Busy Analyzing My Mood

Hard to say what is going on with me BUT I think I've turned on a switch in the brain that has something to do with motivation. I'm feeling revitalized and ready to tackle the work to get myself organized and functioning like a Better Homes and Garden household. There's still an incredible list of things to do to get there but perhaps I am finally ready to knuckle down and get it all done.

It's all the little things that pile up to overwhelm me. I am taking them one at a time and making progress today. In addition to bringing somethings upstairs and putting them away I have started 2 loads of laundry and the next item on my list is to vacuum the stairway and the downstairs.

Lunch was leftovers, low calorie and healthful, well balanced. Dinner is planned so now all I need is to do the banking and a bit of shopping then get back to the moving stuff around.

Found a gold silk chinese lantern at All Under Heaven. Great price and perfect for the bedroom. Another thing off the list.

Already Past the Hump

I think it has been a good week so far. Yesterday I was particulary tired and indulged in lots of down time, both a morning and an afternoon nap. As a result I was up past 11 p.m. and actually accomplishing minor organizational tasks to satisfy at least one need.

Today I've spent more morning time on the PC but have had a good catch up chat with Peggy. Washington is burning up in terms of their current daytime temps. I am so happy to be here where I have to wear sleeves most of the day.

Today I look into structured activities for old people. Specifically I join OLLI and sign up for some classes. I also need to setup the DVD and get started with the Kick Butt DVD that Rodale Press sent to me.

New Approach to the Day

OK, so I checked the email and touched base with Peggy on the Messenger but now for something a little different. I will set the timer for 45 minute intervals. That is 45 minutes of productive work, 15 minutes to check the PC. Hopefully that will get me up and moving around a bit. I'll comment later on my success or lack thereof.

Saw the dietician today. She says continue with what I am doing. I now record a 4 pound weight loss in just 4 weeks. That is the rate at which I hope to regain my youth and vigor and the figure to go with it. She does emphasize activity level and I haven't yet dealt with that. I need some exercise classes or a daily walk or two.

Accu Check delivered the replacement test strips just in time for the afternoon blood sugar check. 106 after lunch.

Light Duty - Almost a Day of Rest

Prepare the front door for weather stripping
Dust the window sills and wash the downstairs windows inside and out
Wipe down the frame of the slider before washing the window
Vacuum upstairs and down and damp mop the floors
Take out the trash and breakdown some cardboard for recycling√

Pantry Shelves are done for the time being.√
This is the current configuration. Now I need to organize them for most effective use of resources. I am actually considering adding a third level giving me an additional 7 feet of storage. I'll have to think it over though to make sure it's the best use of my upgrade budget.

Took a few moments to resolve a problem with testing strips. I am very impressed with Accu Check Customer Service.

Continue on with the Simplification Theme

Managed to get a few things accomplished yesterday but not as far as I want to be yet. Today I need to get ready for a trip downtown for errands. 2 parts and I can finish off the pantry shelves. That seems to be one overriding goal. The other is to revamp the PC setup in the corner of the bedroom. If I keep this distraction in here it has got to be organized and attractive rather than the mass of paper and things stacked everywhere.

A few things to do today

1. Clear the living room of all boxes that can go elsewhere
2. Open the Picture Boxes and start hanging pictures
3. Move the Pine Armoire into the Master Bedroom and get it organized

Action Plan

1. Mollie Bolts behind all shelf standards
2. Finish putting up the pantry shelves
3. General straightening up

Living in my Cardboard Jungle

Took a long look this afternoon at the state of the living room and dining room and decided I need to dedicate a few days to getting the place in order. I should just go ahead and deal with what needs to be done here. The upstairs is fairly tranquil and organized the way I'd like but I purposely have not dealt with the downstairs and it is getting to me.

Redwood Empire Quilt Show

Perhaps this is what I need to dredge up some interest again in Quilting. I don't think I've touched my sewing machine in 3 years.

Got the medicine cabinet up and organized.

Another Productive??? Day

I drifted through the day yesterday, relaxed and having fun processing pictures. Didn't get anything accomplished at all. Today I MUST go shopping for a few food items. While out I will get the remaining supplies needed for the pantry/laundry room shelving project. I want to see evidence that I will live comfortably here in my chosen space. A cardboard jungle is no place for a proud woman.

I just used the CLR to remove a 'rust' stain from the downstairs bathroom basin. I am amazed at how effective it is as a cleaning product. Brought it upstairs to tackle the tub and tub surround. My initial experience with it is impressive. If I can get this bathroom in tip top shape my life will be vastly improved.

Might as well..

Let's just follow Monday's Plan. It was a good one and it didn't get done.

What'll It Be Today?

The plan is to focus on the Master Bedroom, getting enough done to make me feel organized upstairs.
1. finish the shelving project
2. unpack the 4 remaining boxes
3. attach the 'headboard' to the wall
4. pay the bills

A Memorable Day

51 years ago today I married Karin's father and started off on a family life that lasted several years. 4 years ago today Frank Shriver took his last breath. I will meditate on that a bit today as I go about my routine.

