Hello Road! Has the buddy cleaning started yet? I hope so!

Cm I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed. Forgive me; I thought yin confided in us that the Big But was due to not having working plumbing? Please correct me if I'm wrong and also let me know if the plumbing has been fixed. I can't remember if it was just a bathroom issue or all household plumbing.

Good to hear that your heart grandson tested negative, SubC. Big relief, I am sure.

I'm in training these days, which takes up a lot of my time. I took Monday off to get my new chair and run other errands. Was pretty stressed at work yesterday but doing very well tonight.

When my cleaners were here, I asked them if they wanted my bed. There was a lot of talk and they will get back to me. I hope they decide yes.

I received the two paint samples I'd ordered and I'll test them out tmr on the back of the headboard. I bought brushes tonight.

My friend said she'll help me clear mom's place, which is pretty exciting news for me. And mom.

Fingers crossed CM,

Roadster, that is cool about your brother, and supercool about under the dresser! You are gaining ground!

❤️Gs negative, so he will be back in school tomorrow. Dd2's friend is positive.

Made it through the first day of another school week - forgot I have a meeting at lunch on Thursday and will have to go in early.

Dropped off the recycling today. Just keep cranking along..

Dh is getting home late tonight so I emptied some containers of this and that and called it dinner.

Okay, ladies, I need you all to cross your fingers and toes for me and my roommate. Mission Control here is prepping for the possible launch of Project BIGBUT as early as tomorrow. There are still some unknowns. But we are running down the preflight checklists.

I will only be giving these little cryptic updates if and until it truly looks like All Systems Go.

Our emotions are intense beneath the surface as you might imagine, with something that has dragged out as long as this has, and with one false start after another. It feels like saying too much could jinx it (so much for millions of years of evolution and a rational prefrontal cortex, this is all about the feels at this point).

So that's all I'm gonna say. If ever it is truly done and behind us, you'll get the whole long story, or as much of it as I can stand to rehash.

Over and out.

Hi all,

Haven't caught up on posts yet but will return...

Yesterday *my brother* texted ME and asked if we could do some buddy cleaning. (I call it speed rounds - you know where your set a timer for 15 and report back what you did). I couldn't believe it. He joked we might need to make this a daily habit til we're 82 and I don't disagree. He lives alone and is currently unemployed so he can do with some more contact and he's even worse than me with cleaning so it's a win win.

I swept out the bedroom half of my room and swiffered the floor. Really cleared off the nightstand more so it was totally clean on top and only put back decorative stuff. Cleared out the drawer again. GUARDING my ground. Hehe. Swept under the dresser and to my surprise that was cleared out already. Did a bunch of misc. stuff including some laundry. This time I had stuff that had come out of the washer clean come out of the dryer moldy... maybe it sat Damp in the dryer? So I had to rewash that.

Oh, and from the "hoarders be blind to it" files, I gazed upon my mantle and found that there it was still the season of Easter and I said "it is now the season of fall and Easter needs to go away" and I made it go away.

And joking aside, I found my brother in law's ashes up there and realized we really need to find a better place and container for these. The H wants to create a little memorial for him in the house so I'm going to get that on my master list and see if I can't get that done for him since I'm sure it's not as hard on me emotionally. We have one of his signature (ex punk) combat boots to display and the ashes and I need to figure out a couple other things...

I have kept up pretty well with using my daily worksheet things and just printed a calendar to plot out some landmarks for the next few months of "clearing" activities... so although I wish this room was emptied out and almost done, I am still feeling accomplished for what I've gotten done, the connection I have going with my brother on this, and the *maintenance!*

Back in a bit after I catch up with posts.

Tatoulia,

I'm not feeling like I'm doing a lot. So much on my list I didn't get to. And my ac went out in the car on the way to return Bean. After an hour and a half driving a hot car in traffic, I don't have much energy for anything.

That was really nice of your friend to help you out that way!

How is your chair?

I ordered another teacher skirt because it is still hot here, but if probably won't arrive until after things cool off.

