New Words on Thursday

I fell asleep sometime after 4:00 a.m., last night/early this morning.  My fault as I stayed up reading the new library book!  Then, I woke up at 7:00 a.m. and couldn't fall back asleep!  So, I decided to get up.  I brushed my teeth, had a cup of tea, replied to blog comments, and decided to continue reading one of the books I am currently reading.  Yes, "books", plural!  Three books, to be exact!

The book I read this morning was one of my daughter's text books when she was at university.  She decluttered it from her bookshelves and I kept it to read it.  It is one of several books I have on my shelves waiting to be read.  I don't necessarily want to continue to keep them, but I didn't want to declutter them before I have read them, either.

Day 6 Book Decluttering

I am glad I read that book because, I learned several new words! Some, like "numinous" (from Latin numen meaning god) and "hierophany" (appearance of something sacred) were explained in the book and I could then work out the meanings of "hierogamy" (sacred marriage), since I knew that "hiero" meant sacred or holy.  I could also figure out the meaning of other words like "anthropophagy", although "cannibalism" is the more common word.  But, words like "ontology" (study of being), "apodictical" (absolute truth), "soteriology" (theology of salvation), "syncretism" (assimilation of different religions, practices), "catamenial" (pertaining to menstruation), and "peregrination" (traveling, often by foot), I had to look up to know the definition.  They are all words I am not likely to use in everyday conversations or daily blog writing ("Today's evening peregrination around the block led me past the donut shop!"), but, I learned some new words, and that's a good thing!  I could almost feel the brain cells firing up as I learned the new words!  LOL.

This book is now in the donations bag.

I really haven't felt like doing any housework, these past few days.  My weekly cleaning schedule is off the schedule, again!  But, this afternoon, I forced myself to dust and I watered the indoor plants and the back yard.  I also went through more of my mother's files.  Today, I tossed the sympathy cards I had received from colleagues and friends (after first discussing it with my daughter, who didn't want to keep any of it) and some tax-related paperwork.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Learning new words
- Educational books
- Afternoon naps
- My daughter's lack of sentimentality
- A very understanding and supportive friend

Friday's To Do List:
- Grocery shop for more cat food
- Clean the kitchen
- Tend to the garden with M

How was your day, today?  Did you know any of the words I listed above?  Or are they all new to you, too?  Do you like learning new words?  What have you planned for tomorrow?

Wednesday

Today was a fairly low-key sort of day.  I didn't feel very energetic, so I took it easy.  In the morning,  I replied to blog comments, etc. walked around the garden checking on things, went through today's mail, and cut the pineapple I had bought. 

In the afternoon, I went through a few more files and shredded the contents.  I am finding it easier to go through some files than others, but I am making progress, one file folder at a time.  

I also read for part of the afternoon.  There are some books on my shelves that I have been keeping because I want to read them.  I don't necessarily want to keep them after I've read them, but, I don't want to declutter them until I have read them, either!  I guess I had better hurry up and read them!

In the meantime, I decluttered these two books:

Day 5: Book 1

Day 5 Book 2

The book about working through grief was given to me by a friend after my mother's death.  The recipe book is one I've had for years and I can honestly say I've never tried a single recipe from the book!  I've enjoyed looking through the book and "reading" the recipes, but, I've not been tempted to make any of it!  Time to let it go!

While I went through files, watched TV, and decluttered, Dancer kept me company:

"I'm not sleeping, I am meditating"

Later in the evening, I went out into the back yard:

Radish Seed Pods

I let a couple of my radish plants bolt and they have started to form seed pods.  Eventually, these seed pods will form seeds, dry up, and then, release their seeds, and, hopefully,  I'll have lots of volunteer radish seedlings.  But, in the meantime, I picked a few of them:

Radish Seed Pods

So I could add them to my carrots and zucchini stirfry:

Vegetable Stir Fry: Carrots, Zucchini, Radish Seed Pods

I changed my mind about making chicken curry with half of the chicken drumsticks I bought and broiled all the chicken drumsticks with a plum sauce glaze, instead! 

