Lesson Learned

I learned something very important today.

I’m on Day 2 of a major cleanup/organizing my studio/office. There will be a Day 3 with perhaps a Day 4. I knew it wouldn’t be One and done. I didn’t expect 3 days. Why? I have chronic back pain, and it is getting me back in spades. You’d think I’d learn.

I’m not supposed to lift anything over ten pounds. Have you seen the old printer I moved from the Babe’s office into mine? Have you seen the backpacks full of books about writing I need to sort and shelve? They will live on a corner shelf and a small library cart I need to put together. Not a problem. I need to sort through all the sewing projects collected on the sewing machine cabinet. Re-homing in the basement studio is in store for them. Some special projects will stay upstairs. All else will also go to the basement studio. That will also be reorganized, but that is for June, July, and August. Hopefully, the three tall book cases will be assembled by then.

Yes, I lifted over 10 pounds. Two days in a row. We also picked up groceries. They were heavy, too. I will probably do that until I absolutely cannot. That means I’ll have pain. I usually do. This is nothing new. I also know waiting for the Babe to get home and he is often too tired to do those things. We’re both aging. While logically, we know that, we still fight the idea. I’ve had restrictions for 25 years. Sometime I can test them; lately it’s not such a great idea.

We took care of a necessity on the way home. We stopped at Baskin Robbins and the Babe ad I each had iced cream. What a treat! That’s probably my last food for the day. It’s nearly 5 p.m. and we’re going to stay home and have a relaxing evening. Hope you do, too! And I hope there’s ice cream in your future. Take care. See you tomorrow!

Sum Sunday

I think Sunday is a great day of the week for reflecting. I’m doing some of that after the Babe and I cleaned the upstairs of the house today. Whew! I was spoiled by paying someone to do this the past three years. I wish she hadn’t quit, and I’ll probably get some help later, but for now, it’s just the Babe and me.

It doesn’t smell as fresh probably because we’re the ones cleaning. Before, we’d go downstairs while they cleaned upstairs. Then we switched while they did the downstairs. Coming upstairs we could smell the freshness from their cleaning products. It was worth what we paid. I can especially see that now. But not now. I just think it we did a little something each day, it wouldn’t get out of hand. Decluttering is what we need to do. We will be doing it now on a regular basis. I’m terrible at filing stuff when I’m done with it. That will change this week. And it felt good to go through my t-shirts and put the ones I no longer loved into the bag for female homeless veterans. I hope someone finds them fun to wear.

It is tragic to stagnate, to never grow.

I love to learn new things. It’s much easier to set about doing it alone, though. If you don’t quite get it, or it turns out you’re not very good at it, you can keep it to yourself. No one will know you quit. But you will know. That is worse than everyone else knowing. So there is a risk in writing a book for the first time, for having an art show the first time, or doing anything for the first time. Having a group of people who know what you are doing keeps you honest, and gives you a little more reason to succeed.

I finished writing scenes and points for them for 37 chapters in my book. Take heart, some chapters are only one or two pages long. It will take a little critical thinking on my part to rearrange these chapters for a better flowing timeline. We will see. It is shaping up. We’ll see how my zoom meeting goes tomorrow with Sam, my book coach.

It is currently is 94 degrees with a lot of wind and humidity. We are about melting. We did major cleaning so far, and are taking it easy for awhile. a nap wouldn’t hurt my feelings too much, but it’s probably too late for that. It is mighty tempting, though. I think I’ll have Gavin tomorrow for awhile, so we will see. He hasn’t seen Goldie in awhile, so I think he’ll be outside a bit with her. It’s nice to be able to think of making plans again. To do normal things again. To enjoy our family again. It’s been a long time coming.

I’m excited to talk with my book coach Sam tomorrow. It should give me a good push towards finishing what I need to do. Hopefully it will be a productive conversation, they usually are. In the meantime, thank you for reading today. I deeply appreciate it. I will be here again tomorrow, and hope you are, too. Take care! Wash your hands. Cover your cough. Be safe.

Being led is much better than being pushed.

Clean Sweep Tuesday

Oh gosh, it’s pretty late in the day to be writing my blog. Sorry to be so late! It’s been a pretty busy day.

So, our cleaning lady has quit, she got a job where she can have benefits, and I don’t blame her. We had two people offer their person since they are looking for more houses to do. We turned them down for now, the Babe says we should be able to do it ourselves. Wow. Haven’t cleaned much in the past nearly four years! I may need retraining! So, first thing this morning, I emptied the cleaning pantry, where I kept the extra things and cleaning supplies we moved here from the old house.

WOW! I’m ready for a lot of cleaning, looks like

OK, the Babe took the kitchen, bath, office and studio. He even dusts, have I told you that? What a guy. While I was vacuuming the bedroom, I thanked his sweet Mom in heaven for raising her sons to know how to take care of themselves. They learned because she worked, and they had to earn their keep. The boys babysat for the girls when they were born, so the Babe is even good with feeding babies and changing diapers – all kinds – yes, he does. Too bad I didn’t know him sooner, but that’s another story.

So, it took me a long time to do some rearranging in the dresser, and the bedroom before I finished. We had lunch and I worked out some things for the book coach I’m checking in with tomorrow, and here we are. Sigh. Time just goes so quickly! It’s time for dinner and to regroup for the evening. It’ll be indoors again, the rain has been off and on all day. Goldie was napping most of that time, good thing. She has quite an active voice when she communicates what she wants. And loud. She’s not a passive wallflower, that’s for sure. Too much fun.

I need to cut this short, need to get the Chicken Alfredo leftovers going. I love leftovers at the end of a busy day. It’s still good food, but no fussing over it. Thank you for reading, and for reading yesterday, too. I appreciate the time you spend with me. I’ll be here tomorrow, too. Hope to see you then! Stay safe. Stay home. Stay connected. Socially distance as you venture out for necessities. We’re not over this yet. It’ll be awhile. Blessings until tomorrow!

Bears Repeating!