WAY TO GO!!!! Diane 😀
Try breaking the whole project up into do-able sizes and not burn out trying to do all that hard work too fast.
Set the timer to remind you to take breaks and eat & drink. (((hugs)))

After Tillie said she was going to wash screens and windows when she feels better, I thought, I should do that.
In old trailers, screens are screwed on in the inside. I have never taken them off because they wouldnt turn with the huge paint build up. There are 3 panels glass on a roll out thing, really old, most don't work, so have never been able to wash inside of windows or screen. Well today I beat the paint off the screws, used electric drill to unscrew them, power tools do what I am unable to do with hand tools. Well storm windows are in one pile and screens are in another stack. 4 windows in living room and dining room took almost 3 hours to get it all off. Well the inside of windows have warped unfinished wood, filthy dirty. with ragged or no insulation. It is an all day job and I am already exhausted. I am going to make a shake now and go sit outside. Then will haul all storm windows and screens out to wash filth off. Will wash inside of windows, and wood then paint wood. When I took off the screens off, it had blue and white wall paper that the place was covered with when new. It ripped around edges so have to decide what to do with that, whether to spackle it or just paint as is. It is painted a light tan, think light sage green would be even nicer. I also found that windows do not fit flush with frame. I would really like new used windows that work. I may take a trip to habitat restore to see if they happen to have that size, especially for the one with a broken window panel. Will measure exactly and pray for a replacement window. I took all valances down, not sure if they will be tossed or washed and rehung. It looks bigger in here without them. They do keep cold out in winter a little and heat out in summer. But with gaps in window really just need some double pained windows. These windows are from 1967, single pain, gaps between and very thin old glass. Enough already. Just wanted to say my goal today is to clean windows, screens, sills and paint.

Hi Everybody 😀

Hi Diane 🙂
Sounds like you had a very good balance between work projects, daily maintenance, eating properly, enjoyable activities and rest & relaxation. WAY TO GO! 😀
I guess there is still too much stuff in that bedroom, causing you frustration with the slow progress. An hour though spent in there is GREAT and little step by little step it will get to where you are satisfied with the room. (((hugs))) 🙂

Hi Karl 🙂
WAY TO GO! making more progress on straightening out the storage. 😀
My fingers are crossed that soon you will locate that computer equipment. 😉

Happy Birthday Roxie 😀
Such FANTASTIC accomplishments you are making.

Hi LR2014 🙂
Good luck getting those maintenance problems fixed properly and fast. 😀
P.S. just saw you posted while I was composing. Yes, I did get some sleep last night. TY 🙂

Hi Barb 🙂
Great! you got the mower back! 😀
Enjoy the calm before the next storm.

The winds finally calmed down sometime last night.
Still cold today but is supposed to warm up by tomorrow before the next storm blows in for Friday.
Planning to get out and water tomorrow.
Didn't get rain here. 🙁
Just all that wind.
My teeny tiny doll house resides on top of a small antique chest of drawers in my room.
Around the doll house is a teeny tiny white picket fence with an old fashioned gas style street light out front, operates by battery.
After dark I walked into my room and saw the light was on!
The cats can't get up there, that's why I have the picket fence, and I haven't had the light on for months now.
That was FUN! 😀
My big extra fancy Iris has but up a lot of flower stalks.
The house needs a good deep cleaning now to get all the dust.
If the wind storms are finished, that will be my plan for next week.
This week I haven't done much except reading and crafts and naps. 😀

Have a wonderful Wednesday everybody. 🙂

OK, the earlier maintenance problem is fixed for now. (Still have some cleanup leftover to do from that, but the problem itself is fixed.) Yea!

Barb: Happy lawn mowing! (I happen to like to mow, usually.) Thanks for the inspiration to get winter gear ready for next year.

Tillie: I hope you feel better today than yesterday and were able to get some decent sleep last night.

Diane: You continue to inspire me with all the work you are getting done! Glad you are enjoying your kitchen so much!

Karl: Nice that you were able to get a lot done at the storage unit!

