City:
Do NO holiday shopping; have not for years. Give things to folks if I find something I think they will like, when I see them next. Do not want to clutter people's lives with unwanted objects. Saved up a bunch of stuff I thought the gds might like and had them take turns choosing when they came to visit. Nothing was left over although I assured them that would be OK. We do have similar tastes!

Appalled at the quantity of stuff in thrift shops, even in rural areas. Thankful they exist! This am I realized I had better find something to wear to the service tomorrow. The one decent outfit here - ---- So I had not worn this lovely dress in over ten years. And, now that I recall, Connie took it in a bit then! NO WAY this blimp was going to wear it. Yeah, I got into it but ...I have no idea what I weigh; the scale is at Beaver; the last weigh in was 160. The last time I wore that dress I had lost 35 pounds in 4 months and kept it off! - Was about 135 or 40. Even if I let it out, I would still look like a blimp.

Went to a nice thrift shop and managed to find navy dress pants, gray-blue cowl neck long sleeve sweater and a lovely wool shawl in shades of gray and more. YAY! The shawl will help hide the blimpishness. ALso Christmas lights for under the K sink at Beaver to provide heat when I am not there; because if a couple go out, there are still more but if one regular light bulb goes out... And two wonderful turtles because I like turtles and they can go in corners of the house at Beaver in winter and out in the yard in the spring. And two beautiful sheets. Under $30 total.

THEN I went to a supermarket and got a bunch of organic chicken - a whole one and 8 individual breasts at 30% off; may do the chicken tonight but the rest is in freezer, along with nice piece of salmon. Other stuff was mainly 30 or 50% off so I "saved" $68. Spent $144. none of the reduced stuff would I have purchased at regular price but delighted that this store has good chicken and often good things marked down - some nice cheeses also today.So less de-clutter of the wallet and better quality food on the table.

De-cluttered computer of excess emails, checked out outdoor containers for Beaver - to store pottery and tables between shows - right in front of house where it is accessible even when the snow is deep! Need to determine whether to buy one or have Blair construct one. Could do it myself if I could regain my guts for using circular saw. Is my mind in tune with my aging body and has decided said body cannot do certain things safely?? I simply cannot bring myself to do some things that used to be "NO problem". I once cut every piece of wood for a 24 by 24 two story cabin and now... The spirit remembers but the mind refuses. I could get upset or accept... Mostly I accept.

When I get back to Beaver - in a few days - I shall have to give serious consideration to the excess weight.

Not exactly looking forward to the memorial service but hope it will be a turning point and time to let go and move on. The last few days have been better. Pocket full of tissues a good idea.