Survey Your Saturday

[Harriet]

Are you on the lookout?

What are you surveying, spotting, seeing, "I spy"-ing, and observing today? Homemakers are the lookouts for our families and households! We are smart cookies, and we notice so many little things before they become big ones! What are you watching out for today?

Happy Anniversary, Mystery Woman and Mystery Man (slightly belated, oops)

[Nancy]

Up at 4 s
chicken legs are in crock pot #1
crock pot #2 smaller one had Dgd treats in it.
counter spiff some happened
watering now
back from our walk
Did tricks with my ddoggo.
[ I could use thoughts Dgds wedding today - a destination wedding I opted out of it. ]

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

I did a look-out on my calendar for July.

My bullet journal has a pre-printed half-page full month calendar and then the next 4 pages are drawn up by me, with the 7 days with laid out at the top (each day's box about 1" wide by 2.5" high) and 2/3 of a page below for to-do lists/notes. At the beginning of the bujo there is a 'Future Log' when I note upcoming events up to 24 months in advance.

It makes for a lot of 'filling in' since an event gets moved from the future log, to the monthly calendar and then onto the weekly calendar and dh is after me to put things on the google calendar as well (plus I maintain the google calendar of events for the residents' association.)

When ddil called asking for dates, I had drawn in the weekly pages for July and just added the dates/hours she needed me in there on pencil. Then on Monday I spent the day finalizing all those entries (some needed moving as she didn't get the training shifts we'd planned on) and adding in dd's time with me. I also made sure I was updating the google calendar with everything (so dh is on the same page as me as to when/where he can make plans) but I forgot to update the full July calendar page in my bujo.

I find both the monthly and weekly pages make a really valuable 'picture' of the shape of the demands on me and helps me not overbook myself (although July is pretty much overbooked due to ddil's new job requiring all those unexpected training shifts.)

I just realized while typing this that August is the reverse, the monthly calendar is filled in but not the weeks. They are much more relaxed, just long stretches up here with one week ds's family being nearby (they are camping 20 minutes away) and one week dd's family coming up (and they want to have a couple of days with the cottage to them themselves, so we'll go home for most of that time.)

So that's the 'looking' I've been doing.

It is a steady rain day here, dull, actually pretty dark in the cottage due to the roof overhang, and barely 60 outside, and 65 inside.) I've got layers on so am working on the porch, with a quart of hot water to sip on for warmth, to get a bit of light, fresh air, and enjoy the sound of the birds. The loons have been vocal this morning. We used to joke that the owner had a recording of loons that she would play whenever we were unloading the car after arriving for our annual visit here. Sometimes we can go days without hearing them but they always seemed to call out when we arrived!

Cool! I'm using a new thermos that I picked up at the free stuff swap last month and noted the lid had indicators for "close", "open" and "pour". I can unscrew the lid a few rotations and then if I aim the "pour" over my cup, it pours out without me having to remove the lid completely! That's really convenient, and a first for me (I haven't owned a lot of thermoses in my life!) I'm pouring into my special insulated glass tea mug (the opposite of free but the airbnb in NS had one so I searched until I found one to buy for myself) so the water is staying nice and steamy.

It is a pouring rain, dreary, day and I am as happy as can be. This really is my happy place!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Harriet: I'll join those who can't believe Danger Boy is off to university! I enjoyed the description of his settling in. His roommate may turn out to be a wonderful gift, a chance to learn about life in other parts of the world and a chance to see his own life in America through the eyes of an outsider.

Nancy: I enjoyed your description of the wind (only because your property was unaffected and you still have power!)

I worked for an hour on a task and lost it all when Microsoft Office crashed because I asked it to do too much. Dh had to help me actually close the programs because I couldn't get even that to work. I hadn't saved so now I'm going to hold my breath while I reopen Office to see if there's any recovery file to start from.

[CathyS]

Hi!

I was up mere moments before dh this morning.

He has requested oven fried chicken and scalloped potatoes and grape jello for supper. Jello is setting in the fridge. Onion has been sliced and it's waiting to be used and cheese has been shredded and it's in the fridge. Dh bought some chicken this morning. I didn't want to use frozen chicken for this because the chicken needs to go into a pot of oil before it goes into the oven.

