March Balanced Life Monthly Goals

Time to make my March goals for a more balanced life.  I have chosen 10 areas of my life that I think are important to me.  As I've explained before, my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes of 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.  Ideally, all the spokes are of equal length and the wheel will roll along smoothly.  If the spokes are of unequal lengths, then, the resulting wheel will be lop-sided and wobbly.  My ratings for each segment are shown within the parentheses, with the beginning of the month ratings in black.

February Balanced Life Goals:

Spiritual: (10):   The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life:
- Continue with daily prayers, meditation, being grateful, positive, and joyful
- Continue to cultivate non-attachment to material things by donating/decluttering more
- Go to the Temple at least once
- Attend the March rosary prayer gathering (on 3/15)

House (9.75):  The goal is a home that is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming:
- Clean - Continue with spring (deep) cleaning
- Organize - Continue to find a place for everything and keep everything in its place
- Well maintained - Keep "erasing the evidence"; implement daily and weekly cleaning schedules
- Decluttered - Declutter 31 items in March

Garden (8.5):  The goal is a garden that is productive, yet drought tolerant:

- Maintain (water 1- 2 times per week, depending on how much rain we get; weed)
- Clean out the garden shed
- Plant the new succulents cuttings 

Daughter (10):  The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her:

- Be encouraging and supportive of her plans
- Daily texts, phone calls, and video chatting, etc., to keep in close touch with her
- Celebrate her birthday with her and enjoy her visit home

Family & Friends (10):  The goal is to have a close connection with family members and friends:

- Regular phone calls and emails
- Wish family and friends on their birthdays
- Will be seeing some family and friends at the monthly prayer gathering (scheduled for 3/15)
- Get together with friend R to go out to lunch or do some fun activity

Community (10):  The goal is to be involved in my community:
- Participate in the primaries and vote!

- Continue to participate in the blogging community 
- Weekly phone calls with neighbor T
- Weekly visits with neighbor S (who is teaching me piano)
- Continue to participate in the online group of which I am a member
- Participate in temple events
- Participate in library events (free movie screenings, etc.)

Finances (10):  The goal is financial security:

- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose
- Meet with financial planner (scheduled for 3/3)

Health & Well Being (7.5):  The goal is good health:
- Attend the medical appointments and lab tests scheduled for this month 
- Attend the retirement medical benefits workshop
- Continue to work on the following life style changes: 

  - better diet - eat more vegetables and complex carbs, less refined sugar
  - better hydration - drink 8 x 8oz glasses of water, daily
  - better sleep habits -  get sufficient sleep and try to adjust the sleep schedule
  - more exercise - get back on a walking schedule 

- Get back down to a healthier weight through diet and exercise

Time Management (8): The goal is to spend my time in a mindful manner:
- Keep to a more regular schedule
- Procrastinate less

Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (10):  The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
- Engage in daily joyful activities

- Participate in the Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt
- Weekly piano lessons (and daily practicing!)
- Do a crafts project

Those are my goals for a more balanced life in March.  The main goals don't change from month to month, but, I might tweak the things I do each month to attain those main goals.

Will you be making new goals in March?

March Cleaning - Room of the Month

Kitchen (Photo taken in early February)

In addition to my weekly cleaning (where I do one cleaning task or room each day of the week) and the 8-week rotation of weekly areas, I also to what is called a "room of the month (rotm)" where I pick a particular room on which to concentrate on each month.  The room can be any room or area of the house and there is no regular rotation of rooms.  For years, my "rotm" was the 3rd bedroom which was supposed to be the home office/crafts/guest room, but, which also became the storage room and ended up being called The Dump!  Last year, I managed to sort through that room and got it somewhat organized to the point where it was no longer The Dump.  It is still cluttered and stuff is still stored there (mostly earthquake/emergency supplies, such as extra water, toilet paper, and paper towels).  However, I am ready to move on to a different room!

I didn't do a "rotm" in January as I was not feeling up to it.  February's "rotm" was actually the whole house as I concentrated on getting the whole house somewhat clean and organized. 

But, in March, I want to focus on the kitchen.  It has been a couple of years since I deep cleaned the kitchen, last.  Oh, I've sorted through cabinets, wiped down shelves, washed the cabinet doors, etc., but, I haven't gone through each and every cabinet, systematically, and decluttered and cleaned.  It has been awhile since I last pulled everything out from the cabinet under the sink, for example, and washed the bottom of that cabinet.  Ditto with the corner cabinet with the double tiered turn-table where I store my pots and pans and some of my baking equipment.  So, that's the plan for March. 

Does anyone else want to join me to do a room of the month?  You don't have to choose the kitchen; it can be any other room or area of your home.  Again, one is supposed to do just 15 minutes or so, each day.  Baby steps.  One shelf, drawer, or cabinet at a time.  Declutter, first; then, clean, tidy, and organize. 

February Balanced Life Monthly Goals - Review

Time to review my February goals for a more balanced life.  As I've explained before, my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes of 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.  Ideally, all the spokes are of equal length and the wheel will roll along smoothly.  If the spokes are of unequal lengths, then, the resulting wheel will be lop-sided and wobbly.  My ratings for each segment are shown within the parentheses, with the beginning of the month ratings in black  and the end of the month ratings in blue.

