Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

 .... not really, no snow, and it was 60 yesterday, 40 today. Because of new kitty, probably won't have a tree.  But will get a visit from all the kiddos!!!


Old Business:

  • Still plugging away at my Hands Heal book
  • Chores are getting pretty consistent.  That's all I'm looking for...
  • Kings of the Wyld is still a good read!
  • Got my message done at Eel River.  Was so much fun, they are a great group of people
  • Again, starting to get consistent with work/GR
  • Need to get back on the NCBTMB bandwagon
  • P4S, oof
  • Magazines, again, pretty consistent
  • Garage, always needs attention
  • Still need to switch insurance
  • Trading is still barely afloat
  • 2025 book is getting fleshed out
  • Still no scrapping or painting, just don't seem to have enough energy any more
  • Finished 3 lanterns!
  • Thanksgiving was a blast!
  • Possible new therapist is looking like a good potential.  Keep praying!
New Business
  • Christmas meal on 12/24
  • Mending pile
  • Figure out ingredients for lasagna so I can go shopping!

Friday, November 29, 2024

Giving Thanks...

 Most of us really do have a lot to be thankful/grateful for. We woke up, we have people we care about, animals we care about, food to eat, shelter, water to drink, and clothes to protect our bodies.  It's easy to forget that you only need to make $30K to be considered in the 1%.


Old Business:

  • Still plugging away...
  • Chores, doing pretty good, getting at least 2-3 done a week (outside of like laundry, cooking, cleaning kitchen)
  • Got back into Kings of the Wyld
  • Have 1 more message this year to give, on the 15th
  • Working towards consistency of scheduling work and GR duties
  • NCBTMB took a dive with message preparation
  • P4S is dead lol
  • Magazines, doing pretty good again
  • Garage, have done another minor cleanup, and that feels good
  • Still need to do website - actually wondering if I still need it, or if MassageBook would be enough
  • Still need to get insurance switched
  • Dinner was good, but not sure that I really felt any connection
  • Trading schedule took a dive again!  LOL
  • Working on getting 2025 book squared away for Q1 and scheduling Fridays for Church Admin.  Hoping to get there at 8 (last time I was lucky to be there by 9, so pray for me!)
  • Career Panel went really well, and met a gal who might be interested.  We talk on 12/7
  • Pie was delicious!
  • Still need to work on scrapping and painting
  • Did start the next lantern project, so might have 2 ready soon
New Business:
  • Family get-together for Thanksgiving tomorrow (Saturday). Baby brother already here
  • Have a mending pile
  • Need to make soup and pies for tomorrow

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Noxious November...

 ... very upset at the outcome of the election.  Not doing to do a dump here, however. And going to try really hard to not hold it against November.  LOL

Old Business:

  • I'm about halfway through Hands Heal.  Good review in a lot of instances, and learned new things too
  • Doing pretty good with keeping up with chores, so that is encouraging
  • Haven't read Kings of the Wyld lately, been busy putting together a couple of messages for church
  • Trying to be more consistent with scheduling work activities, good weeks and not as good
  • NCBTMB I haven't done for a couple of weeks, see comment about sermons
  • P4S - still horrible!
  • Magazines, good until I started working on the messages
  • Garage, has been on hold....but is manageable
  • More weeding done at work, so that is cool, done for the year, and hopefully will get an earlier start next year
  • Website still needs done
  • Still need to get insurance done
  • Responded to the ask for dinner, we go on the 18th.  Keep me in your prayers!
  • Message at Wabash CoB went really well
  • TSA pre all done
  • Trading schedule better
New Business:
  • I'll be going back to the church admin position, temporarily.  So my schedule is going to change
  • Participated in a Career Panel at IWC and met a gal from Marion, so hopeful about that
  • Made a couple of pies for 2 different charity auctions and decided to make one for myself too!
  • So need to get back into scrapping & painting
  • And house projects - hopefully this winter


Friday, October 25, 2024

Finally Fall...

 ... yeah, I think we are finally there.  Have had a couple of frosts and then a bit warmer.  Today, it cools down and brings some rain, which we definitely need!