Roxie: I'm glad you were feeling well enough to get all that done yesterday. I continue to hope that you get all the rest and relaxation you need.

I will probably post my daily goals later. As always, one of them will be to add to my gratitude list.

Happy day to all.

Good morning, everyone.
I picked up the mower yesterday and filled the gas can. Today I need to mow. It is supposed to rain tomorrow.
When I'm done, I'll need to shower and head to the grocery store.
Have a great day!

Good morning, all, and happy birthday to Roxie!

I haven't read the recent posts as carefully as I usually do, but I hope to do that later in the day. My schedule is a bit "different" this morning.

As I mentioned to those who were able to make the chat last night, my "yesterday" didn't go at all as planned. The only posted goal I got done was to add to my gratitude list.

Early in the morning yesterday, I discovered a new maintenance issue I had to report to the office and deal with, and that took up much of the day. I did end up going to the Laundromat and doing laundry, which wasn't on my original list. Still have some of it that needs to be put away this morning. (At least it's all washed and dried.) Then after the chat last night, I discovered water backing up into a sink. Ugh. Maintenance people are now scheduled to come early this morning to deal with that, and I need to get off the computer soon for that.

More later! Hugs to all.

I got some floor picked up, swept, bagged garbage and got big bin to street. Put down and filled new litter box. Finished loading dishwasher and ran full load. One-handed wash of recycle dishes. Wiped some counter.

I spent several hours today at my storage unit. I made further progress on the box of miscellaneous desk contents (about half of which went into the trash), reorganized some boxes more efficiently to leave me with a couple of empties, and went through the kitchen and clothing boxes to pick out items to take back home. (I reached the carrying capacity of my backpack, and left a pile of items to pick up on my next trip.)

I have two boxes that both claim to contain my microwave oven. I thought the first one looked pretty confidently labeled, so I opened the second, but it turns out the latter was the one that was correctly labeled. On my next visit I can find out what's really in the first box. Maybe it'll turn out to be the long-lost computer equipment.

The sun came out today but it is very windy and cold out. I did fill a large garbage bag with junk today. Found more donations too. Ate healthy food. Did glue rocks together today.
Yesterday had very heavy rain and had a repeat leak in between the walls in big bedroom. Back up on roof today searched for problem area. Hopefully I figured it out and repaired it, although no area appeared to have a weak part. It will rain all week so will have plenty of time to find leaks, although I am very tired of dealing with repairs of roof. Was grateful no leak in kitchen so plan to replace the trim now that I know it appears to be fixed.
Worked on organizing bedroom for about an hour today. Really did not enjoy it, but see progress.
Kitchen has remained clean and I enjoy it so much.
Took table down that had junk on it in living room, glue gun etc.
I had a good day and enjoyed reading all of your posts.
Tillie, no lilacs open yet, I patrol bushes 3 or 4 times a day hoping to sniff some lilac. I did take a break and lay on lounger in sun in a protected area, so was warm enough with lots of clothes on.
Hope all is well and cats let you sleep tonight.

Good morning 🙂

Hi Diane 🙂
WAY TO GO!!!
for all you accomplished but most of all for stopping when you noticed you were tired and treating yourself to a nice rest with tea & treats!!! 😀
YEA!!! for doing the toaster and being rewarded with a check! 😀

Hi LR2014 🙂
GREAT! to hear you are working through "Buried In Treasures"!
Looking forward to discussions here about thoughts and feelings about the book. 😀
Keep up this GREAT! progress you are making! 😀

Hi Karl 🙂
Happy you located some pay phones. Not an easy quest these days. 😉
Keeping my fingers crossed that your phone problems get straightened out soon.
Usually by the time the holiday candy reaches 75% off all the really good stuff is gone.

