Salad Day

Just took a break with a friend at work and there was a bunch of left over Greek salad/hummus in the break room - score!  The food was from Zoe's and I just love their Greek dressing!  It had lettuce, tomatoes, diced red onion, feta cheese and Kalamata olives.  So good.

Thursday, DH had an appointment in the city early Friday.  So his folks were going to run by and feed the dogs for us, he went to see Granny and I met him over there on my way out of town - to home.  We visited with her an hour and he went on north and I went on south.  He got home Friday after apt and playing golf with is brother.  I enjoyed my house just me and the dogs.  Was nice.  We watched TV in bed!

Then Saturday I went to my other friend who passed from cancer (in August) - to his celebration of life.  It was fun driving up with and visiting with my sister.  We took DH convertible.  We also got to see lots of our friends, but it was really draining.

Maybe that is why I am just feeling out of sorts.  Sluggish and lethargic.  Plus I am puffy and yucky from eating bad.  I am starting back over on the no sugar thing.  I had gone with out eating red met until Saturday on the way home I stopped for a snack and ended up eating fast food, yuck.  So starting over there too.  Had not eaten red meat for almost a month.  I don't know why I am having so much problem right now eating for wellness.  I went to yoga last night, other than walking and being really busy doing projects around the house (DH mowed without me Saturday - surprised me so much!) I had not worked out officially since last wed yoga - so I went last night and sweated like crazy - then came home - had a light meal and watched tv show - then bed.  I am tired of this schedule, in 3 more weeks I will give my 2 week notice - so 5 more weeks in total.

At least it is still in the 90's and hot!  It was good weather to stay in and organize...last weekend I organized and cleaned out my spice cabinet.  This weekend I cleaned out and scoured the freezer part of the fridge - I need to do free standing freezer next weekend.  And we have a nice 8 by 8 ish storage closet off our garage - I cleaned that out, organized and swept the floor/shelves and re-arranged.  Got rid of a carload of knick knacks...and DH is clearing out his giant collection of encyclopedias so we can offer then for sale at his sister's store and empty out several of our bookcases.  We looked at the small yard house(new house) once again and decided that the storage was just so lacking - we could not do it.  So, we are staying in our current house.  But, DH agreed that we could continue to purge.  If we actually considered this house - we must both be in agreement that we could do with less.  So, I am going to continue to pare down excess and DH agreed, because someday we will want to move and find house with smaller yard (and probably less storage).  Mainly right now, I get tired of cleaning around stuff!

And for my own part...I am going to store nothing in our attic except 4 Christmas and 2 fall totes.  I told DH I was purging down so much, that if/when we do move, I will easily be able to quickly look and decide what I do NOT need to keep.  Experience, not things is my mantra. 

I do not regret that I plan to finish a few cheap money/labor intensive projects around my house that we will get to enjoy and that will make our house and yard look great. 

Oh, I forgot to tell this...my friend at work brought me a bag full of pears.  They are really delicious green pears with a pretty thick skin.  I got them all up and put in bags in my freezer for smoothies because they are pretty small just to try to halve.  I made DH and I pear and spinach smoothies and my little $80 bullet from Walmart did great!  We did not detect the skins or the spinach.  I was very happy with my inexpensive blender. 

Then, Monday we had peach, apple and banana smoothies and they were yummy.  I am going to get another giant supply of apples this week and so I wanted my apples still in the freezer used up.  Hope you are reaping some great produce as this harvest moon approaches!

H for Hope, i am finally caught up in A to Z!