Dinner: Plum Sauce Glazed Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry

I actually prefer the seed pods to the radish root!  They don't have to be cooked - they can be eaten raw in salads, etc., but I prefer them cooked.  There is a type of radish that is grown for their pods, but, the pods of all radishes are edible.  

I had yogurt for dessert, afterwards.

My joyful activity for the day was reading and watching a music program on TV.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Being able to take it easy on a low energy day

- A sunny, warm day

- Being able to harvest radish seed pods from the garden to add to my stir fry

- Emails from my friend

- Video chatting with my daughter

I am not going to make a big long to do list for tomorrow.  But, I would like to get the kitchen cleaned, a bit.

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?  Have you eaten radish seed pods?

Errands on Tuesday and June Grocery Shopping Week 1

I had another relaxed morning, today; I am really enjoying this aspect of being retired!  No more rushing around in the mornings to get out the door in order to get to the office on time!

In the afternoon, however, I ran my errands.  First, I went to the library to return the books and magazines I had borrowed and to check out some new books and magazines:

Library Books

I borrowed two magazines, a book about organizing, and a historical novel.

Then, I went to the post office to mail the two bill payments I had.  I don't like paying bills online, although my daughter pays my phone bills online, for me.

Next, I went to the bank.

Finally, I went to the Armenian grocery store, that is next to the bank.

6/3 Groceries (from the Dollar Store)

I took a photo of the items I bought from the dollar store, yesterday - the three cans of mackerel and the four cans of coconut milk.

6/3 Receipt

I purchased three tubes of toothpaste, as well, yesterday, but that is not part of my grocery budget.  The cans of fish and coconut milk came to $7.00, as I mentioned in yesterday's post.

6/4 Groceries

At the Armenian store, I bought mostly this week's and today's specials (chicken drumsticks) and more bananas:

Chicken drumsticks @ $.59/lb. = $1.99

Yogurt = $1.99

Roma Tomatoes @ 3 lbs/$1.00 = $.96

Bananas @$.49/lb = $.63

Total = $5.57

6/4 Receipt

My June grocery budget is $75 - $23.82 overspent in May = $51.18

Spent to date = $.69 + $7.00 + $5.57 = $13.26

$51.18 - $13.26 = $37.92

I know that some of you look at what I buy (or, should I say, don't buy?) and wonder, where's the rest of the groceries?  Before I went grocery shopping, I took a look in the fridge to see what I had in terms of produce - I still have half of a cabbage, one and a half lettuces, most of a bag of carrots, a zucchini, a cucumber, onions, and tomatoes for vegetables; a whole pineapple (that must be cut, tomorrow, before it gets overripe!), cherries, apples, apricots, and the last three oranges from my tree for fruits.  I didn't even need the tomatoes I bought, today, but, I bought them because they were on sale at a good price - I plan to cut them up and freeze them, for later.  I figured I really should eat what I had in the fridge and finish them before I bought more fresh produce.

I plan to make a curry with half the chicken drumsticks I bought today (and I'll make more sauteed curried cabbage to go with it) and broil the rest with a plum sauce glaze (and make a stir-fry with carrots and zucchini to go with it).  There will be salads, too, in addition.  That is the extent of my meal planning!  LOL.  Next week's specials (which go into effect, starting tomorrow), include boneless sirloin end pork chops at $.99/lb., so, if I get tired of chicken, I might buy some pork chops, or make something with the ground beef I have in the freezer. 

Today, I had leftover boiled mung beans with spicy onion relish for brunch followed by a banana.  For dinner, I finished the rice and sausage stir-fry I had made earlier, with tomato chutney and cucumber salad.

Today's book decluttering:

Day 4 Book Decluttering

This book was a gift from one of my aunts.  I used to make and decorate fancy cakes for my daughter's birthdays and for family members, but, I no longer bake that much.  Besides, I have another cake decorating book that had been a gift from my mother.  I had put this book aside for donating during an earlier decluttering, but, it found its way back to my bookshelf!  I am determined to declutter it, this time.

