to hot for awhile.

SubC, I like your bit about doing some of those little things we notice in passing. It's a good strategy for the hot, lower energy days.

So often, I wish I didn't have obligations and deadlines, because I hate the coordinating involved. Especially when I've been putting out fires.

Gotta go now to put out another one. 🔥 🚒

Good morning!

Today is a Bean day.

I enjoyed the library program. I brought home a library labelled tote bag, a folder full of information handouts, a flower shaped multicolored highlighter, and a name sign for my classroom door.

Now I need to get four of my coworkers to sign up for library educator cards and the library will deliver book collections to my school every month! (It is possible that four or more of my coworkers already HAVE educator cards, I just need their names on our school form.)

I do not have any tasks on my list for today, just Bean.

How is everybody else doing?

I finished the garage. Most of the stuff in the garage belongs in the garage (the stuff that doesn't is up on surfaces.)

I washed the water hog mat - that goes below the steps into the house - for 30 minutes. Starting with the hose, then scrub brush, then hose.. It can now be classified as "a little dirty."
I left it on the driveway to dry because I forgot that it is supposed to rain all afternoon. From the look of things I need to go move it back into the garage once I finish this post.

Then I came in hungry - and I made a good choice! Instead of eating easy but unhealthy, I had a peach to hold me while I made a salad. Then I went downstairs to get the lettuce and ended up washing out a nasty vegetable crisper..

So now, it is almost 1:00, and I'm going to make my salad!

I have: picked the beans, planted more beans, and signed my contract (electronically) I am now drinking water because it is very hot outside.

Next I will move some things that are not supposed to be in the garage and are taking up floor space. Then I will sweep it.

Good Morning!

Lila, I am so happy that you are moving toward the life you want!

I also hope more friends will stop by today! I know Lila and I posted a lot. Just drop in and let us know how you are doing, don't worry about processing it all.

I have 5 things on my list today that are not every day things:
Pick beans
Plant more beans
Sweep the garage (both cars are out because mine is still at the shop)
Sign my contract for fall
Teacher night at the library

Other than those I have a "things I have noticed" list to pick from or ignore. I am trying to choose a reasonable number of those for each day. They are low urgency, variable importance - like sweeping the garage.

I am keeping up with dishes and laundry! I almost got to bed at 9:30 last night, but dd2 called with more moving stress.

last post of the night-

We did good today SubC! I am proud of us. I hope some of our friends stop by tomorrow.

Getting late but I had an online meeting and then got a few last little things done:

-sorted mail, opened it and threw out quite a bit
-picked up the few pieces of trash in my bedroom and noticed the dust bunnies, so I will vacuum soon
-put away the hand washed dishes and washed the pans

I feel happy. I improved my situation today by getting this stuff done.

Tomorrow I am free til noon and then I have 2 appointments, then maybe an hour at home before going in to work for 3 or so hours. I am OFF on Friday (staying home) and Saturday.Work a half day Sunday, half day Monday, 2 hours Tuesday and a few hours Thursday but OFF Weds, Fri, Sat. I am carving out time for myself.

See you tomorrow.

Lila - nothing stays clean.

I used to have a friend who had four kids very close together. Her mom would come to visit, and watch the kids for a day, and the mom would dress the kids all in the same color from the skin out, and do all the laundry in the house. Then, right before my friend came home, she would stick all four kids in the bath and do the last load of laundry - so that when my friend got home, there would be NO dirty clothes in the house.

Dinner was zucchini, yellow squash, and two colors of carrots chopped up and sautéed in butter and garlic with black pepper and salt - served over pasta. Sometimes I add oregano, but the yellow carrots were sort of spicy. Onion is also an option.

Dh was pleased with me when he got home. 😊 he noticed that the house was a little better and appreciated having dinner ready.

Ok, it's 8:00! Off to do my evening routine - see you all tomorrow!

oops, I meant teen left the dishes in the sink. But, then did put them in the dishwasher when told.

Nice work on your goals, SubC! I want to hear about your garden-born dinner! I have a lot of produce I need to use up, so maybe I will get some ideas.

The one thing that bothered me today is as soon as I got the sink cleared out, teen came up to "cook" and I told them, you HAVE to put the dishes in the dishwasher when you're done, and don't leave a mess. But no. About 8 dishes in the dishwasher and a few utensils dirty on the counter... I did get teen to come back and put most of it in the dishwasher. I wish things could stay clean for one day.

I went downstairs and helped teen sort laundry and put in a load. I ordered some stuff to be delivered that we need (toiletries, a few groceries, cat food) because of my covid exposure and not going out yet, and If I am being honest, laziness. It will arrive soon.

I used up the almost empty bottle of windex on the windows and one glass tabletop.

I went back in the den and sorted the last bit and got one more paper. All done!

I sorted some produce that had some bad areas and washed the good, savable parts.

There is still so much to do, but I am glad I got this much done.

Lol Lila!

Tag - you're it!

I also feel like we are working together.

The good food is back in the freezer (I need to make a plan to use some of it soon)

The chickens will be getting four pints of rhubarb and two pounds of tofu - not too bad. The tofu was actually free and at it's expiration date when I froze it.

My kitchen sink is good, but my scullery sink is awful. That is not a job for today though - my three goals for today were to do that freezer, worm the buck - both done, and cook dinner from my garden (coming up soon)

I'm trying to shell a few drying beans before I start.

Wow SubC! You are doing great and it is very motivating for me to hear it, like we are working together! Ohhh I hate going through the freezer and getting rid of old things, but then it feels so good once it is done.

I hate to admit this, but I have had a sinkful (well, both sides of the double sink) of dirty dishes for... a couple weeks. It is all stuff that can't go in the dishwasher. I have kept up the dishwasher but not the hand wash stuff. And it got gross, even though at least every few days I loaded the dishwasher and rinsed out the sinks.

Well just now I washed like 5 cookie sheets, blender parts, and a bunch of plasticware that can't go in the dishwasher! I am so proud of myself, I even washed out the sinks and the drains! I have a big pile on towels air drying now. Then I notced 4 frying pans on the toaster oven to wash, so I put them in the sink, sprayed them with dawn powerwash, and will wash them as soon as the other ones are dry so I can put them away and have space.

Also had my son take out the trash.

Will continue...