Wednesday PWYC Power

[Twins' Mom]

I overslept this morning - had trouble getting to sleep last night probably because of the nap yesterday and some OMM stuff from temple and religious school biz. Then I was up early with ddogs and took a little while to get back to sleep, and turned off the alarm later. It was nearly 9 a.m. before I got up.

I've sorted my to-dos into Errands, phone calls, emails, and at home, and I'm thinking I cannot possibly do them all, so some prioritizing is in order. Dh and I are going out for dinner tonight so I'm not cooking today.

Right now:
-two phone calls
-one email to send
-clean up and get dressed
-walk ddogs
-make the bed
-start a lol

This will finish a.m. routine, I think, and leave me ready to head out on errands.

[Nancy]

Great topic title for this thread I feel empowered! Thanks K in C.

First 5 To do to day. DONE!
Breakfast
Water hens with freash water.
Move weaving supplies.
Move straw to the big shop so hens can not play in it and make a mess ten min. After I have cleaned it up.
sheets.

Working on next few. Ten min. On any room or project is an improvement. More progress later. Toddler is here.

[Harmony]

I am happy that I am able to get up at a reasonable time (for me) recently. With all this stress around here, that is huge to me.

I feel the power of coming here to the village. Keeps me focused!

I looked at those paper file holders last night. LadyM had a closed box, and I have 3 of them going for different things. They are great and that would be my choice. But I know my DH. He will not bother to open the lid to use the files. If it's not quick and convenient, he will not bother. He does this with the clothes hamper too. If I don't keep the lid up he won't get his clothes inside. I'm not going to change him!

Booksaver posted the Iris one, clear and open, and because I wasn't able to find anything similar for months, though looking in 4 spots I went ahead and ordered it. I like the way the files hook onto the top and ride along. I do have cardboard storage boxes I use for stuff, but those files stick up awkwardly and I must tape the top edge so the edge won't shred. I need to get some colored folders and set it up when it comes; I think I'll put a christmas bow on it!

Watched the Charlie Brown christmas movie last night. I always enjoy that!

My meeting at church last evening was interesting. 3 new people have joined. Our administrator was there too and she mentioned another project we have to do and when she talked about it I guess I made a face, thinking, oh, no another things to get through in this busy month. I had to apologize to her. But it reinforced my feeling that I have made the right decision to step down.

Figured out the nagging feeling that my supplement/medicine box is wrong, that I've been forgetting something. It came to me this morning what I've been leaving out. It only took me 2 weeks to remember.

Off to post office now to mail a huge statement I put together. Big manilla envelope. Found all the missing money.

I can't believe the holiday is so close. I must get going on that. Pkgs to buy and mail first. Decorating. Cookies. I've already told the kids I'm only baking a couple things.

This Sunday is communion to help with and a memorial service where I must make a platter of finger sandwiches and go help. Oh, it never gets any easier keeping up!

[DeeClutter]

I've sorted my to-dos into Errands, phone calls, emails, and at home,

I've been doing that too, Twins. Had so many OMM things that I had to get them categorized. Don't have much in the way of e-mails but sure do on calls, computer, ordering, church stuff, errands, bills, etc.

At least the island part of the kitchen is looking fabulous. But I'm afraid it won't last long. Dsonil, in particular, is a 'messy' for sure. But at least he likes us and gives us a home for the winter. He never puts anything away and much to dd's consternation uses the dining room and most of the rest of the 'great' room as a closet or more precisely anywhere anything drops. And he is 100% a pack rat.

[BookSaver]

Beans are soaking for the soup. I found a homemade gift-in-a-jar soup mix in DMIL's cupboard when we were cleaning her kitchen. DH and I gave it to her 2 Christmases ago when she was still hosting soup suppers on a frequent basis. She said she never made it because it was too pretty to use and she liked seeing it in her cupboard. She doesn't even have a stove in her new apartment, so she told me to take the jar back.

Every place I've looked up says it should be safe to eat because the jar was still tightly closed; the beans might take longer than usual to cook. It's an experiment, and I have canned soup for a backup if the dry beans refuse to cook. At the very least, the long cooking time will warm up the kitchen this afternoon.

I've been working on financial reports for the sewing group, and also a lot of Emails back and forth. I'm going to take a break to give my eyes a rest from the screen, might even take a nap. Yes, I think a nap with the calico cat is required ... then I can finish today's short list.

5x7
* Finish financial reports and send them out
* Start cooking the beans around 2ish
* Finish & cutting assembling paper ornaments for the library's gift tree
* 2 loads of laundry
* Declutter at least 1 cupboard

Tonight I need to make fudge to take to tomorrow night's library meeting.

Harmony ~ I hope that file box works for your DH. I didn't realize you had been searching for so long. I agree, sometimes it doesn't make sense to keep looking for a "better deal" -- just get the thing in the house so you can start using it!

[Nancy]

Harmony I agree Dec. Is not a good time to start new projects for most folks.

I have another load of sheets in going now. Allergies are acting up after I spiffed up the counter in the sewing room calmed me down not to have to think about that yea!
ToddlerN is here had breakfast.
Paid a bill via phone.
Hens were happy with the fresh straw to play in that I cleaned up from the carport.
Time to wrap my brain around a store run look at adds H make aout a list and get a card ready to mail off.

I have the p.m. off.

