What would you all think about doing a challenge for 2024?

I was thinking we could use the Daily Tally thread if you like the idea of counting/adding up to a goal. You could use it in various ways, whatever you want to count to a goal for the year:

- items decluttered
- square feet cleared
- days when something was decluttered
- minutes spent intentionally improving your space
- things recycled

or any other thing that is important to you or makes you feel like something was accomplished. What do you think? What goals do you have for the coming year?

If you don't want to use the Daily Tally thread, someone could make a new 2024 goals thread or something. I just think it would be nice to have goals to work on and cheer each other on!

I am trying to hit 1000 items gone by February 1, which is one year from the time I set my goal of 1000 items gone in a year. TotsDad is coming over tomorrow and we are going to work on the garage! He has a truck to take things to the dump if needed, and we can load boxes into my suv with the seats down to donate. I saved all the boxes from Christmas so we can fill them with donations.

Merry Christmas friends!

SubC, BIG CONGRATULATIONS on the new Beanlet! So happy for you. Grandkids are so wonderful as you know. Hi CM and Tatoulia, I hope today brings peace for all.

Totsfam all came for Christmas Day and so did Son2 who you all don't hear about often but he lives in town with his girlfriend. He brought her over and it was very nice. We had breakfast, opened presents, made cookies. Then they all went home for naps and chill time and came back at dinner. It was lovely and I am so thankful most of my kids live nearby so they can easily do this.

I am hoping and imagining that next Christmas I will be in my new home with a big family room and dining room and kitchen so all of us can come and sit around one big table together! And if TotsDad wants us to go there for breakfast so they don't have to pack up the kids, we could do that and then have a big dinner at my place. This year I told him I support them doing things their way so if they wanted to stay home in the morning it was fine. They did come over anyway.

This morning I:
- took everything off the tree so it's ready to take out tomorrow
- packed up all the Christmas decorations
- swept up pine needles
- started unloading the dishwasher

Today is a relax and be home day. In between coffee and quiet time, I'll be cleaning up the kitchen and doing laundry and stuff.

What are the rests of you doing today?

Good afternoon.

Tatoulia, good luck with the coins.

CM, I'm glad you got to Mass.

I am enjoying the new family and doing dishes and laundry. Dh is the cook.

What a lovely Christmas, CM, and I'm glad your energy is returning!

I am determined to go downtown today and turn in BF's coins. He left me a big bag of coins and I'm sick of looking at them. In truth, I'm sick of not looking at them because I don't even see them anymore. You know what I mean more than anyone in the world!

Only my downtown branch has the coin sorter.

So let's see if I actually do this or not.

I'm not late, it's still the 12 Days of Christmas! 😉 Merry Christmas!

Congratulations SubC on the new grandbaby and I hope you have a very enjoyable visit with him and your kids.

Lila, you sound really pumped, that's great. Send me some of that energy and determination. I'm feeling some already, thinking of the new year, but extra never hurts.

Tatoulia, I imagine it was a lot to contemplate, so different from previous years for you. Good idea to spend some time with friends. How are the two kitties adjusting at home?

I did get to my two Masses over the weekend, and they were lovely. Saturday at 4:00 at the little parish that's been around since 1887; since it is smaller I didn't want to be crowded into a pew too close to people even with my mask. So I sat in a chair at the back, near where the ushers hang out and there is more ventilation by the doors.

Then Sunday for Christmas Eve at my own parish. Roommate came with me. We sat in a back pew and that worked fine. I was able to keep distance and there was less drift of incense to bother her allergies.

The last three days or so I've felt my energy returning. I did take a nap yesterday afternoon just for added recuperation benefit, and it was enjoyable. The weather here has been in a grey, cloudy, and colder trend, so hibernating indoors feels good. A dusting of snow on the cars this morning.

I'll be eager to shake off the last vestiges of sickness and rejoin the world soon.

Merry Christmas, all, and congratulations on the new baby, SubC!

I made it through! Did gingerbread houses with my friend's kids, then dinner, and then I went to church. Lovely. Then today I went to co-workers house and I brought a jigsaw puzzle and with five of us, we were able to finish it! I took the train there and he drove me home.

I was a little sad but pulled it together.

Good morning!
Merry Christmas!

I slept hard last night, but not long enough. Mr. Kitty is sitting with me on the couch while I drink some coffee and struggle to wake up. He's happy that he got to sleep inside last night, but he goes back out today.

I need to do chores before we leave. Dh told me just to let the farm sitter do them, but it's Christmas, and she has 5 kids! I'm grateful that she was willing to take the job, but I called her yesterday and told her to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and come back tonight.

