DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Oct 25 - 11:45 PM

A word to the wise - if you have a slouchy sofa that doesn't offer comfortable support, ditch it. My ex has such a sofa and it finally got him; sciatica hit a few days ago and today I spent the afternoon transporting him from his doctor to the imaging lab for x-rays then to the pharmacy for the prescriptions. I've sent a note to the kids that we need to pitch in for a good recliner for him for his xmas gift. Today I took the walker that was provided with my first knee replacement surgery (and not used much then or with the second surgery). He has it at the house, along with two prescriptions to reduce the inflammation. We also stopped to pick up dinner for him, and I got one that was full of calories because he is underweight. (Macaroni and cheese is comfort food - and when you get it from a French restaurant it has sharp cheese, basil, and extra chicken with a croissant on the side.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Oct 25 - 04:24 AM

Destructive winds, storms and record heat to blast south-east Australia in wild weather ... Wednesday will also mark Sydney's seventh day this month above 30C, the most for October, while the mean maximum this month is running at well above 27C — more than 5C above average and on target to pass the previous record of 26.2C from 1988 ... (38C = 100F & 25 = 77F)

My place is still chaotic with a new larger fridge in the kitchen & displaced stuff in my bedroom. My vintage 1970s rectangular shopping trolley sat beside the fridge holding spare hand towels, carry bags + vacuum heads etc & now sits in my bedroom until I donate it. My much larger stair climbing personal trolley that I use every day sits next to it & caught the cord of my small CD player on it's way to my bedroom TWICE - oops, down it fell - & the lid came off when it fell again. My favourite CD was inside & I don't know whether it is damaged, but a techy friend will put back the lid & check it out soon. If the CD is damaged I can get a copy from the friend who put it out, many years ago!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 21 Oct 25 - 09:10 AM

Tosh finally showed up this morning, four days and 45 minutes later than promised. The garage is cleared of trash (for now), the three excess cases of hardwood have gone back to Home Depot, and the sum of Cdn$405 has been returned to me.

The small rugs went to the cleaners yesterday in the pouring rain, and I made arrangements for the big rugs to be picked up for cleaning on Thursday.

I am now ensconced in the crowded waiting area at the VW dealer, waiting for my car to go through its semi-annual service routine, wheel change and all. Between the car and the carpets, this will be another expensive week of no-fun spending.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Oct 25 - 02:20 PM

This morning I made a lot of work for myself. Various websites are running slow, probably still to do with the AWS glitches, but I thought I'd clear the cache on my browser. I was sure I told it to leave the cookies alone, but they went also, killing all of my logon cookies. That is a lot of hoops and authentications to go through to set up the most frequently used ones. And I'm going to have to do this again soon when I upgrade to Win11.

I'm heading out to shop soon for the ex who is going to need at least a few days for this sciatica to clear up. He is underweight enough that I'll be planning some meals with our daughter and will deliver them regularly to be sure he gets lots of calories (and will make his favorite Puerto Rican dishes to be sure he eats them). I stopped to shop for myself yesterday on the way home from dropping him off and found myself in the unusual situation of scolding another shopper. She was pawing through all of the broccoli, then cilantro, waving it around then putting it back. "Don't handle everything like that! Pick up what you want and don't touch it all!" I don't know if she spoke English, but I'm sure my tone, expression and gesturing got through. This store doesn't wrap produce in plastic, it's there in the cases it arrived in from the farm distributors - that is a good thing. Doesn't she remember anything from what we learning about handling food during COVID?

Mostly today I'm out of sorts because of the horrible damage being done to the White House. Why did no one step up and tell him to keep his grubby little orange hands off of a national architectural treasure? (Watch him bag up pieces from the demolition and sell them as souvenirs.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 22 Oct 25 - 11:45 AM

> Doesn't she remember anything from what we learning about
> handling food during COVID?

Perhaps she assumed that everyone washes all food items in bleach.

The tea lady at one place of work used to use domestic bog-standard* bleach as washing-up liquid. I stopped her grabbing and washing up my coffee mug in this by cultivating in her mind the idea that I was cultivating the patina of coffee in my mug.

* This is not a euphemism.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 25 - 11:53 AM

A new string of LED lights has arrived and I'll swap them out with the older string along the roofline of the front porch. The old string can still be used, now on the patio in back.

My insurance company used to offer a little phone app exercise program that I did at least several times a week, but they dropped it with the new benefit year. Some years ago my sister convinced me to try Essentrics and I pay a few dollars a month (in an annual bill) and decided I'd better get back to that one (it's a matter of finding a routine time to do the longer exercises). I always feel better after. The added weight from Prednisone makes the exercise more essential because it puts more pressure on the knee replacement hardware. Next week I'm tapering down one more mg and hopefully will reach a point where the steroids have less impact on eating.

The okra is nearing the end in the garden but the eggplants are perking along happily. I have to take the trimmer out and edge everything and then mow strategically; I have some groundcover I'm trying to let get established enough that it comes back thicker every year, but that means mowing it occasionally to spread the seeds around. This is that time. And the second of two limbs on the stone pine needs to be cut off today and disassembled to fit in the trash can.

The slim trowel I left on the pony wall next to the front door was used this morning to clear off the web in the corner then to tuck the deceased Ms. Argiope into the pot beside the bright yellow mums I put out last week. She had a robust life for a spider, dying of old age instead of a snack for a bird or bat or lizard. (There was a larger one beside the front walk who just vanished, still in her prime - I think she was a meal.)