Heart grandson (vaccinated) is awaiting covid test results and will miss school at least tomorrow.

Dd2's best friend is also waiting for post exposure results, but as she is unvaccinated and has a fever of 103, I think we know the answer. She left her husband and has three kids under 4.

Sub c you are getting a lot done!

I have done much less, I'm afraid. On Saturday I ended up spending time with BF. We ran errands and then he had a funeral so I hung out at his house and watched and napped. I'm not going to church or other group activities right now. Afterward we did more errands. None of mind got done but all of his did, so it still felt pretty good. Then yesterday my friend came over, the one who was living with me. She did her laundry and we made lunch then we went to mom's and ran some errands. I had forgotten my phone, which also has my credit cards. I was willing to skip my errands but she gave me her credit card and I was able to finish the shopping errands. Afterwards I drove her home because she is taking up my great grandmother's chair. I pick up my "new" chair from the auction house this afternoon.

I slept a lot this weekend which was good. I still have a lot to do today. I have the day off but I have done nothing so far and need to go get ready to drive out to the auction house. BF is coming with me.

Whew!

I ran the dishwasher twice and have the last few dirty dishes loaded.

I washed six loads of laundry and dried half of them on the line and the other half in the dryer. I put away some of that.

I finally remade the second guest bed.

I made a batch of rice pudding big enough to feed me breakfast all week.

I picked the tomatoes and put six and a half quarts of tomato purée in the freezer.

I made two and a half pints of chocolate frozen custard.

I spent an hour and a half on school things left over from last week.

I fixed the rabbit play yard where the corner was broken.

I set up the coffee maker for tomorrow, took the compost out, and refilled the water softener.

Just need to do chores, shower, and put out some mouse traps if I can find them - I think I have a mouse under the scullery sink.

Everything else that was on my list got pushed to another day.

Good morning all!

I slept a little over 8 hours last night, so while I am not "caught up" I am less tired.

It's about 8:30 here. I made Dh breakfast and sent him off to play golf, and I've got the washing robot and the dish robot put to work, a batch of chocolate custard cooling on the stove to go in the ice cream maker later, and enough rice pudding cooking to provide me with breakfast all week. (I make it with milk, spices, and just raisins for sweetener.

Did I tell you the new dish robot didn't get delivered last week? They showed up and knocked, but Dh was working upstairs with headphones on. Then they tried to call, but they had the number down wrong. They are going to try again this Wednesday.

I had a good day with Bean yesterday, although I would have enjoyed it more if I had been less tired.

Today I have a huge list to crank through, including dishes, laundry, garden, and lesson plans. (Gee, when I group all the tasks that way - it looks short!)

Carry on!

tatoulia, I am tired.

Today is the semi-annual free mulch pick up and I will have Bean for part of the day and I am already running behind. But tomorrow I plan to sleep late.

The school year gets easier as it goes along (I think). I've been staying after until at least 5:30 to get things done (my last class ends at 4:30) - the traffic is better when I leave, but the days are long. Dh called me at 5:15 last night and said "leave. Now."

Roadster,
Your poor doggie. 🙁 - lol!

I've had that experience of looking at pictures and thinking "oh no! Is it that bad?" You will get there.

CM, I'm glad this van is better. Still wishing you peace and speedy improvement on the house.

I'm getting some things done but it just seems to take so much longer and come with so much more aggravation than it used to. Computers and other things, and daily routines (routines? What r routines?) are more complicated. Technology only works for those who are willing to race to keep up with it, instead of those like myself who were in a groove 10 years ago but then the young twerps in tech started CHANGING everything. 😒

The van repair is done, and I had to get 2 tires also. The others were more worn and dangerous than I realized. It's okay, this is nothing like the awful old clunker van used to be. My mechanic happens to like this kind of van and he and his family have owned several of them. He's the one who advised me they were good. So he knows the ins and outs.

The house projects may start up this coming week again at warp speed. The chaos that came earlier in the summer was just the opening round. But as always, I don't take it for granted that things will happen until they do. Stay tuned.

