October Monthly Balanced Life Goals - Update

October 31st - a good time to update  my monthly balanced life goals for October!  As I've explained before, my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes on a wheel, with the length of each spoke representing my satisfaction in that area of my life, from 1 to 10, with 1 being most dissatisfied and 10 being most satisfied.

October's highlights included my retirement going into effect, as of the 15th and hosting the monthly prayer gathering on the 21st.

My October goals were:

Spiritual (9) (9):  The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life.
- Continue with daily prayers and gratitude; focus on being positive -  On-going; prayers are being said, daily; I've been listing 5 things I am grateful for, daily; and I've focused on the positive aspects of my life.

- Take time for meditation - Resume going to Friday night meditation sessions at the temple, at least twice, preferably, three times -  I went only once, this month, on 10/13.

- Cultivate non-attachment - focus on letting go of attachment to material possessions - declutter at least one item per day, this month - I didn't declutter every day, but I decluttered 45 items in total.

- Host the monthly rosary prayer gathering (scheduled for 10/21) - DONE!  Prayer gathering was hosted and went off well.
  - Call and remind everyone, a bit closer to the date - DONE
  - Finalize menu/grocery shop/cook - DONE

I am keeping the rating at 9; I was able to accomplish most of what I wanted to do, although I didn't go to as many meditation sessions as I had planned.

House (9)(9):  The goal is a clean, tidy, uncluttered house:

- Focus on decluttering, deep cleaning, and maintaining cleaned areas to get the house company ready in time for the prayer gathering - Made good progress, especially with the deep cleaning. 

- Declutter 1 item a day for a total of 31 items - Decluttered 45 items.
- Dig out the 3rd bedroom, a.k.a. The Dump! - STARTED!

I am keeping the rating at 9 because, although I was able to do some deep cleaning in addition to the regular cleaning and maintenance, plus some decluttering, etc., I have a long way to go before I can rate it a 10!

Garden (8)(8):

- Maintain (water 2x per week; weed; prune pine tree) - Watering on schedule, weeding as and when; the pine tree has not been pruned yet.  However, I was able to plant some new plants for fall color.  

- Flea spray at least one more time - buy flea spray - Flea spray was bought and the garden was sprayed, but the one rainfall we had all month fell on the evening of the day when the garden was sprayed and probably washed it all away!  What are the odds?

- Plant some fall flowering plants by the front entrance - buy plants - plants were bought and planted!

Newly planted mums

- Paint the front security door - buy paint - Not done.

I am keeping the rating at 8 because, although some tasks didn't get done and others got washed away due to the rain, there are new plants and the garden is recovering from the heat of the summer.

Daughter (10)(10):  The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her
- Daily texts, phone calls, emails, and video chatting - On-going, and, as always, the highlights of my day! 

No visits planned for this month.

Keeping this area at a 10, as there is no higher rating!

Family & Friends (10)(10):  The goal is to keep in touch with various family members and friends.
- Visit my mother's grave on the anniversary of her birth (10/18) - Visited her grave
- Visit aunt T - Visited her with cousin P on 10/30
- Call sister - Called and spoke with her
- Send birthday card to brother - Made and mailed a card
- Call friend A's daughter on her birthday - Called and wished her
- Regular phone calls and emails - Plenty of those!
- Will be seeing several members of the family and friends at this month's prayer gathering (10/21) - Accomplished
- Weekly calls with neighbor T - Accomplished
- Visit neighbor S/wish her daughter on her birthday - Didn't visit, but exchanged greeting as and when I saw her, which is usually when I am watering the front garden.

This area of my life has been well plumped, this month.  I'm very pleased. 

Community (9)(7):  The goal is to become more involved in my community.
- Continue to participate in the blogging community - On-going

Participate in the temple community/attend weekly meditation sessions at least twice, preferably trice - Ongoing; I was able to attend the meditation sessions only once, however.

- Participate in the library weekly knitting group - attend at least once more - did not attend any of the knitting sessions.  I didn't find what I was looking for in terms of social interaction, and I was busy enough, with other activities, this month. 

I am decreasing the rating to a 7 because I wasn't able to participate in the community as much as I would have liked.  This is an area I will need to rethink, because I feel my original plans haven't worked out as well as I had imagined.

Finances (9)(9):  The goal is financial security.
- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose -  On-going.  I kept a watchful eye on my spending and I managed to come under budget in many areas.

Health & Well Being (8)(8):  The goal is good health.
- Attend the appointments with my various medical doctors
  - 10/2 optometrist - DONE; new glasses received
  - 10/4 dentist - DONE; was prepared for having a bridge fitted
  - 10/15 radiation oncologist - DONE; follow up appointment; all was found to be well
  - 10/18 dentist, again - DONE; had the bridge fitted

  - 10/28 primary care physician - DONE; the bad news was my blood pressure was elevated; the good news was, my blood sugar level was so good and had been good for several months, so I was taken off the already very low dosage of medication I had been on.  I am to keep a log of BP and sugar readings and a follow up appointment has been made.  I also received my flu shot.

  - Call re. peripheral field vision test if don't hear from the doctor's office by the end of the month - Doctor's office called and the test has been scheduled for March, 2019, along with a follow up visit with the doctor.

- *Work harder at those life style changes:
   - better diet - eat more vegetables, less carbs, to maintain blood sugar levels - I wasn't as diligent as I could have been, but, apparently, I did something right because the blood sugar levels have been maintained at such a low level that the doctor took me off the medication I had been on.
   - better hydration - drink 8 x 8oz glasses of water - On-going
   - better sleep habits - get at least 7 hours of sleep/try to go to sleep before 4:00 a.m.! - Ha!  I have not been successful with an earlier bedtime, but, I have been getting 7 hours of sleep by sleeping till late morning!
   - more exercise - walk 30 minutes 5 days/week - Work in progress!  I did not walk with any consistency.

