The day started out with a phone call from my half-sister, with the news of our brother's death. He had died of complications following his stroke. While we mourn his death, we draw comfort from the knowledge that he is no longer experiencing pain and suffering. Life is transient; when the time comes, we must all go.
In the meantime, life goes on. I had taken the day off from work because it was daughter's last day at home and she was leaving later in the afternoon. She requested waffles for breakfast and I made a batch of waffles. We spent a quiet, restful morning and she finalized her packing. I gave her a package of frozen cooked honey sesame chicken and a package of frozen spicy coconut sambol to take back, with her. She won't need to cook any curries for the rest of the week, just some rice to go with what I gave her.
In the afternoon, I dropped her off at the airport and then, went to Petco for another container of flea spray for carpets and upholstery. A 24-fl.oz. container was $19.99 and, with tax, it came to $21.86.
After I came home, I sprayed the living room sofas with the new flea spray, did a load of laundry, cleaned the fridge, washed the dishes, and put water to the front garden. My neighbors on either side were also outside, cleaning their gardens and taking their trash cans out for trash collection in the morning. I spoke briefly with them both before going indoors, again.
One of my cousins texted me pictures of her grandson, playing on the quilt I made for him. Apparently, it is his favorite play mat!
I combed Dancer twice, today, and didn't find anything on him. I am hopeful that we might have beaten the fleas! However, I will do another round of laundry and vacuuming, just as a precaution.
Later in the evening, I was watching news and one of the news stories was a Target store in Emeryville being attacked by armed robbers. That is the Target store my daughter goes to! And she was planning to go there this coming weekend to buy more clothes hangers for the new clothes she bought! Apparently, the attack took place in the early morning hours (shortly after midnight) and daughter would not be shopping at that time, but I was so glad she was home this weekend and not shopping at the store during the robbery!
Today, I am grateful for:
- My brother is no longer suffering any pain
- My sister calling to give me the news
- Memories of my brother
- My daughter had a safe journey back to Berkeley
- We might be winning the war against the fleas!
September Decluttering: I think I forgot to write down what I decluttered, yesterday. I had intended to declutter at least one item a day in September, but I seem to be decluttering the same number of items as the date! So far, I have decluttered:
9/1 - 1 hat
9/2 - 1 set of 4 dessert bowls, 1 gift bag
9/3 - 2 bath mats, 1 clothes hanger
9/4 - 3 blouses, 1 pair of pants (daughter's contributions)
9/5 - 2 pairs of boots, 3 pairs of socks (again, daughter's contributions)
15 items, so far. I am not sure if I can continue to do this as the month progresses. I remember that, the last time I decluttered, I found it very difficult to find the same number of items as the date when the numbers got bigger. But, I'll keep going as much as I can.
How was your Tuesday? Is anyone else joining me in decluttering, this month?
I'm glad your daughter made it home okay. It sounds like you had a good visit with her.
ReplyDeleteA note about the fleas. When I've had to treat for them in the past, they said to keep the cleaning up for at least three weeks. That's how long it takes for the eggs to hatch. I haven't been keeping track. You already may be doing that.
Continuing prayers for you and your family over the loss of your brother.
Thank you, Live and Learn. Yes, we had a good visit.
DeleteThanks for telling me about the 3 weeks of cleaning! It's been almost a week since we realized he had fleas, so I've a ways to go! *groan*
I remember when your daughter was apprehensive about flying on her own. She's a pro now :)
ReplyDeleteWe've had several armed robberies very localy, including at the Walgrees Pharmacy that I visited yesterday. That one was a couple of months ago, in broad daylight! The more populated our area is getting (and we're the fastest growing area of the county), the more crimes are happening. I'm sure it's the same everywhere. Ugh. I'm glad your daughter doesn't shop at night. My daughter went to Walmart with her roommates at 11 p.m. the other day and told me she'd never shop at night on her own, but I'd still prefer if she stuck to shopping in broad daylight when throngs of people are there.
Good job on your flea progress! I checked the Petco website for the product you recommended but they don't have it so couldn't tell me if the store near me has it in stock. The natural product that I ordered from Amazon came in last night so Greg and I sprayed the cats but they hated being sprayed so we didn't get to "massage it into their coat" as directed. It was already nighttime so I didn't notice if any fleas has died as they wouldn't let me near them to comb them! I also sprayed the cat couch, cat trees and all the rugs. Today I'll try to comb them to see if it did anything. And I'll vacuum again.
I'm not decluttering, really. Right now I'm actually adding clutter to the house by moving a lot of stuff indoors in preparation for the hurricane. Hopefully, if we make it unscathed, I'll be able to start decluttering my Daughter and Youngest Son's rooms at some point.
