On Sunday

 

Togepi in a Stocking

Togepi is another Pokemon, who is usually depicted as hatching from its egg.  You can see a little bit of the top of the egg shell above the stocking.  This was daughter's crafted ornament of the day.  In addition, she decorated a couple of baubles at my request:

Snowflakes

More Snowflakes

And Stars

On Sunday, I started to decorate the Christmas tree.  I didn't finish decorating it, though.

In the afternoon, neighbor S's daughter N texted my daughter and asked her if she'd like to have some clothes, some with their tags still on them, that N was decluttering from her closet.  Daughter said she'd love to have them and N brought them over about 20 minutes later, telling daughter to keep what she liked and donate or do whatever she liked with the others.  There were five tops in the bag of clothes - three which were long sleeved knit tops (too thin to be considered as sweaters) and two short sleeved blouses.  All the items except one blouse had the tags still on.  Daughter tried them on and the three knit tops fitted her perfectly.  The two blouses were a big snug on her, but, they fitted me, just right!  So, I will keep them for the summer and declutter two of my older blouses.

Later, I did two loads of laundry, including the new clothes and daughter's bed sheets.  Afterwards, I remade daughter's bed, with the washed and dried sheets.

Brunch had been egg salad (I usually add finely diced green Serrano chilies to my egg salad; today, I added diced red and green Serrano chilies to it and called it Christmas egg salad), bananas, and orange juice.  For dinner, I made a curry with some of the leftover turkey, sauteed broccoli, and freshly cooked rice.  I looked for the two cucumbers I had bought on Friday, but, apparently, I didn't receive them!  Or, if I did receive them, then, I don't know where I put them!  They were not in the fridge, they were not in the one bag of hot cheetos that I had kept in the spare bedroom, they were not in the cabinet where I had stored some of the canned items (tuna) and bottled salad dressing I had bought.  I went through the fridge shelf by shelf and drawer by drawer and cleaned the fridge while I looked for the cucumbers, so that task was done!  I had been too busy on Friday to check the groceries against the receipt as I normally do and now, it is too late to call the store to say that an item was missing.  Maybe the cucumbers were accidentally given to the other pick up customer who was waiting while my groceries were being loaded into my car.

After dinner, I ran the dishwasher and washed all of Dancer's food bowls by hand.  I also chatted with friend R and ordered some holiday gifts.  I'm trying to get the Christmas and New Year gifts ordered well in advance, this year, because I want to focus more on preparations for the almsgiving which is scheduled for the 28th of December.

On Sunday, I was grateful for:

- A nice, sunny day
- Working appliances
- The gift of new clothes
- Being able to order items online
- What I was able to accomplish

Sunday's joyful activity was starting to decorate the Christmas tree.

Plans for Monday include:

- Finish decorating the Christmas tree
- Put away the laundry
- Water the front garden
- Clean my bedroom

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

How was your Sunday?  What are your plans for Monday?  Have you started shopping for Christmas gifts?

On Friday

Berkeley Tie Dye Tomatoes

The Berkeley Tie Dye tomatoes are getting big!  According to what I've read online, they are supposed to get a pink stripe on the outside when ripe.  But, I might pick one while still green to make a green tomato curry, this weekend.

On Thursday, daughter had back to back meetings all day, with a short break for brunch.  I did a load of laundry and sorted through my clothes closet, moving the winter clothes to the left side (the side I rarely open) and shifting the summer clothes to the right side (the side that I open most often).  As I shifted the clothes, I decluttered a few items that my cousins had given me, which I've tried and decided didn't fit me or suit me.  I've put them aside to offer to friend R to send to her daughters.  I will continue to try on and declutter the summer clothes, too.  We spent a relaxed evening at home and I watched the presidential debate.  Dinner was chicken curry, cucumber salad, tomato chutney, and rice. We also picked and shared the first ripe strawberry before the birds could get it! 

On Friday, daughter had another full day of work.  I put away the laundry I had done on Thursday and tidied another shelf in the linen closet (I had previously tidied the shelf with the crocheted table covers my grandmother and mother had made and the shelf where I keep the towels).  Today, I tidied the shelf where the bed sheets and pillowcases are stored.  

M was here in the evening to tend to the garden and we picked the last of the peaches (leaving a few half pecked ones at the top of the tree for the birds to finish).  I washed and sorted through the ones we picked and now, I have some set aside to eat fresh, some to make into a compote, and some for a small batch of jam.  That's on the to do list for Saturday.  Daughter also picked the first two plums and we shared one.

I made a smoked sausage stir fry for dinner, with onions, bell peppers, carrots, snowpeas, and cashews; we had it with freshly cooked rice.  Later, I cooked a chicken curry with the package of chicken thighs I had bought.  The majority of it will be frozen till next Friday, when I am having my late friend A's husband and daughters over to dinner (A's birthday would have been on the 4th of July).  

On Friday, I'm grateful for:

- Daughter being home
- M's help with the garden
- This year's peach harvest
- Water for the garden
- A sunny and warm, but not too hot, day

Friday's joyful activity was picking the rest of the peaches.  We had a good crop of peaches, this year.

Plans for Saturday include processing the rest of the peaches and maybe finishing up the linen closet (have to put away the quilts for the summer and tidy the bottom shelf where I store the sofa dust sheets and there are a couple of quilts in progress that are being stored there, too).

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

 

Friday: A Keeper and a Maybe Not

A Keeper

I wore this blouse that my cousin had given me, the other day, and I decided that it is definitely a keeper!  It's soft and a bit floaty, and I have a light blue cardigan than goes well with it.

I'm not so sure about this other top, though:

Maybe Not 

It is a mock twin set with three quarter length sleeves.  First of all, I am not a very big fan of three quarter length sleeves.  I like short sleeves and long sleeves; with three quarter length sleeves, I keep pulling them down!  I like the white lace insert, but, the arm holes are a bit too big!  If I decide to keep it, I need to put two darts to make the arm holes a little smaller.  I am also wondering if I might have more use for the cardigan part of it (even with the shorter than I like sleeves) if I remove the white lace insert!  Or, maybe I should just donate it!  For now, I have put it aside in the "Undecided" pile!  

It was another hot day, today, with the temperature going up to 95F in the afternoon.  I'm loving it!  When M was here in the evening to tend to the garden, he said it was a custom made day for me!  LOL.  He knows that I like it warm.  My heating budget likes it, too, because the longer it stays warm the less I need to heat the house!  