 I am going to keep the rating at 8.  There were some successes but, there's is much room for improvement, still. 

Time Management (7)(8):  The goal is having enough time to do all what I want to do!
- Retirement Planning - Accomplished!  Retirement went into effect as of 10/15
 - call to check on status of paperwork -DONE! 
 - go in to the office one last time, before Oct. 13 to fill out last time sheet, hand in ID and parking permit, etc. - DONE
- 10/25 Driver's License renewal appointment - DONE
- Implement routines and schedules - Another work in progress!

I raised the satisfaction level to 8 because everything I needed to do was done on time, with only a little procrastinating from time to time.

Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (10)(8):  The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
- Make the transition to being retired! - No problem there!

- Continue to work on Works-in-Progress: 
  - the Mountain Quilt - the border fabric was bought
  - the Mile-a-Minute Quilt - the sashing and border fabric was bought
  - T-shirts for niece's sons - one has been done
  - red hats for heart association - on-going; I have received an email from the local coordinator regarding this year's participation

- Fall Joy List - I was able to do several things from the list

I decreased the rating to 8, because I wasn't able to work on as many leisure projects as I had hoped to.  However, I did spend a lot of time sewing holiday pillowcases and a considerable amount of my time was taken up with preparation for the prayer gathering and deep cleaning.  I need to find a good balance.  

So, that is my review of my goals for a more balanced life, in October, and how I did.  I think, on the whole, I did fairly well.  However, there is room for improvement in several areas.

Did you make any balanced life goals for October?  If so, how did you do on them?  Are you satisfied, overall?

October Decluttering

One of my goals for this month was to declutter, one item a day, for a total of 31 items decluttered.  Some days, I decluttered one item and listed it on this post; other days, I decluttered several items and said it was for good for a couple of days.  I took photos of some of the items, but not for all of them.

10/1 - 1 hooded sweatshirt (worn out, with holes)
10/2 - 1 pair worn out socks (holes in the heels)
10/3 - 1 pair pink bedroom slippers (it was hard to walk in them!)
        - 1 seat belt cushioning pad (I was given that to use after the lumpectomy, but never used it!)
10/5 - 1 water color paint box (came with a long ago coloring book from the dollar store that I bought for daughter, when she was small!)
        - 1 pen
        - 3 tape dispensers (leftover from a packet of 6)
10/10 - 1 belt pouch
10/11 - 1 pair of stretched out socks
10/12 - 1 decorative candle holder + 3 tealight candles (donated)

Candle Holder

10/13 - 1 long (5 ft) cardboard tube
          - 1 ID card holder lanyard

10/14 - stretched out hair bands
10/15 - 1 small, empty box
10/16 - Old name plate from the office

Name Plate

10/17 - 1 child's expandable coat hanger

Expandable Hanger

10/18 - 1 pair of scuffed shoes

Scuffed shoes

10/19 - 1 blouse (new, with tag)
          - 1 skirt
          - 2 jackets
          - 1 cat harness

Cat harness

         - 1 transistor radio/cassette player

Transistor radio/cassette player

         - 2 cat litter buckets, 1 box, 1 laundry detergent bucket

Cat litter buckes, box, etc. 

10/20 - 1 calendar

2018 Calendar

10/23 - 1 book
          - 1 work book
          - 1 note book
          - 1 journal
          - 2 Twilight themed memo pads

10/28 - 1 flash light

10/29 - 1 incomplete pack of playing cards
          - 1 box
          - 1 pack anime game cards
          - 1 index card binder

10/31 - 2 key tags
          - 1 Neopets toy!
          - 1 drinking glass (broke when doing dishes!  Oops!)

All in all, I decluttered 45 items.  Some, like the clothes I decluttered on 10/19, have been set aside to donate (I have started a bag of clothes, a bag of books, and a bag of household items).  Others, like the used work book and journal, have been recycled.  A few items, like the worn out socks have been tossed in the trash bin!  I didn't take into account the fabric from the stash that I turned into pillowcases to be given as gifts, because the pillowcases haven not left the house yet!

I am planning to continue this decluttering effort in November, too, because there is still much abundance in my home!  I might not do it daily, as it seems easier for me to declutter several items at once than one item at a time.  The goal in November will be to declutter 63 items plus 1!  Yes, I have a reason for such a seemingly odd number!  I will be celebrating my 63rd birthday in November and the "plus 1" is towards my 64th!

Did you declutter anything this month?   Anyone wants to join me in November?

Visiting and Piano Tuning on Tuesday

Aunt T's phone call woke me up, this morning, but I went back to sleep!  After I woke up, later, and had my morning cup of tea (chose to have tea, today, rather than coffee), I called cousin P to see if she was free to go with me to visit aunt T, this afternoon.  Then, I called aunt T back and confirmed we will be coming to see her.  She wanted me to tell cousin P to bring her some guavas, so I passed on the message.  I called cousin V, as well (aunt T's older daughter), but she didn't answer, so I left her a message.

I spent a relaxed rest of the morning, replying to blog comments (daughter says thank you for all the congratulations), and reading a few other blogs. 

For breakfast, I had a scrambled egg, half a slice of bacon, and a piece of toast.

In the afternoon, cousin P and I visited aunt T and aunt insisted that we had lunch with her.  Her caregiver had cooked rice, beef curry, a type of egg plant (they are small, round, green and white splotched, and are usually smashed open, rather than cut, prior to cooking), water spinach, and a salad with red onions, tomatoes, and pineapple.  For dessert, we had fresh, ripe jakfruit.  Delicious!