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/?m=1
Sometimes I get pretty down that I did not get to have children.  So, as we have aged and as we are moving/selling one house and purging a lot.  I realize that this will be a lifelone process for me.  My lightening the load is affected by my DH.  He wants to keep everything.  JIC!
But after having purged SO MUCH from our CH we are getting ready to sell.  It has been a very positive experience, clearing spaces and clutter.  Have things we use everyday put away in such a manner that we can easily access, easily clean and easily put away out of sight.  I could get used to this!
I think as we retire and I get DH to help me more with cooking and cleaning, he will come along too.  He has made great strides in the past few years helping to purge.  He is amazing because so much of the way I want my life to look has meant some change/acceptance/effort on is part too!  For example, I cleared out the master bath and kicthen so that everything we use out of sight and not on the counters.  Makes it pleasing to look at (peaceful) and SO much easier to clean.
My hope is that I continue this journey and continue to live intentionally and be able to have more down time.  That in turn alleviates my stress (and let's fact it, resentments) and makes me feel nice and contented...something I have search for into my 40s.  I feel better about streamlining my home to have fun now and to not burden neice and nephews later!
We had a conversation with DH brother and our sister in law last night.  We are all at the age where we are slowing down, don't want so much stuff and need to be mindful of our limits.  We all had experienced an increasing sense of urgency and desire to change primarily due to "stuff" lately.  I told them that doing all this moving makes me feel like I am losing the battle, but the awareness is the first step.  What we choose to do to remedy this is up to us!
What does hope mean to you?  Short term?  Long term?

When Is One's House Really Ready to List?

I did touch up paint vanity and trim in master a week ago Sunday.  I also thoroughly cleaned master shower, door and kitchen appliances...that was week ago Saturday.  I still have little bit more caulking and touch up...then plant flowers and mulch front and back beds and help DH repaint deck and I think we are ready. 

When I came back from the wedding, my husband had packed up a dresser we are giving my niece and cleaned out his closet.  I took a huge load to Goodwill after work yesterday.

40 Bags

I saw this on a the blog A Bowl Full of Lemons a couple years ago.  It was the idea of getting rid of a bag a day for Lent.  I have been slowly decluttering the last couple years.

I have not kept track of my bags...but I am sure I can count 40 bag equivalents...just this season.

Belt buckles, hats, sweaters to my friend B.  Pjs to my cousin N.  Quilt to my Nephew S.  Chest to my niece.  Shoes/luggage to my other nephews B and T.  Bar stools and 2 plants to friend C.  MC bag and rug to friend T.  Iron on/craft paper to K.  Magazine rack/tupperware to B.  Dress form to D.  Broken mirror, dead plants, trimmed outside plants and expired make up to trash :(.  Pictures, ice ice scraper, DH's broken foot boot, shoes, gloves, coats, several books to charity.  Giant plant to D.  Armoir, secretary, paint, quilt rack to my sister.  2 bags receipts shredded...and a few others:  my car, my expensive cell phone plan, my 2017 tax receipts and some blood, eye tests and xrays for my yearly annual exam!

For me, things hanging over me (yearly exams and taxes, continuing education...these things make me anxious). I think I am good.  And it's not even Easter yet!

Funk Be Gone

Fri and Sat last week, I was in a funk.  Sunday was very relaxing and replenishing.  We stayed home, cooked some white chili and some homemade bread and relaxed.  I even took a walk, as it got up into the 30's.  We have had weather closer to teens for 2-3 weeks, which is little below normal here for this time of year.  I loved getting out and feeling the sun and looking around at nature.  Esp knowing, it still could be several weeks before I get to do that again.

I wonder if part of my problem is that I am moving this year.  I have noticed friends sort of back away a little.  I don't blame them.  People are busy.  I had a cousin come into town but was sick, so we did not get together out of fear I will get sick.  I am on an immunosuppressant and nervous about the flu.  She went on down 40 miles or so to see our other cousin, who has also been sick.  I told them next time.  I had coffee with some friends last night after work and it was great! 

I did some more project cleaning (including my entire downstairs) and my pantry and under kitchen sink.  I belong to a FB group called "A Bowl Full of Lemons" and they have a challenge room/area each month.  January is the kitchen!  That feels good.

I also dumped a car load of my DH clothes off at thrift store.  I listed 4 more of his suits and several other things and he threw 2 boots in for thrift and 1 pair out from wear.  He is really getting on board and I am proud of him.  I am tweaking my wardrobe a bit too, getting rid of more work clothes.  I have decided that quality stuff that is warm and useful that I might want when I am older, if I cannot sell it, I will store 2 boxes under the bed.  This is all the clothes storing I will allow myself!