I didn't feel any side effects from the flu shot - just a little bit of soreness in the arm, at the injection site.  Even so, I took it easy and relaxed, today.  

Today, I am grateful for:

- The sunny and warm day
- Minimal side effects from the flu shot
- M's help with the garden
- An abundance of clothes from which to choose, thanks to my cousin
- Texts and emails from family and friends

Today's joyful activity was picking cherry tomatoes from the garden.  

Plans for tomorrow include decorating for Halloween and reading.

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

Friday: Cheetah Spots and Tiger Stripes

"My Coat is Tiger Striped"

This is the "cheetah print" blouse I wore, yesterday:

Cheetah Print Blouse

A Close Up of the Fringe Down the Sleeve

Today, I chose another new to me blouse, one that is striped, with slightly puffed long sleeves and button details at the shoulders and cuffs:

Striped Blouse

The fabric is more like a T-shirt material, and not at warm as the cheetah spots one, but, I like this blouse and it is a definite keeper.

It was cool in the morning and I had the small electric heater on.  Later, it warmed up to 80F and I was very happy.  I had planned to do some kitchen tidying, today, but, I didn't do any of it.  Instead, I did a load of laundry, checked on the garden with M, watched some news programs, and watched a few online videos.  I shall tidy the kitchen tomorrow, I guess.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Working appliances
- Electricity 
- M's help with the garden
- Phone calls and emails from friends
- A sunny day

Today's joyful activity was tending to the garden with M.

Plans for Saturday include maybe watching the solar eclipse, if possible to do so from my house, taking some packages that arrived for friend R (she had them delivered to my address after asking me if that would be OK) and tidying the kitchen.  Maybe do another load of laundry, too.

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

Windy Wednesday

Wednesday's Harvest: Green chilies, cherry tomatoes, green beans

A sunny day with gusty winds, especially in the morning.  The winds blew down the tomato plants, cages and all, and a branch of the curry leaf tree behind the garage broke off.  Fortunately, M was here later in the morning and he straightened up the tomato plants and took care of the broken branch.  Afterwards, he watered the garden, both front and back.  I picked more green beans, two cherry tomatoes, and some green chillies; I was amused to see that some of the green chillies were bigger than some of the green beans.  

Former neighbor T called in the morning and I chatted with her, until one of the care givers came in with her lunch.  Later friend R called and we chatted a bit, too.

I started on the closet, today, and sorted through all the clothes.  Once again, I have an abundance of clothes thanks to the generosity of my cousins!  They do all fit in my closet, so I am not going to fret about having too many clothes the way I did the last time I went through my closet!  I pulled out three items to put aside to donate, provided my daughter doesn't want them (she has asked to go through them first, before I donate them).  There might be more added to them, later.  I don't like trying on clothes, so, my plan is to wear each item, see if I like it and how it fits me, and then, decide if I will keep them or donate them.  

I still need to go through the items I store on the closet floor.  I plan  to do that, tomorrow.

In the evening, I watched the news and cooked the green beans I had picked over the past few days, some lentils, and warmed up the chicken curry I had taken out from the freezer, and the zucchini I had cooked the other day.

Dinner: Rice and Curries with Tomato Chutney

I finished the zucchini, but, there are leftovers of everything else for tomorrow's dinner, too.  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Waking up this morning, safe, well, and alive
- A sunny day
- M's help with the garden
- An abundance of clothes

- Garden produce

Today's joyful activity was tending to the garden with M.

Plans for tomorrow include finishing up my closet and tidying the kitchen a bit.

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

Other Holiday Visitors and Visits

Not Quite a Weathervane

The neighbor's rooster is a frequent visitor in my garden, usually scratching around and taunting Mama Cat who mostly ignores him, unless he eats her kibbles and then, she'll chase him.  Today, I noticed him up on the garage roof! Not quite sure what he was doing up there, but, if he was pretending to be a weathervane, he was not doing a good job of it!  

Still Not a Weathervane!

This has been a bit of a social week for us, although Monday's visit to see cousin V and my daughter's walk with a friend were cancelled.

It rained on and off all day on Tuesday and my daughter and I spent a relaxed day at home during the day.  In the evening, however, two of my daughter's friends from school days visited for their annual holiday get together.  These get togethers started when they were all in high school - my daughter and four of her friends would have a potluck lunch at school on the last day before the winter break.  Once they graduated from high school, they continued to hold their holiday pot luck at our house.  One year, just before the pandemic broke out, they held their holiday get together at a restaurant.  Over the years, one or two of the girls dropped out, making their excuses for not attending the holiday get togethers.  This year, it was just my daughter and her friends A and V, and V's 5 months old baby who is such a cutie!  Everyone wore masks (except the baby, of course) and this year, there was no sharing of food as that required masks to be taken off.  I stayed in the family room for the most part while they stayed in the living room, but, it was pleasant to hear them chatting and laughing.

On Wednesday, I visited neighbor S very briefly as I wanted to give her the euryops plant I had bought for her (she had admired my euryops plants and said she liked the yellow flowers).  Then, we enjoyed our visit with Baby Yoda as posted, earlier.  

Today, Thursday, has been another rainy day!  Today, in the afternoon, we visited my cousin R.  Her planned visit to Scotland had to be cancelled because her son's passport was damaged and they couldn't get a replacement passport in time.  She was rather disappointed about it, but, was accepting of the situation.  I had met her briefly at her sister's house on Christmas Day and I gave her her Christmas gift then.  Today, I gave her an early birthday present (her birthday is next week).  My daughter and I wore our masks during the visit which lasted about 15 or 20 minutes.  When we were leaving, cousin R gave us three bags of clothes and a few other times that she had decluttered.  Some of the items still had their tags on (they were gifts that didn't fit her, she said).

I had worn one of the blouses she had given us the last time and she was happy to see that I was wearing it.

After we came home, daughter and I tried on the clothes that cousin R had given us.  The majority of them fitted daughter and some of the items fitted me.  Daughter chose the items she wanted to take to Berkeley with her, including a lovely warm jacket (something she had been wanting to buy for herself) and a purse.  I selected a few blouses for myself.  There were two blouses that were too tight for us and my daughter will offer them to her friend A and if she doesn't want them, I will offer them to my friend R.  Thanks to my cousin's generosity, my daughter and I will not need to buy any new clothes, next year!  Such a blessing!

