Good Morning!
We've had some beautiful, chilly fall days...
..but it doesn't look like either of these blue sky days today.
Dark, gray, and 49 degrees today with occasional drizzle.
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The stuffed up head and I have apparently established a close and abiding relationship. Less intrusive and more compatible now, at least.
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Caroline came to clean on Tuesday. She helped me haul in the winter clothes bins from the garage. That time of year, for sure. I was wishing I had my layers and sweatshirts--LOL!
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I've been working on the studio all week. Made my way around to the other side of the table and started on the small wall shelves and hanging cups.
I didn't make it to wiping down all the punches and punch racks above, though.
Nor the top of the big shelf wall unit.
I ran out of steam after cleaning off every shelf, tub, bottle, tube, and jar...
..but I finished the fifteen shelves!
Whoohoo!!
In reorganizing I even have one empty tub at the moment. You know that won't be empty for long--hehe!
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I just started making one of the bookcase shelves to the left of the table into a calligraphy and brush lettering shelf for those classes I want to dive into this winter.
When I finish on the walls this bottom corner is next. The shelf under the wall unit, the taboret, the cherry wood cabinet, and the assorted equipment stashed in-between them on the floor.
Which means I am getting closer to the final two bookcases! Of course I still have the tall stamp cabinet I skipped in the first place, the closet, the hallway, and parts of my bedroom...but--hey--you should celebrate each step getting completed, right? :)
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The tables aren't too bad right now. This is mostly stuff from the top of the taboret here on the window table...
...and most of the stuff piled on the small table is empty containers.
So I am very happy with my snail progress. :)
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I spent all day Friday switching the summer and winter clothes. Six loads washed, the three bins ready to go back out to the garage, and everything sorted. Done and dusted. (I watch a lot of British TV--LOL!)
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There's no reason I should have this many clothes and every year I think I should purge...but it's enough work just cleaning and hanging and putting things away. To purge I have to try things on. I get stuff moved and then forget about it. This year I started a donation bag with a couple of things I knew I'd never wear again. One--a pretty black dressy sweater I wore to the 25th class reunion...with shoulder pads...and we just had our 50th--ROFL! Okay--time to go. See what I mean?
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Do any of you have clothes you have hung on to for way too long? Items that are just a bit too small you think you will fit into again...but haven't for the last decade? Or something you bought but it just never fit quite right after it was washed but you hang onto it hoping it will miraculously alter itself in your closet somehow? Well, I am finally going to gradually do some trying on of clothing this winter so I can purge and fill the donation bag. Hopefully continue on next summer, too, after the seasonal switch back. :)
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Had Gramma Day yesterday. Ian came over after a birthday party (with glow sticks) and we worked on the patio. I cut the coleus branches and Ian smashed them into the garbage bag. The big ones in the front with all the lavender flowers oozed out purple juice all over us--LOL! I swept the patio, watered the planters, and Ian put out a cup of bird seed.
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(The purple juice did wash off with some scrubbing.)
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Wouldn't you know it! The first time I remember to take pictures and the camera wouldn't work on my cell phone. Black screen that said something about the camera not connecting or something like that. I kept trying. No luck.
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Of course--late last night I thought of restarting my cell phone. I know. Dagan and Leah would be shaking their heads right now. The computer generation thinks of this right off the bat. I know. I know. *sigh*
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Yes, it worked after that and I was able to get some pictures of the planters this morning, at least.
They look pretty naked!
More whole marigold plants have turned brown.
I tried to leave coleus stumps.
The geraniums are totally shocked to see the light of day--LOL!
Won't be much more time for any of them, really, but they will not blow over anymore...and I will be able to see my solar lights at night now. ;)
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Anyways, Ian and I hauled out three bags to the dumpster on my little cart. He loves to get a ride back inside. We planted some catnip seed and some cat grass seed for Annie. And then--well, this is how it went...
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I used a tool from the studio (a small spoon) to gather the tiny specks of catnip seed...Ian wanted to see where I got the strange tiny spoon from...so we were then in the studio and I was telling him all I had finished cleaning on Saturday. When I said I hadn't gotten the punch racks yet...what are punches, he asked. Next thing you know Ian was punching out little flowers out of paper scraps...and we decided to gather them all up and put them in a little bag for Mama and write her a note to cheer her up.
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Leah is now dealing with sciatica the past couple weeks. Dagan told me when he dropped Ian off. She never said anything! Back pain and down one leg--hurts sitting, standing, walking, lying down--anyone who has had it knows how painful it is. And she has to haul Liam around--and he's heavy! :(
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Ian punched and punched with two little flower punches for over an hour. Made her a "paper flower bouquet". He had dinner here and then punched some more until he had to leave. I wrote down what he wanted to say--that she get better soon and everything we did all day--and tucked it into the bag. Daddy came to pick him up about 6pm.
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Today it hurts to get up out of a chair--LOL! R&R day--rest and recovery is definitely on the agenda...maybe for a couple of days. But it has been such a great week...and productive. You don't mind being laid up for a while when you can gaze upon some accomplishments, you know? ;)
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Till next week...enjoy the change of season, whichever that is for you. :) :)
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"When the waves close over me, I dive down to fish for pearls."
