Monday, August 3, 2020

Warm Summer Days

Now that it is August, we are experiencing some warm summer days, with the temperatures in the upper 90s and, occasionally, going up to 100F.  I am quite comfortable with the fan on at these temperatures and the window air conditioner hasn't been put into place, yet.

Yesterday (Sunday), I spent the day quietly.  I spoke on the phone with neighbor T, friend R, and my sister (she is doing well, she told me; thank goodness).  I watched some TV programs and some videos online.  In the afternoon, I did some paper decluttering: I have several file folders with all the paperwork related to my health for the past five years.  I decided that I don't need to keep every single notification of authorization for services, appointments, etc.  I am keeping the bill statements and payment receipts, as well as the lab reports, etc.  I was able to toss a brown grocery bag full of torn papers (I tear everything that has any information, such as my name, into strips).  In the evening, I started the car (which started without any problems even though it has been over one week since I last drove or started it) and watered the garden.    Later in the evening, I practiced the piano.  Then, neighbor S called and offered me dinner:

Lahmajoon (Armenian Pizza) and Pumpkin Muffin (plus Candle)

Lahmajoon (or Armenian pizza), made with ground beef, this time, and a pumpkin muffin her daughter N had baked for dessert.  She also gave me a candle, in case I wanted to have a candle lit dinner, although I chose not to light it, last night.  Dinner was most appreciated!

Some of the things I was grateful for, yesterday, were:
- My sister is doing well
- The car started
- Fans, electricity to run the fans, etc.
- My current health
- Dinner compliments of neighbor S and her daughter

My joyful activity was video chatting with my daughter; she had just made a pan of bread pudding using all the bread ends she had saved and had called me, a bit earlier, to ask for my bread pudding recipe.  

Today (Monday), I've done more sorting through of medical files and have another brown paper grocery bag full of papers for recycling.  Today's piano lesson was rescheduled for tomorrow afternoon, because S had something else she needed to do, which was fine with me.  I practiced the piano, took the trash cans to the curb, and watered the front garden.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to sleep in
- Extra time for piano practicing
- Getting more paper decluttered
- Water for the garden
- Emails from friends

Today's joyful activity was spending time in the garden.  

My to do list for tomorrow (Tuesday) include the piano lesson, bringing in the trash cans, and more paperwork.  

How is your summer coming along?


18 comments:

  1. There are just too many 'bits of paper' around. Like you I keep ones that I think are important. They might have been "at the time" - but 10 years later, long after guarantees have expired, and there have been subsequent health checks and eye tests, the earlier documents are irrelevant.

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    1. Now you have me wondering if I need to keep all the lab reports I have been keeping! As you say, newer health checks have taken place and it seems that every time I go to the doctors' they want a new lab report, anyway! Maybe all I need to keep are the latest reports and, maybe, the original cancer diagnosis for reference? That would eliminate at least another file folder of papers!

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  2. I could not believe how nonchalant you seem over 100 degree weather, Bless!! I have a lot of decluttering that should be done also, especially on the desk in the kitchen. What a lovely neighbor, to have provided your meal. We are anticipating a tropical storm today. We have just finished cleaning up after our garage and walkway were flooded during a tornado alert and a deluge. Strange times we are living in!💖

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    1. Ha, ha, I start complaining about how hot it is when it gets to around 108F outside (usually happens towards the end of August, early September) and it is 98F inside the house (I don't have central air conditioning).

      So sorry to hear about the flooding; stay safe during the storm. I heard about the storm being headed up the coast to Maine and thought of your mother; hope she is keeping well.

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  3. Yay! for the car starting. Thankfully mine has also been fine since I had the battery replaced.
    I wish someone would call and offer me dinner, and I love how you also received a candle. How thoughtful. X

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    1. Yes, I was so glad when the car started! LOL. Glad to hear that you've not had any trouble with yours starting, either.

      It is absolutely wonderful when people call and offer you dinner! Especially when it is hot, you are tired, and you really don't feel like cooking! The candle was a lovely gift, too, and I look forward to enjoying its fragrance, one evening.

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  4. Hugs to you, for always counting your blessings...we could all take a tip from you. Glad your health is good. I love having eletricity...I would not have been a good pioneer. LOL. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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    1. Thank you, Susie. It's too easy to complain about things, but, that tends to put me in a bad mood, down in the dumps, which I don't like. So, I try to focus on the blessings, instead, and being thankful for what I have. Every day that I wake up alive and well is a good day! :) Hope all is well with you, too, Susie.

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  5. I'm happy to hear that your sister is doing well. It must have been to talk to her.

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    1. Thank you, Live and Learn. I was glad I was able to talk with her.

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  6. Let me know if a house on your street goes on the market. The neighbors on my street are wonderful but they never feed me!
    Stay safe, stay cool.

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    1. LOL, I will, Jan! I have some neighbors that make me raise my eyebrows, but, then, there are others who take care of me in the nicest of ways. :)

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  7. Someone in our neighbourhood was happy for free food. The foil pan of that cereal that I dropped on the floor, was completely empty this morning! I don't think the chipmunks and squirrels could have taken it all. I wonder if it was a skunk or a raccoon that ate it?
    We had a cool cloudy day yesterday and it is raining again today, so indoor chores take precedence.

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    1. Whoever it was, obviously liked the cereal and was probably very happy! I had both a raccoon and a possum drinking water from the garden cats' water bowl the other night (I heard some noises and looked to see who it could be). They were being observed by Snowball, from her perch in the curry leaf tree! LOL.

      Enjoy your rain! It is a little cooler, here, today (although no sign of any rain) and I am thinking I might actually be able to get some housework done (I like the heat, but, don't necessarily want to do cleaning, etc., when it is hot!)

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  8. Please please I too want to know if a house on your street is for sale! Ideally closer to you and your neighbors! 😁

    My neighbors give me plant cuttings etc, but no food.

    I’m glad to hear that your sister is doing well.

    Your temperature limit is 98F? I’m impressed. I can be comfortable with a fan maybe up to 89F or so, but after that I start melting. I think humidity makes it more uncomfortable.

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    1. LOL, I will definitely let you know, Nil! I'm sure I'd love to have you as a neighbor. :)

      Humidity definitely makes it worse. What we have is dry heat. Today is cooler, though, and there is a nice breeze.

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  9. It's such a good feeling to get rid of old paperwork.
    It does pile up doesn't it? Good job getting rid of 2 bags full.

    We had a storm & lost power for 4 hours on Tuesday.
    Not long but still - when it happens it throws the whole day upside down.
    I was glad when it came back on that's for sure.

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    1. Thank you, Debra; I am always fearful that I might need some document or the other, so it is very hard for me to decide to declutter my files.

      Oh, I'm sorry to hear about the storm and resulting power outage! I'm glad the power was restored. It's worrying when the power goes out for several hours. Hope there wasn't much damage from the storm.

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