The big question is, will I declutter my closet to accommodate the new clothes?  Or, will I add them to the existing clothes (and maybe buy another set of hangers for them?)  That might be a question to ponder in the new year.  But, for now, I have a dozen new to me blouses and cardigans to add to my wardrobe!

This evening, daughter's friend A is visiting and she and my daughter are doing some artwork together (once again, everyone is wearing masks).  

Later tonight, daughter's friend P is bringing more vegan Vietnamese food and lemons from his sister's tree!  I have a feeling that I might be making a batch of lemon marmalade this weekend!  LOL.  

In between visits and having visitors over, I've hemmed the dress my daughter will be wearing as a bridesmaid at her friend J's wedding (and gave her the rest of the spool of thread and a needle to take with her, just in case there are further repairs or adjustments that need to be made), done some laundry, and cleaned the kitchen a bit.  

Today, I am grateful for:
- The much needed rain
- Visits with friends and cousins
- A safe drive to my cousin's and back
- New to us clothes!
- The many blessings I've received

Today's joyful activity was visiting my cousin.

Plans for tomorrow include more laundry and some tidying.

How is your week coming along?  What are your plans for tomorrow?

Labor Day Monday

Labor Day Feast Compliments of Neighbor S and Daughter

I had a phone call from neighbor S, this evening; her daughter N and N's friend had made fried tilapia and a salad, if I would like some, she could bring some over!  I said I'd love to have some and a short time later, S and N brought over this feast!  Battered, fried tilapia, sauces for the fish, mango salsa, pickled bell peppers and red onions (so colorful), a big container of coleslaw, tortillas, some tortilla chips, and for dessert, a gluten free brownie made with almond flour and applesauce!  Oh, my!  Enough food for several meals!  I had a piece of the fish, the mango salsa, and the brownie for dinner and I am full!  S and family are such wonderful neighbors and such a blessing! 

Thank you, everyone, for your kind concern for my daughter.  She woke up early, this morning, feeling much better, did her meal prep for the week since she was feeling OK, took a nap in the afternoon, and has been relaxing in the evening.  It went up to 91F in Berkeley, today, which was very hot for them, although daughter loved it.

It only went up to 104F, here, today, with 39% humidity,  According to the forecast, the humidity made if feel like 108F.  I decided to try my sewing project, with a different pattern, and had more success:

New Cotton Blouse

I used one of my old blouses that I had sewn as my pattern!  Kept the blouse on the fabric (leftover from making a pillowcase for my daughter's bolster pillow) and cut out the pieces!  I made it a bit bigger though, as the other blouse is a bit tight on me.  I had to patch a strip of fabric at the bottom to get the length I wanted, but, it is hardly noticeable.  I didn't have enough of the blouse fabric to make the bias bindings for the armholes and neckline, so I used some lilac colored fabric that was leftover from a nightdress that I had sewn several years ago for the bias bindings.  This blouse is made for wearing around the house and I don't mind that the bindings are of a different colored fabric!  I am not fussy!   I wore it in the evening, after I took a shower to cool off:

Modeling the New Blouse!

I changed out of the white cheesecloth skirt and into a pair of shorts after I took the photo and after neighbor S and her daughter brought over dinner; I would not dream of subjecting anyone to the sight of me in a pair of shorts!  LOL.  

Neighbor T called in the afternoon, saying she had been concerned about me.  I told her I had called and left messages, but, she sounded surprised by that bit of news.  I guess she didn't receive my messages?  Maybe she doesn't know how to check her voicemail!  I will call her daughter, tomorrow, and mention it to her.

Later in the evening, I watered the back garden just to keep the fruit trees and the rose bushes alive.  All the vegetable plants, except the chili plant and the moringa tree, have been uprooted.  I am not sure if the chili plant will bear anymore chilies, but, I will keep it to see if it does (this is the second year for it).  

Still later, I chatted with friend R and video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Neighbor S and her daughter N being such wonderful neighbors and bringing me such a generous dinner
- Hearing from neighbor T
- The fabric stash!
- My new blouse
- Daughter felt much better, today.

Today's joyful activity was sewing!  

Today's decluttering was a catalog that arrived in the mail, last week, featuring Labor Day sales.

Plans for tomorrow will depend on the weather, of course.  According to the forecast, it will be 101F, tomorrow.  I shall try to water the front with some shower water I have collected in buckets.

I didn't do a meal plan, today; I think it will be safe to say that this week's meal plan will be based on leftovers from the feast that neighbor S gave me, leftovers I have in the fridge (sauteed chicken, moringa curry, etc.), and stuff from the freezer (leftover pizza, gyoza, etc.) which will be quick and easy to cook during this heatwave! 

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

Visiting on Thursday and Blueberries on Friday

 

Blueberries Are Starting to Ripen

Yesterday (Thursday) was visiting day!  I woke up a little later than planned and, by the time I had finished saying my morning prayers, showered, looked up driving directions from my cousin's house to friend A's house just in case cousin wanted me to drive, picked lemons, and packed up all the things I was taking with me (mallung, lemons, and two food containers to be returned to A; banana muffins, lemons, and a glass that had held some plant cuttings to be returned to V) I was feeling a bit rushed!  I had told cousin V that I'll be there around 1:30 p.m.  At 1:15 p.m., I was still closing up the house and getting ready to leave!  Then, V texted to say that lunch was ready!  I texted that I was running a bit late and just leaving the house!  I got to her house a little before 2:00 p.m.  

V had prepared a very nice lunch - ghee rice and various curries - chicken, shrimp, salted dried fish (karola), dhal, spicy sauteed potatoes (ala thel dala), and eggplant pahi (the eggplant is first fried and then, cooked into a dry curry).  Yogurt and treacle for dessert, although I was so full after lunch, that I postponed having dessert until later.  I enjoyed the lunch (V is a good cook) and afterwards, V handed me a container and told me to pack myself some food to take home with me, which I did!  Then, we sat and chatted for a bit, until it was time to visit A.

