Simplicity Saturday PWYC

[Twins' Mom]

Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital.
Dalai Lama

[Ramblinrose]

Morning…

I’m having a simple day. Stomach got me tied up early this morning so I am drinking my decaf coffee in bed. About ready to slide slowly into my day.

Last nigh Sweetie and I had what we joking called a date night. Ate at a great hamburger place… the onions my have got me…then spent some time at super Target. Came home and we watched tv together then he went to bed. I snuggled up on the couch and watched some Jack Ryan till midnight. Heaven!

Going to work outside today working on my plants that need my attention and just enjoy being outside.

My son is moving into his new office this weekend and we will be helping him with it tomorrow. I still have some laundry to fold and put away, but other than that is should be a slow and simple day.

[Harriet]

Although the 10:00 hour came and went without a finish, I am having simplicity morning because of both morning routine and Morning Dailies. Laundry still spinning, though.

A smoothie is up in my breakfast rotation and I'm pleased since I have plenty of collards to be using up, and plenty of broccoli sprouts, growing fast. I think there are still fresh strawberries here, too.

Decluttering week has been bedroom and I got a lot done last evening but more to do today. Cleaning week has foyer done, but porch not so much. Supposedly a high of 55 today, so maybe I'll go out there and accomplish something.

While decluttering, the very last chance at accessing Christmas wrapping without much trouble was about to pass, and I couldn't stand it. I made 2 homemade bows for the last presents still here to give before putting all away. HRH teases, "perfectionist", but I was thinking that it's nice to give everyone the feeling their gift was important, too, even if not prompt. One for a child, he says, "will never appreciate it", but then parents notice.

Ds called and we sat on the phone a while. He says the children's school so far is dodging most of the virus worries, but his work area is getting hit.

Wishing we'd hear from blessed's family. Hoping Dee is pleased with Mr. DeeClutter's care and recovery.

Mystery, how is your family?

Elizabeth, good job helping dd in the house-sitting emergency. I've seen water dripping from a ceiling and that is one alarming sight.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Good morning!

Rosie: That's what our 'date nights' often look like. And yes, they are wonderful! Even though dh is here most of the time, the apartment is big enough and he focuses so much on his computer, that it doesn't feel like we spend much time together at all so simple times like that are treasured.

Harriet: my childhood best friend gives me a gorgeous home-made card each year and I add them to my Christmas decorations (although last years is part of my winter decorating so still out.) I'm sure your bows are set aside and reused.

***

I didn't get to bed until after midnight but slept well. Dh woke at 7 and I said "put on the news and I'll cuddle in your arms and fall asleep again". I did, and so did he. My phone (and by extension) smartwatch is on do not disturb until 7 but won't start notifying me until it senses me moving around. I guess it gave up because at 8:30 it let me know I had an email that came in the night! I peeked out from under my eye mask and could see that the sun was up and our 'wake-up' light was off (which meant after 8) but both of us were shocked it was 8:30!

I'm obviously not fully awake, though. I emptied the strainer of yesterday's used tea leaves and started today's pot steeping. I found two more decorations I'd missed and put them away and got a couple of things off the table (babysteps in that department!) and came back into the kitchen to discover my tea was just barely coloured water. I had pulled the tea tin from the cupboard but didn't actually put the leaves in the strainer!

Last night I ordered replacement mini lights. One multi-coloured set for next December and two white sets for throughout the year. They are ready to pick up. Online ordering from bricks and mortar stores is now working exceptionally well for Canadian Tire, previously known as Crappy Tire because there was no customer service and nothing was ever in stock. Now the online stock indicators (including aisle number) are very accurate and you can put in an order for pickup within 24 hours from lockers. So that makes the shopping simple. Yesterday I sent dh for something (not bothering with online ordering since he was driving by in an hour) and he said it was so fast and convenient he loved it. Then last night, I realized I could search for Christmas lights and sure enough, they had their clearance stock online. No driving around town hoping to find clearance Christmas decorations, they are waiting for me to pick them up.

Once they are picked up, the multi-colour lights can be put in the December Lighting bin. That's the last bin to be taken back to the storage locker. Then I can finish decorating for winter and vacuum and dust (desperately needed since I tend not to dust in December!)

(I've moved a long description of my use of white mini-lights to a new thread about year-round decorating in Creative Home)

But first, I need to step away from the computer and get dressed.

[CathyS]

We've been productive here today. I told dh I needed him to bring in some ground beef and a package of ribs from the chest freezer, so he did that. I told him I needed the cistern checked for the water level, so he did that and then I asked him to bring in a load of wood. He did that. I cleaned the ashes out of the fireplace, so it's ready for a nice fire either tonight or tomorrow.

I have 4 tea towels soaking in hot water and oxiclean waiting for current load of laundry to finish. I also have a load of black pants that are all clean, but are covered in cat fur from where the youngest cat had been napping in our closet. I think I had better do the dark load first. I also took out all of my clothes and put everything back after looking at stuff and deciding what to do with some of it. I have a very small wardrobe and even with a small choice, there are still things I don't wear. So now I have done that chore for the year, although I think I will revisit it in 6 months.