Once a naturalist, always a naturalist. :)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 25 - 09:30 PM

Stepping up today to help my disabled friend prepare for the social security disability hearing in the first week of November. Her attorney sent a link to a video to view in preparation, and urged his clients to practice the questions with a friend who has also seen the video. We spent over 90 minutes discussing the list of questions they sent to her, and I was able to help her see things that she might have not thought about. It's a demoralizing process to have to speak of your physical difficulties in a court of law, but the judge needs to know why shopping is difficult, why she needs help with showering, what steps she must take just to trim her toenails, cook, or do laundry. I'll be there to offer moral support, at least. Dressed in dark clothes, my wallet and phone in my pocket, with no purse, no jewelry, etc., very Puritan in appearance.

Today the stone pine is minus the second low limb (cut up and in the trash bin), plus some branches that needed cleaning up after brief trims in the past. I also cut out a number of tall stalks on the okra that have no leaves, flowers, or pods.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 22 Oct 25 - 10:27 PM

Today, I unpacked the last 22 cubic feet of books. Music and reference books went into the big Victorian bookcase in the study; atlases, art books, comics, graphic novels, and ancient bound volumes of “Punch” are in the even bigger Victorian bookcase in the sitting room, and everything else is stacked on the six-foot folding work table in the storage area of the basement.

So far, only four of the nine sections of folding bookcase I ordered (and paid for) have arrived. I was expecting six yesterday but only one was delivered, leading me to spend an hour I’ll never get back to find out from Amazon where the hell the other five are. It would appear that they never left the “third-party” vendor’s warehouse, so I should wait. Okay. I’m accustomed to waiting, but my toe is tapping.

Without all those boxes of books, the dining room is airy and spacious.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 25 - 11:48 PM

Amazon has been struggling to get caught up after the crash a couple of days ago. I had messages about a two parcels that seemed to be swirling around the drain for a couple of days before finally launching and getting delivered.

Congratulations on getting so many books unloaded. And your back is still intact?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 23 Oct 25 - 10:48 AM

Tired and hitting me with occasional twinges, but okay. No heroics today.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 25 - 04:02 PM

This morning I distributed okra to three of the neighbors who have been regular recipients all summer; we're nearing the end of the season so this may be the last big offering. My tomatoes are producing a little bit again, I picked several today.

In my greenhouse there is an electric chipper that can process up to about 1" diameter branches, but I haven't used it in ages. The free mulch is easy to collect and using this chipper is slow and noisy. Lately limbs have either gone over the back fence to rot in the woods there or into the trash to leave the premises. I'll put it up on Freecycle with the instructions and I have a couple of spare blades for it. That's a bulky thing to hand off to the next gardener. Before offering it I'll ask my daughter if they can use it.

Running errands this afternoon for the ex with sciatica who still isn't up to driving.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 25 - 10:03 PM

The chipper will be cleaned up (it's very dusty) and delivered to my daughter. Turns out one of her fellow tiny house neighbors thinks he can use it.

I spent time this evening trimming grass along the street and in the driveway, hoping that if it rains overnight the bits will wash away. Tomorrow heavier showers are forecast. The new string does work better, not breaking off a often. Also, out of curiosity, I started digging up sweet potatoes this evening and came up with several pounds. Not beautiful, but edible.

I picked up two fresh pizzas at Aldi in the refrigerated produce section and delivered them to the ex; as it happens his side-by-side freezer isn't an easy place to freeze these (even cut into quarters) so we cut one quarter out for a meal tonight and the rest came here with me to cut and freeze and I'll take them back over. I see that they have fresh pizzas on cauliflower crusts, which would be good if I wasn't trying to avoid the carbs right now.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 10:36 AM

Five more sections of folding bookcase are sitting on the front porch even as I type. In return for lunch at the pub (my offer; he calls it bait), Brother Andrew has kindly agreed to come over to help unbox and install them. We will then deploy the too-tall IKEA Billy bookcases in the garage so I can photograph them for listing on Kijiji and FB Marketplace. If my cunning plans continue to work out, I will be able to park the car in the garage by Hallowe'en.

Vandalism is no longer an important feature of Hallowe'en around here, at least not in the city, but I still don't want the car out there and vulnerable when people with lowered inhibitions might be inclined to hell around in the street.

I now also have a two-drawer lateral filing cabinet that is excess to requirements. I literally can't find anywhere to stash it but the guest room closet, so I packed the active files (not much, actually) and their hanging folders into plastic boxes currently stacked in the study closet. When he has a gap in his schedule, contractor Marc Durocher has agreed to install some sturdy shelves in said closet, and thus solve my study files problem.

I also shredded a tall stack of papers dealing with the sale of the Old St. Patrick Street house, renovations in Stratford, the origins of our tax-free savings accounts (now very different), and the membership of the Stratford Concert Choir. That felt good.

Speaking of completed projects, Tosh sent in his bill the other day with a note to say how much he likes me. I paid it promptly (as one does) with gratitude for his willingness -- indeed, eagerness -- to take on jobs such as garbage removal that were never part of the contract. I guess he really does like me.

Having paid October's credit card bill, I calculated the complete cost of the hardwood flooring project: Cdn$16,636.15. Not counting coordination services by Jeff the realtor and SIL No. 1, and heaving and hauling by everybody. It's a good thing the buyers in Stratford threw so much cash at me; between the move, the paint and the hardwood, a fair amount of it is gone.

Verily, verily, my Dad said unto me: A house is a hole in the ground into which you shovel money.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 11:25 AM

All of this deciding and selling and buying and moving and remodeling in much less than a year is impressive!

This morning I consulted with my disabled friend who filed for disability status to receive financial assistance. She lives a mile from the courthouse and was going to go there in her electric wheelchair; walking more than a block or two is too much. I was going to meet her at the courthouse, but after consulting the attorney it seems that the wheelchair might convey to the judge that she is too independent. Mind-boggling. So I'll pick her up and drop her at the courthouse then park, and she'll hobble in with a cane. I'm there as window dressing, to show she needs help. Like a wheelchair doesn't already convey that?