Hi Roxie 🙂
BIG WAY TO GO!!! 😀
Wonderful that you were able to do this tidying up.
Wishing you a cheerful day. 🙂

Hi Barb 🙂
Call the business and ask them what is the best way to access the place to pick up the mower.
WAY TO GO!!! for getting the winter wear all ready for next year! 😀

Well...
The winds howled all night long.
The cats all freaked out and fussed with each other all night, keeping my sleep disrupted.
Winds still going strong this morning and it's very dark and cloudy.
Allergies are smothering me and I have a pain in my head.
Oh Well, Anyways...
my plan for today is to play at whatever I fancy.
Will probably take a nap.
Good day to just hold up inside here and wait out the storm.
I have food and teas and books and art/craft projects to keep my mind occupied.

HAPPY EARTH DAY! 😀

Good morning, all and Happy Earth Day!

Frank Kitty woke me a 5 demanding to be fed immediately. It's still dark at 5 and I was NOT ready to get up.

The mower is ready to pick up today. I will have to figure out how to get there as I noticed the road in front of the shop was closed yesterday. The warmer weather is greening up the grass and it will be ready to have the first mowing before the end of the week.

Yeah, Tillie on getting coats ready for next winter. I washed my coat and jean jacket yesterday. I also stored away the gloves, hats and scarves. Last year when it was time to wear winter outerwear, I had not gotten them laundered from the previous year. So I am doing better.

Roxie, I'm glad you're feeling better. Remember to pace yourself and don't overdo.

Good morning!

Diane: I'm with you . . . mornings are easier for me to focus. I've also found I tend to have more "courage" in the morning. If there is a task that has the potential to be particularly challenging for me emotionally, I myself am often more likely to get it done in the morning than later in the day.

Karl: Hope all goes well with the phone line repair.

Roxie: I have the impression that you're feeling a bit better than yesterday. Glad you're able to get things done, but I also hope you are able to give yourself plenty of needed R and R. FYI, I read your gratitude posts each day. Thanks for posting there so consistently.

Me: I hit the sack extra early last night and got lots of sleep. I decided my body probably needed it, so I didn't stress out too much about not getting one of my goals for yesterday finished.

Goals for today: Add to my gratitude list, look over my plans for the week that I started working on yesterday and check off completed items, do more reading/work in my BIT (Buried in Treasures) book, and spend a minimum of thirty minutes going through and dealing with paperwork.

Have a great day, everyone.

I was able to round up dishes and load most into dishwasher. finiah that today and run load. picked up papers all over floor and bed. rounded up three bags of garbage.

Today I went out and did a more thorough search for public phones. I found three -- two at medical places and one at a community center. (There was also one at the library, but it could only make local calls; no way to enter an area code, even for a toll-free call.)

I got some groceries in the same trip. Easter candy is 50% off, but I'm going to wait for 75%. I expect the original price has a huge markup just for shaping it like a bunny.

LR thanks for talking about papers. I gathered up all papers I need to go through, then decided I would do it tomorrow am since mornings are so much easier for me to stay focused. I will set timer and see if I can get through them all. I went out in garage to look for things to toss for Friday. It was still a bit overwhelming, did go through some stuff and found some junk. Either a cat or person had been in there and knocked a bunch of stuff off of a shelf, that had been organized. I will let it be a cat so I don't freak out about a person doing it.
Then I went in big bedroom that is still unusable, I was frustrated with all the excess. I worked as long as I could, then told myself I did a great job in the kitchen this morning and that out weighed the stuff I have not done. I appreciated reading LR s comments about job reviews. Have to find the positive.
Tillie the sun never came out here either and the wind was brutal today;, very gloomy. Hope tomorrow will be better tillie.

Tillie: Hope you get the vacation you mentioned. Wishing you a good evening.

Diane: Fun story about the check!

Me: I've worked on all my posted goals except one. Didn't work on the organizing-the-paperwork part. Was feeling mildly under the weather. Took a nap in early evening. Running dishwasher now, and shortly I plan to go back to sleep. I'm hoping that (as you said, Tillie), tomorrow will be a better day. I did do some written work related to exercises in Buried in Treasures. I may try to post some of it somewhere someday, because I'd be interested in knowing if any of you relate to one of the issues I wrote about.

