Thanks Janie, doing enough better today to try solid food, so far so good!

re: Bill D «*I* know how frustrating it can be to choose one»
My husband's rule is always to start with the tiniest task; there is never a question about where or how to start, or what to do next; always the smallest task on the list. If 2 seem equally small, I don't think he gets stuck by that because he gets more done than nearly anyone I know. I'll bet he flips a coin to pick which is next, or arbitrarily does one then the other so he'll know which is bigger for next time they come together on a list. I wish I could function like that!

He is also a master at making accomplishment oriented lists. I wonder how much is gender socialization: Where my list might say "do dishes", his would say: clear table, rinse dishes, stack dishes, wash dishes, dry dishes, put away dishes, wipe counter, wipe stove, wipe backsplash... Which of us do you suppose gets the greater sense of satisfaction?? Which of us is the effective project manager?!

When I'm stuck though, what works best for me depends whether I'm exhauted or avoiding things due to emotion, be it fear or dislike or resentment or whatever buried negativity is associated with the chore. If it's exhaustion, no strategy works without time to myself first to regroup. If it's the latter, as much distraction as possible from the misery is the only solution to That Which Must Be Done--closet cleaning, leaf raking, quilt completion. That doesn't work for stuff like singing or bell practise, kinda have to pay attention & not be distracted ... but I don't get stressed by having to do those--doing more of those is often what puts the raking and the poop pick-up behind schedule.

My best bet for indoor physical chores: listen to music from my childhood, i.e. my parents' music: Herb Alpert, Peter and the Wolf, Kingston Trio, Chopin Etudes, Pete Seeger, early Joni Mitchell, Jefferson Airplane, Liszt piano concerti, Peter Nero, and early adulthood too--Joan Armatrading, CCR, Bach Orchestral Suites, Grateful Dead ... all stuff I rarely play any more except when I need to be transported from whatever my current miseries are. Then it's easier to put a dent in the chores. If I run through all that music before the chore is done, it's on to singing through all the songs my mother or father used to sing with guitar. By then even if the chore isn't complete I'll surely need food or sleep and repeat the process after that.

My best best for outdoor chores: Take at least one of the dogs along, always good for a laugh that takes me out of whatever emotional funk goes with the task--often as not, self-reproach for putting it off or resentment that his nibs didn't do it magically without being asked.