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Post by hollyhock on Jul 8, 2016 19:55:09 GMT -5
Thank you so much Arid. It was a tough day actually, but it's over, so that is good. Hopefully we remaining cousins will get together again soon. I grew up and moved away - and life happens, we all got busy and we all lost touch. It's horrible when we only see each other at funerals now.
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 9, 2016 7:26:24 GMT -5
Well, on to a new day. I slept pretty good and feel better. And I think it's bit cooler out for this weekend. Now I need to work ahead for the next occasion. In 9 days I am supposed to be going away to a cottage, for 3 days, with my ds, ddil, dgs (9 months) plus ddil's mother and sister. It's their relative's cottage. Luckily the sister is going to drive her mom and myself, since ds's car will be pretty full with all of the baby's needs. But I will need to fit my clothing, anything I need, and some food into unknown but limited space. I also need to work on systems for leaving the birds, so they have light, food, won't be too noisy, and hopefully can keep at a comfortable temp. I do have a fellow tenant who is willing to look in on them, but I want to make this as easy as possible for everyone, although their care is minimal. However it does mean that a stranger will be in my apt, so I need it to be left presentable, and I want him to come visit the birds a couple of times ahead so they are familiar with him. So tasks this week are mainly based on preparing to go away. The supers already put up 2 notices, for things I need to work around. Monday - water will be off again for repairs. (which will also probably hamper laundry for a day or so afterward, so I will plan for later in the week, which is good anyway. And Tuesday - they will be having a power sweep of the parking garages, meaning the cars need to be removed by 8:30 AM. Last year I took my car out at 7 and secured the best, closest parking meter to us. All outside parking is paid parking. So I figured some time during the day (afternoon) I will do any necessary errands for the holiday, and limit parking costs at the same time. (I am so glad that this is being done before I go away - and not while I am away and can't move my car. ) So I need to plan my week around these 2 things. I am still in the middle of the clothing re-organization too. I have discovered that I almost have 2 distinct wardrobes. 1 colour family is mostly dressier and for colder weather, the other colour range is more casual and summery. So I want to move the wintery wardrobe into the bird room. I am sure too that I can then also organize all of my accessories, and things like nail polish to go with each wardrobe. That would make things much easier. And packing too. There will be a bit of overlap but not much. I still need to sort out my summer bottoms so I know for sure what fits. I still have not discarded any of the VHS tapes I took out of the bird room closet. But what I want to do in the meantime is move as many as possible into 1 tote. I can put the overflow on a shelf on a DR side table - and they will be handled first. Then I can move my 2 baskets of loose papers into the 2nd tote, so that they are not out in the open when the bird-sitter is here. Then I can deal with them when I return. So these are all ongoing projects for the week. I have decided to clean 1 room a day, in an effort to tidy, re-organize, and maybe hide things for my absence. I am also going to try to just eat down some of the fridge and freezer contents this week, so I won't need to buy much and can also have more open space. And will buy fresh when I return. Plans for today: ME: Weigh and record Exercise: - walk - mile 1 - walk - mile 2 -walked down by Bay with ds and dgs - something else Shower, dress, makeup Log meals into MyFitnessPal Read Bible Paint fingernails DAILY: Circle tour Catch up dishes Wipe down kitchen counters, sink, stove top Make bed Bird care Bathroom swish and swipe Toss garbage Declutter some emails SATURDAY'S TASKS: KITCHEN: - clean out fridge - cook ahead if needed - catch up dishes - scrub stove sink counters - clean microwave - tidy, dust desk - wipe down cabinet fronts - vacuum kitchen and entrance - mop kitchen and entrance LEFT OVERS: LAUNDRY: 2 loads - put away BIRDS: Clean bird cage Vac bird room Wash new bird dishes ADD: wash bird toys DUST: LR, DR, entrance, hall Bedroom, Spare room Vacuum - LR, DR - hall - bed room CHALLENGE FOR WEEK: CLOTHES SORTING - sort through all clothes in black and white prints - bag up donatable clothing - drop off donations - move winter-based clothes (Mainly black, white, red and burgundy) to spare room closet VHS TAPES - move as many VHS tapes as possible to 1 tote - move remaining to shelf on DR side table - discard 5-10 tapes a week - fill empty tote with contents of 2 baskets of loose papers BIRD PREPS for the week (for while I am away) - use only outside silo feeders this week - set up lamp on timer - move side table and lamp - try without covering at night (not good - 2 noisy early mornings out of 4 so far) HOLIDAY PREPS FOR NEXT WEEK: - start lists of clothes, food, toiletries, etc - get key made - have D come up to 'visit' birds about 2 times - notify super that he will have access to my apt. (his suggestion - he is a former super as well) ***************************** I did not get as much done on my list as I had hoped for. My ds emailed me in the AM, offering me his portable a/c unit, that stands on the floor but is vented out the window. (My current one does not seem to be working). He has not used it for a couple of years. I was concerned about the drain, how does it drain, how much water, how often does it need emptying etc. Being in an apt above others, I didn't want to chance it overflowing. I was satisfied with his reply so I said to bring it over. He was here within 30 minutes, installed it in my bedroom, plus invited me to go walking with him and 9 month old dgs down in the park by the bay. So I went out. A change of scenery (and exercise - we walked 2 miles) was what I needed after this sad week, of dealing with my cousin's funeral. I left the ac unit off until I returned home - but it started cooling immediately. I ended up napping a good part of the afternoon - I think from emotional exhaustion, plus it's been too hot to sleep well. Later I realized I had not been eating well this week either, so prepared myself a proper supper. My room was very comfortable at bedtime and I slept well. I am hoping that I'm caught up on sleep now. Also dgs is getting mobile now. He crawls, and gets himself to standing position. In the short time they were here, with ds and I trying to work in the bedroom, we 'left' him in the LR, momentarily - and I found him standing at my TV cabinet, reaching for a decorative pitcher. I removed it, and directed him to come down the hall, where we were. He would sweetly smile and shake his head 'no'. Then he started coming our way - I ducked into the bedroom, but when I peeked out he was not seen - found in the bird room, trying to stand up at their cage. He finally came into my room - but got distracted with a power bar. Then stood at my dresser for a while. I tried to take his hands to get him to walk but he wouldn't. Back in the LR a bit later, he got into my hand weights. Obviously my house is not baby-proofed. And of course this all happened on very short notice - I had enough time to jump in the shower, and dress. BUT - it is also good incentive now to keep my house maintained - especially the vacuuming. I am also finding that I am tracking bird seed around a lot on my feet. I sit on my feet a lot, so they also get on the couch, even though the birds are in another room. I also do not understand how my tile floors get so dirty! I'd like to try to mop them more often, because I wonder if I ever really get them clean! Having my house be fairly well maintained, has allowed me this week to: - spend a day entertaining a friend - invite a neighbor up randomly, to meet my birds, which he has agreed to look in on while I am away next week - spend 1 day doing many errands - spend 1 evening and 1 day at funeral visitation and memorial and then still have up ds and dgs with little notice. And if I miss a day doing something, it is easy to catch up.
