Especially to V.
Good morning. This is just me and him to the left. We’ve been up for a while, but doing some on-line reading first. We’ve been a little more attentive to what’s happening in news and we had quite a few emails go through with the addition of a couple of Yahoo groups. It’s now getting late and we have to shower. Before I go further, I wish to add our prayers for Vince’s early recovery. He had the operation yesterday on the arteries in his throat. We haven’t heard any reports, but are wishing him a speedy recovery. I hope he’s doing well.
Cuz we love him to pieces.
Us
This is the first video out of 2-3 videos hopefully for the day. We're trying.
Didn't Get So Far Here ... Happy Thanksgiving Anyway
Good morning Happy Thanksgiving. This is me and it’s the day. WoooHOOO!!! We haven’t written for a couple of days because we’ve had trouble getting in and out of things. We’ stayed home and wandered around the Internet, especially over at yahoo. I had been made aware Flyladies group originates out of yahoo groups, and then I became interested in other groups, and then we became interested in starting our own group. We’re pretty sure there are enough groups for multiples out there and we have parked our group on a distant street under a viaduct. We don’t mean to have a large group, just one that is nice. More of that in a little bit.
Last night our friend came over … he’d put us through a pretty rough time as to not going to work. There were times I thought our T-Day pie was in jeopardy. But, he’s too good a friend for all that. Ahhh it was a wonderful pie. Just can’t say enough about it. And, we’d forgotten, but he remembered after love-something that he was going to put up the curtains. It was like Wow! I didn’t even remember. Curtains is not usually what I think of during times like that! But, he did and we helped a little bit, but mostly it was him and the curtains went up and they are beautiful. Not as wonderful though as this morning when we went in there before things were all the way woke up … Saw the morning’s light coming up in them. The Shades were open just a bit and the curtains are a white lace wedding print. Wow … the kind of thing that brings a girl to tears. Chief was just saying that too. I guess kitties too.
It turns out the drill was a good idea. We had two containers from DeWalt, which I knew was a good company (we used to work in a hardware store). I couldn’t decide between the two. So, we opened both and let him poke around to his handy man heart’s content. He said he could do it because I had such nice toys to play with. I personally think guys are born with an extra gene that makes toy playing more fun. I’m willing to feed that at least. I really thought I could do it, and I probably could if I had read some instructions on the Internet, but ruining my first sinker, or MOLLY as our friend calls them … I was tuned off to the thought of me putting anymore holes in our walls. Bad idea … bad.
I was right though that the wall and those two corners of our house seem more warm now and better able to suffice as rooms with clearer purpose. I have to do some picking up again. I took care of the table and started on the fridgerator, but my back drew fire. It said Lordy, not already this morning!?? So, I said ok, we’ll do this fair and square, we’ll take it easy. Just one task and moments at a time. We’re having a little trouble now though with Chief, because he’s trying out a new position of exerting most his weight from his shoulders to our left wrist and it is causing our limb to go numb. Hold on. Ok, that’s better … we reshuffled him. Pshwoo.
I haven’t seen anyone wake up yet … whoa there’s Deb. I wonder … I bet you she’s still in her jammies. Feeling a little tired now … drat. I like to stay up for at least our friend. He had a tough night though because he had to stay up late last night to pick up his son from the train station. I think they were going to make turkey together this year. That was IF they both got up. I know our friend could do it, but not so sure the son’s habits. It would seem the routine for younger folk would keep him in bed a little longer. We’ll see.
Ack sleep is overtaking me. bb in a little.
This is a leftover from earlier in the week ... Maybe Monday - incomplete
Good morning. We’re up a little early this morning. It’s about 1:45. I can imagine that there will be a nap somewhere along the way. We fell asleep on the couch. We were listening to the game and we started reading the National Geographic. I guess the combination of all three proved to be too much for us. I remember waking up, but we were too tired to go to bed proper. Then too, we were weighted down by kitties. They love it when I fall asleep on the chaise, because they can both comfortably find spaces to cuddle with us. I’m not so sure how appreciative they are that we leave on the light. I do like that when we get up, we have that extra view of the living room that we love so much. It makes us feel cozy.
Ahh, that was nice. We just went over with Missy and sat on the couch for about 45 minutes and just had pleasant thoughts. Mostly of the living room and then of the living room filled with sons and grandchildren. I am looking so forward. Unfortunately, we’re also seeing little corners that still need attention. Like there is a big dust bunny toward the ceiling over one of the bookcases and we haven’t dusted either the treadle machine, or the coffee table. That all will get done soon too, right? I don’t want the room to be uncomfortable.
We were just remembering that there was a tiny bit of Estate money left from my father and Sandy. I’m not sure, because I haven’t heard anything for a long while, but I think there was supposed to be a finalization of the will close to this December. He and she had both died early 2003. It wasn’t going to be much money … just like $600, but I was thinking it might be enough to replace the broken chair in the living room. I’m not as concerned with the side chairs, because it won’t be enough money for that, but I also have to consider one last book shelve. D*** they don’t sell them anymore. They do sell a 4-shelf version which is a foot shorter than my shelf. I can get one or two of them for about $120 each. Shoot … not what I wanted. I think I’m going to need leaving that corner alone for a while. Maybe we’ll one day decide to get a new TV not 22 years old and then we’ll get an entertainment center for that corner. I’d like a nice wooden one with glass doors etc.
Ok, ok … here it is now quite some time after. We were going along with the book case search for quite a while. Then our friend called and we realized we needed to get going because of the 8 am dentist appointment. That went pretty well all considered. This time they filled two cavities. Ugh. Now I’ve got a break of about 2-3 weeks and then they will have a couple more appointments to do something with a crown. Then we’ll be into the new year and the new dental money and we’ll continue on with whitening and the partial. For all those concerned … DON’T SMOKE! Does terrible things to teeth. We’re up to now in 5 days our 4 month non-smoking anniversary. We’re pretty sure we’re never going back.
The dentist was real nice … She always is. We told her staff that we didn’t want the TV on and no thank you we don’t want a magazine and music. But, we said that if she wanted to talk she could go right ahead. It turns out she has 3 boys like us, but hers are little guys 1, 3, & 5 years old. So, she talked the whole time about what they were getting into hehehe. The process was pretty quick though we needed TWO shots of Novocain. That wasn’t so pleasant. No tears though! One of our younger parts told her she wasn’t going to like her anymore. But, she said that was ok, but we liked her anyway.
After the appointment and there wasn’t any suckers … we took a drive to the north side of Chicago to find out where my middle son was living. I figured if I’m going to pick him up on Sunday, we better figure out how not to get lost while doing it. We cheated though and used the GPS devise from the PDA. That got us there pretty quick. It took about a half hour and we were on a route that bypassed going downtown.
I would like to talk about that experience more, but out of courtesy to him, we won’t. But, the drive itself is ok … no problems.
After that we headed south and stopped at the gym. By that time it was about 10:45. I know because it was busy enough we had to sign up to use a treadmill. I did 8 minutes on the bike, which is only so-so good for us. And then we did 10 minutes on the treadmill, which was great. On all the first 9 strength machines we upped ourselves to lifting 3 bars … so that was good. We did at least 12 on each and some we did 18. The last 3 machines were busy. I don’t know why they have so many people on them that just sit. I think the seats are too comfortable. I got 3 extra minutes on the bike while waiting for the treadmill, so I only did 5 minutes on the bike after the weights. I was pretty tired after all that. Good work with the weights. I was kind of frustrated though because one of the 9 machines had pads missing where we rest our upper arms, so we tried to use the machine without. The trainer was in back of us with someone else and before we left, he told us we were doing it wrong. We explained no pad, but then he said we shouldn’t have used the machine. That made me feel about 6 years old. Blah on him!
I don’t know what exactly we’ve been doing since coming back. I know that we were by our computer probably reading stuff and the fix-it guy came in to do the sink and bath tub. Apparently, the folks across the hall had complained of the same problem, but to the wrong guy who didn’t communicate it to the office. So the fix-it guy routed both apartments. Good thing we called! I asked him about the little girl screaming. He just kinda smiled … apparently, he knew about that. He said its just the way she communicates and that they’ve been good tenants for about 8 years at a different building. *Sigh*
Not so much today ... kinda distracted - listening to the Lady
Good morning. This is me. We’re back again, but it is already 9:16 am. We’ve been doing our Flylady thing … Wooo Hooo just forgot almost time for the multiples meeting. I’d almost forgotten about that. Pretty much we’ve been just sitting here listening to the women on Flylady. Our friend just stopped by too. He was a little scattered because I think he’d stayed up and watched TV too long so didn’t get everything done and is a bit rushed. I think it must have hit him fully that its Thanksgiving week. He’s always under pressure on those kind days, because he makes the Turkey dinners all around for home, work, and us. And, I’m not sure if it was the right thing or not but he said I should withhold sex until the curtains get done. I’ve never done that before … withheld to get something. He had to walk us through it. But, I don’t understand if he knows how important it is that I should have to do something terrible. We did try to do the curtains ourselves this morning. We were pretty unstable standing on the bed. We badly sunk one of those plastic things in a pre-existing hole, cuz it went in crooked, and then we bent the other one … sinkers they’re called when trying to hammer it in. Our friend has told us now that we had to drill first then hammer and screw or something similar to that. I just get so mad at myself for not being able to handle such a simple thing.
Take a deep breath.
Ok, we’re going to put that nagging thing away for a while and not get into the pity part. On the good news side … we did then jump in the shower, take our medicine, brush and swish everything, and even got some dusting done. Just a little bit at a time, right?
Some of the ladies on the Flylady show get very emotional. They have built up their lives to consider something in crisis. Like me and the curtains. Flylady actually said during the show that we need to put up our own curtains and that is why I tried. Someone should have asked her for the directions. Maybe this is something I should have gotten from the Internet though. But, my friend said he would try it again this week. There are only two major projects to finish to complete my household changes we started two years ago. One is the curtains need to go up in those last two rooms, and the other is that some pictures need to be hung in both bedrooms. I know pretty much what I want in the back room, but I don’t have a main picture for the main bedroom yet. A long time ago, I’d found something I had wanted to hang, but it cost $500, which I couldn’t do at that time, nor could I now even if the item still existed. But, I haven’t found or figured out anything that would work instead. Our best hope is that we might find something creative if we went through our closet and looked for something we’d loved before. I’m not saying that I’m going to hang the Girl Scout Sash, but something in that order. It has to be something relatively large like a favorite cloth and something fairly romantic, because that’s where we are when we are in our bedroom. I know something will come up, but we need to focus on that for it to happen, and we can’t make it a priority right now. Let’s just focus on the curtains. K?
We’ve been working on our Flylady control journal, but it is bulky right now. This is what the morning routines look like.
1. Get up fold the blanket, weigh and feed the kitties
2. Shower and brush teeth/floss and get dressed to lace up shoes, fix your hair and face
3. While you are in the bathroom Swish and Swipe
4. Grab a load of laundry and start the washer
5. Check your calendar for today's activities
6. Empty dishwasher to start your day
7. Make sure the sink is still polished
8. Eat something good for you and take your medicine and vitamins
9. Drink your water.
10. Do the Paper Patrol Hot Spots Clear (15 min)
11. Check what's to eat for the day including dinner
12. Check our notes to see if there is something missing, or if we need an attitude change to something more positive.
13. Do a 2 minute hot spot check
14. Do a 5 minute room rescue
15. Declutter up to two times a day using 27-Fling Boogie What to declutter? Things to ask yourself as you get rid of your clutter:
• Do I love this item?
