Sunday's Accomplishments

I went to bed a little after 3:30 a.m., last night and woke up at 11:00 a.m., today, when my neighbor T called for our Sunday morning chat!  Needless to say, I didn't do much during the remainder of the morning.  One of my friends had sent an email and I read and responded to it; then, replied to blog comments, and read and commented on a couple of other blogs.

In the afternoon, I put away the laundry from yesterday, hand washed a few items, and washed the last quilt that I had on my bed.  I have now washed both blankets and both quilts I used to have on my bed, and one blanket and one quilt that were on my daughter's bed.  I still have one more quilt and three more knitted/crocheted blankets to wash!

In the evening, after tea, I vacuumed the house.  I had put a new vacuum cleaner bag and, after I finished, I tossed the bag, even though there was hardly anything in it, just in case there were any fleas or eggs.  I had worn a pair of white socks and my eye glasses while I vacuumed so I could easily see if anything got on my socks, but I didn't notice anything, so I am cautiously optimistic!  Nevertheless, I sprayed the sofas, the area rugs, and the drapes, put new dust sheets on the family room sofas, and laundered the old dust sheets. 

In between, I read several more chapters from the library book and video chatted with my daughter, except the video part didn't work - it hasn't been working for the past several days, actually, with the video freezing; so it is more like a phone conversation, which isn't quite as satisfying, because we can't see each other.

Today, I am grateful for:
- The washing machine can handle queen size quilts
- The one large drying rack can accommodate the queen size quilts
- It is hot enough for the quilts to air dry in a day
- Leftovers from yesterday's lunch out for today's lunch
- Fans to help cool the air during this current heatwave!

Sunday's To Do List:
- Vacuum - DONE
- Change my bed sheets - MONDAY
- Change the sofa dust covers - DONE
- Put away the dried laundry - DONE
- Do additional loads of laundry - DONE
- Paperwork - MONDAY

Monday's To Do List:
- Change my bed sheets
- Put away laundry
- Do more laundry
- Paperwork
- Appointment with financial planner
- Clean out the fridge
- Take trash cans to the curb
- Water the indoor plants
- Check and spray the front walkway again if needed

So, that was my Sunday.  How was your Sunday?  Did you have a good weekend?  What are your plans for Monday?   

Saturday: Visiting with Friend R

I read the first one third of my library book, last nigh, staying up till 4:00 a.m. to do so!  It was 4:30 a.m. before I fell asleep!

I was up at 10:00 a.m.  I had a cup of coffee, checked blog comments, and commented on a couple of other blogs.  Then, I took a shower and got dressed.  I decided to check on the outside flea situation, so wore my long white skirt and a white hoodie type sweatshirt to go outside.  I went out from my back door, through the garage, to the front.  So far, so good.  However, when I walked from the mail box to the front door and back, I noticed that there were little specks of brown on my skirt!  I don't know if they are from the plants growing on the side of the walkway or from the door mats I have outside the door.  Obviously, yesterday's spraying with the outdoor spray wasn't enough.  I didn't have anymore outdoor spray, but I sprayed the area with some of the indoor spray that I had!  Then, I went back inside and put the clothes I was wearing in the washer and ran a small load!

When friend R called to tell me that she was on her way over, I asked her to come from the back door in order to avoid the fleas!  We chatted for a bit and then, I drove her to U-Haul to get the shipping boxes she wanted.  Afterwards, we went to our favorite Thai food place to get some lunch.  We ordered it to go - beef fried rice, glass noodle salad, and pepper shrimp.  My friend treated me to lunch, today.

We spent the afternoon at home, having lunch and chatting.  Later, we had tea and then, I took her to the smaller Armenian grocery store to buy the bakery bread that we both like.  She bought me a container of raspberries, as well.  Then, I drove her back to her apartment and came home.

Today, I am grateful for:

- My friend's visit and company
- Being able to help her get her shipping boxes
- My friend treating me to lunch
- Tea and conversation
- Washing machines!