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Post by PerrinJade on Jul 9, 2016 14:42:51 GMT -5
Your lists intimidate me. I would never be able to plan that much for one day. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 10, 2016 6:20:35 GMT -5
I was wondering last night if I should try to go back to doing a daily routine of a quick dusting and vacuuming, and mopping, to keep on top of things. I posted reasons in my last post, at the end of the day - but mostly to be ready for anything - especially an unexpected visit by an active and increasingly mobile dgs. Plus the fact that I hate sitting on bird seed, after it gets tracked onto my couch from the bird room, and my seemingly constant dirty floors despite weekly mopping - the used cloths are pure black. How does it get so bad? So this week I am going to try to do that, early in the day, and be done. A quick wipe daily might be better than a concentrated cleaning once a week. At least get in the habit when the temp is tolerable, so I don't need to worry if it gets too hot to do too much. I was also thinking - about my exercising (1 mile) in the AM - which then delays other tasks. If I put it off until later, as yesterday proved, then if I have the chance to go out and get in some exercise another way, I can. Right now I have discovered that 2 miles is about my limit for a day, where I start to feel back pain, so going above that hampers me doing anything extra. If I had exercised early yesterday I would not have been able to fully enjoy the unexpected opportunity to go walking at the Bayfront with my family. These daily routines are all basically a test to find out what best suits your needs and lifestyle. Therefore they can be frequently in flux. So preps for going away next week are still in place. However there is a chance that we might be leaving Sunday now instead of Monday. So I need to also see how long my plants can go without watering while I am away. My friend who will watch the birds also asked about my balcony plants, but he is somewhat handicapped, and I don't want him to bother with them - since most times I need to refill my watering can 5 or 6 times to water them all. The rest of the tasks remain the same. Plans for today: ME: Weigh and record Exercise: - walk - mile 1 outside - walk - mile 2 DVD - something else Shower, dress, makeup Log meals into MyFitnessPal Read Bible Paint fingernails DAILY: Circle tour Tidy through Make bed Quick dust through Catch up dishes Wipe down kitchen counters, sink, stove top Bird care Bathroom swish and swipe Vac bird room Vac bedroom, hall, bathroom Vac LR DR kitchen entrance Mop kitchen, entrance Mop bathroom Toss garbage Declutter some emails SUNDAY'S TASKS: MEGA-TIDY through BALCONY: Repot bougainvillea Fertilize plants Water well Sweep balcony From SATURDAY: KITCHEN: - wipe down cabinet fronts - check fridge, toss 'older' food - see about cooking up open bags of veggies in freezer LEFT OVERS: LAUNDRY: - put away remaining 2 loads CHALLENGE FOR WEEK: CLOTHES SORTING - bag up donateable clothing - put bags in car - drop off donations - arrange clothing better in bedroom closet - go through shorts, capris and summer pants, try on if necessary VHS TAPES - move as many VHS tapes as possible to 1 tote - move remaining to shelf on DR side table - discard 5-10 tapes a week - fill empty tote with contents of 2 baskets of loose papers BIRD PREPS for the week (for while I am away) - use only outside silo feeders this week - set up lamp on timer - move side table and lamp - try without covering at night - start writing up a care list HOLIDAY PREPS FOR NEXT WEEK: - start lists of clothes, food, toiletries, etc - get key made - have D come up to 'visit' birds about 2 times - notify super that he will have access to my apt. (his suggestion - he is a former super as well)
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 11, 2016 5:10:27 GMT -5
Good morning. What a pretty sky this Monday morning - all of the clouds are pink. The ac unit worked so well that I had to put a sweater on! . But I'm sure that will not last long. 2 'things' going on today. First the water will be off - again - 9AM - 4PM, or times between there. So I have to get my 'wet' chores done early - or later (as in the evening). The other is that the bird sitter will come up this afternoon to see the birds again. Also tomorrow they are doing a 'power sweep' of the parking garages, meaning cars have to be out 8:30 AM - 5 PM. So it's the perfect time to do errands - to limit fees at parking meters - but only things that either can be left in the car, or easily carried up, depending on how far away I would have to park when I come home. So I should work on my lists for that. The focus this week will mostly be related to preparing to go away next Sunday. Even though I have no clue what to take - . I also want to try mopping the kitchen and entrance floors daily because those floors have gotten really dirty. I will see how long it takes for the cleaning cloths not to become so black with each wash. So plans for today: ME: Weigh and record Exercise: - walk - mile 1 - walk - mile 2 - no after mile 1 and other lower body exercises tonight, I just couldn't do any more! - something else 25 minutes on lower body exercises Shower, dress, makeup Log meals into MyFitnessPal Read Bible Paint fingernails DAILY: Circle tour Tidy through Make bed Catch up dishes Wipe down kitchen counters, sink, stove top Bird care Vac bird room Bathroom swish and swipe Vac kitchen entrance Mop kitchen, entrance Toss garbage Declutter some emails TODAY ONLY - before 9 AM - shower, tooth care, makeup? - fresh water for birds - do up dishes - pans of water for handwashing - pots of water for possible cooking - bowls of water to wash off any food that