OMgosh, Mike and Janet, that looks awesome. The before looked so nice but the improvements will be wonderful. I must admit, I've never wanted a bidet but have wanted to try one at least one time. Only if it is warm water.
Lounge Lizards / Misfits / Free Thinkers / Bohemians & the Forgotten :: Young at Heart Only
- Thread starter Uncle Willie
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Good morning, David.Morning, all.
Said to be cool today, with rain coming in later on. We'll see if it's rain or another heavy dew, but I'll appreciate the cooler
Great looking remodel, Mike! Bet you're looking forward to completion
View attachment 1010559
Glad you'll be cooler today.
From the New York Times ::
But because I am also constantly reckoning with a pesky sense of dread regarding obligations of any size, I also find the concept of spring cleaning over-ambitious and intimidating. On days when routine chores like going to the post office or separating the laundry feel like punishments, the project of vacuum-sealing sweaters in mothproof storage bags seems unfeasible.
A friend was telling me about readying for a twice-a-year neighborhood yard sale, how she had begun decluttering in anticipation of the event. I felt a mix of excitement (it’s that time of year again!) and panic (it’s that time of year and, once again, I have waited too long to call the accountant!). Then she mentioned how accomplished she felt after sewing a button on a shirt to ready it for the sale.
I started thinking about those tiny things we put off, the little tasks that aren’t necessarily arduous, but for whatever reason — they’re not part of our regular routines, we don’t have to do them to function — we procrastinate getting done. When we actually do them, the sense of relief we experience is almost transcendent.
Take sewing a button on a shirt. Yes, the shirt has been out of commission for four years, but it’s OK, you rationalized, you have other shirts and always more pressing things to do. But when you actually sit down and sew the stupid button, you feel an outsize sense of achievement that’s totally disproportionate to the effort and time expended. Look at your handiwork! And now you have another shirt!
I started making a list of these tasks, the endlessly put-off, tiny things that occupy space at the bottom of the mind’s running to-do list. Shining shoes. Repotting plants. Sharpening knives. Getting the car washed. I made chicken stock recently from scraps that had been sitting in the freezer for months. I felt a sense of accomplishment that I can only compare to what someone might experience after lifting a car off a trapped child.
It can be a sort of game, thinking of these little annoying tasks and then addressing them, seeing how much asymmetrical relief you can rack up from relatively minor exertion. You might find yourself so energized that you’re up to contemplate some version of spring cleaning. Maybe not a total closet overhaul, but, say, one quick “does this spark joy” pass over your winter wardrobe. Who knows what you’ll be capable of with the confidence accrued from checking off these items. You might even make an appointment with the tax accountant. (Or just gather your paperwork and throw it in a folder — take it slow, no need to do anything crazy.)
Starting small
Spring arrives, and with it, a semi-annoying, semi-invigorating mandate to spring clean — to clear out spaces both physical and psychological. Because I am constantly looking for reasons to get rid of old things, old ways of thinking and being that have outstayed their usefulness, I’m drawn to spring cleaning as an annual rite.But because I am also constantly reckoning with a pesky sense of dread regarding obligations of any size, I also find the concept of spring cleaning over-ambitious and intimidating. On days when routine chores like going to the post office or separating the laundry feel like punishments, the project of vacuum-sealing sweaters in mothproof storage bags seems unfeasible.
A friend was telling me about readying for a twice-a-year neighborhood yard sale, how she had begun decluttering in anticipation of the event. I felt a mix of excitement (it’s that time of year again!) and panic (it’s that time of year and, once again, I have waited too long to call the accountant!). Then she mentioned how accomplished she felt after sewing a button on a shirt to ready it for the sale.
I started thinking about those tiny things we put off, the little tasks that aren’t necessarily arduous, but for whatever reason — they’re not part of our regular routines, we don’t have to do them to function — we procrastinate getting done. When we actually do them, the sense of relief we experience is almost transcendent.
Take sewing a button on a shirt. Yes, the shirt has been out of commission for four years, but it’s OK, you rationalized, you have other shirts and always more pressing things to do. But when you actually sit down and sew the stupid button, you feel an outsize sense of achievement that’s totally disproportionate to the effort and time expended. Look at your handiwork! And now you have another shirt!
I started making a list of these tasks, the endlessly put-off, tiny things that occupy space at the bottom of the mind’s running to-do list. Shining shoes. Repotting plants. Sharpening knives. Getting the car washed. I made chicken stock recently from scraps that had been sitting in the freezer for months. I felt a sense of accomplishment that I can only compare to what someone might experience after lifting a car off a trapped child.
It can be a sort of game, thinking of these little annoying tasks and then addressing them, seeing how much asymmetrical relief you can rack up from relatively minor exertion. You might find yourself so energized that you’re up to contemplate some version of spring cleaning. Maybe not a total closet overhaul, but, say, one quick “does this spark joy” pass over your winter wardrobe. Who knows what you’ll be capable of with the confidence accrued from checking off these items. You might even make an appointment with the tax accountant. (Or just gather your paperwork and throw it in a folder — take it slow, no need to do anything crazy.)
Indeed, one step at a time. Little things do grow into that sense of accomplishment, and can then build.