Hi all,

Re: your sleigh bed, I don't know if this is the case near where you live - but some of our thrift stores have furniture pick up. They show up with a truck at your place and the guys carry the stuff down to your truck and take it to the shop.

I've been relying on YouTube videos lately as prep for DIY projects. You get an. Idea of the scope of the project, materials you need, the time and $ required and helps figure out if it's worth it (or better to have someone else do it), etc.

Had a low day yesterday so I'm in kind of a holding pattern. But I just knocked some stuff over and now there's a huge mess to clean up tomorrow so I will definitely need to deal with that. My dog is not liking the hardwood floor in my room, she used to have such a thick bed of miscellaneous crap all over the room to curl up in. I've got this sari fabric hanging up as a curtain in my closet doorway and yesterday I saw her ducking under the curtain and curling up on the pile of laundry in my closet. Something I noticed the other day is that with the floor situation dealt with I am seeing other issues more clearly. I saw some photos/videos taken in my room with the bookshelf and glass door cabinet (where I have my dolls and antique "smalls") in the background and I was operating under the illusion that they looked ok but in the video it just looked like a crazy person's house. You just get to where you are not "seeing" what's actually there. it's kind of funny because the stitching I do is extremely precise - silk on high count linen. And the quilting I do - or did - tends to be miniature blocks using paper piecing (also very precise). And actually the work I did as a graphic designer, same thing. But yet in my personal space I'm in a sea of chaos and clutter. I guess I have photographic memory or something close to it so I can usually find things in the mess, but it's weird that the work I do is so controlled but everything else is kind of out of control. Anyway, just some thoughts,,,

You sound tired, SubC. Not drinking water is a bad thing, but I hear you.

I am doing laundry to soothe myself today. Isn't that funny? I just want to shower and go to bed, but must wait for the final load.

I've decided to get rid of my bed. It is beautiful but I'm done with it. Very nice quality Cherry sleigh bed. I bought a headboard (used) from Etsy and it was delivered tonight. I'll have to paint it as the color is cream and I want it more of a linen color. I just spent a bunch of time with my Farrow and Ball color card trying to figure it out. I'm pretty sure I can paint it myself. I just have to focus and not try to rush it. Or I'll pay someone. I'll have to think about whether I have the patience. The wood is fairly detailed and there's caning, too. Might be easier to have my meticulous painter do it. He could do over two days. Would need a primer coat and two regular coats. I'll think about this.

Now I need clarity on what to do with my bed. I cannot donate it as I don't have access to a truck or suv. I'd love it if my cleaners took it. Would make me so happy. These cleaners do not want my things the way the first set did. I wonder if anyone at my mother's place would want it.

I hate trying to get rid of stuff. So frustrating.

So tired.

So buried in things that need to be done.

Passed out all the clay, so no more heavy boxes this week.

Maybe on Friday I will eat lunch.

Can't drink with my mask on, so at least it doesn't matter that I get no breaks to pee.

Great kids mostly.

Thank you, Road!

My cleaners came today, so that was great. It's that odd weird sunny, breezy, humid weather today. I don't trust it.

I slept well last night. I need to make something to eat. I should have weighed myself today but I'm waiting until tomorrow. My stomach felt weird last night and my head feels a bit weird too. I can't explain it. Some type of frustration or tension. This type of sunny, breezy, humid weather doesn't work for me. When I was a kid there was a type of day that I knew meant tornadoes (I grew up in the Midwest) and I'd get a sick stomach. I'm not exactly at that feeling but pretty close.

So clean sheets tonight so of course I'll be happy. I ended up using the ac last night because I love a cold room.

I do need to eat and I have plenty of choices but honestly I don't feel like it.

I also would love to do some laundry but thinking I'll skip. Maybe a glass of juice or some grapes would help.

Tatoulia, hugs to you! You all have helped me so much in a short amount of time. I appreciate YOU! Hope your sleep was better last night.