I may have forgotten about - fill water bottles MONDAY'S TASKS: DUST through Bedroom Bird room Hall Damp dust LR DR entrance Kitchen LEFT OVERS: COOKING - cook up some open bags of veggies - use up zucchini 1 out of 3 LAUNDRY: - put away remaining 2 loads CHALLENGE FOR WEEK: CLOTHES SORTING - bag up donatable clothing - put bags in car - drop off donations - arrange clothing better in bedroom closet - go through shorts, capris and summer pants, try on if necessary VHS TAPES - move as many VHS tapes as possible to 1 tote - move remaining to shelf on DR side table - discard 5-10 tapes a week - fill empty tote with contents of 2 baskets of loose papers BIRD PREPS for the week (for while I am away) - use only outside silo feeders this week - set up lamp on timer - move side table and lamp - try without covering at night - start writing up a care list HOLIDAY PREPS FOR NEXT WEEK: - start lists of clothes, food, toiletries, etc - get key made - have D come up to 'visit' birds about 2 times I thought we discussed him coming this afternoon, but when I texted him, he was at the doctors and rescheduled for Wed afternoon - notify super that he will have access to my apt. (his suggestion - he is a former super as well) A/C Drainage preps - empty 1 tote of fabric - put fabric into spare laundry hamper - use tote in case of drainage overflow from window vented a/c unit (it half-filled a pail in first 24 hours. Ds used a tote when he had it). I will leave it in tote while away so apt/ bird sitter can leave it on some while I am gone. It's set up now
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Post by phoenixcat on Jul 11, 2016 9:36:21 GMT -5
Glad you were "upgraded" for the parking - I know that you have been struggling with that for a while. And, nice to hear about so many visits with B and a new friend to help care for the birds. And, very busy grandson visits! Sounds like enjoyable days filled with fun activities. Sorry to hear about your cousin - always hard to lose one of your "peers". I hope that your remaining family is able to stay in touch. PC
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 12, 2016 6:05:18 GMT -5
Thank you phoenixcat. Yes, life is getting a bit better, but I would still like to get out more and meet new people and have things to do, but I am at a loss on where to even start. And thanks for your thoughts re my cousin. I recalculated and he was only 4 months older than me - so it really hits home. I know many people say they plan to get together, but most often don't mean it, or just never follow-through on it. But I mean it, so I plan to reach out to these cousins again in the next few weeks. I got an email from the sister of the deceased cousin last PM, just verifying my email address, so that showed me she at least has some interest, and another cousin 'friended' me on Facebook. Her sister, the 3rd cousin doesn't do Facebook. They are all about 40 minutes from me, but that's okay.
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 12, 2016 7:28:17 GMT -5
I'm up and at 'em early this AM. Today they are power washing the parking garages, so everyone needs to be out of it by 8:30. So after 1st coffee, I showered, dressed and went down a bit after 7:30 to move my car. - I thought I was being smart moving early, but I met 2 other (older) early 'movers' too. But I did manage to get my favourite spot - 1st spot on the side, at a meter. Costs $1 an hour, but it's better than the $2.50 an hour at the lot across the street! However I need to remember to go down and plug the meter every 2 hours. Luckily I have saved coinage for such occasions. Because of needing to pay to be out, I decided today I would do a few errands. However it's too early to buy food for our trip, so I won't have a lot to buy today. But I will work on my lists. Thankfully I got several things done ahead yesterday. Also today I think I will work more on my clothes, and put aside clothing to wear while away next week. That way I won't need to worry about last minute laundry, and finding machines available. Also, since I am noticing how dirty the kitchen and entrance floors are, I am sure the hardwood must be getting equally dirty. I'm sure it must be dirt blowing in. So over the week I want to damp mop the hardwood floors as well. I think today I will work on the bedroom, plus some in the bathroom. So plans for today: ME: Weigh and record Exercise: - walk - mile 1 - walk - mile 2 - something else Shower, dress, makeup Log meals into MyFitnessPal Read Bible Paint fingernails DAILY: Circle tour Tidy through Make bed Catch up dishes Wipe down kitchen counters, sink, stove top Bird care Vac bird room Bathroom swish and swipe Vac kitchen entrance Mop kitchen, entrance Toss garbage Declutter some emails TODAY ONLY - before 8:30 AM - move car out of parking garage by 8:30, until 5 - remember to plug the parking meter every 2 hours TUESDAY'S TASKS: Bedroom - mega tidy - windex - dust - vac - damp mop floor Bathroom - scrub sink, counter - windex mirror - scrub tub - scrub toilet - vac - mop - change towels - restock ERRANDS: - buy final clothing items - get key made - tomato cages? (the ones ds offered, he ended up using) - car wash? - now that garage is also clean From MONDAY: DUST Bird room Hall Kitchen LEFT OVERS: COOKING - cook up some open bags of veggies, after fresh veggies used up - use up zucchini 1 out of 3 cooked LAUNDRY: - will delay until end of week CHALLENGE FOR WEEK: CLOTHES SORTING - bag up donatable clothing - put bags in car - drop off donations - arrange clothing better in bedroom closet - go through shorts , capris and summer pants, try on if necessary VHS TAPES - discard 5-10 tapes a week BIRD PREPS for the week (for while I am away) - use only outside silo feeders this week - set