We got to FaceTime with dgs2 last night. The hospital gave him a special Christmas hat. This morning they will check him out and if all is well, we will hit the road to meet him.

(He has been struggling with his blood sugar a little due to being early, but he is getting a glucose supplement and doing well.)

Our other gifts from his family were already here, so we opened them last night while we FaceTimed. Dh got a cutting board and I got a framed print of goats at a fence. They are very funny.

Other ins from Dh family - t-shirt, earrings, and really badly made piece of pottery in traditional style that was basically a tourist souvenir from mil's trip. She explained in detail how it was made and how impressive that was as if she was instructing me. I am trying to have my takeaway be that she thought of me and tried to take an interest in something she knows is important to me. mom gave me food, stationary, and a new kitchen spatula in my stocking. Plus Christmas themed cheese (or vegan spread) knives, an ornament, a puzzle, and two scented candles in mugs. The puzzle is intended for me to do with ddil, it's a tradition, so that and the mugs and the scented candle from my student are all going with us today. Ddil likes scented candles.

Gotta move if I'm going to get on the road!

Breakfast was one cinnamon roll. I had two more meals of raw fruits and vegetables every form of bread had cheese or sour cream in it. I took literally half the salad meant for 13 people last night and it did not fill my dinner plate. I did not feel bad.

Then we drove to mom and dads where I was given bread and almond milk and cookies. Unfortunately I had to tell them we were leaving this morning b3cause on the way there ds called to tell us the baby was coming. So I missed all but a few hours with my parents.

Gs#2 arrived healthy this morning 3.5 weeks early.

We are back at our house to sleep (coming home instead of going straight there added only two hours to the two day trip) change out what is in our suitcases (colder, no church), and unload Christmas gifts.

In the morning ds takes his family home from the hospital, and we should be there late afternoon.

Merry Christmas Eve, friends!

I am working today (volunteer) but it will be a joyful time, seeing many people I care about. Tomorrow is our big family gathering at my house. I am very unprepared and will be gone most of today, but will make it work and enjoy what I have! Exciting to have littles who are old enough to be excited about Christmas.

I am in a mood of "nothing matters anyway," which is a great mood to get rid of things in. I hope it hangs on long enough for me to purge the week after christmas. TotsDad is coming over to help me purge the garage. It should be a wild ride so come along and see how my Daily Tally flies up! I had a goal of 1000 things gone from my home in one year (not including trash), and if I remember right I am close to 700, and I have until February. I can do it!

SubC, I too have gone to things where people knew I am vegetarian but I have nothing to eat but salad (which is better than when they put bacon IN the salad and I have nothing). I have more flexibility than you do, since I do eat some dairy and eggs and fish. Lacto ovo pescatarian, but no one these days knows those words, so I just go with vegetarian. I went to a party where they made a delicious looking breakfast casserole but had meat in it so I just had grapes and a cinnamon roll. Which is okay, but made me crave breakfast casserole, so I am making a vegetarian one for Christmas morning.

Heading off to work. I hope you all will cheer me on and get excited as I post things in the Tally. If you have never looked at it, I think it is inspiring! I post all the things I donate or get rid of that are not actual trash, and it is amazing to go back and read little this and that and realize ALL of that was in my home, and now almost 1000 items gone!

See you later - Merry Christmas all!

SubC, I think the link was why my screen was super wide, lol! But I am familiar with Oriental Trading Company, anyway. And I see the bins; they are pretty. Target here and sometimes Walmart has sold some like that during school supply season.

I didn't get through every last brochure yesterday (or was it Thursday?), ran out of steam, but there aren't many left to do. It's going to go well, I can feel it.

Sorry about the food woes - as a picky eater I am quite familiar with them, in a different way. It does pay to bring one's own stash.

Lila and Tatoulia, I hope it will be a lowkey but nice holiday for the both of you - the timing after such big life events I understand is not the best, but just keep things simple and find the little things to appreciate - Poco a Poco, you knew I would have to say it but it's true...

I'm getting back into civilization just in time for the Mass this afternoon and then one tomorrow and that'll be it for me I think. There were actually some years when I would go to both the Christmas Eve and the Christmas Day, because they have different Bible readings so it's not just a repeat, etc. I can always watch the Pope's livestream or another one, maybe my local Bishop, or EWTN. The main thing is, it will be Christmas, time to feel renewed hope.

Good morning.

Lila, any plan that moves things is a good plan. But I definitely think starting with easier stuff will help you get moving. Have fun with tot.

CM, excellent job on the dresses!

bag up all the vintage fabric and donate it. Somebody who loved those colors will buy it. Maybe they will make a beautiful retro quilt. I wish I could come help you organize the art supplies. I love stuff like that. Can you use thatnowemptymagazineholder for some of them?

