SHEs Organized

Yes we do need to wrap our minds around the year still having half to go! How did THAT HAPPEN? Wasn't it just the end of year holidays?

And that means today is dh's birthday -I don't even have a card yet! (of course I can use the "I've been laid up excuse"). This means DS-A's is only 4 days away (we always called him our 'left-over' firecracker' and that he was!)I Already gave him his birthday present on Saturday. Because he has such a time getting a ring on and therefo fearing not getting it off he had bought a silicone wedding ring but I hated it -it was just too wide. Found another that was slimmer and in a gold color. He immediately put it on. Several friends have these because of their line of work -firemen especially and electricians.

Am watching my injuries with an 'eagle' eye. My left foot showed more bright bruising last night. Did not like that so am watching. I'm not sleeping too well as my feet/ankles and legs are achy by night. I will be so glad to be able to get my step count back up but that's not yet.

Been trying to figure out what to get DS-R for his 50th birthday. Think we've finally decided that perhaps we will get him, ddil for their birthdays & anniversary a smoker. DDIL & I spoke about getting one last year but it just never happened.

Ah here's my honey so I can perhaps give him a birthday kiss!

I've never heard of silicone rings, Dee, thanks so much for bringing them to my attention!

I'm up. Sore (I did 13K steps on Monday, 9K yesterday and 4.5 hours of sitting in vehicles both days.)

Dishwasher is unloaded, dishes from the trip are washed, I'm having tea and chocolate now. Forgot to weigh myself this morning.

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it being a holiday and a new month. Of course, dh on conference calls in the office doesn't help me remember it is a holiday. It is the quiet outside (little traffic) that is the clue.

Today is Canada Day. We can barely see the Peace Tower this morning due to cloud and mist so I'm not sure what if anything we'll see from here today. For instance, at noon our Air Force acrobatic team should fly by but I don't think they will due to the low cloud ceiling. And I'm not sure how the fireworks will look from here. It is likely neighbours will take me up on the offer to watch with us since the weather is iffy enough that it isn't worth a trip downtown to the outdoor concerts and fireworks.

I will quickly do my Monday (general houseblessing) and Tuesday chores since I might be having people over. The apartment is fairly tidy except for the trip leftovers and the cooler in the living room. Since we had bought the wheeled cooler, I was planning on getting rid of my other two coolers. So I pulled out the one from the storage closet, rearranged things and put the dining room chandelier we aren't using in there which means there's no room to put the cooler currently in the living room back into its storage spot. Will think on that for a while, maybe I'll hide it again in the car!

Good morning, villagers ~
I decided to work today's declutter challenge first thing, before turning on the computer. Posted details in that thread.


Today's 6x6:
* declutter challenge (done!)
* 2 loads of laundry (started)
* catch up accounting for the library group
* month-end reports for library group
* other meeting prep for library group (meeting tonight)
* dig into The Dreaded Project for library group (deadline July 15th)

Just need to keep sticking to The Dreaded Project for the next few days until it is done, then the rest of the month will be much lighter. Lighter -- meaning the weight of the work and responsibility off of my shoulders, and all of those files full of paper not only off my desk but physically out of the house because I will take them back to long-term storage at the library.

The washer has stopped so I can go flip laundry loads now. BRB.

PS: Happy Canada Day!

Watering in back mostly done, sweep & mop kit. Done as well. Waving to every one. Happy bday to mr. dee.

OK, the cooler questions have been answered (except one.)

I loaded up the new cooler until it was full. Used random stuff I'd take with me on any trip - tupperware, small to large size, bag of carrots, cans of soda, bottles of water, frozen 1.5 litres of water for ice blocks, and a milk jug. Oh, and a dozen eggs in their carton. Then I moved everything over to the old cooler that is so much larger (by eye and measurement.) The larger cooler was almost full. I would have got one or two sandwich size tupperware holders in or maybe 4 cans of soda but that's all.

So the new cooler passed the practical usage test, barely. We can manage with a few less things in the cooler, it was holding an awful lot of stuff and would hold more if I was using zip lock bags instead of tupperware.

Wheeling the full cooler around the apartment, over carpet, over the sills onto the balcony and back into the kitchen was easy but the handle is a bit tricky. It is obviously designed to pull, not push although I could push it a bit. So it passed that test, barely.

It's dimensions mean it fits better in the back seat or even in the back-back of the car. And it is higher and designed to be used as a seat, so it means we have to pack one less folding chair.

All this adds up to the decision to keep the new cooler.

Now I'm just waiting to hear from ds (who is sleeping right now) if he wants either of the old ones. In the meantime, I'll take them to the car since I'll be leaving them on the giveaway shelf in the basement if he doesn't.