• Have I used it in the past year?
• Is it really garbage?
• Do I have another one that is better?
• Should I really keep two?
• Does it have sentimental value that causes me to love it?
• Or does it give me guilt and make me sad when I see the item?
Cleanse this room of everything that does not make you SMILE.
16. Check the kitty litter area and make sure all the trash has been put outside. Do this for 15 minutes total then stop.
17. Put your feet up for 15 minutes (hmm read National Geographic)
18. Set up at minutes to work on our Inspirational Page
19. Kelly's Zone Mission
20. Check you Holiday Control Journal
I think we keep getting foggier and foggier
Good morning. This is just me. I’ve been waken by a couple of naughty kitties so am a little grumpy. But, they kinda got the message when I didn’t feed them for ten extra minutes. It was like a kitty time-out. We had to reestablish whose the boss around here. Fortunately, I’m glad they’re in charge, because I’d forgotten and it turned out their water dish needed to be refilled. Smart kitties. BUT, a little too aggressive! If the beasts want the two-legged up, then that’s the way its going to be … *sigh*
Theoretically, now that I’ve fulfilled their needs, I could go back to bed. Hey it’s only 3:30 am. But, as you know, we rather like being up in the morning and the fact that it’s Saturday, makes the whole thing gold. Just gotta get over the crankies and then we’ll be all good … Hmm, coffee is probably ready, right?
Mmm … while we were up we came across a lonely orange who thought he’d like to jump in our tummy. Slllllllurp!
Ahh all the beasts and tummies are all good. I might not have made much a name for myself, but I certainly seem to be getting the job done. Hmm, know someone’s pet is looking for emotional reassurance. I umm, probably deserve these meows. Stubborn )(%&Q#)(&.
I think we’re going to call a draw … I moved my cup of coffee over so she’d have room to lay down. I think she’s unsure though, because she seems to be looking for him to take the golden spot. We’ll get everyone settled … Just have to wait it out. You’ll see.
We’re doing the best we can here folks. Remember that its early. Hehehe
Ok, ok … stop stallin. On with the day. We had a not so good day with one of the staff yesterday. She vowed never to talk to me again and she called me snakey before she stormed out of my office. There’s some problems with this procedure. I had talked to Sr. Tess about 3 employees not feeling they were getting enough money and that the employees were comparing wages with each other. It was something said as we were just talking over the normal issues of the day, it wasn’t something I’d gone in there to say. But, then Sister decided to call the main employee on it right away and the employee then left her office and came barreling down to my office like she were in charge. I didn’t like that she felt within her right to go “ballistic” like she runs her home, but I wasn’t emotionally drawn into it more than to acknowledge yes I had said something and we could talk about it, but I would not be yelled at. I told her she’d have to calm down before we could talk. I by no means had the last word, but I felt I had the definitive.
I gave it a little time until things calmed down and then I let the Sister know that she’d been in my office and what she’d said. Sister kind of smirked. She said that if we had to lose her that be ok, and that it would be worse if we lost the intern. She said not to bother with the other, so we didn’t. Stayed cleared of that whole mess, although I kept thinking of it throughout the day in between other things. I’m fairly sure that its something the entire staff knows about. The disgruntled DSP is the biggest gossip and would have made everyone knows. I myself told our friend. He took the stance of sister in that it was something I had a right to tell her, especially since I’m a member of the Administration team. Then he said to let it go. He said being in management doesn’t always mean you are liked. I don’t know … I know I don’t need the approval of the DSP and I am in the position of her supervisor, though it would appear after this last burst that as close as we’ve been and as much as I’ve tried to listen to her problems and help her. That it only took a weak flicker and she blew up like a paper building. She was ready to wipe our entire relationship away in that promise to never talk again. I know the situation, in that, if she stays, she will make amends because she is too needy not to. But, it still sucks because I thought the relationship better. And, apparently its not. I didn’t go in thinking I was gunning for anyone. I had a discussion with my boss because I am a staff trainer and it appears the staff is disgruntled with their salaries. At the time, my boss stated what she could and couldn’t do. She said that she’d given out what was there. After I’d walked back to the office before the DSP upset. I had stopped shortly at the Intern’s desk and stated that I didn’t think that there was going to be any more money on the table. She had continued working and there was no discussion. It is she that is going to need making a decision. It is the problem of all agencies like ours that you could spend a year training an employee and then her turning around to market these skills at a higher rate. If she goes, I am going to grieve, but it would mean she had not been meant to stay. The other … isn’t doing well enough a job to consider the sacrifice as good. She spends quality time with her clients only when it is convenient and she’s not emotionally involved in something else. She spreads a lot of gossip and dissatisfaction, and although she fulfils many duties such as DSP, housekeeping and job coach, she’s not A-rated in any. It’s hard to tell what she is going to do. If she decides to walk then that will be her decision and we’ll say good-bye. If she decides to stay the relationship is going to need being worked out differently.
I had not discouraged her at first talking to me of her problems. But, then I had discovered all along she’d been going to each of the staff during time to be working to discuss also with all of them her problems. At first I had thought of myself in more of a counselor type role. It was like if you need to talk you can talk with me. As it became more and more impressed that not only could she care less how I responded to her as long as I would listen and empathize I would be not better or worse than any of the other ducks lined up in a row. In that case I felt more used. I told her that and I told her that I didn’t like it when I would try to say something about myself that she would discontinue the conversation, or totally disregard. Sort of like, “Yah, but this is my problem” and she’d go on in talking of what was on her mind.
I should probably stop talking as if she’s past tense. But, there is something that’s very much changed in the relationship. It bothers me that she’s attacked. I know she thinks that I attacked her, but this is the flightyness of the staff to think that any criticism is to be unfaithful to them as if it were me that served their equilibrium and I had better not mar the surface. I don’t like the feeling of being used in a marginal position. I’m no stupe. Sr. has done a lot to set up this kind of relationship. Everyone has equal access to the boss, anyone can complain and does … with our disgruntled employee at the top of the list. Sr. will use this opportunity to see what kind of “dirt” the DSP has on me. I’ve been told by the sister that the DSP has already handed in her first sets of complaints against me. I know the situation enough to know that my position is as vulnerable as any other. Especially, since I’ve done so much to train the intern. At least in the one thing she’s been trained in. She would just be given a little more money that could be given if I weren’t there with my higher salary, and she would be given as I was the luxury of the back office. I don’t think the office would be given to the other Q, although it would be presented. She has higher authority, but is deeply entrenched in the front offices where she can over control the secretary and group and maintain Sr’s ear. The intern might give more commitment knowing she’d gained so much in the office. The difference between my office and the others is night and day. In the interns office next to mine there are two desks like mine both face the wall and one bulletin board each. There are files in back of the desks and a coat tree and that’s about it. My office is the same size as the other office, but beside the desk has the credenza wall unit and now shelves outlining the one wall and a wall to wall and ceiling set of windows. There are no windows in the other office.
Maybe I shouldn’t put this much thought into staying per gain of an office. But, it is really a very nice office in this field and in most ways, beside size and location is nicer than even sisters. While sister has given me very good furniture, she’s all along maintained her old desk, which is no where toward executive material. A lot of days go by where I’m mad and some even to the point I’ve wanted to leave, but in the end how exactly you do each and every day becomes the reasons you stay and stick it out. I like the sense of getting through the long halls in the morning to reach my desk. I like the sound as my keys fall from my hands or the view after having reached out for the desk light or turned up the shades of the window. It’s like after years use you come to accommodate the needs presented and the resource ability of the space. Yesterday, there was a staffing and it was in our office. Both the lunch room and the activity room were being used. I kind of like the situation, because it is that much more cozy. I do not have a large space, it is only like 11x9, but it is nice. It is my space.
I do have to say one more thing that I took in stride yesterday and this morning. It was concerning Sr. Tess’ confidence in making that decision that it would be ok to loose an employee and that employee wasn’t me. Earlier she’d complemented me on getting something in that was important, and something tangible she could see. I could appreciate that statement for as far as it could go. There have always been those nagging doubts as to how expendable you could be in teaching someone else your job. I know there has been times when Sister has been ready to let me go. This time it was one of the staff. There was something rewarding and very “old time” to know that while the DSPs continue to come and go … the position of the two Q’s has been very steady. Between us now we’ve put in 15 years with the center. That is a lot of time gone by. This particular DSP has put in 2 years. I know she thinks she runs the show, but to deny Sr. that credit and placing herself over me isn’t the way to go. The time she spent yelling in my door frame was actually very brief, but I remember trying to say, “In my position …” And, the DSP took that in ran, saying, “In your position, what position?” That told me how disrespectfully she held me in esteem. It hurt and I’m pretty sure she had intended. I could still look at her and think this is a DSP going over another edge. The week before she had stood in my office screaming she was going to divorce her husband, demand money for the house they’d just bought and insistive that the mother-in-law who had invested her life savings in the house be removed.
It’s from up on these kind of grounds and antics that she’s straddling. I don’t know why she feels the need for the upper hand with both her husband and MIL. I’ve been trying to encourage boundaries between her and her family, but I sense my own distrust as she so clearly states she wants the MIL out for a reason as simple as opening her mail. To me it was like, so what?! I wouldn’t like it, I would act to stoop it, but its not something to throw away a whole marriage on. I know it was done in insecurity as was this last outburst, but if I don’t show her boundaries then she will not understand what we are trying to say. There are just some lines you cannot cross. I still feel like I am the trainer. I’ve long since trusted her with personal information and I haven’t trusted her with our friends information. What she did should out were her trump cards yesterday. She said lightly the name Rich that made me think tentatively she thinks she has something she doesn’t and she blurted out information about cuts that I’d made in my arm 12-13 years ago. But, that information has been long since declassified. I’ve worked hard to protect myself. I always give people some ammunition, but never enough to take me out.
Even if Sister knew more of our relationship with our friend it would mean just that. We’d either be scolded or let go. It wouldn’t be life threatening. No one could take me out, but pretty much ourselves. It’s funny. In our conversation with sister yesterday we told her our take. I said that if this person wanted to buy a house, then she would have to figure for herself if she’d need a change of income. I told Sr. and I believe it … it’s not that the money isn’t enough … because no matter which job you went to the money wouldn’t seem enough. When my son made his 2.85 million, he hadn’t thought it be enough. What I told her was that it was really more about the management of money. The DSP has told us about how much money she has squandered, especially on Christmas presents for family last year. I think she was trying to impress people, although it went on cards. She says she has $13,000 of debt enough so she’s about to step into further debt with a private loan. The only thing I told sister is that it isn’t the amount of money, it is the way it is being managed. And, then I used myself as an example … I said that sometimes I run out of money, because I spend too much. I told her my friend had stepped in and was trying to teach me … basically, to not spend. Sr. had had an idea that I was overspending by the number of packages that come through the center. If not our disgruntled DSP. I took her scolding as I should have.
Hmmm … Chief is sitting here now trying to tell me that I AM the disgruntled employee, HMPF!