I have these:

https://www.orientaltrading.com/solid-color-book-bins-6-pc--a2-13752727.fltr?sku=13752727&BP=PS544&ms=search&source=google&cm_mmc=GooglePLA-_-17376747105-_-136513371599-_-13752727&cm_mmca1=OTC%2BPLAs&cm_mmca2=GooglePLAs&gad_source=4&gclid=CjwKCAiAp5qsBhAPEiwAP0qeJoVQADFpJ35zj1ta2C74I1x4RT7FFOMEjt1mdpZjGvc3PE6qIcbBPhoCaJIQAvD_BwE

Sorry that link is so long, wish we could post pics. For my glaze jars. I do sort them by color.

Hi Tatoulia!

I am at mil's house. Last night I had broccoli for dinner because she forgot that I am a vegetarian and can't have milk. She's 80. I don't expect her to keep track of my diet. I do wish I could have just quietly eaten my broccoli in peace, but there are so many food issues in this family that my plate needed to be observed, commented on, explained and discussed. So I ended up feeling bad about the whole thing. Which is so wrong. I'm the person who got just broccoli for dinner (which honestly, I'm overweight and I've been eating too many goodies, so one meal of broccoli - which I really like, was probably good for me!) why am I the person who feels bad about that?!

Anyway, I've been awake since 5 and I'm hiding in the en-suite bathroom until my Dh wakes up. But I'm starting to be hungry. I'm hoping that breakfast will not be some sort of casserole with bacon and cheese. Or that if it is, there will at least also be toast. I won't starve. I brought a pound of almonds and a jar of dried green beans and two apples to snack on in the car yesterday and I still have most of that left. I just don't want to do the in depth interrogation about my plate again.

Dh aunt whom I adore is arriving at 11:30. Tonight we go to my parents' house.

Hello friends, and so nice to read so many posts... the hard things and the good things. We are all in it together. What a busy time of year.

I had a very nice time with Tots family and they are probably coming over tomorrow, too, unless Tot is sick. I worked all week and now have 2 days off, work all day Christmas Eve and then off most of the week, FINALLY. I love my job, but I need the time off. Teen is home, and it is 80% going pretty well. No major problems at this point. I hope things will be better now. New medication, so possibly will be better.

I have to get the downstairs ready for Tots Family to move in. I went into one room, got a box out, Teen even went in to help me. I spent about 5 minutes looking at things and slightly sorting and got overwhelmed and walked out.

I went in the garage and was looking for empty plastic bins so I could just simply start "packing" as if I were moving now... but packing things to go to my new home in a year or so. I found no accessible empty totes, but saw many half filled with all kinds of 'stuff' I have saved for years. Then thought, what I really need to do it get rid of things in the garage. Donate like half of what's in there. Then use the empty bins to pack. And put those in the garage, labelled for the move. I asked TotsDad to bring boxes tomorrow and we can sort the garage. That way I won't be wondering with every item, "would TotsDad want this??"

What do you think? Good plan?

Awwww, thanks for the empathetic understanding of quirks, both of you! It does take some of the sting of embarrassment out. I am clinging to hope that things are going to improve with my driving and similar areas of discomfort. And I'm also trying to remind myself that there are other times when it actually goes well. Even working on capturing the muscle memory from those times, like how I'm sitting, how I'm breathing, how I'm looking around at the environment when I'm NOT feeling panicky - just anything positive that I can try and replicate in other settings.

I do make some connections between panic and some neuroatypical traits that have always been a part of my makeup but which for so many years were not recognized as such, or if noticed at all were stigmatized (by me as well as by others). Back in the 60s through however long, it was still very much about keeping a stiff upper lip, trying to pass for normal. And maybe in some ways that had its good points, insofar as giving hope that things would start to click at some mythical future date. Although it grew increasingly puzzling and frustrating when that day never came.

And now here I am asking lots of questions, yet trying not to get too wound up or confused about it either. Sometimes I have to just step away from the internet rabbit hole of reading too much and clear my head, or it can get depressing in a different way, because I can start feeling regrets about whether having some of the information back in the day would've prevented my making certain mistakes, overspending, hoarding, and more. We don't get do overs. Just gotta go forward.

And in that spirit, I have been doing some decluttering of art related things. SubC, I'm sure you can relate, and I would enjoy hearing any tips you have discovered about organizing supplies and instructional media. I know with pottery it's more 3D, and larger pieces and clay storage, more challenging than most of what I deal with. Sewing fabric is my main bulk thing. Paints, pens, paper and canvases are less bulky as long as I don't do large works. However, given the space limitations of my living situation, it's still quite tricky. And I have the storage unit, so I can't deny that there is still a fair amount of bulk, lol. It might be lighter than clay and pots, but it's still cubic feet.