Saturday's To Do List:
- Dust living room - DONE
- Vacuum - SUNDAY
- Take friend R to pick up her shipping boxes - DONE
- Maybe have lunch with her - DONE
- Drop her off at home - DONE
- Change my bedding - SUNDAY
- More laundry! - DONE
- Spray the front again - DONE
- Comb Dancer - DONE
- Clean the litter box - DONE

I didn't vacuum today, after all, so that is being carried over to Sunday, along with changing my bed sheets.

Sunday's To Do List:
- Vacuum
- Change my bed sheets
- Change the sofa dust covers
- Put away the dried laundry
- Do additional loads of laundry
- Paperwork

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

Friday In Review

Today marks two weeks of being on vacation!  Wow, that went by quickly, didn't it?  The first week was bookended by the two weddings and taken up with getting the eucalyptus tree trimmed, afternoon naps, some shopping, laundry, and visiting an aunt, while enjoying daughter's company, all week.  The second week has been taken up with errands, getting the car serviced and car registration renewed, a doctor's appointment, fighting fleas, and more laundry!  I noticed that I didn't seem to need any afternoon naps during this second week!  Maybe I am feeling more rested?

Today, I slept in a bit and spent a relaxed morning, chatting with Aunt C who called to say she had just finished reading the book I had given to her ("Having Our Say - The Delaney Sisters' First 100 Years" by Sarah and A. Elizabeth Delaney with Amy Hill Hearth), checking emails, replying to blog comments, and commenting on one or two other blogs.  Then, I put away the laundry from yesterday, sprayed the sofas with flea spray, cleaned out my purse (need to remember to do this more often; I found a $5 Extra Care Bucks coupon that I had forgotten to use!), and ran errands.

First, I drove to the post office to mail the two bill payments - I had kept them in my mail box, yesterday, hoping the mail carrier will come by and collect them, but, I guess I didn't have any mail, so the mail carrier didn't actually approach my mail box, because the bills were still there, at noon, today.  So, I went to the post office and I had the postal worker date stamp the bill payments with today's date - they are not due until next week, but they'll have today's postmark, whenever they do get delivered and processed.  Yes, I know, online payments are faster; but I like to support the postal service!

Then, I drove to the bank and took out some cash, since I prefer to use cash than a credit card.  

The next stop was the pharmacy to pick up my prescription refill.  I received another $5 Extra Care Bucks coupon and, rather than let it sit in my purse and expire, I immediately redeemed it for two boxes of daughter's favorite Life cereal ($1.99 each) and a package of potato chips ($1.69); my payment was $.67.

Then, because I've been on vacation for two weeks and it felt like all I've done is run errands, I stopped by the library and checked out a book I have been wanting to read.  

New Library Book

While I was at the library, I also spoke with one of the librarians to ask her about joining the Friends of the Library (she gave me the email of the person in charge of that; I will contact her, next week) and about their Tuesday night knitting class, which meets from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (they also run the used book sales, I was told).  I am very much a home body and I certainly don't need to get together with a group in order to knit, BUT, my daughter is worried that I won't have enough social interaction once I am retired and I had told her I'll join in a couple of things at the library.  They also have volunteer reading programs, tutoring, etc., if I want to do more (I will need to be fingerprinted, etc., and go through an interview for those activities as they involve interacting with children).   That level of commitment might be for later, however, as I am definitely not ready to fill up my days with outside activities, at this time.  First, I need to have enough time for me!  But, knitting for a couple of hours once a week (it's air conditioned in the library, so not uncomfortable to knit during the summer) would be nice.  Besides, I might be able to get some of the other knitters interested in knitting the red hats for newborns for the American Heart Association with me.  

I came home a little after 2:00 p.m. and had a yogurt for brunch, followed by the last of the grapes and some of the potato chips.  Then, I laundered one of the quilts I used to have on my bed and started on my book. 

My supervisor called me to tell me that he was processing my time sheet for this pay period and to confirm the time codes with me.  I really appreciate him doing that.  