February Balanced Life Goals:

Spiritual: (9.5)(10):   The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life:
- Continue with daily prayers, meditation, being grateful, positive, and joyful
- Continue to cultivate non-attachment to material things by donating/decluttering more
- Go to the Temple at least once
- Host the February rosary prayer gathering (on 2/8)

I continued with daily prayers, meditation, gratitude, etc., and did some decluttering.  I was able to host the February rosary prayer gathering, with the help of family and friends who said the prayers and contributed dishes to the meal that followed.  I also went to the Temple to drop off donations in memory of my mother whose death anniversary I observed in February.  I am well satisfied with the spiritual aspects of my life and have rated it 10.  


House (9.5)(9.75):  The goal is a home that is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming:
- Clean - Clean the house for the prayer gathering; do some spring (deep) cleaning, as well
- Organize - Continue to find a place for everything and keep everything in its place
- Well maintained - Keep "erasing the evidence"
- Decluttered - Declutter 30 items in February


The house got cleaned for the prayer gathering and I have been maintaining, deep cleaning, and organizing ever since!  I have maintained my weekly cleaning routines and have deep cleaned the living room to the point where I finally feel happy about its state of cleanliness!  I also managed to declutter 41 items, so I exceeded my decluttering goal, this month.  Items decluttered include 5 sweaters that I gave to my daughter (she will take them back with her).

I am raising the rating to 9.75, simply because I have cleaned and tidied all the rooms in my house, this month, I have kept up with my routines and deep cleaned, as well, and my daughter noticed that the kitchen counters are clear and commented on it!  LOL.  This does not mean that my house is perfect; there is still much to be done - some repairs, more decluttering, some new paint, just to mention a few improvements that are needed.  BUT, I am happy with the current state of my house.  This, I think, is the highest rating of satisfaction I've given to this area of my life, since I started this activity.  When I first started, I think the House area used to consistently rate around  4 or 5!    

Garden (8)(8.5):  The goal is a garden that is productive, yet drought tolerant:

- Maintain (water 1- 2 times per week, depending on how much rain we get; weed)
- Clean out the garden shed
- Start spring planting 


The garden is picking up!  The much neglected front garden is looking good with the osteospermum flowers going crazy!  M has brought me three more iris bulbs (white iris, he says) and planted them in the front, under the eucalyptus tree.  He also brought me more succulents cuttings from his garden.  I've been watering regularly, twice a week, as we haven't had  a lot of rain, and we fertilized the roses as they are already forming buds!  The garden shed got postponed, once again, but, that's not a priority.  I am raising the rating to 8.5, because the garden is coming along, nicely.  

Daughter (10)(10):  The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her:

- Be encouraging and supportive of her plans
- Daily texts, phone calls, and video chatting, etc., to keep in close touch with her
- Look forward to her planned visit at the very end of the month

We've kept in touch over the month with daily texts, phone calls, and video chats.  She is home again for the weekend and we will celebrate her birthday on Monday.  She is definitely a joy to me and I feel very blessed to have her in my life.  I am keeping the rating at 10.

Family & Friends (10)(10):  The goal is to have a close connection with family members and friends:

- Regular phone calls and emails
- Wish cousin V and nephew S on their birthdays
- Will be seeing some family and friends at the monthly prayer gathering
- Get together with friend R to go out to lunch
- Call/visit friend T

Another good month with lots of interactions with family and friends.  There were the usual phone calls and emails, etc., and in addition, I called my half-sister to check on her.  Several members of the family and friends participated in the prayer gathering I hosted and they all helped with the preparations, especially friend R.  I got together with friend R a couple of other times, too, and we had lunch together on a couple of those occasions and visited the Japanese Garden together.  I visited friend T, too.

Another good area of my life and I will keep the rating at 10.


Community (10)(10):  The goal is to be involved in my community:

- Continue to participate in the blogging community 
- Weekly phone calls with neighbor T
- Weekly visits with neighbor S (who is teaching me piano)
- Continue to participate in the online group of which I am a member
- Participate in temple events
- Participate in library events (free movie screenings, etc.)

February was a good month for being involved in my community.  I participated in the blogging community and an online group, supported the temple with donations, exchanged weekly phone calls with neighbor T and visited her, once, visited neighbor S, and supported several community small businesses with my purchases.  I didn't participate in library events as much as I had planned to, however; sometimes I bite off more than I could chew and I guess that's what happened with the library events, this month!  However, I am well satisfied with this area of my life and will keep the rating at 10.


Finances (10)(10):  The goal is financial security:

- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose. 


I continue to do well in this area of my life.  I continue to budget because I want to and I continue to spend mindfully, for the most part.  I have no debts, I am living well within my retirement income and still saving,  and I have emergency funds and other savings in place should I need them.  I am keeping the rating at 10.  

Health & Well Being (7.5)(7.5):  The goal is good health:
- Attend the medical appointment (just one) scheduled for this month 
- Continue to work on the following life style changes: 

  - better diet - eat more vegetables and complex carbs, less refined sugar
  - better hydration - drink 8 x 8oz glasses of water, daily
  - better sleep habits -  get sufficient sleep and try to adjust the sleep schedule
  - more exercise - get back on a walking schedule 

- Get back down to a healthier weight through diet and exercise.

I attended the one medical appointment that I had this month and it went well.  I've struggled with implementing the life style changes and I am not very happy about that.  However, my daughter thought I looked slimmer when she saw me, yesterday, and I have lost a little bit of weight (that keeps fluctuating, however).   I will keep the rating to 7.5.