V's husband drove us to A's, so I need not have bothered with looking up driving directions!  We had a nice visit with A, too.   She seemed a lot better than when I last visited her.  I put the mallung in her fridge so she could have it, later.  We spent about an hour, visiting with her.  Before we left, A gave me the bowl in which I had taken some pudding to her on my last visit.

After the visit, we went back to V's.  She offered me tea, but, I declined and had the yogurt and treacle I hadn't eaten after lunch, instead. 

I didn't wear a mask when I visited V (it felt strange to be without a mask), but, I wore one when I visited A.  

After I came home, I had a cup of tea and spoke on the phone with cousin P (who had moved to Florida).

Then, my daughter called and we had a long chat.  She always gives me a very detailed account of her day and, yesterday, one of the papers that she helped to write was published (she does research about food and nutrition programs).  This is the third paper that has been published with her listed as the first author and counts towards her professional development.  She said she wore a different outfit to work, yesterday, than she had planned and said, "Don't worry, I took a picture for your blog post."  LOL!  

Thursday's Actual Outfit

The dress is one that cousin P had given her.  The beige-pink long cardigan is something daughter purchased, pre-Covid, with a gift card she received.  After work, she took another acrobatics class. 

Dinner was more of the leftover pasta and sausage stir-fry, leftover from the night before!  

Yesterday, I was grateful for:

- Visits with family and friends
- A safe drive there and back
- V preparing a lovely lunch and giving me a portion to bring home, too
- Friend A seems to be recovering well
- Daughter had a good day and another paper published

Yesterday's joyful activity was visiting family and friends.  It was nice to be able to do so, without worrying about it too much.  But, our new Covid cases daily count is back over 2,500, again, and I doubt I'll go visiting again for some time!

The First Blueberries

Today, Friday, I had a relaxed morning.  I picked the first ripe blueberries and some broccoli side shoots:

Friday's Harvest

It's not a lot, but, it is something and I'm glad to have it.  We will be under new water restrictions as of June, due to our severe on-going drought, so who knows what I might be able to grow this year in terms of fruits and vegetables.

M was here, this evening, to tend to the garden.  He planted the avocado plant in the ground, cleared the Japanese purple mustard greens which had bolted, and watered the garden.  I gave him some of the broccoli leaves mallung to try and, when he liked it, gave him a small container of it to have with his dinner.

Brunch had been the last bit of the pasta and sausage stir fry; dinner was the food that cousin V sent home with me.  

Today, I am grateful for:
- A relaxed day

- M continuing to tend to the garden
- Leftovers
- Today's garden harvest
- The first blueberries

Today's joyful activity was eating freshly picked blueberries!  

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

Mid-Week on Wednesday

Wednesday's Outfit

This is the outfit my daughter put together, with items she had in her closet which still fit her, to wear to the office, on Wednesday.   She wore tights and boots with the dress and jacket.  She said she received several compliments on her outfit from various colleagues.  

Below is the outfit she's planning to wear on Thursday:

Thursday's Outfit

Maybe with the silk infinity scarf I sewed for her, with fabric from a sari my mother used to wear:

With Scarf

She said she will decide on the scarf in the morning.  

Yesterday (Tuesday), I took it easy and relaxed.  I brought in my trash cans from the curb after they were emptied and took neighbor T's bins in for her.  Cleaned the litter box.  Checked on the garden.  Called friend A and left her a message.  Called friend R and chatted with her for a bit.  Exchanged emails with a friend.  Watched some news and a few videos online.  Made my meal plan for the week and cooked sausages (with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and broccoli stems sliced thinly) for dinner.  Afterwards, I baked some banana muffins to use up the last two bananas that were getting a bit overripe; they got a little too brown, but, they tasted fine.  Then, did the dishes.  

Today, M tended to the garden in the morning.  He brought me four sunflower seedlings, which he planted out for me.  Then, he pruned a couple of branches from an euphorbia bush since they were going over the back wall into the neighbor's yard.  

I watched some videos online in the afternoon and crocheted.  Later, I watched news and crocheted.  

Cousin V called to confirm our planned visit to see friend A, tomorrow.  I called A and asked if she would like me to bring her something.  At first she said no, she's fine, but, I asked her if she'd like me to bring her some mallung, which is a dish of shredded leafy greens and she said she'd like that.  So, I picked some broccoli leaves from the garden.  I removed the central rib from the leaves before I shredded the leafy portions and cooked them with just a bit of water, finely minced onions, turmeric, and salt.  Mallung is usually cooked with grated coconut added to it, but, A can't eat coconut.  Then, I removed a portion for her:

A's Portion

I added a little bit of oil, grated coconut, and a little bit of spices (chillie powder, etc.) to the rest:

Broccoli Leaf Mallung

I will take most of that for A's family, but, I'll keep a portion for myself and a little bit for M to try, because he is very intrigued by the fact that I actually cook and eat broccoli leaves.  

As for the central ribs that I removed from the leaves, I put them into a zippered plastic bag and put them in the fridge!

Broccoli Leaf Ribs

I will add them to a stir fry or any other dish I will be making, later.  There is no need to toss them in the compost bin.  

I went off the meal plan slightly, at dinnertime, today!  After making the broccoli leaf mallung, I didn't feel like making the spaghetti sauce, too, and, besides, the ground turkey hadn't thawed, fully.  So, for dinner, I boiled pasta and had it with the leftover sausage and vegetables I had from Tuesday's dinner!  Somehow, it created more leftovers!  LOL.  

Later in the evening, I spoke with friend R and video chatted with my daughter.  She said she had a very productive day in the office and went for one of her acrobatics classes, afterwards.  She said that, starting next week, they will no longer be required to wear a mask at the office!  They will still be required to test at least once a week (daily if unvaccinated).

Today, I am grateful for:
- M tending to the garden for me
- Sunflower seedlings
- Garden produce
- Phone calls and video chats
- Daughter had a good day at the office

Today's joyful activity was crocheting.

Plans for Thursday include going to my cousin's to have lunch with her and visiting friend A, afterwards.

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?  Have you eaten broccoli leaves?  

The Weekend Update

 

Blue Wool Worsted

The rest of my order of yarns was delivered on Saturday!  I was starting to wonder when I might receive it!  Blue ("Softened Pansy") wool worsted yarn.  I bought five 3.5 oz. balls of the yarn to make myself a sweater.  I have another sweater made from a similar colored blue ("Denim") wool, but, this yarn was on sale for $3.48 each (plus tax, of course) while the other colors (same brand, same weight) were selling for $8.99 each (this blue is now also priced $8.99 on the company website).  I am happy to have two sweaters in the same color for that price difference!  I'll just change the pattern or add a design with the ball of grey wool that I have leftover in the stash!  