We spent a couple of hours eating and chatting.  Then, we took our leave with a promise to visit, again.

On the way back, I stopped at the grocery store to buy milk, bananas, and grapes:

10/30 Groceries

I mostly needed milk ($1.99 for 1/2 gal.), but the bananas (@$.59/lb) looked good and the grapes were on sale for $.88/lb.  I spent $4.56, total.

10/30 Receipt

I had $12.20 left in my grocery budget.  $12.20 - $4.56 = $7.64.  It will be carried forward to November.

After I came home, I watered the front garden (it was 85F, today, so the newly planted mums needed a drink of water!) and had a cup of tea.

The piano tuner came around 5:30 p.m. to attend to the piano and spent almost 2 hours tuning it, as it was so out of tune!  It was last tuned almost 7 years ago!  I promised him I won't wait that long to call him out, again! 

Dinner was the last of the pasta I had cooked earlier and the roast chicken I had thawed.  Followed by a banana, and, later, a slice of bread and butter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to visit aunt T, at long last!
- Spending time with cousin P, as well
- The newly planted mums seem to be doing well, so far
- The piano has been tuned
- A sunny, warm day

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Bring in the trash cans - DONE
- Buy milk - DONE
- Visit Aunt - DONE
- Have the piano tuned - DONE

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Give Dancer his flea medication

- Paperwork/bill paying
- Dishes
- Housework/cleaning

How was your day?  What have you planned for tomorrow?  Do you celebrate Halloween?  If so, are you ready for the trick or treaters?

Doctor's Visit on Monday

A cooler day, today.  Only in the mid 70s!  But we are supposed to warm back up to 90F, by Friday.

I woke up with a headache, again, this morning.  It went away, eventually, after I took some Tylenol and a nap.

Daughter called me in the morning to say she was working from home this morning because she received an email from her work place stating that the office had been broken into over the weekend and employees were to stay away until the police had been and checked things out!  Apparently, they stole some computers!  She also received another email from a scientific journal stating that an article she was first author on has been accepted for publication!  This is such an accomplishment for her!

Later in the morning, I dusted the living room and dining area.  I also cleared the top of the piano (had some music books and a few other things stacked there) in preparation for the piano tuner's visit, tomorrow (he called and confirmed the visit, today).

In the afternoon, I went to my doctor's appointment.  My blood pressure was slightly elevated, which might explain the headache.  The doctor wanted me to keep a log of my blood pressure readings to check to see if my medications needed adjusting.  They had to reduce my medication dosage when I was on chemo and lost all that weight.  But now, my weight has gone up, again, and maybe the dosage is not enough.  I have another follow-up appointment in two months' time, so we'll see how that goes.

But, the good news is, my blood sugar levels have been so good that the doctor took me off my medication for that!  I was on the lowest dosage of half a pill, once a day, for several months, but now, he thinks that diet and exercise will be sufficient!  Again, I am to monitor my sugar levels, and, if there is an increase, then, I am to take half a pill, again, but I am determined to stay off my medication, if possible. 

I also got my flu shot, today. 

On the way home from the doctor's office, I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up my inhaler refill.  Then, came home and had a late lunch (breakfast had been my morning cup of coffee and some savory crackers).  Then, I took the Tylenol and took a nap.  Dinner was leftover pasta and roast chicken, with grapes for dessert.

I didn't do anything much in the evening.  I took the trash cans to the curb to be picked up, tomorrow, spoke with Aunt T (I'll be visiting her, tomorrow), watched some TV, and video chatted with daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A good visit with the doctor
- Being taken off one of my medications!
- Getting my flu shot
- A nap on the sofa
- My daughter's good news


Monday's To Do List:
- Doctor's appointment - DONE
- Pharmacy to pick up refill - DONE
- Check the newly planted mums and water if needed - DONE (didn't need watering)
- Take the trash cans to the curb - DONE
- Clean Dancer's litter box - DONE

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Bring in the trash cans
- Buy milk
- Visit Aunt
- Have the piano tuned

How was your Monday?  What have you planned for Tuesday?

Gardening on Sunday

Chrysanthemums

Today, I planted the chrysanthemums I had bought, yesterday.  I like this orange-bronze color (they had white chrysanthemums, too) because it is such a nice Fall color.

It had been a hot day, today, (this past week was mostly in the 90s), but we had some cloud cover this afternoon and the weather forecast says it will be cooler (in the mid 80s), next week, so it was a good day in which to plant them.

I wanted them in the front garden, and decided that the flower bed along the drive way would be the best place for them.  This is a bit of a problem bed for me.  I had planted roses there:

Roses in the front flower bed (2016)

But they didn't do well and died. 

Then, earlier this year, I planted lavender there:

Lavender and Osteospermum

But they died, too (all but one plant, which is more dead than alive, but there is still a bit of green on it, so I am keeping it to see if it picks up).  The osteospermum have finished blooming, but the plants are still there and new seedlings are coming up, too.  I'm letting them grow, but, in the meantime, I planted the chrysanthemums, as well.

Chrysanthemums

I am hoping that they will grow well and fill this spot with color.  I watered the flower beds by hand and then, watered the back garden with the sprinklers.

Chrysanthemums in the front flower bed

Newly Planted Mums

I was not the only one doing gardening, today:

Dancer "mowing" his lawn!

Dancer tended to his container garden and trimmed the grass to his liking:

"Did I do a good job?"

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to garden, year round
- Being able to splurge on some flowering plants
- Pleasant weather in which to garden
- Neighbors who greet me when they see me in the garden
- Dancer having his own garden!

How is your Fall garden coming along?

Saturday: October Grocery Shopping Week 4

A week ago, today, I was getting ready for the prayer gathering!  Seems like I spent the first week of retirement preparing for the prayer gathering and the second week of retirement recovering from the prayer gathering!  LOL.

