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Thursday Puttering
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 8:14 am
by Harriet
Yesterday Lilac and Dove chatted about "puttering", which was a favored word of Indiana's. Puttering is about consistent attention to the small but needful things we see around us each day. It's about noticing, and maybe "nipping in the bud" minor things that could have grown into big problems with neglect, or clutter that could have called more clutter to join in!
It reminds me of Pam and Peggy's concept of,
"Pick it up, don't pass it up, and then... ...put it away."
Not the big admirable project, not the heavy lifting, but the attentiveness that our homes need.
Do you putter? What areas in or around your home benefit from puttering and what usually gets accomplished?
Have you had your putter today?
Re: Thursday Puttering
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 8:36 am
by Lynlee
wondering - did I putter today. Perhaps I did - a little.
dog went to groomers. (I needed to be puttering / driving to get dog across town there)
I came back for breakfast, then to pdoc.
home
lunch and pulled some lawn dandelions in the sunshine.
support group
groceries.
collect dog
PO to buy itunes card and post w card to dgd 3 on sat - for little kid apps as requested by dd. When I visited she was playing with one learning phonics and alphabet.
shopping away
walk ddog 3k.
dinner. call from df.
call to dm.
dishes are done
Another cold night here. Frosts at dm's place. Close to that here in some places at a guess.
goodnight.
Re: Thursday Puttering
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 8:58 am
by Kathryn-in-Canada
Puttering isn't really an option for Twins and I as we work towards getting things in order before we leave.
Today is sermon writing day, service writing day (just one) and bulletin printing day (just one and it is ready to go.) If I get a good start on all of those, that will knock more than one item off my to-do list.
I'll be heading over to the church shortly to work, distraction-free (except for the Web.)
Re: Thursday Puttering
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 9:32 am
by DeeClutter
Try again..........
Not sure if it's my computer (hopefully not, since it's nearly brand new) or my internet, but am having a difficult time posting -so if I seem to disappear -not. I usually can read but can't always get anything to change for me -such as pages, posting, etc.
Dh had dentist appointment this morning and just called to tell me to write in $78. Not too bad since we don't have dental insurance any more. Now is traveling up the street a little to see DS-A and DGS13. Our boys and DGS's will be leaving later this afternoon for Wampum, PA for National Go-Kart races. DGS13 just decided a few weeks ago to get back into karting. He used to be ranked in the top U.S. drivers for his age group up until about 3 years ago or so when he was injured twice in the same summer in very freak accidents. He decided this summer he wanted to try it again and loved being back in the kart. (Not that this Grandma can watch). So he's been running a little and doing very well so is planning to compete nationally this weekend.
I've been puttering all morning. Don't feel like doing much else so am only giving myself one thing to accomplish and then thinking on the next. I'm just a little lazy today but really need to get things done. Did get one drawer cleaned out and have another I want to 'putter' at later. I do have a l&&t if I choose to glance at it.

But pretending it doesn't exist, choosing rather to putter at it.
Like I said, my computer wouldn't let me use "submit". I quickly copied everything and even the highlight wouldn't go away. Grrr........ try again.
Re: Thursday Puttering
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 9:53 am
by Twins' Mom
Glad you finally got it to post, Dee.
Kathryn, I'm surveying my li&t and need to get rolling. I've had workers here this morning taking care of some of the stuff that needed to be fixed at the 11 month check in with the builder. Several others scheduled for today - I thought they were to come yesterday when I was home all day but I can probably work around them today. I need to go to dmom's and to the grocery. (So glad dkids are away now - they used the last of my Tide tho and didn't tell me so I haven't done much laundry this week.)
I always have trouble getting going again after I've been super busy, I just want to slack off. But....
-walk ddogs
-call hotel again about Chaco sandals I left there
-call guy with city re: our alley and neighbors parking there (he left phone message for me on Tuesday)
-empty dishwasher
-clear kitchen counters
Re: Thursday Puttering
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:06 am
by Cowinkie
Morning y'all
My puttering is usually picking up my footprints. That really helps me keep my home in order. Doesn't take much time but delivers wonderful results.
Mourning routines almost done...still have one doggie to feed, but he and Sweetie are still sleeping.
Lucky me.... Not ... I too Dee have a dental appointment this morning. Then there are weekly errands to do and a late afternoon appointment with my sleep dr. I had my hair "shortened" on moday so getting ready this morning will be a snap

Re: Thursday Puttering
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:37 am
by Harriet
I think my main putter time is when I've finished with a task like Morning or Evening Daily Card or a particular room. Puttering is like reconnaissance
with a "what did I miss" attitude.
Aprons with a decent pocket size encourage a helpful putter.
My favorite puttering supply is a wrist corsage of a plastic grocery bag, although if I start counting items that can turn into a game/race, not a putter.
If company is coming, I am probably puttering, sort of "looking through their eyes" at what might be needing attention.
If I'm on the phone longer than I expected, I may be puttering.
Outdoors I putter through deadheading flowers - LOVE that. The marigold scent, especially, gets all over my fingers, lol.
The put-away after decluttering can become a putter, because it may require some neatening to really be done right.
I putter through the mail sort, definitely, so I put everything in the right place and also so I take the time not to miss anything.
During breaks from watching any home improvement show I putter, because I get all inspired
.
Re: Thursday Puttering
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:43 am
by DeeClutter
Wow, Twins, you've been there that long already! Time does fly.
Got the dishes done and some other 'puttering'. Seems that's the best way (usually) for me to get things done in the RV. You'd think with so little space (about 410 sq feet) that it would be easy. But it's not. Unfortunately piles happen and stashes -in the drawers, cabinets, closets. So there's always those footprints to putter with.
Dh is home and dozing now. He was really bad (coughing) last night -to the point of making him empty his tummy. And just gasping for air. And his weight is seeming to creep up instead of down. He's definitely not consuming enough calories to do that! Has another appointment with the cardiologist next Thursday so will see what happens between now and then. He's also scheduled for a chest x-ray before September 5th. His pulmonologist is just around the corner (so to speak) from his cardiac therapy so think I will take him there to get the x-ray a few days ahead of time. This Dr. sees him again on September 5th.
Just realized this morning that we have to change a therapy appointment. Coincides with his next appointment with his GP. So says he, change therapy to that Friday. Ay yi yi. That's my appointment (I think -have to check the calendar) with my doctor which has been postponed numerous times since end of May.

I cannot cancel it again. She'll be dismissing me as a patient for goodness sake!
Aprons with a decent pocket size encourage a helpful putter.
Have mine on, Harriet, and you are SO right!
Re: Thursday Puttering
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:11 am
by OKay
Puttering is an relaxing activity for me. I enjoy doing it. However, I'm usually in focus mode and puttering happens when I slip out of it. Maybe I should think of puttering as a reward?
The first 4 hours went well this morning. I followed cards assigned to each time slot. I wasn't able to finish all the cards assigned to those time slots, but didn't do too bad with 63 cards completed.
Re: Thursday Puttering
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:23 am
by Twins' Mom
I am heading toward dmom's now. Haven't heard regarding the rest of the workers - I told them I could work around them if I knew when, but they haven't told me.
OKay, we've been here 13 months already.
My Chaco sandals (the most supportive sandals around) are at the Macon hotel and we can pick them up Sunday on our way to HHI. I had to leave a message again about our alley.
I also purged my email and answered some from yesterday.