This morning I am going through some brochures and stuff that I collected, information sheets about things like the different types of paintbrushes and how they are used, polymer clay techniques, just all sorts of artsy reading. I can find anything like that online easily enough now, so no need to keep printed matter. This was an easy thing I'd been eying, a magazine holder full. I'm trying these days to spot these sorts of mini decluttering projects that yield a quick and decisive win, and as each one gets gone it's likely to reveal another behind it to tackle next.

I'd mentioned that my roommate let me get that top of the bookcase free of Christmas items - covid delayed my vacuuming of it, and right now I'm still sneezing so I will wait but in a few days I'll have that done. That part of the room has held art supplies and I would like to get markers, colored pencils, and crayons that are in semi disarray elsewhere integrated with the main art supply section (which is actually one of the better organized areas, though I need to get other stuff away that has blocked access in front of it). I'd like to figure out bins or drawers for the pencils, pens, etc. instead of the zillion little boxes they came in. If I had an actual studio, I'd sort the entire lot by color, mixing the brands and types together, instead of keeping them in their packaged sets. But I don't have that kind of room to spread out. Again, SubC, any artistic organizing suggestions are welcome.

Yesterday I did get to those doll clothes that I'd mentioned wanting to rip out. Ended up going in a different direction with it. The dresses I'd cut out and partially stitched some time ago, were of fabrics that I realized I was trying to "rescue." I've had this tendency ever since I've done any kind of craft, to prove that somehow I can spin straw into gold. No fabric left behind. Even if it's ugly, or the texture is wrong, find some way to make it work and look attractive.

Well, that's a trap. Some materials just don't work very well, and likely never will. And I don't have time to devote to trying to force them to, which chances are won't succeed anyway. All I'll have to show for my efforts will be a mediocre finished product that probably no one will want. And working with inferior materials makes me uninspired, and I'll likely be dragging my heels and losing even more time, and doubting my creative vision. Not a pretty picture.

So. The decision I made not to proceed further on those items was one decision. It was followed immediately by a second: What, then, to do with several partially finished doll dresses and the lace I was going to put on them?

The answer: Donate the stuff anyway. Who cares if they aren't hemmed or whatever. If some grandma wants to finish them for her granddaughter and the granddaughter doesn't mind that they are blah looking and is just happy to have something new for her dolly, wonderful. And if... try not to think about it... nobody wants the stuff, then it goes in the bin ultimately, but at least I won't have to be the one to grit my teeth and drop it in there, with the Sunk Cost Fallacy Demons yammering in my head.

So, it's bagged up and ready to depart the premises. Bonus: As I was going through it all, I was pondering and thinking about how I should pull out similar stuff from storage - I've collected fabric and trims for so many years that, like these I bagged, there's a lot of it that is just... dated. Dusty rose, peach, Wedgewood blue, seafoam green, forest green - all those 90s colors. Gathered nylon lace like you'd see on thrift store crafted items like puffy wreaths or stuffed muslin geese - maybe by the year 2050 all that will suddenly be considered vintage and back in style. But I'm so over the 90s; I want to move on NOW. So, I'm going to go on a raid as soon as I have a nice day, go to my storage, and pull out any more of that I can find. And anything else that doesn't spark joy!

Roommate just took her covid test and it was negative, yay! I still have a few minor symptoms that are just like what you get at the end of an ordinary cold. Hoping to wrap up this sickness schtick asap and get back to civilization.

Cm I get it in the complications. I have those moments sometimes. I know it is harder for you and there's more to consider but I do want you to be nice to yourself.

I have the garbage out and both cat boxes cleaned. My house is a mess.

I got the thank you cards and tips written out to everyone at moms except the two maintenance guys because I ran out of money. I'll get a few more twenties tomorrow. I don't know how much to tip people. Most got 20 or 40. One got 1000 and one got 60. Just trying to remember who to thank is a lot of work.

So I don't know where I left off but someone at work invited me to Christmas Day and it just felt right. So I'm going! I had so many invitations that I turned down in favor of being alone and then a man at work sent me a text saying his wife is a really good cook and that he and their daughters would be playing games and doing jigsaw puzzles. I'm in!

Emiko and her boyfriend are taking me for dinner tomorrow night. So much going on here. Will be glad to have Saturday to myself. I still cannot believe that I don't need to visit mom each night. I still worry about what to do for her. What does she need what would she enjoy.