Later, I had a cup of tea and chatted with my daughter who called to say she was home and shared the things she learned on the last day of the statistics workshop.  

Friend M came to do the garden and he very kindly sprayed the front yard and back yard, to the extent that he could, with the outdoor spray I had bought.  I am not sure just how effective just one application might be - we might need to do another application or two - but I feel happy that something has been done.  M also gave me the name of a pest control company another of his clients had used and recommended.  I shall give them a call if today's spraying isn't effective.

One of the things I had said I would do this month is attend Friday night meditation sessions at the temple.  However, I wasn't ready to attend the meditation session, today.  I am not entirely happy about that, but, I do need to keep in mind that, although I wish to do X,Y, and Z, and think I ought to be able to do so, I still tire fairly quickly, and between the heat (we were at 100+F, today, too) and the stress over the fleas, etc., I didn't have the energy to do more than what I did, today.  I don't want to push myself too much and overdo things simply because I think I should be able to accomplish certain things, and get overtired.  I think I will plan to attend next week's session and take it from there. 

I was also too tired to dust and vacuum, today.  The plan is to wake up a little earlier, tomorrow morning, and vacuum while it is still cooler.  In the meantime, I combed Dancer, today, and found only one, possibly two, fleas on him, which was a big improvement over what I had been finding in previous combing!  I am starting to feel that we might be making some progress in ridding ourselves of the fleas! 

Later in the evening, I called friend R to confirm that I will be taking her to get her shipping boxes, tomorrow.  She will come over to my house, I will take her to get the boxes, we might get something to bring home and eat, and then, I'll take her back home. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- M spraying the garden for me
- Being able to run errands
- Daughter sharing her day with me
- A new book to read
- Finding fewer fleas on Dancer!

Friday's To Do List:
- Bank - DONE
- P/U refill - DONE
- Post office - DONE
- Library - DONE
- Put away laundry - DONE
- Wash another quilt - DONE
- Spray the garden - DONE
- Dust the living room - SATURDAY
- Vacuum - SATURDAY

Saturday's To Do List:
- Dust living room
- Vacuum
- Take friend R to pick up her shipping boxes
- Maybe have lunch with her
- Drop her off at home
- Change my bedding
- More laundry!

Someone decided that the quilt draped over the drying rack made a good tent:

Dancer's "Tent"

The quilt had dripped a bit and I put towels to absorb the water; they are slightly damp and probably very cool:

Dancer "Camping"

He got up a minute or two ago, and ate some of his food, and came back to his "tent":

"Me camp out here all night!"

Yes, he's one spoilt kitty!

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

Thursday

Today's main task was the appointment with the podiatrist in the afternoon.  I also wanted to fit in a visit to the pet supplies store to buy flea medications and sprays.

After I woke up (at 9:30 a.m.), and had a cup of coffee, I replied to blog comments, commented on a few blogs, put away the laundry from yesterday and did a load of laundry - the knitted patchwork blanket I used to have on my bed, washed the dishes, mopped the kitchen floor prior to putting down the newly washed kitchen rug, called in a medication refill, paid two bills (gas and the utilities bill), and emailed my supervisor at work, about my time sheets for this pay period.

There was also an email from our HR, stating that my 35 years service pin will be awarded at the up-coming department-wide staff meeting and asking me to confirm that I will be there for it!  The meeting starts at 8:00 a.m., with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m.  It means an earlier start to my day than I like (I'd have to leave home by 7:00 a.m., at the latest to be in on time for the meeting and earlier if I want to attend the breakfast), but, I responded to the email stating I plan to be there for it!  I have another doctor's appointment for that afternoon, so, I need to decide if I want to attend the meeting and come home and then go downtown, again, for the doctor's appointment, or, if I want to spent the rest of the morning at the office, doing some retirement-related paperwork, or what.  I guess I'll decide closer to the date.

Then, I had a yogurt for brunch and went to my podiatrist's appointment. 