I have no more excuses. I picked up the Lancet Drums from Walgreens and now I am fully operational in terms of measuring my blood sugar. I'm also the 2nd day on Nutritional Supplements that might ward off the creep toward full blown Diabetes.

Walked the dogs along the Public Marina in Eureka and spotted a photogenic scene for later photo ops.

Now it's organization of the bedroom shelves.

Getting a Slow Start

I've had breakfast, planned the day's meals, updated the PC and made sure the dogs are fed and had their R & R. I need to run a few errands today then finish off the pantry area in the Laundry Room and tackle another small repair project that I can easily handle alone. There is still a lot to do here and much of it needs assistance of one sort or another. I'll report back after the fact on today's progress.

Walgreen's gave me the strips and lancets I need for testing at no charge! I saved 20 cents a gallon on gas by filling up at Costco and found the nutritional supplements I wanted at GNC. Wrote off the other errands. I can always do it tomorrow and that will give me another excuse to go out.

Good Plans are not Always Followed

I had good intentions but as the day wore on my plans just seemed to fall apart. Slept in again today and I'm not sure why I felt the need to do so. Planned to get some errands done in Eureka but as noon rolled around my plans got set aside and I focused instead on doing a few maintenance/upgrade type projects. Finally getting around to those shelves in the laundry room/pantry area. Don't know why I am dragging my feet except that it is a challenge because I haven't really done it before. I found one wood veneer 12" by 48" shelf to test in that spot. If it looks as good as I think it will then the area will have a professional aspect to it matching with the wood laminate. The shelves will be located high enough that there will be room for cabinets beneath them should I choose to finish it off that way.

So, I will just have to go to Eureka tomorrow morning instead, perhaps after stopping at Arcata's Farmer's Market/

I feel a lazy day coming on. Woke up at 6 a.m. but was back in bed at 7 and slept until 9. Feel as if I'm moving in a haze this morning. Maybe some errands are in order or more shelf hanging. I'd like to extend the shelving in the bedroom and I haven't worked on the pantry shelves yet Getting those up would be a definite benefit.

Hand and Wrist Warmers

One down another on the needles. These are my solution to the arthritic hands. Warmth seems to help. There are a lot of knitted patterns available for fingerless gloves at varying degrees of difficulty. There's even a commercially available product, WRISTIES®, made of Polar Fleece that comes highly recommended and is a lot more economical than those offered in the local drugstore.

Bedroom Shelves

A quick peak at the under the window shelves I put up in my bedroom. Most likely there will be a 3rd shelf. This is the unfinished, unarranged look. I'll update the pic when I'm done.

And yes, I watched the Michael Jackson Memorial in its entirety. IMHO his fame and talent warranted the time spent. Now, if Palin and Sanford would just disappear...

New Tripod Ball Head

I have never really been happy with the Gitzo Pan and Tilt Ball Head. It was very expensive back in the 80s and I've used that expense to justify lugging around a heavy, clunky hard to use tripod. The final straw was misplacing the screw required to attach the camera to the Tripod Head. I went online at Adorama and found what I hope will be the perfect solution. It's a lightweight Magnesium Tripod Ball Head with a Quick Release Plate. I will leave the plate on the camera. I even bought an extra plate for the Fuji so that both cameras will be tripod ready at all times. It looks as if it pans but there is no lever so I'm not sure it will be as handy as I'd hoped. We'll soon see.

Perspective Analysis

...Financial plan for the month needs to be considered
...Set some spending goals for maintenance
1. guest bathroom plumbing repairs
2. lighting for master bedroom and bathroom
3. railing for stairway
4. siding repairs
5. window replacement
...Get the planned shelves up and organized for both the kitchen and the bedroom
...Find a pattern for 'wristies' and begin a pair
...Take the dogs for a walk on the beach

Happy 4th of July

No particular plans set for my day.

Without a plan nothing to speak of happened.

Amber invited me over for conversation and waffles at the end of the day. I made good progress on my new diet. Other than the waffle I made no deviations from the plan. I would describe myself as highly motivated on this.

Medical Day

Have an appointment to pickup a Glucometer, evaluated the pros and cons and dismissed the idea of checking my blood sugar. I went on to consult with a Dietician. I really enjoyed the session with her. Congruent thoughts about nutrition and a great plan for moving forward that will NOT be a huge change for me. Goal is steady weight loss with carbs limited to 30 grams/meal. No calorie counting at present.

I thought about driving to SF for the weekend. I wouldn't be able to leave until late afternoon and that puts me directly into 4th of July weekend traffic which is a BAD idea. I might be able to console Karin which is a GOOD idea and get some great fireworks shots. Karin released me from any obligation I might feel to be there while she is hurting with legitimate concerns about dog issues.

This year I will settle for Eureka Waterfront Fireworks if I can manage it without a functioning tripod.

Tidy Up the Loose Ends

Nothing planned got done.

Read on Facebook that Karin crashed her bike and got 7 stitches in her chin. Too far away to hug her and to comfort her.

The Good News

Money in the bank, up to date on projects, moving forward with health issues.