Time Management (8)(8): The goal is to spend my time in a mindful manner:
- Keep to a more regular schedule
- Procrastinate less

I do have a schedule that is more or less regular, except, it is not the schedule I feel I should have!  I stay up too late (well into the wee hours of the morning) and wake up rather late.  However, it seems to be working for me, and I am getting things done and not procrastinating quite as much.  But, I feel that this is an area that still needs more work!  I will keep the rating to 8. 

Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (10)(10):  The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
- Engage in daily joyful activities

- Participate in the Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt
- Weekly piano lessons (and daily practicing!)
- Do a crafts project

This is another good area in my life!  The piano lessons are coming along well.  I did a scrapbooking project that I had been waiting to do for almost 10 years and finished it!  I started on another unfinished crochet project that had been languishing for awhile.  I have been engaging in daily joyful activities, too, and I continued to participate in the photo scavenger hunt.  I am keeping the rating at 10.

That is my review of my goals for a more balanced life in February.  My satisfaction ratings in each area of my life either remained the same or increased a little bit.  I am especially pleased with the rating in the House area!  On the whole, I am pleased with what I was able to accomplish towards having balance among the different areas of my life, this month.

Did you make any goals for a balanced life in February?  If so, how did you do?  Were you able to accomplish most of your goals?  Are you happy with what you were able to accomplish?  Will you be making new goals in March?

WPSH - February Link Up

Time to post my finds for the WPSH, February link up.  I'm linking up with Eileen for the WPSH.

No. 4 - Colors: I had posted another picture of a sunset for this prompt, earlier, but, Eileen suggested that this photo, too, would be good for this prompt, so, I'm posting this photo of spring flowers taken at the Japanese Garden:

#4: Colors

No. 5 - A Garden Gate:  This is one of the gates at the Japanese Garden. It looks very similar to the front gate to the garden (which I forgot to take a picture of).  Only one half of the front gate is kept open when the garden is open, to intentionally restrict the view of the garden because the garden is meant to be revealed gradually, as one enters and walks through it.

#5:  A Garden Gate

No. 7 - I stood here: This is where I went when I visited the Japanese Garden - it is located at the water reclamation plant and is meant to showcase the use of reclaimed water.

#7:  I Stood Here

No. 9 - Solitary:  There were many examples of possibilities for this prompt, including some specimen trees, but, ultimately, this goose sleeping on top of its island rock that was just big enough for one, seemed just right.  Solitary can be seen as lonely but, sometimes, one can choose to be solitary, for a little peace of mind or an undisturbed nap, and that is what this goose seems to be saying.

#9: Solitary

No. 12 - Time for tea:  I stocked up on my favorite tea and had a cup with some fish patties (similar to empanadas) that I had bought from the Sri Lankan restaurant.

#12: Time for Tea 

No. 16 - A barrier:  I had taken another picture, earlier, of a fence in my side yard, for this prompt, but, I thought this chain barrier to keep people off the stonescaped area was good, too.

#16:  A Barrier

My December link up is here and my January link up is here 

I still have to find 7 more photos in March.  I do have one of the alternates, if necessary, but, I must find a way to get my phone to transfer the pictures, before I can do anything else!  It's a bit hard to carry my laptop around to take pictures!  LOL.

Friday's Plans

Synchronized Diving - Mallard Ducks at the Japanese Garden (center of the photo)

I am posting random photos I took at the Japanese garden because my phone is not uploading newer photos!  There were a pair of Mallard ducks swimming on one of the streams, but, the moment I tried to take a photo of them, they both dove under!

A moment later, the male duck popped up:

"Oh, no, she's still there taking pictures!"

And dove right under again!

Bottoms up!

Yesterday, I accomplished all the tasks on my to do list.  Not including cleaning the microwave (which I did before brunch) and remaking my daughter's bed (which I did in the evening, after a certain cat finished taking his nap on the stripped bed!), doing the laundry, cleaning the cobwebs (I used a broom with an old kitchen towel wrapped around it), and cleaning the kitchen (including washing the dishes by hand) took me 45 minutes.  I work at a fairly leisurely pace; someone else might have been able to accomplish it in 30 minutes.  But, 45 minutes is my goal for the amount of time I want to spend on housework, daily.  So, I was happy.  I spent the rest of the evening watching news and crocheting.  My rag rug is coming along nicely. 

Friend R called in the evening and Aunt C called, too.  Cousin V sent a text that the March prayer gathering will be held at her mother's (Aunt T) house.  I asked her if she'd like me to bring something and, as I anticipated, she suggested a dessert.  I am the designated dessert maker in our family!  LOL.  Later in the evening, I video chatted with my daughter.  She is flying home, tonight.  I am excited but, also, a bit nervous because the airport she will be flying out of (and later, flying into) is an international airport and with the recent corona virus concerns, I worry about exposure risks.  As usual, she is more anxious about flying than catching the virus!  LOL.   Earlier, I was urging her to wear a face mask during her time at the airport and in the plane and she told me that wearing a regular face mask wouldn't help to prevent catching this particular illness.  She co-majored in epidemiology  (MPH in epidemiology and bio-statistics) and understands how these diseases spread.  So, I'll just pray that she has a safe flight.