The appointment went well.  I was there 15 minutes prior to my appointment time and was called in at my appointment time without undue delays.  The podiatrist checked my feet and pronounced them to be fine, encouraged me to wear socks even when I am at home (I like to walk bare foot at home), told me to elevate my feet as much as I can to reduce the swelling I've been experiencing lately, and to call for an appointment if there was any concern; if not, he will see me again in November for another routine check up. 

I had received another letter from the insurance, last week, stating that I had met my co-pay limit for this year.  I took the letter with me so that the receptionist could make a copy of it for their files.  I also begged her to make sure that Esther in their billing services received a copy of this letter, because I had been dealing with her over the billing for last December's office visit copay, up until last month and I still don't know if that has been settled! 

Then, I drove back and went to the pet supplies store and bought another container of indoor flea spray ($18), a container of outdoor flea spray ($25, but on sale for $22), a bucket of cat litter refill ($9.99 because I took the old container to refill; $11.99 if you buy a new prefilled container), and another box of flea medications to apply to Dancer ($70 for 4 doses).  My total came to $122.88 with tax. 

By then, it was around 4:00 p.m. and I was getting hungry!  I stopped by the subway sandwich place and bought a foot-long cold cuts sandwich for $4.99 (the 6-inch one was $4.79).  I requested lettuce, spinach, tomato, cucumber, pickles, and bell pepper, on my sandwich, with honey mustard dressing, on an Italian herb and cheese bread roll.  After I came home, I ate half of the sandwich and ate some grapes for dessert.  I ate part of the other half for an early dinner; the rest is in the fridge for brunch, tomorrow.

I called and checked to see if my refill was ready for pick up, but it wasn't.  That's OK; I'll pick it up, tomorrow and go to the bank in the same trip.

I put away the blanket that I had washed in the morning and put one of the quilts from daughter's bed to wash.  Each washed and dried quilt and blanket will be put into old pillow cases and stored in the linen closet until they will be needed again in the winter. 

Daughter called when she got home from her workshop and we chatted for awhile.  Back when I did multivariate statistics as a grad  student, I used scientific calculators and none of the computer programs that they use now, but, I love the fact that she discusses what she's learning and doing at the workshop, with me, just as if I knew what she was saying!  LOL.  Apparently, the professor who is conducting this week's workshop is urging her to do a PhD, saying she'll do well! 

Today, I am grateful for:
- The appointment with the podiatrist went well; he said my feet looked good
- Letter from the insurance company stating I had met my co-pay requirements for this year
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- Air conditioning in the car
- All what I was able to accomplish, today

Thursday's To Do List:
- Doctor's appointment - DONE
- Buy more flea spray - both for indoors and outdoors - DONE
- See if they have a different type of flea medications and buy some- DONE
- Get another bucket of kitty litter - DONE
- Put away laundry - DONE
- Do another load - DONE
- Pay bills (2) - DONE
- Comb Dancer - DONE (oh, he did NOT like it one little bit, today!)
- Go to the bank - FRIDAY
- Do the dishes - DONE
- Mop kitchen floor - DONE
- Call in medication refill - DONE
- Pick up refill - FRIDAY

Friday's To Do List:
- Bank
- P/U refill
- Put away laundry
- Wash another quilt
- Spray the garden
- Dust the living room
- Vacuum

How was your Thursday?  What have you planned for Friday?

On the First Day of August...

I stressed about the flea situation!  And counted my blessings to cope with the stress!

I did two loads of laundry - the bed sheets that were on my bed and the old towels I use as floor mats in the bathroom, along with the kitchen rug.  It is a blessing that the old washing machine is still working without being temperamental!  Then, I vacuumed the entire house, taking short breaks in between rooms, and tossed the vacuum bag.  It is a blessing that the old vacuum cleaner is still working and I am well enough, again, to vacuum the whole house in one go!  Then, I sprayed the sofas, the area rugs and the door mats that I can't wash.  And I flea combed Dancer so many times that finally he let me know he's had enough!