SubC, I hope your 2nd day is going swimmingly. Do you get really tired the first few weeks when you return?

Hi all,

Managed to finally figure out a plan for the meningitis vaccine for the boy, made the appt, and then H took pity on me and actually took him to get it. Sounded like he didn't even flinch so that was a relief.

Had a very productive day yesterday and so far today. I'm using my worksheet forms to plan and journal what I'm doing and that always helps productivity. Also rewrote and expanded my master list. This practice has pros and cons for me... but I was motivated to make one and Now it's updated and hanging on a board right by the door to my room.

Got my laundry changed this am before things turned ugly. Haha. Chatted with neighbors and brother, emailed school, gave dogs a bath, and made a batch of taco fixings... once again I had intended to "stitch all day" and so far haven't done anything.

On my master list I started breaking down the big projects a little - just a rough draft - but it gets the wheels rolling and helps with visualizing, etc.

Wow that is so frustrating regarding the vaccine, Roadster. You've held up pretty well! Your humor really touches me. You are great. SubC congratulations on first day of school!

I couldn't get to sleep last night. Read too late then was still up at 2:30. I had a pretty good day at the office, however.

Popping back -
Actually - having no attachment to the folks you don't want to keep us an accomplishment. Many of us still feel responsible for such things and try to optimize their departure.

The things on the lawn - I try not to see such things. It just makes me really sad. - for the person, for the waste, for the general stupidity of humans in general.

Summary: first day of school went well (I spun that out for 45 minutes talking to my mom on the way home)

Staying after for an hour definitely improves the traffic situation, but I still didn't finish everything. Much work to do tonight. Hopefully it's because it's the first week.

I made some progress on the house before I left and left the kitchen totally clean for Dh. Unlikely to pull that off again.

Roadster, I'm sorry for the vaccine frustration. One of my kids went to school with no vaccine records for almost 5 months. It should be ok.

Good job on the speed cleaning and the floor.

Dinner's ready!

Sorry for so. Much venting and complaining, I am composed again. I had a good talk with my brother and we motivated each other to do a few rounds of 15 minute speed cleaning. I put away most of the groceries and picked up random garbage, cleaned up puppy messes (which I would have had to do anyway) , started some laundry and am now reclaiming my floor space. I noticed the dust bunnies under the sofas and entertainment unit which is novel. I have had a few moments of imagining deep cleaning the house in cubic yard segments... so that's very new. Interesting that I'm having these thoughts anyway,,, over and out.

Okey dokey, deep cleansing breaths.

Show up for our appt and pharmacist advises she was "going to call." but there's no vaccine available. They ran out on Friday. That was 3 days ago but ok. She just got here at 7:30 and doesn't ever know when it's too early to call people. Well, for an 8am appt, 7:30 is too late maybe. It's all irrelevant anyway because Turns out the H made the appt with the Walgreens vaccine clinic (?) and not the advocate clinic within the Walgreens clinic (same location) which is evidently a whole separate ball of wax. 😫I'm sure no one else ever gets confused by that. 🤨 they really need to invent a wide eyed sarcastic emoji for me and all the other smart asses out there. So now I've called the exact number on the plaquard she directed me to and still trying to get through. What are the odds the next one works? Taking him to school now and hoping they won't eject him. 😒.

The epitome of first world problems eh? Speaking of perspective, saw a clip on the news this am of a storm damaged /destroyed house and this woman had all her possessions strewn across her yard several feet deep. I'm sure she was going to try to go through it and see if anything was salvageable. The visual reminded me of what we've all probably seen on shows or in our own spaces. She was desperate and crying - "where do I even start?" And I know we feel like that too. But of course hers was entirely an external event she had no control over and she's literally lost all of her possessions, including her home.

When you guys see that stuff what do you think about it? Curious.

Doesn't seem like I'm getting my call back so the odyssey continues!! 🧐😡🤬🤢🤮😃

SubC, hope first day goes well and without a hitch! And thanks again for your wise words of encouragement. I love hearing your bean updates. He sounds like an angel and it's so nice to hear about seeing everything new through his eyes. Also impressed on the yoga launch/relaunch. That's one of those things that's just 100% good. Everyone wins. We've had a loose plan to do yoga and or tai chi together for quite awhile. I think I had better get that on my immediate radar again.