CM,

Complicated, but it shouldn't be embarrassing. Frustrating maybe. I don't step on cracks in sidewalks. It gives me a funny gait. It's not a superstition, it just feels *wrong* like if I asked a neurotypical person to walk down the street with one foot on the sidewalk and one foot on someone's lawn. They could do it fine,, but the whole time they would probably be fighting the natural urge to move fully onto or off of the sidewalk. And if they got Distracted they would probably move.

Anyway, I hope it gets easier, and I hope you can work it out.

I've done all the things I can do to get ready to leave and a few extras that will make life easier when I get back, so I am going to bed.

Goodnight all, (and happy new year 😉 )

I didn't know that about the technicalities of solstice, SubC, but I'm just happy to know the days will be getting longer. Perhaps imperceptibly at the very beginning, but there will come that day when it is obvious.

It's cloudy here this week anyway, so may not be able to tell when the sun sets. The mornings sure have been dark later too, clouds or no.

Feeling more energetic, and I think covid may be on the wane. Colored my hair just a bit ago for a mood boost.

Having Sunday and Christmas Mass be joyful is definitely my goal! 😉 There's a little added, how shall I say, calculation involved also because in the last few years I've had more of those quirky annoying agoraphobic challenges with driving. One anxiety trigger is driving very far from home (and for me, "far" can even mean >2 miles) at times when the streets are more lonely with businesses closed up early during holiday times. When they are open I can pull into a place where people are and distract myself if need be.

I'd prefer to go to church and return when it's still a little light out. Hoping I can coordinate that. My parish is closer but the times are later.
I realize how complicated and embarrassing it all sounds. I've been working this year to become more confident again driving, but there have been setbacks, especially in times of stress. Exercising has been helpful, and I'm sure it will continue to be going forward into the new year. The covid glitch has added a complication (including keeping me from exercising much), but maybe that disruption will be past, if the test comes out okay or even just being asymptomatic but probably will have to mask, darn it.

Trying to chill and relax and believe I can meet the challenges and if tricky moments arise find a way through.

Tatoulia, you've gotten a lot done in a short time it seems. Glad you had some helpers.

Lila, stay strong, I think you are doing well with the decluttering; you seem able to plunge in and accomplish things, as long as life gives you a chance, which I totally understand sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. But in the big picture I think you'll do all right.

Happy solstice!

The new year doesn't actually start until 10:38 EST, which feels like tomorrow to me, and tonight will be the longest darkness, but the light is coming.

CM, I hope you find opportunities to go to Mass that lift up your heart and don't just check a box. I'm sure Christmas has been on Mondays before. I'm going to Christmas Eve service with my mom at her church.(it's the one I was raised in). She asked me if I thought we needed to go to Sunday morning service as well and I told her I didn't think so. I'm not sure why she asked me. It has been some time since I was in a church. I think god - whatever name you choose, is like a light in a box full of holes. Your religion depends on the shape of the hole the light comes out of when you look at the box. For me, it's enough that there is light. I don't mean to say anything against anyone else's beliefs.

Tatoulia, you did a phenomenal job. Don't be surprised if things crash down on you now that that is finished. Be gentle with yourself.

I brought a bunch of pots home from the studio yesterday. 5 cups, four bowls, three tumblers (I feel like I made a Christmas song) a plate and a lidded container.

Also from teacher gifts - a candle and a little plastic trash can full of candy.(and some gift cards)

And I went to my offsite craft storage shop to buy chalk for Bean's stocking. I got the chalk, and a piece of lace, three paint brushes, and a random piece of plastic that was in the quilt section and will make great wall patterns on clay. I'm not sure what it actually is.

My stuff count is creeping up again.

A strange thing happened at the studio. The owner got a call from his teenager that the teenager was stranded with a car that wouldn't start.

The shop was closing in ten minutes and the retail staff would go home, and because we are between class sessions, there was no teaching staff in the building. (And only a handful of other people). The owner asked me if I would be in charge while he went to help his kid.

Being in charge didn't actually mean anything since nobody answers the phone after retail closes, no deliveries arrived, and fortunately there was no emergency, but the retail staff did come over to let me know they had locked up the shop and were leaving. But I felt really good that he trusted me in case there was an emergency.

Lila, I am thinking about you and hoping you have more light than darkness.

I think I may be starting to turn the corner. I've rested a lot. Symptoms have not been really pronounced, yet I've felt like resting. Would be nice if energy returns more by tomorrow.

Tatoulia, that's amazing that you've avoided covid so long - best wishes for continued success with that!

Tomorrow is the solstice, woo-hoo! Longer days.