Thursday's To Do List:

- Clean the kitchen - DONE (cleaned the microwave, sink, counters, mopped the floor)

- Load of laundry - DONE
- Remake daughter's bed with fresh sheets - DONE
- Remove cobwebs in living room (noticed one, last night!) and dining area - DONE

Friday's To Do List:

- Clean the bathrooms - STARTED

- Do one deep cleaning task (to be decided)

- Errands, if any (grocery shopping - need half and half for daughter's coffee)
- Tend to the garden with M
- Pick up daughter from airport

Today, I am grateful for:
- Kitty wake up calls - "Meow, you up?  Meow, breakfast? Meow!"
- The morning escort from the bedroom to the kitchen, accompanied by loud purring and a raised tail, followed by sitting at attention by the food dish!
- The garden cats lined up by the sliding glass door, waiting for their breakfast
- A sunny and warm day
- Knowing my daughter will be home, later, tonight. 

My joyful activity today will be hugging my daughter when she comes home!

How is your Friday coming along?  What are your plans for the weekend?

Thursday's Plans

Stream (Japanese Garden)

I took my time getting started on the housework, yesterday.  Even when I am motivated to clean, as I have been, this week, and even though I enjoy the process of cleaning (for the most part), I still procrastinate on starting it!  For me, getting started is half the battle, when it comes to cleaning.  Dancer tried his best to motivate me, leaving me stuff to clean up just outside his litter box (I think he forgot to turn around so his behind was outside the litter box, instead of being inside!) and some spit up in the family room!  Thank you, Dancer!  I cleaned his mess up, even before I had my morning tea, but, I've spent the rest of the morning on the computer!  I will put it down to the fact that I woke up with a slight headache/sinus pressure this morning (which is gradually easing off).

Brunch was rice flour noodles we call idiappam or stringhoppers with chicken curry, both from the freezer that I thawed and warmed up.  I took pictures, but, my phone is out of storage space, it says, and isn't able to transfer the pictures to my computer for me to post.  I have deleted all that I dare to delete to free up some storage space, but, it is still not working.  I am going to have to wait until my daughter comes home, this weekend to see if she can figure out how to free up more space for me.  What I have is not an expensive phone; it is a $40 track phone that we bought on sale a couple of years ago, mostly so I could text my daughter and take a few photos.  :) 

Yesterday was another productive day.  I vacuumed the lamp shades and under the sofa cushions in the living room (I have a canister vacuum with various attachments, like brushes and nozzles, that enable me to vacuum more than the floor); then, vacuumed the floors.  If I ignore the dusty baseboards and the drapes, I can say that I am happy with the state of my living room:

Living Room - taken from the front door on 2/24

The shelves on either side of the fireplace where I've displayed some of my blue and white china collection were already there when I bought the house.  I like them, so, I've kept them.

Showing a glimpse of the altar on top of the bookcase

The piano is against the wall to the left of the picture, with the arm chair I usually sit on next to it.  The big picture window is behind the sofa to the right of the picture.  You can see it in the photo below, taken from the dining area: 

From the dining area, looking towards the living room (taken earlier in the month)

It's all open plan.  I keep the dining table pushed against the wall to leave enough space to walk from the living room to the family room.   This is where I sew and scrapbook, etc.


Wednesday's To Do List:

- Vacuum - including under the living room sofa cushions and lamp shades - DONE

- Paperwork/filing  - DONE

- Do one decluttering/organizing task - DONE
- Water the back garden - DONE

Thursday's To Do List:

- Clean the kitchen - STARTED (cleaned the microwave)

- Load of laundry
- Remake daughter's bed with fresh sheets
- Remove cobwebs in living room (noticed one, last night!) and dining area

I don't have a piano lesson, today, as S gave everyone a break this week. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- What I am able to accomplish in terms of housework
- Microwave ovens
- Frozen food (homemade or bought)
- Being retired with time to enjoy doing what I please

- Library books

Today's joyful activity is crocheting.

How is your Thursday coming along?

Cleaning Cycles on Wednesday

Waterfall (Japanese Garden)

I had a very productive day, yesterday (Tuesday).  I finished dusting the family room and dusted my bedroom.  Then, I washed the insides of the front door and the living room windows (lots of kitty nose prints!), cleaned the window sills and wiped the tops of the door frames.  I shall wash the curtains and drapes the next time the living room comes around in the cleaning cycle, although, I'm afraid that they might disintegrate in the washing machine as they are rather old and worn!  The current drapes were bought on clearance, for $10 per pair, as "temporary, until I find what I really like" and that was at least 15 years ago!  Later, I watered the few houseplants that I have and the front garden, practiced the piano, did the dishes, and wiped down the stove top and kitchen counters.  I also checked my pantry supplies and made a note of a few things I need to replenish.

Today, is another sunny, warm day.  My plans for the day include vacuuming (including under the living room sofa cushions as part of my living room cleaning for this week) and watering the back garden.

In case anyone is interested, here is the 8-week cleaning cycle I am following:

Week 1 - Entryway and Living Room
Week 2 - Dining Room and Laundry Room
Week 3 - Bathrooms and Front Porch
Week 4 - Kitchen and Back Porch
Week 5 - Children's/Guest Rooms and Closets
Week 6 - Family Room and Room of Choice
Week 7 - Master Bedroom and Closet
Week 8 - All House Clean

I am aware that there are many house cleaning cycles out there, including one that cycles through the house in one month.  But, the one above is the one that I have been following and it works for me.  The focus is on decluttering first, then, organizing and cleaning.  For me, however, decluttering is an on-going process, so, my goal is to keep things somewhat organized and clean while I continue to declutter.  I don't have all the rooms or areas mentioned in the cleaning cycle and, sometimes, I take rooms out of order for whatever reason ( for example, if I am expecting an overnight guest, then, the guest room might need to be tidied and dusted before its week comes up).