Good morning and Happy Easter morning. Woke up to rain, but now the sun is out and it's going to 59 degrees. Perfect weather for the boys to practice on their scooters in the cup-de-sac.
We hid eggs all over downstairs so when the boys woke up they were so excited to hunt for them. Total chaos!! What a riot.
I'm making a ham dinner that we'll all have here at 1:30. Hopefully the boys will play outside while we watch the Phillies game.
@Uncle Willie You're so right about getting the little things done. I read one time that not getting those things done just clutters your brain. I do feel happier and lighter when I accomplish those little chores. It does seem out of proportion to what's accomplished.
We hid eggs all over downstairs so when the boys woke up they were so excited to hunt for them. Total chaos!! What a riot.
I'm making a ham dinner that we'll all have here at 1:30. Hopefully the boys will play outside while we watch the Phillies game.
@Uncle Willie You're so right about getting the little things done. I read one time that not getting those things done just clutters your brain. I do feel happier and lighter when I accomplish those little chores. It does seem out of proportion to what's accomplished.
Morning, all.
Real (light) rain here in Phoenix, so soggy bonnets and bleeding egg dye for them.
So nice cool temps for my last day here
Real (light) rain here in Phoenix, so soggy bonnets and bleeding egg dye for them.
So nice cool temps for my last day here
Getting things set for an early departure tomorrow, first leg of the slog
Long hours behind the wheel, since this trip is always about the destination, and home sounds real good.
But will try for at least a quick logon to report safe travels!
Long hours behind the wheel, since this trip is always about the destination, and home sounds real good.
But will try for at least a quick logon to report safe travels!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. It was beautiful today. 80 some degrees and it felt wonderful. I did get a few more Boxwoods trimmed.
Ken wanted to go for a motorcycle ride but I told him I did not think it was a good idea. His shoulder has been better the last two days and I hated to see him go back to square one. It was just a coincidence but he listened for a change and we just stayed home.
Fixed a tasty supper and pigged out but it is back to healthier eating tomorrow just like it is every Monday.
I did not make it to the gym today but I still got in my 10,000 steps walking up and down our street. I read while I walked and I could walk for hours. I think it is relaxing. Especially when it is such a beautiful day.
Hope everyone has a wonderful start to your week. Hugs to all.
Ken wanted to go for a motorcycle ride but I told him I did not think it was a good idea. His shoulder has been better the last two days and I hated to see him go back to square one. It was just a coincidence but he listened for a change and we just stayed home.
Fixed a tasty supper and pigged out but it is back to healthier eating tomorrow just like it is every Monday.
Hope everyone has a wonderful start to your week. Hugs to all.
“Pity the nation whose people are sheep,
and whose shepherds mislead them.
Pity the nation whose leaders are liars, whose sages are silenced,
and whose bigots haunt the airwaves.
Pity the nation that raises not its voice,
except to praise conquerors and acclaim the bully as hero
and aims to rule the world with force and by torture.
Pity the nation that knows no other language but its own
and no other culture but its own.
Pity the nation whose breath is money
and sleeps the sleep of the too well fed.
Pity the nation - oh, pity the people who allow their rights to erode
and their freedoms to be washed away.
My country, tears of thee, sweet land of liberty.”
Lawrence Ferlinghetti
and whose shepherds mislead them.
Pity the nation whose leaders are liars, whose sages are silenced,
and whose bigots haunt the airwaves.
Pity the nation that raises not its voice,
except to praise conquerors and acclaim the bully as hero
and aims to rule the world with force and by torture.
Pity the nation that knows no other language but its own
and no other culture but its own.
Pity the nation whose breath is money
and sleeps the sleep of the too well fed.
Pity the nation - oh, pity the people who allow their rights to erode
and their freedoms to be washed away.
My country, tears of thee, sweet land of liberty.”
Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Deal of the Day ::
Ends Today. Groupon is offering a Lunar Getaway One-Way Ticket to the Moon starting from $99,999 with Space Y. Ends 4/1/24. You get a VIP boarding pass to the moon with Space Y. Enjoy activities like Moon Cheese Tasting, Alien Hide-and-Seek, and Lunar Limbo Under the Stars.
Ends Today. Groupon is offering a Lunar Getaway One-Way Ticket to the Moon starting from $99,999 with Space Y. Ends 4/1/24. You get a VIP boarding pass to the moon with Space Y. Enjoy activities like Moon Cheese Tasting, Alien Hide-and-Seek, and Lunar Limbo Under the Stars.
UW, I did one of those things I've been putting off for months. Taxes are done finally. 
Speaking there-upon-there-of deals. You being the deal king around here. My free subscription to Disney+ expired. Do you have a deal to renew it?
Evening, all
Wise man.
First leg done, 700 miles, light traffic, good weather. Almost time to go prone
Might try to make it home tomorrow, only about 750 left. My own bed sounds good. Depends on traffic and energy levels, and I still have half a tin of caffeinated mints
Wise man.
First leg done, 700 miles, light traffic, good weather. Almost time to go prone
Might try to make it home tomorrow, only about 750 left. My own bed sounds good. Depends on traffic and energy levels, and I still have half a tin of caffeinated mints
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