up lamp on timer? - move side table and lamp - try without covering at night ? - start writing up a care list - sitter to visit 1 - 2 times ahead - plan for Wed afternoon VACATION PREPS FOR NEXT WEEK (3-4 days?): - start lists of clothes, food, toiletries, etc - get key made - notify super that D will have access to my apt. (his suggestion - he is a former super as well) - put aside clothing for going away - put aside toiletries - plan food to take (not getting much input from other people going, despite email ds sent out last week) A/C Drainage preps - use tote in case of drainage overflow from window vented a/c unit - see how it works ************************** I managed to get a good close parking spot, and plugged the meter until 3:30. No parking on that street 4-6 PM, so that is when I did errands. Prior, I ran into 1 lady from my floor sitting down outside on the benches on the large 'patio' area beside the front door, set in, off the street. It's pretty out there - behind flowers that I guess a tenant used to plant etc until she got too old. There are also large structures out there that look like they were probably large water features with fountains, but maybe too much of a liability with kids etc, so no longer filled. Also there is a nice breeze that goes through there, so we sat there and had a long chat, and then were joined by my bird sitter friend. In total I was down there about 1 1/4 hours - and then it was time to get ready and leave. I ran errands to 3 places, and got a lot of things - except the key. Because of my chatting, I didn't spend as much time on my list as I should have, and forgot to put it on - even though I was in that store!!!! But, except for the key, I think I have everything - except some food, for my time away. Got an email from ddil's sister - who is driving up - I will go with her and her mom, my kids and baby and all of their paraphernalia will be going in a separate car. It looks like now we are going Mon - Thurs. It changes every few days. I think there is a last minute family event planned with her boyfriend's family that she wants to attend. I just shake my head because these people can never make plans. But I am thoroughly glad that she is driving - because now I am wondering if I could even do it that far! So I will just be ready and go with the flow. (I think my son is still going up on the Sunday) But once I got home from errands, I just ached - all across my lower back, across my hips. I did manage to get my stuff all upstairs, eventually, and was so glad that I did not also have to tackle the awful stairs from the lower parking garage. But I was in pain most of the evening, so nothing more got done. But I was also reminded of that pain being present often when I spent a long time driving - which was still less time than will be involved driving to the cottage. I had only considered my 'panic' I feel on very busy highways - I forgot about the physical pain of driving - so I sure appreciate not having to. (However I now do wonder how I will be riding. We'll see. )
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 13, 2016 5:58:43 GMT -5
I don't even know where to start today - . I managed to get all purchases away last PM, despite the back pain I was having. The place is not bad, but I do know that if I don't tend to it daily, it gets much worse. Some times I also get ahead of myself, and plan too much, so I guess today I will just add in the 'next room' - the bird room, and then catch up on what didn't get done yesterday - and work ahead to prepare for my holiday - a bit each day. My bird sitter friend is supposed to come by today, around 1, so it's also fitting that I will clean the bird cage and room before that. He told me yesterday that today is supposed to get atrociously hot! Well yes I just checked, temp supposed to go to 90, but with the humidity it will feel like 106. I felt like the ac units didn't do much being on over night. But then in the LR I had to put on a sweater over my nighty this AM. I turned both off to give them a bit of a rest - but will put back on soon. This will definitely be a day to stay in. I wonder if the back pain I experienced yesterday afternoon, might be related to the extra exercise I tried to do on Mon. Like I have found that walking 2 miles seems to be my limit before I get too crippled up. I was trying to work on toning up areas now too, but maybe the 2 mile walks is all I can do, or I still need to find gentler exercising. I have some very old VHS exercise tapes, that I think were more gentle, so maybe I will get those out again - and use my stationary bike. But with that being said - I mostly find my back pain is after walking longer distances (or hills), being out shopping on concrete floors, and often driving the car longer distance than normal. I do NEED the exercise to keep myself more 'agile', plus burn some extra calories because I am already really at the lowest calorie level I can safely get proper nutrition at - because I am old (66), small and fairly sedentary even the safest 1200 calories is too much for me and I just stay the same weight there. (Thus the 6 month plateau I had where my weight would not budge.) Also keeping myself more agile allows me to participate in activities I couldn't before - so I do need to keep it up, all for my health and mental well-being. I will continue watching what aggravates my back. But I am extremely thankful now that I do not have to deal with the stairs coming up from the lower parking garage any more. Being able to bring my purchases in without those stairs yesterday made a huge difference. Anyway, on with today: ME: Weigh and record Exercise: - walk - mile 1 - walk - mile 2 - something else? Shower, dress, makeup Log meals into MyFitnessPal Read