The never-ending job of dishes is almost getting easier. I have a sink full soaking with whisks, wooden spoons and a couple of lids that are too big for the dishwasher. After that there is an empty cookie tin that needs to get washed and put away until next Christmas. I should be able to get that done before I leave for knitting, if I go. It's overcast but there is no snow anywhere here. Lots of ditches still have water in them from all the rain. I'm sure the farmers are happy. Lots of muddy fields to look at all around my house.

We are having Hamburger Helper (dh's request) stroganoff "flavour" tonight and pork ribs tomorrow night.

[Lady Maverick]

I have enjoyed a slow start to the day. I stayed in bed this morning until 8am which meant I missed watching the sunrise. I do regret that decision and will probably use this disappointment to influence the next time I can choose to sleep in or to watch the sunrise.

DBro called this morning with an invite for lunch tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that.

DD11 and I are going shopping later today. I have a couple things to exchange. The hoodies are marked down to under $7 at Sam's and I bought a couple but I need to exchange for a smaller size. DD11 needs shoes so we will be shopping for those.

I start my 30 day class today that focuses on hunger training and developing fasting/eating schedule that fits my unique body. It is all data driven which means for the first 3 days I will be taking my blood sugar several times a day. Similar to what Type 1 diabetics (if I understand that process correctly).

I took some boneless pork steaks out of the freezer to defrost. I will be cooking them later today with some sort of potato dish. I'll decide what to make when it is time to get started cooking.

[Harmony]

Good morning everyone. Dee posted in J&C late last evening. I was the last poster for the evening until she came in slightly later and gave news.

Trying to remember what I said last evening. Forgive me if I repeat. I'm writing things down now in a planner and sometimes without going back can't remember if I just wrote it or did I post. Remember that old ad, "a mind is a terrible thing to waste"?

Anyway, Cathy, good job with your clothes! Today I threw away my used-to-be favorite khaki slacks. They had ragged hems, and otherwise were ok (though annoying with no side pockets) and were light enough fabric to not be hot any time of the year. But last time I put them on, I noticed the legs through the thighs were baggier than I like to wear now. So, out they went, along with a flannel shirt of DH's who finally gave up one that was shredded from use. When I was at big box store yesterday they had "leisure" pants which I thought were a bit dressier than their label because their texture though soft had a bit of a shine to them. And they have nice sewed in side pockets, not the ones they just sew on top. They fit nicely and are plenty long. Color: stone. I have no slacks that color, but several tops that will go nicely with them.

Today I have a to do list in my planner. To get some momentum going I've picked the easiest couple and done them. Most of the rest are things I don't wanna do but OMM for a long while. I'll be back to report what I've been able to check off.

It's cold here, low 60's. Last evening there was something called a wolf moon which I'd never heard of. Went out on porch late last night and it was full, and the brightest moon I've ever seen. Watch out for werewolf's today!

[CathyS]

Dh and all 3 cats are sleeping, so I bit the bullet and did that dreaded lower corner cabinet in my kitchen. The pickle dish with the silver coloured rim got to stay because it was the largest. I did find a bunch of decorative Christmas plates that are all getting donated. There is also a cracker dish that, due to it's rounded bottom, could hold ritz crackers, and not that many. It is glass with a weird design, and it's going to be donated. I found NUMEROUS cookie tins that will get filled next Christmas and given to friends and family. They are all from the dollar store.

Black load of laundry just sang it's song, so I am going to flip the laundry and put the small white load in. Then I will get going to knitting.

[Twins' Mom]

I got the dog walked once around the block and the rain started so we came in. She is pulling me like crazy and on my last nerve right now.

Dh went to Torah study and Costco. My breakfast didn't stay with me long enough so I need to eat, then out to UPS store. Dh pitched a fit about how I had the mahjong set just wrapped in several layers of heavy brown paper so I'll have the UPS store wrap it and send it. We don't have a box that works for it.

Dh is actually pretty put out about most everything I do these days tbh.

Tonight we're seeing friends for "Drinks and hors d'oeuvres," and then deciding whether we all go out or order in. I don't much like going out on Sat p.m. without a reservation and I'm a little uncomfortable because original invitation was only to friends A & V, who (with dh's agreement) asked if we could be included.

Aack, didn't post this earlier. I went out and when I came out of grocery the rain was pouring down. While out I mailed the parcel to dd and got myself an iced latte.

[Nancy]

I was up on time today. I still need to get dressed but got current on journal reading bujo.

I looked up info on my broken glasses and the lens making place I went to hopefully they are still in business.
Will check there next week about getting new frames.
Goit the info. off my old frames.

Did some reading this week yea me.
We had a skiff of snow.

My eye is healing but purple now looks worse. SMH.
I slept okay not as good as yesterday strange dreams.
Woke up hot checked my # took rx and got up to a great # & had bfast!

Next week I going on diff. insulin / not fasting also not doing the Jan. fast with the church b/c of my low bs last week that
is just not a good idea. Been fasting the last 8 weeks anyway.

Today's plan get my steps in.
Sheets & turn mattress.