Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Productive Monday

Double Colored Rose Pretending to be a Peace Rose

This week, the double colored rose bush decided to go for a more pastel look!  The rose that bloomed over the weekend looked more like a Peace rose!

Today, my daughter woke up before I did and started working.  I had a more leisurely start to the day, but, I had a productive day, overall.

After having a cup of tea in the morning and phoning a couple of cousins, friends, and neighbor T, I dusted the living room and dining area.  Then, I started dusting and tidying the family room.  It was supposed to have been the room of the week, last week, but, I didn't do it!  As part of the family room tidying, I went through a pile of mail and did some filing.

I also got a bit side tracked! Yesterday, when I was doing laundry, I opened a new box of laundry detergent (I use powdered detergent).  I left the box out on the small table in the family room, which is next to the laundry closet.  Today, I wanted to clear the surface of that table, which meant decanting the laundry detergent into the container I use for storing it, an old plastic jar that once held 20 lbs. of brown rice, which has a label that has resisted all my efforts to remove it.  I have been taping a piece of yellow sticky note paper over the torn label, but, today, I decided to try to make it look prettier!

Before

After

I cut a strip of paper from an old calendar and taped it around the container.  I left the laundry detergent box label for identification purposes (I know it's laundry detergent, but, it's good to have the label just in case someone else decides to do a load of laundry and wonders where the detergent is!)  I was very pleased with myself for doing this small upgrade to the container!  LOL.  Then, I filled the container with the detergent.  I have a little bit more to do in the family room (including vacuuming) and then, that will be a project crossed of my May projects list! 

In addition to tidying the family room, I cleaned the kitchen counters, too, and did some dishes.  Then, I knitted a little while I watched a news program.

S called me in the early evening and asked if we could do my piano lesson today, instead of tomorrow and I said yes.  I received an A+ on the minuet and it is no longer my homework.  I need to increase the tempo on the arabesque and I will continue to work on the River Flows in You.

Later, I took the trash cans to the curb, watered the front garden, and covered one of the weeded flower beds with newspapers and flattened cardboard boxes.  I didn't do any weeding today, however.   

Today, I am grateful for:

- Daughter is feeling much better
- A sunny, warm day
- Piano lessons
- Phone chats with family and friends
- What I was able to accomplish

My joyful activity today was playing the piano.

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Finish up the family room 
- Start on my bedroom (Room of the week)
- Paperwork
- Water the back garden
- Water the house plants
- Finish weeding the 3rd flower bed; cover with cardboard
- Practice the piano

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


26 comments:

  1. Well done on the A+. You are making such good progress, especially as you are tackling a grade 5 piece with River Flows in You. I'm hoping to be able to have regular piano lessons after November (when I become eligible for state pension) - you've inspired me.

    Well done on having a productive day and it's good to read that your daughter is feeling well enough to resume working. How much longer will she be able to stay with you?

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. At first, I was worried that River Flows in You was too difficult for me, but, now, it feels challenging but not impossible. I managed to put both hands together (taking it very, very slowly), yesterday! I'm glad to hear that you're hoping to take lessons, later this year. You should have no problem picking it up, right away.

      Thank you; I was pleased with what I managed to accomplish, yesterday. :)

      My daughter will be with me till July. Her office is planning to open up for having staff come in to work, at least a few days a week, starting in August. They are not quite sure exactly when the new premises will be ready for occupancy or quite how they'll set it up (not big enough for everyone to be seated 6 feet apart, but, most people should be vaccinated by then). But, daughter is planning to go back at the end of July.

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  2. Sometimes it's the little things, isn't it? Your Tide container is not bright and cheery. :)

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    1. It really is, June. :) I am very happy that I took 5 minutes to 'dress up' my container! :D

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  3. Blimey you were busy. I had to smile at your 'room of the week'. I do that too.