I am hoping and praying that I'll be more than ready and able to get to church this weekend. We have an interesting scenario that I don't recall happening before or at least I don't remember. For some odd reason, the 4th Sunday of Advent is also Christmas Eve. I thought that wasn't possible but I guess I was wrong. And then Christmas is on Monday. So anyhow, Catholics are obligated to attend two Masses, one for Sunday and one for Christmas, but since we have the option of vigils (going the evening before, for example Saturday night for Sunday) there are several options for how to do this over those three days. And I'm strategizing which parishes' times may work better for me, my own or a different nearby one.

The covid situation has to be factored in too, insofar as whether I'm okay to go, where to sit, masking, etc. It may become clearer in a day or two; I probably have some brain fog right now so should sleep on it and decide later.

We finished mom's place. Everything is ready to go. We got rid of so much. Very tough emotionally but it's done. Her BF will bring the truck to store my sister's stuff that I'll bring to her in the Spring.

Good morning!

CM, I'm sorry you are sick. I hope it is a minor inconvenience. A chance to rest and turn inward and focus on what is really important this season is not a bad thing, but I am sorry you are missing your community observances. You should be ok by Christmas Eve though, yes?

I am getting my Covid and flu shots tomorrow afternoon. I decided that the best time to feel yucky is when I am getting up early and driving all day. Dh is afraid I will feel too bad to drive, but I don't remember feeling particularly bad last time. I drive with a migraine regularly. I'll just take ibuprofen. It will also give me a good excuse to go to bed early at his parent's house, since they always stay up way too late.

Tatoulia, I am glad you are not sick. That sounds like a fun Christmas Day and I am glad you have something to do with other people.

Lila, I am thinking of you. I don't know exactly what you are up to, but I know you have a lot of stressors right now. Feed yourself healthy food and try to get some rest.

Since I am actually ready to leave for school an hour and a half early(!) I am going to straighten up some more before I go.

Happy yule and thank you to all of you for the gifts you bring into the world.

SubC, I did not know that about the first night of Yule and am so honored you'll be including me and my mother. I am well. I have an annual physical every year and see the doctor periodically otherwise. I did not get my blood work done so I'll have to stop in for that some day next week. I also need my mammogram. I like seeing the doctor. I always feel better after seeing her

Cm! I am so sorry that you have covid! That is no fun! I still haven't had covid. I know it could happen any moment. I still wear masks everywhere and at this point would feel funny without one.

Lila I am thinking of you.

I have turned down every Christmas Day dinner offer and guess what? I was just invited by someone at work and I think I'll be going. He said his wife is an excellent cook and that they'll be playing games and working on puzzles with the high school and college-aged kids. So appealing to me.

Well, I do have covid but it's mild. Barely visible on the test, but it was there. Roommate seems okay. I was the one sitting directly across from the person who had it. Next year I sure hope to break this "tradition" even if I have to become a hermit for two or three weeks prior to Christmas! Dare we hope the virus will be a nothing burger in the world by then? Who knows.

So I haven't done much today except rest and have my prayer time and listen to instrumental Christmas relaxing music on YouTube and read Harry Potter (in the middle of book 5 now). Tomorrow I might rip seams in a few doll clothes and sort the fabric pieces - it is partly fabric I decided I don't like so that will get donated.

Might read a book about Gimp digital photo software because I was going to have a tutorial yesterday at the library. Glad I called to postpone; the cool guy who teaches and helps with tech I sure would not want to give covid to, or anyone else. It can wait until after New Year's probably. Things will be more relaxed then anyway.

So far I still have my sense of smell. Now and then I sniff something to check. Mostly this is just a minor annoyance.

I miss my mom at the holidays too, and my dad; there are memories of things we used to enjoy, childhood Christmases, etc. Those can make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. And the meaning of Christmas, the Bible account, getting closer to God during Advent - sometimes I get a bit frustrated because anymore it seems harder to find the peace and calm I used to have in the season. But I suppose it is still there, if one looks a little deeper.

Good evening.

Tatoulia, I don't know what the doctor appointment was about, but i hope you are ok.

I hope you are able to finish the apartment tomorrow.

Forgive me if I am making a mistake sharing this, but tomorrow is the first night of Yule, which is traditionally a time for honoring mothers - our own, those who have gone before us, and all the women in our lives who nurture and care for us and for others. (Also for baking) so it seems good to me that you will be doing this task with Emiko, who has always sounded like a nurturing presence in your life. I hope that will bring you comfort. I'll be thinking of you, and of your mom when I light candles tomorrow.