On Saturday, I enjoyed a video chat with one of my friends who lives in Europe.  I tried to show her front garden, taking the laptop outside to do so, but, the internet connection wasn't very good and all she could see were indistinct blobs of color, so that didn't work!  

After the video chat, I had leftover pizza for brunch, took photos of the front garden (thank you, everyone for all the kind comments on the garden post!), did a little bit of house cleaning, texted with one of my cousins (we made plans to visit friend A on Thursday afternoon, pending how A is feeling on the day), spoke with friend R, watched some videos, and video chatted with my daughter.

As I've mentioned earlier, my daughter has resumed her in person acrobatics classes.  Yesterday (Saturday), she took an acro-yoga class.  There were just four people in the class, including the instructor, which was held in a large room with the wall of doors open and everyone wearing masks.

Afterwards, she did laundry and started sorting through her closet.  At her previous office location, everyone was very casually dressed unless they had to attend conferences, etc.  Her new office location is in the same building as the head offices and the dress code is business casual, with a lot of people dressed in suits, etc.  Not a big problem because my daughter has some nice clothes, quite suitable for office wear, but, like many of us, she, too, gained weight during the pandemic and her jackets, etc., are too tight!  She is trying to put together a "business casual" capsule wardrobe with what she has that still fits her, but, she might need to shop for a few trousers/slacks and jackets/blazers.  She said almost all the office friends with whom she went out to lunch that first day back (Thursday) had said they'll have to go shopping for suitable clothes and shoes!  

Dinner, last night, was leftover rice, the last of the shrimp curry, and the last of the stir fried vegetables.  I went off my meal plan over the weekend because I had leftover pizza and other leftovers that I wanted to finish.

Today, Sunday, has been a sunny and warm (afternoon high of 85F) day.  My kind of weather!  Neighbor T called in the morning and we chatted for a bit.  She wanted to know how my first week without my daughter went and I told her it went by quite quickly.

In the afternoon, I sat outside in the patio area since it was warmer outside (84F) than inside the house (72F) and replied to blog comments.

Later, after having a cup of tea and watching the evening news, I watered the back garden, per M's instructions!  LOL.  He didn't water on Friday because it had rained the night before, but, he was worried that the plants (fruit trees, in particular) would not be able to go until next Wednesday when he'll be here, again, without being watered.

Afterwards, I treated myself to a little bit of pampering by soaking my feet in some warm water, brushing my toenails and heels with a soft nailbrush, and putting some lotion on them.  I really need to remember to do this on a weekly basis!

My daughter went to San Francisco, this afternoon, and she and some of her friends had lunch out and did an escape room.  She is spending the rest of the evening cooking and meal prepping for the week!  I had planned to cook spaghetti for tonight's dinner, instead had some of my leftover ham and split pea soup!

This weekend, I am grateful for:
- Video chatting with my friend and with my daughter 
- The technology that enables us to do that
- The rest of my yarn order being delivered
- A replenished yarn stash!
- Sunny, warm days
- Water for the garden
- My daughter has enjoyed her first week back in the Bay Area
- We both got through the first week of being apart quite well!

My joyful activities this weekend included video chatting with my friend, playing with yarn, and gardening.

Plans for the week ahead include:
Monday - Car service in the morning
Wednesday - M to tend to the garden - late morning
Thursday - Visit friend A with cousin V in the afternoon
Friday - M to tend to the garden in the evening

How was your weekend?  What are your plans for the week ahead?

Friday

Friday's Harvest: Oranges, Passionfruit, &
Broccoli Side Shoots

Today, I picked some oranges and broccoli side shoots from the garden.  There were two small fruits that were ripe on the passionfruit vine (they had already formed when the vine was bought), too, and I picked them so my daughter can enjoy them before she leaves.  

Passionfruit

There was about a teaspoonful of pulp in each half.  Maybe, next year, we will get a few bigger fruits with more pulp in them to enjoy.

Today, I washed all the new-to-us clothes that cousin R had given us, as well as the regular laundry.  Then, I tried on some of the new clothes and picked out 12 new tops to add to my wardrobe!  Do I need 12 new tops?  No, of course, I don't!  It wasn't that long ago that I decluttered my closet, because I felt I had too many items of clothing!  At the same time, it is hard to decline free clothing!  I will be going through my closet, again, however, to see if I can release a few more items, perhaps things I've had for several years. 

Daughter has already picked a few of the new clothes to take up with her. The rest will be kept in her closet, to be worn on future visits home and/or to take up with her on future visits.  

Today, we had more leftover Thai food for brunch.  I cooked some salmon for dinner, sauteed with onions and tomatoes, and cooked rice and the broccoli side shoots that I picked today for the sides.   

The Roofed Patio 

This is the patio with the roof panels that flapped in the wind, the other night.  You can almost see one of the two edging stones that my daughter set on top of the panels on the near edge.  M was unable to buy the nails before he came to tend to the garden, today.  But, he hopes to be able to buy them over the weekend.  Today, he fertilized some of the fruit trees and watered the garden for me.  He also brought some chocolate bunnies for us and a package of ghost pepper roasted cashews for my daughter!  A word of warning - ghost pepper cashews are very hot!

Chocolate Bunnies

Today, I am grateful for:
- New to us clothes
- Working appliances (washer and dryer)
- Electricity to run them
- Garden produce
- M tending to the garden for me

Today's joyful activity was trying on and picking new to me clothes.

Plans for tomorrow include enjoying daughter's last day at home! 

How was your day?  What are your plans for Saturday?

Errands on Thursday

 

Geranium

Thank you, everyone, for the New Year well wishes; they are much appreciated.  

I went to bed at 4:00 a.m., this morning, and woke up when cousin R called me at 9:00 a.m.  We had planned that I would go over to her house this evening to pick up my baking dish and some clothes she was giving us, but, she was calling to tell me that she had to go somewhere with her sister and wasn't sure if she'd be home before I got there.  She asked if I could come by tomorrow, instead.  But, I told her to leave the items outside and I will pick them up, this evening, as planned, because I wasn't sure what my daughter had planned for Friday evening.  Picking up the items this way would also eliminate any awkwardness about us wearing our masks while we were there!  So, cousin R said she will leave the bags outside with my name on them.  