The way this cycle works is, each week, we do a little bit of deep cleaning in that week's room; ideally, each deep cleaning task should not take more than 15 minutes per day.  This week, as I've mentioned before, is Week 1 and I am concentrating on the Living Room - I have dusted the furniture, including shelves, on Monday, cleaned the windows and doors on Tuesday, and, today, I will vacuum, including under the sofa cushions and the two lamp shades.  On Thursday, I plan to polish the few brass ornaments I display in this room.  And, as far as I am concerned, that will be all the deep cleaning I will do in this room during this go around.  Weekly dusting and vacuuming will keep the room maintained until the next time around, when, more deep cleaning (like washing the drapes and, probably, the windows, too) will be needed.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Another sunny, warm day
- Being able to open the windows to air out the house
- Dancer napping on the sofa in the afternoon sunshine
- Electricity to run the vacuum
- An answering machine to screen my calls!

Today's joyful activity is reading.

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Dust family room and my bedroom - DONE

- Water the house plants - DONE
- Water the garden, front and back - DID the front
- Practice the piano - DONE
- Do the dishes - DONE
- Wash inside of front door and living room windows - DONE

Wednesday's To Do List:

- Vacuum - including under the living room sofa cushions and lamp shades

- Paperwork/filing 

- Do one decluttering/organizing task
- Water the back garden

How is your Wednesday coming along?

Sunny Tuesday

Azalea and Cherry Blossoms

Yesterday, I dusted the living room, dining area, and most of the family room, changed the bed sheets, and did three loads of laundry as there were some clothes and a blanket to be washed as well as the bed sheets and towels.  Later, I cleaned the fridge and took the trash cans out to the curb.  In the evening, I practiced the piano (I don't think Dancer liked it, at all, because he meowed the whole time!), watched news, undid a crochet project I had started a long time ago (I was going to make a rectangular rag rug) that was not coming along and re-started it (going to make a round rug, instead).  I also called friend R to see how she was doing after our extra long walk, on Sunday; she said she was fine. 

Today, I was woken up early (7:30 a.m. is early when you go to sleep after 3:00 a.m.) by a text about next month's prayer gathering.  I answered the text and went back to sleep!  It was mid-morning when I woke up, next.  It's a lovely, sunny, and warm day, today.  I've already brought in the empty trash cans from the curb and gone through the mail.  There's a new magazine waiting to be read, so, that will be today's joyful activity to look forward to.

One library has their regular knitting group, this evening, and the other library is hosting a free coloring for adults event, should I choose to attend. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- A sunny, warm day
- Spring flowers
- A new magazine to read
- Events at the libraries, if I choose to attend
- Fresh oranges

Today's joyful activity will be reading my new magazine.

Monday's To Do List:

- Change bed sheets - DONE

- Load of laundry (bed sheets/towels) - DONE (three loads)

- Dust living room & dining area - DONE (and started on the family room, as well)

- Clean the fridge - DONE

- Take trash cans to the curb for Tuesday trash pick up - DONE

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Dust family room and my bedroom

- Water the house plants
- Water the garden, front and back
- Practice the piano
- Do the dishes

How is your Tuesday coming along?

WPSH Possibilities on Monday

Yesterday, when I was at the Japanese Garden, in addition to enjoying the sights and sounds of dancing, music, spring flowers, and bird calls, I was also on the lookout for possibilities for the Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt!

No. 5 - A Garden Gate:  This is one of the gates at the Japanese Garden. It looks very similar to the front gate to the garden (which I forgot to take a picture of).  Only one half of the front gate is kept open when the garden is open, to intentionally restrict the view of the garden because the garden is meant to be revealed gradually, as one enters and walks through it. 

#5:  A Garden Gate

No. 7 - I stood here: This is where I went when I visited the Japanese Garden - it is located at the water reclamation plant and is meant to showcase the use of reclaimed water. 

#7:  I Stood Here

No. 9 - Solitary:  There were many examples of possibilities for this prompt, including some specimen trees, but, ultimately, this goose sleeping on top of its island rock that was just big enough for one, seemed just right.

#9: Solitary

No. 16 - A barrier:  I had taken another picture, earlier, of a fence in my side yard, for this prompt, but, I thought this chain barrier to keep people off the stonescaped area was good, too.

#16:  A Barrier

It's another bright, sunny day, today.  I slept in, had leftovers from yesterday's lunch for brunch, and spoke with neighbor T who called to check on me.  I've had a very relaxed morning and early afternoon, but, I should get going on my To Do List for today (one load of laundry has been started, however).

Monday's To Do List:

- Change bed sheets

- Load of laundry (bed sheets/towels)

- Dust living room & dining area

- Clean the fridge

- Take trash cans to the curb for Tuesday trash pick up

- Water the garden, front and back - Can wait another day because we had a little rain on Saturday

In addition to the daily cleaning schedule, this week, I will be focusing on the living room.  A group of friends and I go through different rooms and areas of the house every week, using an eight-week rotation cycle.  Just in case anyone is interesting in joining in, we are starting a new cleaning cycle, today (we go from Monday to Sunday).  This is the week for the entry areas and living rooms.  I don't have a separate entry area, since my front door opens directly into the living room, so, this is a relatively easy week for me, cleaning wise. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- A sunny day
- Being able to sleep in
- Neighbor T calling to check on me
- Working appliances (washing machine, etc.)
- Electricity to run the appliances

Today's joyful activity will probably be playing the piano, once Dancer gets up from napping on it!  LOL!

