Rainy Wednesday

I went to sleep last night to the sound of rain (and thunder, too) and woke up this morning to the sound of rain.  I remember, back when I was in elementary school, when the monsoon rains would start, we were always required to draw "A Rainy Day" during art class!  LOL!  So we'd draw, children in raincoats, adults with umbrellas, and, perhaps a person with a big "habarala" (taro) leaf which can be used as a temporary, emergency umbrella (probably not so much in use, these days, but, back when I was growing up, these leaves were used for many things, including wrapping up meat purchased from the local market).

I spent a lazy relaxed morning, procrastinating on cleaning, replying to blog comments, doing a blog post, and trying to figure out how to add a follow button, as it was pointed out to me that I didn't have a follow button on my blog! I know I used to have a follow button, at one time; I must have had a follow button at one time, because I know I have a few followers, according to Blogger, but, I guess it got deleted or went away at some point and I didn't even realize it!  Anyway, at first, I couldn't figure out how to add a follow button, and I was afraid I'd end up deleting the entire blog if I played around too much without knowing what I was doing (I'm nervous when it comes to computers and technology!).  So, I told my IT person who set up my blog - a.k.a. my daughter - about it and asked her if she could install a follow button for me.  She merely said, "Of course", but, I just knew that there was an eyeroll in there, even if I couldn't see it!  LOL.  I was going to ask if one of you who have a follow button on your blogs and know how to add one, can tell me how to do it, but, then, I took to heart what my daughter keeps telling me - that I am a smart woman, that I need to have more self-confidence when it comes to technology, that I can figure it out and do it!  And, so, I did it!  LOL!  I added a "Follow" button, ALL BY MYSELF!  Woo hoo!  Thank you, Susan Z for pointing out the lack of a follow button!  I wasn't sure if I needed a "follow by email" button, as well, but there is a follow button, now!

After all that, it was around 2:00 p.m. and I was getting hungry (all I had in the morning was a cup of tea, with milk and sugar, which I consider as my breakfast, anyway).  I warmed up a bowl of my "cheater's" vegetable soup and had that for lunch.  There is enough left for one more serving.  Not bad for a $.50 can of chicken broth and a $.50 can of mixed vegetables!

After lunch, I changed out of my sweats and got dressed:

Dressed for "Work"

I love lounging around in my sweats as they are so comfortable and warm, but, lounge around is all I feel like doing when I am wearing them!  I changed out of them and into a pair of jeans and a sweater I knitted way back in the mid 1980s.  It is still one of my favorite sweaters. 

Remember back in August of last year, when I cleared my desk and it looked like this?

August 2018 Cleaned Desk

Well, this is how it looked this afternoon:

Messy Desk!

Things got dumped and piled up on it, piles grew all around it, and, under it, too!  I am embarrassed to show it, but, I am trying to keep it real.  Because, the "after" photos only tell half the story!  And there is a good reason why my online name is "Bless My Mess"!  I am someone who loves having things neat and organized but is very messy in real life! 

So, what is all this mess?  There's an on-going knitting project in the blue tote bag, the Olive Garden bag has files to be sorted through, and the boxes under the table have fabric and more papers, and another craft project.  I have the best of intentions to keep things tidy, but, stuff clutter my flat surfaces until it almost overwhelms, me.  As I mentioned to one of my close friends, yesterday, sometimes, I look at it and feel like crying. 

I'd like to say that I took care of every piece of paper, but I didn't.  What I did do was take the knitting and fabric and craft projects to the spare bedroom, where they belong.  And, I gave myself permission to move the bags of files and papers, too, to the spare room, until I can go through them.  They do not need to be stored here, where this desk is, in my bedroom!  Then, I sorted through all the rest of the papers and did some filing.  I shred (well, tore up, actually, since I don't have a shredder, other than Dancer!) enough papers to fill a grocery bag! 

It took me nearly two hours to clear the desk and do the paperwork.  In between, I cleaned the smaller bathroom (daughter's/visitor's) and, since I had the toilet cleaner out, I scrubbed my toilet, too.  And I vacuumed my bedroom, again, as there was dust under the desk.

This is how the desk looked when I finished:

After Cleaning March 2019

This desk is one I purchased back in 1981, from an office design store where I used to work.  It was in their basement, where they had old used office furniture for sale, and I think I paid something like $60 for it (they took out $10 from my weekly pay checks until it was paid off).  It is solid wood; my mother thought it was ugly and not worth what I paid for it, but I love it.  I do need a different chair for it, though, as the folding chair is too low for me!  Anyway, now that I've cleared it, again, it is my intention to keep it cleared! 

After that, I was ready for a cup of tea and an egg salad sandwich.  Then, I watched the evening news and knitted.  Both aunts T and C called in the evening and cousin P; I also exchanged messages with cousin P's daughter about an upcoming family event.

Dinner was half of the salmon steak (no, it's not a chicken drumstick, although that's what it looks like!) and some of the asparagus.  I cooked all the asparagus tips, so, tomorrow's dinner is in the fridge - the other half of the salmon and the rest of the asparagus. 

Dinner: Salmon and Asparagus

Afterwards, I had yogurt with a little palm treacle for dessert. 

Daughter and I video chatted later in the evening.  She was happy to say, "I told you so" when I informed her that I figured out how to post the follow button!  LOL. 

I washed the dishes and wiped the kitchen counters, but I was too tired to sweep and mop the floor. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- I figured out how to add the "follow" button to my blog!
- More rain for the garden
- Keeping in touch with family and friends
- What I was able to accomplish today
- A working heater


Wednesday's To Do List:
- Tidy the top of my desk - DONE
- 30 mins. of paperwork - DONE
- Clean 1 bathroom - DONE
- 30 mins to 1 hr. of tidying in the 3rd bedroom - NOT DONE (dumped more stuff in there, instead!)
- Clear/wipe down the kitchen counters - DONE
- Sweep and mop the kitchen floor - NOT DONE

Thursday's To Do List:
- Tidy the top of my dressing table
- 30 mins. of paperwork/filing
- Finish cleaning my bathroom
- 30 mins. of tidying in the 3rd bedroom
- Sweep and mop the kitchen floor

It is supposed to be another rainy day, tomorrow.  I am looking forwards to a productive day.

How was your day, today?   Do you have cluttered flat surfaces, too?  How well can you keep them cleared after you've tidied them?