Today, I went to the pharmacy in the afternoon to collect my medication refill.  I also bought a small container of laundry detergent:

Laundry Detergent

It is a 42 oz. container, good for 30 loads according to the box.  It was on sale for $5.94 (regular price $9.79).  The 42 load box was on sale for $14 something, but that wasn't such a bargain, as I could have bought two 30 load boxes for less than $12 and it would have been cheaper for more loads!  As it was, I had a $3 ECB coupon, so my total came to $3.22 with tax:

Laundry Detergent Receipt

 

Then, I went to the dollar store, next door.  I mostly went to buy a white plastic table cover, a package of paper bowl and a package of small paper plates for the almsgiving; I bought the bowls and plates, but they didn't have the white table cover.  I will look for one at another dollar store.

They had small potted chrysanthemums in their plants section and I bought 14 of them at $1.99 each!  I plan to plant them in the front garden to fill in some bare spots.  I am hoping that they will grow and provide some color in time for the almsgiving.  Sorry, I forgot to take a photo of them.  I kept them outside, by the back steps, and watered them; I will plant them, tomorrow.  I'll take pictures, tomorrow.

I also bought a few other household items - two pieces of laundry soap, a new kitchen brush with a handle to replace the one I have now, a 6-pack of tissues to carry in my purse, etc.

And, I bought some groceries:

Dollar Store Groceries

I bought:

1 loaf multi grain bread = $1.00

2 containers yogurt @$.50 = $1.00

2 boxes pasta mix @$1 = $2.00

1 box yellow cake mix = $1.00

4 cans apple pie filling (21 oz @), $1 @ = $4.00

Total = $9.00

Dollar Store Receipt

Eek!  I spent $47.20 AT THE DOLLAR STORE!  But, only $9 of that was for groceries.  Almost $28 of that was for the 14 plants.  

This time, they had larger cans of apple pie filling and I thought I'll give them a try and make apple dump cake.  They only had six cans so I bought four cans and a box of cake mix (I have another box in the cupboard); I now have a dessert to take to Thanksgiving dinner and one for the almsgiving!

I had $22.20 left in the regular grocery budget at the end of Week 3; I spent approximately $4 of that when I bought 1/2 gallon milk and two gallons of water (for earthquake supplies), when I shopped for the prayer gathering groceries on the Friday prior to the prayer gathering.  $22.20 - $4 = $18.20.  And today, I spent $9 on groceries, although $3 of that was for the dump cake I'll be making for the almsgiving.  So, I spent $6 for my groceries, today.  $18.20 - $6 =   $12.20.  I don't think I will go grocery shopping again, before the end of the month, but, I might have to buy another 1/2 gallon of milk, next week, since I didn't buy any milk, today.

After I came home, I made egg salad and had an egg salad sandwich and a cup of tea.

Later, I washed a few more kitchen cabinet doors.  Not too many - I am doing about 15 minutes or so and then, stopping for the day.  I don't like doing the upper cabinets as I need to get up on the counter to reach the tops of them.  Even so. I can't quite reach the trim on the top...something I'll have to ask friend M to do for me.  

For dinner, I cooked some of the pasta mix I had bought and had it with a piece of roast chicken leftover from the prayer gathering.  I didn't have any frozen green peas, so I added some frozen edamame, instead!

Dinner: Pasta and chicken

There are enough leftovers for another couple of meals.

Still later, I video chatted with daughter and watched news on TV.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Drama-free medication refills at the pharmacy

- Being able to splurge on some plants for the garden

- Getting more cleaning accomplished

- Video chatting with daughter

- Emails from friends

Saturday's To Do List:
- Pharmacy for refills - DONE
- Grocery shopping (bread, milk) - DONE (didn't buy the milk, yet)
- Continue with the kitchen cleaning - DID SOME
- More paperwork/filing
- Buy laundry detergent - DONE
- Do a load of laundry
- Water the back garden

I didn't finish my to do list, today, so I will carry it forward to tomorrow.

How was your Saturday?  What have you planned for Sunday? 

Friday's Doings

I slept in, this morning, without any phone calls to disturb me, only the occasional nudge and meow from Dancer who wanted to know when was breakfast!  He, and the garden cats who were trying to break down the sliding glass door, were given breakfast as soon as I woke up!  Then, I had my coffee, checked my emails, and replied to blog comments.

I spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon on the phone, trying to coordinate doctors' appointments (the one for Monday was confirmed, the one for Thursday was rescheduled) and calling about a medical bill I have received (which I shouldn't have received because I had given a copy of the insurance letter stating I had met my co-pay requirements for this year to the doctor's office, but they claim to have no record of it).

In the meantime, Dancer showed how an afternoon should be spent:

"Afternoons are for napping, Mummy"

Friend M came over in the early evening to attend to the garden.   We planted the two potted chrysanthemum plants I had bought for the prayer gathering out in the garden, today.  My mother used to plant them and they used to come back, year after year, until the drought killed them.  I am hoping that these plants will grow as well.  M also watered the front garden for me.

Last week, I put some cat grass seeds to sprout and a certain very happy kitty enjoyed his treat:

"Mummy says she's going to hire me out as a lawn mower, next summer!"

I let him eat some of it, but then, put the rest of it away, so he could have a little more, tomorrow.  In the meantime, I put another pot of cat grass to grow.

Cousin P came over in the evening to bring some guavas from her tree and we visited for a bit.  After she left, I decided against going to the meditation session, today.  Instead, I started cleaning the kitchen cabinet fronts:

Cleaned cabinet fronts

I will do a few at a time, so I don't get too tired.  "Baby steps", as they say.