Old Business:

  • Still eating a bite of Hands Heal every morning.  Didn't do great when I was at conference, but back on the bandwagon
  • Chores have made a comeback, and I've been successful the past couple of weeks of getting 2-3 non-daily activities done
  • Still reading Kings of the Wyld, very engaging!
  • Work game plan ebbs and flows.  I need to do a better job at scheduling times to work on them intentionally
  • NCBTMB has been shaky this week, but it is going.
  • P4S - horrible!  LOL
  • Magazines, pretty good, but still piling up.  Need to put in another shelf in the closet to help. That makes me sad. But there is at least 1 that is no longer in print, so as I read those, it frees up space. "Trouble" is when I hit an MTJ or National Geo or another that I like to read cover-to-cover so they take a while.  Some of them I just flip through.
  • Got conference memorabilia put away, just a couple of odds and ends here and there now
  • Garage - I did bring in all my potted flowers that I try to overwinter, and some perennials that I didn't get planted, so I cleaned up that section a bit.  I've also done a big sweeping all over. Still several projects out there that I need to finish up - getting the lanterns painted (I want them all black) for the solar lights; converting the desk to a table saw station, etc.
  • Guitar - Week 55 baby!  Who-hoo!
  • Bloodwork done, cholesterol climbed back up a bit.  Was very frustrated about that.  Had a check up on Monday to go over it.  That was all she wanted to talk about.  Didn't even want to discuss my possible POTS symptoms (which I am thinking more and more is correct - K&K agree). Had my med checkup with my psych NP and they gave me a recommendation to another cardiologist here who works with POTS patients.  So thankful I said something!  So I'm working on getting that appointment set up, along with Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins POTS clinic in TX.  We'll see which one happens first...
  • Was able to continue west from the east patio, so the walkway out to the shed that cuts through the gardens is done, as well as 1 whole side on the west patio. I've had to make a lot of it significantly larger due to bush growth (such a great thing!, so I've had lots of clumps to help fill in where the sewer line was repaired and settled. And doing the edging as I go along made so much sense.  I've used up almost all the vinegar bottles I've been saving over the past couple years.  And I probably still have 2 of the 3 truckloads of woodchips unused yet!  I don't know how much more I'll be able to get done this year (ground is back to being hard!) but I will keep going if I can.  What is left is the west fenceline, south fenceline, and the alley.  I've got several flowers that need to be divided and transplanted, but I need places to put them!  Acutally, I have done some of that already and/or moving stuff around, and just cleaned out the area where I wanted to put them, and that does work too.  I guess it just depends on what mode my brain is in that day.  Being this close gets me excited about the other projects that I want to do out there.  I've got more of the embossed brick to finish that walkway from the patio to the yard, I want to pull up the stepping stones out to the shed and put down woodchips and about half-way down, I have a small brick project that I want to put in, and then put a birdbath with a solar fountain in it.  and I have a brick patio idea that I want to do in the south-east corner fenceline.
  • Izzy has been growing more independent as she has gotten more comfortable.  We are pretty much over trying to scratch on the furniture (and trimming her nails helps too), but still having trouble with jumping up on dining table, kitchen counter, stove, and crafting box on the wall.   We will get there.  She cuddles less, so it's wonderful when she does.  Although at night, she is always in there with me, either above my head, or down at my feet. Love her to pieces!
  • GR work is done, and the RFP  
  • Raises so far have been OK
  • Weeding at work done, looks better.  It is taking less time each time, so I'm able to go a little bit further each time.
  • Website still needs done
  • ISP for E is done, that was a lot of fun to go up to the workshop and meet all the people he works with
  • Still need to get insurance switched over
  • Finally got to work at Chili for Charity this year!  GG receives funding from them, so we are supposed to work the event.  Every year, it's been when we are celebrating H's birthday.  I was so glad it worked out.  It was a beautiful weekend for it, and I got another elephant ear!
  • Earlier in the month I did a motorcycle ride for Riley with a friend of mine's husband (she doesn't like to ride), his sister, and his cousin. That was fun, and got an elephant ear there too!  Probably should be done with the sweets for awhile!  LOL
  • Had H's birthday at Bob's.  That was so much fun!  My brother and his wife were there, and I surprised E with it.  He had such a great time!!! and V came down from Grand Rapids.

New Business:
  • I've been asked about to coffee or dinner by a friend's cousin and I've not responded back yet.  I'm nervous.  I don't trust myself.  But I know I should not leave him hanging.  I'm not sure I've ever done just dinner or coffee before.  It seems like it always turns into something serious right away,  and I know I don't want that.
  • Giving the message at church in November, so I've been working on that, and then Eel River in December.
  • Need to follow up with the lawyer on E's guardianship papers
  • Need to get my TSA Pre renewed, doing that today!
  • Gotta get my massage trading schedule worked out better, I think that is part of the reason why my symptoms have been worse lately, I'm only getting every other week.