How is your Monday coming along?  Do you follow a cleaning cycle? 

Another Visit to the Japanese Garden on Sunday

Today, I picked up friend R and we went to the SuihoEn Japanese Garden to attend a Japanese music and dance event.  The garden opened at 10:00 a.m. and we got there around 11:30 a.m., but the parking lot adjoining the garden was full and they had closed the parking lot!  We were directed to additional parking located in a different part of the park.  By the time we parked the car and walked what felt like a very long distance (it probably wasn't), the parking lot had been reopened!  Oh, well, I guess we got our exercise for the day!

Friend R insisted on paying our entrance fee of $3.00 each (Senior discount!).  The music and dancing was held at an outdoor tent set up near the main entrance to the garden:

Traditional Japanese String Instruments Called Koto

The music was followed by three traditional Japanese dances.  The first dance paid tribute to the four seasons, we were told:

The kimono was lovely!

The movements were graceful and deliberate

The dancer was very elegant

The next dance was very popular during the Edo period, we were told:

This dance was a little more energetic

The pace was faster

With much measured stomping of the feet and the pole

The third dance was meant to depict a geisha with an iris flower:

Geisha with an Iris 

Her kimono featured irises, too

It was another very elegant dance.  With a costume change, midway through the dance, when one of the other dancers helped her out of one sleeve of the kimono:

Costume change!

We weren't told what the significance of the costume change was

But, it matched her fan!

I enjoyed watching the dances.  It was all very measured, the movements very deliberate and elegant, but, the dancers were very serious, throughout. 

Afterwards, R and I strolled around the garden and took more pictures.

Spring Flowers

Then, we trekked back to the car and went out to lunch.  We went to the Sri Lankan restaurant, which wasn't too far from the Japanese garden and, afterwards, we stopped at the Sri Lankan store, as well.  I bought more frozen grated coconut, a bottle of kithul (Caryota urens) treacle, and a packet of frozen stringhoppers to try.  I invited R to have a cup of tea, but, she preferred to go home, directly.  I think we were both more than a little tired by then and she has to go to work in the morning.  I dropped her off at her apartment and came home to have a cup of tea.  I've been spending the rest of the evening, relaxing.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A lovely day spent in the company of friend R
- Lots of walking exercise!
- Being able to take in some traditional Japanese music and dance
- A nice lunch out
- A safe drive, both going and returning

Today's joyful activity was visiting the Japanese garden, again.

Catching Up on Saturday

I didn't feel like posting anything on Friday.  I started the post, but, I felt like there really wasn't anything much to write about!  Not that it has ever stopped me from writing a blog post, mind you, but, I think, yesterday, I was in a bit of a pensive mood by the end of the day and when I am like that, it's best not to say (or write) anything much.  I did write an email to my friend of many years - we have been exchanging almost daily emails for I don't know how long; over 14 years, I think.   I tell her things I probably haven't told anyone else!  LOL.

The day started out like any other - I had my morning cup of tea, replied to blog comments, visited and commented on a few other blogs, made and ate milk rice with leftover beef curry for brunch, practiced the piano, cleaned the litter box, cleaned my bathroom, and tidied the bottom shelf of the kitchen cabinet.  I didn't wash it, though; just pulled everything out, sorted things, and put them back again.  I have a 2.5 gallon container of emergency water at the back of that shelf, a glass pitcher/jug, the almost empty gallon jug of white vinegar (reminder to self - buy more vinegar), and jars/bottles!  Empty canning jars and glass bottles!  A whole box full of them!  Apparently, I never see an empty glass jar that I don't like!

Of course, glass jars are useful.  I reuse them to store things, I fill them with my jams and chutneys, with bulk bought spices and other items that come in plastic bags. Currently, I have three such glass jars being reused to root two avocado seeds and a sprig of lemon grass (which, incidentally, has rooted and is ready to be planted!)  However, all that being said, I really should limit myself to maybe a dozen non-canning glass jars!  And store them in a different place, so that I can use this shelf to store the rest of my supply of emergency water.

In the afternoon, I sat down to do my scrapbooking and I completely forgot that the screening of Harriet at the library was scheduled for yesterday afternoon!  I was too engrossed in scrapbooking!  Oops!

Anyway, I believe I am all caught up on redoing the scrapbook pages that had photos removed.  In the end, there were about three pages that held just a single photo which was removed and I was unable to redo those pages.  I found some duplicate photos from a couple of events that I haven't used, but, I think I might make a couple of new pages using some of those and, I know I have a few other photos tucked into drawers, here and there, that have not been scrapbooked.  But, that will be a project for another day or days.  It was fun doing the scrapbooking, but, at the same time, it was bitter sweet, as well.

M came by to tend to the garden in the evening.  We chatted about various things for a bit and then, he made the planting circle in the front garden a little bigger as the succulents growing in there had filled it in quite nicely and needed a little more space in which to grow.  He also watered the front garden for me.  Rain was in the forecast for today, but, I'm glad he watered the front garden, because the rain we've received so far, today, has been very little.

On Friday, I was grateful for:
- Memories
- Moments captured in photographs
- M helping me with the garden
- Video chatting with my daughter
- A friendship of many years and our daily communications

Friday's joyful activity was finishing up the scrapbooking!