Hehehe … ok ok sorry for going on so long … just trying to figure out our position. I keep hearing the DSP say position, what position? That so blatantly showed so little disrespect. I feel very insulted. To say someone has no position would be to say someone is of little worth. I’m certainly going to need looking at that … but now we’ve tired our selves out again … Maybe just a brief nap. Shouldn’t have eaten the orange AND cereal. Shoot.
Ahhh … that’s better … we’re up! It’s 6:30 am now and we’re feeling much better rested. We’ve got one more movie to watch too. Not sure if I want to do that or not. It’s kind of my lazy thing. We’re going to have to call the building this morning, because the water in the bathroom sink isn’t going down now. It did that once yesterday so I though hmm, plunge worked on the other … so I did it and tons of black chip-like stuff came up … that didn’t look good at all … I forgot to tell Sweetie Pie last night. But, we’re pretty sure he would tell us to call the building people. The toilet had backed up that once and the water in the tub is going down hard too. Good time to call. Have to figure out where there number is. Think we just got back a lease have to look at that.
Hmm a serious thing … happening … wait it out … let it go.
I think we have to think of something lighter for a moment, but I’m unsure what is next. I think I’m pretty sure I’m not the kind of person people relate to for long, because sooner or later, I will say something that offends someone, or perhaps complain too much. I don’t know what eventually turns people off. Maybe just the way I isolate myself and hide from people. I think for the most part I am a very simple person, going from one need to another, pretty much self-centered on myself. Most people like my sons aren’t comfortable when I write my thoughts of those relationships, because they feel for more privacy. They ask not to be written about, so the conversations become more focused on self, which may be part of the problem. But, when everyone has gone their own way, I am left with me. And, so it is me that we’ll write about. And, that’s ok. Because I still like me and hope that by the end of the book, to find out I’m ok.
I have that thing going on … you know the one where whichever way I turn, I figure that I’m in the right the majority of the time. I think its best then, because if you ask someone else, you’ve always done something wrong, because they are looking at life from their perspective not yours. Sister has done this a lot over the years. She calls it having common sense. I find there’s not too much too common sense. But, people do the best they can.
It’s about 7:30 am. I am thinking I should probably take my medicine pretty soon. Hate to disturb the Chief. Feeling kind of hungry too. Ahh … cauliflower … breakfast food of champions! Really gotta take the medicine, hmm??? I know, I know … damn. BRB
Ok, done deal … 7:48 … good girl.ok
What’s next up on the docket. After we finish the cauliflower too, hmm? Seems we should go do the gym thing this morning. We’ve slacked off that all week. Need to get back into the good routines where we were doing stuff. Hmm, what about the Flylady too? We could listen to another session? We’ll see how that goes might be a little too intrusive. For the record I don’t think Flylady is the smartest person … a lot of what she is is someone who is saying the same thing over and over again. Hmm, the last clutter was review … now we’re going to check another caller …
Hmm, we got into a transfat conversation. I looked at my salad dressing and sure enough it says *trivial source of fat and cholesterol. I think trivial to who? We’re learning fat and cholesterol is bad and bad is bad and that’s that! It’ll take some time to start researching the dressings though, because I find I really need them for vegetable dipping. It gives us the ultimate balance in our mouth.
Hmm, kind of have absorbed myself into the Flylady show … they have the people in charge of the menu’s and such on. Now they’re talking about shoes … cuz Flylady says to put on shoes all the time. Hmm, 8:30 am … where’s our shoes? We have the blanket on today because our feet we’re a little cold. Maybe because we don’t have on our shoes. We need to think about getting to the gym and all that that takes. We’re good on gas cuz we stopped by yesterday. And, we got our check to the bank last night. Hmm, she is saying not to put knives in the dishwasher … another thing I gotta know. We’re working on it. Ok, how do we get into the groove of stuff. It’s not a bad idea listening to the Flylady archives, but we are finding ourselves doing a lot more listening than writing. Is that ok? Oh dear … we’ve got 50 more 2 hour shows to listen to. That’s going to take some time, but I think it’s a good idea. I think they call it flywashing … you need to get this stuff ingrained into our mind.
Ok, starting to do what’s got to be done. Let’s take a moment and look for that apartment number. We’ve got to get the plumber in. Hmm, got the number, but no one seems to be pickin up. I know they got a new number, but I hope they still have the service that answers for there non-office hours. But, for the sake of argument we’ll try calling again at 9 am and and/or 10 am. We’re pretty sure the situation is getting worse than better. We’re going to get this done. Our experience in the past is that if we can get past just calling … they are very good at getting out here. Just be patient, right?
Hmm, the show is talking about lace-up shoes. We’ve not done that … Maybe we should get dressed? I’d rather take a shower today after the gym. I know we have to start inserting gym thoughts into the morning. We’re just going to do it, right? BRB
Ok, doing good … a real rough lady got on the air … who was crying about how bad things were … I think that happens with her flybabies all the time. People start off at a point where they are overwhelmed and they’re feeling pressed on. Since we got dressed and did our hair and shoes … we went in and did a 5 minute drill. Just meant clearing off the computer table and counters and cleaning up that drip from the coffee that happened in our sink AHA! That’s not Flyladylike! I don’t think that last caller was Flywashed. I think some people want to get stuck in their problems. We’re trying not to be one of those people!
I think at some point in my life, I’m going to look at all the Flylady stuff as silly, but shoot each time we’ve gotten into her over the years, we’ve stayed so much more attuned to what really needs to be getting done. Hmm … seems like we got a kitty clause going on. *Silly grin* got my kittie wrist watch. I’ve fallen for this show hook, line, and sinker.
Now we’re listening to her talk about heirloom clutter. I guess I’m pass those years. It was kinda funny … people talking about getting rid of stuff the in-laws pass down. Last lady then brought up the point that routines have to be changed up to fit the person and even disability. I can appreciate that … In that I knew when I couldn’t do the 15 minutes, I could do the 7 or 8. WooHoo … I did the swish and swipe during the last intermission too. That was a good idea.
Ok, we’re done with our Flylady show for the day and am back to getting flopped in the head with Missy’s tail as she makes herself comfortable. I have enjoyed my morning, but the writing has been pretty distracted. It’s already 10 am. We’re pretty good off emotionally though. Feel a bit inspired by the Flylady saga. I think I’m going to go back though for a little while in our OneNote Journal and see if we can build up our routines a little better. Right now the one that makes the most sense is the 5 minute room rescues. Might have to work our way up to one of the decluttering boogies. Our friend surprised us yesterday with not only coming over after his second game, but he had come over earlier and put new dinners in the freezer (home made) and helped me with the vacuuming. I didn’t expect either of those and was pretty happy with both. He did say the kitties weren’t real pleased, but they don’t get to vote on everything!
Let’s take a look and see which step I’d gotten up to. Hmm, looking at my routines. I don’t think I have enough quarters at this point and I’m too close to supposed to go to gym time to do any wash. Reasonably speaking I think I only have one load. As to checking my calendar for activities. I would definitely like to get some work work done today. We should look at the last movie toward the end of the day and we should work on Flylady throughout. Like to keep a real good work attitude. My dishwasher is good for now sink, blanket, shower, food all good, but we’re slipping up on the water … Let’s put away the coffee cup and get out a bottle instead. C’mon girls and soft kitty, we can do this. Hmm, still feel a little chilly … think we’ll wear the blanket a little more on our lap. Water’s good. Hmm, paper patrol hot spots … 15 min. I spent about 3 minutes going through mail … have some bill like stuff lined up, but we’re not able to get to them yet, because the money was just deposited. I think there is a few things though that we can take care of. Like rent contract into an envelope … brb.
Woo HOO … we done good, sorta. We went over our 15 minutes, but we made arrangements to pay all the bills. We still have a little trouble with the plumbing, because we accidentally closed the envelope with the new building telephone number that wasn’t working anyway. Hmm…
Ok, we got that … Someone name Pat answered and he isn’t as efficient as Mike. He said next week and that scared us, then I realized he was saying Mon, Tues or Wed he’d try to make it before Thanksgiving and that sounded better then next week after Thanksgiving, because yes certainly I’m going to have holiday guests that might want to wash there hands after using the bathroom. Grrrr… I didn’t feel too happy that because the fixit guy is painting that they wouldn’t have a plumber coming out to take care of the pipes. He said that it sounded like they were going to need being routed and something about the main pipe or the guy downstairs, but I didn’t care about all that … just cared about my sink and tub as soon as possible, regardless what’s been reported elsewhere.
Sheesh…
Shoot. It’s like 11:05 now and we have to be considering seriously the gym. I’m kind of scared to go now cuz I am thinking I’m not going to be able to do what I remember I was supposed to do. Feel scared of the whole thing. Feel like I’m not going to be able to do it. But, I know that’s just my negativity talking. I just have to go and do what I can do … and get back into the routine of doing as were supposed to do. Hmm. We can do this right? Ok, how am I going to take down the fear level. I think we’re ok on the food, because we ate that cauliflower late. Maybe it would help if I got back to taking a reading too. Hold on … let’s see if the tester is upstairs. Hmm. Hope it wasn’t squished … found it on the bottom of my bag.
Hmm. 82 that’s kind of low going to the gym. Why don’t we try some peanuts … haven’t done those for a while. And, we’re supposed to have a grapefruit too, remember? It’s already 11:15. Not ready for the grapefruit, just peanuts please. Yup, yup … ok..
Ok, checking schedule this week … we’ve got dentist at 8 am Monday and Dr. M. at 7:30 am on Tuesday, and then we have two days off for Thanksgiving, the boys on Sunday … no dental appointment on the 27th, but we have OIG on Tuesday the 28th in Elgin. We have to check the schedule though, because the dentist for the 1rst was changed to allow in First aid. Better check for next weeks schedule. Ok, good … got that all straightened out. Focus … this week just … dental at 8 am Mon and Dr. M. 7:30 Tuesday, and then holiday, right??? Better make sure we’re clear on all that … Need to prepare a long weekened of CARF for getting into work late on Tuesday … let’s see appointment over at 8:30 to work 9:00 – 9:30 am … that’s not bad, but still a staff not talking to us. Then Wednesday last day and no groups next week, Woo HOOO. Ok, we can do this, right? We can do this??
Ahh … that was good. Little water … all is good. Hmm. Flylady … she’ll help get me in order, right? How many people can sit at my table. Son #1, #2, #3, Mi that’s 4, plus Granddaughter #1 high chair, and #2 hmm … 10 month old sit at the table?? Not sure how that works. Maybe though he’ll bring up the car seat and that’s like a seat. Think at 5 months they eat rice, so 10 months? Hmm let’s call our son Hmm. He’s not picking up his phone right now … maybe our other son. Hmm? Ok, it’s all arranged I am picking up my middle son at 11:30 next Sunday. That will put us back home at noon. Means I leave here at 11 am. It says half hour. I am going to the gym as soon as I can now … we’ll drive to our son’s afterward … not to meet up with him, but to assure we can get there ok. It seems pretty straight forward. We’ll have the written directions and we’ll hook up our PDA. We know we can do it just want a dry run. We’re not going to get strange now … right? Maybe we better eat lunch first. It’s now 12:30 pm. Yayyy!!!
Mmmm this lunch is very good … we did a great salad and now we’re doing the dinner portion. Very, very good.