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Second Summer...

 .... Yup, we are back to the 80s.  Not had rain in awhile, so grass is looking bad.  Should not have mowed before I left, but maybe it would not have made a difference...


Old Business:

  • Keep plugging away on Hands Heal
  • Was gone last week, so chores were on a hiatus
  • Reading Kings of the Wyld, very good!
  • Again, gone last week at conference, so work tasks were at a minimum. However, am getting better at scheduling the game plan for the week
  • Plugging away at NCBTMB
  • P4S - BAD! LOL
  • Magazines, not bad, even though I was gone, I did read several pages in the airplane to and from
  • Memorabilia is back, now that I'm back from conference, but it is just the 1 event!
  • Garage - got the sanding booth repaired with a lot of help from my baby brother. Rest of it still needs attention, but trying not to add to it...
  • Guitar - week 51, go me!  I was afraid conference was going to undo all of it!
  • Bloodwork is on the books for this Thursday
  • All of East patio is connected now to the inside east fence, so A LOT done! It is so nice to look out from my desk here and NOT SEE WEEDS!  LOL  What I've previously done is still looking pretty good too.
  • Gourds are butternut squash, and so far I have 2-3 fruits.  It's been really dry.  Did get 1 good tomato so far, and 3 yellow squash.  I also have a pepper growing!
  • Had a great visit with the baby brother; yes, we had cheeseburgers and milkshakes!
  • Izzy is so wonderful!  Some behavior issues, but she's not quite fully grown, and coming from the shelter, rules are just different, but we are working on it.  She is a cuddler and such a delight.  She did not like me being gone for the week; the neighborhood kiddos were so good with her, I was so pleased.
New Business:
  • Get my PLA and GR notes taken care of, and the RFP that goes with them
  • Gave myself a raise, we'll see how that works out.  I'm a bit nervous.  Also gave K a raise
  • Probably need to do some weeding at work soon, been trying to stay on top of it too
  • Need to get website updated
  • Need to get in touch with Baby Brother's house manager to coordinate his IAP
  • Need to get my house & business insurance (maybe) switched over
  • Been working on getting old Growing Grounds Case files put into our Google Drive
  • Just keep plugging away and trying to enjoy each day as it comes
  • National Conference in Tampa was amazing!!!

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

False Fall...

 ...last week was full of 70 degree days and gorgeous!  Aaaannnndddd, then on Saturday 90 and oppressively humid! I was able to do some weeding and mulching; felt like I took more breaks than I did work, but, something is better than nothing, right?


Old Business:

  • Still reading Hands Heal
  • Last week was a good chore week, this week is not bad
  • Finished Sirens, started a new book, can't remember the name. Fantasy genre
  • Last week was a good week for work tasks, this week not bad
  • Plugging away on NcBTMB
  • I'm about to take P4S off this list! Ha!
  • Magazines, not too bad.  For some reason, when I hit an MTJ, it takes longer.
  • Memorabilia is DONE! Go me!
  • Garage still needs about a month of time...
  • Guitar, I'm on week 49!!!!
  • Got all of my tasks done for the lawyer on the guardianship
  • Bloodwork still needs done.  It's fasting, so yuck!  I have to do black coffee.. :(
  • The entire east fence is done (inside and out! go me!!!) and I have about a third of around the patio done.  I'm finding that in a lot of places, I'm having to cut deeper into the yard due to things growing.  Not a bad problem.  Trying to keep a better eye over what I've already done and pluck out the stray that pops up.
  • They are gourds growing out of the compost.  So cute!

New Business:
  • Want to get back into scrapping & crafting
  • Have put out job postings at a couple different schools.  Would love to get another therapist
  • Baby brother is coming to spend the weekend - really excited about that
  • Need to fix the sanding booth.  Something happened the last time the door got opened.  Need to try and get it fixed before water delivery day
  • I got a kitty cat!  Her name is Izzy, short for Isabelle - she has first vet visit today
  • Got some new sheets and blankets at work - always energizing!

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Dog Days...

 ...we are full into Summer.  And.... school started back up this week.  NUTZ! We've had alternating hot and muggy and some of it cool and sunny.  Butterfly bushes, Melissa, Salvia, Coneflowers, Daylilies, Garden Phlox are all still in bloom, I love it!  And my fig tree is COVERED!  I can't wait!  But, I don't want it to be fall. Sigh...