Bible Paint fingernails DAILY: Circle tour Tidy through Make bed Catch up dishes Wipe down kitchen counters, sink, stove top Bird care Vac bird room Bathroom swish and swipe Vac kitchen entrance Mop kitchen, entrance Toss garbage Declutter some emails WEDNESDAY'S TASKS: Bird room - mega tidy - empty vac - clean bird cage - wipe down perches etc - windex - dust - vac - move side table from beside window - set up lamp as alternate lighting, in case - damp mop hardwood ADD: water plants ADD: put tomato cages in place From TUESDAY: Bedroom - windex - vac - damp mop hardwood floor Bathroom - windex mirror - scrub tub - vac - mop - change towels - restock ERRANDS: - get key made - car wash? - now that garage is cleaned From MONDAY: DUST Kitchen LEFT OVERS: COOKING - cook up some open bags of veggies, after fresh veggies used up - use up zucchini - 1 out of 3 cooked - use up any food items close to expiration point LAUNDRY: - will delay until end of week (Thurs or Fri?) CHALLENGE FOR WEEK: CLOTHES SORTING - bag up donatable clothing 2 more items - put bags in car - drop off donations - arrange clothing better in bedroom closet - go through capris and summer pants, try on if necessary - rearrange drawers as needed VHS TAPES - discard 5-10 tapes a week BIRD PREPS for the week (for while I am away) - set up lamp on timer? decided no - start writing up a care list - sitter to visit 1 - 2 times ahead - plan for Wed afternoon VACATION PREPS FOR NEXT WEEK (3-4 days?): - start lists of clothes, food, toiletries, etc - get key made - notify super that D will have access to my apt. (his suggestion - he is a former super as well) - put aside clothing for going away - put aside toiletries - plan food to take - buy remainder food Fri or Sat - bake some muffins to take (Sat?) (I know this list doesn't look like it is getting any shorter - but a lot of things are related to preparing to go away - I don't think I have been away in around 20 years!) ************************** D, the bird sitter came over in the afternoon, at 1 PM as planned, to visit the birds. I do think he is a good choice, because he is now 'handicapped' and I think very bored, so this gives him something to look forward to. However we chatted for a very long time, and he was here over 3 hours. He 'introduced' me to a TV channel I was not aware of - of cameras posted watching the entrances to the building via front door and via parking garages. We had it on and I think he was watching for his wife to come home from work or shopping. Later he brought her up to see me. I knew who she was, I've spoken to her several times in the laundry room, and even talked to her on the street, but she was having trouble putting my face to his description. We were comparing apts etc, as they looked through mine, after visiting the birds. They used to have a budgie and so they just love mine. Now on Tuesday I was having trouble opening my 1 lowest bedroom dresser drawer because of how my newly acquired a/c unit was draining - so I moved things (pail inside a tote) to the other side of the ac unit. When D arrived - since he may need to empty it, I showed it to him - and it was half full, since I had not emptied it in over 24 hours, and it's been extremely humid. I emptied it while he was here, and set it back up. After he left I went to check it, and discovered that during those 3 hours, the drainage hose had come out of the bucket - and had drained all over my parquet hardwood floor. I sopped it all up with a towel, and noted that some of the edges of the floor pieces had raised. I moved the bucket and tote back to the original spot. This ac unit had come from my son, and he had probably set it up the way he had used it, so maybe that hose had a greater tendency to curve the other way, which is why it came out of that bucket. Anyway - as of this AM - now the 14th, that floor has greatly buckled. I am feeling almost sick to my stomach because of this! This was my biggest fear - and why I had never considered an ac unit like this. And despite all of the precautions I put in place, this happened!!! I am hoping that it is only temporary while it is still drying. I just put a fan on it to hopefully help - but as I said I just feel sick. The floors in this place were quite nice, and I plan to stay here a very long time. D said they have carpeting throughout their unit - because I am guessing that the original hardwood was damaged. Anyway - because of all of the visiting, I got very little done in my apt. later. I did get my 2nd stint of exercising done, supper, and my plants watered, and tomato cages set up, although my pots are a bit small, and the plants were leaning quite heavily to the side. We'll see how these go.
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 14, 2016 5:17:41 GMT -5
Thursday July 14 I don't quite know what to do today. Mainly because I'm not quite sure when we will be leaving to go to the cottage. First it was Mon - Wed (next week), then Sun - Wed, now changed again to Mon - Thurs. Since I am going with ds' in-laws, to stay at an aunt's cottage while she is vacationing out of province, I am at their 'mercy'. Ddil's sister is driving, myself and her mom , and I am just happy that I can go, and that I don't have to drive, so I will do whatever is necessary. I want to leave my apt in good shape. I also want to leave my laundry and final grocery shopping to closer to leaving time, so I'm not sure what to do yet. I normally do laundry on Thursdays, but I don't really have enough yet, and may leave it until Sat. So today I guess is mostly catch up, and preparing what I already have. Making lists, and paying bills. Anyway, on with today: ME: Weigh and record Exercise: - walk - mile 1 - walk - mile 2 - something else? ? short walk to corner store