I have steadily had a few sales, I am making a second pass at the house and taking more to RH.  Plan to get city house down to bare bones.  We have 4 more pieces of furniture (sideboard cubby, antique chest of drawers, antique secretary and one filing cabinet) maybe couple more to move before we stage our house.  Then we will only have 5 bookcases to move after our house sells, a couple of chairs, an armoire, a bakers rack and a file cabinet.  We are going to try to stretch this out over next 3 months.  Then we will have gotten our money out of an older suburban we bought, that we had to put a bit more money into than we expected.  As I start to feel the overwhelmed list, I think about looking at the new beginning, not the old ending.  There is more power in looking for the good in the possibilities, not the past.  I am now convinced I am going to sell my more expensive SUV and go without a 4th car, or trade it for a small truck.  We may not have luck selling outright, so we will try that first and then trade if nec.

We do still have a lot of hunting and camping gear, but now that we have pretty much decided I am retiring with him this fall, we might need it and figure that will be a good time to weed that out.  So much for no-buy January, I got an awesome deal on a brand new pair of leather Columbia hiking boots on PM for $55!  My DH found a good deal on a pair that he had been wanting for several years - Vasque.  So, I don't feel bad because they really are more of a necessity than the normal clothes we buy.  I just dream about those hikes we want to take in retirement state.  I think about that everytime i have to bundle up and walk my dogs here in city.  RH has a fenced backyard and doggie door!  Can't wait!  Have a wonderful week!

Bad Days

Yesterday was sort of a crap day, so was today.  Just blah, bad attitude winter yuck.  I went to see my DGM and she has fallen a 2nd time in 2 weeks.  She thinks this is her decline.  Is hard to discuss.  I lsugh and try to have fun with her, distract her, love on her, hear stories.  Then I cry 25 miles home.

Then this morning I planned my day around 3 people.  Last min all 3 people rescheduled.  I still sold 4 tops, a purse and after our team eliminated from the play offs, we were so disgusted, we purged a box my husband has had in his closet 10 years!  Lol.  He also gave me about 20 items to sell and 2 garbage bags to donate.  1 bag to trash.  So, the day ended up fruitful! 

I also cleaned downstairs and cleaned and organized the pantry.  Tomorrow i am doing master shower and under kitchen sink! 

I cleaned house like a fiend last night/this am.  Then my cousin who came in town for work stayed at hotel because she got sick with flu. I am going to relax and enjoy all my work to get some r and r with my DH.  Supposed to get freezing rain in a.m.  Stay warm out there!

Goodbye Sept, Hello Oct

Friday worked all day, then went to see my friends son get his 1 year sobreity/clean and sober coin.  It was an amazing night.  This group was started in the inner city neighborhood of my city back in approx 2000 by a woman who faced her addiction issues and has enlisted others who also can use their experience , strength and hope to help others.  It was very uplifting in a world where, if you are not careful, everywhere you look can seem pretty bleak.  Going forward, i am going to be careful about what I choose to focus on the the news and on social media.  Division sells stories, products, clicks, get sponsors.  Not me.  Not  anymore.

Sat i took a giant lamp to my aunt and set it up for her and today i am taking a large plant to my SIL2. My aunt (MA1) took me to breakfast and we had delicious breakfast of avacado toast and veggie omlet with goat cheese.  I havent sold anything, but I have donated to 3 charities I am inspired by.  Then we drove an hour to enjoy the country and pick a ton of apples!  So rejuvenating.  I also got 2 dozen farm eggs from my SIL2.  I am happy today for natures seasons!

Today, i am too lazy for church, but I have managed to clean both of my fireplaces and a broken slat of my vertical blind and did very minor amount of touch up paint.  Part of my problem is that my stomach hurts, but it sort of feels how i usu feel recov from "normal" eating on monday, so maybe I will be spared that tomorrow.

Spending the rest of the day doing food prep.  Zuchinni bread, stuffed peppers, grilled chicken and pork chops.  Leaving time to round out the day for a walk in this gorgeous weather. 

Have a great start to your October!