Later in the evening, I video chatted with my daughter.  She borrowed some library books and spent the evening reading, she said.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to sleep in without phone calls disturbing me
- Getting the medical appointments sorted
- Cousin's visit
- A gift of fresh guavas
- Being able to get more cleaning done

Friday's To Do List:
- More paperwork - DID SOME
- Continue with the kitchen cleaning - DID SOME
- Water the house plants - DONE
- Meditation session

Saturday's To Do List:
- Pharmacy for refills
- Grocery shopping (bread, milk)
- Continue with the kitchen cleaning
- More paperwork/filing
- Buy laundry detergent
- Do a load of laundry
- Water the back garden

How was your Friday?  What are your plans for the weekend?

Thursday

I spent a quiet morning, today.   For some reason or the other, I just couldn't settle down to do anything; I think I was stressing about the appointment at the DMV.  I did do a little paperwork and two bills were paid.

In the afternoon, I went to the DMV to renew my driver's license.  My appointment was scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and I got there at 2:45 p.m.  I was checked in after a few minutes of standing in a short line (4 people ahead of me) and done and out by 3:25 p.m. and that included the time (around 15 minutes) it took for me to fill out the online application (I chose to do that at the DMV, instead of at home).  I expected there to be a long wait, even with an appointment, and had taken a book to read while I waited, but I didn't have time to even open the book!  There was absolutely no wait.  My documents were verified, I was given the vision test, finger printed and my photo taken, I paid my renewal fee and my temporary license issued, in less than 15 minutes. 

After I came home, I had a late lunch (I had eaten crackers and cheese for breakfast).  Later, I washed the dishes and cleaned the stove and the vent hood.   Dinner was leftovers - rice, meatball curry, lentils, and green beans.

Still later, I video chatted with my daughter.  In today's local news, they spoke about a hit and run accident where a woman was run over and killed while crossing a street, at a crosswalk, by a pick up truck, making a right turn; the whole incident was caught on a nearby security camera.  I was reminded of how narrowly my daughter escaped the same fate, a few days ago!

Today, I am grateful for:
- My daughter didn't get hurt when crossing the street, that day
- The DMV appointment went well and without long waits
- Being retired and able to take it easy when I feel like it
- What I was able to accomplish today
- A sunny and warm day

Thursday's To Do List:
- DMV appointment in the afternoon - DONE
- More paperwork - DID SOME
- Continue with the kitchen cleaning - DID SOME (stove top - under the burners, vent hood)

Friday's To Do List:
- More paperwork
- Continue with the kitchen cleaning
- Water the house plants
- Meditation session

How was your Thursday?  What have you planned for Friday?

Relaxing on Wednesday

Once again, I was woken up by a phone call, but, this time, it was the eye doctor's office calling to schedule my appointment for further testing, so I answered the call and made the appointment, for January 7, which was the date they had available.  Ten minutes later, they called again - they wanted to reschedule the appointment, so I went ahead and accepted the new date and time, which was December 10.  Then, I texted my cousin N to see if she'll be available to drive me back, as they will be dilating my eyes, again.  She said yes.  But, a short while later, the eye doctor's office called, again, to reschedule the appointment one more time, as they realized that the doctor wanted to see me 6 months after the last visit, which had been in September!  So, we rescheduled it again, for March 25, this time around!  Cousin N said she should be able to accompany me on the new date.

Cousin N was looking for a new piano tuner as her regular piano tuner was unable to attend to her piano this time, so I looked for my piano tuner's phone number, then I called him to tell him that I was referring him to my cousin and, since I had him on the phone, went ahead and scheduled for my piano to be tuned, as well.  It's been several years(!) since it was tuned last, which is fine because neither daughter nor I play it that often, but, it's time to get it tuned, again!

I had another restful day, today.   I put away the laundry from yesterday and I did the paperwork I needed to do for my appointment with the DMV, tomorrow afternoon, but, other than that, I relaxed and rested.  I caught up on some blogs, watched some news programs, spoke on the phone with friend R, wrote an email to a friend, and video chatted with daughter (she attended a Fall Festival hosted by her apartment building management - she got to meet some of her neighbors, carve a pumpkin, and enjoy pizza and cake).  I ate some garbanzo beans and a piece of the peach dump cake for brunch; dinner was some of the leftover roast chicken and a cucumber salad.  I didn't go to buy bread, after all.  And I didn't do any cleaning in the kitchen or elsewhere.

Today, I am grateful for:
- The eye appointment was scheduled, finally
- Cousin N is willing to drive me back from it
- I was able to help out N by referring my piano tuner to her
- A restful and relaxed day
- Daughter got to enjoy a social gathering at her apartment building

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Put away dried laundry - DONE
- One or two kitchen cleaning tasks
- Grocery shop for bread
- Paperwork - DID SOME

Thursday's To Do List:
- DMV appointment in the afternoon
- More paperwork
- Continue with the kitchen cleaning

How was your Wednesday?  What have you planned for Thursday?

Tired on Tuesday

Well, the activities of the past few days caught up with me, today.  I woke up feeling tired and with a persistent headache that didn't go away even after I took two Tylenols.  I still pushed through it and put away the dried laundry from yesterday, did two more loads of laundry, and brought in the trash cans.  The lid of the blue, recyclables bin had a piece broken off - I found it in the middle of the street, so picked it up and tried to duct tape it back.  But, I don't think my repair will last, so I will need to call for a replacement bin.

Then, I collected the mail from my mail box and discovered that neighbor T's mail had been delivered to my mail box, along with my mail.  I called and spoke with T's daughter and took the mail over.  Later, T called and I spoke with her.

Cousin P had called while I was outside, bringing the trash cans in, so I called her back and chatted with her for a bit.