My joyful activity today was going to the library.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A sunny afternoon (high of 77F!)
- Being able to pay my bills
- Being able to borrow new books from the library
- Bargains at the grocery store
- What I was able to accomplish today

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Dust (I didn't do it, today)
- Vacuum
- Clean my bathroom

How was your Tuesday?  Have you gone grocery shopping in June, yet?  What are your plans for Wednesday?

Monday

It was cloudy and cool, this morning; cool enough for me to turn on the heater for awhile.  Later in the afternoon, however, there was sunshine and it warmed up, nicely.

I had a relaxed morning, responding to texts from a friend who is trying to schedule this month's prayer gathering (she wanted to know which dates were convenient and asked me to call one of my cousins who hadn't responded to her texts), replying to blog comments, etc.

There was a text from the pharmacy, as well, saying one of my medications was ready for pick up.  So, in the afternoon, I drove to the pharmacy to pick up the medication, then, went to the adjoining dollar store.  I bought three cans of mackerel in brine and four cans of coconut milk.  I didn't take any pictures of them, but, I spent $7 on the canned food items.  I now have $43.49 left in my June grocery budget.

While I was out shopping, I really wanted to get some soda, but, I didn't.  I told myself that I can make myself some lemonade when I got home, instead.  So, after I came home, I picked some lemons from one of my Meyer lemon trees and made myself a glass of lemonade.  It wasn't as good as a glass of the carbonated soda I wanted, but, it was better for me!  LOL.

I sipped my lemonade, watched some news, shredded more paper, watered the front garden, took the trash cans to the curb, etc., and watched some TV (while I shredded more paper).  I also spent some time, reading.

I cooked mung beans for my brunch, this morning.  For dinner, I had leftovers from last night - rice, smoked sausages sliced and sauteed with onions, tomatoes, radish seed pods harvested from the garden, and spices.  I forgot to take any photos, however.

Today's book decluttering:

Day 3 Book Decluttering

I have two copies of this book, given to me by one of the monks who came to last year's almsgiving (one for me, one for my daughter).  We really don't need two copies, so I am releasing this one to bless someone else who might want to know more about the subject.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A relaxed day
- Another no-drama medication refill at the pharmacy
- Sunshine in the afternoon
- Having books to read
- Video chatting with my daughter

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Dusting
- Grocery shopping
- Pay bills (gas, utilities)
- Post office to mail the bill payments
- Library to drop off books and magazines
- Bank
- Water the houseplants and the back yard

How was your Monday?  What have you planned for Tuesday?

June Gloom

May, and May Gray, is over.  June is here and, with it, we have...June Gloom!  Yes, that is what it is called by our weather forecasters.  More of the marine layer bringing a cloud cover to block the sun and cooler temperatures.  Yesterday's highs were only in the mid 60s.

I've been busy doing the month end updates, these past couple of days, and not posting much about my days.

But, on Friday, Aunt T was able to go back to her home from the assisted living facility.  Her older daughter, my cousin V called me in the evening and asked me to come over.  She and her sister R had gone through some of aunt's clothes and they wanted me to come and see if I would like to have some of them.  I called my cousin P to see if she'd like to go with me, and she said her daughter was home and could drive us.  So, I went with them.

There were several other family members at aunt's home, as well, and it was almost a party!  Aunt was so happy to be home where she was free to put her music on as loud as she pleased, eat her meals at more reasonable times, and go to sleep well after 6:00 p.m.!  My cousin's sister-in-law had prepared dinner and we all enjoyed the meal.  Then, we went through the decluttered clothes; cousin P's daughter picked out several items for herself and I picked out several items for myself and my daughter!  Enough to fill two bags!  I didn't try any on while I was there, however.  My cousins understand that, if any of the items I selected don't fit or look good on me or my daughter once we've tried them on, then, I will be donating them; they are fine with that.  I haven't tried on any of them, yet, but, once I do, I will need to go through my own closet to declutter some items in order to find room for these new to me clothes!