Old Business:

  • Working through Hands Heal, and of course I'm learning a lot!
  • Chores are the same, sometimes I get going in a good streak, sometimes not.
  • Same for the work tasks. Good weeks/bad weeks.
  • Still reading Sirens.  Almost done with it though.  It has been interesting.
  • Still working through NCBTMB, same as chores, sometimes good, sometimes bad.
  • P4S bad, sigh.
  • Magazines, pretty good.
  • Pulmonology went well,  I really liked him.  He's ordered some more tests.  I"m starting to think its POTS.
  • Craft table got cleaned off, but still need to do memorabilia.  Dan, 2 months and not done yet.  That's shameful.
  • Garage, same as the rest! LOL But I did get the old electric chippers stripped (yes, parts are still on workbench) but the big parts are gone!
  • Guitar, at like 46? Last update was really cool!  I need to just put it on my schedule!
  • Met with lawyer regarding guardianship and have a couple things I need to do.
  • Had a mini Roudy vacation with the ex & his wife, 023 and her partner 024, and 020.  It was just a weekend and way too short, but better than nothing!
New Business
  • Have to get bloodwork done.
  • Flowerbeds, I have almost the entire outer east side of the fence done.  About 8' to get to the alley.  Then I'm hoping to work around the patio.  So many weeds!  Please tell me it's going to be better next year! I've told myself that each year. Sigh.
  • Zucchini ended up being squash.
  • Not entirely sure they're cukes in the compost.  Nothing has fruited yet, but lots of flowers.  Do have a volunteer gourd growing in one of the front pots.
  • Will be going to Tampa for AMTA NC in September, looking forward to that.

Friday, June 28, 2024

Summertime!

 Well, it is officially summer in the northern hemisphere.  The first week of the equinox was a HOT and HUMID one here. This week has been wonderful with rainy days and cooler temps, but the blast furnace is coming back... Butterfly bushes, Melissa, Salvia, Coneflowers, Daylilies, Garden Phlox are all in bloom.  It is definitely my happy place!

Old Business:

  • Picked up Hands Heal which is a guide for LMTs on insurance work. Yea, I've been doing it for awhile, but thought the book might help smooth out some of the rough edges.
  • Doing OK with chores, but sometimes I get to one that takes more than a day to get done, and find that it then lingers for way too long, and my brain won't let me jump over it to the next one.
  • Have been good at planning small things to do at work to keep some momentum and make sure things are done in a timely fashion.
  • Started reading the Sirens of Titan by Vonnegut. Fascinating!
  • Still doing NCBTMB test prep instead of trail guide
  • P4S still bad
  • Magazines are good.
  • Have my pulmonology consult the end of July.  The really hot/humid days I notice are hard.
  • Finished 020's version of what makes you smile LO, now I need to put away some memorabilia and decide what is next.
  • Garage - definitely ebbs and flows.  I've been working on mulching flower beds (see more below) and got to the spot where I want to put the rainwater tank, so that's out of the garage now. Trying desperately to not put  more in it!  LOL
  • Guitar - I'm at 40 weeks! That is super exciting!  Just wondering when I'm gonna get good at playing! LOL
  • Guardianship still needs to be done, and I have it on my short list to do finally.
New Business:
  • The electric company has been going through doing tree trimming around the power lines, and they have very generously dropped off 3 truckloads of chipped/shredded wood for me! It's a lot! Has come in very handy, and I have managed to get all of the front & east side of the house done, and bits and pieces of other places around the fence as I've been transplanting/planting new. I've done probably close to 40 wagon loads, and you can barely tell!  LOL
  • We had State Education conference and board meeting at the beginning of June.  That was so good and I received an award for my volunteer efforts that I do.  I was so surprised and it still just about makes me want to cry!  So sweet!
  • Stick pile is actually growing now as I've trimmed several bushes, and we've had storms that have knocked more branches down.
  • Baby brother spent another weekend with me, and this time we DID get to ride the lawnmower.  He was super excited and would wave as we were buzzing up and down the yard, just like we were a parade.  It was so cute!  Of course, we also had hamburgers and milkshakes, and went to church.  He's so much fun!
  • Stained the back steps.
  • Found a free desk, older student kind, that I'm going to build up a bit, and put castors on and that will be my saw workbench.  I'm excited to get that project done.
  • Also need to do bench repair.
  • And scrub north facing window frames and paint the ones that didn't get wrapped.
  • And paint the doors.
  • Have zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes planted.  And rhubarb!!! Volunteer cukes in the compost!