For brunch, I took some leftover rice I had in the fridge from before the prayer gathering and cooked it with the half can of coconut milk leftover from the prayer gathering to make milk rice; I ate some of it with meatball curry and the rest with jaggery.

Later in the afternoon, I rested and napped on the sofa.  The nap seems to have helped as my headache was gone when I woke up!  I put away the bottles of drinks, but I didn't do much after that.  I decided not to attend the knitting group at the library, today.

I called friend A to check on her and to wish her mother a safe journey back to Sri Lanka , called aunt C to check on her and cousin N, and video chatted with my daughter.

I also looked through this week's grocery sales ads, but I don't really need anything, other than some bread.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A restful day
- My headache went away after resting
- What I was able to accomplish
- Leftovers
- Keeping in touch with family and friends

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Put away dried laundry - DONE
- Do another load of laundry (table cloths, etc.) - DONE; did 2 loads
- Put away the bottles of drinks - DONE
- Continue to clean the kitchen - vent hood, under the burners, cabinet fronts, tidy/declutter the under sink cabinet, etc.
- Bring the trash cans in - DONE
- Attend the knitting group? - DIDN'T

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Put away dried laundry
- One or two kitchen cleaning tasks
- Grocery shop for bread
- Paperwork

How was your Tuesday?  Any special plans for Wednesday?

Erasing the Evidence on Monday

When I was part of a now defunct online organizing forum, we used to call the cleaning up after doing any activity, "Erasing the Evidence" or "ETE".  The idea was to put everything away and restore the area (counter top, if making a sandwich; the house if after a party), and erase all tell-tale evidence of the activity!  Ideally, to be done immediately afterwards, but, at least, as soon as possible.  So, that's what I've been doing, today!

But, first, I slept in!  I first woke up at 9:00 a.m. (phone call; let it go to the answering machine, no message), then, again, at 10:00 a.m., (another phone call, something about health care options, picked it up thinking it might be related to my retirement health care, but, it wasn't, so hung up on them)  and, finally, at 11:00 a.m. (DMV calling to remind me about my appointment with them for later this week; I answered that call)!

Then, I had coffee, replied to blog comments, posted comments on some other blogs, and took it easy.  Finally, around 1:00 p.m., I washed all the rest of the dishes, wiped the top of the stove (didn't clean under the burners, yet), put out a fresh kitchen towel, and wiped the kitchen counters.  Then, warmed up some leftover garbanzo/chickpeas for brunch, followed by a small serving of the dump cake.

Next, I did two loads of laundry - first a load of darks and then, a load of all the dust sheets.  I have one more load of laundry to do, including the table cloths used yesterday, but I have run out of drying spaces indoors (I don't dry the laundry outside because I'm afraid that fleas from the garden cats might get on the laundry!)  So, I'll wait and do that load later this evening, or, even, tomorrow.

In the meantime, Dancer spent the afternoon  napping on the bed rather than hiding under it, as he did, yesterday, when all the people were here!

Dancer Sleeps it Off!

Neighbor T's daughter K called in the early evening to let me know that her mother was home after having had surgery, this morning.  T is resting and recovering; her son R will be with her for the rest of the week (he lives in Colorado) and K lives locally and will be checking on her.  I said to let me know if I may be of any help.

When I put away the dishes, I checked to see what I might need to buy for the almsgiving, in terms of paper goods.  I have enough paper plates and white paper napkins (for use by guests; I keep china plates and cloth napkins for the monks to use).  There are some bowls and small plates, too (to serve dessert) but another package of each might not be a bad idea.  I will also buy a white plastic table cover to spread over the white table cloth - easy clean up, that way!  I'll pick these items up at the dollar store when I go there, next.  I have plenty of everything else.

Later in the evening, I took the trash cans out to the curb and watered the garden, both front and back.  I only noticed the sunset after I came inside and was drawing the drapes closed:

Sunset Skies

I took the photo through the window and my cell phone didn't capture the colors too well, but it was a very pretty pink. 

I did just a little more cleaning today - some chutney had been spilled on the table cloths and it went through two thicknesses of cloth onto the table.  So, I cleaned the table; let's see how long it will stay looking like this!

Dining Table

I also washed the kitchen trash can before I put a new trash can liner.  This week, I want to concentrate on deep cleaning the kitchen.

Later in the evening, I called friend R to check on her and to thank her, again, for all her help, yesterday.  I'll be video chatting with daughter, later.


Today, I am grateful for:
- Neighbor T came through her surgery safely and is home, resting
- All the "ETE"ing I was able to accomplish, today
- A working washing machine
- A warm and sunny day
- A beautiful sunset

Monday's To Do List:
- Rest! - DONE!
- Put away the washed dishes - DONE
- Wash the last few dishes I was too tired to wash last night - DONE
- Take inventory of what I need to buy for the almsgiving (in terms of paper goods, etc.) - DONE
- Take out the trash/take the big trash cans to the curb - DONE
- Water the garden - DONE
- Put back the few chairs that were pulled out - DONE
- Put away the bottles of drinks
- Clean the kitchen - STARTED; counters wiped, stove top wiped, fresh kitchen towels put out, trash can washed
- Do laundry - STARTED; did 2 loads
- Put the statue of Our Lady back in the regular altar - DONE (before going to sleep last night, well, early this morning!)

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Put away dried laundry
- Do another load of laundry (table cloths, etc.)
- Put away the bottles of drinks
- Continue to clean the kitchen - vent hood, under the burners, cabinet fronts, tidy/declutter the under sink cabinet, etc.
- Bring the trash cans in
- Attend the knitting group?

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?