[blessedw2]

sending you energy d Rose!!! did you see the making of the Peter Pan live performance. (it was very interesting)

d Kathryn I loved how you started our day... please sleep well tonight and you can always send the snow to Chicago.. I really want it.
We had such great snow last year and now nothing.

d dee glad your feel empowered! hope tonight you have a restful night sleep too!

hi d book - I love the Charlie Brown Christmas esp. the Linus and his speech on stage

d lilac I am not ready!!! 3 weeks is a shocker.

hi d nancy and d harmony

d helia have a great day out of the house!!!

Hi D Twins!


I am in the need of Focus today... I am thinking of putting my decluttering Hero crown on

[Sadie]

hello dear ladies,

Damp and cold here.

I'm amazed at my fluctuating energy levels, Some days I feel like a twenty year old and can accomplish so very much. Other times I can't get the energy to do to much and I'm extremely tired after I do something.

Monday I told DH that the old lady had showed up to work, I did several loads of laundry and changed out the sheets on the bed, was so glad I did that first thing because I was exhausted when it was bedtime.

Also had to spend an enormous amount on the phone over DH's insurance. His current insurance is a mess. they sent a letter saying they will no longer serve Oklahoma which is fine we weren't going with them again anyway. Then sent DH a bill for January for nearly 500.00 for that month's premium. We have signed him up with B C B S and hoping we have a better experience with them. I called the first insurance 4 times to cancel the insurance with them so his new policy doesn't get messed up. Each time I called I was on hold for an hour, the first person could not help me cancel the policy and would pass to another who would either hang up on me or tell me they couldn't help me either. finally on the fourth time when I got the first person I said I'm not giving you my info because you won't be able to help me and you'll have to send me to someone else, so just transfer me. but she said she could help me and went on to cancel DH's policy and gave me a confirmation number which I have safely kept. And she is sending out a notice of termination. I can only hope.

B C B S had some kinks in it too. first called their office to get a quote but unless I gave all of DH's info they couldn't help me. Said to go on their website. So went there, didn't have to give any personal info and we got prices on their plans. found one that DH liked, and our family doc is on it as well as one of the hospitals we prefer. Called back to the office, now ready to give personal info to get policy. Only the the figures aren't the same now. Different amount for premium, deductible, co-pay. So agent went on to their website and saw the policy and prices we were talking about but couldn't sell us that policy, can only do it through website. Exchanged e-mails with him, seemed like a very nice guy and wanted to get the best deal for us. Signed up with policy on the website and hoping this will go through ok. Just getting insurance is stressful.

Have lunch cooking. After lunch I'll do my stretching and exercising. Still trying to get my shoulder and arm to do better. I don't think I'll ever get my left arm behind my back, but it's something I can live with. Hope I never get arrested, when I watch tv shows where they hand-cuff people behind their backs, I cringe.

Dson in NC is doing ok. Had a job interview and he thinks it went ok. they did a background check and then he has to do a drug test, I'm sure it will turn out fine.

Off to the adventures.
H

[helia]

Well, I thought I'd be home from my errands by noon. Nope, it was almost 1 pm by the time I got home.

Done:
- dentist. Hygienist is always impressed with my teeth - b/c I floss religiously. No cavities! However, I do need to have 2 fillings replaced. *sigh* In January.
- store for M gear for dbro. and dniece. They had a decent selection of tops in the size dbro. wears. I called yesterday to see if they did. I'm done with dbro. and dniece's Cmas gifts now!
- pet store - g. pig food and vitamin C tabs
- TJ - odds and ends. They seem to have stopped carrying their quesadillas, which the kids loved for snacks. Dd16 will eat their mac 'n cheese for an after school snack.
- put everything away
- checked on hens; brought them water since the water heater seems to not be working. While dh is out of town, of course.
- emails; sent off a couple. Realized via an email today that I double booked myself for next Tuesday morning. I think I'll split the difference and leave one meeting early and go to the next event late.
- lunch

After lunch, I'll finish the a.m. routine and then head over to the gym. Goodness, it is already close to 1:30!

[Elizabeth]

Hi everyone! I am at payroll waiting for two LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG queries to run. I have been designated the office DAX queen (Data Analysis Expressions). Am I an expert? NNNOOOO! Well, not yet! I am learning. Last night was Girls' Night Out with DD12. I got her Chinese to go and ate some of my turkey. After today's lunch, I will be done with the turkey in the fridge. There is more in the freezer. After that was errand city: pet food store, office store, book store for gifts, grocery store. When I got back, I checked my email and sent some forms necessary to rollover a the retirement funds from my last job. I also realized that I had to get the December calendar to the church website! Yesterday, I confirmed that my workplace insurance had started, so I have one fewer bill this month!

I have started the process to refinance my house. Interest rates have dropped slightly, but the real savings is in the mortgage insurance, which is high for the loan I have now and will drop considerably. I have about 26 y 4 months left on my current loan. I got another 30 year fixed, but if I pay the same amount I am paying now, more of it will go to principle and it will have only 22 years to payoff. Tonight, I must gather the paperwork for this.

Vitally important stuff to do tonight: buy yet another XM antennae (what am I doing to these?), visit friend in hospital, refi paperwork, plan/budget/organize/purchase Christmas presents. Since I am traveling on Christmas day, there will be no shopping when I get to my destination. I must get things for: DD, local friends and their kids, and DD's cousins on my side of the family. Cousins on the X's side of the family (including DD's stepbrother) are taken care of.

Ramblinrose: I would appreciate an address for recovering soldiers.

Query is done! Gotta run!