Shower, dress, makeup Log meals into MyFitnessPal Read Bible - didn't do it until evening, and kept falling asleep Paint fingernails DAILY: Circle tour Tidy through Make bed Catch up dishes Wipe down kitchen counters, sink, stove top Bird care Vac bird room Bathroom swish and swipe Vac kitchen entrance Mop kitchen, entrance Toss garbage Declutter some emails THURSDAY'S TASKS: Living Room/ Dining Room - mega-tidy - empty vac - put in new filter - windex - dust - vac - vac couch - damp mop hardwood Paperwork: - pay bills - record on Quicken and in budget book - file CARRY OVER: Bird room - windex - dust - vac - damp mop hardwood Bedroom - windex - vac - didn't do on the side of the bed that had the a/c drainage flood - damp mop hardwood floor Bathroom - windex mirror - scrub tub - vac - mop - change towels - restock Kitchen: - dust desk ERRANDS: - get key made - car wash? - now that garage is cleaned LEFT OVERS: COOKING - cook up some open bags of veggies, after fresh veggies used up - use up zucchini - 2 left - use up rice - use up green onions - use up yogurt LAUNDRY: - will delay until end of week (Fri or Sat?) CHALLENGE FOR WEEK: CLOTHES SORTING - put bags for donations in car - will do after I return, since I will not be going back to that area this week - drop off donations - next week - arrange clothing better in bedroom closet - rearrange drawers as needed VHS TAPES - discard 5-10 tapes a week BIRD PREPS for the week (for while I am away) - start writing up a care list - sitter to possibly visit 1 more time - give key when made VACATION PREPS FOR NEXT WEEK (3-4 days?): - start lists of clothes, food, toiletries, etc - get key made - notify super that D will have access to my apt. (his suggestion - he is a former super as well) - put aside clothing for going away - put aside toiletries - plan food to take - buy remainder food Fri or Sat - bake some muffins to take (Sat?) **************************** I am still very upset re the 'flood' created by the portable a/c unit drainage hose that fell out of the bucket. I was also concerned re it being on, and only checked twice a day while I will be gone. Especially since it happened while I was sitting right here! So I tried to think about how I could possibly not have it on while away - would the birds get too warm at that end of the house without it? etc. When I suddenly had the thought - move the birds to the LR - that ac drains outside - and the one with the hose wouldn't need to be turned on at all while I was away. Now when I first got the birds, I had them in the LR - and it seemed like we didn't do well. Any noise sets them off. I was very concerned re their noise bothering my neighbours - especially the older gentleman next door - but he passed away last Nov. Also this week D, who used to be the super of a 27 unit building, with mostly older people as tenants, said to not worry about bird noise. (Food for thought.) So I brought them out into the LR late morning. For the most part they are doing very well. In their old room they used to 'screech' in the AM after I woke them, and left their room. I didn't know if they were flock calling - or calling to me - or flock calling to me thinking I was part of their flock. Well 3 times I stepped out on the balcony, opposite side of the room where they are, and they started this same screeching. So it obviously seems to me that they are calling to me when they think I am leaving them. They actually seemed quite excited with the move. Prior, they used to stop ALL activity when I entered their room - I was never allowed to see them eat, drink, play, or even where they slept. But once they moved they did all of that with me in the room, and several times were flying around their cage, looking like they were playing tag. They seemed happier. They did have a few episodes of noisiness but I think they will settle down. Also, on other occasions, any extra noise got them going - my other birds did too. So any form of talking, TV etc they would try to be louder than whatever was going on. But last PM, I turned on a YouTube exercise video, and did it in the LR, and it had music and talking, and after a couple of minutes they just became quiet and let me do it. Night time has worked well - I covered them as usual - and even though I was still in the room, they were quiet and settled quickly. So the good news - if this works out - then D will have a much easier time with their care. Also we caught him , out of habit, turning the light in their room off twice as he exited the room. With them in the LR, he can use a lamp part time, but with the light from the big windows, even if the lamp gets turned off or forgotten, they will be fine. Also they will be cool with the benefit of the DR ac, and the bedroom ac can be left off while I am away, so no risk of floods and no need to empty that pail, which also can get heavy. Possible bad news - the birds messes (seeds and feathers) will now be at the end of the LR instead of contained in a separate room. This just means that I will need to vacuum in the LR / entrance more often (daily at least). IF this becomes permanent, and I am almost hoping it might, because the birds seemed to react favourably, then I will be moving things around more once I get back. And that movement might actually make other things better. Getting back to the flooded hardwood floor - I did a bit of reading, and most of the problem right now is the extra water that the wood has absorbed. So I have put a fan on the floor to circulate air around them better to hopefully help, and I will continue using the ac in there to remove the extreme humidity, until I leave. I felt quite tired a lot of the day, and just didn't get a lot done. I had planned to work on my lists, but it didn't happen.