Later in the evening, I went outside to collect the mail.  I wore a long white skirt and when I came inside, I checked my skirt and there were brown specks on it!  EEEK!  I removed my skirt, immediately, and washed it out in the bathtub!  I had worn a black skirt when I watered the garden, yesterday and didn't think to check it!  But I had worn a white blouse with it and didn't notice anything unusual on it, so I am hoping that it was OK, yesterday.  This is the first time that I've been aware of a flea infestation outside, in the garden!  Thanks a lot, garden cats! 

Obviously, I will need to call some professionals to spray the garden!  But, in the meantime, I will go to the pet supply store, tomorrow, and buy some outdoor flea spray to spray around the doors.  At least, as I told my friend, I am home to attend to things!  That, too, is a blessing! (Yes, I'm trying to be positive).

Brunch was a sandwich, followed by some yogurt.  Afternoon snack was a bowl of grapes.  Dinner was the last of the macaroni and cheese, with ground beef added to it.  For dessert, I had a walnut roll.  This is a picture of the label on the package of walnut rolls pastry I bought when daughter was home.  I was very amused by the warning on the label, which I have circled in yellow, that it may contain traces of nuts.  I realize that food allergies are a serious matter and appreciate what the label is trying to achieve, but, really, I would expect to find a little more than just traces of nuts in a product called walnut roll, wouldn't you?

"May contain traces of nuts"

Later in the evening, I video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A working washing machine to do all the laundry without having to go to a laundromat
- Being able to vacuum the house
- Being able to flea comb Dancer
- Being home to deal with the flea situation
- Being able to video chat with daughter

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Put away laundry - DONE
- Do another load (my bed sheets) - DONE; DID THE FLOOR MATS, TOO
- Vacuum the house - DONE
- Flea comb Dancer - DONE
- Continue with paperwork/bill paying - DID SOME
- Go for a walk - DIDN'T

Thursday's To Do List:
- Doctor's appointment
- Buy more flea spray - both for indoors and outdoors
- See if they have a different type of flea medications
- Get another bucket of kitty litter
- Put away laundry
- Do another load
- Pay bills (2)
- Comb Dancer
- Go to the bank
- Do the dishes

How was your Wednesday?  How do you try to cope with stress? 

August Balanced Life Goals: A Revised Wheel

This month, for what seems to be for the first time ever (well, at least for the past 37 years), I don't have a career to think about!  Although I am not officially retired, yet (I am on vacation, all of August), it is time to look forward to life as a retiree!  It seems like a very good time to review and revise my goal categories - I don't really need a "Career" category if I am vacation prior to retirement, for example, do I?  Another change I am making this month is dividing the "Environment" category, which included both house and garden, into two categories - House and Garden.

As I've explained before, my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes on 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.

These, then, are my goals and current ratings (based on the ending ratings for July) for August:

Spiritual (8):  The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life.
- Continue with daily prayers and gratitude; focus on being positive
- Take time for meditation - Resume going to Friday night meditation sessions at the temple
- Cultivate non-attachment - focus on letting go of attachment to material possessions
- Attend the monthly rosary prayer gathering

House (5):  The goal is a clean, tidy, uncluttered house:

- Focus on decluttering and maintaining cleaned areas - get 20 bags of donations out of the house by the end of the month!
- Deep clean my bedroom - It is the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night; it should be a place of calm restoration!

Garden (8):

- Maintain (water 2x per week; weed; prune pine tree) as it is too hot to do any real gardening

Daughter (10):  The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her (without being over-protective!)
- Daily texts, phone calls, emails, and video chatting
- Look forward to her visit towards the end of August

Family & Friends (9.5):  The goal is to keep in touch with various family members and friends.
- Wish Aunt C for her birthday
- Wish friend S's daughter on her birthday
- Take Cousin P to the Sri Lankan store
- Take friend R to get her shipping boxes
- Regular phone calls and emails
- Will be seeing several members of the family and friends at this month's prayer gathering
- Weekly calls with neighbor T/have coffee with her one day