Ok, ok … better get back to the Flylady … we’re off-course again. Aha … I see the aerial of where my son lives. This is as close as I been for so long. We’re not going to act strange, we’re not going to act strange … shoot probably should turn of the search feature.
We’re having a really weird spacey thing going on here. I’m thinking that I’m the mother and wondering why we’re feeling so unintended … we know just you know. Now we’re feeling the familiar drowsey and the first strong indication that we’re not really going to make it out that door. This would then be our stranger behaviors. Is this what we want for ourselves? We got dressed, the house is in good shape. C’mon now let’s not get strange again, k? Well, ok … maybe a little nap. We can try the gym again tomorrow. Earlier in the day when we’re not chasing shadows, or our fears. Were being a little strange thinking of having our son around. We will wish that it happens more often, but I don’t know how he’ll respond to us. Most likely it will be through displeasure of our size.
Ok, girls lets put her down. Nap time, K?
Feeling better and we're off to work
Hi … it’s just me. Just wanted to say it’s now 10 am and we’re up now from our nap and feeling much better. We’re going to have a couple of sips of coffee and try getting out of here within a half hour. I am feeling very alert. Seems a little strange. We’ve got a kitty here asking if we can’t just nap a little more, but I think nooo kitty someone’s got to do the work thing. Besides … today is a Dr. M. day so we got to do all that. Hmm, he’s being a little like a cat. Good …good he’s settled down. I don’t want to go into all that happened this morning … we will save any of that for Dr. M. Right now we want to focus on being a new day that we haven’t tested out so much. It’s kind of breezy out there and we need to stop for gas. I don’t think its so much of a cold need winter coat breeze as much as it is we are going to mess up your hair when you’re filling up your car breeze. Uh huh … just like that.
Hmm, one more thing? I did some checking around … and I think that tomorrow is our ‘ficial one year anniversary of the blog. It seemed that it might have taken me a couple of days transition before I put something in, or at least put something in that I kept … Our first entry was a picture of the two kitties bundled up that you can see in our side bar. And it said simply, “Just wanted to introduce you to the family. These are my kitties and roommates. Together, they are Mischief, separately, they are Missy and Chief. They are sister and brother and the are now seven years old. If it were not for them, how would I remember to get up at this unGodly hour!”
That was kind of silly. I guess then that my kitties are now 8 years old and we’re still working through the ungodly hour thing. The technician said that it will still be two weeks before the tests are ready for evaluation, but that our doctor would order the machine and it would be ready then. I know that we have a standing appointment on November 30th two weeks from now, but I might check with their nurses to make sure everything happens as it should. Let me think … yes I think I have my doctor’s number at work. I’m a little frustrated for having to wait 2 more weeks, but maybe that will turn out to be a good transition period. We’ll see. I’ve still got other appointments to be keeping.
Hmm, guess for now, we should get going. We don’t want to miss lunch! Oh yah … don’t forget to bring the new oatmeal. K?
Ok, you … let’s see you get up and moving!
Shaky night trying to catch Zzzzzs
Good morning. This is me. It’s just a short one this morning. We’re just back from the sleep study one orange ago and we need to be getting to work. First though we are going to take a shower and get a cup of coffee. I kinda took care of breakfast because on the way home we stopped for two muffins … *sigh* … but, there was no chocolate long john to go with it! We’re working on it.
The test went pretty good all considered. It ran straight down the line as expected. It started promptly at 8:30 pm and ended at 5 am. She talked to me for a few minutes after that as she was taking off all the Gizmos. I think I had fallen asleep again within about 4-5 minutes and I did better with the snoring though I still snored somewhat. During the night she calibrated me at about 10. She said this wasn’t too bad and that the machine goes up to 20 and after that there is the BiPAP machine that goes even higher. So I figured we were a lightweight in the sleep department wooo HOOO. I felt like I was up and down several times during the night, but it was more because of my back and the sleeping position. As to the machine itself … it is very cumbersome, but it does what it is supposed to do. I could breath through my nose all night. It is a mask that goes only over your nose and your mouth needs to stay closed, because if you open it the air pressure does strange things in a pushing outward manner. HMPF! That was very interesting. She gave me the choice of three masks and I chose the one that was the lightest with the exception I didn’t go for the one that fit directly into my nostrils. No no no … wasn’t going for that. Unfortunately, the result is the mask like you are flying in a fighter plane. There are two straps that hold it on in back of your head. So, it looks pretty intolerable.
I think that’s one of the scariest things is that my sweetie pie is either going to see it when he tucks me in for the night, or we’re going to need waiting until he leaves to put it on. That part makes me very sad with both alternatives. I don’t want him to see us looking like a space monster. I think we are going to have to get through that part with him, because I’m not feeling very optimistic about it right now. I don’t want to talk about that anymore.
We just remembered to get our cup of coffee. Sr. knows we are coming in later this morning. I don’t want to take all day. Let’s put us in that shower in a half hour. Might want to take our medicines pretty soon though, k? Dear? Take your medicine? *Mope*
Deep breathe … let’s have a sigh. Ok … go on now medicine …
Hmm … took off my street clothes to find she’d left snaps on me. HMPF! Snaps … fine … then I will take them off myself. Ouch. Hmm, anymore surprises. It’s 7:04 and we’re kinda feeling that we need a hug. I want to call our friend, but I better not. I think he’s getting a late start from home this morning, but I don’t remember why. Our kitties were finally happy with us. Just cuz we fed them. They said they didn’t go for that late nite miss the early morning feeding routine. Missy said just stop that stop that right now! I know she meant it because of that funny little way her whisker muscles vibrate when she’s very serious. HMPF!
We umm left a little phone message on our friends machine. We’re still feeling sad. I think we better go take that shower. I don’t want to miss him, but I don’t want my mood to be altered negative either. Just feeling kinda overwhelmed.
Our friend called back, but he wasn’t in a place he could talk for a few moments. And, we were crying so couldn’t talk anyway. So, we took a shower and he said that we could write to Sr. and tell her the sleep wasn’t very good … AND IT WASN’T. He said to let her know that we’re going to take a nap and try to be in before 11. So, we did take the shower and at least we’re not crying anymore. Dog was though cuz we left him in the bag and he didn’t get a good nights sleep either. He says he’s not even in the mood for Darth Vader jokes. HMPF!
He just wants to hug me now until my friend signs on.
Seems we’re kinds tired …. Medicine has had a half hour … Dog says we should lie down a bit. I think we’ll talk to our friend in a bit, but later. Nighty nite
Aha! An Interview ... what goes around, comes around ;) Loved it!
Good morning … this is just me. It’s already after 6 am so this will not be a very long entry. Primarily this morning, we responded to an email request from a student to talk about what we do at work. I am enclosing that response here, because as you know it is like everything we do … part of us and most parts of us are this blog. I am doing something else this morning I’ve thought of for a long while. I am going to try getting in touch with someone through UIC to publish somewhere the video you see at the heading of my daily entries. It is a very far removed chance it could be used, but we decided to give it that chance anyway. We’re sending it first to someone in charge of marketing. We’ll see.
I very much appreciated this on-line interview. It made us feel significant this morning!
Dear Mrs. ***,
I would be happy to help you out. The site with the rain was the blog I was using to post my school work for my Masters work in Educational Psychology at Capella University. We had a similar assignment and as a student I can imagine that you are under a deadline. Only a student would have found that blog. I appreciate your interest.
I work as a counselor/social worker at *** Center, which is a day training center for adults with developmental disabilities in Chicago. My title is QHSP or Qualified Human Service Professional. I needed for this position a BA in psychology, or another social science related degree and one year experience. I received that experience from working my first year in a double position of a direct support person (DSPs work hands on in a group environment with the individuals served for the majority of the day). DSPs only need to graduate high school.
The responsibilities change from location to location, because QHSPs do case management, but they also do various management related activities that the Administrators have available. Usually an Administrator of a facility will have a masters or doctorate degree. I am responsible for a caseload of 24 people, staff training including the DSPs and a QHSP Intern, program development, and accreditation for the center. I inherited these responsibilities throughout my seven years on the job.
QHSPs and DSPs need to be registered in Illinois on the Nurses register. That means that each need to go through 40 hours of classroom teaching and 80 hours on-the-job when they are hired, and then for the DSPs weekly sessions thereafter. In addition to the initial training QHSPs need to complete 12 hours CEU training each year by attending lectures and workshops. The DSP course work includes seven areas such as first aid training, communication, and records management. The course work for a QHSP might include areas such as leadership training, behavior management, or statistical analysis.
I guess I am now explaining two positions, but it is easier to explain my position as a QHSP in comparison to the DSP position. DSPs earn approximately $17,550-21,450 a year. I am a relatively well paid QHSP earning $43,000 a year. Because we work at a small private facility we usually receive a 3-5% cost of wage increase each year. Most QHSP do not have the accreditation responsibilities, but we are a small facility and my boss is an 80 year old nun who chose to delegate the work. I do a good amount of overtime hours and that is how she justified the higher income for me, whereas my peer makes approximately $4,000 less. I don't consider this a lot of money, but it is enough considering people are usually not paid very high in the field of developmental disabilities. I think of it as one of the lowest paid fields in both psychology and across the nation as to all fields. I am thinking that even child day care earns more than a typical DSP.
I explained above my work roles. To explain a little more fully ... 1) in the role of a case manager I oversee particular clients. I work with their behavioral issues, case file, family problems, and very importantly goal management. Once a year there is an annual meeting I facilitate with the client, their parent, the administrator, staff, the state, and other interested parties. At this meeting we discuss the past year's work and the client’s strengths, abilities, preferences, and needs. It is very client-based. We also establish the goals for the coming year. There are usually at least 3 goals that start, "The individual will ..." If the client has a problem, they are usually sent to their QHSP. In addition, both the other QHSP and I each hold our own weekly group meeting with all the individuals. Her meeting is called Town Hall and mine is called the Thinking Group. 2) In the role of program development I have worked over the course of time the manner in which the program folds out. Prior to me being at the center (it had opened 2 years previous) they were doing various courses such as food preparation, art, and math. Now at the program the various areas are divided between five domains of living, social, personal, community, and achievement. Each of these domains are divided into areas such as self help, physical fitness, social responsibility, functional math and money, community knowledge, work skills, etc. At our center, which is rather unique and a role model for centers on the Southside of Chicago our groups are divided into about 5-12 people and the DSP is on a schedule to go through each of theses areas tuning materials and resources I make available to her group. The groups are divided by level of achievement, so the work can be sculpted to fit individual interests and ability. 3) Staff training we have discussed pretty much above. I lead weekly staff training meetings and I work with the QHSP Intern daily. I also find myself being a role model and unofficial ear for the staff. I have an office and throughout the day people wander in and out exploring problems and issues or just taking a little stress break. 4) The accreditation work is the most draining of the others. We are accredited by CARF and follow the regulations of the state to receive about 60% of the centers funding. CARF divides our interests in several areas. They focus on both the program and business aspects of running a center. So areas covered might include: Input, accessibility, information management, rights, health and safety, leadership, governance, technology, human services, case management, community involvement, etc. The most difficult and challenging aspects of CARF are a series of 11 reports and most particularly a project called the Performance Analysis where you develop outcomes for the center and its programs and follow through in an extensive analysis of whether or not the training programs that you have set out are taking a positive affect on the individuals served.