Sunday, May 5, 2024

May flowers...

 They are definitely here!  Lilacs, creeping phlox, iris, and allium are all in bloom.  Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, crocus have all passed away.  I even have some salvia being brave and sending up blooms. Peonies are getting ready to open.  This is so my favorite time!


Old Business:

  • Done with Power, did the workbook sections. Nailed down a few things I need to concentrate on and put into practice.  Not sure what I am going to pick next.
  • Chores and downtime were one of those things.  Listened to an interesting podcast from Hidden Brain (SO! recommend it) regarding scarcity and even how that can affect our view of rest and recharge. I am getting more consistent with putting these in my schedule book.  I remember a time when I was in college when it seems like I was better at this.
  • Eleanor is SOOOO good!  It is almost done, and then I will have to decide what to read next.
  • Trail Guide is still iffy.  I had to do another subscription to NCBTMB test prep as in taking the practice tests I realize how much I need to study again!
  • Still bad on P4S
  • Magazines are going pretty good.
  • Health - next step is Pulmonology
  • Finished 023's challenge LO of what makes you smile, working on 020's version
  • Garage - ebbs and flows.  I did get all of my potted plants that I overwintered outside this weekend, and that has helped.  I also finally (!) got around to drilling some drainage holes in the big ones.
  • Guitar is now at 32 weeks!!
  • Still need to do the guardianship stuff
New Business:

  • Have had a couple of nights when I've gotten home from work and been able to do some gardening.  I really like that.  My therapist has encouraged me to do some walking barefoot outside to reconnect my energy and I've loved that.
  • Sticks are picked up each time now.  I had to buy another woodchipper (I went to use the one I bought last August and it worked for 15 minutes and then stopped!) So I got a gas-powered one this time (more environmentally friendly than another electric one that I'll have to throw away??). I was a bit intimidated with it at first, but we are now old friends. I like using it, and we've already chewed up 1/2 of the pile that was behind the shed, plus the ones off the property, plus the ones that I pick up when I go walking.  Dad says he has some at work he's going to bring home for me, so I can't wait! I'm hoping this will help in keeping the weeds a bit more manageable.  I mean, I do enjoy weeding, but I'm getting a little tired of them constantly taking over.
  • Got the oil changed in the mower, and have mowed I think 3 times now. Love it!!
  • I did get 1 bush planted in the new section, as well as transplanting some phlox there. And this weekend planting the Asiatic lilies that were in the garage.
  • Baby brother spent the weekend with me last weekend.  We got to do all the things he wanted to do: eat hamburgers and milkshakes, clean the garage, watch dog shows (I've seen so much Paw Patrol now!), and go to church.  He was totally stoked! 
  • Stained the ramp to the shed
  • Repaired the screens in the house windows - love having the windows open, it smells so good, and boy does the house need airing out after winter!
  • Pastor's wife has helped me on my crochet project, so it is really taking off!
  • Have had a lot of fresh asparagus - yummy!

Monday, April 1, 2024

No Foolin'!

 It is April, and in the typical Birthday Week fashion, rainy and overcast!  LOL but fairly warm. Saturday was gorgeous!  I was down in Richmond, IN at my brother & SIL's for Easter. Got to see my nephew, my aunt, uncle, other brother and his wife, dad, and baby brother. She made a super yummy dinner and we had a great time.  Made sure my baby brother got to ride down with me, as he's always asking.


Old Business:

  1. Almost done with Power.  Into the workbook section, so I think that is going to be interesting.
  2. Chores and downtime, I think I need to start blocking and gating.
  3. Still reading Eleanor.  Starting to get good.
  4. Doing OK with trail guide. I signed up for the 3 month subscription for the NCBTMB test, so I need to get cracking.
  5. Still bad with P4S.
  6. Magazines, doing pretty good.
  7. Stress test and echo are done.  While I do have some mitral and aortic regurgitation, he says he does not feel it is bad enough to cause my symptoms. So, back to the drawing board.  I was thankful for my brother and his wife to come up and go with me to it.
  8. Have not started the next layout yet.
  9. Garage is so-so. Got water inside the last couple times it rained, so that's put a damper on it a bit.  However, did put together the 2 lanterns that were painted, and put the lights in them, and so far, they are staying put on the holders I made for the fence. And lighting up.
  10. Guitar is good, at 28 weeks now.
  11. Need to set up appointment with lawyer and dad to do the co-guardianship.
New Business:

  1. I have been out weeding and edging once or twice a week, just to try and get a little head start.
  2. We've had a couple of good windstorms, so I've also been out picking up sticks a few times instead of waiting until I'm ready to mow.
  3. Going to change the oil in the lawnmower this week.
  4. Maybe going to plant the bushes that I overwintered along the "new" section of the fence so I can start working there.
  5. Probably need to mow the yard this week/weekend. Thinking about maybe pushing it to get the clippings.  Will depend on whether or not it goes to seed before I get there.
Crocus are gone already, but now I have daffodils, bleeding hearts, grape & regular hyacinth, and forsythia. I did see a small nub of asparagus peeking up, the magnolia tree has buds that are almost out, and the lilac is starting to bud out. My hydrangeas are starting to get little green growths around the crowns, and my ligularia are popping up. So excited!

Monday, March 4, 2024

Spring of Deception

 Oh my goodness, it was so nice over the weekend.  I had Friday off to celebrate my Alive Day, and did some inside stuff - guitar, mending, etc. and went over to Encounter Cafe for lunch. So absolutely adorable, and run by 2 of the best humans I know. Saturday I spent some time outside doing some weeding and edging, and am definitely ready to get covered up where we put the fence back, but on the outside of the fence.  It's been a long time coming. Sat out back and had a beer too, first one of the season.  That was so good.  And on Sunday, I got a visit from 020 (got in late Saturday) and we had coffee and cookies, then I cooked a yummy breakfast and lunch. We worked on some homework, took a nice, long (2 mile) walk around town and then had dinner. It was a perfect day!


Old Business:

  1. Still going hard with Power.  Have learned some good things, and also good reinforcement on others.
  2. Chores and downtime are starting to find a good rhythm.  
  3. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is starting to pick up a bit, and starting to enjoy it.  I always have this trouble when I start a new book.
  4. Have done a couple more times of Trail Guide.
  5. Still bad with P4S
  6. Magazines are going great!
  7. Have Stress Test appointment and Echo next week.  Yes, I did have trouble on the walk with the kiddo, but we went slow and that helped. But yea, I can feel it this AM.
  8. Have another LO done, and another one to start on the craft table.  That's pretty exciting.
  9. Been trying to keep the garage cleaner. And I have 2 lanterns to finish up, and 2 more to start.
  10. And guitar is going well, up to 23 weeks!
New Business:

  1. Made it to the lawyer to finish up my will, yea!!! And talked with him about guardianship of my younger brother.  So I think at this point, getting on as co- with my dad would be the correct next step.  We will all talk at Eric's birthday party on the 9th.  022 will be there so we can celebrate 023 with them!! OMG!
  2. Interviewing another therapist for Heart & Soul. So excited about that too! K1 & K2 and I have talked about it a bit, and they are both on board, and excited about the possibilities. It will definitely mean having to use the laundry over at K1's a lot more, but I need to see that as a good thing. K1 has dropped down to working only in the afternoons 1-2 appointments, so using during the day shouldn't be an issue.  And we'll still have ours going, I'm sure.
  3. I'll be staying overnight with my friend again, after he has knee #2 done. Looking forward to catching up.
  4. Now that temps are increasing again (but I'm nobody's fool, I  know it is temporary) I can start thinking of getting back to taking care of the doors.
  5. There is so much outside maintenance to do this year, I'm concerned I won't get the weeding done that I need to do. I need to get to where I am doing one, and then weeding as a reward while it is drying (like painting door and window frames, repairing screens, staining ramp, etc.) None of it is big stuff, just stuff I need to get done.
I'm sure we will have another cold snap again, but I have to admit it really soothes my hear to see all the crocus in bloom, and tulips and daffodils and allium peeking up from the dirt.  And the pussy willows are fuzzy!

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Second Winter

 Well.... we're moving out of false spring into second winter, here in Indiana.  It was nice to see the sun for a few days, both makes it easier and harder to face the cloudy days.  But I also know I'm not quite ready for the spring projects yet as I've not completed the winter projects I thought I'd get done.  Sigh, but it does seem to be a fact of life, only so much energy, and maybe less as you get older.  Or I'm just getting into a bad rut.