I had a quiet rest of the morning, responding to blog comments and doing one or two things around the house.  I had some leftover fried rice for brunch and my daughter had leftover Thai seafood.  

In the afternoon, I finally decided to put gas to the car!  I was almost down to a quarter of a tank and I like to fill up the tank when it goes down to half.  When I pulled out from the garage, however, I noticed that the low air pressure sign had come on.  So, first, I drove to a tire shop and had someone check my tires; he said all four tires needed to have air put in them!  He didn't charge me for checking the air pressure, but, accepted the tip I gave him. 

Then, I drove to the gas station to fill the tank.  Gas at that station (one of the cheapest stations in my neighborhood) was $5.45/gallon and it was quite busy!  Gas at another station a few blocks away (selling the same brand of gas) was $5.79/gallon.  But, at least, gas is available and, although the gas station was busy, there was no line of cars waiting for gas.  

Afterwards, I came home and did a couple of things until my daughter finished her work for the day.  Then, we drove to cousin R's house and picked up two bags of clothes!  She had forgotten to leave out my baking pan, however!  Oh, well, not a problem; I'll collect it another time.

We came home and daughter said she was hungry, so she warmed up some chicken curry while I warmed up some of the frozen parathas we had bought at the Sri Lankan store, both the green chili parathas and the plain ones.  Then, we both had an early dinner!  

Afterwards, daughter tried on all the new-to-her clothes cousin R had given.  Two huge bags full!  At least a couple of the garments still had their tags on!  She selected a few of them to take with her - a couple of warm sweaters and long sleeved shirts (good thing she's taking the big suitcase!).  She will keep the rest here to wear when she comes down next and, of course, I'm to try them on, too, and take any that I like.  I really don't need any more clothes, so, I'll just leave them all for daughter to wear.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Cousin R's generosity
- The service technician at the tire shop for checking my tire air pressure for me
- The availability of gas for the car
- A safe drive to cousin R's and back
- Phone chats with family and friends

Today's joyful activity was admiring all the lovely clothes that cousin R has given!

Plans for tomorrow include doing some laundry and tending to the garden with M.

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

Rainy Thursday

Another rainy day!  More drizzle than rain, but, enough moisture to wet the ground and I'm happy!  

Cousin V texted me in the morning to say that they were leaving San Diego earlier than planned due to the rain and should be home by 3:30 p.m., if I want to come over with the gifts.  I texted her back and said that I had already dropped the gifts off at cousin R's house, last night.  I hope R took the gifts over to V's house, in the evening!

Today, I washed the clothes that cousin R had given us.  I think I need to buy another set of clothes hangers!  In a comment on yesterday's post, June (Live and Learn-Toss and Turn) asked me if I make a note of new stuff coming into the house on my decluttering ledger.  That's a very good question and the answer is, Yes!  I keep track of new items coming in, at least when it comes to my clothing and household items!  I don't keep track of items my daughter receives.  I haven't reached the point of "1 in 1 out", yet, but, maybe I will get to that stage, one of these days.   I haven't added the clothing items I received yesterday, yet, partly because I've forgotten which ones my daughter decided to keep for herself and which ones I chose to keep!  But, once we sort through them, I will make a note of the items added to my closet!  So far, since I posted this post about organizing my clothes closet in August, I have decluttered more items of clothing than I have added (at least 11 more items decluttered than received).  That number will be much reduced by the time I add my share of yesterday's clothes, but, I don't think I'll be adding as many as 11 items!  

Daughter and I had leftover fried rice for brunch and leftover rice and sausages for dinner (I cooked more green peas to have with them).  After dinner, I ran the dishwasher and handwashed my teacups and the pots and pans.  

Aunt C called in the afternoon and I had a long chat with her.  Later, friend R called and we chatted a bit.  

But, the majority of my day was spent crocheting the granny squares for the blanket I am making for my friend for Christmas and watching some videos online while I crocheted.

Today, I am grateful for:

- More rain!
- Working appliances
- Yarn from the stash
- Leftovers!
- Chatting with family and friends

Today's joyful activity was crocheting.

Plans for tomorrow include more crocheting and M's visit to tend to the garden.  

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

"Sparkle and Shine" Weekend

December Rose

On Saturday, I attended the memorial for Aunt T.  I hadn't attended her funeral, one year ago, due to Covid restrictions and concerns; I decided to attend the memorial service, since I was now vaccinated and had received the booster, too.  I figured that the Church service would be safe enough to attend (I'd wear my mask the whole time).  I didn't plan to attend the reception, afterwards, as it would be indoors and being with 80 guests who would be unmasked as they ate and drank and talked was beyond my comfort level.

The invitation to the memorial service and reception stated, "Leave your tears behind.  Come sparkle and shine".  I debated what to wear to the memorial service.  If it had been a Buddhist memorial service, everyone would have been expected to dress in white, as that is our color for mourning.  But, Aunt T had been Catholic; wouldn't black be the appropriate color, then?  But, what about the "sparkle and shine" part?  Also, isn't there a rule about not wearing shiny outfits in the morning (the memorial service was at 10:30 a.m.)?  Plus, it was a cool morning (52F, which is cold for me!) and I wanted to be warmly dressed.  In the end, I chose to wear a long black skirt (I've had it for over 20 years) and a cream colored sweater which had "pearls" sewn down the front.  I wore a burgundy and gold shawl which Aunt T had given me, over the sweater; it provided the necessary "sparkle and shine".  That left me with trying to figure out what shoes to wear!  I have one pair of black shoes that I have had for years and have been worn so often that they are looking very, very shabby and it's not an exaggeration.  Those shoes are ready to be tossed!  Sandals weren't an option as it was too cold for sandals.  In the end, I wore my black ankle boots and the long skirt covered their tops.  I think I need to shop for a pair of replacement black shoes.  