And a bonus for the week I'll be cat sitting - the one that bit me needs to be seen by the vet, but the vet will do a house call and they'll catch her (regardless of who catches her, she'll be pissed off for the next couple of weeks). I wonder if they use a dart gun? ;-)

We had an incredibly noisy thunderstorm at 3am that jolted me awake. It did wash away some of the grass and more rain due today may finish the job. The air smells marvelous this morning.

It looks like I can pay $30 to Microsoft to extend my Win10 for a year. It would be free if I sync my browsers and accounts but that would mess up my system and I don't use it as my default browser. It's worth $30 to avoid that mess (and I have several computers to extend that offer to).

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 02:39 PM

In late July I contacted my insurance company about the hail damage that occurred during a storm this spring. The adjustor said he didn't think it needed a new roof, overriding an appraisal by a local roofer that said it did. I assumed that was the end of it, but I got a call today from the adjustor saying the company overruled him and they are going to pay for a new roof. How odd is that? Anyway, the garden is finished so I don't need to worry about shingles landing in the cucumbers, but it does mean a lot of work to get appraisals and plan a time to do it. At least it isn't so hot now.

Roofs cost a lot more after COVID, apparently. The adjustor said prior to then a roof that might be $10 or $12,000 is now easily $20,000. I guess Trump immigration policies in his first term hit this industry; now they're making it even more difficult.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 05:27 PM

All nine bookcase sections fit neatly in the bunker, with room for one more (but that’s the absolute limit). The filing cabinet is attracting the usual FB Marketplace traffic — “Is this available?” “Will you help me load it in my truck?” Of course, my ad says “Bring a friend”. I’m not doing my back for some fool who won’t — as Mick would say — “read for comprehension”.

Satisfied that today’s Sturm und Drang are completed, the cats are lounging in my lap. I am settled in the comfy chair with my feet up. All in all, it’s been an excellent Friday.

Tomorrow, I’ll post the IKEA bookcases. The sooner they’re off the property, the better.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 07:05 PM

It sounds like when you finish installing and supporting those bookshelves they'll have a built-in look.

A woman posted to a local Freecycle group that she had a huge 3-section entertainment center with a rosewood veneer, needing a pickup and at least two other people to move. Nice and asking people to write and tell her how they would use it and she'd decide and let the winner know later in the week. My note to her as a moderator suggested that she edit her offer, that when giving away an obsolete relic she needs to let go and not vet responses, no one is going to write one for her. She agreed and trimmed it. You can only expect the bare minimum from most responses on those sites, especially since many are typed on phones with misspellings and bad grammar.

I delivered seven individual meals (frozen pizza quarters) to the ex, have checked his mail, and while he doesn't think he's doing better, I can see him puttering around more without being aware he's doing it. He also is having difficulties with his printer (finding the ink). Maybe I can solve that problem.

A file with information from various roofers is assembled and I'll make a couple of calls tomorrow to start the roof estimate process. Watching the bank for when the initial payments for the work to hit checking, then have some wiggle room as far as buying shingles.

The weekend is here, and again, as a retired person that shouldn't make a difference but it does.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Oct 25 - 12:04 PM

The weekend is not getting an auspicious start; last night the power went out after a high wind (so far only rumored to be a tornado) hit this side of town. Trees toppled like Jenga blocks (next door lost an immense hackberry, but it nicely tipped in the direction of the creek, resting on their steel fence (but it doesn't look bent). No houses or durable out buildings hit. Plastic portable buildings are a bit scattered but will probably reassemble when the tree roots are removed. Interesting that I've started looking at getting the roof replaced. My patio cover lost a plank last night, I may end up having it replaced also.

Our mutual handyman friend has already been over to look at the downed tree job as we operate with their generator starting this morning. (I got a new heavier gauge 100' cord to use just for this purpose; the last one was ok but had been purchased for yard work, not connection to a generator).

Recently several of my power backup devices were fully charged, though I missed the electric Coleman lantern, so Last night in the kitchen I read a book by a dim little light on the Stanley FatMax until I went to bed and read with a flashlight perched on my shoulder - just like so much of my childhood reading.

This is written via phone hotspot on the laptop plugged into the power strip that I now keep next to the kitchen window on a folding bookshelf (the type that Charmion just purchased and set up for all of her books). Last spring during an outage I found myself again retrieving a power strip to use here so decided to keep a dedicated power strip in the kitchen for generator use. Two or three times a year it gets plugged into the generator, the rest of the time it's where I keep a few small appliances plugged in.

Not going anywhere for a while, I'd have to disconnect the garage door opener and manually lift it. I have fully charged camera batteries so I can use the time to take photos of some of my eBay listings that will go up soon. Or clean house. There's a lot of dust and clutter to address, should I choose.

Yesterday I mailed my ballot for the Nov. 4 election. That's probably the most important thing of this entire post.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 11:53 AM

Power finally came back on this morning after we made various attempts to get the attention of Oncor folks in the neighborhood. I posted remarks on the automated system last night (the AI bot said "I don't understand your question" but I hoped a human might read it anyway) about the line fuse/breaker on a pole a couple of hundred yards from here. It's always the last thing for them to restore, though this time that wasn't enough. When they reconnected it this morning nothing happened. There was lots of communication between our houses as we shared what we knew. The neighbor with the generator is the one who told Oncor (she spotted them at that switch) that the other neighbor had seen sparks, sending them on the door to door search to find the problem and it was an open transformer that had sparked. Quite a granular process of repair this time.