On Friday, I was grateful for:
- My washing machine (I did a load of laundry) and the electricity to run it
- Friend M helping me in the garden (he did a lot of pruning)
- Aunt T is home again
- Spending the evening with family
- Being blessed with two full bags of clothes!

On Saturday, I spent a leisurely morning and posted my June goals.  In the afternoon, I went for a drive because the car needed to be driven!  On the way home, I stopped at a different Armenian grocery store (much smaller than the one I go to on a more regular basis) so see if they had my favorite bread, but they didn't (which was probably a good thing, because I really shouldn't eat white bread!)  Instead, I bought some bananas, because that is something I need to eat while I am on the diuretic prescribed by the radiation oncologist.  The three bananas cost $.69.

6/1 Groceries - Bananas

My June grocery budget is $75 - $23.82 overspent in May = $51.18

$51.18 - $.69 = $50.49

Friend M, who came to do the garden on Friday, brought me some nectarines from his garden when he came to do neighbor T's garden on Saturday.  They were absolutely delicious as only home grown fruit, picked at the peak of ripeness, can be.  I ate some of them after my lunch of leftover rice and curries and the remaining fruit after my dinner of coconut roti (flat bread).

I also cleared out another file folder of my mother's bank statements.  It takes time because I am cutting the paper by hand, with a pair of scissors, since I don't have a shredder; snip, snip, snip.  I watched a TV program while I cut the papers.  Aunt C called while I was doing that and we chatted for a bit.

On Saturday, I was grateful for:
- My dishwasher (I did a load of dishes)
- Running water, hot and cold, on tap!
- The car started and ran without any problems
- M bringing me delicious nectarines from his tree
- Aunt C's phone call

Today is Sunday.  It was very overcast and gloomy in the morning, with June Gloom in full swing, although, in the late afternoon, around 4:00 p.m., the clouds parted enough for some sunshine.

I had a whole bunch of weird dreams, last night!  I even dreamt of my father, which is rare!  But, this time, unlike the last time I dreamt of him, he didn't come to call me away, to go with him!  That last time (several years ago), I dreamt I was in an airport terminal, in the passenger arrival area, and my father emerged from the passage way and he was going to another terminal - a departure area to maybe catch a connecting flight?  In my dream, I made eye contact with him and I knew that he wanted me to follow him.  I was still dreaming, but I half awoke from my dream; I felt I was in a suspended state.  I felt that if I followed him, I would not wake up, that I would die, and I told him, I couldn't go with him because my daughter was still little and needed me, and then, I woke up!  Last night's dream was not so intense.

It has been a day of phone calls.  Neighbor T called for our usual Sunday morning chat, then, I called my cousin in Florida (he had called earlier in the week), and I called my niece in North Carolina, because I had dreamt of her, too, last night.  We had a nice chat, catching up with each other's lives.

Brunch was leftover coconut roti from last night.  I had a cup of tea, at 4:30 p.m.  I am not sure what I'll have for dinner, as I haven't thought that far, yet!  LOL!  I'll have to cook something, as I don't have any leftovers in the fridge and I don't want anymore of my chicken and vegetable soup (had some, earlier in the week).  Maybe some sort of stir fry with rice, or, if I can't be bothered, then, a scrambled egg on toast!

Today's book decluttering:

Day 2 Decluttering

I was very intrigued by the concept, but, unfortunately, haven't done any trompe l'oeil painting in all these years of owning this book and I am not likely to do any in the near future, either!  So, I shall be releasing this book to entertain someone else.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A relaxed day
- Being able to call and keep in touch with family members in other states
- My shoulder is much better
- A cup of good tea
- The late afternoon sunshine

Plans for tomorrow include:
- Dusting the living room and dining area
- Taking the trash cans to the curb
- Watering the front garden
- Cooking!