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 15, 2016 5:27:44 GMT -5
Fri July 15/ 16 I am hoping now that most of the issues with the birds are resolved since I moved them into the LR yesterday. They are currently still covered and sleeping in their cage, and not bothered by me. Vacation plans to my knowledge are to leave here early Mon AM, around 8 or 9 AM. Now that I have resolved some of the bird care and eliminated any potential ac flooding issues, I can now concentrate on holiday preps. I'm going to try to get out fairly early today to get groceries and an errand or 2 in the same plaza. But that means I will need to get these lists done before I go out. Then if I feel up to it I may do some laundry later today. I also recognize that with the birds in the LR, I will have to vac it at least daily, but I can decrease the amount of work in the back of the apt. Anyway, on with today: ME: Weigh and record Exercise: - walk - mile 1 - walk - mile 2 - something else? Routine was exercising for lower body as well Shower, dress, makeup Log meals into MyFitnessPal Read Bible - finish July 14's portion - today's readings Paint fingernails DAILY: Circle tour, tidy through Make bed was going to wash sheets but ended up too tired Bathroom swish and swipe Catch up dishes Wipe down kitchen counters, sink, stove top Bird care Vac all or part of LR Dust LR as needed Vac kitchen entrance Mop kitchen, entrance Toss garbage Declutter some emails FRIDAY'S TASKS: Groceries, errands - make detailed list of what I need for time away, food, toiletries, etc - go to grocery store - get key made in hardware store - drug store? dollar store? - bank - bring up all purchases - put away as able, or in areas to pack (DR for food, spare room for toiletries etc Laundry - sort - wash - dry - put away - wash cleaning cloths by Sun - change sheets and wash linens by Sun ADD: Clean bird cage CARRY OVER: Living Room/ Dining Room - empty vac - put in new filter - windex - dust - vac - vac couch - damp mop hardwood Paperwork: - pay bills - record on Quicken and in budget book - file Spare room - windex Bedroom - windex Bathroom - windex mirror - scrub tub - mop - change towels - restock Kitchen: - dust desk ERRANDS: - get key made - car wash? - now that garage is cleaned - next week? LEFT OVERS: COOKING - cook up some open bags of veggies, after fresh veggies used up - use up zucchini - 2 left - use up rice - use up green onions - use up yogurt CHALLENGE FOR WEEK: CLOTHES SORTING - put bags for donations in car - will drop off after I return, since I will not be going back to that area this week - drop off donations - next week - arrange clothing better in bedroom closet - rearrange drawers as needed VHS TAPES - discard 5-10 tapes a week BIRD PREPS for the week (for while I am away) - start writing up a care list - sitter to possibly visit 1 more time - give key when made VACATION PREPS FOR NEXT WEEK (3-4 days?): - start lists of clothes, food, toiletries, etc - get key made - put aside clothing for going away - put aside toiletries - plan food to take - buy remainder food Fri or Sat - bake some muffins to take (Sat?) ******************** I got in the groceries and did several other errands. I shouldn't need to go out again before I leave for holiday. It was 5 trips bringing everything up - but I also took 2 bags of donations down to the car on 1 trip. By then I was way too tired to change sheets, sort laundry and do the 3+ more trips up and down to do laundry. On 1 trip out I met D and his wife L, coming from the laundry room. She said last Sat there was really busy - so she was doing today. I just didn't have any more energy, so I hope it's not terrible on Sat. I told them that I had moved the birds to the LR - and they were quite relieved that I will not be needing that bedroom ac unit on, with those drainage problems, while away. The apt is looking a bit wrecked, but a lot is related to things out that I will be taking with me. The birds seem to have adapted well to the LR.
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 16, 2016 5:24:16 GMT -5
Sat July 16/16 I can't believe that it's now only 2 days until I go away!!!! I think. Plans always change with these people. But last word was we're probably leaving around 8 or 9 AM Mon. I believe I have now purchased everything I need to take - but much is now lying around. So in the next 2 days I want to catch up laundry, and then do a clean through, especially since people will be coming in to tend to the birds. And bake muffins. Last minute I will do a bird cage cleaning, and water my plants. I hope this goes off, especially trying to do laundry, on a potentially busy laundry room day. I think the bedroom floor, where it flooded, is better. I have been running fans on it. I took out some of the parquet strips to allow better air flow/ drying. I have a table fan blowing lightly on it at floor level, and during the day, when home, I run the ac on the dehumidify setting. I want to clean half of my apt today, and half Sunday, but was debating about whether to do back area first, then front, or do anything above floor first, and then floors on Sunday. But recalling the bedroom floor drying, the 2nd option seems best. For the most part, my previous lists are now eliminated, and I'm starting over with new preps. So, plans for today and tomorrow: ME: Weigh and record Exercise: - decided today was a 'rest day' - walk - mile 1 - walk - mile 2 - something else? Shower, dress, makeup Log meals into MyFitnessPal Read Bible PLANS FOR SAT.: Strip bed Sort laundry 6 loads Wash Dry Put away Make bed up Lay out clothes for vacation Lay out any other items needed for vacation Make muffins Empty remaining shopping bags Bring down 'suitcase' from closet shelf Wipe down bags I am taking things in Possibly bag up things to take: - refrigerated foods - unrefrigerated foods - toiletries - other supplies - lay aside clothes but pack at last minute - put all but refrigerated bags in spare room Discard any food from fridge that will go bad while away Tidy any remaining areas Catch up on dishes!!!!!! Clear off any extras from kitchen counters, desk Empty vac Put new filter in vac Windex through - bedroom, spare room, bathroom - LR DR entrance Quick dust through - bedroom, spare room, hall - LR DR, entrance, kitchen Scrub kitchen surfaces Scrub bathroom surfaces Deadhead plants on balcony Bring in bougainvillea for while away Bring in loose cushions Take recycling and compost down to outside bins Talk to bird sitter - visit? coming up Sun AM PLANS FOR SUNDAY: Any leftovers from Sat. Vac bedroom, spare room, hall Vac bathroom Mop bathroom Give bird cage a good cleaning Vac LR couch Vac LR, DR floors Vac kitchen, entrance floors Mop kitchen, entrance floors ADD: damp mop LR and DR hardwood floors Water plants inside and out Paint nails Pay bills on-line - record in Quicken, budget book - file Charge phone, camera Toss all garbage EARLY MON AM: Pack clothes Bird care before I leave Text bird sitter when I leave POSSIBLE (BUT PROBABLY NOT) EXTRAS: Declutter some emails VHS TAPES - discard 5-10 tapes a week CHALLENGE FOR WEEK: CLOTHES SORTING - arrange clothing better in bedroom closet - rearrange drawers as needed