The sink is full of dishes and the kitchen table is loaded with small appliances that were plugged and unplugged into the power strip I used with the line run from the next door generator. I'll go refill my garage gas can (used for yard power tools or for their generator - I get the gas with no ethanol). There was enough warm water in the hot water tank last night that I could take a quick shower since I couldn't stand myself. Now for laundry and to recharge various devices. This time of year was comfortable enough, not like February 2021 when it was four days of sleeping in the closet with the dogs.

Now to figure out about roofers. I'll call a couple of them tomorrow. What a busy end of the month.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: pattyClink
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 02:17 PM

So sorry to hear about that outage, I can't believe these automated systems are really that much cheaper and I know they are not as efficient when things go wrong. But sounds like you were prepared as one could be.

Splendid weather here, but as usual April and October get way too busy, just when you want to be left alone to enjoy the weather and/or hunker down for cold weather. The calendar gets crowded enough with festivals and holidays, I wish they would leave the online gatherings for nasty weather!

Had a hectic week detailing the RV again and hauling it off for consignment, only to find the place was a racket, insisting on doing work in their service shop, on a unit in perfectly good condition. Noped right out of there, but back to square one. Will discuss a new   plan with a retired dealer.

But the snowbirds have started arriving, one is due in a few hours for some yard camping, so rushing about trying to get yard and house decent.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 03:18 PM

Excellent call on that RV consignment shop, Patty! They think they see you coming.

The electric chipper in the greenhouse is cleaned and ready to deliver to my daughter for her friend. I've also evicted an ancient plastic (rubberneck style) can and lid crumbling from time in the heat and sun. For a long time it held mulch made by the chipper, but I keep the current lot of free city mulch in burlap bags in the garage. This thing is going in the trash tomorrow with a note on it for the trash collectors to take the can.

Today starts the next four weeks at a lower Prednisone dose as I continue to taper, and I'm also making an effort to have higher protein in the diet and a dry November. I won't make it more complicated with NaNoWriMo or anything. :)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 25 - 10:41 AM

patty, did you clear out a lot of the goatheads? Is that where your guests will park? Good luck with those comings and goings.

Monday with a vengeance and I'm hitting the ground running by planning for the next two to three weeks. Since autumn is here I can't dawdle when scheduling that roof work, but I have an almost eight-day cat sitting gig coming up and a couple of can't-miss appointments. I need to be here the entire time to supervise or answer questions, so can't be gone intermittently for hours as the top of the house is replaced.

Indoors I've looked at the sorry state of the plant area in my sunroom. It is reduced to several pothos, spider plants, some vining succulents, two aloe veras, a tired orchid, and one remaining xmas cactus sprouted off of one of the old ones that finally gave up. I need to rehome some of these and see if I can find a couple of other types of plants that will survive modest amounts of attention. This morning the orchid is getting a soak in water with an orchid-specific fertilizer to see if it will consider blooming again.

Outside things have perked up after installing the new string of LED bulbs. They are a happy upgrade in a season when pretty lights can improve moods. The length is the same as before, but the simple remote of the past is now a pad with many choices and 128 "modes." I played with them a bit and settled on a pulsing twinkle, much like the old string would perform. This gives me color choices to use for holidays and seasons.

I changed my mind about trashing the old plastic trash can. The lid is going, but the can itself can be offered on the buy nothing group (there are a couple of gardeners who might want it for something) or it can be tossed into the recycle bin at the village. Why send plastic to the dump when it can be reused or recycled, even as tattered as it is.

Last night I made a batch of my crispy pecans except I forgot which recipe I was making and baked them at 300 for an hour instead of 170 for four hours. They're a bit brown, but I can live with them. (They got the granola treatment.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Oct 25 - 12:57 PM

Dupont:

Energy level remains too low for trip to Beaver. no sign of improvement. Appt with Dr tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, I am trying to get my life in better order for whoever is left to deal with my piles of paper and clothing and unsold pottery., etc.!! My happy thought is the friend who took the cream of the fabrics!

Son Taun took photo of all my passwords last year but with the death of computer in June and ... I need to make a new list.... Arghhh! Just want to leave stuffs to folks who will make good use, like the crew at the Jardin de la Resistance; a bale of clothing would suit the farm work and some for special events.

OK, so I am a little sad but not a lot. I have had enough of the insanity of this world but I shall try and play it out to the end - as positively and usefully as possible. I am hoping the Dr will be able to clue me on on how this might play out. Last night
/early this am, I was feeling so low in energy, I was wondering "how many more minutes?" and woke R to come to bed so he would be close by. I needed a hug!!!

I pulled myself out of bed about 10 am and folded or hung a pile of R's shirts - just to tidy up. Yesterday, I did a laundry and put nicer sheets on the bed - flannel is all we use now. Trying to get the house closer to clean and tidy; friends from CN are visiting briefly this coming weekend; they are also very special - Jeff and Taun met in grade 7! apparently I was an "other mother" for Jeff in his teens. Missing from our lives for many years, Taun found him and -only change - we are all older! When R and I went to CN for the wedding of the son of a close friend of 50 years - we stayed with Jeff and found out he had gone into wood working because of that friend; Jeff's dad had been one of Robin's closest friends and ! the reason Taun ate his veggies at Jeff's house - Jeff's Dad would not eat overcooked veggies!!! and neither will Taun! Mother's are supposed to know these things???

So, I keep on making small stabs at cleaning up and doing important things -auto reg paid, now auto insurance and whatever...