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    1. Yes, it was a productive day! I sort of follow an 8 week cleaning cycle where I go through each room or area of the house in turn. This week's room is the master bedroom, but, I will be finishing up the family room, as well. :)

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  4. The rose sure is beautiful and sounds like a very productive day. I like your detergent container upgrade. :)

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    1. I love the colors of the rose. Yes, it was a productive day! I'm hoping that today would be, too (a lot depends on the old energy levels and motivation!) Thank you! I am ridiculously pleased with myself over the detergent container! :D

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  5. I am glad someone else uses old containers for different things. I am just about to start a pantry project that will use old mayonnaise jars that are now being used to store rice, pastas and couscous.

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    1. I love to repurpose old containers, Anne. Hope you'll post about your pantry project when you are done!

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  6. Glad to hear of such progress on the piano! And the repurposed rice container looks much more cheerful with the roses on it. (Ha - what hopes you have, that a laundry fairy will drop in and need to identify your washing powder!) Reading about your filing I am feeling guilty as I only went through a great pile of post recently, and dealt with everything, now suddenly there is another big heap here, and I noticed this morning some of it hasn't even been opened! A job for tomorrow, then...!

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    1. Thank you, Lady Ella. I am happy with my piano progress! :)

      Ha, ha, you never know when the laundry fairy might visit!

      I've been putting the day's mail aside to "air" before I open envelopes, etc., and then, almost before I realize, a week's worth of mail has accumulated and there's a second pile of more recent mail, next to it!

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  7. Good to hear that your daughter was already up and working yesterday, she must be a lot better now.
    I like your improved container and it is certainly a good idea to decant the powder as I imagine it could clump if kept in the box.
    I've been for dental cleaning and was saddened to learn that my hygienist still hasn't had even one vaccination, and she works in people's mouths! It isn't fair that essential workers have to wait.

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    1. Yes, my daughter is feeling much better, thank you, Bushlady.

      Well, I started decanting the detergent into a container back when I used to buy those huge boxes of laundry detergent from Costco - I'd keep the big container in the garage and have a smaller amount in a container in the laundry area. These days, I buy smaller boxes of detergent, but, like the idea of having it in a container. :)

      That's too bad about your dental hygienist not receiving her vaccine, yet. You'd think that the essential workers would get first priority!

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  8. I love your idea to fix up the container! I have a giant container that long ago held pretzels, and I use for rice I buy in bulk. The pretzel label won't come off, tho of course I can see the rice, covering the jar would be pretty. Ha! Glad your daughter is doing much better. Celie

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    1. Thank you, Celie. I was just in the mood for doing something to make the container look a little prettier. I thought of looking for a picture that had a laundry theme, clothes hanging on a line to dry, etc., but, decided the flower picture was just fine. :)

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  9. Lovely rose. Does sound like a productive day!

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    1. Thank you, Sharon; the rose has been burnt by the sun, today! I was happy with what I was able to accomplish, yesterday. I find myself being more productive at the beginning of the week, but, that's OK, too. :)

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  10. Don't you hate stubborn labels like that? Makes you want to pull your hair out. Covering it with a pretty picture is a good idea. Next time you could try Goo Gone. It will be the best thing you ever bought, I promise. And even a small bottle lasts forever. Denise

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    1. Thanks for the tip, Denise; I've made a note of it. I usually try to soak the labels off and if they don't come off, then, try to cover them!

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  11. That's a great idea. My laundry powder comes in a cardboard box, so decanting it into a plastic container such as this would stop it from occasionally getting damp. I'll have to keep a look out for something similar here. And I like your upgrade. X

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    1. Something like a canister with a wide mouth would work, too - an old flour canister, perhaps, or a cookie jar. :)

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  12. How smart to cover the old label with a pretty paper. Sometimes doing the smallest thing makes such a pleasing change.

    This morning I've been cleaning the inside of the refrigerator. Taking all the shelves and vegetable drawers out and washing them. It sure needed it - what a difference it makes. I keep opening the door and looking at everything all sparkly.
    It doesn't take much to please me lol

    You are really progressing well with your piano lessons.

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    1. Thank you Debra. I like a nice sparkly fridge, too. :)

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  13. Wow you did have a busy day!... Im finally starting to feel better so getting back on my feet and slowly getting my house and laundry in order... I love what you did with the old rice jug!

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    1. Hi Robyn, sorry you've been ill; I think I overdid things and have come down with sciatica!

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