I find my assignments at the center very exciting. But, there is no doubt that I am hehehe overworked. That comes from working in this field - lots of work for few hands. The most stressful component in the work is knowing all that is not getting done while you are taking care of something else. I am a very detail orientated person and it bothers me to have loose strings. I find that all the work is doable, but I need to practice not becoming overwhelmed. When you realize you have such an impact on so many you, or at least I worry about if I am doing well enough for them. This group of people though is very easy to satisfy especially if you remember to maintain daily contact by at least saying hello. Sometimes I get so buried in paperwork in my office I forget. At this point of my client relationships there are few behavior problems that need to be addressed because what there are ... the staff's already been trained to handle. The other major source of stress is having deadlines. Working with the state there is always deadlines, having the annual meetings are deadlines, and certainly the accreditation visits are deadlines. Yeeks!
As far as going to school goes I found that the BA assisted me in being able to think and accomplish deadlines. The work I did in psychology set me up for understanding some of the complexities I take care of now. I have been interested in research writing and that has helped me a lot. There is a lot of writing for people that are adept in the field. I do most of the major writing at our center and it includes anything from the centers annual report, to monthly "Qnotes" on the client’s progress, to the business improvement reports. Anything you do in learning to write better will serve you well. As I look at the differences between the DSPs as high school graduates and QHSPs as BA graduates, I think writing is one of the critical issues. They also don't seem to have the ability to think into problems that are more difficult. They are much more readily going to ask for help solving issues than solving issues themselves. The Q position is generally a problem solving role. We do clause J, which in the job contract calls for "... and anything else." Pay attention to anything on goal-making, self-determination, and critical thinking skills. I have completed about a year and a half of my masters degree in educational psychology. This is assisting me to be more specialized in the area of program development that I wish to go. Ideally someday I could achieve a doctorate degree. I know I have the intelligence, but there is a lot of day to day responsibilities in getting work done on time and that kind of stress is difficult for me with school and on the job. I want to focus my work on understanding how people think and learn. I want to teach them "self skills" such as self-determination, self-esteem, self-regulation, etc.
Lastly, do I like the job? I very much appreciate the job and what it has allowed me to learn. I have always liked learning. I love the people and I feel like I am doing something worthwhile. I do find now though that I appreciate teaching the intern how to do aspects of my job, particularly with the client base and all the annual meetings. I will be ready to let go of this responsibility soon. I don't find the jobs that I already know how to do as interesting as the things I am learning to do. At this point, my boss and I've worked it out that I stay home to work uninterrupted on Mondays. This is very important to me, in that sometimes it is easier for staff and even Administrator to come for assistance, which is very gratifying, but not conducive to getting other responsibilities cared for that no one else can do. I find the more involved I get in school, the more I'd like to do that work without any breaks. I just want to study and write and think.
Ok, that's pretty much it. If you have any more questions or need to understand something a little better ... do not hesitate to write. Again, I've been in your situation and I wanted to accomplish this good deed hehehe. You found my blog on education. It was located here: http://masterswork.blogspot.com/. My regular blog where I really hang out is at http://aynetal3.blogspot.com/. This covers the other day to day aspects of my life. I am unusual in the field, in that I have Multiple personality disorder, so working in the field means accomplishing much more than all that's been listed above. It means that I set goals for ourselves to get through the day including figuring out again and again how to get the household cared for, friendships realized, and personal life managed. I see a psychiatrist once a week and he assists me in keeping everything running on an even keel. I find I'm an oddity amongst the graduate students in that many of them want to "fix" people who are mentally ill. I recognize that "I am" mentally ill and I think ... ok, that's fine, but I still have to bring home the kitty food ... I mean bacon.
Please feel free to visit either site and quote anything you wish. I would however, like to see your final copy of the paper. I will be posting this letter to my blog because it’s a pretty good summary and you asked great questions. I would also consider posting your paper as well, if you would like. I'm honored in your interest. I am happy that you found us and have given us the opportunity to share with you. Our best wishes. Good luck!
Quick look at finances this morning
Good morning. I think I’m going to need continuing later, but I’m hear for a few moments. I woke up about an hour ago and I’ve been trying to take care of a couple of business matters. Unfortunately, I found Sallie Mae a headache to work with. I messed up with my on-line account key word or password and it signed me off and I made it so far on their auto-thingy and it disconnected me to. Hmpf! I was worried about our son’s student loan. I want to get it on automatic. I did find out that it isn’t due until December 15th, so I have some time to get it going. That was a good thing.
I also found out that the numbers worked in our direction this time with the bank. It has the deposit I made yesterday posted before the other transactions, which had been pending. That is a very good deal. It looks like we have $106.70 in the bank … wooohooo. We’re not so good on having a life savings, but for the moment we’re managing. I’m definitively one of those people they say that live paycheck to paycheck.
Either today or tomorrow we’ll get the next check. We have to be very careful of spending. I want to get in touch with the electric company, cable, government loan, hmm what else do I pay… want to find out how much I owe them. Hmm, better add UIC to the list AND I gotta start paying off our class. I owe about $850 to the school. I think I’m behind on some of those. PLUS, I have to give our friend a couple hundred. AND, save enough for turkey dinner. I want to get the bills paid up as much as we can, because we know we’re probably not going to pay December bills yet, because of Christmas.
Wow … not too bad at all. The cable is only $113 and the electric only $43 … I figure a couple payments to government loan … so $113 cable + $43 electric + $100 government + 50 hospital + $175 school + $63 son’s loan $544 have to figure in autopayments too, but I think we can safely give our friend a couple hundred … that bring it to $750 let’s say. I get $1200 – 750 = $450 … ok autopayments - $23 gym, $60 car insurance, $19 videos, $15 music, $25 debt, $25 parking … hmm. That should be it, plus $100 gas. Let’s see … that leaves me with $183 in the bank. Better get this info to friend right away. Then there’s the other payment of $1200-870 = $330 So that means this month I’ve got $513 to spend? I mean save up for something. Ok, Ok … sounding good. Why don’t we keep real tight and see then if we can save up at least $900 for Thanksgiving and Christmas … whoops $1000 … we got the clients and staff too. Sister should contribute the other half we’re not including. Ok … I think this is doable. Shoot medicine … that’s going to be the hard one … hmm, that’s running $120 a month average … I wonder what I could do with those reduced drug prices. Maybe Walgreen’s involved? Better check that out … if not … might be good to check out Walmart, YEEKS! Haven’t been out to a restaurant since Oct 23, but before that we were averaging about 1 every 4 days … Umm, that didn’t help … we can do this diet, right?
Ok ... cutting off quick ... have to get to my nap ... someone special coming over ;)
Ok … it’s me … we’re back. Some good and some bad. I missed the gym today. I was going to go this last time after the dentist, but then after that we didn’t feel as good. We’re still waiting for the Novocain to wear off and I didn’t want to add more pain to the process at the gym. Wanted to be back here in my home where it was safe.
We’re hoping for another call from our Sweetie Pie soon. We called him per request after the appointment and he was just getting into Nashville. I think he had to make a quick stop, because he said he’d call back in 5 minutes.
Hmm, just looking at Mapquest. It says he’s about 7 hours away from us right now. I don’t think I’ll see him until tomorrow, but if he were going to sweep suddenly toward my direction he’d have to drive almost 500 more miles and would get in close to 9 pm. That’s without too many stops. I think he get out, but probably is driving eating as he goes. Pretty long day. I’d be just as happy if he slowed down a bit. Maybe in a couple of hours. But, I think I know him and he’s a “let’s push it through” kinda guy. *Sigh*
Pretty sure he’s going to need some good babying after this. Will have to give him an excellent rub down. I love doing that while he’s telling stories. I’m just getting the tip of the iceberg now although he’ll tell me that all … nothing much. We have to push a little harder for the good stuff. We want to know what everyone thought, said, and did. I don’t know how we got that way we just are. And, I also know that I’m very protective. I want to make sure everyone treated my baby with respect. Sometimes bad things happen and although he doesn’t quite say it, he gets hurt and if he’s hurt I’m hurt. Then we’re very likely to get mad at whoever it was that slighted him. Usually can’t do much about it, but we still left feeling kinda feisty.
Before he calls back wanted to say that the dentist went ok. I knew more of what to expect this time. We need to go back in a week to have two cavities filled. It’s all part and parcel. I’m glad I got in my other appointments when I did. This person whose been working on my teeth says she needs to see me for a 3-4 week check-up, but all the appointments are filled up for the rest of the year. I’m on a list that will get a call-back if there is a cancellation. I don’t know what to say if I didn’t get checked. I’m not sure if it matters, but we’ll roll with the punches. This time we got out of there and we weren’t charged a dime. I don’t know how that happens. I think the bill was probably pretty high, but I try not to get too concerned. I just hopin on our friend that he is going to have the money when the time comes. If they asked for money this time, I would have told them I had to wait a couple of days for it. I’m very grateful I wasn’t charged directly.
Good good. Officially the bank account now says $156.70. It’s got in there the $109.37 that we deposited. If it clears in time maybe we won’t have trouble with that $50 automatic. I’m not sure … we’re kinda playing on a limb. And, we gotta make sure there’s money for gas.
AHA! He’s on his way … He’s up to Clarksville and then he’s going to jump over the tip of Kentucky and then he’ll be in Illinois, but way on the other end. He says he has about 520 miles to go and you know what??? He’s comin in this way WOOOHOOO!!! He says maybe at least. Maybe not too … he says he’s going to need to wait and see how he feels. We’ll get another call around 5 or 6 … and then we might go to bed early so he can wake us up about 10. I hope he doesn’t wake us up saying he has to go home, but we’ll be very understanding if he’s too tuckered out. I offered that he stay here over night, but he’s not that kinda guy. This will be like a welcome rest spot. Better start limbering up my fingers now!
He’s doing good … he said there are problems at home so its important that he get back, but we don’t usually talk about that kind of stuff. Gotta let him go and do what he needs to do. It’s his family, not mine.
Otherwise. We talked about some personal kind of stuff, but he wasn’t in a real good talking mood. He knows I didn’t go to the gym, but that I went to the dentist and all is good on the bill. Mmm. We’re doing carrots and salsa now … and have something in the microwave. We didn’t really take an opportunity to have lunch and now we’re pretty close to dinner, so I’m thinking these two will get merged and if anything we’ll have some peanuts or fruit for a snack this evening.
Good dinner … not like spaghetti, but good enough. This one’s pretty much chicken, rice, vegetables, and a salsa base. He is excellent on mixing them up for us so that we’re getting different things to eat. Especially, I think with the hypnotism, we’re finding anything good for us, is very, very tasty. I was very proud of ourselves when we went to Walgreens’ for the dentil floss and bought nothing else, especially sweets. I think we’re making progress. There was one other consideration in not going to the gym. I think I mentioned it before, but I think you are really supposed to be doing the strength building every other day. We don’t have to run it exactly like that, but the next time in since we can do up to 24 on a good many of the machines for reps, we’re going to try pushing it for the third bar on all the machines. And, for that I really did want a day to recuperate from the day before. It really does make a difference. We’re had just raised the limits on the aerobic tread and bike to ten minutes. We’re probably going to hold that at least a week. Pretty big deal … now 4 min to 10 minutes.