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 25 - 01:32 PM

Dorothy, it sounds like you're doing things on your own terms. More power to you!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 27 Oct 25 - 03:00 PM

I have had a brisk few days. The filing cabinet left the building on Saturday, gone to a newly immigrated Syrian family with a small business, and the too-tall bookcases departed today, three to an ex-Marine (another recent immigrant, I guess), and the last two to an old military colleague of my brothers. After garbage day, I can probably start parking in the garage.

Sunday dinner was Norwegian lamb and cabbage (fårikål) for the family, with the table fully expanded — both leaves — for the first time since before we moved to Stratford more than eight years ago.

Since even the cheeriest day needs a dash of the opposite (to make us count our blessings), about 30 minutes before the guests were due I discovered that someone had coughed up a large hairball on one of the dining room chairs. It wasn’t recent, either, so clean-up was no mere wipe with a paper towel. Ah, cats — such a good thing for them that they’re cute.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: pattyClink
Date: 27 Oct 25 - 03:23 PM

Regrettably, it came down to the 8th inning and the goathead weeds pulled ahead so much they won the game for this year. I had cleared time for a big push after the next rains, but the wheelbarrow tire went flat---why on earth do they even sell barrows with pneumatic tires in thorn, spine, and burr country like this? Tried working without the barrow but winds were so high it was tough dragging bag and box around and extra work to keep the weeds from blowing out. Took a trip to town with wheel and axle in hand, thought I secured the only suitable replacement, but no, when set on barrow handles, the spacing was 1/2" too wide for the old bolts. (also can't believe there are no 'standard' wheels on such an ancient design).

Tried to drill new holes but had no bit wide enough and wallowing did not work on the center part of the run. Got a spade bit when next in town, only to find the new holes created a new problem. Kind neighbor jumped in and cut a bit off of the axle holders and put things back in order with the new no-air wheel.

Then it rained again. Another couple sessions of weeding and a walk around the grounds convinced me that it had become hopeless. Had I known my guest was coming, I might have chosen an area to clear, but I was not given notice til I was otherwise occupied.   It's okay, I put her close to the house, and luckily she has no pet to protect.

It's Halloween week, will spend time at some fun events, a field trip, and other projects instead of stressing over the vegetation. Hopefully winter winds will blow a lot of the seeds away, if not I'll consider the shag-dragging solution. My vinegar sprayer is mounted on a handcart ready to attack in the spring. I suppose I should rinse out the handle and hose before calling it a day.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 25 - 06:43 PM

Silly stuff—I see your cat furball and raise you a lizard stowaway.

Another week, another trip to take the ex to the doctor following his attack of what we think is sciatica. My departure from the house was delayed; I'd moved about 50 feet down the street when a large anole popped out of the engine compartment and stood on the windshield wiper, then ducked back under the hood. I backed up to the driveway, popped the hood, and as he tried to scramble up the windshield I grabbed him and released into the rockery by the side door.

A separate chuckle at the pharmacy on the way home, where we were in the drive-thru lane and wondering if the driver in the vehicle in front of us was going to be able reach the security drawer from the pickup window without opening their car door. When the meds were dispensed, the pharmacy tech leaned over in such a way that her arm extended through and beyond the open slot, handing the driver their bag of medication. We both burst out laughing, this was not what we expected. It was like something out of Monty Python.

patty, clean out your vinegar sprayer if you won't use it for a while. The vinegar will eat any rubber gaskets that might in in the device. Empty and rinse well. (And in the dormant season, consider spreading corn gluten meal to reduce germination in the spring. More details can follow in an email.)

This morning I've decided I can't live with those pecans after all, but I have enough for another batch (and enough time this evening to bake them for four hours). The last batch was tipped into the compost bin.

Photos for eBay were taken and will be processed for listings this evening. I need to take advantage of seasonal shopping. For local shopping I'm going to head over to my discount grocery and pick up items to leave at the mutual aid fridge nearest to me. Food aid is going to start being critical next week for several reasons.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 25 - 11:41 AM

The power is out again, same 40 houses that usually get hit on this side of the street. At the moment I have lots of battery stuff going—the boom box from my sewing room has batteries to fall back on, my Stanley portable power thing is running the laptop, and the hall battery backup has the modem and router plugged in for WiFi. It looks like further repairs are being performed after the weekend outage and predict we'll be powered up again by 1pm. Fingers crossed - there is a weather alert on the radio now for a wind storm coming through the area later today.

My several bowls of the accumulated ripe garden tomatoes were blanched, simmered, and pureed into sauce last night while a fresh batch of pecans baked slowly. It looks like another morning of photographing eBay stuff, and when the power is back I'll process photos and start the listing. I also need to call a roofer and get that process started.

Have fun this week, patty, with your various events. Does anyone else have holiday activity around the Day of the Dead/Halloween/Samhain this week?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Oct 25 - 10:16 AM

Stilly, remind me — how is Texas not a third-world country? Yet again, you have a power-distribution crisis worthy of the Dominican Republic!

I now have rubber curb ramps to help the car over the four-inch step from the driveway to the garage. What’s more, today is garbage day, and the last of the moving débris — flattened cardboard boxes — is out for collection with the paper for recycling. That leaves the garage clear of clag and ready for winter parking. Oh, frabjous day!

But my relationship with Marc the contractor is not over. I still need shelves in the study, and better cabinets in the kitchen.

The weather remains sunny and bright (if chilly) today, but that will end tomorrow with the arrival of the cold rain that makes autumn in Ottawa a mixed blessing. At least we won’t have to shovel it.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Oct 25 - 11:19 AM

It was, for about 10 years. My choice to live next to the creek, but when the power company comes through an area and takes down trees that threaten the power lines they never think to go down the right-of-way behind our houses.