I hope you have a good day, Bless!
She still doesn't like flying, but she's more used to it. She distracts herself by playing games on her DS during the flight. :)
DeleteMy daughter doesn't have a car, and it is harder to shop at night by bus. I remember when she had night classes that ended at 9:00 p.m. and she had to wait till 9:30 p.m. to catch the bus and walk the last couple of blocks to her apartment; I would worry until she called me once she got to her apartment!
I am glad you got the natural flea spray you ordered. I bought a different spray from Petco, this time (the store I went to had the Zodiac products, but not the spray); I bought something called Adams flea and tick spray. It came in a blue container. I sprayed the sofas and the area rug in the family room with it, but not the cat. He only got the Advantage flea treatment on that first day; I need to apply it again, at the end of this month and do so monthly.
You have other important things to attend to besides decluttering, right now. I hope you don't get the full brunt of the hurricane and don't suffer any property damage. Hope all will be well and REST as much as you can! :)
Sorry for your loss, but glad his suffering is over
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. Yes, he is no longer suffering ill health and he is at rest, now.
DeleteSo sorry to learn of your brother's death, but I understand completely that you feel he has now stopped suffering. Hard on you though... keeping you in my thoughts and prayers X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Blossom. Our memories of our loved ones will sustain us. Hope all is well with you. Take care.
DeleteI always enjoy hearing about your daughter. Glad she is a little more comfortable flying and she does manage to get around without a car. Years ago you could go just about anywhere day or night. That had all changed where I live and think that is common in many areas. Sad isn't it? I worry now about my grandchildren and the continued state of this world.
ReplyDeleteWell done on decluttering. Every little bit helps.
Take care.
Thanks, Sandy. Daughter tells me that I brag too much about her on the blog! I do try not to, but she's pretty special to me and she's the only one I have to brag about! Maybe one day she'll give me a grandchild to brag about, instead! LOL!
DeleteI am determined to get a handle on all the bits and pieces that I seem to be having. Time to lighten up a little more.
Lots to be grateful for Bless.
ReplyDeleteThis week is running over me like a steamroller. Next week instead of "the summer of George" like George Costanza on Seinfield, I am declaring it the "week of Anne".
Oh, that "week of Anne" sounds wonderful! I think we could all do with a "week of me", every so often! You'll have to tell us how you plan to spend your Week of Anne.
DeleteHi! hope you are well...i'll have to catch up...I am back to blogging (with new blog address) Andrea
ReplyDeleteYes, I am well, thank you. Glad to see that you are back to blogging. Welcome back!
DeleteI'm sorry for your loss. Even if it is a good thing, it still hurts, and I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired by your decluttering, and feel like I should do some as well. Maybe I did. I pulled out the watermelon vine and a bucket full of weeds today. Does decluttering the garden count? Ha, ha. When I get back into routine, I really want to clean and declutter the garage, which we use as a combination family/t.v/wii room for the girls, dry goods/stockpile pantry, and we have our book cases in there. Right now there are quite a few items that have just been dropped in there--time to clean.
Thank you, Becky. Yes, losing a loved one hurts. But, I know he wouldn't want me to be sad, so I'll just remember the good times.
DeleteCleaning out the garden definitely counts towards decluttering! LOL!
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. Praying for you and family.
ReplyDeleteHow scary , about the store being robbed.. It is getting so out of hand, every where.. So sad.. I too, am proud your daughter was home visiting.
Hope you have a good week.
Thank you, Judy. He was suffering and now, he is free from pain.
DeleteHope all is well with you, too.
Your flea battle has been quite something, hasn't it? Dancer's an indoors cat, isn't he? Wonder how he could have gotten fleas? Our kitty that we had for 13 years was indoors only and we never had fleas. Do you think they're in your soil from the feral kitties? Hope you're able to bid them good riddance soon.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dancer is an indoor cat, but, occasionally, he will wander out onto the back steps when I have the sliding glass door open to bring in groceries, or go to feed the garden cats. I've also caught him touching noses, once or twice, with the garden cats who come to the door when I go to feed them. I need to spray the garden cats, too (or stop feeding them, but I can't bring myself to do that). It's totally my fault for not applying the flea prevention medications consistently, every month. Lesson learned!
DeleteThere is sometimes a relief in death - knowing that the person is no longer suffering is often a help in coming to terms with loss. Nevertheless we inevitably feel sad so my sympathy in your time of sadness.
ReplyDeleteI have never done a planned declutter. I find they tend to happen when I feel under particular stress and then I can be quite ruthless. We need to clear our loft out and we talk about it often........
Eloise thisissixty.blog
Thank you, Eloise. Hope you get around to clearing out the loft, eventually. :)
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