Where I can really tell the helpfulness is in moving around the house. I still start to hurt toward the end of a set, but I’m more willing now to go a little further and I’m much more eager to jump up and start something without a lot of thought going into it. That was something I always used to do when we were lighter. Like our Granddaughter … we’re bouncy too. I just forgotten how pleasurable it made me feel. I will have to look at the chart again, specifically, but I think we’re coming to our 2 month marker point in a week or two. That means I’ll take the time on a Saturday to ask the trainer what to be doing next … I know a lot of the people that have been around are on some of the fancier machines that are between our beginning set and the bikes. There are probably about 30 some machines that are designed to work on specific areas. I’m not pushing to fast to go in that direction, because I’ve appreciated the all around strengthening I feel I’m getting now. What I am hoping for is that if he puts us on those different machines then we can keep the old machines and do each every other day. Maybe that would help the most.
Oh my oh my … You know what … ALL 3 boys said yes to our alternative date for Thanksgiving. I can’t believe what’s just happened in them coming together, but I’m not going to say any more, because I’m sure none want me talking about it, but I have to just say this one thing. It makes me very, very happy. Yes!
Ok, now we have to go back to the regular part of keeping ourselves calm and figuring out what needs to be done next.
I’m just so happy…
Ok, think girls, we got to be doing something. We were so excited we called our friend. He was happy for us too. Ok, ok … next right?
What would Flylady have me doing next? We were working on her steps to do day by day and in the process we’ve been putting together our control journal. We’ve tried this before and it seems we never get far from it, but we’re going to try again cuz we’re just that way. I think I said something about this before.
Damn we’re crying … my prodigal son is coming home.
Oh stop that silly woman!
It’s going to be ok. We’ve got to try and not act strange. We’re going to try.
Hard to think not strange and that we’re following a substitute mother figure at the same time. Ok, let’s not think too much about all that … let’s just get down to the business at hand. Where did we leave off. Hmm, we never decluttered anything. Hmm. I could declutter a sock drawer for 15 minutes … how’s that? I’m tired of poking them back in as I try to shut the door … back, back you sock, back!
Oh not strange? Damn.
Gettin through the Monday Morning Thing
Good morning! Just us. We’re very happy right now … because … MY FRIEND JUST CALLED!!!!!
Oh man is that sweet! He was doing very good … He’s on his way back right now and is still in South Carolina. WOOHOOO … He said he just caught fall out there and it is beautiful. He is excited because he will be going through the mountains pretty soon and with all that fall – it is going to be a very nice drive for him. It’s just 7 am now … 8 am from his weekend schedule so I know he’s got a whole lot of driving to do and he’s going to be stopping in St. Louis to do some business. So, he’s on the move. Go Sweetie!
It was a very nice talk … he told us some of the things that he did. I don’t have them all memorized, but the amazing thing was that his aunt and uncle are 70 years old and are more active he said than even him! He listed one thing after another of what they were doing and how spontaneous everything was. He got to go golfing with his uncle who beat him hehehe and they went out for breakfast with a blues band and visited a friend who’d lost their husband and went to a mall where there were a lot of night clubs and they did dinner down on an ocean pier and man all kinds of cool stuff. He also said they watched the Bears game and it turns out Bears won!!!! Wooo Hooo! I had to turn off the TV just into that, because I was trying for a better night sleep, but that made me very happy, especially after they got trounced on last week.
We told him how good we were doing with the diet and exercise and we told him about our working with the Flylady and even polishing our sink. Let me tell you it is a thing of beauty. I didn’t even know I had a sink that could look that nice. I’m just very thrilled. Oh yah … and we told him we were already up and showered and dressed and ready to go to the gym and then at noon to the dentist. More work, but we’re ready for it. We’ve done pretty good with using the new electric tooth brush, but we need to do better with the flossing. I think our drawback is that we’re zip on cash or credit right now because of the car expense, but we need to go out and get some of those dentil floss things. They are little horse shoe like things that get stuck on the end of a blank tooth brush like handle. I don’t think they are going to cost that much, but they’re going to cost something and something is not what we got at the moment. Oh man drat. We just checked the account. There was another auto payment for the old hospital bill ICS for $25, plus I had a little slip up … so what’s in my account right now is $47.33 and I got a $50 auto payment that was sent out. I did get a $33 refund from our dentist, so we’ll put that in the bank on the way to the gym … have to remember to leave early for that. Hopefully that will keep us out of trouble, but I’m thinking its going to be 2-5 days before it clears, and the other is going to hit us before that happens. Pretty sure we’re going to get another $33 charge. Damn.
We couldn’t bring ourselves to tell our friend that we had a purchase slip up. We ended up buying from Amazon yesterday … and no, I don’t know how that all occurred, but we got a couple of books on how to record family history. Basically, I want to know better how to record my Grandma and maybe others, but that project isn’t well defined yet. But, basically, I know there are certain questions that are good questions to ask. I would like to get that all down the proper way. Unfortunately, it meant that I’d have to pay money out for the books. And, that was a slip up. There were 2 books and we got both used, but it cost about $40 and that was money we really didn’t have. But, I want to get as much and as soon as I can some conversations recorded with my Grandma before anything happens to her. I know at 98 years of age … we’re playing against odds. I want a piece of her I can hold in my mind’s eye far beyond this next 40 years, if I’m lucky enough to make it that long. I want things recorded and then posted on a blog that will be safer to give out to others one day. That way I’ve done my part in preserving my Grandma’s legacy. That would make me feel very very good.
Hmm, how did Missy get to be laying across my arms. Damn … those kitties are sneaky. It’s like wearing a mink muff. Her nice slinky soft warm tail is draped over my left arm and her paws and soft chin are draped over my right arm. And, her back is pressed up against my upper chest. Shoot, what do you people without kitties do for a life!?? Hehehe
I think there is not too much to report of last night after we signed off with you. I know the Bears game had been on and at that time the score was against us 3 – 10. But, our buddy says they won Wooo HOOO. You know about our morning already, so I guess its time to get up to our regular morning in front of us. I think we’re going to need going through a couple of Flylady messages. The first one is doing a 15 minute timer with the paperwork project. So, I think … let’s get on with that … umm after washroom, please. Ok ok … brb. Sorry Missy.
Wooo Hoo! Another task done and we got water on the way back – plus, this time we put everything away. And, you know what? We looked inside the old envelopes from the insurance company and sure enough there was some checks in there. SOOOO, instead of $30 to deposit from dentist, we are going to deposit $109!!! Our friend will be happy for us. BUT, I’m not sure if they will be in soon enough to prevent another penalty. We’re trying though … Got to remember NO MORE SPENDING!!! Nothing is quite that much an emergency as long as we’re able to get to where we need to go. That includes right now work, gym, and Dr. M. I think that’s it. NO EATING OUT!
Ok … good just finished going through the emails. There was a couple more from Flylady. We had taken a lesson from my Grandmother last night that we could be swishing the toilet with vinegar and that was better and more natural than the other cleaners. It worked GREAT! Woo HOOO We’re managing … I know we can do this I know.
Ok, what’s next. Think we did all the morning routines. Maybe check on the Flylady site once more … I know this weeks mission is in the kitchen and that will probably come through the email. But, I want to know what I am missing. Hold on. Whoa! Forgot … today is the day for a weekly home blessing.
Hmm, well haven’t gotten to that quite yet … damm … missed my gym time in planning for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Yes! We are having holidays … we hope … we’ve never traditionally planned anything … It’s been more informal can you do something? And, many years we don’t even get that far. What we did was read over Flylady’s 25 page Holiday planner. We made sections in Our notebook (OneNote) for our morning routines and night time routines, and we included a special section just for the holidays and that planning. We then sent out invitations and called our son that doesn’t usually do things with us and I invited him and his friend. That’s it … Just really, really hoping he would bless us with a visit or two. I’m not sure if he can, but we’ll hope.
So, what’s to be done next.
Hmm, just a little more follow-up with our first son. Good good.
I think it’s going well so far. I’m going to check out Flyladies morning instructions to see what else I should do keeping in mind the doctor appointment at noon. Better confirm that hold on. Ok, that’s all good. We’ll go directly from the appointment to the bank, and then to the gym. Good good.
Ack time’s gone gotta go … bbl
Nice, nice day ... for being on our own ... good goal-making
Ahhh Good morning. We just went through an extensive Ms kitty rubbing session. She was just purring up a storm. I don’t think she’s so happy that it ended, but believe me we did pet for a good 7-8 minutes. We got her face and head area … That’s where she likes it best. Now she’s settling down a bit. Good kitty.
Ok, ok … first thing in the morning … what do we have to say. We’ve been up for a little bit … our weight is 2 pounds under the big 3 zero zero. We’ve been here for ever, but it is a step down from the last couple of days when we were challenging a match-up or overage of 300. I don’t know … pretty tough … Yesterday we had a good day in that we were going up and down those stairs. It’s pretty tough though. I have lots of room for improvement. I did feel very good in being able to have cleaned the clothes. Not so sure of the wrinkle stuff … we’ll have to see if it gets better hanging them from the closet slightly damp. I think if we have a couple of decluttering sessions today that it wouldn’t be a good idea to clean out some of the clothes in the closet. It seems a little crowded, but I don’t know why. I don’t have a general sense of what is in there. Just know I switched over to the back closet not so long ago. Hmm… Should think of the front closet too … that is barely used at all. Mostly some real old stuff like my old letter jacket, a few chairs, the mini Christmas tree and the vacuum. Woo HOOO.
This morning we got our kitties fed and coffee made and we did the first Flylady request of decluttering some paper piles. She was right in that they are always sitting around. So we tackled for 15 minutes one of the bags in the back from old mail. We must have gotten about ¾ the way through it … so we’re doing pretty good. I will have to schedule another 15 minutes later on so I can get it off the kitchen table. Problem is that I think some of it has to be taken care of and some put away, but I don’t know where it supposed to go. I don’t really have a place to put mail. That’s a small part of the problem. I do have a couple of file places though that aren’t being used. There’s the small one in back that our son left and the one here to the left of me … the old antique one. At one time, I used to use that a lot. But, it became a dead letter place. Eventually I cleaned most of it up and haven’t used it since. Maybe I’ll start using it again … Just don’t have the tabs to mark the files. We’ll have to think about that. I tried to rubber band some stuff and I found that my rubber bands were so old they just broke apart with slight stretching … booo, boo.
Ok, let me think. There is a stack of National Geographic, which I got primarily for the clients, but I think they are kind of neat too. Mostly because the pictures are so old. Maybe what I should do though is leave them on the coffee table for a bit and give our selves some time like last night when we needed something to do … to skim through them. I like the thought of cross-referencing our mind with something interesting and different. It kind of supports our interest in psychology in studying other cultures. I had a little trouble this morning in the kitchen skimming because the print was relatively small, but I think if we sat over in our nifty reading couch with the light directly behind it might be workable. We’ll see.
Our little Ms. Jennifer … the neighbor across the hall has been up for about a half hour and it’s quarter to 7 am now. I wonder on what occasions she yelps. Maybe she’s playing with her brother by the TV already, or maybe she is resisting getting dressed? She seemed to be slight enough in weight that she might have trouble eating too. I don’t think they are the kind of people that have too much food around. *sigh* ok … moving on.