Masha Kaleko
15 comments:
You have everything so well organized! I have gotten out some seasonal clothes and put away my summer stuff except for a few pair of shorts. We're still getting highs in the 80s. I've been trying to get rid of clothes as I realize I won't ever wear it again or when I realize it's really too worn even just for lounge-wear lol I get rid of anything that doesn't fit if I put it on and it doesn't fit. Right then lol Your patio planters look ready for fall. I like having plants outside as long as possible. I hope Leah finds a way to deal with the sciatica and that maybe those stretches and positions I see recommended online help her. :( You've accomplished a lot and enjoyed sweet family time. Rest and solitude are important, too, so you've got it all covered!
Glad to see you had Gramma Day again!! When you finish cleaning & reorganizing, do you start all over again?
You have more fluid acrylics than I. I thought I had a lot. And I see you also have an ATG. I wish I had the money to afford one, but it's more than my yearly budget of $60.00 allows. I've heard they are fabulous and I bet you love yours.
I adore your lovely patio planters. They are beautiful.
I don't have many clothes, so I don't have any that don't fit. I guess NONE fit, since they have all been given to me by friends bigger than me, but I like loose anyway. I'm so lucky I have two large closets. I used to trade my summer and winter clothes, but I've gotten lazy over the years and leave both closets intact. Winter clothes are in the office, where I hang out most of the winter, anyway, and I don't have that many summer clothes anymore, so they stay in my bedroom. I think it's wise to get rid of things you can't wear, and they can go to someone who truly needs them. And the new owner can get rid of the shoulder pads (grin)!
Take care of yourself and don't overdo things. Rest will have you feeling good again soon, I bet.
I see some of your Gerbera Daisy too! My fav color for flowers! Punches are great for keeping little ones busy! Yes I got rid of some clothing with holes in my closet...my favorite lawn mowing shirt had a hole in it...and some others went to the garage sale. I made a little more room in my closet...I have enough space for summer and winter all in the same closet!
Thanks for the good thoughts about Chance, he is worse today...so sad to see him failing. :(
Another great Grandma and Ian day - he has such fun with your jobs for the day and a new (punches) way to make flowers. Your flowers say fall has arrived. Hope Leah's sciatica pain gets less and less painful.
Huge amount of cleaning and organization accomplished by you this week. Everything can be seen when you want whatever 'it' is. Nice to have your summer/winter clothes switched too. If I am finished with something (doesn't fit, no longer enjoy etc) I donate if possible.
I was doing a 'turn out' of stuff - boxes and many more boxes and totes and bags of stuff - and with helpers, brought it all up from the basement and filled the kitchen and living room. BIG MISTAKE. It has taken me almost 3 weeks to slowly and painfully move the stuff back downstairs. I have a winter project planned - pick a bag or a box and deal with the contents (donate, put away, throw away etc). When box/tote is empty the container leaves (recycling cardboard, totes folded etc.). Repeat. No rush, just one at a time. Hope I really do that.
Rest and recover after all you great organization work Rita. Looking forward to visiting again next Monday.
Hugs.
Joy
I am good at cleaning out clothes BUT I am also good at hanging on to some things for sentimental reasons. I need to bring the in warmer clothes from the attic too. It's great to fall cool-finally. And wow, you studio is looking great Rita. What a great work space you have. Hugs-Erika
comment to get comments. ;)
49 degrees??? Wow, autumn has really arrived in your neck of the woods. Last week it was near 90 degrees here in TN but the heat didn't last long. Yesterday was 70 and raining.
Your neat, well-organized shelves look wonderful!!
You are certainly industrious, until you overdo it and then have to recover, Rita. Ian takes after Gramma, it seems. And yes, I purge my closet every once in awhile and take the clothes to Good Will. :-)
Ian is so adorable and I can imagine the joy you have when he is around, I would love to be as organised as your are but I am more organised then the rest of my siblings
Liam is such a creative and helpful little guy! I am sorry for Leah and hope that she can get the sciatica fixed. I've never had it but those that do tell me it is really painful. I am impressed that you managed to clean all those jars and bottles with your condition. It's the kind of task I always mean to do and never manage to!
Nice cloud pics! Our days have been overcast here and there with the threat of rain that never comes. We need rain so hopefully today.
WOW...that was a lot of wiping down and organising. I would have been exhausted myself.
I used to hang onto my skinnier clothes thinking that, one day, I would wear them again but then — after leaning more towards minimalism, I purged pretty much all of them. I figure if I get that skinny again, I will treat myself to new clothes.
Oh yes, our first thought when we have digital issues is to shut down and restart — it usually does the trick.
The planters look nice after their trim-back. I'm sure the geraniums are thanking you.
OH NO, poor Leah! You and I both know Sciatica pain can be crippling. Leah is a saint dealing with that and still doing her Mum duties. I do hope it eases off soon for her.
I knew you would be hurting the following day after all the things you did. Same happens with me all the time. Rest and recovery — definintely! Take care, my friend.
Love and hugs xo
I've kept some clothes from the '70s because I have fond memories of them. But they aren't taking up room in my closet. Some are in my cedar chest and some are in garment bags in my very large coat closet. I cleaned out my closet early in the summer and gave away scads of shoes and clothes. My closet looks so nice. Poor Leah. Sciatica is awful. Your flowers are beautiful.
Love,
Janie
I purge all the time. Even more so now that I've discovered the joy of thrifting. No need to hold on to anything I don't like anymore when I can find something I do like for just $5 - LOL! Happy to hear you're spending a lot of one-on-one with Ian. Good for you and good for him :)
I hurt today too. I'm trying to sit up long enough to write you a letter. It's been a long rough spot.
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