30 minutes before I was planning to leave to go to the memorial service, cousin P called me.  Her daughter was not well and couldn't take P to the service; could I give her a ride?  I said yes, of course.  While I was on the phone with P, cousin V (Aunt T's older daughter) called to say that P had called her saying she didn't have a ride and would I mind giving her a ride?!  I told V that I was on the other phone with P and yes, I will give her a ride.  Apparently P's daughter was supposed to have given the reading, but, since she was unable to be there, V's daughter did the reading, instead.  Since she was Aunt T's oldest granddaughter, I think it was just how it should have been (not that anyone asked my opinion!)

There were quite a few people at the church, but, almost everyone was wearing a mask.  Afterwards, people mingled a bit in the lobby of the church and outside, greeting one another.  I said hello to several members of the extended family and family friends, many of whom I hadn't seen since before the pandemic.  Then, I made sure that cousin P had a ride to the reception with another cousin, made my excuses to cousin V even as her husband tried to persuade me to change my mind and come to the reception, and came home.

My daughter didn't attend the service because she was not feeling quite up to it.  After I came home, I warmed up some leftovers for brunch for us (daughter had pasta with sauce, I had a paratha with the last of the turkey curry - turkey week stretched out to almost two!) and we spent the rest of the day, relaxing.  Cousin P called me after she came home from the reception to thank me for giving her a ride.  Later, I chatted with friend R.  Dinner was rice, spicy potatoes, ground beef, corn, and curried green beans, with zucchini chutney.

Today, Sunday, I decided that the house could do with a bit of a sparkle and shine!  I dusted, vacuumed, tidied up a bit, put away all the groceries bought from the Sri Lankan store, and picked a fresh rose from the garden for the living room altar.   

Daughter is feeling much better, today, and needed only one nap instead of multiple naps!

Neighbor T called for our Sunday chat and we discussed our recent falls (apparently, she fell inside her house), and compared our bruises (I've a lovely purple knee and she said she has a bruise running down her fingers to her palm as she was holding a bag of groceries when she fell).  We rang off telling each other to be careful!  LOL.

I made scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast for brunch, today.  Dinner was leftovers from last night.  I need to meal plan for the week ahead - there's more ground beef leftover which can be made into something (curry puffs?) and maybe I'll make a fish curry  one day (to have with rice and vegetables) and a ham tetrazzini/casserole which will provide a couple of meals.  Well, that wasn't too difficult, was it?  

This weekend, I am grateful for:

- Being able to attend Aunt T's memorial
- Being able to give cousin P a ride
- A safe drive there and back
- Daughter is feeling much better
- December roses

This weekend's joyful activities included meeting family and friends I haven't met since the pandemic began.  

Monday's To Do List:

- Laundry

- Clean the fridge

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

- Make a batch of jam

- Water the vegetables in the back garden

- Start on the holiday greeting cards

- Paperwork/bills

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

Warm Saturday

 

Potato Kufta

Another warm day with a daytime high of 96F.

I made uppuma with semolina, curry leaves, dried red chilies, and peanuts, for brunch, today.  Later, I had a plum.

I vacuumed the family room after brunch.  It was the first time I've vacuumed since early May when I experienced the sciatica pains!  Daughter had been doing the vacuuming for me, but, today, I decided I was well enough to vacuum.  I only did the family room as I didn't want to overdo things.  The family room was this week's "room of the week"; it has now been cleaned and tidied.  Next week's room will be my bedroom and the rest of the closet.  

I made Sri Lankan style pancakes (thin, crepe-like), rolled up with sugar and lemon juice for tea, since my daughter had been requesting them.  I took a few over to neighbor S and that's when she gave me the potato kufta her mother had made!  She gave me four of them, but, there are only three in the photo, above, because my daughter ate one before I could take the photo!  LOL.

After tea, I put away my share of the laundry.  After turning the hangers the other way round when I sorted through my closet, earlier this month, I am now turning the hangers back the usual way when the washed clothes are put back.  This will enable me to see which clothes I haven't worn and figure out why I haven't worn them and why I continue to keep them.  Some of the items remaining unworn might be because they are clothes I'd wear when socializing and I haven't done that since March 2020; I'll probably continue to keep them.  But, others might be hanging unworn because they don't fit me anymore or I don't like how I look in them. The ones that don't fit should be altered (if I think I'll wear them once they fit me again) or given away, along with the ones that I don't think suit me.  Deciding which ones don't suit me is a work in progress!  Today, I decluttered a knit tunic type blouse that had been given to me; I wore it for the first time, last week, and didn't like how it looked on me.  

Later, after dinner (I had pork curry and a tortilla; daughter had pork curry, rice, and zucchini chutney) I chatted with friend R and with aunt C.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Neighbor S and her family for being such good friends over the years
- Being well enough to vacuum, again!
- Electricity to run the fans and other appliances
- Saturday mail delivery
- Phone calls with family and friends

Today's joyful activity was making (and eating) pancakes!

No particular plans for tomorrow.  Nothing specific that has to be done, other than the dishes.  Maybe I'll do a crafts project.  

How was your Saturday?  What are your plans for tomorrow?  

***********************************

August Decluttering Challenge: 

8/1 - 1 pair gardening gloves

8/2 - non-working heating pad

8/3 - old purse/handbag

8/4 - 1 computer CD containing a report

8/5 - 1 plastic lid that cracked and broke in two

8/6 - 1 hooded sweatshirt (received a new one to replace it)

8/7 - old make-up I no longer use

8/8 - 6 plastic laundry detergent scoops (I use powdered laundry detergent; each new box comes with its own scoop; I don't need to keep the old ones, but, it seems such a waste to toss them in the recycling bin)

8/9 - 1 sponge paint brush (unused, but, so old, the sponge is no longer spongey!)
         1 plastic food container

8/10 - 1 blouse (given to daughter); will be donated as she decided it didn't fit her properly

8/11 - 1 broken clothes hanger
          3 bras

8/12 - 2 Zucchini!  LOL!  Eileen informed me that the zucchini don't count!

8/13 - Daughter's old artwork: A poster 

8/14 - Daughter's old artwork: A painting

8/15 - 1 long dress (given to daughter) - she had urged me to buy it for myself one year for all of $1, but, I didn't wear it.  She, on the other hand, loves it!  It looks much better on her than on me! 

8/16 - 1 coffee mug 

8/17 - A book on cake decorating

8/18 - 1 bottle of perfume spray (an "our version of a famous perfume" that someone gave which doesn't smell good to me)

8/19  - 1 blouse (to be donated)

8/20 - 1 pair of slippers/flip flops (unworn; to be donated)

8/21 - an old digital camera that I could never figure out how to use!