After yesterday's outage I forgot to reprogram the new string of lights on the porch so they were merrily sparking when I just checked the mail. I may set them to Halloween colors for a couple of days then turn them off the actual night (when I make sure the front of the house is dark and not inviting to trick-or-treaters who drive the dogs nuts.)

I'm using this week to step down from a long-term habit. Ages ago I bought several cases of large dark chocolate bars at the discount grocery, and I have finally run out. I used to have a piece of it in the morning with my tea, and I do understand that while it was lower-carb dark chocolate (low on sugar) it was a source of caffeine. So as I approach my high-protein dry November I'm also letting go of the chocolate.

Today the first roofer is supposed to come by to look and give me an estimate; I think the man must get a lot of spam calls or just be very cautious, I had to explain what I wanted and how I know him before he agreed he is the roofer and will come over. I worry about businesses like his in the current administration with their hate-immigrants policies.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Oct 25 - 05:04 PM

I finished errands by 2pm because the roofer said 3pm, but now we wait (he texted he'll be here at 4:15). The chipper, spare blade, instructions (and my emphasis of a few things she needs to stress to her friend) handed over. Plus six jars of pickled okra. As she prepared to take all of this to her car she stuffed a jar of okra in her handbag to take into the office. One wonders if it will last through the afternoon.

Windy weather again today but dry; I'm hoping the roof work can be done at a time when we don't have to worry about a weather front moving in. There are frost warnings in the counties north of here, but no rain. During the next 10 days I'll have many trips to do cat stuff but have decided to default to when the roofer wants to work (once I choose one) and park at the neighbor's house so I'm not blocked in.

The news is on, Jamaica is featured. Our puny problem of three days without power pales in comparison.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Oct 25 - 09:39 PM

Oh, my. Roofing. So many moving parts, so to speak. Tear off the old felt, yes or no? Change the weatherhead or just the thing around the post that the power comes into the house through? Square footage of both the house and the garage roofs. Permits. As we settled into working through the numbers for the job it was kind like old-home-week because he's been here a couple of times before and we have several mutual friends and he did some work in the village recently (making this easier - he's already registered at city hall).

The insurance company rolled dollars for other "losses" into the payment; some painting and window treatments and the fence, so I have to go through their numbers and see what was dedicated to the roof and what this contractor will do out of all of the things noted.

I put the dogs in the yard before he came in, but later let them in so they could greet him and we could all go out in back to look at a couple of things on the list. He remembered the previous dogs (a pitbull and Catahoula) - gone for many years now. These two are just as friendly.

We both have things to research and we'll speak again on Monday. The work might happen later that week. As we talked in the driveway and looked at the garden, I asked if he likes eggplant; not so much, but his wife loves them. I cut a fresh one to take home to her. The garden is great for goodwill.

Politics comes into this job. The current shingles are from a roofing supplier, though he tells me there is something similar and easier to get from Home Depot. I told him I'm not shopping there much, and why (no more DEI). The first place costs less, but is on the far side of town in one location if they need more; Home Depot is everywhere. This man speaks enough English that we can discuss this job, but at home I'm sure they always speak Spanish. Does it matter to him that I don't shop Home Depot because of their policies? His son, a US citizen, will apply for the permit, so it might.

I looked at the house as I let him in - my goodness what a mess. The power outages didn't help.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Oct 25 - 09:11 AM

Dupont:

R brought home a "Chicken Soup" book re Breast Cancer. I would it very helpful to learn about how it has affected others - in their words. Had a visit with a Dr at the clinic and told him I am looking for a support group, showed him the book and he said he would look into it and phone Thursday (today). In the meantime I have been eating better and feeling much better - hoping each morning that it will last a while.

Friends from CN are visiting this aft; I offered lunch in a text this am - no response yet. Jeff shared pics of an incredible sunset on the highway somewhere in NYS! Mine was not so great but at least I was reminded to look for it; I do not get to see much in the west - houses and trees. Managed to watch the half moon go down behind the house and trees across the street.

I walked (a longer walk!) around to see the north side of the increasing development behind our home. Look as though there will be a couple dozen condos or apts - 4-plex to 8 or more- plex. As long as they leave the trees behind the house, it will be noxious noise from kids walking to school past our bedroom windows and lots more traffic on small roads. Wondering how the "Rez" is going to deal with the excess traffic; they have closed the road during morning rush hour for about a year now. The whole new development dumps directly onto that road. I am amazed this dev was permitted!

The rain has started. Thinking of SRS! But we sure need the rain. I never thought it would get seriously dry here but it has.

Waiting with bated breath for a response to my offer of lunch!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Oct 25 - 12:35 PM

Dorothy, there are online breast cancer support groups, though sorting through and finding a suitable match may require some patience. Here's a search on Facebook to get you started.

We have a lovely cool fall day, one of the few we get before the weather shifts to chilly. Summer is the prominent season in Texas, short-changing spring and fall.

A notification just popped up of an eBay sale and the postal carrier was at the house next door, where he sits for a few minutes to organize the mail before heading up the street. I printed the shipping label and had it at the door as he came up the walk, making that the fastest shipping after a sale I've ever managed.

Filing, shredding, sorting, and recycling today to get paper off of the kitchen and den surfaces and into the file box in my closet, also noting that it's time again to thin the contents of that box.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 30 Oct 25 - 12:44 PM

The four pieces of furniture wounded in the move from Stratford came home this morning from rehab, and I spent a merry couple of hours putting stuff away. Now, there’s nothing stacked in corners! No pile of drawers waiting for their chest! Desk clag off the study table and back in the desk!

Also, two more plastic bins to use elsewhere or just — gasp! — dispose of.