You guys aren't going to believe this, but here is what I absolutely need to do before I leave for school tomorrow: sleep, chores, dress, and brush my teeth. My lesson plans are ready, the work is graded, I showered this evening, my car is loaded, and I have a gift card to get breakfast from Starbucks in my console. My great room is nearly clean, my laundry is put away, and there is a fire in the woodstove.

I did not finish everything I thought I might do today, but the things I didn't do are not urgent and not very important. It's a strange feeling.

Hello! Long day here. Had dr appt at 335 but didn't get seen til after five. I needed the appt so not really in a position to complain.

Taking tmr off to work on mom's. Friend Emiko is coming. Goal is to finish it.

Cm I'm so sorry about the health ups and downs. Very very stressful.

Will write more later. I'm a bit shakey.

I am glad to see both of you !

CM,I'm sorry you had a medical scare, but glad it turned out ok.

I'm excited about that new shelf space for you! It would be lovely if you could have only things that are yours in your room.

Your teaching style sounds great.

Lila, I hope you had fun with tot's family. If you don't feel social, don't be social. It's ok. You do what helps you.

I had a good day with bean today. He was tired from last night and very cuddly. We read a lot of books.

I realized I have to go back to the feed store tomorrow because I forgot rabbit food. That's the only thing I have to leave the house for though. I'm going to try to get my act more together in the house. I might even pack for our trip.

I am here, sort of... and reading posts but not finished yet. Nice to see you back Tatoulia and CM. I am sorry for the hard things.

I have had a hard time being social as well and avoiding gatherings. Even family stuff. I finally invited Tot's family for dinner tonight. I wanted to see them before but they were sick. So now I need to find something to cook.

I am having a hard time getting anything done. I will ask Son when he comes tonight to move a few large items for me in preparation for them leaving. I do not know how I am going to manage things in the coming year. I feel overwhelmed. I am still on the wait list for a counselor and they think it will be in 3-4 weeks.

I will go take my vitamins.

I'm back

Glad to be back

Things got weird in mid-November, but now they are okay. I had a medical scare, and one test that caused me great anxiety both in the procedure itself and concern re possible outcomes. But now I just got the call from my doctor this morning and all is well.

Roommate and I are on Covid watch, though, because the other friend we had breakfast with on Saturday texted me later that she'd tested positive. I will be more diligent in future re asking people who say they have a cold, whether they are sure it's not Covid (hard to figure out sometimes how to do this tactfully). We are not having any symptoms, and if we test negative on Friday we'll be home free. I sure hope we don't have another Very Merry Covid Christmas™ as we did last year.

The bombshell medical thing, plus some bad weather here, kind of blew up my November NaNoWriMo that had been going well, but I hope to get back to writing. Did a poem this morning. I've also been doing a bit of decluttering here and there - again feeling like I'm starting to shake up the petrified piles and find things I'd forgotten about (and in many cases can get rid of). Roommate has been decluttering too. I took a bunch of stuff, mostly hers, to the thrift shop a couple weeks ago. Including a boxed Christmas tree and other items that had been atop the shelving in my bedroom ever since I moved in here. So now I'll be able to use that for my own stuff. Need to vacuum dust off it first.

During the time I was trying to keep my mind off scary possibilities and focus in the present, our bunny organization had a Christmas party fundraiser. There were hitches and glitches but in the end it came together and was a big success. I led the kids' ornament painting activity, if you can call it leading since my "teaching" style is pretty low-key because my shyness and desire not to come across as too bossy kick in, so I just go "You can do this, or you can do that, whatever suits your fancy, here's some paint..." Lol! But they all had fun. I made a few notes on the setup, what worked and what might make it even better, because I have an idea for a similar project if we have the March event like we did this year.

I've been to my storage unit a time or two, mainly to fetch Advent and Christmas books/decorations. When I look around, I am starting to see that although it is in one sense a mess, mainly it's just because of the need to set up those sturdier shelves; things piled on the floor were from the old rickety shelves that got removed. I mean, there is plenty of work to do, don't get me wrong, but I don't feel the abject horror I once did just looking at it all. And I'm getting more of a sense of a plan of attack, and of how it will diminish as I go, i.e., not all the stuff will remain anyway. I have a big idea that I'm contemplating - don't worry, it's not to have two storage units, but it is a possible shift of location, and that's all I'm going to say for now.

Motivation and steady commmitment will be key moving forward into the spring, and those are always the toughest thing. Poco a Poco and having my cousin in town now - she was very encouraging and nonjudgmental - those things seem to have made me more optimistic.