Old Business:

  • Still going hard with Power.  Have learned some good things, and also good reinforcement on others.
  • Chores and downtime are starting to find a good rhythm.  
  • Finished Dust.  Dang it!  LOL  The whole series is so good!  Started Eleanor Oliphant is Just Fine.  Quirky, recommended by my fellow ND cousin.  And the main character is ND, and told from first person voice, which I find odd after so many from third person.  LOL
  • Fell off the trail for Trail Guide, but I'll get back to it.
  • Still bad with P4S
  • Magazines are going great!
  • Walking now even seems exertional.  Have had about 3 weeks now of palpitations. Went to cardiac consult, he does not seem concerned, however, he did order a stress test and echo, so we are awaiting prior approval.
  • I have kept scrap table cleaned off, but need to do another layout.  I'm finding it difficult to gain momentum and keep it going.
  • Have worked a bit out in the garage, have a lantern project going for my outdoor lights, as a way to maybe keep them lasting longer.
  • And guitar is going well, up to 21 weeks!

New Business:

  • Second verse, same as the first!  LOL
  • Trying to lean into 020's strategy of "done quickly or badly beats not being done at all".  Maybe just quickly/best effort at the time, as opposed to badly...

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Janus Coin

 I think I spend most of my time looking both back in time and forward in time. I've really been trying lately to just focus on NOW. Easier said than done, but I know the more times I catch myself, and tell myself the easier it will become, and the more I will do it.  The brain is absolutely amazing like that!


Old Business:

  • Still reading Power.  At the time, just reading a page or two doesn't seem like it does much, but I'm 2/3 done with it doing this. Just over breakfast.
  • Still getting more consistent with chores and downtime. Been really tired lately, so I've had to pay more attention to that. But trying to be more intentional, and use the same theory as the book - small steps still add up. Even if it is just one baby step a day.
  • Dust is soooo good.  Also about 2/3 through it. Obviously, I read more of it.
  • Back to the Trail Guide again. And, again, it's just knowing that even if I take a break, I will get back to it, and that is OK.
  • Haven't been able to do that with P4S, sigh.
  • Magazines are going well. Laughed at myself that I'm only 10 years behind now.
  • Mostly walking. Did try running last weekend, and that went well, except I had a few cardiac events afterwards.  Have had to shovel several times, and have to be careful there too, as the next day the heart gets funny.  Have a cardiac appointment on 2/8 and have some notes and pictures to take with me.
  • Since the craft table is cleaned off, I actually scrapped a layout last weekend!  Go me!  It felt good.
  • All garage activity has been suspended due to the negative temps.
  • Been doing pretty good still with guitar.  I'm up to 19 weeks, which is my longest.  Just trying to have fun with it.
New Business:
  • Same as before...Just find a flow/rhythm that works for me.

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Happy 2024!

 Can you believe it is 2024 already?  I still remember December of 1999 when the whole tech industry thought the world was going to come crashing to a halt due to Y2K.  Ended up being a nothing burger!  I wonder if 2999 will be the same way?!

Old Business:

  • Still reading Power. Getting more consistent with scheduling chores and downtime, and definitely still a process!  How do you neurotypical people do it!?  It can be so exhausting.
  • Finished Shift, and now reading the final book, Dust.  I don't want it to end!!!
  • Trail Guide has been shaky!  020 was up for Christmas, and well, that was more important.
  • Still failing at P4S
  • Magazines, doing really well.
  • Walking/Running, not so good, but working at it.
  • Craft table is DDDDOOOOONNNNEEE!  Cleaned off memorabilia that was a year old!  Sheesh!
  • I did spray paint all the "new" wicker furniture.  Way too many cans, it was so thirsty. But it is now out of the garage, and packed up in the shed.  Need to figure out better storage for them.
  • I even collected all the landscape lights, fixed a few, and got rid of too many that I could not fix. Gadget was right, I just need to take better care of them.  I've purchased (actually donut dude did, but that is a long story) a bunch of lanterns from flea markets, and I've got an idea to use them in there, and hang from the fence.  I think that it will look prettier, and keep them nicer/safer from weather.
  • Pies are done, and they were soooo yummy!
  • Chiro and therapy scheduled out for Q1 and part of Q2
  • Curtains in the mending pile
  • Guitar going great!
New Business:
  • Keep plugging along! LOL
  • Trying to figure out a better management system for all the different areas of my life.
  • Try to stretch and build my executive function muscles.
  • Just be more consistent, and try to figure out how to not get overwhelmed so much.