I'm still not dressed. Must do that quickly so I can watch for the planes to go by, although if anything, the cloud ceiling is lower now. I'm watching the official Canada Day twitter feed to see if they'll cancel the Snowbirds or not.

Happy birthday to Mr. Dee. I'd never heard of silicone ring either. DH won't wear one at work because he knows a man who got his ring caught on something as he fell down off a ladder and he lost his finger. We don't let our helpers wear jewelry, either.

I did my declutter first thing after dailies. Nice progress, leaves a happy feeling.

Got some things off my desk. Turkey broth ready to go into refrigerator for skimming and then into freezer.

Next up: 2 phone calls, trip out to deliver papers, fill out proposal and email. Need to do a big pick-up around here. Trying not to overdo today as I get my strength back.

Morning y'all...

My day had a slow start, but I am up and moving now.

Kathryn, if you are backing sandwiches to travel, could you not put them in zip lock bags instead of the plastic holders. I use them because they save space and still keep everything dry. I put mine on top of every thing so they don't get squished.

I need to make a W-mart run. Have several supplies I need for my genealogy plus I want to make hard copies of a picture I found of my son's g-grand mother. Hattie, as she was known, still has several living children including my son's grandfather.

I have begun making a list of things I need to do between now and next Sunday, which is when I leave for my moms. I am taking the red-eye this time. Haven't done that in a while. If all goes well, it will put me into Newark's airport at 5:30 in the morning. Depending on the arrival time and how I am feeling I will either catch the 6:30 or 7:30 train home. It's about an hours ride so there is really no hurry.

My mom is determined to walk better than she is doing now. Part of her problem is a balance issue and she has finally agreed to start using a cane. So I will become her trainer while I am there. We will have alot to accomplish, but the good news is she is very stubborn and wants to do this. We also have people to see and places to go, so it should be a fun time. I always carve out time with my friends so I see a day at the beach in my future ...all I can say is YIPPIE!! BTW the Great Whites cruise up and down the coast from Maine past NJ beaches. The researchers have tagged one who they have named Mary and she seems to like our area. The great whites have been there since the beginning of time and so I am not worried about her.

Off to do some desk work. Made all our travel arrangements for our trip to Pawlley's Island yesterday and that took a hunk of my time. Need to clear up a few remaining desk things and then it off to run my errands.

No storms in my area last night, but they are around. The Monsoon season has started so its to be expected. Hope y'all have a great day...

Good morning! It is still morning, right? At least it was when I started this....

Yesterday's dr appt for dmom was interesting. She used walker to get out to car, then we got a wheelchair at the curbside valet parking (free with handicapped sticker) and used it until we got back to car. I mentioned to doc how difficult it is getting to get her out of the house and how she is not showering anymore, just taking "Cat" baths with a washcloth. Doc suggested (in a low voice talking to me) that she could certify her for Hospice and have them evaluate whether she could go into their program. Through Hospice, she could have at home dr visits and help with bathing, etc. through Medicare and her insurance and could stay at home as long as possible. It almost sounds like "cheating" to me in that I would guess her life expectancy at 88 1/2 to be longer than six months, however doc says that Hospice will usually accept patients at her age who are increasing frail and weak. She nearly fell yesterday when she took her hands off her walker for me to put her watch on. Explained just a little of it to her and I don't think that cognitively she understands anymore what Hospice is. From my standpoint, I'd feel she was getting better care at home and I wouldn't be holding my breath that she doesn't have a catastrophic fall and need nursing home care. I worry about dbro too - he is disabled under social security (back, hips, arthritis) and said yesterday he couldn't tie shoes anymore because his hands were so arthritic.

So that feels really weird but I feel somewhat relieved, assuming it all goes through. Very mixed feelings.

-declutter challenge - refrigerator
-reboot laundry
-water outside plants, dead head geraniums
-sweep up kitchen floor and take out garbage
-refill meds containers

House guest arrives in city today but comes to us tomorrow. Someone else is putting him up tonight.

Echoing all the observances today:
Happy birthday to Mr Dee!
Happy anniversary to Nancy and Mr Nancy
and
Happy Canada Day!


The fourth of July has been difficult for many years because of dMac's sensitivity to fireworks. Odd that I don't have to fuss over him. I think the two of us were probably codependent.


Ohhh...while I am talking....I echo the suggest of cuke sandwiches, and noted that Harriet said this shindig is from 11 - 3 or something similar. Timing suggests that this might be more of "open house" nature and that Harriet could probably get away with showing up for a bit, then begging off with another "engagement" which could be what ever else she wants to do.