As for goals for today, I mentioned my filing cabinets. I once used them well and frequently, but a lot of things in them got disorderly years ago when they got moved to where they are now. I never did "unscramble them" (had other priorities at the time), and as a result, I never really returned to using them in an effective way. Working on dejunking them is providing much more room in them, and I'm at the point where it would be fairly easy (perhaps not fast, but easy.not stressful) to put the contents back in proper order.

One experience I had today as I was "dejunking" those cabinets made me think of Diane's kitchen/check story. Can't say that I ran across a check, but I did run across a copy of an old performance review from a job I had, a review that was very positive. First, it was an ego boost to reread it. Second, in the type of work I've done in the past, these performance reviews can actually provide helpful information to potential future employers in that field. It was especially good (and ego-boosting) to find that particular one, one that had the signature of a specific former boss. Finding more documents like that and getting them together in one spot could be helpful in future job searches.

Hugs and happy evening to all.

Well,
the sun never did shine today and then the wind started up again.
Never did find any motivation to do housework.
Did wash my down jacket and will store it away after it dries completely. Plan to not need to wear it again till next Autumn.
Finished reading a Stephen King book borrowed from my neighbor's vast home library. 🙂
Then I took a nap.
Senseless to dust in here with the wind blowing every day. Might rain/snow tonight.
Had fish sticks and french fries for dinner with malt vinegar on them.
Looking forward to bed time now.
Tomorrow will probably be better. 🙂

Good morning, almost noon to all.
Tillie, thanks for the flower description. Roxie, surgery is a shock to your body, as are pain pills, both can make you feel glum. When feeling bad it is difficult to remember things will get better, but they always seem to.
Chat helped me so much, especially listening to people working on or living with cluttered kitchens. This morning at 7am started on dishes, finished all dishes. Divided up pot of soup into freezer bags as well as the rest in smaller pan. Washed all that stuff. Cleaned counters and stove top.
Pulled out refrigerator and cabinet and cleaned behind them. Dusted off all coils on refrig. back.
No dead mice back there this time. Have done this 2 times now since starting on this site. Had never been done the previous 17 years.
Started cleaning floor at 9:30, realized I was too tired and actually stopped. Made tea and treat, and relaxed a little.
I cleaned behind toaster. Told myself, you don't use it, it will be clean from last time. Well I wanted to complete kitchen so pulled it out. It was clean But there was a $75 check I had not cashed from dog sitting a month ago. I did not remember cashing it, but couldn't find it. When I asked woman a few weeks ago, she said she didn't know if it was cashed, so just assumed I cashed it. I was so happy to find it, what a great reward for completing the kitchen.
I would like to finish the kitchen floor after lunch. It is supposed to rain the rest of the week so even though it is very windy and cloudy today, want to get out and see what I can find for garbage.
In chat last night, listening about paper piles, I remembered someone told me years ago to just put all the stuff you can't decide on, just put in a bin, by the time you get to it, it will all need to be tossed, so would like to toss a bin today. Also plan to pack up all little piles of papers, bills, info, bank, receipts, receipts for tools, sprayer, that are in living room and sort, file, pay a couple of bills. Thank goodness for chat, got me focused with a list today

Good morning 🙂

Hi Diane 🙂
Hope your lilacs are blooming for you. 😀
My wild yellow rose bushes started to bloom. One perfect, heavenly scented bloom greeted me this morning. Talking with a long time neighbor when I first moved in here, I learned those roses were brought here by the first woman back when they were "home steading" the property.
Making a short to-do list and setting the timer should help keep you from hyper focusing on the small stuff. Or put on some music and only work at the task till one to three songs have played.
Anyways, that is what Cory taught me. 🙂
Make sure to plan some "ME TIME". Get out and about away from the work this week. (((hugs)))

Hi LR2014 🙂
Keep up this GREAT start you have been doing! 😀

Hi Karl 🙂
WAY TO GO!!! 😀

Hi Roxie 🙂
Happy you slept well. 😀
It is hard work healing and takes how ever much time it takes.
Be kind to yourself as you would be to anyone else. (((hugs)))

Hi Barb 🙂
WAY TO GO!!! 😀
for all your planning and preparing.
YEA!!! that you took off time yesterday! 😀

Got up early and started watering the grass.
Now need to decide what I will do today.
Want to just sit and read and then maybe sew a bit.
Need to do some general maintenance type cleaning.
Want the windows washed but don't feel up to that job today.
Think I need a vacation.
Might go out later in the afternoon and water some other stuff, Idunno.
Anyways...
will scoop littlr boxes, fresh water, fill kibble bowls.
Will see what else gets done, or not, today. 😀

Barb: Sounds like you have a lot of good planning going on.