Prayer Gathering on Sunday

Altar

On Sunday, I hosted the October monthly prayer gathering.  I got up at 9:00 a.m., had a cup of coffee, washed the dishes that had been left in the sink, overnight, put away the laundry from yesterday, and got started on the lunch preparations.  I had the chickens ready for roasting, the dump cake ready for baking, and the eggs (for the salad) boiling by the time friend R got here at 11:00 a.m.  She helped to make the salad, set up the altar, put on the table covers, took the dust covers off the sofas, etc., while I heated up the curries (that took a little longer than I anticipated as most of them hadn't thawed as much as I had thought they would), cooked the green beans, etc.  In the end, I decided to skip frying the pappadum, and, to be quite honest, no one missed it!

Cousin P was the first to arrive at 2:00 p.m., but, by that time, we had done everything that needed to be done.  The friend who leads the rosary prayers, her husband, and another friend were the next to arrive and they enjoyed the snacks (the garbanzo beans and the veggie sticks friend R contributed) while we waited for the others - Aunt T, cousins V and R, V's husband, and friend F.  They were the only ones who could attend the gathering; the rest were unable to attend.  So, there were eleven of us, including me. 

After everyone had arrived and had a snack and a drink, etc., the rosary was recited; friend R and my three cousins and another friend, each said a decade; my mother's birthday was remembered and a prayer was said for cousin V who will be undergoing surgery, later this month.  I, being Buddhist, didn't say the rosary, but I sat during the reciting. 

Afterwards, lunch was served:

Rosary Lunch

Cousin V brought a tray of Armenian pastries for dessert; cousin R brought a berry pie.  I had yogurt and treacle, as well, and ice cream, but the star of the desserts was my dump cake!

Peach Dump Cake

Everyone seemed to like it and some broke their keto diets to eat it and others went for seconds and it was declared a success!  LOL!  I was very pleased!  It was a little too sweet for my liking; I think, the next time I make it, I will make my own fresh fruit pie filling, but, of course, that will be more work than opening cans and dumping everything! 

Aunt and cousins and a couple of friends stayed to tea and I encouraged everyone to take food home with them, as there was a lot of food left over.  Cousin P and friend R stayed behind after the others had left and they helped to clear everything and put away most of the food; R washed up most of the dishes for me, as well.  Then, cousin P left and I took R home.  It w as around 6:30 p.m. by then.

I rested for awhile after I came home.  I was tired and my legs hurt!  Later, I put away the last bit of food.  Of the two roast chicken, half a chicken and lots of bones, etc., were left.  I cut up the half of the chicken into two sections and froze them, individually.  I also bagged up the bones and bits and pieces and froze them too - I'll make chicken soup with them, later on.  The freezer is full, once again, and so is the fridge! 

Sunday's To Do List:

- Roast chicken - DONE

- Cook green beans - DONE
- Boil eggs - DONE

- Make tomato/cucumber/onion salad (R) - DONE

- Fry pappadum - DIDN'T

- Bake "dump cake" - DONE
- Cook rice! - DONE

- Warm up the thawed curries - DONE
- Take down bottle of tomato chutney - DONE

- Set up altar (R) - DONE

- Table covers - DONE

- Final sweep of my bathroom (Dancer's litter box area) - DONE

- Put bathmats in my bathroom - DONE

- Remove sofa covers (R) - DONE

- Serve lunch after prayers are said - DONE

- Wash up/clean up/put away food - DONE

- Drive R home - DONE

- Water the garden

I was too tired to water the garden after I came home.  So, that's on tomorrow's agenda.

Today, I was grateful for:
- The prayer gathering went off well
- Family and friends who participated
- Friend R and cousin P's help, especially with the putting away and cleaning up afterwards
- Plenty of good food
- My daughter received notification that a research article of which she is the second author, was published

Monday's To Do List:
- Rest!
- Put away the washed dishes
- Wash the last few dishes I was too tired to wash tonight
- Take out the trash/take the big trash cans to the curb
- Water the garden
- Put back the few chairs that were pulled out
- Put away the bottles of drinks
- Clean the kitchen
- Do laundry
- Put the statue of Our Lady back in the regular altar

How was your Sunday?  What are your plans for the up-coming week?

Prayer Gathering Eve Saturday

The trouble with being too tired to do anything all evening and then, getting ones "second wind" at 12:30 a.m. and spending the next hour or so cleaning ones room is, it is hard to wind down after that to go to sleep at a decent time!  It was 4:15 a.m. when I went to bed and I probably didn't fall asleep until at least 4:30 a.m.  

On the plus side, my bedroom got tidied (or, at least, things shoved out of sight!) and dusted, and a corner or two swept, even!  You see, my house is a one story house, and the layout is such that anyone going down the hallway from the living room to use the bathroom sees directly into my bedroom as it is at the end of the hallway.  They can see into my daughter's bedroom, as well, but her room is a bit offset.  I suppose I could keep all the bedroom doors closed, but that makes the hallway rather dark.  I generally keep the 3rd bedroom door closed, these days, because that is such a mess!  

This morning, I woke up only a few minutes before my alarm went off (I had set it for 11:00 a.m.)  Daughter called to wish me a good morning while I was still in bed, so I spoke with her for a few minutes.

Then, I eased into the day - had a cup of coffee, responded to blog comments, started writing this post, wrote out a more detailed "to do" list, put away the sewing machine, started a load of laundry, pulled out the table covers, put the two trays of ice cubes I had left to set overnight into the 2-gallon zippered bag in which I keep ice cubes and refilled them to make two more trays of ice cubes (I don't have a built-in automatic ice cube maker in the freezer), etc.  Then, I hung up the laundry to dry, made a couple of phone calls I had to make, and started the vacuuming.  I vacuumed the living room, dining area, hallway, kitchen, and the guest bathroom.   Then, at 1:45 p.m., I took a break and had lunch - leftover Chinese food from yesterday (typed this up during the break).  The break lasted until 3:00 p.m.