The last domestic improvement I must get done before winter is replacing the garage door opener with one that comes with a remote control (for the car) and an outside keypad. God alone knows why anyone would go to the trouble and expense of installing a garage door opener without those features! In fact, I’ve never seen one before, but here we are.

It’s raining in Ottawa, and likely to keep it up for several days. From the weather map, I’m guessing it’s the northernmost edge of the system that slammed into Jamaica.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Oct 25 - 01:06 PM

Nice to be able to use all of your furniture now! Did that garage opener not come with those features, or were the remotes that should be with it lost? I had to get some universal remotes to use with mine, the one I was given was quite battered and elderly. (When I recently named the oldest appliance in the house I forgot about that garage opener; it's so old now I doubt there are replacement openers, but I was able to program my SUV mirror button to open it.)

Thick cushion dog beds are coming out of storage as it cools, to be located in areas where they won't become tripping hazards, and I'll move the loveseat from the front porch into the sunroom (Cookie sleeps on that). With the potting bench organized and a cart gone the seat won't crowd the doorway now. Time to start washing throw rugs and some of the lighter dog beds.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 30 Oct 25 - 01:32 PM

There’s no keypad in sight, Stilly, and no evidence (e.g., wiring, screw holes) of a departed keypad. If there ever were remotes, I sure don’t have any now. But I doubt that a door-opener would come with either feature and not the other.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 31 Oct 25 - 11:03 AM

Dupont:

RAINY Day! Desperately needed but gloomy!! Thinking of SRS - hope all is well!

Yesterday was about the same but dear friends brightened the day with a visit, and flowers! They are both working toward becoming CA residents - studying French on line and jumping through the hoops! Always great to have -rare- visit from these folks!   

I started the day with energy - making a nice lunch ...BUT ran out of steam at the salad - with all the makings sitting on the counter when they arrived, I said, "I ran out of steam, Agata!" knowing full well she, both of them actually could jump in and finish the job, and anything else needed! A decent meal but not at my usual - once upon a time! standard. Agata took care of clean up, putting things away in - mostly- their usual homes! What a great idea - Have company and let them do the work!!

Jeff remembered that the last time he had a Thanksgiving Dinner was at our 3rd floor -walkup flat in Montreal - 1976, I think! Many gallons of water over the dam since then!! And this am, he sent a couple texts with suggestions of support group possibilities.

The "health app" told me I walked 3 times as much as any recent days. That is GOOD!

I considered counting how many moves since then but too many memories - it would take week! So - what to do on this rainy day?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 25 - 11:59 AM

Dorothy, it sounds like a good evening to get out the cards or board games. I remember lots of family game nights with various cousins after the meal. And I think having the guests help assemble the meal was a perfect plan.

Charmion, my old garage door opener has a wired button inside the side door into the garage, and remote controls. There was never a keypad, we're talking about a very old opener.

This morning while thinking about it I stepped out and turned off the string of lights (programmed to run every evening for 8 hours) so they won't attract trick-or-treaters. The porch light is motion-activated and is also off for now as are the sunroom lamp on the timer and the driveway motion-activated light.

Several sets of photos finished last night for listing on eBay today, and I have to make a batch of Puerto Rican rice to take over to the ex, to be sure he is getting enough calories. Since he's not driving right now he hasn't been shopping and what I delivered last week wasn't a lot. I have a suspicion that the gabapentin they have him on is causing difficulties, so will send him links to the side effects and he may want to ask the doctor for something else to use instead.

Busy busy week coming up, to be taken one day at a time.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 31 Oct 25 - 12:38 PM

I, too, am planning to dive into a hole and pull it in after me. Hallowe'en is my least favourite day and night of the year, closely followed by New Year's Eve. Both are even worse when they fall on a Friday, when those determined to over-indulge are less likely to have work in the morning.

This house buttons up nicely. The car is in the garage (objective achieved!) and I'll keep the ground floor lights off while I hang out in the bunker with the cats and an Aperol spritz. The outside lights get turned on only when I'm expecting company -- welcome company, that is -- so the path and porch will also be blacked out. Game 6 of the World Series will be played tonight, so I expect parents out with little kids to drag them home in time for the first pitch. That leaves the people I most wish to avoid -- over-excited teenagers and random drunks -- and being inconspicuous is by far the best protection against them. Also, it's still raining.

I called a garage door company and made a date for next Wednesday. My door-opener is apparently equipped to work with a remote control, so that will be easy to arrange. Adding an exterior keypad will take most of the technician's time.

Yesterday I unpacked two small boxes of my favourite ornaments: Royal Doulton figurines of Sir John A. Macdonald and Captain George Vancouver, and various family doohickeys that have always lived in the bookcases among the books. The place looks more and more like home.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 31 Oct 25 - 05:28 PM

doohickeys!! we had doohickeys & I haven't seen/heard that word for years ...

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 25 - 11:39 PM

There were a lot of families out at dusk in the neighborhood where the cats live, and on the later run (not typical, but necessary today) there were still a few of the bigger ones walking around. My neighborhood showed no sign of life or the UnDead in the streets. (The cats' neighborhood is a destination for trick-or-treaters, hoping for good stuff from well-to-do homes. Mine isn't.)

Progress on getting out dog beds and washing small rugs and the covers from a couple of the summer-weight beds. They're enjoying the new arrangement.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: keberoxu
Date: 01 Nov 25 - 09:22 AM

The remains of the storm from Hurricane Melissa blew through for a couple of days.
Last night there were very high winds,
and today the power is out at my retirement community.
I"m entering this at the treatment center where I've been for several years, in their computer lounge.
I don't know how widespread the power outage is.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 25 - 10:01 AM

keberoxu, I commiserate with the power outage blues. I'm still picking up things that I got out to use during our three days last week. Do you have any battery backup for yourself? My sister told me about her Stanley "Fat Max" and I searched their battery backup devices. I think today this is closest to what she has (the styles are always changing). I have this one, but I had to buy a little converter to plug into the power port (it's the car lighter style) so I can plug a regular lamp into it. It also works to jump the car battery or inflate the tires.