Karl: Glad you're getting settled in!

Roxie: Again. lots of hugs.

My goals for today: Add to my gratitude list, work on my written plan for this week, spend 10 minutes going through old files to find things to add to my shred pile, pay some bills, spend time organizing some paperwork.

Have a great day, everyone.

Roxie: I'm sorry you're feeling glum. I guarantee you've already been useful today, because you've brightened my day already. Lots of hugs.

Good morning, all.
Yesterday, I focused on celebrating Easter.
I also made out my packing list for my trip and am evaluating what items and clothing I really need. I try to keep it to essential items only as I will have only a fanny pack and carry on. I used to travel a lot and kept my toiletry bag packed and hanging on a hook in the bedroom closet. I have refilled the travel size containers with fresh products.
I am going to start packing clothing this week. Some things (like my extra pair of shoes) will have to be added the day before. But packing most things in the suitcase ahead of time will keep those items neat and clean. A dryer sheet inside will keep it fresh. I am also keeping my itinerary, parking pass, and other documents in the side pocket of the suitcase so they don't get misplaced.
Today:
1. Pick up dog waste from the yard.
2. 1 load of laundry: sorted, washed, dried and put away
3. General maintenance in the kitchen.
4. Begin decluttering entry again. (Two boxes of personal items from retirement are still there.)
Reward: do my nails.
Whether you are energetic and hopeful or reflective and quiet today, I wish you all well. We will conquer the clutter. Step by step, goal by goal, item by item.

Overcast day. Slept ok but I am glum and feeling useless. Helps to read all your posts.

Did laundry today (dryer cycle is running right now). I also reorganized my limited pantry space, and was able to unpack most of the food that I'd brought back from my storage unit. (I decided to keep a small number of less-used items in an out-of-the-way corner of my bedroom closet until needed.)

Diane: I hope today feels less lonely. Hugs. Hope the new sprayer works out well for you. One of the things I need to do in the upcoming week is work on "driveway weeds," so I'll be thinking about you when I do it. : )

Tillie: Enjoy your reading and your candy and any other positive stuff you have planned. Bummer about the dust, after all that work!

Goals for today: As I already stated, I plan to add to my gratitude list. I also plan to read some in my book I purchased on Thursday, to be at the chat tonight, and to spend at least 20 minutes on some general cleaning/straightening. This being a holiday, I am not making major dejunking/cleaning plans for the day.

Tillie, your lilacs sound so wonderful. Mine are still just buds, watered them well yesterday, maybe they will open today. Your yard sounds like such fun with easter bunnies etc. and blinders for the junk.
I made "to do" lists through Wednesday, then forgot and just realized that is why I am jumping from thing to thing. Several times yesterday I asked myself what is most important to do now, so watered etc.
My goal today is to do all the dishes, make soup, clear off more unessential things off deck including a huge heavy ladder. Do one load laundry and hang.
This morning I sorted all paint brushes, rollers, pads, then realized I need to focus on essentials, and stop doing things that don't accomplish my goals of reclaiming entire deck. It is looking so much better, worked on junk on deck all week. Did go into Bend and got $200 worth of food on the day it rained, Thursday I think. So now have a great supply of my favorites.
I bought a backpack weed sprayer, since my yard I don't use and driveway are huge and full of weeds. I thought the sign said $49, then got home and saw it was $79, haven't opened it yet thought maybe needed a coupon, already though away coupon book. I guess in reality it is worth 80 to be able to take care of yard much quicker. It is 4 gallon and very manageable with the straps, and has a wider spray than 1 gallon sprayer, and I almost got it last year. Things like this really throw me for a loop, and off track. My property is 1/2 acre, so is really time consuming with small sprayer, help!!!
Yesterday I experienced loneliness for the first time in ages, told friends I would call them back in a few weeks when I got caught up on projects, they called last time, maybe a week to 10 days. ago. I think my projects will never end, and I have to make time for friends. So afraid of doing or saying something that will end friendship, find it easier to hide, then was surprised to feel loneliness. Enough already. Now will read all your posts, See you at 5pm