Today, Saturday, I slept in and have had a very relaxed morning and early afternoon.  I had an email from another friend thanking me for the box of lemons I posted to her; I'm glad she received them.  I read a couple of blogs and commented on them and I wrote this blog post.  I spoke on the phone with my daughter, who called to say good morning.  On weekdays, she texts me good morning before she leaves for work and I text her when I wake up!  On weekends, she calls me.  Next weekend, she'll be home to wish me in person.  I am looking forwards to her visit.

Friday's To Do List.

- Clean my bathroom - DONE

- Clean Tidy the kitchen cabinet bottom shelf - DONE

- Have M make the front planting circle a bit bigger - DONE

I don't have anything planned for today, other than practicing the piano.  According to my cleaning schedule,  Saturday is set aside as a catch up day to do any cleaning that didn't get done during the week for whatever reason!  I have since modified this cleaning schedule, very slightly, by moving the bathroom cleaning from Wednesday to Friday, as I found that both vacuuming and cleaning the two bathooms in one day was a bit too much for me.  I added paperwork/filing to Wednesday, instead.  But, I haven't posted the revised cleaning schedule as it isn't all that different.  So, a very relaxed day of some reading and relaxing is what's on today's agenda!

Today, I am grateful for:
- My friend received her lemons
- What little rain we received
- Chatting on the phone with my daughter
- Afternoon sunshine through the breaks in the clouds
- A relaxed, restful day

Today's joyful activity will probably be some reading and relaxing!

Plans for tomorrow include visiting the Japanese garden and maybe going out to lunch with my friend, afterwards.

How was your Friday?  How is your Saturday coming along?  What are your plans for the weekend?

Stickers and Chocolates on Thursday

Stickers and Chocolates and Candy, too!

Today, after my piano lesson, in addition to stickers and candy, I was given the rest of the box of chocolates as a reward for playing well!  LOL.  The chocolates have been put aside to give to my daughter as they are one of her favorite kinds.

In the morning, before my piano lesson, I responded to blog comments and practiced the piano. Then, I processed today's mail.  Brunch was a scrambled egg on toast.

After the piano lesson, I went to the post office to mail a package of lemons to a friend, put gas to the car as I was at half-tank, and went to the grocery store across the street from the gas station.  I bought a loaf of bread ($.99), two pork chops ($.99/lb), a container of cold cuts (pastrami, $3.00), two 16 lb. bags of cat food for the garden cats ($10.49/bag) and more tuna ($.59/can) to share with Dancer.

Came home and had a pastrami cold cuts sandwich and a cup of tea.  Then, I watched news and rested.  After news, I did a few more scrapbook pages.  My layouts are super simple, without much embellishments:

Scrapbook Page

This is a new page I did today to replace a page that had photos removed from it.  After I took this photo of the layout, I pasted two photos over the dark green mats.  One photo is of my daughter with her class teacher and the other is of her with her best friend in that grade.  There is another page with photos from the same field trip, with journaling about where we went (Will Rogers State Park) and how the teachers forgot to bring their lunches!  Fortunately, we had taken extra sandwiches with us and we shared them with the teachers!

Friend R called in the evening and we chatted for a bit.  We are still planning to go to the Japanese Garden on Sunday.  It is supposed to rain on Saturday, according to the weather forecast.  Sunday will be cloudy, but, no rain.

Later in the evening, I video chatted with my daughter.  As always, chatting with her is one of the highlights of my day.

Dinner was another pastrami sandwich!   Dancer thinks he should get a bite of the sandwich, too!

"I am willing you to share your sandwich with me!"

Today, I am grateful for:
- A good piano lesson
- Stickers and chocolates!
- An abundance of lemons to share
- The car started without any problems after not being driven for several days
- Phone calls and video chats

Today's joyful activity was scrapbooking.


Thursday's To Do List:
- Piano lesson - DONE 

- Clean the kitchen (tall cabinet bottom shelf)

- Post office - DONE
- Grocery shopping (bread) - DONE
- Put gas to the car - DONE

I didn't do the kitchen cleaning, today.  Will do it tomorrow, instead, because I did errands (normally scheduled for Fridays), today. 

Friday's To Do List.

- Clean my bathroom 

- Clean the kitchen cabinet bottom shelf

- Have M make the front planting circle a bit bigger

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?

Wednesday

I processed yesterday's mail before I went to bed, last night - two pieces of mail got recycled, two medical billing statements (details of medical bills paid by insurance, not bills I need to pay) were filed, and the last piece of mail, about an upcoming medical insurance requirements workshop) was kept aside to call to make a reservation to attend it.  This morning, I made the phone call and reserved a place at the workshop, scheduled for March, and made a note of it on my calendar.  I am supposed to receive a letter of confirmation, a week or so prior to the workshop; if not, I'll call.

I dealt with today's paperwork, right away - this week's grocery ads, some junk mail, and a reminder from my tax preparer.  I had already scheduled an appointment to meet with her, but, I might have to take time out from scrapbooking to get all my tax papers together!

Cousin N called in the morning and we chatted a bit.  Later, I called cousin P and had a chat with her.  The "family spoke" of my balanced life wheel is getting nicely plumped, this month.

Breakfast was cereal with milk.  Lunch was the last of the tuna salad on a slice of bread.  Dinner was rice, beef curry, and sauteed green beans.  Later, I snacked on cheese and crackers and fruit.

Dancer joined me in singing at the piano, again, today!  This time, he decided to join in on a song about a cuckoo. . ."Cuckoo", "Meow", "Cuckoo", "Meow, meow".