Ok, are we finished thinking about the mail stuff? It did work well yesterday opening the mail in the living room. Maybe we could make it a goal to go down today to see what’s there in the box. Flylady is suggesting laundry again … she does this once a day. I think we’ll let it go for now. We could probably getup a load of towels, but I don’t want to use up the valuable change, and we want a whole load of something not so important, because we’re going to try washing out those washcloths that run. It’s either that or make the executive decision to throw them away and try getting different cloths. Hmm, we’ll still wait on that. We’ll ask Sweetie Pie since he uses them more than us.
Ahh 7 am. The curtains are now open and the lights are on. This is more like it … now we have to rest up for the next part … we should be taking a shower and getting the medicine. That would be a good deal, right?
Need to rest up for a second because we were just flittering around. I think the kitties sorta like the extra movement in the house … gives them something to think about. I find them surprisingly enough curled up and cuddled in places I didn’t know they hung out … Like did you know that Chief favors that cool corner of the couch where Football watching is so great … and often where I am with Sweetie Pie when we’re out here in the living room. Good for him!
Not sure what else … maybe I shouldn’t plan anything else until I get in the shower and dress. The bed is made (so to speak), but there are still dishes next to me and I’ve got on no shoes. Hmm, we can do better than this, right? Ok, ok … let’s try that out … brb.
Ok … good good. 7:30 and shower/brushing and dressing are all done. Woo Hoo!!
Place is looking pretty good, but there are a few weak spots. Hmm, I think it’s ok to leave the gym pants out on the bed. I don’t think they are picking up too much kitty fur. Chief is making them a place to lay down. I think those silly cats are attracted to our scents unfortunately, so sometimes clothes left about become a nesting ground for them. *Sigh* kitties … what can you do with them?
Few hangers to put away and the mail … and I did notice that the regular laundry could probably use some washing too, but maybe not quite yet. Although, if I brought those towels in from out in the car … there would surely be enough to wash. Hmm. Not sure if I have enough change better check that out. Hold on. Hmm. Turns out there is just enough money … but these aren’t critical laundry items. Just stuff that fills up the bottom of the basket. And, well one set of gym clothes and then there’s about 4 towels outside. Should I? I know … I know Flylady would say yes. It’s now 7:30 am and if I started now I could be done before the gym. But, would that make me too tired? Hmm. Let me think.
Pshwoo. We did it! Terribly out of breath and hurting though. We did two things at one time, which was kinda pushing the envelope. We loaded the clothes in the bag AND went downstairs and put them in the washer. Turns out there were enough clothes to do the load without going out to the car. Hmm, better remember to bring in those towels for the next load anyway. They are not doing any good out there in the car. Feeling pretty good about the program so far. Whoops another Flylady message. She wants to make sure we’re drinking our water. Hold on better get a bottle out. We remembered to bring up and fill the bottles that had gathered down in the car. Nice set-up now … we have 7 bottles cooling in the fridge. We’re the cheater type who got the water bottles and then am just filling them up in the sink and cooling them. Our thoughts are that the water is safe enough or they wouldn’t allow it. Hmpf! We’re wrestling with the thought of our old faithful water jug or the bottles. But, it seems the bottles are winning out right now. I can move them easily with us. It’s not such a chore to pick them up and they are easily counted. However, they do not stay as cold as the jug. So, we’re still experimenting with that. I think the idea is that if we drink the water fast enough it will stay cold.
Man-o-man do we love the Flylady.
Hmm, anything else left from yesterday or the week? We ended up instead of watching TV staying up until about 9 pm and we were into the Ellen Degeneres videos that we found while messing around. She really is funny. I’d have to say she rates high in my humor scale – though I’ve spent little time watching her. I watched clips of her with guests and I figured out she really does have a good sense of timing. She’s funny even without the planned monologues. So, that was pretty relaxing AND there weren’t any commercials!
I think if I can remember … today there is a multiple meeting at 10 am. I’ve been forgetting them lately, because we’ve been doing other things. But, I think we’ll set the timer and see where we are about then. Maybe we’ll go … even though it means going to the gym by noon instead of 11 am. Just have to watch the time, because last week we went too late and got there 10 minutes to 4 pm when they were closing. That was no good. Ok, timer set.
What’s next? Maybe we’re going to check out the Flylady site and see if there’s anything immediate that we are missing. BRB.
Ok, Flylady says this month is for getting into the concept of menu planning. This means just organizing what we’re building up now with the Egg store.
Breakfast … whoops forgot to eat … better hold on. Danger sign … we’re on our last serving of cereal. Better do something to let sweetie pie know. A list? Ahh just what’s on the menu! Hehehe
Ok, here is where we are at so far.
Cereal - both flakes and granola - we're mixing them and they're GREAT!
Oatmeal - 2 boxes
Milk
Kitty litter
No fruits or vegetables - doing fine getting these (for our lunch meals on weekends … we are experimenting with fixing ourselves a lettuce, tomato, onion salad).
We need salad dressing though – thousand island or ranch
Whatever for dinner – you are doing wonderful with this – but, we favor tomato base
Lemonade/limeade
Dishwashing soap
More quarters
Ok, good start. We handled the clothes to the dryer too. This time we remembered to bring down the money and we got rid of an old empty bag of kitty litter. Our friend is going to be soooo pleased with us. We’re doing very good! Time is now 8:30 am.
Ok, breakfast:
Mix ½ cup of granola and ¾ cup grain flakes
Milk for cereal
Snack:
10 am grapefruit
Lunch:
Salad or Oat meal
Wheat germ or flax
Snack:
Raw vegetable – broccoli, carrots, cauliflower
Or apple for the ride home from work
Peanuts
Dinner:
Our friend’s meals
Snack:
Orange
Lemeonade/limeade slushie
Ok, I think that’s about it … Need to check our calories now.
WoooHOOO … great work! It says breakfast 427 calories, lunch 370 calories, dinner 633 calories, and snacks 425 calories. ANNNNND total calories is 1855 RIGHT ON THE MARK! We are also doing stupendous on the report card for nutrition. Almost everything is A’s and B’s with the exception of Omega 6, folate, and a C grade on Niacin. I’m not going to worry about folate and niacin, because they are both covered in my vitamins. Need to check out Omega 6 though … hold on. AHA! Forgot the peanuts … it says that adding 1/5 cup (without the shell) brings me up to a B on Omega 6 … we’ll go with that. Unfortunately, it adds 170 calories to the diet. So now we are at 2025 calories. I think we are going to need dealing with that … that means even without exercise, we should be losing about ½ pound each day … if that were the case then we’d lose 15 pounds a month … and that be right on the mark! WOOOHOOOO! Just got to keep our body a little more active. Doing laundry, moving around the house, and going to the gym … all great stuff! We’re going to make it just need to keep working on it.
Ok. Officially then we’re getting A’s on total calories (2025), Carbs (298 g), protein (93 g), and fat (62 g) AND this is before the vitamins … I love it that we can do it with our diet … well all but niacin and folate … hmm forgot the flax seed for dinner … that means 2070 calories. Still acceptable, but doesn’t bring that folate score up. I don’t think we’re willing to add any more to the diet. It will have to sit with the vitamins. Ahh I see … too much niacin. I’m high in it with dinners, oatmeal, both cereals, peanuts and broccoli. Nothing I can do about that … will have to stay. Oh man … we’re way over in folate too. ESPECIALLY in the broccoli, cereals, wheat germ and even oranges and peanuts. That’s going to need staying the way it is too. I’m not willing to give up any of these foods.
The only thing I could see changing at the moment is to change up vegetable and fruits periodically. I still haven’t managed to walk around the fruit store to see all that it is offering … I think that is a little too overwhelming for us right now. Better stick with the one’s we got. I think we have enough now in our fridge to get us to Tues or Wed. We might slow it down a little, because we are giving ourselves more snacks than we really feel hungry for. Just trying to keep our stomach full and our diabetes numbers down. I like that we are no more than the little meat that is in our friends dinners … he says about 5 grams I think … not sure 5 somethings.
This is what the report card looks like.
Pretty cool, hmm? We’re in the monnnney honnnnney!
Ok, let me think any additions from this for our friend? Nope looks all good. GREAT! Moving on. I think we need to check our email hold. On.
Hmpf! Something there, but it didn’t thrill me. No Flylady either! Just got 5 min and you know ??? I’ll be finished with laundry and its only 9 am! Wow! I could see doing this more often. We’ve used up all but one of our quarters though … so we added that on the list for our friend. The savings is now about $20 even with the four dollars of quarters we used. He will be pleased with that. I’m not sure, but it might be a good idea to keep this going. I like the idea of a load of clothes each Saturday and Sunday and it being done for the week and everything being all good. Just have to check on our wrinkling. The shirt I put on today – the candy pink, seems to be all good with the wrinkles and it was one of the shirts we washed. So, that all might be ok.
Just going to wait a minute … should think through this bringing up laundry … we pretty much messed up a new white bag getting it down. We had to tie it because it was so full. Might need to rethink that in the future. I don’t really want to stuff all my clean clothes back in the bag … so last time we straightened them out before bringing upstairs. We might have to do that again, but we’re going to need probably throwing away the bag. Hmmm, maybe we could use it for a quick pick-up or maybe … I don’t know … think we might use it for something. Whoops timer rang … gotsta go.
Damn … that was hard. Took too long straightening clothes so that coming up stairs very painful. Damn have to figure out a better system… might just mean more time at the gym to straighten out our endurabilty. I did make it up though … and that was a very good thing. We needed to just leave the clothes on the back bed though. I felt better that they were straightened, but I know we need to go back to put everything away. I think we’re going to set our timer for about a half hour. That will take us into our snack time. Shoot … oh I know … the other timer was set for the Multiples. I almost forgot. Ok, moving along here … we’re doing very good.
Hmm, I turned around and both our kitties are just looking at us … I wonder … ohhhh … that meant one was about ready to join us. I see how that goes. Umm, maybe later.
Ok, emails checked … I think we need to go back to the Flylady. I know on one of the last trips into the kitchen … we brought our cereal bowl – good us! And, we took a few things off the counter that didn’t need to be there. I think we are going to need checking out Flylady’s method of washing the kitchen AND bathroom sink … we’re missing that part of her theology. Better do that now while we’re thinking of it BRB
AHA! Certainly nailed that meal plan!
This is what she says. You could find it yourself at
http://flylady.com/pages/FLYingLessons_Shine.asp
Shine Your Kitchen Sink
This is your first household chore. Many of you can't understand why I want you to empty your sink of your dirty dishes and clean and shine it, when there is so much more to do. It is so simple. I want you to have a sense of accomplishment. You have struggled for years with a cluttered home and you are so beaten down. I just want to put a smile on your face. When you get up the next morning, your sink will greet you and a smile will come across your lovely face. I can't be there to give you a big hug, but I know how good it feels to see yourself in your kitchen sink. So each morning this is my gift to you. Even though I can't be there to pat you on the back, I want you to know that I am very proud of you.
Go shine your sink! - FlyLady
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Shiny Sink 101
Many members have asked "How do I clean my sink until it shines?". So, just for you, we have posted FlyLady's "Shiny Sink 101" essay. Here's to a great shine!