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

June Monthly Goals for a Balanced Life

Time to post my June goals for a more balanced life.  As I've explained before, my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes of a wheel, with the length of each spoke representing my satisfaction in that area of my life, from 1 to 10, with 1 being most dissatisfied and 10 being most satisfied.  Ideally, all the spokes are of equal length and the wheel will roll along smoothly.  If the spokes are of unequal lengths, then, the resulting wheel will be lop-sided and wobbly.  My current ratings for each segment are shown within the parentheses.

My June goals are very similar to the May goals.

June Balanced Life Goals:

Spiritual: (9.5):   The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life:
- Continue with daily prayers and gratitude; focus on being positive and joyful
- Take time for meditation - attend one of the Friday night meditation sessions
- Be more giving
- Attend the monthly rosary prayer gathering

House (9.5):  The goal is a home that is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming:
- Clean - do one deep cleaning task per week
- Organized - continue to find a place for everything and keep everything in its place
- Well maintained - continue to implement the cleaning schedule

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

- Maintain (water 2x per week; weed)

- Plant additional seeds (vegetables and flowers)
- Landscape - develop a landscape plan for the front garden

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

- Daily texts, phone calls, and video chatting, etc.

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

- Regular phone calls and emails
- Will be seeing several members of the family and friends at this month's prayer gathering
- Attend former supervisor's annual chili cook off/potluck

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

- Continue to participate in the blogging community
- Participate in the Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt
- Weekly phone calls with neighbor T
- Continue to participate in the online group of which I am a member

Finances (10):  The goal is financial security:

- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose

 Health & Well Being (8):  The goal is good health:
- Call the new doctor's office to schedule an appointment

- Attend this month's medical appointments (3 scheduled, so far, plus 1 lab test)
- Continue to work on the following life style changes:

   - better diet - eat more vegetables, less carbs  
   - better hydration - drink 8 x 8oz glasses of water, daily

   - better sleep habits -  get 6-7 hours of sleep
   - more exercise - walk for 30 minutes, 5 days a week, no excuses!
- Lose 5 lbs

Time Management (8): The goal is to spend my time in a mindful manner:
- Make time to do what needs to be done (exercise, sufficient sleep, housework, etc.)
- Procrastinate less

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

- Engage in daily joyful activities
- Finish at least one quilt in progress

Those are my goals for a more balanced life in June.  What are your goals for June?

June Decluttering: 30 Books

Family Room Bookcase: Before

My June decluttering challenge is to declutter 30 books!  Averages out to one book a day, no matter how it is done, one book a day, several books at a time done a couple of times a week, or, even, all in one go (although, that's highly unlikely for me!).  I wrote about my collection of books, here.  The goal now, is to thin out the collection. 

Of course, if one does a search online about what to do with books (other than read them), one finds all kinds of ideas!  Books are stacked and turned into lamps, side tables, and shelves; some are hollowed out and made into planters, jewelry boxes, etc., others are made into decorative items known as stamped books (or stamped, stacked books), where the covers are removed from two or three books, the spines are stamped with words like "Home, Sweet Home", and the whole tied together with twine or ribbon and decorated!  Then there are all the ideas for altered books and book folding! 

I tried book folding, once - I made a Christmas tree one year with a book that I had received as a gift, which I was not going to read again, and I put it out with my Christmas decorations, now.  I enjoyed that and want to do a folded heart, too.

I am also intrigued by the stacked, stamped books.  Of course, these then become decorative clutter and that's a whole other topic!  I plan to make at least one stamped, stacked books set for myself (I don't have letter stamps, but I have stencils with my scrapbooking supplies), as a fun craft project.  I won't consider that as book decluttering.  However, if I make others to give as gifts, then, that will be part of my book decluttering!

Living Room Bookcase - Before

Here is today's decluttered book:

6/1 Decluttering

I know at least a couple of others are joining me in my book decluttering challenge.  I'm looking forward to seeing what they declutter.  Anyone else wants to join in the June book decluttering challenge?