Good morning 🙂
I've been eating candy 😀
Also been doing computer maintenance stuff like downloading & installing updates and deleting cookies and temporary browsing history and now doing disc defragmentation.
When this is all done I will check to make sure I can still get into chat.
Soon I will get dressed.
That is all I have planned for today.
Will probably read a bit.
Winds were really blowing hard yesterday and I hope they don't start up again. Right now it's just breezy.
Everything in the house now has a thick coating of dust, even the kitchen counter I wiped down last night.
The lilacs are so beautiful, heavy with blooms and you can smell them even inside the house. 🙂
At night the yard fills up with teeny tiny baby cotton tail bunnies. The Owls are eating well.
Haven't seen any snakes yet this year. Happy we have so many Gopher snakes residing here because due to the drought, Rattle snakes have been seen moving in to residential areas. The Gopher snakes help keep them away, a territorial thing.
Have killed a lot of yellow jacket wasps that had started to build nests around the house, especially under the eaves.
Weed & feed took care of the dandylions in the lawn and now the grass is green and recovering from it's winter sleep.

"Hi" to all who posted 😀
"Hi" to all who just read 😀
Special "Hi" to all we miss hearing from. 😀

Happy Easter. 🙂

Good morning, everyone!

Karl: Glad you able to find a way to get to and from the party! See you at the chat tonight, I hope.

Barb: Hope your plants end up being OK. I get the feeling of discouragement about the "multitude of tasks." About three years ago, I was really, really discouraged about that sort of thing. I just couldn't imagine all the tasks I needed to deal with ever getting done. I sent myself this text: "It's gonna get done." It wasn't as much a statement of determination as it was of faith and hope. I kept that message on my phone, and rereading (and rereading it and rereading it over time) helped me a lot with the discouragement, for some reason. It's been interesting how many of the tasks have gotten done since then, and some by means of help I never would have expected. Hugs as you deal with yours.

Tillie: Hope you enjoyed your day yesterday.

Roxie: Glad you're able to keep posting! Continuing to think about you!

I was able to do my posted goals for yesterday. I was pleased to find that it didn't take me as long to "get my clothing items together" (see earlier post) as I had thought it might. Turns out that I actually at one point in time had actually "organized" those needed items and they were already all together in one place! (What a concept!)

My plans for today are a tiny bit up in the air because of an illness in my extended family. Nothing life-threatening, just possibly schedule-changing. More than likely, I will be home and available for the chat tonight. One for-sure goal is to add to my gratitude list.

Have a great day, everyone!

A friend was hosting a non-specific holiday/seasonal party on Saturday; nobody responded to my post looking for a ride, so I plotted a course by public transportation. I got there on time, but I didn't relish the thought of having to leave early to catch the last return bus. Fortunately, I was able to find another guest who'd come from that direction and was able to give me a ride back home, so it worked out.

I guess I'll be at the Sunday chat; hope to see some of you there.

Great to hear from everybody. I am really glad that you are able to post, Roxie; so good to get updates from you.

Am on the run, so I'll save comments for another time. Hugs to all.

I'm learning I'd better post some goals every day. Yesterday, I didn't post my goal of adding to my gratitude list, and I didn't add to it.

Goals for today: Add to my gratitude list, spend time with friends, get clothing items together to wear for a special event tomorrow (instead of scrambling tomorrow morning to get them together, as can sometimes be my habit).

Wishing you all a good day.