I have also been to a garage sale where I knew all the people involved, including the husband at the house where it is being held. Then I went and got dishwasher detergent before the store got busy and I also went to a book sale and I got there when it opened at 10.

I finally got a manual typewriter for my library!! I have been wanting one for many years, but I wanted to spend less than $100. I got this one (Smith Corona) for $20.!! So awesome! It makes me very happy.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

I didn't lose anything in my document so that was good.

It was a 'cottage leaving' to-do list and I've moved it onto Google drive so I can just do the check-off on my tablet, set up on the kitchen counter, as we load the car. Or any other device I have (and I shared it with dh as well.

The hot water has gone through me and my feet are getting cold (despite heavy socks and shoes) so I'm moving inside now. The rain had almost stopped but has started once more. I'm not sure a walk is in my day today. I got one in yesterday plus did my chair exercises. That didn't quite take me to the assigned step goal for the day (my watch sets the goal based on how I've moving in the past few days) but I misplaced both my phone and glasses before bed so had to walk around a lot looking for my glasses so I could find my phone and that got me the missing 200 steps!

[Lady Maverick]

(((Nancy))) destination weddings can be a challenge. Congratulations to your DGD on her marriage.

Kathryn - I'm thrilled you have found your happy place and bonus that your family gets to enjoy it some also.

Cathy - WhooHOoo on the long-sought find! Do you have plans to use the typewriter? Happy Birthday wishes to your DH!

Harriet - Thank you for opening the SHE village. I did spot a deer this morning on my walk. It was walking on the overpass bridge headed to our side of the interstate. The deer stooped & stood still at the top of the bridge giving me time to get my phone out and take a picture of it. I just hope the deer doesn't give lessons to the wild hogs how to safely cross the interstate

[Nancy]

Spied the mail had come neighbors got a package so I checked my mail yea
I had a ring come made my day! Will remember dgd's wedding with this one.
An expensive one from Amz. had a diff one like it but the size did not work this one fits double yea!

I have done up more dishes and cleaned more on the counters and put dishes away.
Put jars in the shed and spotted a small table I put by a chair on the patio for journal coffee etc.
Trash got dumped too.
Swiffer. x
Vac. lr x
----
Bu-Jo thoughts/ I tried doing some ahead to fill in next week and I color code it had one day on 2x so had to tweak that.
Got the red pens days filled in Wed. & Fri.
Tues. & The. are blue ones and did not have the blue pen handy so the is next.
Did the black one for Monday that was a the tweaker day.
----
Next figure out lunch veg. x

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

The "apartment leaving" to-do list is missing. I have my current and past computers here and it isn't on either (or dropbox.) Dh suggested google drive and I found the 2012 list (this one that needs updating is dated 2020.) I was sure I moved it to dropbox last time I edited it but I didn't. I'm assuming it is on my 2-past computer and I'll find the file when I'm home. I could have probably retyped it in less time than I've spent searching for it but won't. Unless I do. (This is niggling at me so I might just do so in order to get it off my to-do list.)

I've had breakfast now and am sitting in front of a merry fire. Actually, it burned so well, I need to add a log. My feet have warmed up now.

[Lady Maverick]

Losing documents is a sure-fire way to get my temper hot. I know they have a temp file SOMEWHERE but finding it can cause more emotional angst than worth it. I try to ask myself if it will matter in 5 years. That question seems to work well most of the time in calming my frustration.

I cooked lunch for the family.

DS15 isn't working today because his boss is busy with 70 +/- of his kinfolks that he invited to spend the weekend at his home.

Ds15 has a friend here. This friend has been one of my favorites of his friends for several months however now he is sliding down the status rating. I am probably too hard on monitoring DS15 friends but the amount of influence peers has in the teen years can't be understated. IMHO
What is raising my concern with his friend?
** He is 18 years old hanging around a 15 year old.
** He graduated from high school last month but has no plans to continue his education.
** He has no plans to get a job. He can instantly get a job if he wants one, but he chooses not to be employed.
** Where is he getting money for his vehicle, eating out, taking girlfriend on date? He is going through about 1k a month that I can see.
I stopped myself from quizzing DS15 friend in too much detail. I know DS15 was wanting me to stop with the questioning of his friend. I really like this teen and his personality. I hope he gets his act together soon and zooms back to the top status of DS15 friend list. .