Nov. 2 is the end of Daylight Savings Time in the US, for those who observe it; I detest time changes, but this one is the easiest to adjust to. I'm not a morning person so that extra hour retrieved is wonderful.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: pattyClink
Date: 01 Nov 25 - 11:59 AM

Enjoying the holiday week this year with my camper guest and local friends. Costumed up for the first time in many years, had fun with it. Our social club had a meal, then a little trunk-or-treat circuit in the parking lot, lots of kids visiting after doing the trunk circuit downtown. Highly recommend getting out of the house instead of either waiting home fruitlessly with bowls of treats, or hiding in the dark so no one will approach. I remember thinking trunk-or-treat when invented was a lame change to old Halloween and prefer the old ways, but, tempis fujitsu!;-)

Caught Patty Clayton at a little restored theater, more like a house concert. Coulda-heard-a-pin-drop crowd enjoying really fine guitar playing and songs. Savoring every little chance to hear good music up close and personal.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 25 - 04:36 PM

patty, you remind me that social activities are a part of good self-care. I need to get out for another lunch with my university retiree friends soon. One of them goes through a lot of fuss to decorate for the fall and winter holidays, Halloween being a big one. We might offer to help her put things away (and have the xmas stuff ready to go soon).

Today has been a mix of drizzle and gentle showers, though more of it at my friend's house than down here. I've spent the afternoon listing eBay stuff, and this evening have cooking to do (more marinara sauce).

This week I've been muscling (pardon the pun) more protein into the diet, keeping the carbs to "slow carbs" that don't have the same effect as things like bread and sugar. I need to keep it up and get back to my preferred weight. I miss the chocolate and alcohol but don't need them for the time being. We'll have to see how it goes and if I can get off of the Prednisone early in the new year.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Nov 25 - 12:02 PM

Sunday morning is a good time to drive around downtown, very quiet, so I picked up the friend who has a hearing on Tuesday and we drove around looking for our best approach to dropping her off at the building and then I'll park and walk back and we'll go inside. We tried several streets (lots of one-way streets and some weird diagonals involved) and drove past the front of the federal building so often I told her we'd better stop or they might think we're plotting something nefarious.

I have so many things on my calendar this week that it's overwhelming if looked at as a whole, so it's taken one busy day at a time, and I think this must continue as the approach to political activity. If I'm making a sign or writing letters, they have an appointed day to be done, then forget about them. Mental palate cleansing with jigsaw puzzles, book reading, and returning to watching DVD movies and streaming programs. I just started a series on PBS that has several seasons but is new to me. It all adds up to not letting Trump live in my brain rent free.

If I mow the lawn this week it might be the last mow for a while. The goal is to have the yard looking lovely in time for Thanksgiving when family is here, but it's really late this year, so there may be some touchups between this week and then.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Nov 25 - 10:28 AM

This afternoon's cat appointment, at the house, is as bad as the cable company service call - it turns out they could arrive any time between 1 and 4pm. What can I take along to work on until they arrive? And part B, the painters are back working around the outside, thumping, talking, playing a radio, making it sound weird for me and the cats. When will the cats ever come out of hiding after all of this disturbance?

Clocks changed, but I don't claim to have gotten them all. It's amazing how many objects have a clock these days and something always gets missed. The SUV clock not only went well, it was on the fly, managed during a long red light on the way to the cat house.

More eBay listings up, and some of those listed a while ago that don't get much attention will be taken down and go to Buy Nothing or Goodwill.

This week I'll be cutting down the okra, we've had a very good year and a long run, but there are fewer and they're petering out in the speed they grow. The plant bases are the size and durability of small trees, about 3"-4" across. The storm two weeks ago disturbed everything and they're leaning, so might be easier to pull out of the beds.

I haven't switched the thermostats from cooling to heat yet, though I have run the ceiling heater fan in the master bath this week (with the attendant smell of hot dust on the first use). The house temperature is comfortable, with just an extra flannel shirt in the mornings.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 03 Nov 25 - 12:24 PM

After two months off for the move, I went back to aquafit today. A much bigger pool (city privilege) but, oddly, a much smaller locker room. Forty-five minutes of physical jerks and running in neck-deep water left me pleasantly limp. The clientèle are just like the patrons of the Stratford Y — mostly aging crocks sporting surgery scars.

After that, I booked the cats’ annual vet visits for late December and bought a month’s supply of kibble. I think that’s the limit of my to-do list for today.

I’ve been feeling slightly unwell since the middle of last week, with wheezing and signs of respiratory inflammation. Not knowing if it’s allergies or a virus, I maxed the asthma drugs and seem to be holding my own — coryza symptoms at bay, wheezing and coughing significantly reduced. The world is full of mouldering leaves at present, so I infer an allergy flare in progress.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Nov 25 - 06:37 PM

Raises hand - surgery scars (just the knees). I need to get to the gym pool again.

The okra is mostly down, at least all of the long limbs. There area few large pods out there until they start to crack, then they can come in and finish drying. I picked all of the small pods and moved the branches to the side; should have worn gloves, the stems are a bit stickery.

Cat vet appt handled; tomorrow is another important appointment, followed by Wednesday's trip to PT for my ex. One day at a time.

This evening I've been clearing up surfaces in the kitchen since tomorrow afternoon the roofer will return. It was so messy last time, and I no longer have the excuse of the recent power outage dishevelment.