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 17, 2016 5:11:06 GMT -5
Good Sunday morning - July 17/16. 1 more day until I leave for holiday. Around 8 or 9 tomorrow AM. So today is just mainly packing and tying up any loose ends. I got all of my laundry done yesterday - including a load of cleaning cloths and a load of tea towels. Meaning that right now there are only about 4 or 5 items dirty in the house, that have been used since - mostly what I wore yesterday. The bird sitter also indicated that he will come by this AM to catch up on last minute bird details. My house looks rather untidy right now, but its mostly dishes, the last 2 loads of laundry to put away - plus the stuff laid out that I need to pack. Tonight I also need to water all of the plants, and clean the bird cage well. I think it's clean enough to leave as it is, once I get it tidy, although I may do a quick dust. Left to do: ME: Weigh and record Exercise: - walk - mile 1 - walk - mile 2 - something else? Shower, dress, makeup Log meals into MyFitnessPal Read Bible - catch up from July 16 - for July 17 FROM SAT.: Put away 2 loads clean laundry Lay out clothes for vacation Lay out any other items needed for vacation Make muffins Bring down 'suitcase' from closet shelf Wipe down bags I am taking things in Possibly bag up things to take: - refrigerated foods - unrefrigerated foods - toiletries - other supplies - lay aside clothes but pack at last minute - put all but refrigerated bags in spare room except they are in entrance Discard any food from fridge that will go bad while away Catch up on dishes!!!!!! today's Clear off any extras from kitchen counters, desk Scrub kitchen surfaces - clean grill Scrub bathroom surfaces Take compost down to outside bins ADD: and more recycling PLANS FOR SUNDAY: Bird sitter to visit in AM Clean bath tub Vac bathroom Mop bathroom Give bird cage a good cleaning Put parquet flooring, removed after 'flood' back in place Water plants inside and out Paint nails Pay bills on-line - record in Quicken, budget book - file Charge phone, camera Toss all garbage MAYBE: Windex through - bedroom, spare room, bathroom - LR DR entrance Quick dust through - bedroom, spare room, hall - LR DR, entrance, kitchen EARLY MON AM: Pack clothes Bird care before I leave Text bird sitter when I leave POSSIBLE (BUT PROBABLY NOT) EXTRAS: Declutter some emails VHS TAPES - discard 5-10 tapes a week CHALLENGE FOR WEEK: CLOTHES SORTING - arrange clothing better in bedroom closet - rearrange drawers as needed ********************* It's 9:30 PM Sun. We are leaving in about 12 hours. I'm close to being done tonight, but I still have things to pack. My back hurts, and Tylenol didn't help it. I'm tired too. I didn't get any exercise in today - but I'm too tired to bother now - and too sore. I may just go to bed very soon, and do the rest in the AM. It's laid out, just needs to be packed. I may go have a shower now, because I've been sweating too much. I will be back Thursday, July 21. I may not get back here in the AM.
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 18, 2016 5:07:35 GMT -5
It's going on 6 AM Mon July 19. I will be leaving for my 3 (or 4?) day holiday in about 3 hours. I decided to put a mini list here, and run it as I go. To Do: ME - shower - coffee #2 - make up , dress - remove polish on toe nails - time to polish them? - take polish for fingernails with me - put Imodium in purse ADD: finish yesterday's log, and today's wt in MFP KITCHEN - pack up refrigerator bags (2?)- add ice packs - pack remaining stuff around them - wash up AM dishes - leave out muffins for D and wife ADD: wipe surfaces down DR - fold tea towels - pack up anything not in refrigerator bag (?) - turn on ac for birds - put away anything left on table LR - tidy - remove papers - shut down lap top - uncover birds Bedroom - make bed - pack clothes (1) - pack makeup, sharpen eyeliner pencil - pack anything left over in 'anything else' bag - empty drainage pail - make sure everything off Bathroom - wipe down surfaces after shower - pack up tooth care stuff - pack up glasses cleaning cloth Spareroom - check to see nothing left behind Hall - tidy if anything Last step - pack camera and charge cords - cell phone handy for contacts - make sure sitter notes are handy - toss last garbage ADD: close all dresser drawers and cabinet doors I better get started!!!! ************************ Yay - 8:30 and I am 99% done!!!!! Just need to: finish coffee wash cup dress - clothes are laid out - uncover birds Tie up last garbage and toss down chute Shut down and store away laptop When called, move all bags to elevator, then to lobby I have 8 bags - I hope there is room 3 are all of my clothes, shoes, makeup, my personal toiletries, and 'entertainment' stuff 2 are refrigerated food 2 are unrefrigerated food stuffs and supplies 1 is gifts See you all Thursday!
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Post by hollyhock on Jul 21, 2016 15:34:20 GMT -5
I'm back. Been back about an hour. All is well. Birds are very chatty. Was fairly warm in here - but it looks like the a/c was on 'fan' and not on 'cool', so I am trying to cool this place down.
Had a very good time. Enjoyable time, great seeing ds and dgs several days in a row. Ds' in-laws are all very nice. Only went swimming once - on two days it was too windy and cold out there. Lake Huron. Much of the food was duplicated - I figured we'd either have nothing or duplicates - but we 'feasted' well, a different supper every night, and took a lot home. But still left a lot for our hosts, who had been away for a month. The nearest grocery stores are over 30 minutes away.
So now, back to the usual 'grind'.
We washed up all of the used towels and bedding before we left, so I didn't have a shower yet today. And I need to get myself some bread from the corner store, because I cleared out my fridge before I left.
So my list for today will basically be some dailies, and some things to finish up today, or early tomorrow:
ME: Exercise: - walk? Shower Log meals into MyFitnessPal - for past 4 days Read Bible
DAILY: Bird care at bedtime
ALSO: - go to corner store - unpack bags # 1 2 3 4 5 6 - prepare 'thank you' for bird sitter - water plants - clean bird cage - bring up items I left in car, in locker
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