In the afternoon, I vacuumed, organized the rest of the drawers in my chest of drawers, did some scrapbooking, and, in the early evening, watered the back garden.  Later, I video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Phone chats with my cousins
- Hot and cold running water on tap
- Duplicate photos (they were a printing error, at the time, but, I am glad to have them!)
- Water for the garden
- Video chatting with my daughter

Wednesday's To Do List:

- Vacuum - DONE

- Paperwork/filing - DONE
- Call to schedule an appointment - DONE

- Do one decluttering/organizing task - DONE
- Water the back garden - DONE
- Practice the piano - DONE
- Go to the post office
- Scrapbooking - DONE

Today's joyful activity was video chatting with my daughter (and scrapbooking).

I didn't go to the post office, today; hope to do that tomorrow.

Thursday's To Do List:
- Piano lesson

- Clean the kitchen (tall cabinet bottom shelf)

- Post office

- Grocery shopping (bread)

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?

Relaxed Tuesday

Tuesday started with a phone call from my half-sister.  I had called her and left a message, yesterday, so she was returning my phone call.  We chatted for a bit and brought each other up to date on what has been happening in our lives since we last spoke.

I spent a fairly relaxed morning.  After breakfast, I brought the now emptied trash cans in and collected the mail.  Today, I didn't process it right away, however, so it is sitting on the side table, here!  This is how the paper piles begin!

In the afternoon, I practiced the piano (Dancer didn't join me, today) and then, I put away a few things that needed to go on the higher shelves in the upper kitchen cabinets.  It meant having to stand on the second step on the  two-steps kitchen step stool.  While I was up there, I checked to see if there was anything to declutter, but, there wasn't (at least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!).  LOL.

I spent the majority of my afternoon and the early part of the evening doing scrapbooking.  I think I redid about 7 pages, today.  I watched some news while I crafted.

Neighbor T called me in the afternoon to give me a couple of oranges and I took over a bunch of flowers from my garden to give her.  We visited a little bit, but, I didn't stay long.

I didn't water the back garden, today, either, so I really need to water it, tomorrow.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to chat with my sister
- Neighbor T sharing some of her oranges with me
- Being able to thank her with a bouquet of flowers from my garden
- Spending the afternoon scrapbooking
- Video chatting with my daughter

Today's joyful activities included chatting with my sister and scrapbooking.

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Bring the trash cans in - DONE
- Water the back garden

- Water the house plants - DONE

- Continue to scrapbook - DID Some

Wednesday's To Do List:

- Vacuum

- Paperwork/filing
- Call to schedule an appointment

- Do one decluttering/organizing task
- Water the back garden
- Practice the piano
- Go to the post office

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

Monday's Doings

I woke up this morning (such a blessing to be able to do so!), looking forward to re-doing a few more scrapbook pages.   After my morning tea and responding to blog comments, of course.  But, not before  I made myself a tuna salad sandwich for brunch, put a load of laundry to wash, and practiced the piano.

I don't think Dancer liked my piano playing, today, because he started weaving in and out under the piano stool, meowing!  Or, maybe he was singing and dancing?  The piece I was playing was about a donkey, sweetly singing, "Hee haw, hee haw", if you didn't feed him; Dancer sang, "Me-ow, me-ow"!  Maybe I should get ourselves an agent!

After piano practice, the laundry was ready to be put away (I had dried it in the dryer).  That led to tidying up one of the drawers where I store my sweaters.

Then, inspired by Susan and her pantry cupboard cleaning, I decided to clean the shelf where I store my food storage containers:

Empty, Cleaned Cabinet Shelf

I pulled everything out and washed the shelf and the sides.  While it dried, I sorted through my containers:

Food Storage Containers

I found some extra lids that went into the recycling bag.  All the remaining containers were matched with their lids.  Some people recommend you store your containers, stacked, with the lids on, so you don't have to look for the matching lid to the container.  I prefer to keep some of the containers nested, so I tried to compromise and did a little of both:

Some Stacked and Some Nested

And put them all back in the now clean and dry cabinet shelf:

Storage Container Shelf

I don't use these containers that much for food storage, any more, preferring to use glass containers, instead.  But, I have been using these containers when I send food home with various people.  I gave away several containers, last week, when I hosted the prayer gathering, and said I didn't want them returned.

I also found this item, at the back of the shelf:

Light Cover from Old Fridge?

Not quite sure what it is, but, I think it might be the fridge light cover from the old fridge.  I put it in the recycling bin!

Finally, I sat down to scrapbook around 2:30 p.m. and did a few pages!  I am a very slow scrapbooker.  I spent about two and a half hours and did five or six pages, total!

Then, at 5:00 p.m., I stopped to have a cup of tea and I cleaned the fridge, took the kitchen trash and recycling out, took the trash bins to the curb, and watered the front garden.   Then, watched the news, had dinner, and did the dishes.  I didn't cook the fish curry as planned; instead, I thawed something I had in the freezer and had that!  Later, I video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Waking up, alive and well
- A home of my own, messy and cluttered though it might be
- Dancer, with his singing and dancing
- Texting and video chatting with my daughter
- Photographs that capture memories

Today's joyful activity was scrapbooking.

Monday's To Do List:
- Laundry - DONE

- Clean the fridge - DONE

- Take trash cans to the curb for Tuesday trash pick up - DONE

- Water the garden, front and back - DID the front
- Continue to scrapbook - DID  a few more pages
- Cook a fish curry
- Practice the piano - DONE

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Bring the trash cans in
- Water the back garden

- Water the house plants

- Continue to scrapbook

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