Tatoulia, nice about your old friend. Did you mean that you feel free because you don't have to worry about the state of your place anymore? That sounds pretty powerful. And encouraging. And your clothes not harming you is always a good thing. Lol. "My fat clothes have stopped hurting" could definitely be featured on a vision board. Ah, too perfect.

Glad the shopping trip went well with mom. Mobility issues really make running errands a major deal. My dad uses this upright walker (newish invention) and its given him a new lease on life. He had a serious leg injury a few years ago and chronic back stuff. This style of walker really lets you take the pressure off your back and he's been doing a few miles a day with it. He gets stopped several times a day by the residents asking about it.

CM, glad to hear about your room. I have a doll collection, too. Smallish - have them all on one shelf. It's all the other collections that have gotten me here. I collect folk costume dolls. Or did. I'm partial to hand painted cloth faces and costumes with a lot of fine detail. I would sometimes get a bag of them for a given amount and turn around and re-donate the stuff I didn't want. When ye olde hoarde started reaching critical mass (see what I did there) I would try to throw back the small fish on the spot before I left the store but employees did not appreciate that. I have gotten rid of some along the way because for whatever reason I have no attachment to the ones I don't want (that's a genius sentence) but I think I might still have a bag in here somewhere. That could be something I move to the garage tomorrow potentially... or today I guess.

High anxiety levels here this am as I have to take son to get a meningitis booster or whatever thingy. I got this notice from school saying he was out of compliance and I either didn't see it at first or totally blocked it out like I do sometimes especially with medical stuff. I guess they changed the age range and so it bumped him out of compliance. At any rate "all the sudden" it was dumped in my lap last week and I must have spent 3 hours on the phone between school, insurance, drs offices and pharmacies getting spun in circles and probably spinning others in circles, and at least 16 hours wigging out about it not actually doing anything about it... Then somehow over the weekend I completely blocked it out during all the hours I could actually do something about it and every night I was like crap I blocked it out again! So here We have arrived at the deadline and rather than send him in with the chance of them calling and sending him home and putting him through all that confusion I'm taking him in first thing this am and just taking him late to school. I am Aware that I'm totally projecting my childhood medical trauma onto him. Logically I know this as it's a minor thing - not even a blood draw, it's something that's meant to keep him safe, it's required for his attendance at school, and at this point he's totally unaware that he has to get this done today, so he's not in a state of anxiety, and there will really only be 15 minutes max of stress from the time I tell him He's getting a shot til the time we're pulling through a drive through getting him a smoothie as his payoff for the privilege of living in the modern western world where we can prevent horrible diseases with a mere shot to the bicep. So there. But I feel anxious anyway. Should I have posted some kind of anxiety trigger warning up there? I don't think describing all that was very helpful was it.

Have a good day everyone. I will probably be back in a couple hours to report that taking my 17 yo to get a shot did not actually kill me.

Good morning!

Roadster, some days holding your ground is enough.

And that stuff hanging over your head? - it is not new. Your awareness is new. And yes, that is a good sign.

First week of school, day 1.
Going to try to not lose ground and make some tiny progress today - anything really.

Also to go to bed at a reasonable hour with lesson plans done for both tomorrow and next Tuesday.

Ten minutes to yoga - gotta get out the mats.

Hullo all,

No "Net" progress over here - I guess I held my ground a little tidying up the nightstand and floor. I'm ok with it especially since we had a very active social weekend. But i know if I don't start pressing forward more I'll never get to the garage. I have to get my standard up a little higher without feeling bad about myself because I really do need to keep making progress. I think tomorrow is already kind of shot because I have some time sensitive stuff I need to do for my son (medical) and a meeting with someone from his school. Stuff feels like it's piling up. Anyway, I'll feel better tomorrow I'm sure. Just a little overwhelmed with getting glimpses of all the stuff that's hanging over my head. Maybe it's part of surfacing into being more functional again?

