PRODUCTIVE WEEK-END

I had a very productive week-end.  Very productive.  That's a great way to be when after so much of what I'd call down time has taken place.  August 1st arrived with a little cooler temperature, but heavy on the humidity.  This week it's predicted to be somewhat cooler than in the 90s.  Perfect weather to plow up ground for future flower beds over at the COTTAGE across the river.  

Determined to make headway on going through a multitude of storage boxes at the COTTAGE. Also Upstairs in what I call the Victorian room, I sorted through things I cleared out of the linen closet that isn't used for linens.  A huge assortment of grooming supplies and odds 'n ins.  I started gathering the items that have not been used for about a year and placing them in a big plastic bag that once held a blanket or bedspread, that I'll turn loose of.

I have some older bedsheets and pillowcases that I will find a different home for them.  It is alright to have a couple of spares on hand.  AND I do.  So I need to thin out these oldies.  My mind races as to how did I ever get so disorganized and behind.  BOLDLY BEHIND.  Then I have to remind myself that it hasn't been too many months ago that I could not walk because of my feet aching so or stand more than 10 minutes due to back pain that flared up.

I feel like I have been spinning my wheels and now I need and want to do something else like sew a quilt, write a book, take a walk, garden, paint.  

Everyday I need to make huge progress on tidying up this house, going through our belongings and figure out what I need to accomplish fixing up the COTTAGE.  Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to empty several big boxes making a dent in the Master Bedroom.  Pitching some of the stuff and making a pile to take to GOODWILL.  Off I went to drop off a donation.

That felt good.

I feel an urgency in my spirit to make quick work about this.  Life is too short to be in limbo.  So the stuff is going away and I have peace about this.  Quickly.  Get.  This.  Done.  

Yesterday, I didn't go to church.  Instead I stayed HOME and meditated on scripture.  This gave me peace.  I worked on thinning out the papers in baskets beside my recliner.  It amazes me how quickly this area becomes a messy mess.  I made headway!  Have a couple more hours of work to do on this.  

Having papers filed and not having so much paper has to be a reality.

The upstairs bathroom was tweaked a little along with the Victorian room.  The messes took over and I let it happen.  I could hang my head in shame, but what good would that do?  The past is the past...the present is a present we can give ourselves.  The future holds the unknown.  With less clutter about me, I will feel better. 

I watched some more videos about the KonMari Method.  I believe I will continue to fold t-shirts and jeans, maybe fold some socks the KonMari Way.  Being super neat has it's benefits, but I don't think I will thank the house for protecting me.  I will THANK GOD for that and not an object like a house.  If I KonMari the entire house, I'd have a very nice set-up.  Using all the space as best as possible, the COTTAGE will require this as it is extremely tiny.

I am doing a lot of thinking about what to turn loose of and what to put in the COTTAGE.  After my favorite cousin died, I believe I need to work quicker than I have to getting the COTTAGE fixed up, doing repairs on our big house and get use to idea of having much order, disposing of old papers, downsize my wardrobe, have order, order, order to make a comfortable living space for two adults in their 60s heading toward 70, Lord willing.  Denice's death has seriously affected me.  I knew I needed to thin much out, but now I know I must do so.  

I played a game of checkers with my hubby.  It was a close game, but I won!  I got a kick out of that.  We haven't played checkers or other board games in like... forever.  It was actually fun.

A load of bluejeans were washed and hung to dry outside.  Tomorrow I will try to get a couple of loads done as well.  

This evening, I will need to return upstairs and work some more in Victorian room so I continue to make progress.  Earlier my back  started to ache and that wasn't expected.  It has been doing better.  Maybe I just overdid it this weekend.

Time was spent studying up on decorating small victorian bathrooms so I can get some more ideas about colors and textures for our small bathroom.  Trying to make it as functional and pretty as I can.  The small walk in closet, I believe I just about have it figured out.  When we downsize to the cottage, I will not be using all three bedroom sets.  

Our Master bedroom has a Tallboy/Highboy that we bought at a thrift store a couple of years ago.  It was in rough shape as the legs needed serious repairs to it.  My talented Husband repaired it.  I hate to put it in storage or sell it so I came up with the idea to place it in the walk in closet.  I believe it will fit and become a very useful piece of furniture once again.  I have a general idea how I want the closet to look and function. 

We have been visiting about our future flower beds at the COTTAGE.  This week I hope the backyard will be worked on preparing for the Irises new location.  Hubby has drawn up some plans and I think he has a great plan for our future.

This week is the start of AUGUST 2021.  My plans are to reduce another 10 pounds.  A goal that I pray I achieve.  This week I will be having labs done to see where I am at with my A1c.  I have presently lost 29 pounds since April when I weighed a whopping **4 pounds.  I have deliberately been dieting all 4 months.  So when I step on the doctor's scales I am so hoping to have lost 30 pounds or more.

I have been following the GRAPEFRUIT DIET or the vintage Mayo Clinic Diet.  The newer modified Mayo Clinic Diet is a lot like Weight Watchers.  I'm making my way to finishing this first round of 12 days on and 2 days off.  When I hit the end of the 12th day and have 2 days off...I hope to not go hog wild thinking I can eat EVERYTHING and ANYTHING I WANT.  

I will have a couple of fruit smoothies, a chocolate chip cookie, and some popcorn!  That will be my splurge before beginning round two of 12 days on.  I'm not missing the bread, the coffee, the tea, or soda.  That seems like a huge accomplishment to me.  I do miss eating all the vegetables I want, and some fruit.  Sugar-free candy calls my name every once in a while.  Even with it being sugar-free, it has calories that I don't need.  umpf.  After round two, I will be close to half over toward the two and a half months of doing this food program.

SO August's goals are to continue with weight reduction.  (Go to Doctor's office and get weighed.  Have labs done.)

Paint the Dining room...this is a broken record.

Empty a multitude of storage boxes.

Donate to charities.

Celebrate my 47th Wedding Anniversary.

Five biggies.

HAPPY AUGUST!

d

   

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