Then, I vacuumed the family room.  That took me 45 minutes because I felt compelled to pull out some of the furniture to vacuum behind and under them!  I vacuum under the sofas, every time I vacuum, but I haven't pulled out the computer table in a long time!  I'm glad I remembered to put on a dust mask before I tackled that!  I took a short break after that, because I was getting tired!  Then, I vacuumed my bedroom and daughter's bedroom - that took just 15 minutes! 

After that, it was time for a cup of tea.  Then, I started on the 3rd bedroom.  Well, I managed to clear the bed and some of the floor space, but, please don't open the closet door!  LOL!  I didn't finish that room and didn't vacuum it, either, because, it was already 5:30 p.m. and I hadn't gone grocery shopping for the last few items!  I can keep the 3rd bedroom door closed on the rest of the mess, but I needed to buy the ingredients for the salad and green beans for the side dish, etc.  So, I went grocery shopping! 

Instead of running from store to store to get the best prices, I decided to go to the closest grocery store and just get what they had.  They had eggs on sale for $1.49/lb., whole pineapples for $.99 each, and Dancer's cat food on sale, too.  Their fresh green beans didn't look very fresh, so I bought frozen French cut green beans, instead.  Each 12 oz. bag was $1; I bought four bags, although three might be enough.  Butter was on sale for $2.99/lb., so I bought one pound; the dump cake I plan to make calls for 2 sticks of butter (each stick is 1/4 lb. for those who are not familiar with the American way of referring to quantities of butter).   Again, I didn't take pictures of the groceries, but here's the receipt:

10/20 Grocery Receipt

I spent $30.71 on groceries/items for the prayer gathering, including the two potted chrysanthemum plants I bought, in lieu of cut flowers for the altar.  They'll be longer lasting, I hope, especially in our mini heatwave (it was 90F, today, too; tomorrow is supposed to be a bit cooler, only in the mid-80s), and I will be able to plant them outside, afterwards.

After that, I ran over to the dollar store and bought 2 packages of paper plates, 10 per package.  I had intended to use the glass plates my mother had bought for the very first prayer gathering I had hosted, which is why I didn't buy the paper plates earlier, but, at the last minute, I've decided to go with paper plates as it eliminates having to wash the plates.  I don't feel guilty about using paper plates because, one of the "helpful hints" issued by the water district, during our drought, was the use of paper plates to cut down on the amount of water used to wash dishes!   Yes, it's landfill space versus precious water resources!  I am using them as part of energy conservation measures - conservation of my own energy, that is!  The cleaning up before the even has used up all my energies; at this point, I'm all for easier clean up after the event!  $2.19 for the paper plates, from the prayer gathering budget.

Came home and put away the groceries and put the two potted plants in the bathtub and watered  them.  Then, cleaned that bathtub, a little.

Cousin P had called, so I called her back.  She wanted to know if I needed any help, but I told her that I think I'm OK for today.  I did most, if not all, the cleaning I wanted to do.  I did ask her to come a little early, tomorrow, to help a bit with the last minute things. 

For dinner, I baked some crescent rolls, using refrigerated dough:

Crescent Rolls

I ate them with chicken curry. 

Today's decluttering:

Calendar

It was a gift from cousin N, but, she didn't give it to me until we were well into the new year and I had already bought myself a calendar, by then.  I kept it thinking I might use it, but I never did.

Saturday's To Do List:

- VACUUM! - DONE!

- Take the cooked curries out of the freezer/put in fridge to thaw - DONE

- Load of laundry - DONE

- Rest of the grocery shopping - DONE

- Buy flowers for the altar - DONE (bought flowering plants)

- Tidy the 3rd bedroom - DID SOME!

- Mop the kitchen floor - VACUUMED

- Put new air fresheners in the bathrooms - DONE

- Open new bag of rice - put some aside for the almsgiving - DONE

- Take out serving dishes, spoons, ice bucket, etc. - DONE

- Plates, napkins, cups, spoons & forks, etc. - DONE

- Take recycling, trash, etc. out - DONE

- Water the garden! 

Yay!  I got most of it done!  

Sunday's To Do List:

- Roast chicken

- Cook green beans
- Boil eggs

- Make tomato/cucumber/onion salad (R)

- Fry pappadum

- Bake "dump cake"
- Cook rice!

- Warm up the thawed curries
- Take down bottle of tomato chutney

- Set up altar (R)

- Table covers

- Final sweep of my bathroom (Dancer's litter box area)

- Put bathmats in my bathroom

- Remove sofa covers (R)

- Serve lunch after prayers are said

- Wash up/clean up/put away food

- Drive R home

- Water the garden

I put "R" against those tasks I can ask friend R to do.  She said she will come over on Sunday morning to help.  Cousin P will also try to come a bit early to help.

The participants will be arriving around 2:00 p.m.

Rosary prayer gathering menu:
Snacks:
- Sauteed garbanzo beans
- Veggie "straws" (friend R will bring)

Lunch:
- Rice
- Meatball curry
- Roast chicken
- Dhal
- Green beans
- Salad (tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, hard boiled eggs, halved)
- Pappadum
- Tomato chutney

Dessert:
- Peach "dump" cake
- Vanilla ice cream
- Yogurt and palm treacle

If anyone wants coffee or tea afterwards, they'll have to make it themselves!  LOL!

Today, I am grateful for:
- Cousin calling to check if I need help
- Being able to accomplish all what I did!
- The house being cleaned
- The sunny warm day
- Daughter went out with a visiting friend and had a good time

Someone approved of the family room area rug being freshly vacuumed:

Dancer's Seal of Approval Nap!  

How was your Saturday?  What have you planned for Sunday?