Note: Follow this procedure the first time you shine your sink. You do NOT need to follow this method everyday. Just keep up the shine with a little window cleaner.
Dear Friends,
I want you to smile from ear to ear when you gaze upon your shiny sink.
I have heard every excuse in the world. Even old sinks can look new again with a little elbow grease.
Here is how you do it:
BE SURE AND RINSE WELL BETWEEN EACH STEP OF THE WAY!
1. Take all the dishes out of the sink.
2. Run some very hot water into the sink. Fill to the rim. Only do one side at a time. Then, pour a cup of household bleach into the hot water. Let it sit for 1 hour. Now, pull the plug with a pair of tongs. If you don't have tongs, then scoop some of the water out of the sink into the other sink and use your hand to pull the plug (wear gloves and don't get the bleach-water on your clothes).
3. Rinse your sink well.
4. Use some cleanser (Comet, Ajax, or Baking Soda) and scrub your sink. Ensure you rinse ALL of the cleanser from the sink.
5. Take a sharp edge and clean around the rim of the sink, just like you would clean dirt out from under your fingernails.
6. Clean around the faucets too. You may need an old toothbrush or dental floss.
7. Now, get out your window cleaner, I use Windex, and give it a good shine.
8. If you still don't like the way it looks, then you could try some car wax. Just know in your heart that you have cleaned it very well now and it doesn't have to be perfect. Our perfectionism is what got us in this situation in the first place.
9. Every time you run water in your sink, take your clean dishtowel and dry it out (I lay out a clean one, every night with my before bedtime routine). Before you know it, you will be doing this everytime you leave your kitchen. The rest of the family will too. No more water spots. You will have a clean and shiny sink.
10. Don't have a fit if someone doesn't take as much pride in your sink as you do. It is very easy to fix. You have already done the hard part. You will never have to go through this process again. Daily maintenance will keep it looking this way all the time. Nasty hurtful word are not as easy to repair. Just be sure and tell your family what you are trying to do. They will think you have gone crazy.
11. If you don't have a dishwasher, don't worry. A dishwasher is just a dirty dish disposal. Clean out a place under your sink and put a dishpan in there. Teach your family, that instead of putting their dirty dishes and glasses in the sink, place them into the dish pan. Get into the habit of putting your dishes away as soon as they have been washed and are dry. No more leaving the dish drying rack on the counter or in the sink. Put it away under the sink when you have finished. If your old one is nasty, you may want to soak it in the sink full of bleach water at the same time you soak the sink or go buy a new set.
12. To insure that your family remembers this, put a note in the sink. It will get their attention and remind them where to put the dishes. Be patient! They have never been taught either. It is going to take some practice.
Now if you have a stainless steel sink, I recommend all of the above directions with one extra instruction added: after you soak your sink, rinse well, and use SOS pads to scrub it. This will buff the finish. It will look like new.
If you still can't get it to shine after the Windex, put a light coat of lemon oil or olive oil on it. I mean just a tiny bit on a cloth and rub it. This will make you smile. Some people have had very good results from Bar Keepers Friend.
Go Shine Your Sink!
FlyLady
Last note: ensure you don't mix cleansers like Comet, etc. with Windex (or other ammonia based cleaners), you can create dangerous gases! It is worth repeating: rinse well between each step.
AHA! We’re doing it … we just filled the kitchen sink with the water … hmm, how about the bathroom?? Better do that too. Hold on. Ok, good good. So far so good … This might even lead up to doing the shower if it worked well with the others. Yeeks … that one is pretty bad, especially because the chair in the shower scrapes the tub when we bring it forward. Might be worth it though to get rid of germs that might be collecting. BUT, not today. We have to figure out the part where the chair seems to be leaking out some dirty stuff. In that case I would want to keep the chair in the shower while we were bleaching it. But, I’m not sure if that would be bad for the metal. Hmm, it seems to be ok for the metal in the drain? Eh, maybe leave it in even if it did lighten the stain on the metal base … it would be worth it to know that it was clean. Ok, ok … feel good about that.
Still got 5 minutes before we do the clothes … gives us good time to rest a minute and maybe drink some more water. I want to be proud of my shiny sink too. And, always looking to impress the guy of my dreams. He loves when I surprise him with things like this. He sure is my sweet honey oats.
Ok, ok … let’s not get drooly … we still have a couple of days before we see him. Let’s give him all kinds of good surprises. LIKE … not going shopping on-line or stopping by restaurants for something to eat. I think we need to go over the hypnotist sheet too. Hmm, better do that … better make it after the multiples meeting. Still need to save time to get those clothes folded and put away. Hey what do all you do about this kind of stuff … do you sorta just keep doing it without thinking … I’m pretty sure most people don’t write down most their thoughts of the day. I think we’re a little eccentric on this point. But, at least I know where I’ve been … AND, we’re keeping ourselves great company. This is an important thing to consider when you live on your own. Please believe me when I say … I’m perfectly good about this. I feel like I have so much to do that doesn’t need the help of someone else, I just don’t know how it would be to have somebody around again.
There is one part that I miss. I miss the part of sitting down at the table or living room with someone and having regular random conversations. My Sweetie Pie helps a lot when he is able to IM with us in the morning, but I miss out a lot on people just being around. It’s very different when you sit at the kitchen table or couch on your own. Sorta like being in a vacuum … It sucks you up in the space. Ok, let’s not get dismal Missy wants to now join us, but we need to get those clothes. Ok, Missy Shooo … gotta go.
AHHHH ok, ok … that’s not too bad. It was easier than walking up those stairs … gotta give it that much. Hmm, more water please…
Very good. See we’re doing it. Very good. Next. AHHH grapefruit and meeting … ok bbinan hour see ya.
Shoot, shoot. Three of my favorite people are in there, but the room is not letting me in. My log-in is all good, but the java thing is messin things up. I don’t know how to resolve those kind of issues. The process leaves you with very few options. I don’t have a whole lot of good things to say about iVillage at this moment. Ok, I tried one more time and it’s a no go. I guess that means just gotta let it go … and eat the grapefruit! Woo HOOO! I’m like an alternative thinker hehehe.
WoW! Very, very good mi! We got both sinks shining bright. If we were doing really good we would next tackle shower and toilet, but I don’t want to think of that this very moment. I need to rest for a minute and collect ourselves.
I feel very accomplished about the sink. We’d been putting that off for quite some time. Resisting the Flylady if you will. The next thing to remember is that during our bedtime routines we need to again clean the sink and spray it so that it is shining. We even got those nasty drainers. AHA! Good work SCOUT! Whope … that snuck out. Friday, we got into the scouting site and decided to renew our status. We are now again a register girl scout. Hmm, doesn’t sound quite so scary as I thought it might. That’s right … we’re going back all the way to when we were working on values that were significant. They allow for adult scouts now … but, I’ll have to read some more to find out if I can do anything without the costly books. It is like the Flylady site … everything is free, but there’s plenty to buy that will cost you some pretty nickels.
Let’s see are we ready to leave Flylady for a while? Theoretically, we should set the timer and go to the gym in about a half hour. Been using my body more than normal though and afraid we might have used it up. BUT, I KNOW we should go to the gym and do the best we can. So with that …maybe I can offer a compromise. Can we go in an hour instead of half hour? Please? Ok GOOD GOOD. BUT, then that is going to mess with our meals hmm? Ok … not so much, cuz we ate the grapefruit. At noon though you GOTTA LEAVE! Yes maam. I know. Noon. Water?
Ok, timer is set. I think we should save that next bill pile for a 15 minute after we get back … K? that all good with you? And NO FOOTBALL until we get back! That’s a rule … We got messed up with that last week. Yes maam.
Ok, we’re not going to get obsessive here. We checked Flylady’s instructions one more time. I had been disappointed that the sink didn’t shine although it looked clean. So she said in that case rub a smidge of olive oil into … that helped it along pretty darn good. Flylady thinks too to prevent water spots and to keep the sink clean – you need to rinse and then towel dry it. So … that’s what we did. We’ll have to teach that trick to our friend now. The hand towel on the sink is only for drying it. It has a way of repolishing itself and looking great. Now to tell you the truth I have absolutely no one but our friend to show our shiny sink to, but I’m pleased enough with the results that that is good enough – because WE’RE HAPPY!
Ok, I better get out of Flylady land before you all think we’ve gone off the deep end. Wooo Hooo We’re holding tight with $87 in our bank … we’re doing it! Great! Just gotta stay the course.
AHA! We took a step!
Hi.
As mentioned in the subject line, I am a Girl Scout alumnae living in Brookfield and would like to volunteer. I was a Girl Scout from second grade Brownies to being a Senior Scout at age 17. I had three boys who are now 22, 24, & 26, so I didn't have the opportunity to follow through with your program during those busy years.
I would like to consider opportunities you might have now. Please let me know in general what kind of volunteer opportunities you might have.
Thank you,
We had to send the email to the national center, because the email for the location nearest us didn’t go through. That’s ok, we’ll be patient … Need to see how this organization operates. I know that the web site was down also for the local troop, so the national group might not have current information.
Evening! We’re back again … it’s now about 6:10 pm. We’re still listening to the football games. We’re watching the last 8 minutes of the Pittsburgh vs. New Orleans game. It’s within 7 … We figure that we’ll watch The OT next and after that a few minutes of Football Night in America on NBC followed finally by the Chicago vs. Giants game at 7:15 pm.
We’ve had a pretty full day though none of the real big things got accomplished. We had a good personal day. We did most of the things that were good for us that included going to the gym, fixing up the house, doing some chores, and eating right. I DIDN’T do a good job with money … that was a problem. I ran into finding out about a couple of books that will teach us how to do Interviews proper with my Grandma. I’m thinking now would be the time to call her, or at least after the game finishes up. Need to think through this for a moment. Hmm, where did my time go this afternoon? We went to the gym, watched football/ate, watched football. Hmm, I guess we really have everything covered.
I think we’ll talk to our Grandma. Hold on.
Ahh that was very nice. We talked for a while and part of that talk was that we were going through how good we were feeling for losing weight, exercising, eating right, and doing stuff with the house. I don’t even think she thinks of us as weird. It’s just stuff that is happening and she thinks it’s all good too. She sure is a good Grandma. She gave me some good advice too … she talked about using vinegar on the windows, mirrors, floors, about everything. She says she buys it by the half gallon because it is used for so many things. I thought that was pretty cool. I remember doing it back when we had had our first house, but we’d forgotten about it. She said that my Grandfather would be very upset to see a bottle of store spray around the house. He was a professional window washer. He had a very big company and did the tall buildings in Minneapolis. So, we are going to need giving it a try. I don’t have anything off hand to hold though the vinegar. I might have to get some of the right kind too. We might have that colored vinegar. She said that he said that there is oil in the cleaners and it smears the windows.
Ok, I gotta think about something else. Doesn’t seem appropriate to be worrying on a Sunday night about household cleaners. This is what happens when someone’s sweetie pie leaves for sooooooo many days *sigh*
Ok, enough of that. We’re going to try to do something beside writing … we’re going to go sit in the corner of the couch, put our feet up, look at those National Geographic magazines and over look the ball game. Just that the Giants just had their first TD against the Bears. Booooo!
Ok, giving fingers a break … See you in the morning. Thanks for being around.