So this weekend was good. Today we spent the afternoon with next door neighbors and then my brother came over. Saturday and Sunday we spent part of the day at a dog frisbee event with my brother. The mom of one of my sons friends came and met us. Saw my parents there for a bit, too. My son got some time with his other uncle. I attempted to make grape jam with my grapes... didn't quite cross the finish line on that. I got a bit of stitching done... so good weekend. Kind of like the old days.

Nice reading everyone's updates... I hope I'll have some progress to report later tomorrow or the next day. Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow,

Oh Tatoulia,

I am glad you got your laundry done and could invite your friend for dinner!

Had a lovely day with Bean - he helped me mulch the big blueberry bush and he now says "pet" as in "Cat! Pet." And then I help him pet the cat and he is so happy!

I think I am ready for school tomorrow. Another big box is going with me from my home studio.

Dh did so much cleaning the last two days and I am starting the school year with a clean bathroom and a nearly clean kitchen.

We're trying to get back into structure and routine. We're going to do yoga again tomorrow and he's planning to go to the office to work. He already knows what he's making for dinner.

Worked this afternoon then went up to see mom. Changed out the cat box and have my trash out. Just showered.

That's it. I did gather up the recycling but did not get it out. If I leave home early enough tomorrow, I'll be able to take it with me.

I heard from an older friend today. Probably haven't spoken to him in maybe 10 years. He sent me a text. So I invited him for dinner.

Do you know how nice it is to just be able to invite someone over for dinner, saying, choose what night works for you? So he'll be here a week from Wednesday. It feels so right to me.

No stress, no upset, only have to decide what to serve (lemon pasta) and go grocery shopping. Pretty nice. Hopefully cleaners will come that Wednesday but even if they come the following day, my house will still be clean. I am so grateful for this board.

Got up early today and washed two loads of sheets. Feeling better now!!

I've been working the past hour and it feels really good. Very peaceful day here. I will need to get done walking and exercise in today. I haven't done much walking lately. It will help my weight loss, to be sure.

Okay I washed jeans then I did a load of delicates. Hoping to get my sheets washed tomorrow. I have three sets and two are dirty. Since I'm going to work on Tuesday, I'll need to get my sheets laundered before the cleaners are here on Tuesday.

Just ate some fruit and I have a cat sitting next to me on the couch.

Hip hip hooray for the great day, SubC! I don't know where to start! I'm so happy about the jeans fitting! Wow! Now that's a very good feeling!

All of your food and canning sounds so wonderful. Great work! And then your little sweetheart came for the night!

Shopping with mom was pain free. I found two skirts for her. One is a very pretty wool skirt and one is more of a kettle cloth/denim-colored three season skirt. I was really happy about that. Didn't find any tops but we did what we could.

I came home and showered and slept. And now it's 10 PM and I just started a load of jeans. I don't dry them so I feel okay with starting laundry this late.

My fat clothes have stopped hurting, I noticed, but I'm only four pounds down at this point. My mini-goal is 20 lbs. that's the mini-goal with my friend. We are in a challenge to the death. Of course, my regular clothes are at least 20 lbs away if not 30 pounds away, but since I don't think we are going back to work anytime soon, I'll keep wearing my fat clothes. And be thrilled that at least they don't hurt.

Hi Tatoulia,

I hope the shopping trip went well.

I made a last push to squirrel away food today. Six half pints of ground cherry jam, two and a half quarts of frozen custard, three trays of cherry tomatoes in the dehydrator, two gallons of whole tomatoes in the chest freezer to turn into sauce in the cool months, and a loaf of Irish tea bread.

Bean is bringing his parents over any minute. Dsil is cooking us all dinner again and then the ?rents are leaving and Bean is spending the night!

Dd is bringing two bins of toys she thinks he's outgrown for the "toy library"

Today I put on a pair of shorts I couldn't wear in august!