8/22 - 1 small plastic bucket

8/23 - 2 plastic food storage containers

8/24 - 1 craft book on wreath making

8/25 - 1 cook book

8/26 - 1 felt hat (part of a dance costume from when daughter took dance classes)

8/27 - 1 participation medal daughter received at school  

8/28 - 1 knit tunic (something that was given to me, but, doesn't suit me!)

Clothes Closet on Wednesday

Organized?

I reorganized my clothes closet, today, although you probably can't tell it from the picture above!  I often feel like my "After" pictures look more like other people's "Before" pictures!  LOL.  Yes, I know that we are supposed to use only one color of clothes hangers to make it look more uniform, but, I just use whatever I have and I am not about to toss the perfectly good hangers even if they are mismatched!

Anyway, I reorganized my clothes closet, today, as it has been some time since I last organized it and it showed!

My closet is 6 ft. wide, has one overhead shelf and a single pole running the length of it.  The overhead shelf contains some of my daughter's things (mostly old toys she wants to keep) because I am using the overhead shelf in her closet as the main household altar.  I use the floor of the closet to store certain items I don't want to store in the garage.  I did not sort through those items, today.

The closet holds all the clothes I consider OK to hang.  Sweaters are folded and stored in the chest of drawers; night clothes, sweatshirts, socks and underwear, etc., are folded and kept in the dresser drawers.  Everything else is hung up in the closet. On one side of the closet (to the right when standing in front of the closet, facing it) I have all my cardigans, ponchos, hoodies, jackets, and blouses.  On the other side, I have the skirts, pants, dresses, the two winter coats, and my saris.  

Today, I focused on getting my clothes sorted.  I generally have the clothes separated into categories, like items together, and more or less sorted by color.  Today, I went one step further and sorted all the blouses according to sleeve lengths.  I am hoping that this would make it easier to see what I have and reach for the item I needed to suit the weather.

I also turned all the hangers the other way around, again; as items are worn, laundered, and put back, they will be put back with the hangers turned the usual way.  This will make it easier for me to see which items were worn and which were not.  There were a few hangers that were still turned the other way round from the last time I rearranged the closet, but, most of those were party wear items which weren't worn because I haven't had the opportunity to wear them, in the past year and a half or so.  I am keeping them, for now.  Maybe there will still be an occasion to wear them, again!  

I did not declutter the closet today.  I didn't pull out all the clothes and dump them on my bed, or hold each one to see if it sparked joy or, if it didn't, thank it for its service and put it aside to donate.

Instead, while sorting things into categories, I took inventory of what I had!  I used to do that, a long time ago, but, had not kept up with it.  I did not count my saris and the blouses and underskirts that are worn with them.  I probably have about a dozen saris (some of which belonged to my mother).  But, I counted everything else!  I had read that the average American woman has 103 items of clothing.  I am afraid I have more than that!  

It's not that I buy a lot of clothes; the last time I went clothes shopping was in November 2019, when I bought myself a short sleeved blouse and my daughter bought me three pairs of black pants and three sweaters for my birthday.  Nor do I spend a lot on clothes - the blouse I bought for myself cost $3.99; the items my daughter bought for me were $20 or less, per piece.  But, I get a lot of clothes from my cousins and aunts and I tend to hold onto items!  

The next step is to decide how many of one type of a clothing item do I need?  How many do I want?  What is a reasonable number for a retired woman who stays at home to have?  What is a reasonable number for me to have?  How many is too many?  

I feel I have pared down certain items of clothing to a bare minimum - I have 1 T-shirt (which is actually too big for me, now!), 1 tank top, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of denim jeans, 3 pairs of sweat pants and 5 sweatshirts (I usually wear them to sleep in in the winter).  I have 1 white skirt and 1 white blouse to wear to the Temple on the casual occasions when I don't wear my white sari.  I have one cream colored sweater to wear with the white skirt when I need something a little warmer.  I don't mind the fact that the skirt is more than 20 years old, but, I was looking to buy a new white blouse before the pandemic started.

On the other hand, I have a total of 21 sweaters (including the 1 ugly Christmas sweater) and 34 blouses!  Do I wear them all?  Yes, for the most part (some of the tops are meant for evening wear, so, not worn much, recently).  Do I have room for all?  Again, yes, although some sweaters might be a bit squished!  Do I need them all?  Probably not!  I will be looking to declutter some of them.

In addition to sorting through my closet and reading various articles about decluttering clothes, today, I chatted on the phone with Aunt C and friend R, ran the dishwasher and washed a few items by hand, and watched news.  I also called the charity I usually call for a donations pick up to ask if they accepted text books and they said no.  I will call the library, tomorrow, to see if they accept text books.  If not, I'll have to put them in the recycling bin, which seems like such a waste to me.  

Daughter checked the jury duty website and she doesn't have to report in person tomorrow, either, so we are both happy about that.  

By the way, she has decided that the blouse she took from me doesn't suit her (too big) and it will be donated after it gets washed.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Being blessed with an abundance of clothes
- Daughter does not have to report in person for jury duty tomorrow either
- Phone calls with family and friends
- Leftovers in the fridge which meant I didn't have to cook
- Working appliances

Today's joyful activity was organizing (or, at least, sorting through) my closet and seeing exactly what I have and how many, etc.

***************************************

August Decluttering Challenge: 

8/1 - 1 pair gardening gloves

8/2 - non-working heating pad

8/3 - old purse/handbag

8/4 - 1 computer CD containing a report

8/5 - 1 plastic lid that cracked and broke in two

8/6 - 1 hooded sweatshirt (received a new one to replace it)

8/7 - old make-up I no longer use

8/8 - 6 plastic laundry detergent scoops (I use powdered laundry detergent; each new box comes with its own scoop; I don't need to keep the old ones, but, it seems such a waste to toss them in the recycling bin)

8/9 - 1 sponge paint brush (unused, but, so old, the sponge is no longer spongey!)
         1 plastic food container

8/10 - 1 blouse (given to daughter); will be donated as she decided it didn't fit her properly

8/11 - 1 broken clothes hanger
          3 bras

How was your Wednesday?  What would you consider a reasonable number of clothing items to have?  How do you decide what clothes to keep, what to declutter?