A Lick and a Promise Wednesday

[cathyy]

Today looks like a good day for yard work here. It's cooler, for one thing. But this manufactured home lot had previous tenants who created several lovely flowerbeds - and then never maintained them. I can't undo years of neglect in one year. I will give it yet another lick and a promise today.

A few years from now it will be lovely. For now, some parts of it are lovely, and some parts are so overgrown you can't find the flowers hidden in the weeds. Isn't this true of most things in life? We really don't have total control? Just do what you can, and call it good.

[DeeClutter]

That's what my home is a 'wonderland'. Well, not quite. Getting there though.

July 1st is dh's birthday, LucyLee and ddil is 'opting' for this little guy to arrive on "Grandpa's birthday". (She is due the 17th & C-section scheduled for 11th). All her babies have been quite good sized -including baby Zoe, considering her condition. She was 5lb 11oz which is a lot for a Trisonomy 18 baby. Guess they usually weigh no more than 3lbs. She beat a lot of odds!

Going to go throw a lol in the 'twins' and meet the bunch to walk.

DH went up to the barn about 6:30 and is puttering with returnables. He's going on disability for at least the forseeable future. I'm finding myself in some 'pity parties'. Right after he left this morning I found myself crying and nothing had happened or 'come' to me. Think I'm just maxed out. But like Okay the other day -picking myself up by the bootstraps and declaring enough!

Off to do the laundry and walk. A good start to the day and helping make this our wonderland!

[OKay]

So true Cathyy! Undoing past neglect takes a powerful amount of effort. With consistent and frequent effort it can happen! I think of Deb when I tackle a project like that - she often says "inch by inch".

I am working on Day 359 of consistently tracking SHE cards digitally. Some of those days I completed every single card that was due, but the majority of them have been more in the category of "a lick and a promise". I have to remind myself the good part of consistently working without perfection is not getting TOTALLY behind.

This morning LO has audiologist appt to have his hearing tested. He is sooo excited about wearing the headset.

[helia]

Nice to see you here again, cathyy. I sure can get bogged down in perfectionism too, thinking that if I can't do it right, I won't do anything at all.

I've been up for over an hour -- but it doesn't feel like much has gotten done. I'm currently eating bfast.
x said good bye to ds and dd16
x wrote out 2 giving checks and got them in the mail
x checked email; wrote something on my calendar
x unloaded dw and dish drainer from last night.
x tweaked note for S and R
x got together envelopes with van stuff and cash
x put away some laundry
x fed the cat
x washed some apples for on the plane; dh and I really like having fruit to munch on during flights - will also bring some grapes.

We're leaving in about 2 hours. After I finish bfast, I will:
-s2s, teeth and face care
-finish packing
-finish the file with info. for S and R
-a lick and a promise at the weeds in our front flower garden; there aren't too many.
-tidy the house

I think Dee started a parallel thread.

[Twins' Mom]

Two threads going - I'm here because more have posted here so far.

I am at payroll work - was actually here by 8 because I got ds to his job first. (Let me just say, that I'm rarely here at 8 a.m.!) I need to work on this problem client today - don't have to p/u ds until 4:30 so I'll be here for the day.

Tonight we're going out for dinner for a friend's bd so this will be a mostly "out of the house" day, I'm afraid.

[Harmony]

(Dee) sometimes life gives you enough bumps that it is time to just step back and rest for a while.

We are fighting going down that same path. DH isn't ready to give up. I think with his problems we might have fought the system and got him qualified. He just isn't ready. I'm afraid his keeping on working is accelerating his hip problem.

I'm up early working on paperwork. I really hope today is easier. I never got done with essentials till 11:30 last evening.

Wow, I just had to come back in and say I've accomplished something on my computer I've never been able to do before! Slowly but surely we're inching our way into this technology age.

[Indiana]

I merged the two topics.

cathyy started her topic first so I merged Dee's into it.

[Cowinkie]

Dee and Harmony...I think it is especially hard on men when they have to give up what they have done for must of their lives. It seems to me that men use their work to defined themselves. During Sweeties mid 40's he walked away from a career which he loved. He is an inventor and was CEO/president of a extremely successful company that he helped build. Many of Sweeties designs ( I call them inventions) can be bought at Best Buy and other electronical store. Most phone and cable companies still use his equipment. Sometime when we are walking through a store like the big box ones we'll pass by something and he'll point andsay...I designed that, and I designed that. He is not nearly as impressed over it as I am.

My point...after he left the company he took time off to adjust to being non-employed. Eventually, being the curious soul that he is, he self taught himself 3 different computer languages. From there he built himself a different career which combined his talents and skills from his past to compliment his new ones. We have had many discussions about what happens to a man when he is forced to "retire". Its interesting to hear a man's side of the story. They do not view it the way we women do..at least in my case anyway. Not only do men loose the ability to work, but mentally many men begin to feel they can no longer provide for their families...which is of course has been natures way since the beginning of time.

My father had a very important career that was recognized nation wide and was forced to retire at 60. I watched him give up on life. Sweeties father on the other also had a very distinguished career and retired at 55. He decided to volunteer his knowledge and traveled the world helping others. Eventually he joined many business organizations and shared his time and knowledge helping others...I tried to get my dad to do it, but he refuse. Sweeties dad also join a Senior band with other guys his age. And as if that wasn't enough, he volunteered in the schools teaching kids how to play different instruments.

I thought about all of this before I retired. I have great examples to learn from. I used Sweeties emotional knowledge to work through my own. I know there will be "land minds" along the way, but I understand that is part of this journey.

Your guys will need time to adjust. Now they can do some of the things that have been on their to-do lists for years. Harmony, perhaps your DH would enjoy building smaller projects...furniture, porches and such. That way he wont lose the feel of wood in his hands. Could he volunteer for Habitat builders? Dee your husband has excellent skills as well. He works great with people, can oversee projects while others do the work. Keep the value of work in their lives.

We spend alot of time addressing how to raise our families, but watching my friends now, along with myself, I see many are not prepared for life after work. Those of you who are already there understand what I am saying. I wish both of your DH's that best.

Harriet...I am very allergic to mosquito bites. My bites look just like you described. I use deodorant to take away the itch and the swelling. Make sure the one you use is anti-perspirant and deodorant. I use Degree stick because that's what I have in the house but any will work....

Off to run errands with Sweetie..........cy'all later

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Moving really slowly this morning. I'm trying to type without a bandaid. That makes it hit or miss (I can't use my fingertip.) I'm trying to give the wound more air today since I'm home for the day so don't have to keep it covered.

I did my treadmill, made the bed, s2s and have had breakfast.

I have some business stuff to do and a whole pile of other things too.

It is cool here so outdoor stuff needs to be done but dh is on a conference call at the moment.

[Cowinkie]

Hi KIC understand the finger thing. Once while at work my DF gave me her knife so I could slice bagels for a breakfast gathering. I didn't realize how sharp it was and almost sliced my finger tip off. After that the joke became...don't give Cowinkie a knife unless you like to see blood

Harriet...I forgot to add, I also take advil to help with the swelling and itching of bites. I HATE those critters!!!