The daily routines of life need tweaking - I know I spend more time in "waiting mode" and drifting because of living in a roommate situation rather than by myself, where I would have an entirely different rhythm of life. Although I am not kidding myself that I would never have to deal with the ADHD and such. I'm thinking of a New Year's resolution - I don't make many, but if I find one I really want to do, I will. There are two that are coming to me - read the Bible daily, and really cut back on social media usage of the type that I am getting bored with that just wastes time and energy, and sometimes gets me fixated on things that are just mentally chasing my tail. I know what those things are, and I can make a quick list, and then only use social spaces for more productive things - for example, the writers' group locally, etc.

I did start going to a faith sharing Advent group at my church, though circumstances caused me to miss all but two sessions, and I'll miss tomorrow's because of the Covid thing. I'm so glad, though, that it occurred to me to mention to the facilitator how much I was enjoying the group and to suggest that we carry on into the new year with other materials. She is going to! My parish hasn't had anything for so long, so this is a real blessing, and I've met some great people already.

And I want to get more involved with a local writing group, and keep up the exercising and go to the senior center now and then. My roommate and I are both introverts but we are resolving to do some socializing, in our own way, because we have probably been too much hermits for some years.

So anyway. I have been keeping up with your posts even while I was in radio silence, and I know you have all had a lot going on. I'll probably respond to some more but I just wanted to say I was back and where I'm at in the current moment. I probably got a little long winded, what else is new, but it's good to be back. 🙂

Good morning.

Tatoulia, it's good to see you. A piano?! This is a larger place than I envisioned. I'm glad you have so many friends to help you out.

I'm sorry about your Christmas party experience. It was brave of you to try. Your decorations sound nice.

We were drinking out of the mugs, so my only choices were bring them home and wash and donate/recycle or trash, and you know me . it was bad enough that my dinner was all on disposable plastic plates. I stuck my fork in my pocket and that will get recycled too.

I enjoyed our caroling evening with friends last night. Our two families have been friends for 27 years. I did get surprisingly teary when we sang "I'll be home for Christmas." I've always celebrated Christmas with all of my kids, even if it wasn't on the day. This year I will only have Bean's family.

I took fudge in two decorative holiday tins and left the tins at my friends' house. They did gift us two half pints of homemade jam, and I will save the jars, although I take them jars from time to time if my closet fills up, and may return these.

I got the laundry washed and dried but not put away. Dishes are mostly caught up, even with the fudge making. I have checked about half the projects, so the rest will be tomorrow. I need to clear the checking station out of my living room this morning because today is Bean's day. I also need to get the feed out of my car and put his car seat back, so I better get moving!

Ps thank you for the support on returning mom's Christmas clothes. I did get them returned. Afterward I wandered around Macy's and I was still looking at things for mom. This will take a while to figure it out. I still knock on her door before entering.

Hi everyone! Lila, I'm glad you were able to get some paperwork signed and mailed. SubC, at events where we get a souvenir such as a mug or a yeti water bottle, I leave it at the event. I've had people run after me to say I forgot my XYZ and depending on the circumstance, I either say it was on purpose or I say that it's someone else's, I have mine. Since I go everywhere by walking or subway and rarely via a car, I need to hold steady with my rule that the thing isn't coming into my house.

I don't know when I've last written. I tried to go to my company Christmas party and I took one step in and burst into tears. I was able to get on the escalator and leave the venue before it was noticeable. I tried.

This weekend a friend came to help me at mom's. All cds have been donated together with other stuff. She cleared out my mother's dresser drawers and took care of things I couldn't. For example, my mother had her baby shoes and her brother's baby shoes and the shoes belonging to us kids. They aren't meaningful to me. So my friend took care of them. She did all the hard emotional work without involving me. I took mom's books down to the common area library. We got the front closet cleaned out. A lot of garbage out. A lot of recycling. Magazines, etc. then we wentfor a late lunch at my favorite place.

I was able to donate the vases and baskets that the 11 flower bunches came in I still have two flower arrangements that are nice.

I haven't decorated here at my house except for the ceramic (handmade) Christmas tree that was my grandparents. I thought all these years, including as a kid, that my sister wanted it but she wanted me to have it. It is very pretty. I did decorate the common area hallway. One person sent me a lovely, lovely Christmas arrangement and I had it in the lobby and I put a big wreath on my door. I also have wreaths on my front windows and "candles " in the windows. Inside I also have a very small paper Christmas tree. That's what I can do this year. Since the Christmas arrangement is starting to droop, I know what I'll do out in the lobby in its stead and I'll probably change my door wreath to something smaller.

Today I was on my own. I got more garbage and recycling out. Honestly I do not see the improvement that other people are seeing.

I'm trying to find a place to donate her piano. Her doctor's office came and picked up her art work to hang as well as some other things for the senior center. I need to finish this. It is hanging ove4 my head b