Community (8):  The goal is to become more involved in my community.
- Continue to participate in the blogging community

Finances (8):  The goal is financial security.
- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose
- Attend the appointment with financial planner (8/6)
- Make final decisions about pension options

Health & Well Being (5):  The goal is good health.
- Attend the appointments with my various medical doctors - 4 scheduled for August, so far:
8/2 - podiatrist
8/15 - radiation oncologist
8/17 - primary care physician assistant
8/22 - endoscopy & colonoscopy 
- Call and make dental appointments!
- Continue to monitor blood pressure, sugar levels, and weight
- Continue to focus on a healthier diet, drinking enough water (8x 8oz), exercising regularly (resume walking for 30 minutes, Monday through Friday), and getting sufficient sleep
- Focus on accomplishments and staying positive

Time Management (5):  The goal is having enough time to do all what I want to do!
- Procrastinate less
- Implement routines and schedules

Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (8):  The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
- Set aside 30 minutes a day to do something relaxing, such as reading books  blogs, or doing a craft

Here's how the balanced life wheel looks at the beginning of August:

Balanced Life Wheel at the beginning of August

I see three particular spokes on which to focus - Health, House, and Time Management, all rated at 5.  I would like to get them up to a 7 by the end of the month.

Is anyone else thinking of doing a similar balanced life wheel or analysis?

Tuesday: On the Last Day of July

Today, I woke up to the sound of the phone ringing - it was the car service people following up with a customer satisfaction survey.  I let it go to the answering machine, but decided to get up as the alarm would be going off in a few minutes, anyway.  I had a cup of coffee, checked blog comments, and flea combed Dancer, as I saw he was scratching himself.  Eek!  Let's just say he'll be getting flea combed at least twice a day for the next few days!  I actually combed him 4 times, today!  Poor kitty submitted to it all with good grace, meowing occasionally, when I pulled too hard at his fur!  He didn't have any fleas when I combed him last week!  I guess a new batch of eggs must have hatched!  He received his last flea treatment less than two weeks ago, so, it's too soon to give him another treatment.  In the meantime, I removed the sheets I use as chair covers on the family room sofas, sprayed the sofas with flea spray, put new sheets to cover the sofas (white, so I can see if there are any unwelcome critters), and washed the old sheets in hot water and bleach!  By this time, it was already noon.

Then, I put away yesterday's laundry, hung up today's laundry to dry, emptied the dishwasher, had a sandwich for brunch, and sorted through some paperwork. 

Later in the afternoon, I went to the Auto Club to hand in my mileage verification for my auto insurance renewal (I get a mileage verification discount), and, since they have a DMV counter in the Auto Club, I renewed my car registration, as well.  On the way back, I stopped to buy cat food.  The store was having yogurt on sale for $.50 each, so I bought six.  I will consider that as coming from the August grocery budget! 

After I came home, I brought in the trash cans, had a cup of tea, watered the front garden with the garden hose and the back garden with the sprinklers, watered the houseplants, cooked the ground beef, changed the sheets on my bed, and video chatted with my daughter. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Flea combs!
- Dancer letting me comb him
- Getting today's main errands done (car registration renewal and mileage verification)
- Washing machines
- Water for the garden

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Put away the laundry - DONE
- Do another load (sofa dust sheets) - DONE
- Empty the dishwasher - DONE
- Paperwork/pay bills - STARTED
- Cook the ground beef - DONE
- Bring in the trash cans - DONE
- Water the house plants - DONE
- Water the garden (front & back) - DONE
- Renew the car registration - DONE
- Turn in mileage verification - DONE
- Change my bed sheets - DONE

I am happy with what I was able to accomplish today.  Tomorrow will be a day at home, I think.

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Put away laundry
- Do another load (my bed sheets)
- Vacuum the house
- Flea comb Dancer
- Continue with paperwork/bill paying
- Go for a walk

How was your Tuesday?  What did you do on the last day of July?  What are your plans for Wednesday?